Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Sustainable Living Festival
The Sustainable Living Festival begins tomorrow morning, Feb 20th, at Federation Square, Melbourne and ends Sunday evening, Feb 22nd. Lots of really interesting talks, films, some art and music, also a few workshops. I don't want to miss any of it, so I'll be at Fed Square everyday.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Article - The Age
"Victoria, the dirty state, shamed by emissions scorecard"
* Peter Ker
* January 12, 2009
VICTORIA is driving Australia's carbon pollution problem, with the Garden State being revealed as Australia's worst greenhouse performer across a number of emissions indicators in 2008.
An audit of Australia's major population centres revealed Victoria increased its electricity production last year, grew its total greenhouse emissions and increased the percentage of emissions from the dirtiest sources.
In a further indictment, the Climate Group's 2008 emissions audit showed Victoria's performance to be at odds with that of New South Wales, where a range of greenhouse indicators were lower than 2007 levels.
Australia's three most populous states — NSW, Victoria and Queensland — recorded a combined emissions rise of 1.3 per cent in 2008. Victoria's contribution to that rise was disproportionately high, producing an extra 2.2 million tonnes, a rise of 2.1 per cent.
The dirtiest source of power — coal-fired power stations — appears to be playing a bigger role in Australia's energy needs.
Electricity generation across the three states was 1.3 per cent higher, yet emissions from electricity rose by 2 per cent.
The report said the imbalance was due to the fact that "more electricity was produced from coal-fired generators and less from gas and renewable sources".
While coal-fired power stations in the Latrobe Valley provided almost 60 per cent of the state's emissions, the audit revealed Victoria was also increasing its petrol emissions.
Climate Group director Rupert Posner said stronger economic conditions and population growth in Victoria than in New South Wales may have partly caused the disparity.
Mr Posner said also the nature of the electricity grid meant that some power created in Victoria would be used by consumers in other states.
But Mr Posner said ultimately emissions were rising at a time when Australia needed to be reducing its carbon footprint.
"Victoria has to take responsibility for the emissions it created in this state. Even if it exports the electricity, Victoria is getting an economic benefit for that," he said. "You can come up with all sorts of excuses or reasons to justify why … but the reality is emissions need to go down and they didn't."
The Rudd Government last month set targets for Australia to reduce its emissions by at least 5 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020.
The Brumby Government, which approved the construction of a new coal-fired power plant for Victoria in 2008, defended its record yesterday, saying emissions improvements had been made on a per capita basis.
"Victoria's per capita energy-related emissions have fallen by 5.4 per cent from 2000 to 2008," said Government spokesman Stephen Moynihan.
* Peter Ker
* January 12, 2009
VICTORIA is driving Australia's carbon pollution problem, with the Garden State being revealed as Australia's worst greenhouse performer across a number of emissions indicators in 2008.
An audit of Australia's major population centres revealed Victoria increased its electricity production last year, grew its total greenhouse emissions and increased the percentage of emissions from the dirtiest sources.
In a further indictment, the Climate Group's 2008 emissions audit showed Victoria's performance to be at odds with that of New South Wales, where a range of greenhouse indicators were lower than 2007 levels.
Australia's three most populous states — NSW, Victoria and Queensland — recorded a combined emissions rise of 1.3 per cent in 2008. Victoria's contribution to that rise was disproportionately high, producing an extra 2.2 million tonnes, a rise of 2.1 per cent.
The dirtiest source of power — coal-fired power stations — appears to be playing a bigger role in Australia's energy needs.
Electricity generation across the three states was 1.3 per cent higher, yet emissions from electricity rose by 2 per cent.
The report said the imbalance was due to the fact that "more electricity was produced from coal-fired generators and less from gas and renewable sources".
While coal-fired power stations in the Latrobe Valley provided almost 60 per cent of the state's emissions, the audit revealed Victoria was also increasing its petrol emissions.
Climate Group director Rupert Posner said stronger economic conditions and population growth in Victoria than in New South Wales may have partly caused the disparity.
Mr Posner said also the nature of the electricity grid meant that some power created in Victoria would be used by consumers in other states.
