You can have a Green Christmas. Often the best time of year for catching up with family and friends, it’s also the biggest time of spending – on presents, food, alcohol, parties and holidays. Unfortunately, all of our spending and consumption results in significant environmental damage and carbon pollution. However, you don’t have to be a… Continue reading Green Christmas
Year: 2011
Food miles
Food miles is a term which refers to the distance food is transported from the time of its production until it reaches the consumer. It is one dimension used in assessing the environmental impact of food. The concept of food miles originated in 1990 in the United Kingdom. It was conceived by Andrea Paxton, who wrote… Continue reading Food miles
Brown Mountain old growth forest
The wonderful old growth forest of Brown Mountain in East Gippsland is now being logged. There are more than 50 trees over 300 years old in this area of forest, which is adjacent to Errinundra National Park. One logged tree has been radiocarbon dated to over 500 years old. Many more trees between 500 and 800 years… Continue reading Brown Mountain old growth forest
Carbon emissions
Carbon emissions result when carbon stores such as plant material and fossil fuels are burnt. Carbon emissions from various sources are itemised in the table below. Item Activity Units Quantity Brown coal Electricity generation kg C02 per kW-h 1.24 Brown coal Electricity generation tonnes C02 per MW 1.3 Black coal Electricity generation tonnes C02 per MW… Continue reading Carbon emissions
Strengthening Victoria’s new solar laws
Suggested legislative amendments to the Brumby Government’s solar legislation On Monday May 5th 2008 the Brumby Government released some details of its much anticipated solar feed-in tariff. The announcement was met with extreme disappointment by the 40-odd community groups, businesses, unions and councils that had been campaigning for and supporting effective solar lawsi. If the… Continue reading Strengthening Victoria’s new solar laws
Australian climate action groups
This is a public list of Australian climate action groups and other groups that are active on climate change (circa 2011). National Victoria New South Wales Queensland Australian Capital Territory South Australia Western Australia Other groups active on climate change See also
Biofuels
Biofuels are derived from biological sources such as plants and algae. With dwindling fossil fuel supplies, many types of biofuels such as ethanol and vegetable oils are now being used for transport, industrial and domestic purposes. “Good biofuels” are produced from waste organic matter that is not produced from environmentally destructive activities. For example, using crop waste… Continue reading Biofuels
Heat pump
A heat pump is a machine or device that moves heat from one location (the ‘source’) to another location (the ‘sink’ or ‘heat sink’) using mechanical work. Most heat pump technology moves heat from a low temperature heat source to a higher temperature heat sink.[1] Common examples are food refrigerators and freezers, air conditioners, and reversible-cycle heat… Continue reading Heat pump
Nuclear power
The Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, a boiling water reactor. The nuclear reactors are located inside the rectangular containment buildings towards the front of the cooling towers. The towers in the background vent water vapor. Nuclear power is regarded by some as a solution for addressing climate change. Proponents claim that it is a “clean” source of… Continue reading Nuclear power
Extreme weather events and costs
Cyclone Yasi, NASA Modis Rapid Response Extreme weather events and costs associated with climate change are occurring across the world. 2011 2010 2009 2007 References