Peats Ridge Festival (cancelled)

Peats Ridge Festival is a family-friendly sustainable event just north of Sydney featuring music, eco stalls and workshops.

Sat 29 December 2007 - Tue 1 January 2008 12:00pm - 10:00pm
Glenworth Valley, Cooks Rd, Peats Ridge, NSW (1 hour north of Sydney)

posted by seamas on November 30, 2007 at 5:44 pm · filed under

Court orders Wilderness Society to pay costs

The Wilderness Society will have to pay the legal costs of Gunns Limited and the Government, who it unsuccessfully challenged in the Federal Court over approval of a new pulp mill. Despite this latest setback, the group vowed to continue its fight against the proposed mill.

posted by seamas on November 30, 2007 at 4:49 pm · filed under

New UN report critical of Australia’s CO2 emmisions

A new UN Report, just released in Brazil, states that if the rest of the World released CO2 emissions at the same per person rate that Australians do, we would need seven planets to sustain the population. The UN Human Development Program reports that Australia is the third biggest polluter per person, behind the US and Canada.

posted by Vinnie on November 29, 2007 at 9:39 am · filed under

Genetically Modified Furore

The Government of Victoria has announced the lifting of the moratorium banning Genetically Modified crops from being grown. New South Wales has also lifted it’s ban on GM foods.

Rural interests have backed the decisions, while Green Groups and Consumer groups strongly oppose the release of GM crops.

posted by Vinnie on November 28, 2007 at 12:02 am · filed under

Health Scare for Lakes’ Dolphins

Nine dolphin deaths and the occurrence of a mystery skin infection on a number of dolphins in the Gippsland Lakes, possibly linked to June floods, have scientists concerned.

Researchers from the Dolphin Research Institute are apparently baffled by the outbreak of the mysterious skin infection which has affected up to a third of the area’s permanent dolphin population.

posted by Vinnie on November 27, 2007 at 11:24 pm · filed under

Kyoto ratification could be delayed

Kevin Rudd, Australia’s newly elected Prime Minister, says he will ratify the Kyoto Protocol this year. However, an international law expert says the lack of domestic emissions legislation and the need to properly analyse the potential impact of the treaty could slow the ratification process.

posted by seamas on November 27, 2007 at 8:25 pm · filed under

ACF says Labor has climate mandate

According to Don Henry, Executive Director of the Australian Conservation Foundation, climate change has emerged as a defining issue in the outcome of the 2007 Australian Federal Election. The ACF believes the new Labor Government now has a clear mandate to take decisive action by ratifying Kyoto and setting a strong target for cutting greenhouse pollution by 2020.

posted by seamas on November 26, 2007 at 3:50 pm · filed under

Fragile Planet Exhibition (Sydney)

In support of the Australian Conservation Foundation, the ‘Fragile Planet’ art exhibition at NG Art Gallery explores the dichotomy between our human desire to save the planet and our addiction to consumption that threatens the very existence of earth.

Opening December 4 (6-8pm), exhibition runs until December 22.
NG Art Gallery & Mission Restaurant Bar, 3 Little Queen Street, Chippendale

posted by seamas on November 25, 2007 at 11:50 am · filed under

Forever Wild (Perth)

This bequest event is aimed at thanking and informing people that are considering leaving a gift in their Will towards the long term protection of Australian wilderness.

December 2, 2pm-5pm
Piney Lakes Environmental Education Centre, Winthrop (cnr of Murdoch Dr and Riseley St)

posted by seamas on November 25, 2007 at 11:45 am · filed under

Asia-Pacific Eco Health Conference (Melbourne)

The focus of the Asia-Pacific Eco Health Conference is on the interdependence between human health, ecology and sustainability.

Keynote speakers are Professor Jonathon Patz, Professor Tony McMichael, Professor Valerie Brown AO, Professor John Howard MD, Dr Colin Butler, Dr Margot Parkes, Dr Helen Allison, Ms Kerry Arabena and Ms Bronwen Machin. Several workshops will also be held.

November 30 - December 3
Deakin University, Melbourne Campus at Burwood, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood

posted by seamas on November 25, 2007 at 11:42 am · filed under