But Mr Posner said ultimately emissions were rising at a time when Australia needed to be reducing its carbon footprint.
"Victoria has to take responsibility for the emissions it created in this state. Even if it exports the electricity, Victoria is getting an economic benefit for that," he said. "You can come up with all sorts of excuses or reasons to justify why … but the reality is emissions need to go down and they didn't."
The Rudd Government last month set targets for Australia to reduce its emissions by at least 5 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020.
The Brumby Government, which approved the construction of a new coal-fired power plant for Victoria in 2008, defended its record yesterday, saying emissions improvements had been made on a per capita basis.
"Victoria's per capita energy-related emissions have fallen by 5.4 per cent from 2000 to 2008," said Government spokesman Stephen Moynihan.
Article - ABC Melbourne
Vic, Qld emissions up, NSW down: Climate Group
Posted January 12, 2009 08:43:00
A new report shows there has been a rise in greenhouse gas emissions in Victoria and Queensland over the past year, but a drop in New South Wales.
The environmental organisation, the Climate Group, tracks the level of greenhouse gas emissions across Australia's eastern states every year.
Its latest report shows that Queensland and Victoria's emissions went up by a combined 4.2 million tonnes in 2008, while in New South Wales they fell by 500,000 tonnes.
Climate Group director Rupert Posner says that was largely due to less petrol being sold in New South Wales.
"It's interesting that emissions from petroleum products actually went down in New South Wales while they went up in Victoria and Queensland," he said.
"One can only assume that petrol prices and the higher prices during 2008... had a bigger impact on the people who live in New South Wales as opposed to other states."
He says the other two states produced more emissions from coal-fired power stations and has urged people to become more energy efficient to tackle pollution levels.
Mr Posner says it is important that government policies to cut emissions are speeded up.
"The policy that the Government has committed to hasn't taken effect yet," he said.
"What this does demonstrate is that we need robust policies that are implemented quickly rather than waiting a long time.
"Because the longer we wait, the more our emissions are likely to increase."
Posted January 12, 2009 08:43:00
A new report shows there has been a rise in greenhouse gas emissions in Victoria and Queensland over the past year, but a drop in New South Wales.
The environmental organisation, the Climate Group, tracks the level of greenhouse gas emissions across Australia's eastern states every year.
Its latest report shows that Queensland and Victoria's emissions went up by a combined 4.2 million tonnes in 2008, while in New South Wales they fell by 500,000 tonnes.
Climate Group director Rupert Posner says that was largely due to less petrol being sold in New South Wales.
"It's interesting that emissions from petroleum products actually went down in New South Wales while they went up in Victoria and Queensland," he said.
"One can only assume that petrol prices and the higher prices during 2008... had a bigger impact on the people who live in New South Wales as opposed to other states."
He says the other two states produced more emissions from coal-fired power stations and has urged people to become more energy efficient to tackle pollution levels.
Mr Posner says it is important that government policies to cut emissions are speeded up.
"The policy that the Government has committed to hasn't taken effect yet," he said.
"What this does demonstrate is that we need robust policies that are implemented quickly rather than waiting a long time.
"Because the longer we wait, the more our emissions are likely to increase."
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Transport
The objective for Melbourne must be zero emissions from transport.
How can this eventual outcome be achieved?
To achieve this outcome, the public transport system must be improved, so that it is more extensive and available everywhere; it must be comprehensively upgraded, expanded, and must be powered entirely by renewable energy, electric vehicle charge points must be available everywhere, and high polluting vehicles must be bought back from drivers. By 'comprehensively upgraded' I mean: new rail lines, new tram lines, new bike paths; a fleet of electric buses and taxis to supersede current fleet. A public transport upgrade and expansion would result in the thousands of polluting cars off Melbourne roads.
How can this eventual outcome be achieved?
