31 Jul 2009

Greenpeace targets Hewlett-Packard

Activists from environmental group Greenpeace have targeted Hewlett-Packard, painting a slogan on the company's headquarters accusing the firm of using toxic materials in its products.
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HP said in a statement the company was committed to eliminating use of all brominated flame retardant/PVC from its PC products by the end of 2011.

Eco friendly photography

Photography, traditionally, has been a pretty poisonous business. Silver-based photography not only used up the finite resource of silver itself but processing it involved chemicals that didn't bear too much thinking about and the quantity of water flushed down the drain makes us blush.

Digital photography, sans chemicals and sans water, arrived just in time, right at the start of the drought. However, there is still a way to go to reduce the environmental impact of digital photography to an absolute minimum, so we were intrigued with the efforts Tony Knoll is making to diminish the eco effects of making prints.
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Eco Cultural Discovery Tours by Kepa Kurl

kepa (water) kurl (boomerang) is the Aboriginal name for the town of Esperance, it means, "where the water lies like a boomerang".

The Esperance Region has been voted as having the best beaches in Australia. Kepa Kurl will show you how Noongar people have maintained their culture within the pristine environs around Esperance.

Be amazed at the simplicity of the hunting and gathering techniques used. Be captivated at how nature teaches and guides you.
More info

28 Jul 2009

“Make a Big Splash for Sustainability”

Big Splash Meeting

Sustainable WA is working on a proposal to conduct WA’s Biggest conversation about sustainability. This will be an experience that blows people off their feet, that will see over 100 people involved at some point, that honours and uses “Open Space Technology” principles and pulls people towards the future.
The idea is “The Big Splash… for sustainability” and will be an event happening later in the year. However, they are holding a smaller Open Space conversation on 4 August, asking anyone who wants to help organise, or contribute ideas, to come along and get the creative juices flowing.

When 5:15 - 7:15pm, Tuesday 4 August
Where Workspace Unlimited, 139 Claremont Cres, Swanbourne - Opp. Swanbourne Station.

Tea and coffee is provided, and the bringing of finger food or nibblies is appreciated, but not an entry requirement.
RSVPs are also greatly appreciated, so please give thought to attending and letting us know you'll be there:

RSVP to Robyn Williams.

Also, if you are interested, but are unable to attend on Tuesday, please contact any of the Splash team members below, to indicate your intentions, availability, skills, interests, networks, resources etc. If you can't attend, we'd love to hear from you!
Paul Beavon 0418 927 541
Robyn Williams 0424 587 262
Annora Longhurst 0421 882 713

Interview with Scott McDougall


Read the inteview on the Bindarri website.
Bindarri; Australian creatives for positive change.

Who aim to support and promote australian creatives who are working for positive change and to inspire others who are yet to begin.

“Making Sustainable Development a Priority in Western Australia”

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Indigenous - 'Caring for Country' Award

WA WINNER
Kimberley Toad Busters' Cane Toad Education Campaign
Kimberley Toad Busters, WA
Over 2,000 volunteer Kimberley Toad Busters have toadbusted 500,000 field hours catching, recording and humanely disposing of 359,483 cane toads, and millions of eggs, tadpoles and metamorphs. Since September 2005, we have been chasing down front line cane toads every week of the year. Toadbusting is the fun part of serious research, the engagement trigger and ‘glue’ that draws us out there. Almost without noticing, the fun part delivers our objectives:
• thin out and slow toads
• educate
• understand ecological communities in which we toadbust, the cane toad and ourselves.

Our hunting instinct is safely harnessed as we toadbust in the public interest in a challenging and dangerous environment, bonding together against a common enemy. We even learn how to tell toads from frogs! Reconciliation through aboriginal and non-aboriginal people toadbusting together just happens. Toadbusting is simply the best trigger for successful community engagement in protecting our environment.
More information

Space for bikes as builders make all the ride moves

BUILDERS are rushing to add bicycle parking spaces to new developments as the number of people cycling to work surges and developers strive to increase the green rating of new buildings.

Private developer Ubertas has plans for 185 bicycle parking places at a proposed 50-storey development on William Street, and developer Grocon is planning to put 1150 bike parking spaces at the CUB development site on Swanston Street.

State Government developer VicUrban will have 50 bike spaces at its new Goods Shed development at Docklands, while the Department of Transport building on Exhibition Street has recently added space for 315 bikes.
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And I am still looking for the bike spaces at the new Claremont shopping mall... that area is solemly set up for cars...

26 Jul 2009

So many plastic bags...

I always have to hold myself back to not interfere when I still see so many people with shopping trolley's full of plastic bags, in some only two items... are the cashiers at the counters of supermarkets not trained to pack properly? And why are those customers not bringing their own bags?
I wish every supermarket had a meter like The Herdsman in Churchlands south of Herdsman Lake. I know IGA had some good results and probably some other small shops too but the big supermarkets and chains aren't doin anything to promote less use! They still ask me if I want a plastic bag to wrap around their packed meat...

