Climate, greenhouse and renewable energy news
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.
posted by kirsty on August 20, 2008 at 4:50 pm · filed under 
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.
posted by kirsty on August 20, 2008 at 4:41 pm · filed under 
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.
posted by seamas on August 20, 2008 at 4:02 pm · filed under 
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.
posted by ruby on August 20, 2008 at 3:24 pm · filed under 
ABC News
Professor Will Steffen, head of the climate change unit at the Australian National University and science adviser to the Federal Government, has said that evidence from the past 12 to 18 months shows polar ice sheets are melting faster. Steffen has predicted a sea level rise of up to 4 meters this century, saying that we may have underestimated just how fast climate change will occur.
posted by megan on August 19, 2008 at 3:06 pm · filed under 
The Sydney Morning Herald
232 of Sydney’s worst green house gas emitters will be named and forced to reduce their emissions under recently formed energy-efficiency laws which will result in court action for those who do not comply. Not only will the cuts help reduce emissions but businesses will reportedly save an estimated $40 million on power. Interestingly, at the same time Ian Macdonald, NSW Energy Resources Minister, announced the sale of a $300 million coal exploration license for China’s biggest coal-mining company.
posted by megan on August 19, 2008 at 2:55 pm · filed under
Australian Conservation Foundation
Australia may be set to become a solar energy powerhouse, with engineering company WorleyParsons planning to build the world’s biggest solar thermal power plant in Australia by the year 2011. The company believes Australia has the potential to accommodate 34 solar thermal power stations as early as 2020, with Australia in a special position within the world of being able to maintain a solar energy industry due to the great intensity of sunlight it receives. A study to find possible sites for the first of the solar thermal power stations is underway, with locations such as the Pilbara in Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales being considered.
posted by anna on August 18, 2008 at 7:09 pm · filed under
ABC News
The Australian Industry Group are increasing their pressure on the Federal government to scrap its renewable targets of 20% by 2020, claiming it will make the cost of off-setting greenhouse gas emissions more expensive. Heather Ridout, head of the Australian Industry Group, claims that Australia can meet its reduction targets by carbon trading schemes alone. Critics point out that such a move could only ever be a short term solution, as in the medium to longer term it would render Australian industry less competitive in world markets.
posted by steve on August 18, 2008 at 9:40 am · filed under
ABC News
A plans to bury carbon dioxide in the sea bed has been passed by a federal parliamentary committee as a way to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. It is believed that the law, if put into action, will be the first in the world. Committee chairman Dick Adams said evidence suggests that once stored, and the longer it is stored, the risk of problems is likely very low, but admitted there are risks when injecting the carbon dioxide.
posted by anna on August 17, 2008 at 3:14 pm · filed under
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts
Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has announced $13.9 million in funding for Australia’s seventh Solar City in Perth, said today. The Minister expects more than 6,000 homes and businesses will take part in the Solar City trial, which aims to deliver carbon pollution reductions of more than 15,000 tonnes – equivalent to that generated by the energy demands of 3,200 homes.
posted by seamas on August 16, 2008 at 5:56 pm · filed under
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