SOLAR SAVERS
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Speaker Karl Barnett outlined the terrific benefits available for relevant pensioners, of the Solar Savers program, an initiative of Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action, and sponsored by City of Whitehorse. Many of the 70 attendees were new to ECAM. Solar Savers is a pioneering approach by Victorian Councils to support pensioner households to install solar with no upfront costs.
Approximately 35 people attending heard President Kathy Leitch speak to her report saying it was heartening to say that ECAM was as strong as ever helped along by the City of Whitehorse Grant of $1500, printing and Sustainable News advertising. Paid up membership is now 50 and email list is 410. Kathy thanked the committee and many other volunteers who have enabled ECAM to conduct two very successful public forums: “Solar and Batteries” with a wait list of 80 and “Will Renewables Cut Power Bills and Save the Planet” both with wonderful speakers providing us with hope for the future. Kathy particularly thanked Pam French, a founding member of ECAM who is stepping down from the committee. Next year ECAM will aim to run five bi-monthly events starting in March including an awareness of the State Election late next year and continuing to address our call for a “Safe Climate Now”. A committee of nine was re-elected and others present were encouraged to join the committee next year.
After the AGM, Melanie Kerr, Senior Waste and Sustainability Officer, City of Whitehorse gave a very information talk on “Whitehorse War on Waste”, outlining the composition of waste collected (35% of which is food wastage), how Whitehorse disposes of its waste and giving many practical ideas as to how we can reduce and reuse, etc. Whitehorse will be conducting a major review of all waste issues in 2018. An End of Year Supper Celebration followed. |
CAN RENEWABLES CUT POWER BILLS - AND SAVE THE PLANET?
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An audience of approximately 75 people was privileged to hear from two inspiring environmental
specialists in Amanda McKenzie from the Climate Council and Kate Nicolazzo from Moreland Energy Foundation. While reiterating the need for the world to act fast on climate change, Amanda gave us encouragement and hope that we can address the challenges we face and that there are states and cities leaping ahead in implementing their own action on climate change to meet the Paris Agreement. Kate’s enthusiastic sharing of all the practical action that is being achieved especially with business and councils demonstrated that help is available for each of us to implement our own measures to access renewables, reduce carbon and save on costs. An inspiring night. The event was live streamed to ECAM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/easterncag/videos/1602401353167802/ A very successful event with 200 plus attendees at the Waratah Room Whitehorse Centre. Moderator Rob Gell set the current environmental context and the need to reduce emissions, before introducing renewable energy expert Pat Tale, Sustainability Consultant - Enviroshop.. Pat gave a refresher on how solar works and outlined the various types of batteries available and what one needs to consider to best meet specific requirements. Economist Bruce Mountain, Director Carbon and Energy Markets then gave an outline of the economics and cost/benefits of batteries both on an individual home scale and how batteries will impact the bigger picture of decarbonizing the grid and energy security. Questions from the floor were lively and well addressed by the panel. Attendees perused stalls by Enviroshop, Gridedge, Ecomaster and Whitehorse Council. The event which was sponsored by Bendigo Bank to the tune of $1000 was attended by Mayor, Cr Denise Massoud, Councilor Bill Bennett and Robert Clark MLA. The event was streamed live to Facebook so the 60 plus people on the waiting list who could not be fitted in were able to view the event as it was happening. The podcast is available via https://www.facebook.com/easterncag/videos/1400872103320729/?hc_ref=PAGES 
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Our AGM was held at the Field Naturalist’s Club and 28 people heard the outgoing president Peter Moon report on the busy year of ECAM events. Peter also mentioned that ECAM was awarded the City of Whitehorse 2016 Sustainable Community Leadership Award, and he thanked the City of Whitehorse for their support. ECAM currently has 50 paid up members, With 400+ on the ECAM News email list and 292 facebook likes both continue to grow steadily. We have worked with many like-minded organisations. Peter thanked the committee and all the volunteers who assisted with letterboxing and at the events for their hard work and he thanked the community for supporting the work of ECAM. Committee Members for 2017 were elected and all present including Mayor, Cr Denise Massoud and Councillor Bill Bennett enjoyed a celebratory supper. Forty five attendees heard Hugh Venables and Richard Keech share their expertise and experience on how to save money on energy bills, reduce emissions and make our homes more comfortable. In his home efficiency presentation Hugh outlined the steps to take in our homes as detailed in the Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) publication, the Zero Carbon Australia Buildings Plan. Richard, the primary author of the BZE book “The Energy Freedom Home” then presented a case study of his own home where he has implemented the BZE plan very effectively. Over supper, Ecomaster, Enviroshop and BZE staffed stalls and provided advice on the practical implementation of energy saving strategies.
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Local Climate Action in the Eastern Suburbs and in particular Whitehorse.
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Scott McKenry, the Regional Coordinator - Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (EAGA) outlined the goals and actions of EAGA, is a formal collaboration of seven Councils in Melbourne’s east who work together on regional programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate regional adaptation. After that, Cr Andrew Munroe, City of Whitehorse Councillor for Central Ward brought us up to date with some of the things happening in Whitehorse. there were 35 attendees.
