Cr Gaetano Greco independent
a. the earth is already too hot? Yes.
b. we face a climate emergency? Yes.
c. greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to zero within years, not decades, and we must safely draw down the excess carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere? Yes.
2. Climate action. If elected will you:
a. educate Darebin residents and stakeholders about the climate emergency and put pressure on other levels of government to act? Yes.
b. initiate and support Council measures to rapidly reduce Darebin’s emissions towards net zero and draw down carbon dioxide? Yes.
c. initiate and support measures to protect vulnerable people and ecosystems within the municipality from dangerous climate impacts? Yes.
Cr Tim Singh Laurence ALP
1. Climate science. Do you accept the views of climate scientists that:
a. the earth is already too hot?
Yes the impacts are showing in glaziers in Himalayas and elsewhere and in the two poles. These are very alarming changes that are undeniable. In terms of extreme weather events why less direct in some ways there are two locally in Victoria examples of the that global impact even here in Darebin. The first of course is the increased number of over 35 degree and 40 degree days in summer. Having grown up in a fire danger area I know that the numbers of over 40 degree days increase likelihood of bush fire. This extreme pattern has lead to more fires in outer areas but even here on the Darebin Creek area. The more press problem for us is heat stress related deaths from too many above 35 and 40 degree days. The other aspect of extreme weather events related to the problem of south eastern Australia where we see less rain but increase intensity of rain. This is an issue in Darebin where around 15% of the residential housing is affected by storm water flash flooding. This is sometimes called the 1 in 100 year flood zone but is in fact the nature water courses for heavy rain events. Reservoir, Preston, Thornbury and Fairfield and Northcote are all affected in parts. In 2003 this saw over 4000 Darebin houses affected -nearly 20% of claims in that 90 ml of rain in 90 minutes event. These events will occur more and we need to plan and adapt for flooding in this area. So our community is already being affected by the fact that the Earth has become too hot due to over-consumption and a high carbon gas producing lifestyle - a high carbon gas producing lifestyle that has never been so high in human history.
b. we face a climate emergency?
Yes - the majority of reports are clear action was needed earlier to slow the rate of warming.
c. greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to zero within years, not decades, and we must safely draw down the excess carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere?
Yes, we also need to ensure we are reducing and not just doing false bookkeeping. Offsets can be of value but some are not reducing the overall impact- we also need to not just offshore our emission problems by sending dirty industries over seas. The discussion about new clean low emissions economy needs to factor in our off shore impacts of our consumption choices.
2. Climate action. If elected will you:
a. educate Darebin residents and stakeholders about the climate emergency and put pressure on other levels of government to act?
Yes. The work of NAGA and schemes like solar savers can help in this debate. However the debates about feed in tariffs and employment in renewal energy sector are areas where the council can speak as one voice for more rapid change from state and federal governments. We have also seen investment from past Labor federal governments in large energy reduction projects such as street lighting switch to low energy globes and gas generators at both pools. We have not seen anything like this since Abbott was elected. We need to demand the feds become partners in adaptions and clean energy projects. In the same way we need to demand Federal Govt invests in the Gilbert Rd tram extension and support state investment in grade separations. I am passionate about grade separations at road rail crossing as they do not just help our community they will make the train to growth areas north of us actually work for people travelling from Whittlesea and that means less cars on our roads. Again since the election of Abbott we have seen no federal interest in rail or tram projects in the north. Council needs to keep lobbying all parties on this.
b. initiate and support Council measures to rapidly reduce Darebin’s emissions towards net zero and draw down carbon dioxide?
