IN THIS ISSUE
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OUR PARTNERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

SPECIAL OFFER THIS MONTH

ECO EVENTS

The Watershed Initiative

The Watershed is a Sustainability Resource Centre located on King Street in the heart of Newtown. It is a joint initiative of South Sydney and Marrickville Councils.

The Watershed has resources and experienced staff on hand to provide information and advice to local residents and businesses on ways to reduce our ecological footprint.

Visit the Watershed to find out about a wide range of environmental initiatives, such as, worm farming, composting, rainwater tanks, recycling, sustainable housing and permaculture. The Watershed runs free workshops on Saturdays, and is always looking for enthusiastic volunteers.

Contact: Vanessa John 
Tel: (02) 9516 6366 
218 King St Newtown NSW 2042 watershed@marrickville.nsw.gov

Handy Water Saving 
Hints for the Home

• Order and install a DIY "Greywater your garden kit" or a "Water Saver Kit"

• Install a Rainwater Tank to harvest rainwater from your roof (Book a quote) 

• 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)

• Wash your car on the Lawn (make sure you use a bucket - it is illegal to hose your garden during the current water restrictions)

CONTACT US

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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© Copyright 2002 Ecological Homes Pty Ltd (ABN 71 002 980 047)

Best Home Loan Rates

Are you paying the best rate for your Home Loan?

Contact our friendly loans consultants at Hiley Home Loans to advise you on the best home loan rates and see how they can help save your thousands to finance your eco home renovation or installation.

Request a Free 
Home Loan Check 

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The Earth Repair Charter

Please Endorse the Earth Repair Charter

(If you haven't done so already)

Visit Their Great New Website www.earthrepair.net

Send an E-Card  
and Help Support Nature

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Vol 3 (Issue 1) July 2004

Getting the Big Things Wrong and Lying About it! 
Mr. Howard 's recent speech to the Enterprise Forum, titled "Getting the Big Things Right; Goals & Responsibilities", highlights the fact that, under his leadership, our society has become more violent, less secure, less caring and less sustainable. 

Not-so-honest John - as the election draws near, we urge our readers to visit the website www.johnhowardlies.com to inform themselves of some of the many attempts by this government to deceive the Australian public. (Photo courtesy of www.johnhowardlies.com) 

Dear Reader,

It seems likely that we will have to wait until sometime in October to elect a new Government that has a better vision for Australia and a stronger, more genuine commitment to a more caring, just and sustainable nation. The big question arises, however, who can we turn to for such vision and commitment?

History tells us that the Labor alternative can be just as deceitful and opportunistic. Fortunately, Australians have a preferential voting system. This allows us to vote No. 1 for a party (in our view, the Greens) with real vision and commitment to a better, more humane and sustainable Australia and then assign our preferences to other parties of our choice.   

This month, we take a look at: 

• Maximising the Power of Your Vote - we explore the way our preferential voting system works and the opportunity we all have to send a powerful message to the politicians in Canberra next Federal election 

• Scientists call for a 60% reduction in Greenhouse Emissions - whilst the Howard government continues to refuse to sign the Kyoto Protocol that would allow us an 8% INCREASE in greenhouse emissions by 2012, leading Australian Scientists are calling for a 60% CUT in greenhouse emissions by 2050!

• Biodiesel - grow your own sustainable fuel - as oil prices continue to rise and global supplies of oil tighten due to war in Iraq and increasing demand from a booming Chinese economy, we examine options for bio-Diesel and several initiatives underway in Australia

• Last chance to win the Best Water Heater under the Sun - if you haven't entered our Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water System Giveaway competition already, submit your entry now as the competition closes 30th July 2004.   

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 (August 2004) is July 30th 2004. Send us your feedback or stories

Thanks ... The Ecological Homes Team

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: 

Maximise the Power of Your Vote Next Election! 

It is not well publicised or well known, but Australians are fortunate to posses one of the fairest and most democratic electoral systems in the world based on preferential voting.

