How psychology can help the planet stay cool
A perennial problem faced by people trying to promote environmental issues is how not to bamboozle people with environmental scare stories, thus bringing about a state of apathy because it’s too late to do anything! The psychologists whose work is the subject of this article from New Scientist are obviously very aware of this trap. They are exploring the question whether an environmental (and obviously organic) carrot is more effective than a scary stick in changing people’s behaviour. The answer? Read the article! But, generally … yes.
350 Australia launches!
New Website!
I wanted to let you know that 350 Australia is up and running, with our brand spanking new web-page: http://www.350.org/Australia
We’re working on having Australia specific resources for you to use for your action. There are of course lot’s of helpful things to be found on the 350.org site here; http://www.350.org/action-resources
Also a brilliant new resource and program has been developed by a 350.org volunteer in Melbourne. If you are interested in getting into schools and helping to promote 350 in that way, check out
http://www.350schools.com/
Film Screenings
A new film raising awareness around climate change, “The Age of Stupid” is coming to our shores. In global partnership with 350.org this film is travelling the world, in an environmentally friendly way, with the London premiere having just 1% of the usual Hollywood film premiere’s emissions. To see where it’s showing near you, or to host your own screening see below: http://www.ageofstupid.net/screenings/country/australia
PowerShift
I also wanted to tell you about Powershift, the Youth Climate Conference I and 1,500 young people from around Australia attended, hearing from speakers such as Al Gore and Tim Flannery. It all culminated in a Flash Mob dance outside the Opera House demanding an end to coal mining and a sustainable future, which you can watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S2T5vPHjS8
Say G’day
With so many creative ideas flowing in, we’d love to hear from you! 350 Australia is here to support your actions and we’d like to let you know of one of the big actions for October 24th, the Sydney Opera House and the City of Sydney have given us the go ahead for a major action on the Opera House steps! Let us know what you’re up to, and be sure to register your action on the main 350.org website so we can keep count!
Stay Connected
Join us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=102269751129&ref=mf …and twitter: http://twitter.com/350Australia
In other 350 News…
We’re not the only ones calling for a strong target of 350ppm…http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=2378
Can You Help Us?
We need someone to get underwater and snorkel or scuba for 350! If you live near the Great Barrier Reef or own an underwater camera and might be interested in getting wet for 350, or know someone who might, let us know at infoaustralia@350.org
Thanks for all that you do,
Emily & Blair
Take Action – Switch off Hazelwood!
On Sunday Sept 13, people from across Victoria will gather to protest the extension of life given to Australia’s most greenhouse polluting power station.
More information on how to join the protest is here: http://www.switchoffhazelwood.org/
The organisers are also looking for the action to be endorsed by more goups . . . http://www.switchoffhazelwood.org/endorsements.