June has been a rollercoaster month for our community! We’ve shared so many wins together, like the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) refusing new iron ore mines and Environment Minister Stephen Dawson committing to a statewide ban on plastic bags. And we’ve also shared setbacks, like the Labor Government announcing that four uranium mines will go ahead.

And through these wins and setbacks, we have become a stronger community. Here are some of your highlights narrated by us here at CCWA, as well as a taste of what’s to come!

WA’s peak environment body the Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) and the Plastic Free WA campaign have welcomed Environment Minister Stephen Dawson’s statement that the McGowan Government would introduce a statewide ban on plastic shopping bags by 2019.

More than 200 Western Australian beaches have been sampled in the first project to provide information on microplastic distribution across South West WA. The results of the community-based program indicate that microfibres are the major component of microplastic marine pollution of our coastline, and hotspots for contamination include Scarborough Beach and Green Head.

Leading environment groups have said the fight to keep Western Australia nuclear free was not over despite a serious broken promise by the McGowan Government on the key environmental issue.

A new coalition of community and environment groups has launched a new campaign calling on Western Australians and the State Government to take action on the rising tide of plastic pollution that is affecting our environment and marine life. The coalition includes the Conservation Council of WA (CCWA), Sea Shepherd Marine Debris Campaign Australia, Plastic Free July, and the Boomerang Alliance.

May has been an encouraging month for WA’s environment, thanks to the hard work of people like you! Whether you celebrated our progress on plastics, switched your super to a fossil fuel free fund (try saying that quickly!), started a local action group on fracking, spoke out against uranium mining in the Goldfields, or participated in one of the 120+ Eco May activities across the State, there’s been lots going on!

As if that weren’t enough, some of you also welcomed our new Government last week by hosting an MP breakfast to acknowledge their environmental commitments and thank them for the action they have already taken since the election. The main takeaway? Our MPs actually asked us to keep up the pressure, as our petitions and emails enable them to represent us in Parliament. So let’s keep it up!

Throughout the month of May, Western Australia’s peak environment group the Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) is promoting more than 120 eco-themed activities organised by community members and groups across the State.

The State’s peak environment group has strongly welcomed the announcement by WA Energy Minister Ben Wyatt that the Muja AB coal fired power station will be closed, while calling for a broader reform of WA’s energy market to phase out coal and expand renewable energy generation.

Part one of a two-part reflection on the environmental campaign that shaped a state, by Piers Verstegen, Director of the Conservation Council of Western Australia.

Western Australia’s peak environment group has strongly welcomed Environment Minister Stephen Dawson’s support for a statewide plastic bag ban, and the rapid introduction of a recycling refund scheme for cans and bottles. The Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) has also encouraged Premier Mark McGowan to support a ban on bags.