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ECO EVENTS
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The
Australian National Centre for Sustainability
- Input being sought
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A new centre of
sustainability research is being planned for Canberra with the theme of "healthy
people on a healthy planet", expressed through the arts and sciences.
The Centre will celebrate diversity and the understanding that there are many
pathways to achieving a sustainable Australia.
The Centre will be situated
in Canberra, the Nation's Capital, close to the Parliamentary Triangle on the
shores of Lake Burley Griffin.
Contact:
Petar Johnson Executive Officer/Secretary Australian National Biocentre
Phone: (02) 6287 1538
Mobile: 0405 312 919
Fax: (02)6287 4489
www.sustainability.org.au
office@sustainability.org.au
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Architects,
Designers & Owner Builders - BASIX training courses available in
Sydney
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Are you a building designer
or architect or an owner-builder planning a new house in Sydney? If so, you
need to understand how to comply with the new BASIX planning regime.
The Association of Building
Sustainability Assessors (ABSA) are running informative BASIX training courses
at the Sydney Building Information Centre.
Contact Matt Fisher at the
ABSA on (02) 8303 0565 for more details.
For more information on BASIX
visit the BASIX website.
www.basix.nsw.gov.au
BASIX is an initiative of
the NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning & Natural Resources
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For more events see
the
Events
Noticeboard
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Scary Environmental Facts
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Climate change - the
five hottest years on record have all occurred since 1997 and the 10 hottest
years since 1990. (Source: US National Climatic Data Centre)
Energy & Climate Change
- the burning of coal (thermal energy) accounts for over 85 per cent of
Australia’s electric power. Each tonne of coal burnt to produce electricity
produces 3 tonnes of CO2 (a major greenhouse gas).
In 2001, 54 million tonnes of
coal was burnt by Australian coal thermal power stations to produce electricity
resulting in 162 million tonnes of CO2 being released into the atmosphere.
(Sources: Australian Coal Association, Press relase by Mike Rann - SA Premier). |
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Handy
Water Saving
Hints for the Home
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Order
and install a DIY "Greywater
your garden
kit" or a "Water
Saver Kit"
-
Install
a Rainwater Tank to harvest rainwater from your roof
-
Install
a AAA rated shower head (cuts water
use for showering by up to two thirds)
-
Install a toilet flush water saver (see the Eco
Starters Pack for more details)
-
Buy a front loading AAA rated washing
machine
-
Put a cover over the pool to stop
evaporation (also helps keep the pool warm)
If you live in Sydney, please observe the
following water restrictions issued by Sydney Water
- No hosing of lawns and gardens EXCEPT
hand-held hosing BEFORE 10.00 AM and AFTER 4.00 PM on Wednesday, Fridays and
Sundays.
- No filling of NEW or RENOVATED pools
greater than 10,000L except with a permit from Sydney Water.
- No sprinklers or watering systems AT ANY
TIME
- No hosing of hard surfaces including
vehicles AT ANY TIME
See
www.sydneywater.com.au for more
details on water restrictions in Sydney |
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CONTACT
US
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Ecological Homes Pty Ltd
PO Box 2504,
Strawberry Hills
NSW Australia 2012
Phone: 1300 73 07 07
Fax: (+61 2) 9557 8422
twalsh@ecologicalhomes.com.au
www.ecologicalhomes.com.au
Our
Shop Address:
230
Enmore Rd, Enmore NSW 2042
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FEEDBACK &
ADVERTISING
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Do you have a story
or feedback
for the next issue?
Let
us know
Advertisers welcome
for the next issue.
Contact
us for a rate card
or view it online
© Copyright
2002
Ecological Homes Pty Ltd (ABN 71 002 980 047)
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Best
Home Loan Rates
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Are
you paying the best rate for your Home Loan?
Contact
our friendly loans consultants at Choice Home Loans to advise you on
the best home loan rates. New purchases, refinances, investment properties,
commercial properties. Ask about our "Energy Efficient Home Loan".
Request
a Free
Home Loan Check
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The Earth
Repair Charter
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Please
Endorse
the Earth Repair Charter
(If
you haven't done so already)
Visit
Their Great New Website www.earthrepair.net
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Send an
E-Card
and Help Support Nature
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Vol 3 (Issue
8)
April 2005
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Dear
Reader,
As Oil hits another all-time
record price of US$57.79 a barrel and respected analysts like Goldman Sachs
start talking about it reaching US$100 a barrel, we take another look at one of
the fuel options available to us - Biodiesel a sustainable
alternative to Oil.
We also explore attempts by the
various state governments in Australia to establish
state-based carbon trading schemes in the face of Mr. Howard's continued
refusal to sign the Kyoto Protocol and get a national carbon trading scheme off
the ground.
