On Monday 20th Aprils show we have an exciting new segment called “introducing a green group” (hows that for an imaginative title!) where we interview somebody from a different green group every week. Hopefully this will give our listeners an idea of some of the excellent groups out there doing some amazing stuff. We find out what they do, what their aims are and what help people can give them if they are so inclined.
The first "Introduce a green Group" is the Environment Defenders Office (EDO) which is a great not-for-profit group that helps community groups and individuals with environmental legal issues. So check out the interview and learn what the EDO does, and if you are a legal student or a lawyer, how you can volunteer and help out the EDO.
We also welcome back into the studio Emily Ballantyne Brodie from Future Canvas. Emily is going to give us an update on where FutureCanvas are with their projects and talk about their upcoming launch of their space at Docklands.
Check out the podcasts for all the details.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Guilt free chocolate and sustainable eating
Last weeks show on Fairtrade generated so much interest we thought we would delve a bit deeper and discover more about what is happening and the benefits of fair-trade.
As we heard last week – hot off the press – Cadbury in the UK expects to receive Fairtrade certification for its U.K. and Irish Cadbury Dairy Milk products by the end of the (northern hemisphere) summer, a change that will triple the sales of Fairtrade cocoa for farmers in the African country Ghana. Cadbury plans to eventually seek Fairtrade certification for other products and for Cadbury operations elsewhere in the world. Unfortunately Cadbury Australia are not quite there yet – but they are talking to the fairtrade people – so it will be a while before we can eat guilt free mainstream chocolate in Australia. For totally guilt free (oh, except for the calorie count!!) go to the World Vision campaign website for a list of fairtrade chocolate at: http://www.donttradelives.com.au/dtl/Issues/Chocolate/files/pdf/ChocolateGuide.pdf
The flipside of you buying a chocolate bar that isn’t fairtrade is that some cocoa farmer has been royally screwed over. So we talk to Susan Mizrahi from World Vision who is the Campaign Leader for Human Trafficking who can tell us about the real benefits to 3rd world farmers and their communities when they get a fair price for their cocoa. These people are the ones that are impacted by our purchase decisions.
We also hear back from Ali’s week of shopping ethically – did she starve? Or did she discover that shopping sustainably and ethically is a breeze – and helps her sleep better at night! (and did she continue WHINGING as she tried to eat ethically, or did she get over it!!)
Check out the podcasts for all the details.
As we heard last week – hot off the press – Cadbury in the UK expects to receive Fairtrade certification for its U.K. and Irish Cadbury Dairy Milk products by the end of the (northern hemisphere) summer, a change that will triple the sales of Fairtrade cocoa for farmers in the African country Ghana. Cadbury plans to eventually seek Fairtrade certification for other products and for Cadbury operations elsewhere in the world. Unfortunately Cadbury Australia are not quite there yet – but they are talking to the fairtrade people – so it will be a while before we can eat guilt free mainstream chocolate in Australia. For totally guilt free (oh, except for the calorie count!!) go to the World Vision campaign website for a list of fairtrade chocolate at: http://www.donttradelives.com.au/dtl/Issues/Chocolate/files/pdf/ChocolateGuide.pdf
The flipside of you buying a chocolate bar that isn’t fairtrade is that some cocoa farmer has been royally screwed over. So we talk to Susan Mizrahi from World Vision who is the Campaign Leader for Human Trafficking who can tell us about the real benefits to 3rd world farmers and their communities when they get a fair price for their cocoa. These people are the ones that are impacted by our purchase decisions.
We also hear back from Ali’s week of shopping ethically – did she starve? Or did she discover that shopping sustainably and ethically is a breeze – and helps her sleep better at night! (and did she continue WHINGING as she tried to eat ethically, or did she get over it!!)
Check out the podcasts for all the details.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Urban food & gardens
Food security is a new buzz word around. With the recent hikes in oil price, leading to large increases in the price of commodity grains (such as corn and soybeans) the world has seen riots over the price of food. Australian agriculture is going to be hit hard by climate change and what we grow and where we grow it, along with how we grow it is all going to be affected. Modern agriculture relies on oil – for the use of fertilizers and transport – so what happen when we run out of oil, or as oil gets so expensive we can no longer afford the fertilizers for our crops? Are there other ways to operate?
We will talk with Peta Christensen from ‘Cultivating Communities’ who has traveled the world looking at urban food solutions, as well as seeing the benefits of community gardens. And we will also talk with Martin Pritchard who has been on a guerilla gardening project as well as helping to organize the supermarket of the future the Eco-Market, a sustainable alternative to the one-stop shop.
We have also seen a rise in urban gardens – from community gardens, individual plot and even guerilla gardening. So we will talk urban gardens and urban food and see if we can inspire you to get out and grow some of your own! Unfortunately Ali is not with us tonight otherwise we would have heard an update on her Envrio-lution to keep her home grown tomatoes alive……but we believe the tomatoes are still alive and actually producing fruit. Photographic proof will be appearing on this blog soon– so stay tuned!
We will talk with Peta Christensen from ‘Cultivating Communities’ who has traveled the world looking at urban food solutions, as well as seeing the benefits of community gardens. And we will also talk with Martin Pritchard who has been on a guerilla gardening project as well as helping to organize the supermarket of the future the Eco-Market, a sustainable alternative to the one-stop shop.
We have also seen a rise in urban gardens – from community gardens, individual plot and even guerilla gardening. So we will talk urban gardens and urban food and see if we can inspire you to get out and grow some of your own! Unfortunately Ali is not with us tonight otherwise we would have heard an update on her Envrio-lution to keep her home grown tomatoes alive……but we believe the tomatoes are still alive and actually producing fruit. Photographic proof will be appearing on this blog soon– so stay tuned!
