IN THIS ISSUE
(Click on the story link)

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)

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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 4) October 2004

Making progress towards sustainability - despite the re-election of Howard (with a Senate majority)! 

Australians are faced with another 3-4 years of Howard leadership (the Howard Government also looks like having a majority in the Senate thanks, in part, to crazy preference deals by Labor and the Democrats putting Family First ahead of the Greens). 

A bad outcome for the Planet - the Howard Government continues to demonstrate little understanding of the serious threats of climate change and the urgent need to dramatically reduce our greenhouse emissions to bring climate change under control. Consider the following:

• Howard's recently announced Energy White Paper (Securing Australia's Energy Future) that promises to provide $1.5 billion to make the commercial use of diesel and petrol (among the worst greenhouse emission culprits) even CHEAPER and increase our greenhouse emissions even further! 

• Howard's plans to invest millions in Geosequestration - the absurd, dangerous and unproven technique of pumping liquified carbon emissions underground. (Curiously, Geosequestration is a technique also being heavily canvassed in the USA by the Bush Administration)

• Howard's continued refusal to sign the Kyoto Protocol or raise the Mandatory Targets for Renewable Energy (allegedly, these initiatives would cost Australian jobs. In reality, these initiatives could provide the incentive to transform Australia into an Eco-Superpower in the region by tapping into our colossal solar and wind energies plus generate carbon sinks by preserving and expanding our forests creating thousands of jobs in the process)

• More pathetic trials when proven solutions already exist - Howard has announced a $75 million series of 'Solar City trials' to test already proven technologies in a few select homes in Sydney and Adelaide.      

The reality is that the technologies we need to dramatically reduce Greenhouse emissions and stabilise the climate already exist - see the study recently released by the Carbon Mitigation Initiative for more details.

The reality is that we could create thousands of jobs (both to develop solutions for huge and untapped domestic and export markets) by pursuing sustainability in a vigorous way. From energy and water conservation we could save households and businesses billions in their annual bills providing further stimulation for the economy. By saving energy and water and tapping into renewable sources, we could postpone the need for billions of dollars in government expenditure to provide new energy and water infrastructure to our growing cities - Sustainability is a Win Win Win Win situation!

The reality is that we need massive support and action from the Federal government to implement renewable strategies and achieve greater levels of sustainability as a nation.    

Unfortunately, many companies in the fledgling Australian sustainability sector are now planning to pack up shop and head to other countries (Germany, France, Japan, Korea) that offer greater support for renewable energy and other key technologies. The loss of these companies could set the Australian sustainability sector back years.

The collective actions of decent, caring people will save the Day - Despite this bleak outlook, we at Ecological Homes remain optimistic. At the end of the day, it will be the collective actions of decent, caring individuals not our Government leaders, that will save the day and ensure a planet that remains liveable and vibrant for the generations to come. We strive to make that change possible by bringing to you leading edge, planet saving technologies that you can afford to install in your home - technologies like the amazing Evacuated Tube solar hot water system!    

(Photo courtesy of the PM's Website)

Dear Reader,

In this month's issue we look at:

• Planet Saving Technology #1 - Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water: We are offering customers the chance to secure a new system and save $200 on top of any rebates that may apply for your new solar water heater! Register your interest soon as these systems are selling fast! 

• New online guide to greener vehicles! In this age of increasing petrol prices and ongoing conflict to secure the world's few remaining major oil reserves, a new website helps take the hard work out of finding the most fuel efficient car for your budget.   

• Hooray! Russia signs the Kyoto Protocol. The world recently took one major step towards stabilising climate change with the recent signing of the Kyoto Protocol by the Russian President, Vladaimir Putin. 

• Victoria to develop first "Green Suburb" in Australia -  in an ambitious ongoing plan to achieve greater levels of sustainable resource use in drought affected regions, the Victorian Government has announced a major plan to turn the outlying suburb of Werribee into a model of sustainability.   

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 (November 2004) is November 5th 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: 

Unbeatable Deals on Evacuated Tube solar water heaters! 

Planet Saving Technology!

