BeGreen NEWSlog

BeGreen today announced it’s intentions for local community involvement.BeGreen - Australia’s local environment site - plans to include local council  actions and activities in every local area in Australia. Plans are already underway for provision of council “green” activities in all local areas around the country and BeGreen aims to be at the forefront of any developments in the “green’ industry which affects any local council government or area. 

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

from The Australian - August 27, 2008 By Cathy Alexander | August 27, 2008 

AN emergency inquiry will be held into how to save the Murray-Darling’s ailing lower lakes.

The Senate today voted for a lightning inquiry which has just one month to find a solution to the woes of Australia’s biggest river system.

The Greens, coalition and independent senators teamed up to support the inquiry - and the government did not oppose the move.

Senators will look into how much water is available in the Murray-Darling, how it could be purchased, and whether it would make it all the way to the lower lakes.

It will consider a once-off voluntary acquisition of water, as well as a more forceful commonwealth takeover.

New Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who moved the motion to hold the inquiry, told reporters that it sought to protect some special country.

“Finally we are starting to see the political will that is so desperately needed to save our Storm Boy country,” Senator Hanson-Young said.

“Today, we moved from talk to action to save a national icon and help Australians in need.”

NSW Liberal senator Bill Heffernan said the situation in the Murray-Darling was serious.

“It is a Doomsday scenario,” he said.

The government had planned to modify the inquiry or propose its own, but the superior numbers of opposition senators won out.

The inquiry will be undertaken by the Senate’s Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport committee.

The lower lakes in South Australia are bearing the brunt of the parched Murray-Darling’s problems.

Some areas are turning to acid due to low water levels.

A fierce debate has erupted about whether the lakes can be saved by buying more water from upstream irrigators and sending it down the river.

Another option is to flood the freshwater lakes with seawater, a move which some conservationists oppose because it could alter the lakes’ ecology in the long term.

The Senate inquiry will also look into water-sharing issues, water theft, and how the states are managing their water, although it has until December to report on these questions.

Meanwhile, data released today showed that Murray-Darling irrigators used 40 per cent less water in 2006-07 as the drought hit hard.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics found the major water user was growing pasture for grazing, followed by cotton.

But while farmers used less water in general, their use of groundwater resources increased by nearly 15 per cent.

Nationwide, irrigators cut their water use by almost a third.

The amount of water used to grow cotton halved, and there was an 81 per cent reduction in water going to grow rice, which is generally not grown in dry years.

The biggest water user nationally was growing pasture for dairy cattle.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

 Dear Sustainable Living Colleagues, The largest regional show in Australia, the Norco North Coast National Show, is hosting the first annual Southern Cross University Sustainable Living Expo this year on October 16 to 19 2008.  The Sustainable Living Expo will be held in the green valley of Lismore, on the North Coast of NSW. The Sustainable Living Expo will showcase, display, present, workshop and discuss all the latest technology, products and services to progress the community, business and agricultureTowards Sustainability.  The Sustainable Living Expo will showcase Australia’s finest thinking in:

• Renewable Energy
• Sustainable Building - design and building materials
• Sustainable Resource Management – including farming practices
• Recycling and Waste Management
• Food Self Sufficiency and “Food Miles”
• Carbon Neutral Living

 

 If you are in the business of Sustainability and are interested in exhibiting at the Sustainable Living Expo please find the exhibitors pack and site plan on the website link below.  DON’T MISS OUT For further information including exhibitors pack and site map please go to the Sustainable Living Expo website: www.livingexpo.com.au or contact Jessica Huxley  <Jessica.Huxley@lismore.nsw.gov.au > phone 0266262000

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

ATA Seminar: Could carbon become a new currency? - Are personal carbon allowances, reminiscent of wartime rations, the way forward?