Big Bad Agrilculture
So what are the issues with modern agriculture? The biggest looming one (excluding GM) is probably the shortage of oil which is going to hit us sometime. Experts predict around 2012, but no-one is really sure. Oil is used to make fertilizer and a large percentage of the world’s food is now grown in mono-culture farms (ie only one product) and heavily reliant on the use of oil based fertilizers. Take for example one of the worlds biggest crops – corn. When I think of corn I think of those bright yellow corn cobs, slathered in butter. But corn is in just about every processed food you can think of from soft drink to biscuits to bread! Good old corn is everywhere (usually in the form of high-fructose corn syrup). Take for example your McDonalds meal of the ‘carbon’ (ie non-water, organic stuff in the item) in the meals the following %* comes from corn:
Soft drink 100%
Milk shake 78%
Salad dressing 65%
Chicken nuggets 56%
Cheeseburger 52%
French Fries 23%
So there is loads more corn in a chicken nugget than chicken!!!
(*these figures come from “The Omnivore’s dilemma” by Michael Polan)
Corn is grown using a large amount of fertilizer and then the processing of corn into the myriad of products on our supermarket and fast food shelves also takes oil. So that by the time you eat your McDonalds meal 10 times as much calories of oil have been used to make the meal than you consumed – very energy intensive.
And then there is the environmental pollution from using excessive amounts of fertilizer. The fertilizer used on corn contains large amounts of nitrogen, which when the excess runs off into water ways it creates ‘dead zones’ of algae where nothing grows. Some of it also evaporates into the air where it acidifies the rain and contributes to global warming (via ammonium nitrate turning into nitrous oxide – an intensive ghg).
So what are there alternatives? Obviously eating less processed food helps the energy balance, but also supporting farmers that use no ‘man-made’ fertilizers such as organic & biodynamic farmers. There is also the ‘grow your own’ option, which while unlikely to supply all your vegetable & fruit needs can supply some. And you can also trade the excess. Across Melbourne there are a number of ‘food swaps’ where people meet regularly and swap there excess produce for other home grown stuff, So if your tomato trees are growing excessive amounts, you can take the excess down to CERES park in Brunswick every Saturday, and swap your tomatoes for some one else’s beans or zucchinis! Very cool! It is called the Urban Orchard and they are popping up all over Melbourne. Another one is:
Westside urban orchard swap
10-11.30am : first saturday of every month
211 Nicholson St, Footscray
Some definitions:
Organic Framing
"A production system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed additives. To the maximum extent feasible organic farming systems rely upon crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, legumes, green manures, off-farm organic wastes, mechanical cultivation, mineral bearing rocks, and aspects of biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and tilth, to supply plant nutrients and to control insects, weeds and other pests."
Biodynamic Framing
Takes organic farming one step further
Biodynamic farming is a system of farming based on the teachings of German philosopher Rudolph Steiner. Initially developed in Germany in the 1920s, its use is now world wide including Australia. Biodynamic farms strive to be a self-sustaining organism within the surrounding ecosystem and is generally stricter than organic standards and emphasizes farm animals, soil and plant sprays and compost preparations which enhance and regulate plant growth and fertility.
Permaculture
"Permaculture is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people providing their food, energy, shelter and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way". (Mollison, 1988, Design Manual IX).
Soft drink 100%
Milk shake 78%
Salad dressing 65%
Chicken nuggets 56%
Cheeseburger 52%
French Fries 23%
So there is loads more corn in a chicken nugget than chicken!!!
(*these figures come from “The Omnivore’s dilemma” by Michael Polan)
Corn is grown using a large amount of fertilizer and then the processing of corn into the myriad of products on our supermarket and fast food shelves also takes oil. So that by the time you eat your McDonalds meal 10 times as much calories of oil have been used to make the meal than you consumed – very energy intensive.
And then there is the environmental pollution from using excessive amounts of fertilizer. The fertilizer used on corn contains large amounts of nitrogen, which when the excess runs off into water ways it creates ‘dead zones’ of algae where nothing grows. Some of it also evaporates into the air where it acidifies the rain and contributes to global warming (via ammonium nitrate turning into nitrous oxide – an intensive ghg).
So what are there alternatives? Obviously eating less processed food helps the energy balance, but also supporting farmers that use no ‘man-made’ fertilizers such as organic & biodynamic farmers. There is also the ‘grow your own’ option, which while unlikely to supply all your vegetable & fruit needs can supply some. And you can also trade the excess. Across Melbourne there are a number of ‘food swaps’ where people meet regularly and swap there excess produce for other home grown stuff, So if your tomato trees are growing excessive amounts, you can take the excess down to CERES park in Brunswick every Saturday, and swap your tomatoes for some one else’s beans or zucchinis! Very cool! It is called the Urban Orchard and they are popping up all over Melbourne. Another one is:
Westside urban orchard swap
10-11.30am : first saturday of every month
211 Nicholson St, Footscray
Some definitions:
Organic Framing
"A production system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed additives. To the maximum extent feasible organic farming systems rely upon crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, legumes, green manures, off-farm organic wastes, mechanical cultivation, mineral bearing rocks, and aspects of biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and tilth, to supply plant nutrients and to control insects, weeds and other pests."
Biodynamic Framing
Takes organic farming one step further
Biodynamic farming is a system of farming based on the teachings of German philosopher Rudolph Steiner. Initially developed in Germany in the 1920s, its use is now world wide including Australia. Biodynamic farms strive to be a self-sustaining organism within the surrounding ecosystem and is generally stricter than organic standards and emphasizes farm animals, soil and plant sprays and compost preparations which enhance and regulate plant growth and fertility.
Permaculture
"Permaculture is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people providing their food, energy, shelter and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way". (Mollison, 1988, Design Manual IX).
Monday, February 23, 2009
SLF & Transition towns
It was a big week end for all things sustainable with the Sustainable Living Festival on at Federation Square in Melbourne. For once it wasn’t 40 deg plus for the festival, which made for much more pleasant wandering around the stalls, and listening to the many & varied speakers discuss a range of sustainable topics. On today’s show we talk to a couple of people we ran into at the festival and give you an insight into how the festival went.
We also chat about Transition Towns and discover what they are and why we need them!
Check out the podcasts for all the details.
We also chat about Transition Towns and discover what they are and why we need them!
