eco media

Government streamlines emissions reporting

patrick — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:56:54 +0000

The Federal Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, has announced the introduction of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Streamlining Protocol, aimed at reducing the administrative burden on companies required to report their greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. Senator Wong said streamlined reporting would ensure more comprehensive and consistent information was available to both government and the public.

Global warming danger from permafrost melt

patrick — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:13:44 +0000

New research released by the Global Carbon Project at CSIRO has shown that the release of large amounts of carbon stored in permafrost around the ice caps could further increase global temperatures by the end of this century. The research also shows that amount of carbon stored in soils surrounding the north pole has been hugely underestimated.

Scotland praised for high emission target

rochelle — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:42:12 +0000

The WWF has applauded Scotland’s decision to set tougher emission targets at 42 percent by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050. In the lead up to Copenhagen, Kim Carstensen of the Global Climate Initiative said that the decision places Scotland at the forefront of emission-reducing commitment and that other nations should follow suit.

Maintain urgency on climate change response : ACF

patrick — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:54:53 +0000

The ACF has warned the government to resist politically motivated attempts to delay Australia’s response to global warming. Australian Conservation Foundation executive director Don Henry said that recent research released by the European Policy Centre in Brussels which shows climate change is happening ‘near the upper boundary of earlier projections’ emphasises the need to maintain a sense of urgency around the government’s CPRS legislation and other climate change measures.

Renewable Remote Power Generation Program axed

ruby — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:17:08 +0000

The federal government has ended its remote area solar program which covered up to half the cost of setting up clean power sources in areas not connected to the electricity grid, and which was aimed at getting remote communities off diesel and onto energy sources including wind and solar. The program was meant to continue until 2011.

International Whaling Commission annual meeting in Portugal

ruby — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:06:40 +0000

Environment minister Peter Garrett has joined the International Fund for Animal Welfare to release the report Whale Watching Worldwide at the International Whaling Commission annual meeting in Portugal. The report highlights the economic growth and benefits of the whale watching industry. “In 2008 alone, more than 13 million people enjoyed whale watching in 119 countries resulting in more than $2 billion in expenditure,” said Minister Garrett at the report’s launch, adding that it “further reinforces the point that whales are worth more to nations alive than dead, with the economic benefits of whales extending far beyond hunting them.”

China halts environmental restoration projects

ruby — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:57:25 +0000

China is suspending environmental restoration projects including reforestation projects in marginal arable land due to the food crisis. Deputy head of the ministry of land and resources Lu Xinshe has been quoted as saying that the country is struggling to maintain the 120 million hectare ‘red line’ considered to be the minimum land requirement for ensuring food security.

Good Wood Guide to sustainable timber launched

seamas — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:08:37 +0000

Greenpeace Australia Pacific has launched a Good Wood Guide to help consumers choose make informed, environmentally responsible decisions when buying wood and wood products. Key retailers and timber importers joined non-government groups and celebrities at the launch to demand an end to illegal timber imports - Australia reportedly imports around $400 million worth of products made from illegal wood every year.

The new Greenpeace publication and searchable resource hopes to reduce unsustainable illegal timber imports by giving consumers information about sources.

Climate adaptation study for South East Queensland a first

anna — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 04:41:45 +0000

CSIRO has announced a new $14 million project aimed at researching ways for South East Queensland to take practical action against the impacts of climate change. The study is an all-encompassing look at how a region can adapt to climate change – a national first for Australia, and just one of a few such studies worldwide. The three-year project will assess South East Queensland’s vulnerability to climate change, and evaluate its capacity to adapt and prepare for change.

Draft for emissions regulations released

anna — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 04:39:10 +0000

The Federal Government has released a draft of regulations for emissions trading, laying out their plans for how carbon emissions will be measured and industry compensation determined. The Government is hoping to gain support from senators in order to have the legislation go through next week.

Greens Senator Christine Milne says the regulations show that the emissions trading scheme will be sending money to the wrong place, with wealth to be shifted from the people to the big polluters.