When: Thursday, 4th September, 2008 Time: 6:15pm onwards for a 6:30pm start Where: The Banking Chamber theatrette, Ground Floor, KPMG, 147 Collins St, Melbourne. Disabled access via 161 Collins St. Costs: $15, $10 for ATA members (ATA couples $15). Refreshments provided after the presentation RSVPs required: Email Wendy Clarke on wendy@ata.org.au or ph:(03) 9631 5407ATA’s seminar will explore carbon rationing, which has been examined by the UK Government in their report “A Rough Guide to Individual Carbon Trading” and also supported by George Monbiot in “Heat”.David Spratt, co-author of Climate Code Red, advocates personal carbon allowances as the most fair and equitable means of rapidly reducing carbon emissions. David will look at the science relating to global warming and why greenhouse emissions would be best controlled by personal carbon allowances.David Spratt - is a climate-policy analyst, co-founded Carbon Equity in 2006 and, with Philip Sutton, he is the co-author of “Climate Code Red”, published in July 2008. 

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release        Thursday 21st August 2008

2008 SAVE WATER SAVE ENERGY EXPO -

HELPING VICTORIANS SHRINK THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

The Save Water Save Energy Expo at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre on 17-19 October 2008 will provide Victorians with easy and practical solutions to save water, save energy, increase recycling and reduce waste both at home and at work.

In partnership with Sustainability Victoria, the Save Water Save Energy Expo aims to help Victorians meet the challenge of climate change via introduction to practical and cost-saving solutions. With over 140 innovative and unique exhibitors and guest speakers, the Expo offers a vast showcase of products and design solutions for sustainable living, and is the leading event of its kind in Australia.

WATER-WISE WARES…

Discover new solutions to continue the water conservation effort in managing home, gardens and office water usage with smart tips and savvy new products. From water tanks and grey water systems, to flow controllers and purifiers, recycling systems and environmental plumbing - water saving has never been so appealing and easy. With water reserves 6% lower than the same time last year, this is the time to also gain great ideas to get your garden through a very dry summer.

EASY ENERGY IDEAS…  

Access new initiatives and products to slash energy bills while shrinking your carbon footprint – the Save Water Save Energy Expo will host a huge variety of up-to-the-minute innovations in energy efficient lighting, heating, cooling, renewable energy and green home/office design.

PROFESSIONAL OPINIONS…

Drop in to the informative – and free – ResourceSmart Seminars to hear an inspiring line-up of guest speakers share their international and Australian expertise on the latest innovations in sustainable living.

For those wanting one-on-one discussion, guest speakers will be at the Ask The Expert Feature to dispense tailored and personal advice on the costs and benefits of environmentally-responsible initiatives.

KEY EXPO HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE…  

·       Visit the sustainable home of the future – the hi-tech, architect-designed “e.pod”;

·       Hear an inspirational  account of living in a solar-powered straw house;

·       ABC TV’s “Carbon Cops” present daily on how to conduct a carbon audit of your home or business;

·       Get on your bike and put some voltage in your pedal power with an electric bicycle;

·       Taste pure drinking water generated by an Air to Water Generator;

·       And many more…

- ENDS -

Save Water Save Energy Expo:

17-19 October, Melbourne Exhibition Centre

Opening times: 10am – 6pm

Cost: Adults - $16 / Concession - $13 / Children under 14 - free

For further details see: www.savewatersaveenergyexpo.com.au 

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Hello,You are invited for the Perth Green Drinks on 2 September 2008 for the Perth Green Drinks.

Green Drinks is for anyone involved in the environment and related fields. Green groups / NGOs, Freelancers and consultants, Companies, Students, Academics, Government departments, Local Authorities, Younger as well as older people so please forward this invitation to anyone you think might be interested in meeting other people related to sustainability.

 

Green Drinks is a self-organizing network of professionals, students and enthusiasts working in sustainability who meet up in cities around the world for drinks once a month, or every second month in Perth. Everyone is invited to come and have fun, make contacts, get ideas, share information, find inspiration, and of course, to drink! And, no, the cocktails aren’t green, though if someone wants to come up with a recipe…

 

Green Drinks is GLOBAL: active in 402 cities worldwide! UK - USA - Canada - Australia -Germany - Sweden - The Netherlands - Argentina - Belgium - Brazil - Chile - China - Czech Republic - Denmark - Finland - France - Hong Kong - India - Ireland - Italy - Japan - Malta - Mexico - New Zealand - Poland - Puerto Rico - Singapore - South Africa - Switzerland

 

When: Tuesday 2 September from 6.00 pm 

Where: At the Claremont Pub, they are happy to fence of the lounge area for us and they will even put the fire on when it’s cold.

