Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives, costing people, communities and countries dearly.                            

We need to ACT NOW.

 

We are experiencing the significant impacts of climate change, which include changing weather patterns, rising sea levels, increasing temperatures, devastating bushfires and more extreme weather events. The greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are driving climate change and continue to rise. They are now at their highest levels in history.

Community groups like ours can implement practical actions that prevent, mitigate or reduce exposure to climate impacts by helping their community and regions adapt and become more resilient under a changing climate. 

The Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast believe that “Thinking globally while acting locally” is how we approach our various initiatives and projects. Our local collective actions we believe do make difference. 

FORCES FOR NATURE (FFN) OBJECTIVES:                                                                                  

To:

         put climate change at the heart of everything we do: in work, as a parent, as a consumer, as a citizen.

         inform and educate our community about climate change and the associated impacts

         support a just transition from coal, oil and gas to a renewable-energy future 

         grow a grassroots movement demanding climate change action through community led solutions to the climate crisis

         end Native forest logging in NSW 

         provide support, mentoring for the Youth Initiatives group 

         shut down Zombie development applications  

         have many everyday conversations about climate change

 

VISION:

The Forces for Nature group’s vision is:

         for a fairer, more equitable world where communities can thrive and where we are all safe from the impacts of climate change.

         to accelerate emissions reduction through promoting and creating more renewable energy projects while supporting and advocating for science-based targets to keep the goal of the Paris Agreement of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees of warming within reach.

         to continue to challenge policies that usher in climate and nature destruction, and support those that align with our shared vision of thriving communities, a safe climate, and protected nature.

 

FFNs proudest moments to date include:  

         Our Climate Actions: attending and supporting the Rising Tide Protestival – November 21st– 24th November 2024 in Newcastle in support of the people’s blockade of the world’s largest coal port. The peoples Blockade 2024 was a mass mobilisation of peaceful action for a climate revolution. To demand an immediate end to new coal projects and an end of coal exports from the Newcastle coal port. 

         Ongoing support of Potoroo Palace though working bees

         Solar Garden Pilot Project: The SJASC Environmental group are collaborating with the Sapphire Coast Historical Car Club (SCHCC) to develop and establish a solar garden on site at the club facilities in South Pambula. 

         NETS OUT Campaign continues: We continue to support, advertise and encourage signatures for our joint Nets out campaign. In collaboration with Sapphire Coast Sea Shepherd and thanks to SWAMP (Sustainable Water Actions Merimbula Pambula) funding received has enabled us to purchase over 500 postcards, educating the public about the impacts of shark nets to many other non-target species like whales, turtles, stingrays….and pushing to get the Nets out up and down the east coast ASAP. This postcard campaign has been adopted nationally by Sea Shepherd Australia.

         2 x Envision solar group buys in Pambula where over 60 local residents bought solar panels for their homes. A free solar install was given to Pambula Surf Life Savings Club by Lakeside Electrical as part of this group buy 

         SJASC Donated solar panels to Panboola Wetlands

         Supported Lumen Christi schools solar installation

         Coordinating working bees at Potoroo Palace, Black Duck Foods and other local environmental groups.

         Promoting and educating the Bega Valley Shire about eliminating single use plastics and alternative options in Pambula and Merimbula

         Running information sessions/ screenings/ trivia nights in collaboration with Sea Shepherd Sapphire Coast about Fracking, Zombie developments and other environmental issues and concerns: The Franklin Screening, Bentley Effect, Envoy Shark Cull just to name a few documentaries

         Supporting the Youth Initiative group and Bob Brown Foundation with student marches and educational activities.

         Being waste warriors at various festivals and fundraising events: significantly reducing  waste reaching landfill

 

Forces for Nature (FFN) initiatives and projects in 2025

         Solar garden project: grant writing, advertising, developing the project

         Ongoing support for our Marine Education: Ocean Guardian projects – expo, carp eradication, trivia night to date

         Au spicing the Atlas for Life group and supporting the Merimbula Wharf project: eradicating and researching the impacts of sea urchins

         On- going support to local environmental groups and organisations- Potoroo Palace, Coastal Landcare projects

 

FFN initiatives and projects in 2024:

         Renewable energy project in Pambula and surrounds for resilience and adaptation

         Campaign at the local council elections in September for candidates who believe in and support positive actions on climate change.

         Support for Youth Initiative group

         More working bees supporting local environmental groups

         Grant writing for projects

         Fundraising activities as required

If you are interested in joining our Forces for Nature group then please email our secretary@sjasc.org for contact details.

 

The FFN sub group was formed in 2019 and believes that the climate and ecological crisis is the most important crucial issue facing the world today. This group believes that ‘thinking globally while acting locally’ is the best strategic approach to motivating people to act on climate change, and that it will be ecology, not economy, that will decide what the future will look like. The climate and ecological emergency requires urgent attention NOW. Actively striving for 100% renewable energy by 2030 is the group’s target that will drive our activities for the next decade.

How FFN will get to 100% renewable energy:

          Have clear, constructive and achievable targets.

         Advocate for climate generosity, where the community supports the local council and governments to move towards a clean renewable energy future: solar group buys, gifting solar panels to community groups, low interest finance, power purchase agreements, fundraising, and education through festivals, expos and grant writing.

         Partner with the local community and relevant organisations to inspire and facilitate projects that transition to clean renewable sources of energy. This will involve reducing consumption, enabling energy generation, storage and sharing.

         Solar installations at residential, community and commercial properties will continue working alongside local contractor Lakeside Electrical.

         Promote local, independent secure power supply through renewable energy sources.

         Publicise and advertise how our regional economy will be stimulated by these solar installations, and jobs will be created from this development.

         Organise information evenings, festivals and expos to discuss and learn about ways to cut emissions, boost renewable energy possibilities and showcase the great sustainable initiatives already occurring in the shire.

         Work alongside the BVS waste management team to: reduce single use plastic waste, promoting FOGO (Food organic, green organic) and compostable products, while educating about how wasted food is the world’s third biggest carbon emitter.

 

Recap of FFN achievements in 2020 +

*Individual Rooftop Solar

1) Envision 1: Solar install on 30 rooftops by local business Lakeside Electrical. When the target of 30 was reached Lakeside Electrical donated a free system and install to Pambula Surf Life Saving Club

2) Envision 2: FFN now has over 23 individuals wanting to get solar installed and once we reach 30 installs, there will be another free install going to Youthlands at Jigamy Farm. (Youthlands is a camp open to all youth across the shire) 

*Single Use Plastic (SUP) subgroup of FFN. The SUP group visited all retail businesses in Pambula. This group advocates for the elimination of single use plastic use in business. We targeted the 5 most prolific plastics including:

1) Takeaway food containers & utensils
2) Shopping bags
3) Cups and lids
4) Straws
5) Drink bottles

To help minimise the purchasing of single use plastic water bottles the FFN applied for a Bega Valley Shire Waste Grant and installed a water refill station in Pambula village.

One of the challenging aspects of this project was understanding labels: What does Biodegradable, Compostable, Recyclable mean?