Mining waste a potential solution for algal blooms

CSIRO

CSIRO and the Western Australian Department of Water have discovered a way of using mining industry by-products to adsorb contaminants and reduce algal blooming on rivers. They tested a suitable by-product by adding it to the soil of a turf farm in the Swan Canning catchment, which successfully removed 97 per cent of phosphorus and 82 per cent of nitrogen from groundwater. As well as a potentially effective solution against algal blooms, the strategy is cost-effective and environmentally-friendly, making use of mining by-products which would otherwise become waste.

posted by anna on January 31, 2011 at 4:40 pm · filed under

Sustainable Living Festival (Melbourne, Feb 12-27)

The Sustainable Living Festival at Melbourne’s Federation Square aims to raise awareness and offer tools for change by showcasing premier ideas and solutions to tackle ecological and social challenges. The festival is a fun, community-centric way to promote the uptake of sustainable living amongst Australians.

posted by seamas on December 26, 2010 at 9:41 pm · filed under

Government’s Green Start initiative stalls

Sydney Morning Herald

The Australian Government’s planned $212 million Green Start initiative has been shelved less than a week before it was set to begin. Minister for Climate Change, Greg Combet, blamed poor state records for making Green Start to risky to implement. Designed to replace the scrapped Green Loans program, the new initiative was going to provide free energy audits and tips to help poorer households reduce their power consumption. The Government will still have to pay around $30 million to compensate the thousands of people trained to conduct household energy audits and the employment futures of those trained is now uncertain.

posted by seamas on December 24, 2010 at 7:31 am · filed under

Peats Ridge Festival (Glenworth, Dec 29-Jan 1)

In 2010, the Peats Ridge Festival will feature emerging and established artists across 9 stages, markets, workshops and riverside camping. Held over New Year, the festival is a sustainable and family friendly event dedicated to eco-living education, environmental initiatives and awards.

At Glenworth Valley, New South Wales, from December 29 - January 1 (tickets $25-$325).

posted by seamas on December 7, 2010 at 2:10 am · filed under

Fair@Square (Melbourne, Dec 11-12)

Eco Shout

Fair@Square is a fair-trade and ethical festival designed to inform and excite people to become part of a sustainable future that values and respects all human beings and the preservation of our planet. It will include workshops, talks, market stalls, music, fashion and art.

At Federation Square, Melbourne CBD, 11am-6pm on December 11-12, 2010.

posted by seamas on December 7, 2010 at 1:55 am · filed under

Water increasingly expensive for some

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

CSIRO volunteers popularize home energy saving

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