We have had an amazing response to the launch of the Evacuated Tube Solar water heaters (see picture above). 

The many households and businesses that were quick to secure one of our new evacuated tube systems are now already benefiting from a new water heater that is up to 80% more efficient than their old systems, that slashes water heating bills and has dramatically cuts greenhouse emissions.     

First Container Load Sold Out ...
Secure Your System today!

The first container load sold out in a couple of weeks and another container load is on its way. Numbers of new systems are limited and are selling fast. Register your interest today for a free quote for a revolutionary new Evacuated Tube Solar water heater or a retro-fit of your old gas or electric storage water heater and avoid any delay in getting this planet saving technology installed in your home, business or workplace.

Early Birds Discount ...
Pay a $500 deposit on a new system and receive a cash discount of $200 on any new system!

Until the end of October only, we are offering customers the opportunity to secure a revolutionary new Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water system (excluding retro-fits) and receive an Early Birds $200 cash discount on any new system on top of any rebates you may be eligible for!      

Register now for an obligation free quote!

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New Online Guide to Greener Vehicles!

With the ever increasing cost of oil and petrol, finding a more fuel efficient form of transport is not only much better for the planet but also makes great sense to the household budget or the business bottom line.

Some incredibly efficient vehicles are beginning to emerge onto the market. The Green Vehicle Guide, launched jointly by the Federal Department of Transport and the Australian Greenhouse Office, provides ratings on the environmental performance of new vehicles sold in Australia. You can use this site to see how vehicles compare on greenhouse and air pollution emissions. When buying a new car, use the site to identify the vehicle with the highest ratings which meets your needs.

The Guide is regularly updated to include to ensure a comprehensive listing of new passenger cars, 4WDs and light commercial vehicles sold in Australia.

The ratings are based upon government recognised test standards for measuring and regulating motor vehicle exhaust emissions. Greenhouse ratings are based on the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Air Pollution ratings are based primarily on the emission standard to which the vehicle has been tested and certified for supply to the Australian market.

For more details visit the Green Vehicle Guide website:

www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au

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Russia signs the Kyoto Protocol

In a move applauded by environmentalists across the world and seen by the more cynical as a means to gain entry for Russia into the World Trade Organisation and secure investment funds from the European Union, the Russian President Vladamir Putin has signed the Kyoto Protocol. The Protocol, once endorsed by the Russian Parliament (the Duma), will become effective worldwide in 90 days.

Under the agreement, signatories are required to reduce net greenhouse emissions by 5% to below their 1990 levels by 2012. Countries that reduce their emissions over the national targets will be free to trade excess emission units or "carbon credits" on a slowly emerging multi-billion dollar international carbon trading market.

The Howard Government's continues to refuse to sign Kyoto thus effectively denying Australian companies the opportunity to secure revenues in the hundreds of millions to fund carbon reducing initiatives like planting trees and building renewable energy plants.

Click here for more information on carbon trading    

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Victorian Government to develop first Green suburb

Launched in August 2004 by The Hon John Thwaites, MP, Minister for Water, the Action Plan builds on the significant work already undertaken as part of the Vision since it was launched by the Premier of Victoria in 2002. The Action Plan will position the region as a world leader in sustainable development, generating new economic and employment opportunities. It will secure the region's future as an internationally focussed, innovative and attractive place to live, work and invest.

Werribee Plains will become world renowned for its commitment to:

• sustainable agricultural development and high-value outputs from agricultural land 
• sustainable industrial and urban development
• sustainable management of the region's natural resources, including water, energy and ecosystems
• high level innovation and the use of advanced technologies
• a strong and vibrant community culture built on sustainability

A key driver to the Vision will be the opportunities created by the region's recycled water resources.

For more information on this important initiative see the Werribee Plains Vision website   

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Wise Words that Inspire

"If you want to change the world, prepare to feel the full force of the reaction against you from those that have the most to lose." Niccolo Machiavelli

"The earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself. One thing we know: our god is also your god. The earth is precious to him and to harm the earth is to heap contempt on its creator". Chief Seattle

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