Yes. Yes and Yes. There are three answers to this as we need to look at three Darebin's in this change. Firstly is the commitment to alter the Council's own emissions as an organisation. This is a challenge but it is one that can be most easily changed and tracked. The other Darebin of course is the Darebin Community itself - many in the community are ahead of the rest of us in changing lifestyle and consumption patterns others already have low emission lifestyles due to cultural practices brought to this country - the gardens and many walking clubs of many post war migrants are sure signs of this traditional low emission lifestyle. Other practice working class thrift and never let anything go to waste. So we have a community that is open to a less wasteful lifestyle and we need to work with the community to ensure our growing wealth does not repeat of the higher emission lifestyles of places like the City of Yarra and the City of port Philip. So community education is needed along with a celebration of those traditional migrant and indigenous cultures that serve as a model for treading more lightly on this planet while we are here. So council can help support the community move to zero net emissions. We also have the commercial base of Darebin that is in a transition to a more service sector economy. Darebin Council needs to engage in a transition with our businesses. We need to try to influence this sector to adopt emission reduction. That can come from engagement though our business events and programs and also by emission reduction businesses to the area such as renewable energy businesses. We are no finally attracting some examples of low emission buildings. We should fast track and not block such innovative new buildings. In doing this we can also set new benchmarks for better building designs based on low emission and low energy consumption. Urban renewal, building and property industry is a growing part of Darebin's economy and the council has many points of influence in the this process to promote best practice outcomes in low emission designed apartments, new town houses and in renovations.
c. initiate and support measures to protect vulnerable people and ecosystems within the municipality from dangerous climate impacts?
Yes. Heat stress related deaths and flood events hit the elderly and those on low incomes the most. Too often students and pensioners who are renting are also in substandard housing as well. These groups are also less likely to be insured to recover from flood events. Three major Victorian bushfires shaped my direct families history and I have lived through a major flood in 2003 here in Darebin so I have experienced the resilience and the fragility of human nature in such events. Community connectedness and community education is the key along with working with our emergency services and SES to be prepared. I am also concerned about the poor standard of many rooming houses that house international students. Many have no heating or cooling and are in low areas subject to flooding. The economics of housing in our city is putting those with the least resources or social networks in the most flood affected areas. I think some kind of new climate safety audit is needed across the city in this regard that looks at geography, weather events and social disadvantage in relation to heat stress and local storm water flooding in particular. In relation to the hundreds of hectares of parkland in or adjacent to Darebin fire management will become more important as our summers get hotter.
Alice Maddineni independent
1. Climate science. Do you accept the views of climate scientists that:
a. the earth is already too hot? Yes.
b. we face a climate emergency? Yes.
c. greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to zero within years, not decades, and we must safely draw down the excess carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere? Yes.
2. Climate action. If elected will you:
a. educate Darebin residents and stakeholders about the climate emergency and put pressure on other levels of government to act? Yes. For sure, it's my passion I share.
b. initiate and support Council measures to rapidly reduce Darebin’s emissions towards net zero and draw down carbon dioxide? Yes. I'm glad to initiate.
c. initiate and support measures to protect vulnerable people and ecosystems within the municipality from dangerous climate impacts? Yes, on priority basis.
Bethwyn Mell Animal Justice
1. Climate science. Do you accept the views of climate scientists that:
a. the earth is already too hot? Yes.
Comments: There is consensus amongst the world’s scientists that climate change has already progressed and, although the current overall temperature rise is just under 1 degree C, the current changes in climate including instability, have been caused by emissions from human led activity over the last 150 years. These activities include the development of large-scale production industry, dependence upon fossil fuels and most damaging of all the expansion of nonhuman animal agriculture with associated rainforest removal.
b. we face a climate emergency? Yes.
Comments: Our Party’s (AJP) policy states, “This is nothing short of a global emergency requiring immediate and substantial action. We must slow, stop and reverse the negative changes to the climate before ‘tipping points’ kick in to accelerate and take the process beyond our control.”
c. greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to zero within years, not decades, and we must safely draw down the excess carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere? Yes.
Comments: Again, it is an essential AJP policy to immediately take action on many fronts to achieve zero emissions targets. Our objectives in regard to this include: To rapidly transform to a carbon free energy infrastructure including all appropriate and available forms of renewable energy; Prohibit any fossil fuel expansion and divest interests in associated industries; Tax unclean and animal agricultural industries; Protect and retain existing local eco-systems including, forests, lakes, rivers and streams, wetlands and bushlands; Reduce grazing to allow reforestation; Reduce intensive farming to remove pollutants and allow restoration of our waterways; Education about and promotion of a plant based diet as a significant contributor to reduction of emissions.
2. Climate action. If elected will you:
a. educate Darebin residents and stakeholders about the climate emergency and put pressure on other levels of government to act? Yes.
Comments: In line with our party’s policies I will support and advocate for any and all measures to reduce current emissions which affect the future quality of life for all inhabitants of the planet.
b. initiate and support Council measures to rapidly reduce Darebin’s emissions towards net zero and draw down carbon dioxide? Yes.