We also take a look
at:
A Call to Action: we urge our readers to:
-
email
the Victorian State Premier (Steve Bracks) to prevent him renewing the
license for one of the nation's worst polluting power stations (Hazelwood)
for another 20 years! (Click
here for some compelling reasons to shut Hazelwood down)
-
email the NSW Premier (Bob Carr) to develop renewable power sources
instead of coal for his state's growing power needs (if China can do it, why
can't we Mr. Carr?)
As
always, we welcome your thoughts and feedback on the newsletter and stories
related to the environment. The deadline for contributions to the next issue
(May 2005) is May 6th 2005. Send
us your feedback or stories
...
from the
Ecological Homes Team
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Q.
What Does Ecological Homes Do?
A. We
are Your One Stop Shop for Sustainability
We
provide a "One Stop Shop" solution for all your eco housing and
home finance needs including:
1)
Advice
on Eco Housing Solutions for your home
(you will need to Book an Eco
Consultation)
2)
Eco
Consulting Support for Businesses or Organisations seeking to
become Eco Wise Managers (see our Ecological
Projects page)
3)
Supply of a wide range of eco technologies for existing homes (Sustainable
Refits)
4)
Develop sites for beautiful New
Sustainable Homes
5)
Find the Best Home
loan from over 30 lenders (request a Free
Home Loan Quote)
6)
Offer advice
on DIY
Super - you can save
thousands$$$ on management fees and get substantially higher investment
returns from ethical investment projects that you can feel proud
supporting
7)
Provide Information and Training via
the organisation of Environmental
Education and Events
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Biodiesel - A Sustainable
alternative to Oil!
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Oil Prices Hit a new
record
- time for a new fuel!
Oil
prices continue to hit all-time records and analysts are now predicting prices
as high as US$80 before the end of the year and US$100 sometime in 2005.
Whilst these price hikes are generating
unprecedented profits for the Oil producers, the overall consequences for the
world economy are dire indeed, plunging oil-hungry economies like the USA into a
major recession and triggering a possible collapse of the world economy.
Last issue (Feb
2005) we looked at the issue of Peak Oil - the argument that world
production of Oil has reached its economical peak and that we are now entering a
period where oil will become increasingly scarce and expensive. Clearly, we need
viable fuel alternatives soon - one such option is Biodiesel.
Q: What is Biodiesel?
A: Biodiesel is a cleaner
burning fuel produced from renewable resources sources such as canola,
sunflower, soybean, cottonseed or animal fats.
Q: How is it made?
A: Biodiesel is made by a
chemical process called tranesterification where the methyl esters and glycerin
are separated from the vegetable oil or fat. The useful stuff (the Biodiesel)
floats to the top and is easily separated and can be simply added to any diesel
engine based vehicle.
Q: What are the advantages?
A: Biodiesel has many
advantages over oil or petrol - it helps reduce waste currently going into
landfill and our oceans; reduces CO2 emissions by up to 80%; it can be mixed
with normal diesel - simply add it when you have some; is much cheaper (about 20
cents per litre); is a renewable fuel; provides similar performance to oil-based
diesel and lubricates your engine much better; it is safe to handle and
transport: and it smells nicer when burnt (like popcorn)!
Q: What are the
disadvantages?
A: It is not readily available
(Hmmm ... I wonder why?); you generally need to make your own; it has a limited
storage life (about 1 year); it can degrade rubbers and elastomers (high
biodiesel concentrates can wear out your engine's fuel hoses and fuel pump
seals).
Q: Where do I get more
information?
A: You can download and read
the detailed article put together by our very own Louise Boronyak (click
here) or check out the following:
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State-based Carbon Trading
Schemes Get Underway |
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Tired of waiting for Mr. Howard to sign the Kyoto
Protocol and get a national carbon trading scheme underway and realise the
massive economical and environmental benefits of such an initiative, the leaders
of the various Australian states have decided to initiate their own carbon
trading markets. Carbon Trading markets
are now active in Europe based on a "Cap and Trade" structure. A Cap and Trade
system is an emissions trading system, where total emissions are limited or
'capped'. The Kyoto Protocol is a cap and trade system in the sense that
emissions from Annex B countries are capped and that excess permits might be
traded. Companies actively reducing carbon emissions (e.g. solar power and wind
generation companies) can sell certificates to companies that produce an excess
of carbon emissions.
The first of these state-based initiatives is
the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program (www.greenhousegas.nsw.gov.au)
launched on January 1st 2003. This scheme aims to encourage the development of:
- Low-emission generation of electricity
(Generation) Activities that result in reduced consumption of electricity
(Demand Side Abatement)
- The capture of carbon from the atmosphere
in forests (Carbon Sequestration)
- Activities carried out by elective
participants that reduce on-site emissions not directly related to
electricity consumption (Large User Abatement)
The NSW Government aims to reduce the State's
greenhouse gas emissions (expressed in tonnes of CO2 equivalent per capita) from
8.65 tonnes in 2003 reducing progressively to 7.27 tonnes in 2007 which will be
maintained at that level until 2012.
