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.
Monday, January 26, 2009
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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