How: Drinks are on your own expense and when getting hungry next doors Bellisimo is serving pizza’s in the pub. The first hour they have drink specials.Bus and train station are in front of the pub and there is plenty of free parking in the area.

What: Network, interact, talk, laugh, debate, drink, have fun!

 

Extra: Presentation and discussion with Jim Lyon

 

Topic: “Global Warming: Truth or Fiction?”

 

Al Gore has personally trained 250 Australians across the country from all walks of life to deliver a current Australian version of the climate change presentation known to many as the basis of his movie An Inconvenient Truth. For more information you can check the website.

 

Jim is a management consultant who lives in Claremont. He is also director of an aged care organisation in the areas of governance and some major capital projects. Jim has a Masters degree in Meteorology and will use his scientific background to conduct more research in the field of climate change.

 

 

Hope to see you there!Wilma van Boxtel

 

02 liaison Western Australiao2 global network for sustainable design

 

www.greendrinks.org

 More information check the blog: http://o2wa.blogspot.com/ 

 

 

If you want to be added to this email list please click here and mention “add to green drinks list” in the subject line.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

The search is on for Australia and New Zealand’s best sustainable shedReNew magazine is looking for a shed that excels in sustainability.Are you building an electric car in your shed? Have you built a water-saving device? Is your shed solar powered? Does it have its own wind turbine? Or did you build your own wind turbine in your shed? Is your shed made from recycled materials?Competition closes 16 January 2009The winning shed will be featured in ReNew 107 (out mid-March 2009).The competition will be judged by acclaimed shed researcher Mark Thomson, author of Makers, Breakers & Fixers: Inside Australia’s Most Resourceful Sheds and ReNew editors Jacinta Cleary and Lance Turner. The best four entries receive copies of this book.ReNew: technology for a sustainable future is Australia’s premier magazine on practical sustainable living. Comprehensive articles and DIY stories provide practical information for you to use around your home.For more details about the competition email renew@ata.org.au or go to the Alternative Technology Association (publishers of ReNew) websitewww.ata.org.au  Fathers Day 7th September: A gift for the DIY Dad Give your dad a subscription to ReNew magazine this father’s day and he will receive ten back issues of ReNew on CD Rom. A great way to get hisReNew library started! ReNew Rom 3 includes issue 90 to 99 of ReNew.The lucky fella will also go into the draw to win a 1000 watt grid-interactive solar power system from Earth Utility. Prize drawn February 20, 2009.To subscribe call (03) 9639 1500 and mention the Father’s Day subscription offer.Offer closes 5pm September 5, 2008.ReNew is packed with the latest information, products and DIY tips on how you can have a more sustainable home and lifestyle. ReNew includes buyers guides, features on what to do at home, plus a chance to enter our sustainable shed competition.ReNew is available in newsagents or from www.ata.org.au. A subscription costs $30 for four issues a year.

The Alternative Technology Association (ATA) is a not for profit association that promotes sustainable living and what we can do in our own homes. We rely on the financial support of our members to carry out our work. If you would like to become a member of the ATA please click here.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Origin winter home heating advice

 Origin Home Heating Advice

Winter is the time we consume more hot water than any other season due to lower ambient temperatures and when temperatures plummet to unbearable levels, seek out heating appliances to improve home comfort levels.  Before you plug in or turn on any heating appliances this winter, we suggest you ensure the following passive efficiency measures are in practice in your home:

1. Insulate ceiling to an ‘R – value’ of 2.5 to  prevent up to 35% generated heat loss
2. Seal any gaps around windows and doors to prevent entry of cold and wind
3. Open curtains during daylight hours on the sunny side of your home
4. Close and cover windows with curtains or blinds at night to prevent heat losses of between 11% - 20%
5. Place non-slip mats on wooden and tiled floors
6. Dress warmly and fit winter weight bed linens
7. Close doors to unused areas

We explain how electricity use is measured:

• Watt (W): a unit of electrical power 1kW = 1000 Watts  (noted on the compliance plates of all appliances)
• Watt hour (Wh): a unit of energy (power and the time during which that power is generated or consumed)
• Kilowatt hour (kWh): often referred to as a ‘unit’ of power. Our electricity meters are marked to be read in units 1kWh = 1000 watts operating for 1 hour  

In recent years the average Victorian Origin household consumed approximately 14 kWh per day during the winter season for residential peak power consumption.  To help you understand which appliances in your home use most winter energy consider the following running cost estimations:

Energy efficiency advice:

• Changing to energy efficient lighting is a low cost, highly effective introduction to saving energy, money associated with running costs and the environment.
• Small appliances do not necessarily use less energy.  Check the input Wattage information listed on your unit or instruction booklet.
• Set air conditioner thermostats to settings recommended by the manufacturer of your unit  - usually 20°C
• Each 1°C increase in temperature setting can increase running costs by approximately ten percent
• The largest portable electric heater size is 2.4 kW.  This is designed to heat a room no larger than 25M²
• Always turn heating appliances off when not in use

More information: www.originenergy.com.au / energy efficiency

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

from abc.net.au - 13 August 2008

By Greg Bourne

Posted Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:51am AEST 
Updated Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:52am AEST

These companies have known for 20 years that carbon pollution would have to be cut. (Steve Roe, file photo)

Big polluters have known for 20 years that the Government would regulate carbon pollution.

Some of Australia’s biggest - and most polluting - companies are complaining loudly about the Rudd Government’s decision to cut carbon emissions. This is despite being offered about $2 billion dollars a year in financial assistance. This is an enormous amount of money, equivalent to the Government’s entire climate change budget for the next five years.

These companies have known for 20 years that carbon pollution would have to be cut. There were representatives of these very industries on the Australian Government delegation when the UN climate change negotiations started in 1990. They also attended the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992 and were present when Australia signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Industry representatives convinced the Government to withdraw a proposal for a carbon tax in 1994, allowing more time to “adjust” and trial voluntary approaches.

Three years later the Kyoto Protocol was agreed, with Australia strongly supporting the inclusion of emissions trading as a key mechanism. Again, all major industries were represented on the Australian delegation.

In 1999 the Government released four discussion papers on the development of a national greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme, and again in 2007.

The list goes on and on.

Some companies did take action to reduce emissions. For example, BP started factoring a carbon price in all major investment decisions from 1996. It also started investing large amounts of money in renewables and other zero emission sources of energy.

With notable exceptions, few Australian companies displayed such leadership, or undertook basic business protection measures.

Is the Government being played? It is possible companies have already factored the need to cut emissions into their investment strategy and are hoping the Government will provide a windfall profit.

Either way, why should the public pay for their negligence or deception?

Companies are complaining that they will be forced overseas, but this is unlikely. Even after the Rudd Government’s emissions trading scheme starts in 2010, Australia will be one of the most attractive countries in the world for big companies to invest. We will still have some of the lowest energy prices in the world; some of the best electricity, port, transport and communications infrastructure and some of the largest mineral reserves.

All the companies complaining are highly profitable and enjoying the biggest boom in nearly 50 years. This boom is caused by the growth of China, and has a long way to run yet.

As mentioned earlier, the Government has said it will provide $2 billion dollars a year so competitors in developing countries do not receive an unfair advantage. When you add that sort of money with the profits these companies are making, there is no possibility of them leaving the country.

