Australians join carbon neutral network

UNEP

Brisbane and Sydney cities are just some of the Australians making their commitment to climate change clear by becoming some of the latest members to join the UNEP Climate Neutral Network. The network set up by the United Nations Environment Programme promotes real action on becoming carbon neutral.

The two cities are joined alongside Greenfest music festival, Clean Up the World and BalanceCarbon.

posted by rochelle on January 24, 2009 at 3:38 pm · filed under

Turnbull unveils climate change plan

Canberra Times

Federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull has revealed a three-stage climate change plan aiming to reduce 150 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2020. The plan consists of biosequestration, improved energy efficiency in buildings and increased investment in new technologies.

Mr Turnbull criticised the Rudd Government’s target emissions of between 5 to 15 per cent by 2020, saying it was not enough and lacked a diverse approach to tackling climate change.

posted by rochelle on January 24, 2009 at 3:24 pm · filed under

Greenhouse gas savings through solar cooling

CSIRO

Scientists from the CSIRO’s Energy Transformed Flagship are developing new solar cooling technology, which aims to utilise heat from solar thermal collectors to generate cooling for building air-conditioning. The research project’s leader Dr Stephen White says the technology, which is uniquely suited to the Australian climate, has the potential to make a significant contribution to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the future.

posted by patrick on January 23, 2009 at 12:06 pm · filed under

ACF slams McArthur River mine decision

Australian Conservation Foundation

The federal government’s approval of Swiss mining giant Xstrata’s Northern Territory open cut mine and the accompanying diversion of the McArthur River is a very poor decision for the environment, according to the ACF. “The message to other mining companies is clear: if you override the wishes of Traditional Owners and engage in environmentally high-impact mining, you will be rewarded with fast-tracked federal approval.” said the ACF Northern Australia spokesman Justin McCaul.

posted by patrick on January 22, 2009 at 6:26 pm · filed under

Used phones can save gorillas

The Age

Zoos Victoria is calling on all Australians to send in their used mobile phones to help save gorillas. How does this work? Well, mobile phones require a very small quantity of coltan, which is mined from areas of gorilla habitat in Africa, so recycling mobile phones reduces demand for coltan. In addition, for every mobile phone received by Zoos Victoria - $2 will go to the Jane Goodall’s Institute and help employ anti-poaching rangers in Africa.

To donate your used mobile phone: drop it into Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary or Werribee Open Range Zoo, or visit www.zoo.org.au to download a free reply paid postage label.

posted by kirsty on January 21, 2009 at 1:41 pm · filed under

Plastic bags illegal in Delhi, India

The Age

The 16 million people living in Delhi are estimated to use more than 10 million plastic bags each day.  Following an unsuccessful ban on plastic bags, Delhi has now placed a penalty of up to 100,000 Rupees (A$1000) or five years in jail for those found using plastic bags.  

Bangladesh was the first country to ban plastic bags and other countries such as Denmark and Ireland have found plastic bag taxes have significantly cut back plastic bag use.

Not only to plastic bags pose environmental threat, as they take hundreds of years to break down and are made from oil, they are a health risk as they can block drains and increase the risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

posted by kirsty on January 21, 2009 at 1:27 pm · filed under

Save water: save energy

FEN Online Magazine

A report entitled “Energy Use in the provision and consumption of urban water in Australia and New Zealand”, produced by CSIRO and the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA), has shown that water and energy use are closely linked, and that by reducing water consumption consumers will reduce energy consumption. Reducing hot water usage is highlighted in the report as an obvious means of reducing both water and energy consumption. Less obvious are the energy cost borne by the water industry in supplying water: an area expected to increase by as much as 130% due to the energy used in desalination plants.

posted by steve on January 20, 2009 at 6:38 am · filed under