NRMA urges Austalia to kick the oil habit

The Sydney Morning Herald

The National Roads and Motors Association (NRMA) has urged Australia to quit its oil habit and spend the $10 billion dollars a year of tax payer money that goes to oil companies on greener transport in a recently released transport blueprint. This report also recommends lower registration fees for greener cars, tough fuel standards, support for the biofuel industry and an increase in public transport.

posted by megan on July 31, 2008 at 1:12 pm · filed under

Dozens of gas plants in the pipeline for Sydney

The Sydney Morning Herald

Visiting British energy expert, Allan Jones, has said that Sydney could potentially become sustainable, with the announcement of plans to build dozens of small gas-fired power plants in the CBD and inner city under the Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan. Such plants would be small enough to fit in a basement and have the potential to power a skyscraper whilst feeding energy to the grid- all with under half the emissions of coal-fired electricity.

posted by megan on July 31, 2008 at 12:55 pm · filed under

CSIRO launches carbon capture pilot in China

CSIRO

A post-combustion capture (PCC) pilot project has been launched by CSIRO and its Chinese partners at a Beijing power station. PCC program, which aims to strip carbon dioxide from the flue gases from coal-powered power stations, is part of a broad program to identify ways to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector.  

posted by patrick on July 31, 2008 at 10:48 am · filed under

Envirofiesta 08 (Cairns, Aug 2)

CAFNEC

“Visioning the Future” is the theme of this year’s Envirofiesta at Cominos House, Greenslopes Street, North Cairns. Run by the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, 10am - 10pm, $10 admission.

posted by seamas on July 30, 2008 at 11:32 pm · filed under

Landcare Expo (Melbourne, Sep 7)

Landcare Australia

Landcare’s expo will feature information about the initiative and presentations by different stakeholders explaining why this conservation network is for everyone.

This final event of Landcare week will be held at Birrarung Marr Park, 10:30am to 4pm.

posted by seamas on July 30, 2008 at 11:23 pm · filed under

Climate Justice Seminar (Melbourne, Aug 2)

EcoShout

A series of lectures and workshops on climate issues, sponsored by the Development Studies Program of the School of Philosophy, Anthropology and Social Inquiry (University of Melbourne); Friends of the Earth; Western Region Environment Centre; Socialist Alliance; Your Water Your Say, Resistance.

The Climate Justice Seminar will be held at the Old Arts Building, University of Melbourne, 11am.

posted by seamas on July 30, 2008 at 11:13 pm · filed under

Conservation groups back NT Labor’s anti-nuclear dump policy

ACF

National and Territory environment groups are pleased the Labor Party contesting the Northern Territory election will oppose a national nuclear waste dump in the Territory, but are concerned Federal Labor have thus far failed to rule out the previous government’s dump plan.

posted by seamas on July 30, 2008 at 10:33 pm · filed under

Rosella research refines speciation theory

CSIRO

Research on the genetics and geographical distribution of the different forms of crimson rosellas has debunked the ‘ring speciation’ theory.  This type of research helps to understand the biogeography and evolution of Australia’s wildlife and therefore manage populations in the face of climate change.

posted by shaun on July 30, 2008 at 5:25 pm · filed under

Limed ocean to trap carbon?

ABC news

Research is being carried out on adding lime to the world’s oceans in a bid to allow a doubling of their carbon absorption.  A possible source of the limestone is the Nullabor Plains while it is suggested such an addition would have to be across a wide area.

posted by shaun on July 30, 2008 at 11:31 am · filed under

New ground for geothermal energy

ABC news

An area just north of Adelaide is being targetted for future exploration of geothermal resources.  Torrens Energy is discussing with landholders, councils and the state government with hopes of finding and developing a source of hot-rocks-generated energy.

posted by shaun on July 30, 2008 at 11:23 am · filed under