The second half of 2022 has already been action-packed! At a federal level, we've seen the long-awaited release of the State of the Environment Report (more on that later) and the legislation of Australia's new emissions reduction target discussed in parliament. 

Locally, State Government funding is supporting on-ground restoration projects, like Phil's Bush Cleanups' Operation Habitat Auto!

Whatever your level of involvement in conservation work or the movement, this edition of Paperbark offers plenty of ways to step up your support. Please enjoy the read!

In this edition:

• Conservation News
  • State of the Environment Report
• NQCC Updates:
  
  • Operation Habitat Auto
  • Burdekin Campaign Update
  • Independent EPA for Qld - joint submission
  • JCU Market Day
  • Water Report Card now available
  • Green Drinks
• Calls to Action:
  • Qld CAN roadmap and launch
  • Sign Solar Citizens' petition
  • Sign the Invasive Species Council's petition
  • Tell Lockton to say no to Adani
  • Low Emissions Agriculture Road Map: Have your say
• Some Good News
  • Five billion containers recycled
  • ARENA used for renewables
  • Other environmental organisations to get involved with

Pictured: John Connell and Dr Claire Holland present at the inaugural conference of the Research for Ethical Development network in Cairns. [Photo credit: Simon Foale]

Phil Gibson was one of many Townsville locals who has enjoyed visiting the Port Access Nature Reserve - a beautiful bushy area bounded by creeks and mangroves on the south side of Townsville. When he found it heavily littered with all manner of illegally dumped waste, he knew he had to do something to restore that special place.

In 2020, Phil's Bush Cleanup was born, and so began the arduous (but ultimately worthwhile) process of lining up paperwork to gain permission to carry out voluntary work on the site, owned by the Qld Department of Environment and Science. He approached NQCC, who, as an incorporated association with the appropriate insurance, could support his application to work on government-owned land. We jumped at the chance to collaborate and have been thrilled with what we've been able to support Phil to achieve!

Indicators of Australia’s environment in 2021 compared with the average for 2000-2020. (Credit: http://www.ausenv.online)

The State of the Environment Report is a five-yearly comprehensive national assessment of the state of the Australian environment, written by independent experts. 

The latest one has been described as "grim", "sobering" and "shocking" - though most of us aren't particularly shocked to learn that the state of our environment is "poor" and getting worse.

You can read the full report here, or watch Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek's National Press Club address here. There has been plenty of great content to help wrap your head around it, like this article from The Conversation and this this summary from the Australian Conservation Foundation.

Happy NAIDOC Week! We hope you can get along to an event near you (find Townsville events here) to help mark this important week in the spirit of this year's theme: "Get up! Stand up! Show up!"

The past few weeks have been choc-full of government policy and budget announcements with implications for our environment, so we will continue to do our best to keep you well-informed as things unfold.

We have also been keeping busy out and about, carrying out engagement, education and advocacy (locally and in the southeast) - and there's plenty more of that to come! 

We hope that you enjoy this edition of Paperbark as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to you.

In this edition:

• Announcements
  • Funding for National Parks
  • Plastics Ban Progresses
  • Decarbonising Queensland?
• NQCC Updates:
  
  • What We're Working On
  • Eco Fiesta
  • Ministerial Roundtable
  • Member Event
• Coming up:
  • JCU Market Day
  • Green Drinks
• Calls to Action:
  • Become a Litter Hero
  • Waddananggu Celebration: Webinar
  • Tell Lockton to say no to Adani
  • Reef Restoration & Adaptation Advisory Group
  • Low Emissions Agriculture Road Map: Have your say
• Some Good News
  • New National Park for FNQ
  • Climate Election Report

The fabulous Mental Sistas with NQCC staff Tiff (left) and Crystal (right)

Townsville Eco Fiesta was a blast! This BEE themed, community event was run by Townsville City Council (TCC) and held on World Environment day Sunday 5th June at Anderson Gardens. It was fantastic to see so many eco conscious businesses, community groups and organisations coming together to celebrate and share what they do within the Townsville community.

What a rollercoaster of a month that was! We hope that you are getting some well earned rest and prioritising self-care after the ups and downs of the election, whether you were actively campaigning, supporting others who were, or watching on from a safe distance. 

We are optimistic about what the election result means for the future of democracy, diversity and climate action. At the same time, we recognise that the hardest work is ahead of us if we are to mitigate the climate and extinction crises before it is too late.

If you aren't already, please consider becoming an NQCC member or a monthly donor. We need your support now more than ever.

In this edition:

• National Reconciliation Week
  • NQCC update
  • JCU Mabo Lecture
  • Mabo Day Festival
  • GBRMPA's "Managing Sea Country" Webinar
  • Uluru Statement From the Heart
• NQCC Updates:
  
  • Election Activities
  • Townsville Climate Rally
  • Strand Night Market
  • Cotters Market
  • Pimlico Careers Expo 
• Coming up:
  • Eco Fiesta
  • June Green Drinks
• Recommended Resources: 
  
  • "What Regions Need on the Path to Net Zero"
  • Psychology for a Safe Climate
• Some Good News
  • Yellow Crazy Ants funding
  • Hells Gates Dam delayed

On Sunday 15 May, less than one week ahead of the 2022 Federal Election, NQCC hosted a Townsville Climate Rally to unite locals and advocacy groups who care about climate change, to demonstrate our numbers and share our stories - with each other, our community and federal candidates. 

With the political parties' election campaigning well underway, we hope you've been having some productive conversations with family and friends about the things that matter to you.

There are some opportunities coming up this week to come together with others to take meaningful action! On Thursday evening you can join AYCC for letter writing or attend an online screening of "Regenerating Australia", followed by small group actions, facilitated by Climate for Change. Then on Friday, you can volunteer with our stall at the Strand Night Market, where we can have climate conversations face-to-face. In another week's time, we can come together to recharge our batteries with some of that vibrant Green Drinks energy!

Some handy resources you might like to share with your friends and family in the lead up to the election:

• Vote Climate One's Traffic Light Election Guide
• ABC's Vote Compass
• Solar Citizens' Renewable Energy and Clean Transport Scorecard

We also recommend approaching the candidates of your electorate (at community events or online) to let them know that you want to see action on climate change, along with specific examples of why it matters to you and what you'd like to see happening in/for your electorate. If you'd like help with that, please get in touch with us!

In this edition:

• NQCC Updates:
  
  • Strand Night Market (helpers needed!)
  • Green Drinks
• Opportunities & Actions:
  • AYCC letter writing
  • "Regenerating Australia" online screening
  • Yellow crazy ants: take action
  • Be a Litter Hero
  • Add your climate story
  • Tour de Carmichael
  • Free community organising training

The letter below was published by the Townsville Bulletin on 5/5/22.

W Wenck’s text to the Editor (Townsville Bulletin, 28/4), suggesting that Australian coal “brings billions in revenue for hospitals, schools and other infrastructure for our survival” goes to show that many of us have been misled into believing that the fossil fuel industry contributes more to our country than it really does.