Check out the podcasts for all the details.
Transition Towns
One of the interesting talks at SLF was on Transition Towns. Now if you haven’t heard this expression – Transition towns – are a world wide initiative where a community gets together to address the 2 challenges of Peak oil and climate change. They work out a plan for how they, as a community can reduce their dependence on oil, and drastically reduce their ghg emissions, to help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Far from a negative thing, TT are very positive. They offer solutions to the many problems with energy security, carbon emissions, food, and how we can learn to live with the inevitable changes to the way we live and work. ‘Transition Towns’ is an inspiring vision and action plan for how a community can transition to an energy lean, carbon constrained, and relocalised future that is abundant, sustainable, pleasurable, and resilient.
Transition Towns began in September 2006 and has since morphed into a worldwide movement with over 100 official Transition Towns, cities, counties, and islands, and several thousand who are considering this model for positive change.
Once a town embarks on the transition to an oil free / ghg reduction they can be officially recognised as a TT – there is a list at http://transitiontowns.org/TransitionNetwork/TransitionCommunities showing all the towns across the world that have are registered as TT. As you can see there are quite a few popping up in Australia from Bell in Geelong to the Sunshine Coast
The first TT was Totnes in England. They have around 20 projects going that are leading them towards their goals. These include bulk purchase of solar thermal kits for houses, helping business quantify their exposure to rising oil prices, and promotion of a local food guide. They even developed their own currency that is accepted in over 70 local shops – the Totnes Pound - to help support local businesses and to make people aware of shopping local and the benefit it brings.
Far from a negative thing, TT are very positive. They offer solutions to the many problems with energy security, carbon emissions, food, and how we can learn to live with the inevitable changes to the way we live and work. ‘Transition Towns’ is an inspiring vision and action plan for how a community can transition to an energy lean, carbon constrained, and relocalised future that is abundant, sustainable, pleasurable, and resilient.
Transition Towns began in September 2006 and has since morphed into a worldwide movement with over 100 official Transition Towns, cities, counties, and islands, and several thousand who are considering this model for positive change.
Once a town embarks on the transition to an oil free / ghg reduction they can be officially recognised as a TT – there is a list at http://transitiontowns.org/TransitionNetwork/TransitionCommunities showing all the towns across the world that have are registered as TT. As you can see there are quite a few popping up in Australia from Bell in Geelong to the Sunshine Coast
The first TT was Totnes in England. They have around 20 projects going that are leading them towards their goals. These include bulk purchase of solar thermal kits for houses, helping business quantify their exposure to rising oil prices, and promotion of a local food guide. They even developed their own currency that is accepted in over 70 local shops – the Totnes Pound - to help support local businesses and to make people aware of shopping local and the benefit it brings.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Climate Action Groups & the Climate Summit
Today we look at the rise and rise of the community climate action group. These groups have sprung up across the country and work towards making their community more climate friendly.
We talk to one mum, Coni Forcey who co-founded the Bayside Climate Action group and we find out what inspires people to start or join a group like this and what they achieve as part of these groups.
As you may be aware there was a big meeting of community climate action groups in Canberra last weekend at a Climate Action Summit. This was 3 days of workshops and information sessions designed to make the community sector more effective, while forming a grass-roots network, and to create a national strategy to help influence the Rudd government to be more active on climate. This was followed by a day of peaceful protests at Parliament house. Later on in the show we will talk to someone who attended the summit and find out what worked and what the vibe was like.
Check out the podcast for all the details.
We talk to one mum, Coni Forcey who co-founded the Bayside Climate Action group and we find out what inspires people to start or join a group like this and what they achieve as part of these groups.
As you may be aware there was a big meeting of community climate action groups in Canberra last weekend at a Climate Action Summit. This was 3 days of workshops and information sessions designed to make the community sector more effective, while forming a grass-roots network, and to create a national strategy to help influence the Rudd government to be more active on climate. This was followed by a day of peaceful protests at Parliament house. Later on in the show we will talk to someone who attended the summit and find out what worked and what the vibe was like.
Check out the podcast for all the details.
Community Climate Action Groups
With the advent of the Howard years and the general climate change denial and inaction going on from our political leaders, many frustrated and concerned individuals got together to form climate action groups. Across the country these groups popped up and set about doing a whole range of things. From political lobbying, to bulk buying of solar hot water systems, to community education and media stunts to raise awareness of climate change these groups have achieved a lot. They were instrumental in raising awarness of climate change and ensuring the howard govt was evicted. They continue their work today, and new groups are forming.
According to the Climate Action Centre in Melbourne there is around 50 climate action groups in Victoria and maybe around 200 Australia wide.
Some examples of what climate action have got themselves involved with include:
- Breeze – Ballarat group that has organised the bulk buying of SHW systems and solar panels. And then got a government grant to teach other climate action groups how to organise bulk buying of envioronmentla products
- Beyond Zero Emissions – believe that we need to move towards zero carbon emissions – and because of this more 'radical'apporach stepped away from other green groups who thought the target was too high. They do campaigns and advocacy to raise awareness and have a lot of speaking engagements to help raise the profile of the science behind a target of zero emissions. check them out on . www.beyondzeroemissions.org
- Families Facing Climate Change
Based in Ashburton, Melbourne this group is a concerned group of 10 families that want to make a difference. Their local member just happens to be Peter Costello, so prior to the election they lined him up talked all things green power and gave him a copy of Tim Flannery's 'The Weather Makers'. They also talked to their state member amd ran candidates before the last stae and federal elections. So it just goes to show that anyone can get political so get out there and talk to your MP asap!.
There is also a new Melbourne Moreland climate change group if anyone is interested. The next meeting takes place on Tuesday Feb 17th at the Coburg Library meeting room Cnr of Victoria and Louisa Streets, Coburg. For more info contact: ellenmroberts@yahoo.com.au
To check out the climate action groups near you go to Environment Victoria's website or try googling! Env Vic can also help with starting up a climate action group, so if there isn't one near you start one up yourself!
