The CERES electric car project is a community-based volunteer initiative at CERES Community Environment Park in East Brunswick, Melbourne, Australia that has recently converted a Citroen Berlingo from a petrol powered motor to an electric motor, paving the way for more environmentally sustainable transport in the future. Funding was generously provided by the Lord Mayor’s Fund & Donkey Wheel.… Continue reading CERES electric car project
Year: 2008
Stop logging Melbourne water catchments
Logging is still allowed in five of Melbourne’s water catchments. This logging has been scientifically proven to reduce the quality and quantity of water from the catchments. Melbourne’s water supply comes from uninhabited Mountain Ash (Eucalytpus regnans) forests in the Yarra Ranges. Approximately 157,000 hectares of forest has been protected for harvesting water and these… Continue reading Stop logging Melbourne water catchments
CERES EcoHouse
The CERES EcoHouse is a sustainable display home that provides working examples of sustainable features that can be added to existing housing stock. Owners CERES Community Environment Park Location 8 Lee St, East Brunswick Country Australia Type Sustainable renovation House size Medium, 21 squares Email ceres@ceres.org.au Phone 03) 9387 2609 Summary of house features The house is… Continue reading CERES EcoHouse
5 star rated houses in Victoria, Australia
In Victoria all new homes built since July 2004 have been required to achieve a 5 star rating. This means it is compulsory for new houses to have: The average energy efficiency rating of houses in Victoria was only 2.2 stars before the introduction of 5 star standard. From 1 May 2008, the 5 Star standard will be… Continue reading 5 star rated houses in Victoria, Australia
Geothermal in Australia
Geothermal energy is energy derived from “warm areas” below the earth’s surface. This energy can be obtained by circulating a fluid through pipes between the surface and the warm area below, which can then be extracting using a heat pump. This article describes geothermal “warm areas” in Australia. Geothermal energy in Victoria In Victoria if the geothermal… Continue reading Geothermal in Australia
Swimming pool
Consider carefully whether you really need a swimming pool. Domestic swimming pools lose a lot of water every day due to evaporation. Perhaps the time has come to only allow the filling of pools from roof storm water, or to ban them? Surely this is now a luxury that we cannot really afford, if we are… Continue reading Swimming pool
Greenpower
Greenpower is renewable energy sourced from the sun, the wind, water and waste. Greenpower in Australia In Australia, more than 645,000 households and businesses buy GreenPower, which is regarded by many as part of the solution to climate change. Switching to GreenPower is an investment – the more households and workplaces that make the switch, the… Continue reading Greenpower
Climate Code Red
Climate Code Red: The Case for Emergency Action is a 2008 book which presents scientific evidence that the climate change and global warming crisis is worse than official reports and national governments have so far indicated. The book argues that we are facing a “sustainability emergency” that requires a clear break from business-as-usual politics. The authors explain that… Continue reading Climate Code Red
LEED
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. LEED was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and provides a suite of standards for… Continue reading LEED
CEN Eddington report submission
Introduction The Climate Emergency Network (CEN) represents 12 groups around Victoria who in turn represent thousands of people who believe more urgent and profound action needs to be taken to prevent the economic, social and ecological collapses being caused by climate change. The CEN welcomes the opportunity to comment on the East-West Links Needs Assessment… Continue reading CEN Eddington report submission