Comments: In addition to the comments made in 1c, I will support expansion of energy efficient schemes currently in practice including the solar panel loan scheme and advocate for enhancement of this scheme by similar complimentary programs (particularly in subsidising low income residents) to install external protection of north and west facing glazing, use of double glazing and other material insulation, ceiling fans and flyscreens to encourage use of open windows and cross ventilation for cooling.
c. initiate and support measures to protect vulnerable people and ecosystems within the municipality from dangerous climate impacts? Yes.
Comments: In addition to our comments made above I will particularly support measures, which support and “maximise wildlife habitat by minimising the land appropriated by people, while ensuring a high standard of health and wellbeing.” These include: Acquisition and/or management of land to protect and conserve wildlife habitats, particularly those previously used by animal agriculture; Review and install procedures for dealing with wildlife including those affected by road accidents; Create education programs for residents and particularly young people to understand the local area and its animal inhabitants.
In regards to vulnerable people, particularly those in danger of losing housing I will fight for their right to remain within this community, by ensuring that replacement housing retains a low cost housing component that replenishes, at the very least, current units whilst following best practice in regard to both economy of use and sustainability of materials.
1. Climate science. Do you accept the views of climate scientists that:
a. the earth is already too hot? Yes.
Comments: There is consensus amongst the world’s scientists that climate change has already progressed and, although the current overall temperature rise is just under 1 degree C, the current changes in climate including instability, have been caused by emissions from human led activity over the last 150 years. These activities include the development of large-scale production industry, dependence upon fossil fuels and most damaging of all the expansion of nonhuman animal agriculture with associated rainforest removal.
b. we face a climate emergency? Yes.
Comments: Our Party’s (AJP) policy states, “This is nothing short of a global emergency requiring immediate and substantial action. We must slow, stop and reverse the negative changes to the climate before ‘tipping points’ kick in to accelerate and take the process beyond our control.”
c. greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to zero within years, not decades, and we must safely draw down the excess carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere? Yes.
Comments: Again, it is an essential AJP policy to immediately take action on many fronts to achieve zero emissions targets. Our objectives in regard to this include: To rapidly transform to a carbon free energy infrastructure including all appropriate and available forms of renewable energy; Prohibit any fossil fuel expansion and divest interests in associated industries; Tax unclean and animal agricultural industries; Protect and retain existing local eco-systems including, forests, lakes, rivers and streams, wetlands and bushlands; Reduce grazing to allow reforestation; Reduce intensive farming to remove pollutants and allow restoration of our waterways; Education about and promotion of a plant based diet as a significant contributor to reduction of emissions.
2. Climate action. If elected will you:
a. educate Darebin residents and stakeholders about the climate emergency and put pressure on other levels of government to act? Yes.
b. initiate and support Council measures to rapidly reduce Darebin’s emissions towards net zero and draw down carbon dioxide? Yes.
c. initiate and support measures to protect vulnerable people and ecosystems within the municipality from dangerous climate impacts? Yes.
Comments: In addition to our comments made above I will particularly support measures, which support and “maximise wildlife habitat by minimising the land appropriated by people, while ensuring a high standard of health and wellbeing.” These include: Acquisition and/or management of land to protect and conserve wildlife habitats, particularly those previously used by animal agriculture; Review and install procedures for dealing with wildlife including those affected by road accidents; Create education programs for residents and particularly young people to understand the local area and its animal inhabitants.
In regards to vulnerable people, particularly those in danger of losing housing I will fight for their right to remain within this community, by ensuring that replacement housing retains a low cost housing component that replenishes, at the very least, current units whilst following best practice in regard to both economy of use and sustainability of materials.
Susanne Newton Greens
Please note: I am the lead Greens candidate for La Trobe Ward, Darebin Council and am the spokesperson for the La Trobe Green team of myself (Susanne Newton), Stephen Butler and Caterina Mezzatesta.
1. Climate science. Do you accept the views of climate scientists that:
a. the earth is already too hot? Yes.
b. we face a climate emergency? Yes.
c. greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to zero within years, not decades, and we must safely draw down the excess carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere? Yes.
2. Climate action. If elected will you:
a. educate Darebin residents and stakeholders about the climate emergency and put pressure on other levels of government to act? Yes.