According to the Climate Action Centre in Melbourne there is around 50 climate action groups in Victoria and maybe around 200 Australia wide.
Some examples of what climate action have got themselves involved with include:
- Breeze – Ballarat group that has organised the bulk buying of SHW systems and solar panels. And then got a government grant to teach other climate action groups how to organise bulk buying of envioronmentla products
- Beyond Zero Emissions – believe that we need to move towards zero carbon emissions – and because of this more 'radical'apporach stepped away from other green groups who thought the target was too high. They do campaigns and advocacy to raise awareness and have a lot of speaking engagements to help raise the profile of the science behind a target of zero emissions. check them out on . www.beyondzeroemissions.org
- Families Facing Climate Change
Based in Ashburton, Melbourne this group is a concerned group of 10 families that want to make a difference. Their local member just happens to be Peter Costello, so prior to the election they lined him up talked all things green power and gave him a copy of Tim Flannery's 'The Weather Makers'. They also talked to their state member amd ran candidates before the last stae and federal elections. So it just goes to show that anyone can get political so get out there and talk to your MP asap!.
There is also a new Melbourne Moreland climate change group if anyone is interested. The next meeting takes place on Tuesday Feb 17th at the Coburg Library meeting room Cnr of Victoria and Louisa Streets, Coburg. For more info contact: ellenmroberts@yahoo.com.au
To check out the climate action groups near you go to Environment Victoria's website or try googling! Env Vic can also help with starting up a climate action group, so if there isn't one near you start one up yourself!
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Victorian Water crisis
As we soar through 40 deg days we can be secure in the knowledge that at least we will always have fresh, cooling water. But will we? Victoria’s damns are at historic lows, and long range forecasts and the impact of climate change suggest that most of Victoria will get less rainfall. There has been a lot of media about the desalination plant being built, the pipeline and the recent Target 155 water saving blitz. But will this solve our water problem and what is the best solution for Victoria?
Is it true that the desalination plant is necessary because our government has been too slack in planning? Did you know that more water flows out of Melbourne, via stormwater, waste water and wasted water than we consume?? The amount of stormwater in Metro Melbourne is around 400 billion litres / year and roughly equates to the total Melbourne water usage - so why isn’t stormwater a large part of the water solution for Melbourne? The desalination plant is going to provide 150 billion litres a year of very expensive water – we have figures to suggest that the average consumer is better off installing a water tank and reducing their water consumption to a minimum!!
We will talk to 2 people in the know on today’s show! Sheryl West from Yarra Valley Water will tell us about the Target 155 and how this will impact Victoria’s water supply, and Professor Peter Coombes from Bonacci Water will talk about what water solutions are best for Victoria and clear up some of the muddy water around water tanks and desalination plants!
Check out the podcasts for all the details.
Is it true that the desalination plant is necessary because our government has been too slack in planning? Did you know that more water flows out of Melbourne, via stormwater, waste water and wasted water than we consume?? The amount of stormwater in Metro Melbourne is around 400 billion litres / year and roughly equates to the total Melbourne water usage - so why isn’t stormwater a large part of the water solution for Melbourne? The desalination plant is going to provide 150 billion litres a year of very expensive water – we have figures to suggest that the average consumer is better off installing a water tank and reducing their water consumption to a minimum!!
We will talk to 2 people in the know on today’s show! Sheryl West from Yarra Valley Water will tell us about the Target 155 and how this will impact Victoria’s water supply, and Professor Peter Coombes from Bonacci Water will talk about what water solutions are best for Victoria and clear up some of the muddy water around water tanks and desalination plants!
Check out the podcasts for all the details.
Water Water
Will Gary’s bucket save Melbourne and Victoria’s water crisis?? As we heard from our two interviews we think not….but it might help. So besides harassing your local politicians about water solutions, checking out environmental websites (Env Victoria have an alternative water solution that is worth checking out on www.envict.org.au/ ) and generally getting involved in the water debate, what can you do at home to reduce your water usage and smash that 155litre target???
Well we have compiled the top 8 (auspicious Chinese number) ways to save water around the home……………see how many you are doing or can commit to do:
1. Reduce your shower time to under 3mins – I can do it so why can’t you??
2. Change your showerhead to a FREE water efficient shower head
3. Fix any leaks NOW!!
4. buy a bucket for the heat up water in the shower
5. use grey water on the garden (from the shower, or the washing machine if you use low sodium, low phosphate detergents) – safely!
6. can you fit rain water tanks in your yard anywhere – under a deck? Along a fence line? Then put a giant sign outside your house saying “Tank water in use – that is why my grass is so green and yours is brown and shriveled”
7. don’t waste food - a lot of water went into producing that
8. eat less diary - a heap of water goes into production of milk
Well we have compiled the top 8 (auspicious Chinese number) ways to save water around the home……………see how many you are doing or can commit to do:
1. Reduce your shower time to under 3mins – I can do it so why can’t you??
2. Change your showerhead to a FREE water efficient shower head
3. Fix any leaks NOW!!
4. buy a bucket for the heat up water in the shower
5. use grey water on the garden (from the shower, or the washing machine if you use low sodium, low phosphate detergents) – safely!
6. can you fit rain water tanks in your yard anywhere – under a deck? Along a fence line? Then put a giant sign outside your house saying “Tank water in use – that is why my grass is so green and yours is brown and shriveled”
7. don’t waste food - a lot of water went into producing that
8. eat less diary - a heap of water goes into production of milk
Monday, January 26, 2009
Greenwashing and green communities
Happy Australia Day – or white invasion day, depending on your view. Today’s show sees us talking with Emily who helped set up a rather diverse community group that aims to empower the community to live sustainably. Future Canvas is a NFP group that is really grass roots. Its latest project is an urban garden for the Docklands, so listen up to see how you can be involved.
We also talk to Matt Perry who set up his own green marketing company, so we can discuss all things ‘greenwash’ and give you some pointers on how to determine if the advertised products are as green as they say.......just because it is made by a company called ‘love the earth’ it might not be lov’n the earth!
Check out the podcasts for all the details.
