Australia at the United Nations (sort of)

Comedy program The Roast once again provides great coverage of current events, while being funny at the same time. (I might have mentioned that before).

This week it was the UN Climate Summit, the no-show by Australia's PM, and several related actions of the government here.



It's quite sad that when world leaders meet to act on climate change, Australia's leader isn't there. But at least it provides good material for comedy programs.

An Australia that doesn't cost the Earth

Occasionally you see a great little statement that sums it all up in just a few short words. This shareable graphic from ACF was an example of that.

Super Switch - find a better super fund

What if our retirement funds are delivering us a world unfit to retire into? That's the problem Super Switch is here to solve. It's helps you pick a superannuation account that matches your values.

Use the site to check up your super fund. Find out how much of your money is invested in fossil fuel companies. I compared my current one (SunSuper) to Australian Ethical (on the right).

It seems Super Switch had a hard time finding out where SunSuper invests my money. So have I - particularly when asking about their "ethical" option. Australian Ethical looks much better, with around 90% invested in fossil free companies.

The site also gives you the option to contact your current fund to ask them to offer a fossil free option - and the option to switch to a better one.

There's also a ranking of super funds according to the amount of fossil free investment.

Uniting Church to disinvest from fossil fuels

"With national governments reluctant to take difficult decisions, it falls to us as members of the body of Christ to show leadership in taking action to reduce damaging pollution."

Those were the words of Uniting Church president Andrew Dutney, as the church resolved to divest from fossil fuels companies.

"As Christians we are called to respect and care for the whole of creation," said Rev. Prof. Dutney. "To avoid damaging climate change we must move quickly to a clean energy economy. The Uniting Church recognises that continued investment in fossil fuel industries does not support the change needed."

Perhaps because of the church's strong connection with Pacific island churches, there is a recognition of the effects of fossil fuels on other nations - and how starkly that contrasts with 'loving one's neighbour'. For the church, this is a matter of social, environmental, and intergenerational justice.

The president also recommended that other churches follow the Uniting church's lead.

More info:
Uniting Church website
Brisbane Times article

PS. The move also seems popular with church members. When the news was posted on the church facebook page, the article received more likes than the page has followers.

Weekend Project Inspiration

My friend made this planter box over the weekend. Made from a discarded pallet; painted white, and then sanded for the 'used look'. It's a great example of 'upcycling' - where an otherwise discarded item is given new life as a different object.

Apart from having a unique and stylish planter box for the garden, he has saved a pallet from going into landfill, saved himself some money, and avoided the production of another needless item (and the pollution that comes from that). Well done, mate.

The Penny-Farthing of Energy

When the report on the Renewable Energy Target was released this week, the Roast devoted most of that night's episode to it. One of the highlights was Jazz's look at outdated industries.



He describes coal as "For 5 millenia, the best idea we've had for energy is: Find rock. Burn rock."

While I've picked his segment as a highlight, it's worth seeing the whole episode. For a show that's meant to be comedy, it does a good job of explaining the news while keeping it entertaining.