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Combined ECAM and Lighter
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The Box Hill Town Hall buzzed with close to 600 people – a strong demonstration of just how seriously the community takes the need for serious action on climate change. A Lighter Footprints started off the night with a video that was both a bit of fun and a serious reflection on the damage to the Great Barrier reef as “the canary in the coal mine”. Boroondara Young Citizen of the Year Kathleen Hanson spoke about youth concerns for the environment. With Rod Quantock as MC, The panel members Peter Christoff (setting of the context for climate change as an international issue), Josh Frydenberg MP (Lib), Senator Janet Rice (Greens) and Mark Butler (ALP) spoke briefly and took questions about their main climate change platforms.
Break-out groups with candidates from the electorates of Chisholm, Koonong and Deakin provided a good chance for people to question their candidates. 
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Climate change & health with
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Dr John Merory MB.BS.FRACP.M.Env. Sci., a lifelong environmentalist and member of Doctors for the Environment explained and demonstrated evidence of the rising heat on earth 1850-2016. He outlined how deadly the impact of heat is on increased deaths, more hospitalisations, more ambulance call-outs, etc. Describing the symptoms of heat stress and the impacts on our health, he then outlined what measures we can take to protect ourselves and our neighbours. 55 people attended with positive appreciative feedback.
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Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Expo
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110 people attended this car show with ten exhibitors, all of whom were eastern suburb residents or businesses, except for the Powershop Tesla and the Enviroshop Battery installation exhibit, Demonstrations and talks with attendees about the benefits of their electric or hybrid vehicles took place in the car park abutting the Hall. All then moved into the hall where the owners gave a short presentation and answered questions. Feedback was extremely positive, noting it was a well organised and informative event, that the short, to the point, presentations was a very effective way to get key info across, and it was great to see such interest in EVs. Cr Andrew Munro attended and in his Report to Residents described it as the best event he had attended as a City of Whitehorse Councillor.
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Peoples Climate March
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ECAM members marched under the new ECAM banner to support one of the largest climate rallies held in Melbourne.
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Mullum Mullum Festival
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ECAM assisted with one of the activities at the Mullum Mullum Festival at Currawong Bush Park. At this session climate policy strategist, David Spratt spoke on “Local conservation and a warming climate: what gives?”
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Annual General Meeting
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At the AGM President Peter Moon summarised the year to date and the outcomes of the Planning Forum. Cr Bill Bennett addressed the audience congratulating ECAM for their community work in climate action and reassured us that history will show we are on “high moral ground” in doing so. Outlining his own long history in environmental awareness and action, he spoke to some of the Whitehorse Council’s current activities, took questions and outlined some ideas as to how to work with council staff and councillors to inform them of our concerns and activities.
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Divestment Forum and Expo
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250 people attended Box Hill Town Hall to hear Dr John Hewson AM speak on “Climate Change – Threats and Opportunities for Business and You”. Presentations and displays by businesses in superannuation, power and banking provided information on divesting from fossil fuels to mitigate the risks from climate change. 46% of those who attended returned evaluations rating the evening at 90%+ and 79% said they would take action in response to their new knowledge. “Brilliantly organised and run”.
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Lakeside Walk and Talk
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Held at tranquil Blackburn Lake, about 35 people walked through the bush to the shore of the lake with ECAM members explaining the impacts of climate change and sharing ideas to mitigate its affect. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with comments such as “I was involved in climate change 20 years ago and have become very depressed about it all, but it is so good to see local people doing something about it. I will keep in touch.” “Really enjoyed it”. “Thanks so much for all that information”.
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State Election Environment Forum 30 September 2014
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Noted environmentalist Rob Gell moderated while the three candidates for Forest Hill presented their plans for action on climate change and took questions from the floor. 150 enthusiastic attendees were thus better informed about how to vote for climate action. Audience comments included “an inspirational night”, “excellent evening. Well organised, well attended and went like clockwork”, “the candidates will be well aware that the environment is of great importance to the Forest Hill electorate”,
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Cut Your Energy Bills Big Time
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150 people turned out on a cold winter night to hear Hugh Venables presenting the BZE Housing Plan, Richard Keech, explaining how he has implemented all the plan’s recommendations on his own house and the great benefits gained, and Maurice Beinat Chief Technical Officer ecoMaster demonstrate the importance of "filling those gaps" to ensure heat stays in and cold stays out. Practical, inspirational and fun!
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Rooftop Solar Forum
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People love hearing about the benefits and practicalities of solar energy! Thus 140 came to hear solar installers demonstrate how effective solar power is, how much it can save them and how much it will cost, and what they need to consider to ensure a practical and efficient installation. A great supper ensured many stayed and chatted with various stall holders after the event. 
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Lakeside Walk and Talk
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At ECAM's first public venture ECAM speakers presented their well-researched explanations as to how and why climate change is occurring and what its devastating impacts . The 40 attendees were encouraged to act both personally and politically so that fossil fuels become a thing of the past, emissions can be brought down and a safe climate restored.
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