We also talk to Matt Perry who set up his own green marketing company, so we can discuss all things ‘greenwash’ and give you some pointers on how to determine if the advertised products are as green as they say.......just because it is made by a company called ‘love the earth’ it might not be lov’n the earth!
Check out the podcasts for all the details.
Aussie Green Inventions
Australia has a rich history of being at the for-front of all things green (that is if you ignore the Howard years!). Here is a selection of historical Aussie green stuff and groovy green inventions:
- The first Green Political party. Out of the Franklin Dam protest Australia registered the world first green political party. In 1972 Bob Brown and Milo Dunphy set up the United Tasmania Group.
- The Hills Hoist – drying clothes the environmental way!!
- Hush Wind turbine
- Solar technology that all went overseas because our government wouldn’t support it
- Cane-It Golf Trees. This company creates sun-dried biodegradable golf tees made from plantation grown bamboo cane that shred when mowed, releasing nutrients into the ground – rather than becoming a projectile hazard when struck and contributing to broken tee litter on the course.
-The Aerochamber: a unit to compost organic matter using greater air flow to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced in the usual process. The Aerochamber promises not to create bad odours or flies and make it easier to compost at home
- SmartBurn is a scientifically proven Pollution Reduction Device that reduces smoke haze and particulate emissions by up to 50% from domestic wood combustion heaters. It is also a Chimney Flue Cleaner that removes black soot and flammable sap deposits from the fire box, around the window, and up the chimney, therefore enabling the fire to burn up to 17% hotter and reducing chimney fire risk. www.smartburn.com.au
- The Aquanator: provides sustainable and environmentally safe energy - basically, the Aquanator operates like sails under the water to generate electricity. It converts the immense and largely untapped power of ocean and river currents into power — without causing pollution or harm to the environment — two outcomes that are too often linked to the creation of electricity and other power sources. On the back of significant validation from the Australian Technology Showcase, Perry and his team at Atlantis Energy Limited have now successfully trialled the Aquanator prototype - on the Clarence River in Northern NSW - in a simulated 1.5 to 2.7 knot current. They are now seeking further funding for the commercialisation of the Aquanator.
-The Engineair: a pollution free engine that runs on compressed air. It is successfully being used to power smaller vehicles such as utility buggies, boats and burden carriers. It is not the first engine to operate on compressed air, but the Engineair has significant characteristics in its favour when compared to other air motors on the market. It is more efficient, consuming 70 percent less compressed air, and is relatively lightweight, being 1/7th of the weight of the piston air motor. An Engineair maintenance vehicle was recently purchased for use in Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens.
- Biolytix is a chemical free Wastewater Treatment System. Winner of many international and Australian Awards this Sewage and grey water recycling system was invented by Dean Cameron who wanted to reduce waste. This system uses 90% less electricity than conventional systems. http://www.biolytix.com/index.php The Biolytix® System uses a diverse ecosystem living in an organic matrix to treat the wastewater
- The first Green Political party. Out of the Franklin Dam protest Australia registered the world first green political party. In 1972 Bob Brown and Milo Dunphy set up the United Tasmania Group.
- The Hills Hoist – drying clothes the environmental way!!
- Hush Wind turbine
- Solar technology that all went overseas because our government wouldn’t support it
- Cane-It Golf Trees. This company creates sun-dried biodegradable golf tees made from plantation grown bamboo cane that shred when mowed, releasing nutrients into the ground – rather than becoming a projectile hazard when struck and contributing to broken tee litter on the course.
-The Aerochamber: a unit to compost organic matter using greater air flow to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced in the usual process. The Aerochamber promises not to create bad odours or flies and make it easier to compost at home
- SmartBurn is a scientifically proven Pollution Reduction Device that reduces smoke haze and particulate emissions by up to 50% from domestic wood combustion heaters. It is also a Chimney Flue Cleaner that removes black soot and flammable sap deposits from the fire box, around the window, and up the chimney, therefore enabling the fire to burn up to 17% hotter and reducing chimney fire risk. www.smartburn.com.au
- The Aquanator: provides sustainable and environmentally safe energy - basically, the Aquanator operates like sails under the water to generate electricity. It converts the immense and largely untapped power of ocean and river currents into power — without causing pollution or harm to the environment — two outcomes that are too often linked to the creation of electricity and other power sources. On the back of significant validation from the Australian Technology Showcase, Perry and his team at Atlantis Energy Limited have now successfully trialled the Aquanator prototype - on the Clarence River in Northern NSW - in a simulated 1.5 to 2.7 knot current. They are now seeking further funding for the commercialisation of the Aquanator.
-The Engineair: a pollution free engine that runs on compressed air. It is successfully being used to power smaller vehicles such as utility buggies, boats and burden carriers. It is not the first engine to operate on compressed air, but the Engineair has significant characteristics in its favour when compared to other air motors on the market. It is more efficient, consuming 70 percent less compressed air, and is relatively lightweight, being 1/7th of the weight of the piston air motor. An Engineair maintenance vehicle was recently purchased for use in Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens.
- Biolytix is a chemical free Wastewater Treatment System. Winner of many international and Australian Awards this Sewage and grey water recycling system was invented by Dean Cameron who wanted to reduce waste. This system uses 90% less electricity than conventional systems. http://www.biolytix.com/index.php The Biolytix® System uses a diverse ecosystem living in an organic matrix to treat the wastewater
Monday, January 19, 2009
The green festival program...
Summer is festival season and tonight we discuss all things green in the festival world and talk to a person people who helps organize Victoria's premier Sustainable Festival, the Sustainable Living Festival (SLF).
SLF doesn’t need too much more greening up - in actual fact they are running a 'green event' forum to teach others how to green up festivals and events. Running from 20th to the 22nd of February at Federation square in Melbourne, SLF is all about inspiring people to live more sustainably. It has a huge range of exhibitors, talks, workshops and performances celebrating all things sustainable. It aims to increase awareness of sustainability, and get the message across on how you can join and help accelerate the uptake of sustainable living. Check out www.slf.org/festival for all the details.