The ACT Government has introduced a Greenhouse
Gas Abatement Scheme on 1 January 2005 which mirrors the NSW Scheme.
Click here for information on the ACT scheme.
WA, Queensland, SA and Victoria are expected to
set up similar schemes in the coming months.
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China Goes Renewable |
 Rapidly
becoming one of the biggest economies in the world (currently No. 6), China is
faced with monumental problems in meeting the demands for resources and energy
for such a huge and rapidly growing economy.
Currently, China relies heavily on burning coal to
produce its energy (coal-fired plants produce about 75% of China's energy). The
downside of this is the terrible pollution and greenhouse emissions produced -
China accounts for about 13% of global greenhouse emissions, ranking second
behind the USA.
Whilst China has massive
reserves of Coal, the Chinese Government has shown a great sense of foresight
with the release of its Renewable Energy Law. Under this law, China has set a
goal of sourcing 10% of its total energy needs from renewable sources (wind,
solar and geothermal) by 2020. This is far in
excess of targets set by countries like Australia and, if achieved, will result
in China having the biggest renewable energy sector in the world.
Backed by massive state
investment, this initiative will be the largest state-sponsored endorsement of
renewable energy in the world. Governments in the first world should sit up and
take not of this initiative to avoid being left behind in the race to develop
renewable energy industries.
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Solar House Day
& the Canberra Home Show |
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Canberra Home Show (15-17 April)
The show with all the ideas!
Ecological Homes will be exhibiting the great range of Hills Solar water heaters at the Canberra Home Show taking place on 15-17 April at the
Exhibition Park, Mitchell Canberra.
If you live in the nation's capital or are planning a trip
down that way, we invite you to pop in and say hello (Stand G45 in Outdoor Area
1).
Solar House Day
(September 11 2005)
Cool Homes - Hot Ideas
Solar House Day is an initiative of the Australia New Zealand
Solar Energy Society (ANZSES). ANZSES is a non-profit organisation dedicated to
promoting the environmentally sustainable use of energy. The event is made
possible by volunteers who open their homes and by the support of community,
corporate and government sponsors.
Be Inspired!
Be inspired by some of Australia's and New Zealand's most
beautiful homes when they open to visitors on Solar House Day. All homes feature
passive solar design and some also have active solar features.
Building? Renovating?
Solar House Day is a must for anyone about to embark on a home
improvement project. You'll meet with expert designers, experience passive solar
design in action and take home ideas and inspiration to save money and save the
environment.
Tickets: $20 per person or $30 per couple. Ticket gives entry
to all houses and prize draw.
Click here
for more details on how to buy a ticket
Win and Hills Solar
System!
Ecological Homes are the official sponsors of the 2005 Solar
House Day and are giving away an Hills Solar electric boosted solar water
heating system to one lucky person that attends the event (Prize value - $3139
excludes delivery & installation). See the Solar House Day website for more
details www.solarhouseday.com
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Wise
Words that Inspire
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"Far better to dare mighty
things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take
rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because
they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory, nor defeat." Theodore
Roosevelt, 1899
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In little over 2 years,
the Ecological Homes website has recorded nearly 5 million hits from over 200,000 unique visitors. On average,
we receive over 400 unique visits each day and each visitor spends up to 7 minutes viewing
our site. This is incredible growth for a website that has spent very little on
mainstream advertising.
The amazing growth in website
visits is due largely to our website visitors and customers referring the site on to their friends and the power of the Web!
Check
out the latest website stats & our ad rates
Contact
us today to find out how you can reach this fast growing audience
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Welcome to the Eco Show
Eco Show Australia is a national environmentally
focused trade & consumer exhibition.
This inaugural event is to be held in Sydney between the 9th - 11th of June 2006
and is positioned to follow on from the celebrations of World Environment Day on
the 5th of June and World Oceans Day on the 8th of June.
The Eco Show will bring together dedicated groups of Enthusiasts, Supporters,
Small Business Owners, Manufacturers, Distributors, Major Companies, and
Organisations, all of whom share a collective vision of Sustainable Living for a
better future.
Eco Show Australia 2006 is a show for the whole family. Our Eco Kids Zone will
have interactive educational displays and possibly a showcase of native animals.
Let us know what you want to see at
the Show and what would make it fun day out for you.
We are now actively seeking Expressions of Interest from potential
Exhibitors >
Sponsors >
Seminar and Workshop Presentations.
Please note: The Eco Show Venue with be announced in our next Newsletter.
Sign up today to stay informed.
Visit our website
www.ecoshow.com.au |
