Archive for August, 2008

Indigenous culture may shed light on climateLink to full story

ABC Online

The Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance believes that indigenous culture could help us understand climate change. Spokesperson, Joe Morrison, has called for the Federal Government to examine rock art and oral histories, which trace climate change and developments through different generations.

Scientists call for greater say in ETSLink to full story

CSIRO

Prominent environmental science experts have called for more involvement from the scientific community into responses to the draft report of the independent Garnaut Review. The rapid development of ETS policy and the need to consider other elements of a comprehensive response to climate change has highlighted the need for quality scientific input, according to the latest edition of the CSIRO’s ECOS magazine

Gunns’ claim pulp mill climate friendlyLink to full story

ABC Online

At a public forum in Launceston last night, over 200 people heard Gunns’ spokesperson Calton Frame claim that the proposed pulp mill will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 1.1 million tonnes. The Environment Tasmania event heard from Wilderness Society campaigner Vica Bayley,who claimed that this figure excludes the emissions from native forest logged to feed the mill,which are conservatively estimated to release around 10 million tonnes of CO2 per annum - roughly equal to Tasmania’s entire official annual emissions.

Bartlett backtracks on pulp mill doubtsLink to full story

The Mercury

Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett has disputed reports that he claimed, in a conversation with anti-pulp mill campaigners, that Gunns’ would struggle to obtain the necessary finance for the mill or that the government would not compulsorily acquire land needed for a water pipeline which is critical to the mill’s operation.

Young Australian develops new solar technologyLink to full story

The Sydney Morning Herald

Nicole Keupper, 23, last night won two Australian Museum Eureka Awards for the new solar cells she’s been able to produce in a pizza oven!  Compared to current solar cell technology which is very costly, the iJET cell developed by Ms Keupper can be manufactured cheaply in low-cost, low-temperature environments like pizza ovens.  She hopes this technology will be ready to be sold commercially within 5 years, to not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but, will be able to supply electricity to poorer countries.

Mixed messages from GunnsLink to full story

The Wilderness Society

One of the reasons the proposed Gunns’ pulp mill has been so unpopular is because it planned to source 80% of its timber from Tasmania’s native forests, despite claiming they have enough plantations to supply the pulp mill. This is all about to change, however, as Gunns’ share price has fallen 20% in the last three days and they have just released $170 million worth of plantations to relieve their debts. Meaning, if the pulp mill does go ahead there will be added pressure on Tasmania’s native forests to supply the mill.

Melburnians take to trains, trams and busesLink to full story

Premier of Victoria

Victorian Premier John Brumby has released figures showing public transport use is growing dramatically in Melbourne. During the 2007-08 financial year, Melburnians made 201.2 million trips on trains, 158.3 million tram trips and 91.3 million on buses. Figures indicate that public transport use grew at over 7% during the past two years. Rising passenger numbers are beginning to strain the system.

Liberal Party Reignites Debate on Nuclear PowerLink to full story

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts

Despite Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson’s statement in February of this year that the liberal party had no plans to build a nuclear industry in Australia “at any time in the near future”, Shadow Trade Minister Ian MacFarlane has stated that if Australia is serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it must “include nuclear in our future base-load clean-energy mix.” Minister for the Environment, Hertitage and the Arts Peter Garret demanded yesterday to know where the liberal party would build the power plants, where they would dump the waste produced, and if the party still endorses the previous government’s plan to build 25 new plants.

Tas. wedge tailed eagles no longer monitoredLink to full story

ABC news

Concern has been expressed by wildlife carers and a veterinarian that the Tasmanian state government does not have a dedicated eagle officer.  This is despite an increase in the number injured and a decline in populations as old growth forest habitat is logged.

Botany Bay dredging raises environmental impact issuesLink to full story

ABC News

The dredging of Botany Bay, part of a $1bn port expansion in New South Wales has raised concerns about the welfare of the bay. Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has voiced her disapproval, saying dredging could cause tidal changes to occur and potentially rouse toxic sediments from the bottom of the bay, disturbing fish and bird breeding grounds. Ports Minister Joe Tripodi has stated that although there may be unfavourable short term consequences, appropriate precautions will be maintained to ensure minimal environmental impact.

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