And check out the podcasts for all the info from tonights show.
SLF doesn’t need too much more greening up - in actual fact they are running a 'green event' forum to teach others how to green up festivals and events. Running from 20th to the 22nd of February at Federation square in Melbourne, SLF is all about inspiring people to live more sustainably. It has a huge range of exhibitors, talks, workshops and performances celebrating all things sustainable. It aims to increase awareness of sustainability, and get the message across on how you can join and help accelerate the uptake of sustainable living. Check out www.slf.org/festival for all the details.
And check out the podcasts for all the info from tonights show.
Green Festivals
More and more festivals are moving towards a greener outlook aiming to reduce the impact of the festival on the environment. This can range from carbon offsetting the festival, encouraging public transport use, and/or ensuring waste is minimised by providing excellent recycling facilities.
There is even the “greener festival awards” aimed to promote environmentally friendly music festivals. The Award is based on a seven part questionnaire which covers event management, travel and transport plans, CO2 emissions, fair trade, waste management and recycling, water management and noise pollution. Points are awarded for festivals which can show an active plan to promote public transport, reduce on-site waste, recycle and compost wherever possible, re-use water and use sustainable power. Festivals are expected to have a coherent environmental policy and AGreenerFestival.com has environmental auditors who visit as many festival sites as possible to assess how festivals implement their plans. Australia’s Byron Bay Blues Festival & The Falls Festival were included in the14 winners for 2008.
One festival we found that does a little bit more is the “thin Green Line music festival’. Not only are they reducing their carbon footprint but all the money raised from the concert goes to a cause that is trying to preserve the world’s natural habitats………….
Thin Green Line Music Festival
Feb 14th at Somers Beach, Mornington Peninsula.
The festival is raising money for the Thin Green Line organisation. This org supports rangers in the front line protection of national forests and nature conservation parks. These people put their lives at risk standing up to poachers, wild creatures and other challenges in an effort to protect nature. Sean Wilmore, a park ranger from Victoria, was inspired by the stories from rangers around the world when he attended the International Park Rangers Congress at Wilson's Promontory National Park in 2003. He decided the world needed to hear their stories so he spent most of 2004 filming the lives and stories of rangers on 6 continents and 19 countries and the resulting film “The Thin Green Line” premiered in July 2007. The organisation now raises money to support the rangers, community conservation projects, and the families of rangers killed in the line of duty.
The Festival green details:
•Carbon positive – they will be offsetting more than the carbon the festival produces
•A focus on biking and Public Transport to the festival, with a free shuttle bus provided from the train station
•Reduced carparking cost if you have 3 or more passengers in the car
•Organic food with a focus on locally grown and micro-brewery beer and local wine at the concert
•The price of one adult ticket supports the family of a ranger killed at work for a month
•One child’s ticket helps buy a solar cooker which will reduce the need for poaching wood in the forest by 80% in some areas, thus reducing conflicts and protecting the environment
There is even the “greener festival awards” aimed to promote environmentally friendly music festivals. The Award is based on a seven part questionnaire which covers event management, travel and transport plans, CO2 emissions, fair trade, waste management and recycling, water management and noise pollution. Points are awarded for festivals which can show an active plan to promote public transport, reduce on-site waste, recycle and compost wherever possible, re-use water and use sustainable power. Festivals are expected to have a coherent environmental policy and AGreenerFestival.com has environmental auditors who visit as many festival sites as possible to assess how festivals implement their plans. Australia’s Byron Bay Blues Festival & The Falls Festival were included in the14 winners for 2008.
One festival we found that does a little bit more is the “thin Green Line music festival’. Not only are they reducing their carbon footprint but all the money raised from the concert goes to a cause that is trying to preserve the world’s natural habitats………….
Thin Green Line Music Festival
Feb 14th at Somers Beach, Mornington Peninsula.
The festival is raising money for the Thin Green Line organisation. This org supports rangers in the front line protection of national forests and nature conservation parks. These people put their lives at risk standing up to poachers, wild creatures and other challenges in an effort to protect nature. Sean Wilmore, a park ranger from Victoria, was inspired by the stories from rangers around the world when he attended the International Park Rangers Congress at Wilson's Promontory National Park in 2003. He decided the world needed to hear their stories so he spent most of 2004 filming the lives and stories of rangers on 6 continents and 19 countries and the resulting film “The Thin Green Line” premiered in July 2007. The organisation now raises money to support the rangers, community conservation projects, and the families of rangers killed in the line of duty.
The Festival green details:
•Carbon positive – they will be offsetting more than the carbon the festival produces
•A focus on biking and Public Transport to the festival, with a free shuttle bus provided from the train station
•Reduced carparking cost if you have 3 or more passengers in the car
•Organic food with a focus on locally grown and micro-brewery beer and local wine at the concert
•The price of one adult ticket supports the family of a ranger killed at work for a month
•One child’s ticket helps buy a solar cooker which will reduce the need for poaching wood in the forest by 80% in some areas, thus reducing conflicts and protecting the environment
Monday, January 12, 2009
Green bars in Melbourne
Continuing the series on sustainable alcohol (and Gary’s New Year envirolution) we wanted to know where in the city can you go to drink a cleansing ale or a snappy chardy and not be harming the environment?
Our research shows there are not enough bars out there banging the drum for sustainability – where are you all???? On tonight’s show we will talk to an excellent example of a place to indulge in a cleansing ale drink without increasing your carbon footprint by too much. So we go onsite to Mountain Goat Brewery and discover (along with a lot of Beer NERDS) what goes into making a brew that has limited impact on the environment. And we also discover a greenhouse that serves alcohol at Federation Square. This temporary venue highlights what can be done if your aim is minimal environmental impact!
Check out the podcasts for all the details.
Our research shows there are not enough bars out there banging the drum for sustainability – where are you all???? On tonight’s show we will talk to an excellent example of a place to indulge in a cleansing ale drink without increasing your carbon footprint by too much. So we go onsite to Mountain Goat Brewery and discover (along with a lot of Beer NERDS) what goes into making a brew that has limited impact on the environment. And we also discover a greenhouse that serves alcohol at Federation Square. This temporary venue highlights what can be done if your aim is minimal environmental impact!