To achieve this outcome, the public transport system must be improved, so that it is more extensive and available everywhere; it must be comprehensively upgraded, expanded, and must be powered entirely by renewable energy, electric vehicle charge points must be available everywhere, and high polluting vehicles must be bought back from drivers. By 'comprehensively upgraded' I mean: new rail lines, new tram lines, new bike paths; a fleet of electric buses and taxis to supersede current fleet. A public transport upgrade and expansion would result in the thousands of polluting cars off Melbourne roads.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Green roofs
Very few green roofs atop the buildings of Melbourne CBD and suburbs and few are aware of their benefits. Considering the total roof space of the city and the benefits, green roofs should be prevalent; but because of unawareness and also lack of government support, there are very few of them. A transformation of rooftop space will occur if governments legislate and provide support, and if people are informed and recognise the benefits.
"In North America, the benefits of green roof technologies are being increasingly understood as the green roof industry moves from novelty to common practice.
In Europe, green roof technologies have become very well established since the 1980s. This has been the direct result of government legislative and financial support, at both the state and municipal level. Such support recognizes the many tangible and intangible public benefits of green roofs."
"..Australia is behind the rest of the world.... Melbourne is behind other Australian cities in encouraging green roofs. Brisbane City Council has incorporated green roofs in its climate change plan and Lord Mayor David Hinchliffe is encouraging developers to incorporate green roofs. The head designer of Planning South Australia has been pushing for a massive green roof project and Sydney City Council last year made a $48,000 grant to develop guidelines and planning controls for green roofs. The City of Melbourne has agreed to host a lecture by German expert Manfred Koehler on March 6 but is yet to commit to any green roof..." - Green Roofs Australia president Geoff Wilson
Green Roofs Australia: http://greenroofs.wordpress.com/
Oases in the sky are a growing trend in our concrete jungles
The Age, by Natalie Craig
February 18, 2008
How green is your roof?
The Age, by Katherine Kizilos
March 5, 2008
Lights dim, but photosynthesis thrives on Chicago skyline
The Age, by Ian Munro
March 29, 2008
"In North America, the benefits of green roof technologies are being increasingly understood as the green roof industry moves from novelty to common practice.
In Europe, green roof technologies have become very well established since the 1980s. This has been the direct result of government legislative and financial support, at both the state and municipal level. Such support recognizes the many tangible and intangible public benefits of green roofs."
"..Australia is behind the rest of the world.... Melbourne is behind other Australian cities in encouraging green roofs. Brisbane City Council has incorporated green roofs in its climate change plan and Lord Mayor David Hinchliffe is encouraging developers to incorporate green roofs. The head designer of Planning South Australia has been pushing for a massive green roof project and Sydney City Council last year made a $48,000 grant to develop guidelines and planning controls for green roofs. The City of Melbourne has agreed to host a lecture by German expert Manfred Koehler on March 6 but is yet to commit to any green roof..." - Green Roofs Australia president Geoff Wilson
Green Roofs Australia: http://greenroofs.wordpress.com/
Oases in the sky are a growing trend in our concrete jungles
The Age, by Natalie Craig
February 18, 2008
How green is your roof?
The Age, by Katherine Kizilos
March 5, 2008
Lights dim, but photosynthesis thrives on Chicago skyline
The Age, by Ian Munro
March 29, 2008
An article I read in October in The Age
Plan for electric car network
* Mex Cooper
* October 23, 2008
Charging points ... how the electric car network might look.
Charging points ... how the electric car network might look.
Australia will become the third country in the world to have an electric car network in a bid to run the country's 15 million cars on batteries powered by green energy under a plan announced today.
- Battery stations proposed
- Charging network planned
- Green energy push
In a deal unveiled in Melbourne, international company Better Place will team up with AGL Energy and Macquarie Capital Group to set up a network of "charging spots" and "battery exchange stations" to power electric vehicles in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Better Place aims to roll out electric car networks that allow zero emission vehicles to run on clean energy grids to reduce the planet's reliance on oil.
Earlier this year, Denmark and Israel undertook to establish the world's first electric car networks.
Better Place chief executive officer Shai Agassi said he hoped Australia would prove that the company's model for electric cars could work anywhere.
Under the plan, charging spots, to top up batteries, would be located in places where cars park, including home garages, shopping centres and office carparks.
The charging spots, which would look like parking meters, would provide cables to connect batteries to a green energy grid, for which AGL Energy will provide power from renewable sources including hydro and wind.