Design for Debate - 3 August

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You are invited to attend a discussion about the social, cultural and ethical implications of existing, and emerging technologies. Symbiotica and the Bureau of Ideas present:
Design for Debate
Monday 3 August 2009
6-9 pm Hyde Park Hotel.
This event is free for all Curtin students providing they bring their student id card along with them.

24 Jul 2009

Leading Green Thinkers event on Monday 3 August

Delegates from the GBCA’s recent mission to Germany will share the insights and ideas they gained from some of Europe’s leading green builders.

Speakers Include:
Stefan Preuss , Manager- Sustainable Design , Spowers
Dr Vyt Garnys, Managing Director, CETEC
Nadja Kampfhenkel, State Manager WA, Green Building Council Australia

Date: Monday, 3 August 2009
Time: 4.30pm-7.30pm
Venue: The Old Brewery, 173 Mounts Bay Road, Perth
Bookings: Places are limited, so please RSVP to avoid disappointment.

Should you have any questions in relation to this event please contact Matthew Monaghan Telephone: (03) 8612 2002
Green Building Council Australia

The WA2020 Project Launch on Thursday 6 August

“Making Sustainable Development a Priority in Western Australia”

The Murdoch University School of Sustainability and the Institute for Sustainability and Technology Policy (ISTP)invite you to the launch of THE WA2020 PROJECT!

You are invited to join Dr Peter McMahon at the launch of WA2020 — an initiative that aims to encourage collaborative research and debate on the future of sustainability in WA.

The initiative aims to fill the policy vacuum around sustainability and represents Murdoch University ‘stepping up’ in its commitment to sustainability and fulfilling its niche in policy expertise.

ISTP Professor, Glenn Albrecht will speak on “Making WA a Resilient Region”, the new WA2020 website will be launched, and this will be followed by drinks and light finger food.

All are welcome to attend.
When: 6pm, Thursday 6 August
Where: Brian Hill Lecture Theatre, Murdoch University
(Car park 5, Bus 99 from Murdoch Train station)

Please RSVP for catering purposes to: s.davidson@murdoch.edu.au and contact Peter McMahon with any inquiries.

WA closer to having first uranium mine?

Western Australia is closer to having its first uranium mine as Prime Minister Kevin Rudd re-affirmed his support for the demise of Labor's three mines policy.

Australia has three mines, in the Northern Territory and South Australia.

Environment Minister Peter Garrett approved the Four Mile uranium mine in South Australia last week.

The approval of Lake Maitland, in the midwest region of Western Australia, would take the tally of uranium mines to five.
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Does anybody realise how close Lake Maitland is actually to Perth???
While it's NOT even an Australian venture... it's Canadian/Japanese...

19 Jul 2009

Huge blob of Arctic goo floats past Slope communities

IT'S NOT OIL: No one in the area can recall seeing anything like it before.

Something big and strange is floating through the Chukchi Sea between Wainwright and Barrow.

Hunters from Wainwright first started noticing the stuff sometime probably early last week. It's thick and dark and "gooey" and is drifting for miles in the cold Arctic waters, according to Gordon Brower with the North Slope Borough's Planning and Community Services Department.
Read article

17 Jul 2009

Retail titan Wal-Mart launches 'sustainability index'

US retail giant Wal-Mart on Thursday announced plans to develop a database that it said would revolutionize shopping by putting information about products' sustainability at consumers' fingertips.

The database, dubbed the sustainability index, could put information about how environmentally-friendly suppliers, manufacturers and their products are, just a garment label or barcode-scan away for shoppers, according to Wal-Mart executives speaking at a webcast gathering of their suppliers.

The index would be put together in three phases, the first of which involves surveying Wal-Mart's 100,000-plus suppliers about how they operate, where a product is made and what goes into it.
Read article

Figure 11.c.2
Sustainability Index by Country. Darker colors indicate countries with greater environmental sustainability.

Hunt over drums of hazardous waste dumped in Perth suburb

RUSTED drums of hazardous waste have been found illegally dumped and leaking at six inner-Perth sites, with some left on the banks of the Swan River.

A further eight drums were found dumped on Daly St in Belmont today, hours after environment officials located 45 at five locations in the Burswood/Belmont area and another 12 in Gidgegannup.

Officers from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) say all 53 drums, some of which have burst open after being thrown from a truck, contain rotting industrial fertilisers.
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15 Jul 2009

Reality & Myths of Genetically Modified Food

To enlarge click on picture
More info here

Lean times in the push to be green

ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly refurbishments of existing offices may be crucial to cutting carbon emissions and improving staff productivity, but the financial crisis has slowed the demand for green fit-outs.
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Full house!

We had a full house yesterday at the Green Drinks! We added chairs to the Case study room and still people had to stand or sit on the floor. More than eighty people! It was great to see so many joining the Green Drinks in it's second year of existence in Perth.