Check out the podcasts for all the details.
carbon neutral beer.......say what?
In our researching of sustainable alcohol we came across a number of terms used by large companies (and their marketing departments) to sell their drinks as green. So how much of this is green-washing and how much is actually positive stuff done to reduce their impact on the environment? Here we will explain a few of the terms thrown around, and discuss the pros & cons………….
100% carbon offset beer – essentially this means they have calculated the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the production of their beer and purchased a matching amount of “certified carbon offsets”. This means they have invested in projects that reduce ghg emissions or carbon sequestration projects - such as renewable energy, planting trees, energy efficiency, capture of methane projects etc etc. The main criticism of this method is that it means companies don’t have to change their behaviour – they can just buy the offsets. So if a company has talked about reducing their carbon emissions – via energy efficiency, changing raw materials, using recyled materials & packing, sourcing locally etc etc – and then with the carbon emissions they cannot eliminate they then offset, then we might take their efforts seriously!
Also beware the general claims as the carbon offset products are largely unregulated in Australia. So look for an “accredited scheme” such as those with the AGO Greenhouse Friendly stamp: http://www.climatechange.gov.au/greenhousefriendly/index.html
A good website to find out more is the joint website of RMIT & the EPA at: http://www.carbonoffsetguide.com.au/
Carbon Neutral – essentially is the same as 100% carbon offsets. Again a business calculates their carbon emissions and then buys “offsets” equal to their emissions, thereby ‘netralising’ their carbon. There are loads of companies that offer assistance in becoming carbon neutral, and they essentially just by the offsets from projects such as renewable energy, or planting trees etc etc. so once again you are paying someone to to compensate for the greenhouse gas emissions you cause.
So if offsetting & becoming carbon neutral is all the rage, which schemes are the best???
Planting trees
Good:
• great for biodiversity and the health of the land (as long as it is native trees!!)
• often farmers get to make money from these schemes
Bad
• trees take up to 100 years to ‘absorb’ the amount of carbon required – not quick enough for the world!!!
• if the trees burn down, are cut down, or die before they are meant to the offsets haven’t worked – good offset companies have a guarantee the trees will be replanted if
Energy Efficiency projects & Renewable energyGood:
• the best of the bunch – creates positive change in our energy use
• develops the green energy industry & reduces energy use
• is instant – as you emit the carbon, the green energy should be instantly putting green electricity back into the grid (ditto with energy efficiency)
• more permanent solution
Bad
• Have to makes sure it is 100% accredited Greenpower as there are a lot of unscrupulous energy companies selling ‘old hydro’ as green energy
Methane diversion
Methane is 20 times more ghg intensive than carbon, so any scheme which funds the capture and burning of methane to generate electricity is good. But you have to be sure the methane project isn’t helping to support exisiting evil practices – ie the common methane collection projects include:
- coal seam gas – methane captured when mining coal – the coal that causes the problem in the first place!!!!!!!
- methane from landfill – maybe we should be reducing our landfill
- methane from intensive farmed piggerys etc –we shouldn’t be creating this waste in the first place, and any scheme that supports this barbaric practice isn’t environmentally friendly in the first place!!
In Summary offsetting and becoming carbon neutral are trendy terms but we should be
1. Reduce emissions first
2. Buy renewable energy via green power
3. Then offset the rest making sure you ask the following questions of the offset provider:
is it a cure or a prevention ie renewable energy & ee are preventing
does the offset have any negative side effects (eg are the trees local or introduced species, nuclear power)
make sure the way they calculate the offsets are to a international or accepted standard – there is a lot of variety in they way firms calculate their offsets
is the offset provider accredited – or at least independently audited
100% carbon offset beer – essentially this means they have calculated the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the production of their beer and purchased a matching amount of “certified carbon offsets”. This means they have invested in projects that reduce ghg emissions or carbon sequestration projects - such as renewable energy, planting trees, energy efficiency, capture of methane projects etc etc. The main criticism of this method is that it means companies don’t have to change their behaviour – they can just buy the offsets. So if a company has talked about reducing their carbon emissions – via energy efficiency, changing raw materials, using recyled materials & packing, sourcing locally etc etc – and then with the carbon emissions they cannot eliminate they then offset, then we might take their efforts seriously!
Also beware the general claims as the carbon offset products are largely unregulated in Australia. So look for an “accredited scheme” such as those with the AGO Greenhouse Friendly stamp: http://www.climatechange.gov.au/greenhousefriendly/index.html
A good website to find out more is the joint website of RMIT & the EPA at: http://www.carbonoffsetguide.com.au/
Carbon Neutral – essentially is the same as 100% carbon offsets. Again a business calculates their carbon emissions and then buys “offsets” equal to their emissions, thereby ‘netralising’ their carbon. There are loads of companies that offer assistance in becoming carbon neutral, and they essentially just by the offsets from projects such as renewable energy, or planting trees etc etc. so once again you are paying someone to to compensate for the greenhouse gas emissions you cause.
So if offsetting & becoming carbon neutral is all the rage, which schemes are the best???
Planting trees
Good:
• great for biodiversity and the health of the land (as long as it is native trees!!)
• often farmers get to make money from these schemes
Bad
• trees take up to 100 years to ‘absorb’ the amount of carbon required – not quick enough for the world!!!
• if the trees burn down, are cut down, or die before they are meant to the offsets haven’t worked – good offset companies have a guarantee the trees will be replanted if
Energy Efficiency projects & Renewable energyGood:
• the best of the bunch – creates positive change in our energy use
• develops the green energy industry & reduces energy use
• is instant – as you emit the carbon, the green energy should be instantly putting green electricity back into the grid (ditto with energy efficiency)
• more permanent solution
Bad
• Have to makes sure it is 100% accredited Greenpower as there are a lot of unscrupulous energy companies selling ‘old hydro’ as green energy
Methane diversion
Methane is 20 times more ghg intensive than carbon, so any scheme which funds the capture and burning of methane to generate electricity is good. But you have to be sure the methane project isn’t helping to support exisiting evil practices – ie the common methane collection projects include:
- coal seam gas – methane captured when mining coal – the coal that causes the problem in the first place!!!!!!!
