Environmental Advocacy
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The Benalla Sustainable Future Group advocates for consideration of the environment in many areas.

​Our activities are driven by a concern that globally human activity is consuming resources at such a high rate that these resources face depletion in the near future.    This high rate of production and consumption also generates wastes in quantities beyond the recycling capacity of the earth.  The imperative for economic growth is driving more consumption and production without consideration of earth's natural resource limits or the planets ability to absorb our wastes.

BSFG advocates for strong action to mitigate global warming. ​The group's major emphasis is human induced Climate Change and Global Warming caused by increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, principally from the burning of fossil fuels.  

From collecting signatures on Climate Petitions to recommending internet petitions on social media and letter writing projects to members, to attending climate marches and making representations to all levels of government, particularly our local council, BSFG is active in lobbying for change to promote a sustainable future. ​

BSFG members participated in the Peoples Climate Marches held cross the world just before the Paris Climate Change Conference 2015 COP21‎.   BSFG members met at Euroa, joining other activists from Strathbogie Voices to travel to Melbourne's People's Climate March which kicked off the worldwide schedule of marches.  BSFG members Peter Holmes, Christine Holmes and John Lloyd can be seen in the foreground of the banner photo on this page.  

BSFG continues to oppose the Indian company Adani's mega coal mine in the Galilee Basin in Queensland and support the national Stop Adani Campaign.  A focus in 2017/18, BSFG recommended members write to politicians to encourage them to eschew public support of the Adani mine, providing tips on letter writing in Support the Stop Adani campaign, the fight of our times

In 2020 after nearly twelve months of managing the Covid19 Pandemic the Federal Government promoted a Gas Led Recovery to stimulate the economy.  Gas is seen as a transition fossil fuel as we transition to ultimately a fossil fuel free energy future.  However gas due to fugitive emissions can have a greenhouse potential equivalent to coal.  As placards at the May 2021 School Strike for Climate rally in Benalla supported by BSFG members said, Fund Our Future, Not Gas.  

In January 2020, just after the bushfire emergency of 2019/20, and with many other councils declaring a Climate Emergency, BSFG circulated a petition asking Benalla Rural City's Council to declare a Climate Emergency.  After a year of disruptions during the first year of the pandemic, the petition, containing 600 signatures was finally presented to Council on 24th March, 2021.   The petition was presented a second time, this time to council's Planning and Development Committee,  on 29 September 2021 (presentation commences in approximately 40 mins).   Members were disappointed that the Council was not prepared to declare a Climate Emergency for Benalla, however  hope that the council's planned review of its Climate Adaptation Strategy will see the council leading and fostering emissions reductions changes across the region, as well as in its own operations. 

BSFG Climate Emergency Petition - from Go to Whoa! ​

BSFG members continue to advocate for strategies we can use to reduce other environmental impacts whether it be by sustainable house design, retrofitting, recycling, reduced consumption.  Consuming locally produced goods can also reduce emissions as many of the products we consume embody the transport emissions required to deliver globally traded products to us. While renewable energy is increasing purchasing locally made products can reduce emissions now.  Holidaying locally can also reduce our emissions.

The impact of human activity on the planet is felt in many areas, such as loss of biodiversity, another area of interest for BSFG.

BSFG members advocate and lobby throughout the year, writing regular media releases for articles in the Benalla Ensign and letters to politicians; organising petitions, rallies and attendance at marches and other events.  

BSFG members regularly contribute a sustainability perspective to community consultations, forums and local planning initiatives in Benalla and North East region of Victoria.   

BSFG's quarterly newsletter contains well informed articles written by BSFG members,

BSFG's website and social media posts on Facebook, Twitter (@BenallaSFG) and Instagram provide news of both local developments and well informed news reports.

BSFG can always be found at the 'A Day in the Gardens' market during the Benalla Festival and can be found from time to time at the monthly Lakeside Market and at street stalls providing information about projects or collecting signatures for petitions. 

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