Australia - Rally for Free Public Transport

Rally 4 Free Public Transport! Planet B4 Profits!

Having free, frequent and accessible public transport will increase the amount of people using it and we already spend way more money than we would need to do it on stupid things like locking up refugees (we're still the only 1st world country that does that), invading Iraq & Afghanistan and supporting the 'War on Terror' or just giving it to big business. Just 2% of the $6 billion energy & transport subsidies for big business could replace Adelaide Metro’s fare revenue for an entire year.
Protest 2pm Sat Oct 30 @ Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide.
Download a PDF of the above leaflet in A4 or A6 and start getting the word out!
Plus, join our Facebook event

Public does not understand that we have an emergency

Scientist starts to "get it" -- social science is the frontier

Am I an activist for caring about my grandchildren's future? I guess I am | James Hansen | Environment | guardian.co.uk: "It becomes clear that concerted action will happen only if the public, somehow, becomes forcefully involved. One way citizens can help is by blocking coal plants, tar sands, and the mining of the last drops of fossil fuels.

However, fossil fuel addiction can be solved only when we recognise an economic law as certain as the law of gravity: as long as fossil fuels are the cheapest energy they will be used. Solution therefore requires a rising fee on oil, gas and coal – a carbon fee collected from fossil fuel companies at the domestic mine or port of entry. All funds collected should be distributed to the public on a per capita basis to allow lifestyle adjustments and spur clean energy innovations. As the fee rises, fossil fuels will be phased out, replaced by carbon-free energy and efficiency."

Free shuttle to revitalize town center, fight congestion. Good for business.

“It’s a win-win situation for everyone concerned. Not only is there a direct benefit to the town’s businesses but a real tangible benefit to commuters, visitors, shoppers and local communities.

“Hopefully it will assist in tackling the problem of congestion and issues around the environment by providing a quick, convenient and free public transport service.”

Town councillor Arthur Neil said: “Regenerate Northwich was formed in response to Northwich Town Council's community engagement initiative and is the council's partner for working with the local business community. The Nipper is a great example of multi-agency working. NorthwichGuardian

9-Day, 100km traffic jam - the future is here

Time

Biofuels: Worse than useless

Renewable energy, for example, is a crucial part of every national and international strategy for curbing emissions, including plans to promote biofuels. However, rising ethanol production has been linked to losses of grassland habitats, while booming demand for palm oil, some of which is turned into biodiesel, is fuelling the clearance of biodiverse-rich forests across south-east Asia. TheEcologist

Ridership jumps when fares are removed

...Because of a 2008 student agreement to eliminate bus passes, the University of Kansas’ transit system is fare-free during the school year. Students need to only show their KUID while boarding to have access to the transit system. One-way dollar fares are also still accepted by KU on Wheels.

“Many off-campus students can use the transit system to get to and from campus in a timely and cost-saving manner,” said Derek Meier, KU on Wheels transportation coordinator.

An additional agreement made in 2008 among the city and the University also allows easier access to both coordinated bus systems. Students, faculty and staff can ride the Lawrence Public Transit service, or the T, for free by showing a valid KUID. City residents who show a valid T bus pass or transfer slip can also ride the University buses for no fare.

“Overall, the relationship has been a success,” Robert Nugent, Lawrence Public Transit adminstrator, said. “Ridership is up eight percent through the last year on city buses. Lawrence Transit has begun combining informational pieces to allow riders to take advantage of the two systems.”

Since the fare-free system was put into place, KU on Wheels has proven to be a more popular transportation option with students as well. Ridership doubled during the first year of fare-free, with another 20 percent increase last year. Kansan

Oceans die. Car production continues. Oil wars continue.

One of the most destructive and swift coral bleaching events ever recorded is underway in the waters off Indonesia, where water temperatures have climbed into the low 90s, according to data released by a conservation group this week. livescience

Moscow climate deaths: 350 per day

MOSCOW(AP) — Deaths in Moscow have doubled to an average of 700 people a day as the Russian capital is engulfed by poisonous smog from wildfires and a sweltering heat wave, a top health official said Monday.

Moscow health chief Andrei Seltsovky blamed weeks of unprecedented heat and suffocating smog for the rise in mortality compared to the same time last year, Russian news agencies reported. He said city morgues were nearly overflowing, filled with 1,300 bodies, close to their capacity.

Acrid smog blanketed Moscow for a six straight day Monday, with concentrations of carbon monoxide and other poisonous substances two to three times higher than what is considered safe. Those airborne pollutants reached a record over the weekend — exceeding the safe limit by nearly seven times.

Russian thugs enforce highway building

Apparently oblivious to the disintegration of climate stability and the general threat to their lives and all life on earth, Russian thugs attacked some environmentalists who were trying to save a forest from a highway.
This is why we say that addressing the supply side of the energy/climate crises is a losing strategy. As long as there is demand, there will be supply. And those who stand to profit from supply will get a free pass from governments. The proper strategy is to make public transit free, and make the private auto gradually obsolete.

Time for free transit | Charlotte | News | Boomer with Attitude

Time for free transit | Charlotte | News | Boomer with Attitude: "Clemson and Chapel Hill offer fare-free rides for all standard routes; needless to say, ridership has increased dramatically. Other places offering standard fare-free transit include cities in Colorado, New York, California, Utah, Washington, and several European countries. The figures are in, and the good news is that if it's done right, fare-free transit works. What's more, there's plenty of information available on how to make it work."

Electric car: more subsidy - more sprawl - more climate change.

Giving impetus is President Barack Obama’s vision to see one million plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles on America’s roads by 2015. Last year the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocated US$2 billion for development of electric vehicle batteries and related technologies. The Department of Energy added another US$400 million building the infrastructure necessary to support plug-in electric vehicles.

Close on the US’s heels, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced that the British government will promote the use of electric vehicles in the UK by offering a £2 000 subsidy to purchasers. A high-ranking government official estimates that 40% of all cars in Britain will need to be electric or hybrid for the country to reach its goal of cutting 80% of its CO2 emissions by 2050. DieselDriveMag