Archive for November, 2010

Water increasingly expensive for someLink to full story

ABC News

Although Australians have cut their water usage by approximately 25% over the past five years, water prices have almost doubled and are expected to keep rising. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics also show that farmers pay just a fraction (around 5%) of the price domestic consumers are charged, and that water use by mining and manufacturing industries is increasing.

posted by seamas on November 30, 2010 at 7:09 am · filed under Drought, rivers and water resources Forests, land and agriculture Mining and nuclear Waste, recycling and sustainable living

NSW rejects Tillegra Dam proposalLink to full story

The Wilderness Society

The Wilderness Society has congratulated New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally and her Government for rejecting the proposed “costly, unnecessary and environmentally destructive” Tillegra Dam. An independent report found the proposed dam would have significantly impacted and potentially caused an ecological collapse of the internationally recognised Hunter Estuary Wetlands.

posted by seamas on November 28, 2010 at 6:12 pm · filed under Drought, rivers and water resources Media releases Publications and Impact Assessments

Montara findings boost calls for marine protectionLink to full story

WWF Australia

WWF has called on the Federal Government to get serious about protecting Australia’s oceans and coasts in the wake of damning findings by the Montara oil spill inquiry, released this week. The 2009 spill in the Timor Sea north of Australia was found to have had damaging impact on wildlife and ecosystems, prompting WWF and other groups to call for the creation of a network of marine sanctuaries to prevent future oil and gas drilling in highly environmentally sensitive areas.

posted by seamas on November 27, 2010 at 7:22 am · filed under Media releases Oceans and coasts Pests, wildlife and threatened species Publications and Impact Assessments Toxics and pollution

Murray-Darling campaign targets SA’s federal repsLink to full story

ACF

The Australian Conservation Foundation is calling on South Australia’s federal politicians from all parties to sign a pledge indicating their support for a Murray-Darling Basin Plan that returns enough water to the river to restore its health.

posted by seamas on November 24, 2010 at 2:59 pm · filed under Drought, rivers and water resources Media releases

Scientists expect record CO2 emissionsLink to full story

CSIRO

Scientists working with the Global Carbon Project have raised the spectre of renewed growth in fossil-fuel driven carbon emissions. Based on global GDP growth, they believe the increase will be around 3% this year, more than offsetting the 0.7% reduction observed in 2009 and making 2010 a record year for CO2 emissions. The Global Carbon Project is a climate science support initiative sponsored by the CSIRO and Japan.

posted by seamas on November 23, 2010 at 7:14 am · filed under Climate, greenhouse and renewable energy Media releases Publications and Impact Assessments Toxics and pollution

Australians willing to spend billions to save Murray and wetlandsLink to full story

ABC News

A study commissioned by the Murray Darling Basin Authority has found that Australian taxpayers are willing to pay a high price to revive the Murray River and Coorong Wetlands - $7.5 billion to be precise. The study asked people if they were willing to pay significantly higher taxes and food prices to revive these natural places and the answer was overwhelmingly “yes”.

posted by seamas on November 20, 2010 at 7:19 am · filed under Drought, rivers and water resources

CSIRO volunteers popularize home energy savingLink to full story

CSIRO

The CSIRO is looking to expand a successful household energy and carbon footprint reduction trial program across New South Wales. The science group is seeking to train 500 volunteer “convenors” to gather small groups of participants – family, friends, neighbours or workmates – for conversations about energy, climate change, water and waste. Convenors volunteering in the Energymark NSW household carbon emissions reduction program will share practical information about improving household management in relation to these issues. Participants in a recent Newcastle trial were reportedly able to cut both their power usage carbon footprint by around a third.

posted by seamas on November 19, 2010 at 7:26 am · filed under Climate, greenhouse and renewable energy Media releases Waste, recycling and sustainable living

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