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After a sell out screening in Brisbane in March, Bimblebox is back.

This is a free event. Donations towards to ongoing work to distribute the film will be gratefully accepted on the night.

All [...]]]> This screening is presented by Doctors for the Environment (DEA) and Towards International Medical Equality (TIME). 

Join the Facebook Event

After a sell out screening in Brisbane in March, Bimblebox is back.

This is a free event. Donations towards to ongoing work to distribute the film will be gratefully accepted on the night.

All welcome.

The documentary, “Bimblebox”, explores the huge Australian coal export industry from the grassroots up. The people at Bimblebox Nature Refuge had the feeling that the harsh reality of the nation’s mining boom was happening behind the backs of most Australians. For them, the experience of intrusive coal exploration is all too real: their nature refuge lies in the path of the world’s largest coal mines.

They decided that the best way to resist the “China First” project that threatens their refuge would be to show Aussies what is happening in our backyard. In 2010 the Bimblebox team heard about an independent filmmaker in the USA and his renowned documentary, Mountaintop Removal. Mike O’Connell’s film was telling the world about resistance to coal mining in Appalachia, West Virginia.

Mike’s new film, Bimblebox, is named for the latest flashpoint in the conflict between coal and ecology in Australia. The story however is bigger that Bimblebox; it’s for anyone who cares about Australia,their health and the health of others, the environment, climate change, and the power of the coal industry. The fate of Bimblebox Nature Refuge is shown in the context of community responses to the massive expansion of coal and coal seam gas mining across the eastern states of Australia.

The Social Media and Web Coordinator plays a crucial role in facilitating communications across UQCfC’s online web platforms (Facebook, Twitter, WordPress blog), and ensuring our members remain up to date with UQCfC’s campaigns and [...]]]> UQ Climate for Change are seeking an enthusiastic volunteer (or two) to coordinate our social media presence and online communications.

The Social Media and Web Coordinator plays a crucial role in facilitating communications across UQCfC’s online web platforms (Facebook, Twitter, WordPress blog), and ensuring our members remain up to date with UQCfC’s campaigns and activities.

The role/s would require a commitment of 1-3 hrs per week (depending on whether responsibilities are spread across 1 or 2 volunteers).

Who is UQ Climate for Change?

Since 2007, UQ Climate for Change members have been working to  generate systemic changes at UQ that integrate climate change and sustainability throughout the University’s research, teaching, operations and outreach.

Among our achievements is the endorsement of our submission ‘Sustainability at UQ’, and the commitment of the University to sign the Talloires Declaration in 2009.

Our current focus is to ensure the new UQ Centre for Coal Seam Gas adheres to the sustainability commitments made so far by the University.

The successful applicant would:

•  Coordinate the Facebook page, including the creation of Facebook events, announcement of meetings and news about the groups activities, and posting of 1-2 climate/environmentally related news items per week which are of interest to our members
•  Coordinate our Twitter account (can be streamlined with Facebook)
•  Manage and updating our website (www.uqclimateforchange.org) when required.
•  Bring enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to the role
•  Have familiarity with WordPress blogging software/website management (desirable, but not essential – training can be provided).

How do I apply?

Send your expression of interest to Eleanor at uqclimateforchange@gmail.com by 4th May 2012, with a short statement of why you are suited to the role.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Spaces are limited and registration is compulsory to attend: make sure to RSVP to ccsg@uq.edu.au by 11th April 2012. Questions to [...]]]> The new UQ Centre for Coal Seam Gas will be holding an information session about the Centre’s research and objectives on 16th April 2012, 2.30-4pm  in the Riverview Room, Emmanuel College at UQ. 

Spaces are limited and registration is compulsory to attend: make sure to RSVP to ccsg@uq.edu.au by 11th April 2012. Questions to be raised at the meeting can also be submitted along with RSVP.

We encourage all UQ staff and students to attend this meeting – in particular anyone who has questions over the Centre’s proposed research activities, the conditionality of it’s $15 million industry funding, its governance structure,  and what mechanisms it has implemented to ensure research independence and integrity.

More background and information about UQCfC’s concerns over the CCSG can be found here: http://www.uqclimateforchange.org/uqccsg/

In November [...]]]> UQ students in faux-mining outfits built a life-size ‘gas drill rig’, complete with warning signs, at the centre of St Lucia campus yesterday. Students are calling on the university to make the new industry-funded ‘Centre for Coal Seam Gas’ (CCSG) truly independent amid concerns over industry influence on the Centre’s research agenda.

UQ students are questioning the University's commitment to scientific research integrity amid concerns of industry influence over the Centre for Coal Seam Gas

In November 2011, the University of Queensland announced the establishment of a new centre for research and education focused on coal seam gas. The Centre for Coal Seam Gas (CCSG) aims to be “the pre-eminent global authority on vital issues relating to CSG” (UQ News, November 2011).

The new ‘Centre for Coal Seam Gas’(CCSG) is partly-funded by Queensland Gas Company, Arrow Energy, Santos and the University of Queensland (UQ News, December 2011).

UQ student Abraham O’Neill said, “Increasingly large numbers of students and staff are demanding that the University disclose whether the CCSG’s research agenda will be independent of the interests of its industry sponsors.  The University has so far been dismissive of these concerns.”

“The CCSG raises fundamental questions about UQ’s commitment to scientific research integrity.  The Centre’s research agenda must be independent of the interests of industry.  It should also focus on the wider social and environmental impacts of coal seam gas mining in Australia”, Mr O’Neill said.

“The University of Queensland has built a reputation as a research leader in renewable energy technologies, and as a recent signatory of the Talloires Declaration, has committed to integrating sustainability into its research, teaching, operations, and outreach activities.”