On the outskirts of city centres and on freeways, "battery switching stations" would exist for trips longer than 161 kilometres.
A driver would pull up to a switching station and replace the car's battery before continuing on their journey, similar to filling up the tank at a petrol station, according to Mr Agassi.
Mr Agassi said the first step was to build the infrastructure while the company was dealing with car manufacturers to produce the battery-run cars.
"You can't sell cell phones before you have the towers," he said.
Victorian Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Innovation Gavin Jennings today backed the ambitious plan.
"If it could work here it could basically work anywhere," Mr Jennings said.
In a partnership announced today AGL Energy would provide power from wind, hydro and other renewable sources for the network while investment bank heavyweight Macquarie Capital Group will help raise a billion dollars to build it.
Mr Agassi said it was hoped the infrastructure project to initially establish the network would be in place by 2011 and the first battery cars on the road in Australia a year later.
Australia has the seventh largest per capita car ownership in the world, more than either the United States or Britain.
Mr Agassi said a reliance on oil was responsible for the demise of the environment and the global economy.
"We are investing in Australia's economy and adding jobs while helping the country take a generational leap forward toward oil independence," Mr Agassi said.
* Mex Cooper
* October 23, 2008
Charging points ... how the electric car network might look.
Charging points ... how the electric car network might look.
Australia will become the third country in the world to have an electric car network in a bid to run the country's 15 million cars on batteries powered by green energy under a plan announced today.
- Battery stations proposed
- Charging network planned
- Green energy push
In a deal unveiled in Melbourne, international company Better Place will team up with AGL Energy and Macquarie Capital Group to set up a network of "charging spots" and "battery exchange stations" to power electric vehicles in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Better Place aims to roll out electric car networks that allow zero emission vehicles to run on clean energy grids to reduce the planet's reliance on oil.
Earlier this year, Denmark and Israel undertook to establish the world's first electric car networks.
Better Place chief executive officer Shai Agassi said he hoped Australia would prove that the company's model for electric cars could work anywhere.
Under the plan, charging spots, to top up batteries, would be located in places where cars park, including home garages, shopping centres and office carparks.
The charging spots, which would look like parking meters, would provide cables to connect batteries to a green energy grid, for which AGL Energy will provide power from renewable sources including hydro and wind.
On the outskirts of city centres and on freeways, "battery switching stations" would exist for trips longer than 161 kilometres.
A driver would pull up to a switching station and replace the car's battery before continuing on their journey, similar to filling up the tank at a petrol station, according to Mr Agassi.
Mr Agassi said the first step was to build the infrastructure while the company was dealing with car manufacturers to produce the battery-run cars.
"You can't sell cell phones before you have the towers," he said.
Victorian Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Innovation Gavin Jennings today backed the ambitious plan.
"If it could work here it could basically work anywhere," Mr Jennings said.
In a partnership announced today AGL Energy would provide power from wind, hydro and other renewable sources for the network while investment bank heavyweight Macquarie Capital Group will help raise a billion dollars to build it.
Mr Agassi said it was hoped the infrastructure project to initially establish the network would be in place by 2011 and the first battery cars on the road in Australia a year later.
Australia has the seventh largest per capita car ownership in the world, more than either the United States or Britain.
Mr Agassi said a reliance on oil was responsible for the demise of the environment and the global economy.
"We are investing in Australia's economy and adding jobs while helping the country take a generational leap forward toward oil independence," Mr Agassi said.
Leading by example
Many cities with sustainability considerations could be looked at for reference: Curitiba, Brazil and Hammarby Sjöstad- a district of Stockholm, Sweden.
I became aware of Hammarby Sjöstad when it was the subject of an episode of 'One Planet', a programme broadcast on the BBC world service. The municipality is low-carbon and more or less sustains itself. Melbourne should be like this city as well as Curitiba.
I became aware of Hammarby Sjöstad when it was the subject of an episode of 'One Planet', a programme broadcast on the BBC world service. The municipality is low-carbon and more or less sustains itself. Melbourne should be like this city as well as Curitiba.
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