Brumby Government urged to rethink solar laws

Environment Victoria

The Victorian Government has been urged to heed the advice of the Department of Sustainability and Environment and rethink its position on the solar power feed-in tariff. Environment Victoria’s Mark Wakeham has said that Cabinet exaggerated the cost to households of a gross feed-in regime in deciding to block a system that has been proven to be effective in over 40 other countries.

posted by patrick on February 27, 2009 at 12:03 pm · filed under

Water Solutions Forum (Mar 7, Brisbane)

University of Queensland

The Water Solutions Forum aims to provide a platform for Queensland’s youth, as well as members of the corporate community to learn about and discuss the current state of water sustainability in Queensland. This event is being organized by AIESEC, a student-run group at the University of Queensland.

At the Abel Smith Building 23, University of Queensland St. Lucia campus, March 7, 2009, from 12:30pm to 5:30pm.

posted by seamas on February 26, 2009 at 12:39 pm · filed under

Japanese paper firms caught sourcing wood chips from Tasmania’s old-growth forests

The Wilderness Society

A report released by The Wilderness Society and Still Wild, Still Threatened claims Japanese paper manufacturers are still sourcing wood chips derived from the destruction of Tasmania’s old growth forests, despite public denials. The groups claim the report presents irrefutable evidence to show significant tracts of tall-eucalypt old-growth and other high-conservation-value forests in Tasmania are being chipped and exported to Japan by Gunns Limited.

Early last year, Shoichiro Suzuki, chairman of the Japan Paper Association and Oji Paper admitted the companies had been falsifying information about the amount of recycled content in their paper products.

posted by seamas on February 26, 2009 at 8:41 am · filed under

Obama states clear intention for clean energy future

Reuters

Newly installed U.S. President Barack Obama used his first speach to the joint Congress to request legislation capping carbon polluting emissions across the nation and promoting renewable energy. Obama’s proposed budget allocates $15 billion per year to the development of solar and wind power, as well as clean coal technology and biofuels, plus improved fuel efficient vehicles.

posted by seamas on February 26, 2009 at 7:52 am · filed under

Eco-City Melbourne (Feb 26-28, Melbourne)

Sustainable Melbourne

An exhibition of proposals for an eco-friendly suburb. Open mostly through 12-6pm until Saturday, February 28th, 2009, at Shed 4, North Wharf Road, Victoria Harbour, Docklands, Melbourne. Please check the linked schedule, as opening times vary.

posted by seamas on February 26, 2009 at 12:47 am · filed under

Proposed eco-suburb would ban cars

The Age

Victoria’s Eco-Innovation Lab has released a plan for an environmentally friendly engineered suburb in inner Melbourne. Dubbed “Eco-City Melbourne,” the Government-funded thinktank’s vision would eliminate cars and grow fresh produce on site - a multi-story farm is one of the ideas considered.

State Major Projects Minister, Tim Pallas, launched an exhibition of the Eco-City Melbourne proposals, which runs from 12-6pm until Saturday February 28th at Shed 4, North Wharf Road, Victoria Harbour, Docklands, Melbourne.

posted by seamas on February 25, 2009 at 8:31 pm · filed under

Green Living Expo (Frankston, Mar 21)

Frankston City Council

Frankston City Council is holding a Green Living Expo to educate the community on climate change, sustainability and practical resource efficiency measures that can be applied by people in their homes and lifestyles.

2pm - 5pm Saturday,  March 21, 2009, at the Frankston Arts Centre, Davey Street, Frankston, Victoria.

posted by seamas on February 25, 2009 at 6:51 pm · filed under