Solar Powered Sanctuaries

 

A paper by Michael McGuigan proposes using ring-shaped scalable solar power plants. his idea of erecting a ring of solar plants that is then effectively a barrier protecting a large area of land that can can populated by endangered species is feasible.The ring formation would probably be less damaging on the environment that a large grid array considering we would need to build thousands of such plants to power the planet. It’s also more efficient to build closer to the end-user than in the middle of the desert

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Leaf blowers in the wind

The other day I was riding my bike along the scenic beachfront cycleway near Burn’s Beach just north of Perth when I was amazed to see a maintenance worker blowing the sand off the pathway with a leaf blower. He was taking about ten minutes to clear a few meters of pathway, so it would have been quicker to use a hard-bristled yard broom and sweep it off.. It certainly would have been more pleasant for the passers-by who had to put up with the noise and smoke.I think the maintenance guy probably would have preferred to use a broom too,because he could have had the arms swinging and got a bit of a workout instead of having to brandish a belching noisy pollutant generator.

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When Business ethics is a load of greenwash

To quote Paul Gilding, a former head of Greenpeace Australia, greenwashing means “Bung a dolphin on the label and we’ll be right.” Read More »

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How to get a free bike

Look on your local shire’s website (everybody has a website these days) to find the closest neighborhood having a street bulk rubbish collection.

Find a bike with a comfortable saddle, reasonable brakes, tires and a bell. Find replacements for worn parts the same way.
Don’t feel embarrassed, you are now a bona-fide recycler (Ahh.. a pun!)

Then ride to the shops, to the beach, to Gran’s house.
Just ride because it’s fun.
Always wear a helmet and always use the cycle ways.
If you don’t have a cycle way, complain to your MP.
Watch out for pedestrians with earphones, they will always walk in your path and won’t hear the bell ringing.
Beware all motorists; they don’t notice cyclists and some will drive arrogantly because you make them feel guilty.
Say G’day to the other cyclists, now you belong.

After a few weeks of regular cycling you will be looking and feeling better, you will also have saved money on fuel and helped to reduce greenhouse gases. Cyclists enjoying the open air

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Will the Rudd government walk the talk about climate change?

We now have Kev’s government. He’s made a good start with the long overdue sorry statement and shown good initiative regarding the East Timor coup attempt.
But I’m not sure where he stands on global warming and environmental sustainability, now that the dust has settled.
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What is organic?

I was shopping at the local supermarket when a promoter stuck a bottle of stuff under my nose, ‘it’s organic’ she said. Read More »

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Why shopping online is smarter and eco friendly (Warning, this is a Plug )

When I decided to open an eco store I considered the option of opening a bricks ‘n mortar shop but opted for the online shop because it eliminates the need for transport, which is the greatest contributor of pollution and greenhouse gases by consumers. Read More »

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Who killed the electric car?

 

This documentary film made in 2006 is probably an old story for a lot of you, but I had heard of the EV1 but didn’t know the full tale of its life and death. Read More »

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Are carbon credits working?

I have a hard time seeing how carbon credits actually accomplish anything on a practical level. lets see how it works, I buy a few credits and they plant trees with the money. Read More »

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