Climate change is a matter of concern for all of us, and on November 13 Mackay Conservation Group joined with GetUp! and the members of the local community in a national day of action of climate.

Over 40 people gathered at Jim Mulherin Park for a colourful and though provoking event.

Are you looking for a unique Christmas or birthday gift that also helps preserve on of Queensland's most precious nature reserves?

Long time Mackay Conservation Group supporter, Maureen Cooper, has made these beautiful brooches and stuffed toys of the birds and insects found at the Bimblebox nature reserve. You can have  your own for only $20, and all of the proceeds go the fight to save Bimblebox from Clive Palmer's China First mine.

Pictured right is a Kingfisher, and there are three species of Kingfisher at Bimblebox – Sacred, Forest and Red-backed.

To buy your own Bimblebox baby go to: http://bimbleboxcritters.wix.com/creatures

On October 9, Mackay Conservation Group released their alarming report on the state of Mackay's air quality, to a national audience.

The report included comprehensive data analysis by MCG Co-ordinator Patricia Julien who examined State government air quality data from their monitoring station in West Mackay.

The Australian reported on the story: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/mackay-dust-pollution-hazardous-study/story-fn3dxiwe-1226735222051 .

And follow this link to download the report.

Air quality standards in Australia lag behind the rest of the world, which is why we need strong local voices to ensure the health of our community is protected. The picture below shows coal dust from a train that is coming in the ports at Hay Point.

Health impacts of air pollution

The people of the Mackay region face a huge expansion of coal ports at Hay Point and Abbot Point to become the largest coal export ports in the world. They will affect larger coastal populations more than in the past when they were much smaller. 

Both coal and health monitoring standards and other requirements need to improve to prevent long-term social and natural capital losses and landscape scale pollution that will be permanent. 

The Daily Mercury reported on June 4 2013 that Australia only narrowly avoided having UNESCO rate the heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park labelled "in danger".

The finding is an indictment of the lack of adequate action by state and federal governments to properly protect the Reef.