The 3rd Degree - Climate Justice Radio

Ep. 36. New Year's Day Special!

Aired on 1 January 2009. 10 000 Riel and a Case of Wine Equivalent to around $2.50 - a paltry payout to displaced indigenous landholders in Cambodia, and also the name of a new documentary by a young Sydney film-maker. The documentary spolights some of the big players behind land-grabs in Cambodia; some transnational corporations fetching up to 100 million hectraes of land for aluminium smelters, logging and the like, leaving local communities without their livelihoods - but they're not going without a fight. SCAG and Direct Action Penalties The Chair of the Ministerial Council on Energy has asked the Standing Committee of Attourneys General, 'SCAG', to undertake a review of penalties that apply to unlawful disruption of energy facilities. The request emphasises, as a matter of urgency, the importance of protecting energy infrastructure and preserving energy security for "the Australian economy and way of life". This request comes alongside the Government's release of their 5% emissions reduction target and the expected demonstrations against what many are calling an inadequate response to climate change. NSW MP Lee Rhiannon spoke with The 3rd Degree's Libby King. Emissions Trading Schemes Following on from the release of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper, we take a closer look at the merits of an emissions trading scheme, and paint what international context we can expect for 2009. Is an ETS essentially 'privatising the air'? What does it mean for global trade agreements? Will it further increase international inequalities? This Week's Guests: Tim Frewer, Sydney student and maker of '10 000 Riel' talks us through some horrifying Cambodian and international land and environment politics; Adam Wolfenden from the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTINET) talks about discriminatory trade agreements and emissions trading schemes. And we all battle with hangovers. Happy New Year :) Presenters: Nick Hollins and Tessa Dowdell

Ep. 35. Christmas Special!

Aired on 2SER 25 December 2008. Peats Ridge Festival As we roll up to a new year in a polluted world, what better way to kick it off than a sustainability festival? We hear how Peats Ridge steps lightly on the local environment. From the Land of Hopeless Utopians to geodesic domes to fertiliser-harvesting toilets - the festival is about people coming together, having fun and imagining a better world. Christmas Lunch It's the biggest meal of the year! How can you make it more sustainable? We're advised to stay away from meat, stay in season and rethink what the 'local' Coles means - Plus a few hot ideas for very last minute earth-friendly pressies, and some ideas for true food resolutions! Mitigation Gap Report Last week Kevin Rudd announced a 5-15% reduction in Australian emissions by 2020 as part of the release of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper. This is low - but the Mitigation Gap Report, published by the Global Climate Network, states that even the higher targets suggested internationally are also too low. The 'Mitigation Gap' is the disparity between diplomatic targets and the targets science tells us we need. The Third Degree's Libby King speaks to Andrew Pendleton from the Institute for Public Policy in London, and is coordinator of the Global Climate Network. This Week's Guests: Claudia Santangelo, arts producer of the Peats Ridge Festival; Tim Barker, founder of Regenerate and member of the Figure8 sustainable production collective; and Renata Field from Alfalfa House, a community food co-operative in Enmore. Presenters: Libby King, Dominic Santangelo and Tessa Dowdell

Ep. 38. Climate Action Summit + more

Aired on 15th January 2009 More anti-logging protesters have been arrested in Tasmania's Florentine Valley. Police moved in on the two year camp early last week and began dismantling it. Most protesters left the camp, but some remained in tree sits at the camp and were arrested. Supporters of the protest held a rally on Hobart's parliament house lawns on Tuesday. Ali Alishah is a spokesperson for Still Wild, Still Threatened. He spoke with the Third Degree's Nick Hollins. This week's Guest: As governments continue to endanger us with weak targets, lots of talk and little action, people are taking action on climate change into their own hands! Wenny Theresia is a climate campaigner with the Nature Conservation Council and longtime student activist. We caught up with her about Australia's Climate Action Summit, happening in Canberra from January 31 until February 3. Over the course of the summit, climate action groups and other concerned people will be joining together to develop a strategic national climate campaign and make connections with other grassroots campaigners from across the country. The RTA are planning an upgrade to the pacific highway through Bulahdelah. Although there are 5 route options available, Option E has been chosen - even though the local community is opposed to it because of the Environmental and Cultural damage it will cause. The proposed upgrade will pass through a sacred creation site, as well as destroying threatened flora and fauna and local cultural heritage. Robert Corowa is a Traditional Owner and Environmental Activist from Bunjalong country in northern NSW. He spoke with Third Degree's Hannah Walters. Presenters: Tessa Dowdell and Libby King

Episode 37. Pulp mill, resource wars + more

Pulp Mill Earlier this week Environment Minister Peter Garrett confused us all when he announced that the Gunns Limited pulp mill had failed to win approval from the government as it needed to meet 3 marine impact requirements. However later it was confirmed that the pulp mill can actually begin construction as the construction works were approved after environmental assessment. Meanwhile, Gunns has just served another writ on 13 more activists for an action that occurred at the Triabunna woodchip mill in December last year. Third Degree's Libby King spoke with Ula Majewski, one of the activists who has been served a writ by Gunns, and also Paul Oosting, who has been campaigning against the pulp mill with the wilderness society. This week's Guest: Antony Loewenstein is a journalist and author of My Israel Question and The Blogging Revolution. He joins us to talk about world shortages in resources such as oil, coal and water, and the impact this is having on global politics and the environment. Presenters: Nick Hollins and Libby King

Ep. 33 Poznan, White Paper, International Day of Human Rights + more

Aired on 2ser 11th December This week the final round of climate talks before the Copenhagen agreement next year is happening at the moment in Poznan, Poland. The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) - which include countries most at risk from climate change impacts - has made a plea for the world to commit to a strong action plan on climate change at the United Nations talks currently underway in Poznan, Poland. Yesterday Australia was awarded first in the "fossil of the day" awards for countries which attempt to undermine the progress of the negotiations. Third Degree's Jessica Minshall speaks with John Hepburn, Climate Campaigner with Greenpeace. This week's guest: Owen Pascoe from the Australian Conservation Foundation breaks down the figures and targets that Australia should be aiming for at Poznan, in the White Paper (to be released next Monday 15th December) and at Copenhagen next year. He shares the latest information from climate campaigners in Poznan for the talks. The NT Intervention is still being rolled out in the NT, despite a recent review and Rudd's election promise to replace the “emergency” legislation with genuine consultation with Aboriginal communities. The Intervention involves the suspension of the racial discrimination act, which is a blemish of Australias human rights record. Wednesday was the International Human Rights Day celebrating the 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human rights. Third Degree's Hannah Walters spoke with Alison Vivian from the Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning. Presenters: Hannah Walters and Jessica Minshall