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?
BLERF Grant application
*FFN and SJA applied for the recent BLERF GRANT (Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund).
This is an application for 150 recovery & resilience packages for fire affected residents across the BVS. This package includes: the installation of 22,500 litre water tank, roof top solar and hot water, pumps & associated hoses, plumbing, delivery and excavation . Successful applicants will be notified in June 2021.
FFN PLANS FOR 2021
In 2021, FFN will move towards encouraging local businesses to move towards a clean, affordable renewable energy in solar. FFN will work with other local climate groups to power the BVS with 100% renewable energy by 2030.
- Complete Envision 2
- Develop & implement a proposal in conjunction with Lakeside Electrical to increase roof top solar in Commercial premises.
Sue McGee, Sue Boyton, Adrienne Andrews, Ann Wykes volunteered to help with these initiatives
Other activities will include:
- Working alongside SWAMP ( Sustainable water actions Merimbula Pambula) to pump treated effluent to farmers inland and reuse options for this water.
- Revisiting and supporting Pambula businesses who are transitioning from plastic/petroleum based products to using compostable plant based/FOGO friendly products.
- Encouraging Merimbula businesses to move to NO SUP & award a sticker for those who already comply.
FFN is looking for someone to organise our Information evenings every 2 months and someone to be our advertising person. If you are interested please contact Wendy or Ann at forcesfornaturesja@yahoo.com