“The immense public controversy over coal seam gas mining, and the environmental and social issues at stake, means it’s crucial that the CCSG maintains its independence and scientific integrity.”

More information:
http://www.uqclimateforchange.org/uqccsg/

Media Contact:
Abraham O’Neill, for the UQ Environment Collective
E: abraham.oneill@gmail.com
M: 0439758860

Tuesday 6th March, 6-9pm
Science Learning Centre, room 240 building 69, UQ St Lucia
Join the event on Facebook 

UQ Climate for Change and the UQ Environmental Collective invite you to join us for a casual evening of getting to know more about the clubs, and each other!

Drinks and snacks [...]]]>

Tuesday 6th March, 6-9pm
Science Learning Centre, room 240 building 69, UQ St Lucia
Join the event on Facebook 

UQ Climate for Change and the UQ Environmental Collective invite you to join us for a casual evening of getting to know more about the clubs, and each other!

Drinks and snacks will be provided, along with a chance to meet great like minded people, mapped out activities for the year and have a bit of fun.

Hope to see you there!

Come along to the UQ CfC Stall on Market Day, this Wednesday 22nd February from 10am – 3pm in the Great Court, [...]]]> It looks set to be a big year for climate action in Australia and internationally. If you have ever wanted to learn more about climate change now is the best time to get involved!

Come along to the UQ CfC Stall on Market Day, this Wednesday 22^nd February from 10am – 3pm in the Great Court, to find out what’s in store for the year ahead.

Look for the green UQ Climate for Change banner.

Dan and others will be visiting lectures, and running a stall near the Grassy Knoll each day – so call by, and find out why you would be mad to [...]]]> If you’d like to join the 50 others from UQ who are going to Powershift next weekend (in Brisbane!) then join up on campus today!

Dan and others will be visiting lectures, and running a stall near the Grassy Knoll each day – so call by, and find out why you would be mad to miss this.

Hey everyone,

My name’s Dan, I’ve come from Adelaide to help promote Powershift and I’m going to be on campus selling tickets for only $50 (half price!)

Powershift is an incredible opportunity to send a strong message that hundreds of young people support strong action climate change and learn amazing skills to help you keep on creating change in your community.

If you want to come and grab one, email me on daniel.spencer@youthclimatecoalition.org or give me a call on 0423 865 632

Look forward to seeing you on campus,

Dan Spencer

We, the caretakers and friends of Bimblebox are endlessly busy fighting the proposal to develop a coal mine on our Nature Refuge. But on the ground there is still plenty of work to provide basic care for [...]]]>

• Learn about fire and ecology
• Gain bush skills
• Travel costs, food and accommodation will be provided

We, the caretakers and friends of Bimblebox are endlessly busy fighting the proposal to develop a coal mine on our Nature Refuge. But on the ground there is still plenty of work to provide basic care for the biodiversity on the property.

At the moment we are getting ready for a potentially disastrous bushfire season. The extended wet season has left us with wall to wall long, dry, grass and a rare mass germination of tree seedlings. So now we have the important job of burning wide breaks to prevent large hot fires that could destroy the precious flora and fauna. We burn the breaks at night when conditions permit, and we are looking for volunteers to help!

Some enthusiastic volunteers over the next couple of months would make our fire protection strategy a reality.  

It would also deliver bonus points in arguing the case against turning Bimblebox into a coal mine. This is interesting if hard work, with plenty of opportunity to learn about fire and ecology, and to gain bush skills. Please don’t delay if you have half a mind to join us. Come for a week, two weeks or even a month – call us if you’re interested in joining a group of volunteers.

The days that we work depend entirely on the weather (wind). There is ample quiet time and space for study during the day, so you could bring your uni work with you.

Please help spread the word and get in touch if you are interested to find out more.

Take care,

The Bimblebox Team (Roy, John, Paola, Ian, Karl, Ack, Bella, etc

email: bimblebox@gmail.com

phone: Paola, Roy or Ian 07 49853474 or 07 49853459

www.bimblebox.org   and ‘Bimblebox Nature Refuge’ on Facebook

State Library of Queensland Auditorium 2, Southbank 

This public forum will examine innovation, intelligence and imagination in Queensland.

What will Queensland look like in 2020?

If the last decade has taught us anything, the lesson is how quickly and comprehensively our world can change in the face of [...]]]> Tuesday September 27, 2011 from 6pm to 8pm

State Library of Queensland Auditorium 2, Southbank 

This public forum will examine innovation, intelligence and imagination in Queensland.

What will Queensland look like in 2020?

If the last decade has taught us anything, the lesson is how quickly and comprehensively our world can change in the face of an idea whose time has come. While predicting the future is always hazardous (after all, it was Bill Gates who said 640k of RAM “ought to be enough for anybody”), there are innovations available right now which, within the next decade, are likely to change the way we live, work, move about, communicate and learn.

http://collaborativeconsumption.com/

Collaborative Consumption is an emerging movement where old ideas of swapping, sharing, bartering, trading and renting are given a new lease of life.

Social media is changing the way we communicate, share, learn and adapt, inspire others and find inspiration ourselves.

Transitions towns are a community-led response to the pressures of climate change, fossil fuel depletion and increasingly, economic contraction. And we have them developing here in Brisbane.

Technology, social change and commercial imperatives are all driving new ways to work. “New-economy” jobs and industries are emerging every year, and by 2020, our workplaces could look very different indeed.

Cost: $20 including GST ($15 for Brisbane Institute subscribers).

To register and pay go to http://www.brisinst.org.au/here-and-now/future-iq-these-ideas-will-change-your-world

Check out the event on Facebook