Download the Club Bulletin for meeting 995 here.

From Acting President Ian Coat:

I had the pleasure of standing in for President Kirsty last Tuesday morning. We also had a couple of special visitors with German Exchange student, Marie Hermanns and Peter Poulton (RC Norwood) joining us for breakfast. Marie gave us a brief update on her activities to date. The few months she has been in Australia so far have been packed, and the next few months include camping in the Flinders Ranges, and surfing at Port Lincoln. Sgt Mark’s Quiz Questions on all things Herman went a bit far with questions Herman Munster and Family.

Ian Carman provided us an update on the current discussions on Renewable Energy and important decisions that need to be made to avoid having global climate temperature increases above the two degree Celsius limit. Ian addressed the need for base load renewable energy sources that can directly replace coal-fired power sources and is of particular importance to South Australia. These sources need to storage large amounts of energy so that we can have electricity when the sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing. Advances in battery technology are well published. Ian described a relatively new approach called pumped hydro that involves pumping water from a lower holding dam to an upper holding dam, when the sun is shining and the solar cells can provide the energy. At night when the sun is not shining, the water falls back down through a hydro-electric generator. Ian stated that there are sites in the lower Flinders Ranges that look promising for such a venture.

Why the Need for Renewable Energy? Ian reminded us that 2010 -20 is the critical decade. Our choices today will lock in our children’s future pathway. Further he highlighted the hard evidence of global warming we are currently experiencing with the prognosis that 2016 will attain the status of being the planet’s hottest year since the start of human inhabitation.

The Paris Agreement Agreement came into force on 4 November and Australia became a party on 18 November. Australia’s initial commitment to reduce emissions by 26-28% on 2005 levels by 2030 is considered weak, given the challenge facing humanity. There is an expectation that international commitments will ratchet up requirements after at each five yearly review.

Members noted that the lowest hanging fruit for reducing greenhouse gas emissions was in the electricity generation sectors and that there have been 5 major independent studies showing how Australia can transition to 100% renewable energy. Ian asked members to join him in:

  • Believing that 100% renewable electricity is technically and economically achievable and that it is one essential step for decarbonising our country and way of life.
  • Demanding a bipartisan commitment to a new National Energy Market based on renewable energy and new distribution options.
  • Demanding a strong bipartisan commitment to the Paris Agreement and the 1.5 degree aspiration.

In response to the current Electricity Debacle in South Australia, Ian said that sadly there has been lack of planning on a state and national level.

Mary MacKillop Graduation and Club Awards

Siony Gardner attended Mary MacKillop’s Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday evening. The Service Above Self Awards (SAS), sponsored by Magill Sunrise Rotary, are presented to the students who displays commitment to serve others in the School and/or the Broader Community. Rotary’s vision for the SAS Awards is to promote high ethical standards, to advance world’s understanding, goodwill, peace and fellowship.

Siony is seen with Renee Caprioli. The other recipient, Isabella Carubia, was unable to attend the ceremony.

Download the Club Bulletin for meeting 995 here.