- methane from landfill – maybe we should be reducing our landfill
- methane from intensive farmed piggerys etc –we shouldn’t be creating this waste in the first place, and any scheme that supports this barbaric practice isn’t environmentally friendly in the first place!!
In Summary offsetting and becoming carbon neutral are trendy terms but we should be
1. Reduce emissions first
2. Buy renewable energy via green power
3. Then offset the rest making sure you ask the following questions of the offset provider:
is it a cure or a prevention ie renewable energy & ee are preventing
does the offset have any negative side effects (eg are the trees local or introduced species, nuclear power)
make sure the way they calculate the offsets are to a international or accepted standard – there is a lot of variety in they way firms calculate their offsets
is the offset provider accredited – or at least independently audited
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Sustainable Alcohol!
As we welcome in the New Year with fond (or no) memories of New Years Eve celebrations and a nice list of new years resolutions – or in the case of Gary & Ali envirolutions – we should pause and think of all the alcohol we have consumed in the last week.
Australia has an excellent reputation for the production (and consumption) of fine wine & beer but how sustainable is our alcohol? As climate change bites will we still be able to grow the grapes necessary for our excellent wine selection? Is the price of beer destined to rise as water and energy becomes more expensive? In Monday 5th January’s show we talk to Dr Leanne Webb about how climate change is impacting the Australian wine growing regions, and then we talk to Deano from the Good Brew Company about what makes a sustainable brewery. So check out the podcasts for all the details.
Australia has an excellent reputation for the production (and consumption) of fine wine & beer but how sustainable is our alcohol? As climate change bites will we still be able to grow the grapes necessary for our excellent wine selection? Is the price of beer destined to rise as water and energy becomes more expensive? In Monday 5th January’s show we talk to Dr Leanne Webb about how climate change is impacting the Australian wine growing regions, and then we talk to Deano from the Good Brew Company about what makes a sustainable brewery. So check out the podcasts for all the details.
Pulp Mill Discussion
This weeks big environmental news was the Federal Governments refusal to approve the Gunns Pulp Mill until further environmental work has been completed. In the media frenzy around the pulp mill it is very hard to get a feel for whether it is a good or bad thing……or whether Tasmanians want it. There is also contradicting information on the interested parties websites. Here are some of the
•Gunns proposal to build the pulp mill was put to the Tassie government in Dec 2004
•The pulp mill takes woodchip and extracts the fibre – the resultant pulp is then used in papermaking. It takes 4 tonne of woodchip to make 1 tonne of pulp. The pulp mill value adds to existing woodchip ie no extra trees will be chopped down for pulping. Currently the woodchip is exported to be pulped.
•Gunns got approval from the Tasmanian govt for a ‘fast tracked’ environmental approval process.
•The mill would be situated in the Bell Bay industrial precinct, which already has an Aluminum Smelter, major Port of Launceston; export woodchip facilities; aluminium powder plant; seafood processing facility; Bell Bay Power station; a sawmill; and Gunns woodchip mills
•The mill will be a world class environmental standard plant – it will be ECF (Elemental chlorine free).
•A bigger issue than the pulp mill itself seems to be the use of old growth forest (which according to Gunns will only be re-growth), and the influence Gunns has on the Tasmanian Government.
•According to the Gunns website only native “regrowth” and plantation wood will be used, and within 5 yrs of operation 80% of the woodchip will come from plantation.
•According to the wilderness society this is not the case…”The agreement compels Forestry Tasmania to provide 1.5 million tonnes per annum of pulpwood to Gunns. These logs will be extracted from both plantations and native forests on public land managed by Forestry Tasmania. Forestry Tasmania’s projections show that it can provide, at most, only 500,000 tonnes per annum of pulpwood from plantations. That leaves a balance of over one million tonnes per annum to come from native forests”.
In the end it might be financial issues, not environmental, that are more likely to end the pulp mill idea. ANZ, a long time banker for Gunns, refused to finance the project last year. Since then it is unclear whether Gunns have the finance to proceed.
•Gunns proposal to build the pulp mill was put to the Tassie government in Dec 2004
•The pulp mill takes woodchip and extracts the fibre – the resultant pulp is then used in papermaking. It takes 4 tonne of woodchip to make 1 tonne of pulp. The pulp mill value adds to existing woodchip ie no extra trees will be chopped down for pulping. Currently the woodchip is exported to be pulped.
•Gunns got approval from the Tasmanian govt for a ‘fast tracked’ environmental approval process.
•The mill would be situated in the Bell Bay industrial precinct, which already has an Aluminum Smelter, major Port of Launceston; export woodchip facilities; aluminium powder plant; seafood processing facility; Bell Bay Power station; a sawmill; and Gunns woodchip mills
•The mill will be a world class environmental standard plant – it will be ECF (Elemental chlorine free).
•A bigger issue than the pulp mill itself seems to be the use of old growth forest (which according to Gunns will only be re-growth), and the influence Gunns has on the Tasmanian Government.
•According to the Gunns website only native “regrowth” and plantation wood will be used, and within 5 yrs of operation 80% of the woodchip will come from plantation.
•According to the wilderness society this is not the case…”The agreement compels Forestry Tasmania to provide 1.5 million tonnes per annum of pulpwood to Gunns. These logs will be extracted from both plantations and native forests on public land managed by Forestry Tasmania. Forestry Tasmania’s projections show that it can provide, at most, only 500,000 tonnes per annum of pulpwood from plantations. That leaves a balance of over one million tonnes per annum to come from native forests”.
In the end it might be financial issues, not environmental, that are more likely to end the pulp mill idea. ANZ, a long time banker for Gunns, refused to finance the project last year. Since then it is unclear whether Gunns have the finance to proceed.
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