According to the Electoral Council of Australia (www.eca.gov.au) "preferential voting systems are majority systems where candidates must receive an absolute majority, 50% plus 1 of the total formal votes cast to be elected.

The term "preferential voting" means voters can indicate an order of preferences for candidates on the ballot paper, i.e. who they want as their 1st choice, 2nd choice and so on."

In most elections in Australia, including the next Federal one (likely to be sometime in October), electors have a choice between Full preferential voting or Optional preferential voting by the way they fill out the numbers above or below the line separating the Group names of each party above the line or the name of each candidate for that party listed below the line.

In Full preferential voting, the elector must show a preference for all candidates listed on the ballot paper. Generally this means numbering every candidate listed below the line. A simpler approach is to use Optional preferential voting by placing a 1 for the party of your choice listed above the line and then placing a 2 in one of the other boxes above the line for your second party preference and so on.

How are the Votes counted? When the electoral office is counting the votes, all the No 1 votes (primary votes) are counted. If one party or candidate does not secure a majority on this first count, then the candidate or party with the least votes has their second preference counted and so on until one party or candidate secures a majority.

Make a Powerful Statement with your Vote - one of the great features of our preferential voting system is that it allows electors to make a protest vote (e.g. by voting for a  smaller party like the Greens or Democrats) without threatening the value of their vote. 

A big primary vote for a small party like the Greens would send a strong message to the major parties that they need to take issues like climate change and renewable energy seriously.

Next election, we urge readers to Vote 1 Green and 2 for the next major party of your choice      

Ecological Homes urges readers to fully exercise the power of their preferential voting system and send a strong message to both major parties next Federal election by Voting 1 for the Greens and 2 for the next party of their choice.  

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Scientists call for 60% cut in 
Global greenhouse emissions

An unprecedented alliance of commercial and scientific experts has formed the Australian Climate Group (ACG) which recently launched its first report, Climate Change: Solutions for Australia. The Report is designed to guide public opinion and government policy towards a solution to the issues of climate change.

For the first time, a group of this kind is recommending a dramatic cut in Australia’s greenhouse gases by 60 percent by 2050, and an emissions trading scheme by 2007. The ACG’s advice challenges the current plans of Australian governments to leave similar cuts in greenhouse emissions until the end of this century.

The Group, convened by WWF Australia and Insurance Australia Group (IAG) was formed in response to the threat climate change poses to our way of life and the need for urgent action.

Members of the group include: a top United Nations health and climate change expert; a lead author of the scientific reports that advise the world’s governments; the former Chief Environmental Scientist for BHP; the chair of a World Bank initiative on coral bleaching; an executive scientist from CSIRO; a winner of the Prime Minister’s Environment Award; and the Chief Risk Officer of Australia’s leading general insurance group.

Tony Coleman, a member of ACG and Chief Risk Officer for IAG, says we only need to look at recent events to see the effects of climate change. “City water catchments are drying up. Droughts and bushfires have been more severe, and most of all, the frequency and severity of storms and cyclones have increased,” said Mr Coleman.

“But climate change is also an opportunity. If we move now we can seize new business and employment opportunities in the emerging global economy that is growing in response to climate change.”

Download the Report: 
Climate Change- Solutions for Australia

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Biodiesel - Grow Your Own Sustainable Fuel!

Biodiesel is the name for a variety of fuels made from vegetable oils or animal fats. The concept of using vegetable oil as a fuel dates back to 1895 when Dr. Rudolf Diesel developed the first diesel engine to run on vegetable oil. Diesel demonstrated his engine at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900 using peanut oil as fuel.

Properties of Biodiesel

Today’s diesel engines require a clean-burning, stable fuel that performs well under a variety of operating conditions. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that can be used directly in any existing, unmodified diesel engine. Because it has similar properties to petroleum diesel fuel, biodiesel can be blended in any ratio with petroleum diesel fuel. 