Climate change is the most important issue of our time. While Darebin Council has maintained a strong position on climate, the climate emergency message should be elevated in importance and consistently delivered through Council communications and engagement with the community. We would like to see Council work with climate science experts, DCAN and other community groups in preparation for heatwaves, so that residents can understand how these weather evens relate to climate change. We would like to see Darebin Council facilitate and communicate dialogue as to what households and communities can do to keep each other safe and take collective action to reduce emissions. Darebin Council should pressure state and federal government, as well as other sectors and organisations (universities such as La Trobe, local industries, etc.) to recognise that we are in a climate emergency and need to take urgent action on this issue. Our current Greens Councillor Trent McCarthy has been Darebin Council’s representative on the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA) Executive for the past six years and the Greens would like to see NAGA’s role and capacity expanded to better influence Government policy and drive scalable regional responses to the climate emergency.
b. initiate and support Council measures to rapidly reduce Darebin’s emissions towards net zero and draw down carbon dioxide? Yes.
I am an endorsed Greens candidate. If elected, I will seek to establish a Darebin Energy Foundation. This foundation will accelerate sustained and meaningful action for residents and businesses in Darebin to reduce emissions in our area. The Darebin Energy Foundation will have an independent board whose mandate is to reach Darebin Council’s current target of zero net emissions by 2020 for Council operations and the Council area. The Darebin Energy Foundation will expand the Solar Savers program and facilitate community-owned renewable energy projects to increase local renewable energy generation and retrofit households and businesses so they can increase their energy efficiency.
c. initiate and support measures to protect vulnerable people and ecosystems within the municipality from dangerous climate impacts? Yes.
If elected, I will push for the Darebin Nature Trust to be established. This trust will be established to protect our open spaces and natural places including parks, creeks and bushland. It will provide support to wildlife in the area. The trust will be responsible for the expansion of our Urban Forest, which will provide tree canopy cover and help reduce the risk of the heat island effect. If elected, I will build on the work by current Greens councillor Trent McCarthy to develop and deliver Heat Wave Action Plans for the whole community and particularly vulnerable residents such as the elderly and isolated. The Heat Wave Action Plan will include retrofitting programs to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of homes during heatwaves and establishing cool centres and transport to those centres to provide relief to residents who either can’t or don’t want to stay in their homes during a heatwave.
Please note: I am the lead Greens candidate for La Trobe Ward, Darebin Council and am the spokesperson for the La Trobe Green team of myself (Susanne Newton), Stephen Butler and Caterina Mezzatesta.
1. Climate science. Do you accept the views of climate scientists that:
a. the earth is already too hot? Yes.
b. we face a climate emergency? Yes.
c. greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to zero within years, not decades, and we must safely draw down the excess carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere? Yes.
2. Climate action. If elected will you:
a. educate Darebin residents and stakeholders about the climate emergency and put pressure on other levels of government to act? Yes.
Climate change is the most important issue of our time. While Darebin Council has maintained a strong position on climate, the climate emergency message should be elevated in importance and consistently delivered through Council communications and engagement with the community. We would like to see Council work with climate science experts, DCAN and other community groups in preparation for heatwaves, so that residents can understand how these weather evens relate to climate change. We would like to see Darebin Council facilitate and communicate dialogue as to what households and communities can do to keep each other safe and take collective action to reduce emissions. Darebin Council should pressure state and federal government, as well as other sectors and organisations (universities such as La Trobe, local industries, etc.) to recognise that we are in a climate emergency and need to take urgent action on this issue. Our current Greens Councillor Trent McCarthy has been Darebin Council’s representative on the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA) Executive for the past six years and the Greens would like to see NAGA’s role and capacity expanded to better influence Government policy and drive scalable regional responses to the climate emergency.
b. initiate and support Council measures to rapidly reduce Darebin’s emissions towards net zero and draw down carbon dioxide? Yes.
I am an endorsed Greens candidate. If elected, I will seek to establish a Darebin Energy Foundation. This foundation will accelerate sustained and meaningful action for residents and businesses in Darebin to reduce emissions in our area. The Darebin Energy Foundation will have an independent board whose mandate is to reach Darebin Council’s current target of zero net emissions by 2020 for Council operations and the Council area. The Darebin Energy Foundation will expand the Solar Savers program and facilitate community-owned renewable energy projects to increase local renewable energy generation and retrofit households and businesses so they can increase their energy efficiency.
c. initiate and support measures to protect vulnerable people and ecosystems within the municipality from dangerous climate impacts? Yes.
