Australia amongst the worst for environmental exploitation

WWF Australia

Australia’s ranking in the league table of the the world’s worst environmental exploiters has risen to fifth, according to the WWF’s Living Planet Report. Each Australian uses more land and water per person than the UK, China, Russia and India and it now takes 7.81 hectares to maintain the lifestyle of each Australian - up from 6.76 hectares per person in 2006.

posted by patrick on October 31, 2008 at 5:35 pm · filed under

Greenhouse emissions cuts are affordable: ACF

ACF

Treasury modelling of future global warming scenarios has shown that a 25 greenhouse gas emissions cut by 2020 is not only affordable but essential to the survival of natural assets such as The Great Barrier Reef. The ACF is encouraging the Australian government to show leadership and set aggressive reductions targets despite lobbying from big polluters for increased compensation

posted by patrick on October 30, 2008 at 4:30 pm · filed under

Methane levels on the rise

CSIRO

A soon to be released paper co-authored by CSIRO’s Dr Paul Gordon reveals that atmospheric levels of methane, the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, are on the rise again after a period of stability. Dr Gordon said that scientists have only a limited understanding of the causes of methane variations and that research in the area must be prioritised in order to develop credible predictive models.

posted by patrick on October 30, 2008 at 8:01 am · filed under

Solar sails to move cargo

SMH

Giant aluminium sails with photovoltaic panels designed in Australia will be fitted to cargo ships owned by China’s COSCO shipping line.  The technology harnesses wind and solar energy to cut costs by 25 to 45 per cent, so that the sails pay for themselves in four years.

posted by shaun on October 29, 2008 at 11:33 am · filed under

Rethink needed on farming and food: ACF

ACF

According to a new report published by the ACF, Paddock to Plate: Food, Farming & Victoria’s Progress to Sustainability, current practices in the production, distribution and consumption of food in Victoria are unsustainable and demand a response from government. Some key issues raised in the report are:

• over-reliance on fossil fuels in food production and transport
• environmental degradation caused by agricultural practices
• food as a major source of household carbon pollution and water usage

posted by patrick on October 29, 2008 at 8:41 am · filed under

Obama comes under criticism for ethanol support

The Guardian

American Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama has recently been criticised by segments of the environmental lobby for his continuing support of ethanol production in the United States and his backing of the 33 billion dollars in annual government subsidies.  All major American environmental groups have endorsed Barack Obama’s candidacy over that of his Republican rival John McCain.

posted by ruby on October 28, 2008 at 4:54 pm · filed under

UK government ramps up climate change laws

The Guardian

New British climate change secretary Ed Miliband has announced the UK government’s plan to pledge to a carbon emissions reduction of 80% by 2050 instead of the previous proposal of 60%.  The degree to which international shipping and aviation emissions will be included in the new laws is still under negotiation.

posted by ruby on October 28, 2008 at 4:39 pm · filed under

ASNO accepts lobby group award

Friends of the Earth Australia

The Friends of the Earth are accusing The Australian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office (ASNO) of peddling false claims on nuclear technology and accepting awards from pro-nuclear lobby groups.  The award in question was from the Australian Nuclear Association, which ASNO claims is an industry group, not a lobby group.

posted by ruby on October 28, 2008 at 4:14 pm · filed under

NSW announces $62m energy efficiency package

Sydney Morning Herald

New South Wales Premier Nathan Rees has openly criticised previous attitudes towards climate change within the State Government, saying:

“There is no longer a climate change sceptic at the centre of government decision-making in this state.”

Directing his statement towards former Treasurer, Michael Costa, the Premier today launched a $62 million energy efficiency package to help low income households become more energy efficient and new modeling on how Climate Change is expected to affect the Sydney region. More intense bushfires, increased summer and diminished winter rainfall, and coastal changes from sea level rises are all predicted by the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change and the University of NSW.

posted by Vinnie on October 28, 2008 at 2:50 pm · filed under

Plans to combat the health impacts of climate change in Victoria

The Age

Victoria’s Department of Human Services (DHS) has commissioned a study to investigate the likely health impacts of climate change on the residents of Victoria. Possible health impacts include increasing numbers of heat-related illnesses, mosquito-borne diseases, depression and food poisoning. Different parts of the state are at risk from different conditions, but these are expected to be addressed in the DHS five, ten and fifteen year strategy plans that will be generated from the findings of the study.

posted by steve on October 27, 2008 at 10:03 am · filed under