Latest News 5th Edition - May 2009

 

ACTION FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

 

Thank you for visiting our website.

Welcome to the fifth edition of our Action for Climate Change news page.

As a result of significant support for the program, we have decided to change the way we deliver the 'forest' component of our Action for Climate Change Program.

While we will continue to have our major Action for Climate Change 'carbon' forest located at The Island, we have now commenced establishing 'habitat forest' sites in a number of locations around Australia.

These 'habitat forest' sites will still be identified and selected because of their ability to meet the program's existing criteria, as follows:

1) Action for Climate Change sites will be selected initially on their positive contribution to biodiversity outcomes and the natural environment.  These same sites will of-course also capture and store quantities of carbon during the life of the vegetation established.

2) The establishment of this indigenous vegetation will also ensure these locations have a higher ability to adapt to climate change.

3) Where possible, sites will also be selected to protect vulnerable species and communities.

4) Sites with some form of long term legal protection and management plans will be given priority in the selection process.

What this means is that we are responding to the feedback we have received from local communities who want to bring back local habitat and currently cannot do this because of a lack of 'accredited' carbon forest sites.

In moving forward, our 'habitat forest' sites will still be identified and selected on the basis of their ability to contribute to biodiversity outcomes as well as their ability to sequester carbon; and we will also calculate their carbon capacity according to information provided by the Australian Department of Climate Change.  We will continue to use the Australian national average as our base line to ensure consistency and simple reporting.

Our 'carbon forests' will be larger sites, individually selected to be considered for formal accreditation.

This will be achieved using the current 'accreditation' process managed by the Australian Department of Climate Change at the time. Currently, this is the Greenhouse FriendlyTM standard.

Of course all our supporters will be able to visit all sites and participate in voluntary activities where appropriate.

Community volunteer days will also be made available for the sites and will be promoted via the Action for Climate Change and Conservation Volunteers websites.

For information on existing habitat forest sites click here.

All our sites will continue to be reported on and progress provided via the AFCC website.

Wild Futures

Conservation Volunteers is also working to help key species and eco-systems to increase their capacity to adapt to climate change.

Through practical conservation activities, Conservation Volunteers will help protect "flagship" vulnerable species and places.

There are several species currently being threatened by climate change conditions which will be protected by practical action involving volunteers and supporters of the Action for Climate Change program.

Progress towards these targets will be reported to supporters via the website.

Previously termed "building eco-resilience" on the AFFCC webpage, this page will now be known as "Wild Futures".  Please visit Wild Futures to find out more about these programs.

The Action for Climate Change program is based on practical actions both by you, our supporters, and also by us in providing a series of habitat forests across Australia. Thank you for your interest and I urge you to support us through your actions and by donating to the program and supporting its principles.

 

 

Ian Smith

Action for Climate Change Director