If elected, I will push for the Darebin Nature Trust to be established. This trust will be established to protect our open spaces and natural places including parks, creeks and bushland. It will provide support to wildlife in the area. The trust will be responsible for the expansion of our Urban Forest, which will provide tree canopy cover and help reduce the risk of the heat island effect. If elected, I will build on the work by current Greens councillor Trent McCarthy to develop and deliver Heat Wave Action Plans for the whole community and particularly vulnerable residents such as the elderly and isolated. The Heat Wave Action Plan will include retrofitting programs to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of homes during heatwaves and establishing cool centres and transport to those centres to provide relief to residents who either can’t or don’t want to stay in their homes during a heatwave.
Diana Pais independent
1. Climate science. Do you accept the views of climate scientists that:
a. the earth is already too hot? Yes. There is too much evidence to not accept and support these views.
b. we face a climate emergency? Yes. Again, the evidence is overwhelming.
c. greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to zero within years, not decades, and we must safely draw down the excess carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere? Yes. Experts in their field state this to be factual
2. Climate action. If elected will you:
a. educate Darebin residents and stakeholders about the climate emergency and put pressure on other levels of government to act? Yes. Education is fundamental at all levels.
b. initiate and support Council measures to rapidly reduce Darebin’s emissions towards net zero and draw down carbon dioxide? Yes.
c. initiate and support measures to protect vulnerable people and ecosystems within the municipality from dangerous climate impacts? Yes. The elderly and economically disadvantaged always suffer most.
a. the earth is already too hot? Yes. There is too much evidence to not accept and support these views.
b. we face a climate emergency? Yes. Again, the evidence is overwhelming.
c. greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to zero within years, not decades, and we must safely draw down the excess carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere? Yes. Experts in their field state this to be factual
2. Climate action. If elected will you:
a. educate Darebin residents and stakeholders about the climate emergency and put pressure on other levels of government to act? Yes. Education is fundamental at all levels.
b. initiate and support Council measures to rapidly reduce Darebin’s emissions towards net zero and draw down carbon dioxide? Yes.
c. initiate and support measures to protect vulnerable people and ecosystems within the municipality from dangerous climate impacts? Yes. The elderly and economically disadvantaged always suffer most.
b. we face a climate emergency? Yes. Again, the evidence is overwhelming.
c. greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to zero within years, not decades, and we must safely draw down the excess carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere? Yes. Experts in their field state this to be factual
2. Climate action. If elected will you:
a. educate Darebin residents and stakeholders about the climate emergency and put pressure on other levels of government to act? Yes. Education is fundamental at all levels.
b. initiate and support Council measures to rapidly reduce Darebin’s emissions towards net zero and draw down carbon dioxide? Yes.
c. initiate and support measures to protect vulnerable people and ecosystems within the municipality from dangerous climate impacts? Yes. The elderly and economically disadvantaged always suffer most.
Amy Stubberfield ALP
a. the earth is already too hot? Yes. We have seen drastic increases in extreme weather events and the CO2 in the atmosphere is at levels never seen before.
b. we face a climate emergency? Yes. We are already starting to see the first climate change refugees and if nothing is done the situation is only going to get worse.
c. greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to zero within years, not decades, and we must safely draw down the excess carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere? Yes. It is the responsibility of everyone to help reduce greenhouse gas emission and invest in carbon storage technology to make this happen.
2. Climate action. If elected will you:
a. educate Darebin residents and stakeholders about the climate emergency and put pressure on other levels of government to act? Yes.
b. initiate and support Council measures to rapidly reduce Darebin’s emissions towards net zero and draw down carbon dioxide? Yes. It forms a large portion of my policies that I am running on for council.
c. initiate and support measures to protect vulnerable people and ecosystems within the municipality from dangerous climate impacts? Yes. I believe more can be done to help reduce emissions and assist vulnerable people in the community. This would include working with the state government to install solar panels in social housing and to further assist people to install solar power in their homes by extending to solar savers scheme.
Thank you for the opportunity to fill out this questionnaire.
