The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference 2009 is hosted in Denmark in the city of Copenhagen from the 7th to the 18th of December, 2009. This is the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference, and is also referred to as COP15. The two-week summit involves politicians and officials from 192 countries. More than 15,000 people are attending —… Continue reading Copenhagen Climate Change Conference 2009
Year: 2009
Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is energy derived from “warm areas” below the earth’s surface. This can provide a carbon emissions-free energy source.
Thermal mass
Thermal mass refers to the mass of a structure that can act to retain and release heat. This is an important component of passive solar designs. Dense materials such as concrete, rammed earth, and bricks all have good thermal mass properties. Thermal mass works to regulate and dampen down temperature fluctuations in buildings. In summer, the… Continue reading Thermal mass
Knoxfield house
This two bedroom house was designed to be as sustainable as possible on a small suburban block. It was built in 2001. I moved in at the time of my retirement. Entry is via a curved slate path, along a wooden walkway representing a bridge over a dry water course, continuing on slate pavers surrounded… Continue reading Knoxfield house
Victorian Green Paper submission by Lighter Footprints
Submission from Lighter Footprints Climate Change Action Group (working draft) Response of Lighter Footprints to the Victorian Government Climate Change Green Paper To:<Address 1><Address 2> From:Lighter Footprints Spokesperson and Administrative Committee memberhttp://www.lighterfootprints.org Lighter Footprints is a community climate change action group with over 300 supporters from the Boroondara area in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.… Continue reading Victorian Green Paper submission by Lighter Footprints
Copenhagen Accord
This is the latest draft text of the “Copenhagen Accord” put forward on December 18 by the U.S., China, India and South Africa, among other countries, at the climate summit in the Danish capital.[1] Accord text Draft decision -/CP.15 Proposal by the President Copenhagen Accord The Heads of State, Heads of Government, Ministers, and other… Continue reading Copenhagen Accord
Brunswick West house
Stuart McQuire’s home in West Brunswick was the first in Victoria and the second in Australia to feed energy it created into the state’s power grid. Since 1996 the house has has generated more electricity than it has used. After an outlay of $5000, Stuart hasn’t paid an electricity bill. Owners Stuart McQuire and Wendy… Continue reading Brunswick West house
Clean coal
“Clean coal” is a term coined by industry and government to describe as yet unproven methods of burning coal for producing energy with reduced carbon emissions. The term is actually misleading as burning coal for energy will never result in zero emissions. The term “clean coal”, which has been described by some as an oxymoron[1], is… Continue reading Clean coal
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) is an emissions trading scheme proposed for introduction in Australia in late 2010. Summary of criticisms The structure of the scheme has been widely criticised, including by the Government’s previously appointed climate change policy adviser [Professor Ross Garnaut] [1], for the following reasons: Structure The structure of the CPRS is not yet finalised.… Continue reading Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
Joint open letter to Penny Wong by 65 Climate Action Groups
2 March 2009 Senator the Hon Penny WongMinister for Climate Change and WaterSenator for South AustraliaDepartment of Climate ChangeGPO Box 854, Canberra ACT 2601 Dear Minister We note commentary in last week’s press over the policy demands of “conservation groups” as being “economically destructive and environmentally irresponsible because they would drive jobs and pollution offshore” [1] .… Continue reading Joint open letter to Penny Wong by 65 Climate Action Groups