The low emissions of biodiesel make it an ideal fuel for use in marine areas, national parks and forests, and heavily polluted cities. Biodiesel has many advantages as a transport fuel. For example, biodiesel can be produced from domestically grown oilseed plants such as canola. Producing biodiesel from domestic crops reduces the Australia's dependence on foreign petroleum, increases agricultural revenue, and creates jobs.

Several important Biodiesel trials are underway in Australia including:

• Joint initiative of the Victorian Government and the Alternative Technology Association - trial Biodiesel plant at Mt. Evelyn, Victoria (aims to produce 20,000 litres of Biodiesel per week from waste cooking oils)

• Newcastle Council, NSW - joint RTA and council initiative to trial using a blend of 20% bio and 80% petrol diesel in the Council's fleet of 228 diesel vehicles

• Camden Council, NSW - joint NSW Government & council initiative to study performance of council trucks using 100% biodiesel versus trucks using standard petrol diesel.

Key Advantages of Biodiesel:

• a cleaner burning diesel fuel - toxic emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulate matters are considerably reduced = lower greenhouse emissions

• produced from renewable resources which may be sourced domestically

• non-toxic and biodegradable

• functions in the engine the same as petroleum diesel - any diesel engine can use biodiesel without modification to the existing engine or fuel system

• potentially, engine life can be expected to increase as biodiesel works well with new technologies such as catalysts, particulate traps and exhaust gas recirculation

• supplies the same horsepower, torque, fuel consumption and haulage rates.

Taxing biodiesel out of existence - given the many clear advantages of Biodiesel, biodiesel industry advocates were horrified by the recent decision of the Howard government to impose excise duties on its manufacture amounting to 19 cents per litre. Not long after this new tax announcement, the Howard government announced cuts on excises on major greenhouse fuel sources such as petrol based diesel to the tune of $1.5 billion over the next 6-8 years.

The fledgling Australian biodiesel industry provides just another example of the lack of visions and support for sustainable industries from the Howard government.  

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Last chance to win the Best Water Heater Under the Sun (and more than 100 great prizes)!

Win an Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water System - the Best Hot Water System Under the Sun

Until 30th of July 2004, we are giving visitors to our website the chance to win over 100 great including an Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water System - the Best Water Heaters Under the Sun! By entering the draw you have a chance to win from a swag of great prizes which includes:

• a 22 tube solar hot water system combined with a Bosch 21E instantaneous gas booster - the best Water Heater under the Sun! (Prize Value $3,900 - before rebates)

• A 4A rated (AAAA) Front Loader Washing Machine supplied by Bosch Australia - highly water and energy efficient (Prize Value $999)

• 5 two week Australia-wide holiday accommodation packages for 2 adults (Prize Value $15,000)

• 24 x AAA rated shower heads & arms supplied by Green Environment Effects (Prize Value $1,440)

• 25 x energy efficient lighting packs supplied by Eco Globes (Prize Value $1,200)

• 20 x household water saving kits supplied by Ecological Homes (Prize Value $1,150)

• 2 x 1500 watt energy efficient space heaters supplied by NOBO Australia (Prize Value $1,150)

• 4 x Re-chargeable Handheld Lawn Trimmers supplied by Enviromower (Prize Value $876)

• 10 x Travel Sport water filter bottles provided by Wellness Australia (Prize Value $750) - each bottle replaces 800 plastic water bottles

• Non-toxic paint supplied by Oikos Paints Australia (Prize Value $620)

• 3 nights accommodation at Bombah Point Eco Cottages supplied by Bombah Point Eco Cottages (Prize Value $485) 

• 6 x Raintap rainwater diverters supplied by Tomthan Pty Ltd (Prize Value $270)

• 3 environmental cleaning sampler packs supplied by Environmental Marketing Australia (Prize Value $128)  

Click here to enter the prize draw
Entries close 30th July 2004!
Total Prize Value = $27,968

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Wise Words that Inspire

"Each time you are honest and conduct yourself with honesty, a success force will drive you toward greater success. Each time you lie, even with a little white lie, there are strong forces pushing you toward failure." Joseph Sugarman

"The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision." Theodore Hesburgh

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