I think its time for directors and managers of the major industries to stand up and tell us why they have been taken by surprise. Were they aware of climate change but just chose to take a business risk and ignore it? Were they simply negligent and failed to prepare to avoid an obvious risk? Or, are they hoping for a big profit underwritten by the Australian public? If not, it is time for them to get on board, support the Government’s carbon pollution reduction scheme and stop cadging for public handouts.

WWF-Australia CEO Greg Bourne spent 35 years working for the oil and gas company BP, including five years as regional president of Australasia. 

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

NEWS RELEASE  30 July 2008

INNOVATIVE GARDEN PRODUCTS MAKE THEIR MARK TO SAVE WATER

A product to stop those annoying hose connection leaks and a program to provide expert water saving advice for gardeners and home owners are among the latest gardening-oriented products and services which have just been approved to carry the Smart Approved WaterMark.

The national scheme recognises products and services which help save water in the garden and around the home, after assessment by an independent expert panel. The panel has just approved a diverse range of seven new products and services.

The gardening products to be granted the Mark include:

- Hoselink Premium Starter Kit with Flow Controller, from Hose-Pro International Pty Ltd.  An Australian designed and patented product, the Hoselink connector withstands very high water pressures and will operate without leaking or breaking.  It is for connecting garden hoses to taps or accessories such as trigger nozzles.  The loss of water from leaking fittings can be considerable – the panel commended Hoselink’s solution to an everyday problem.

- Sydney Water’s ‘Love Your Garden’ program.   This service from Sydney Water provides specially trained horticulturalists to visit the homes of customers who register with the program. The horticulturalists give expert advice on their gardens’ watering needs for a minimal fee, as well as provide free products such as a rain gauge. (Only available in Sydney metropolitan area.)

- Microscape from Plastro Asia Pacific.  Microscape is an 8mm irrigation dripline system with a low flow rate of just 1.2 litres per hour.  It applies water directly to where it is needed most – the root zone – and being underground it reduces water lost by evaporation.

Other products to receive the Mark are:

- VapourGuard from Plastipack Ltd.   Evaporation is a major contributor to water loss and this new bubble-style plastic cover called VapourGuard can reduce loss considerably, plus it can be produced in a wide range of sizes to fit not just pools, but reservoirs and dams as well.

- Enviro-Fresh Sani-Sleeve System from Enviro-Fresh Australia.  The Sani-Sleeve System is used to convert existing urinals so that they use up to 95% less water. The existing grate in the urinal is replaced by a biological unit, removing the need for regular flushing.  The water management control system cuts back the number of flushes to only 4-6 per day.

- Australian Car Wash Association’s Car Wash Water Saver Rating Scheme. The national water efficiency rating scheme which uses a five star rating system for member car washes now has Smart WaterMark approval as a service.  Less than 100 litres of drinking water per wash scores five stars, while a three-star facility uses 120-140 litres per wash.

- Magic Glaze Waterless Car Wash from Beyond 2000 Car Care.  A waterless car cleaner - just spray Magic Glaze on, wipe off with a microfibre cloth to capture the dirt particles, then polish up with another cloth.

“The expert panel was satisfied that the products and services all clearly showed water savings or would contribute to major savings over time,” said CEO for the Smart WaterMark, Mr Julian Gray.

“We continue to be impressed at the inventiveness and innovation being shown by companies here in Australia and around the world in their efforts to produce better water-saving products,” he said.

The number of products and services now bearing the Mark has now reached more than 150 since the scheme began. The Smart WaterMark is found on products for the garden, rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, cleaning, pool covers and other products around the home. It is the sister scheme to the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) for indoor products. 

The Smart WaterMark is funded by the Water Smart Australia program and supported by the federal government and all states and territories. It was originally established by Nursery & Garden Industry Australia, Water Services Association of Australia, the Australian Water Association, and Irrigation Australia Limited.

For a full list of products and services or more information about the Mark visit: www.smartwatermark.org

For media information:

Smart Approved WaterMark Marketing Coordinator, Gabby Russell,

(02) 9290 3322 or 0433 095 099

Released for Smart Approved WaterMark by GREEN PR, contact Neville Sloss, ph 0414562010

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!