And that's the aim for Green Drinks, gathering people of all kind of sustainable backgrounds and get them to know each other!

Due to health issues our speaker, Peter Newman, unfortunately wasn’t able to do his talk but he organized last minute a replacement: Sally Paulin.

Sally is a lecturer in the School of Sustainability/ISTP at Murdoch University. Her research interests are in community engagement and the role of the third sector in working towards sustainable solutions. A special interest is in leadership and mentoring how this can play out in personal and public life.

Sally invited everyone who is interested for morning tea at the School of Sustainability. Morning Tea commences at 11am every Thursday in the Education and Humanities common room EH 2.021
More information here.

Leadership for sustainability

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The “leadership for sustainability” program is starting next month, more information on Winding Staircase.

Breakfast by the Bay

Demystifying Emissions Trading
Date: Wednesday 5 August
Time: 7am - 9am
Venue: Banquet Hall - The University Club of UWA
Price: Members $39/Guests $49

Price includes a sit down two-course breakfast and panel discussion on the Emissions Trading Scheme, moderated by Sharon Mascher, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law and Deputy Director, Environment, at the Centre for Mining, Energy and Resources Law at The University of Western Australia.
Register here

13 Jul 2009

1 Million Women

A campaign of daughters, mothers, sisters and grandmothers who are committed to protecting our climate, our communities and our future, leading change for the better.

"Our goal is to inspire 1 million Australian women to take practical action on climate change by cutting 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main greenhouse pollutant causing global warming.

Every woman who joins has a personal goal to cut 1 tonne of CO2 from their daily lives within a year of joining the campaign.

At the 1 Million Women website you'll be guided through ways to cut your 1 tonne, and to track your progress as you go along. You don't have to be an expert on climate change. Just join up and we'll guide you every step of the way".

Sign up!

Climate warriors march behind little green book

THEY are the new generation of climate warriors. They are smart, politically savvy, idealistic, apparently indefatigable and very young. They have more technology in their mobiles and laptops than NASA had when it sent men to the moon, and they are "beginning to use them for tools, not toys", as one campaigner said.

For the next three days they will be at Power Shift, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition's first major summit.
Read article

Greenie Prince Charles worries government

SENIOR British government figures have revealed serious concerns about Prince Charles's "misguided" green philosophy, which advocates dramatic changes in lifestyle and attitudes as the key to saving the world.

He has long called on people and politicians to rethink their attitudes to the planet, economic growth and consumption. Recently, however, government policy has become based on the notion that problems such as climate change are best addressed through science and technology - without compromising economic growth or consumerism.

This difference is becoming a source of tension, and some of Charles's aides are planning for him to continue to make public his opinions when he eventually becomes king.
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Reducing carbon could be a dirty job, but this farmer will do it

SINCE abandoning chemical fertiliser for a natural formula, Darryn Smith has felt his soil soften, seen worms return and watched the veterinary bill for his 180 cattle fall dramatically.

In his words, the ground at his Western District farm has gone "from dead to being alive".
Read article

9 Jul 2009

GM-free alcohol guide released

Greenpeace has released a new guide for choosing GM-free alcoholic beverages.

Launched on July 7, 2009, a new guide by environment group Greenpeace will make it easy for consumers to choose alcoholic beverages that are free from genetically engineered (GE) ingredients.
Read article

Check it on the True Food Network website!

8 Jul 2009

Do the survey

Help the Conservation Council of WA demonstrate public support for a recycling refund scheme by answering the following six simple questions.

The Conservation Council will forward the results of this survey to State and Commonwealth Environment Ministers plus you will go in the running to win a prize just for completing the survey.

Click here to complete the survey.

7 Jul 2009

Gnangara Sustainability Strategy open for public comment


A PLAN to deal with WA's fast-disappearing groundwater system is open for public comment. Perth residents have until August 31 to respond to the State Government's $7.5 million draft plan to manage Perth’s largest source of groundwater – the Gnangara system.

The rapidly-declining Gnangara mound provides Perth with up to 60 per cent of its drinking water and supports wetlands and irrigated horticulture.
Read article

More information on Gnagara Sustainability Strategy here

Waterless urinals just got sexier.

Introducing the new McDry waterless urinal from Duravit.

McDry uses a pore free ceramic and a specially developed sealing liquid, meaning McDry will keep unpleasant odours at bay.

Also lasting up 5000 uses, McDry will keep your public area odour free for longer.
More info at Gro Agencies in Osborne Park

Prius a paler shade of green

Hybrid car buyers aren't as concerned about the environment as they would like us to believe, according to the maker of the world's most popular brand.

At the launch of the new-generation Toyota Prius in Sydney yesterday, chief engineer Akihiko Otsuka admitted the company had opted for a bigger, more powerful engine because customers had demanded it.

....

European car makers argue that diesel engines are just as efficient as hybrids.

But Toyota yesterday hit back, claiming diesels were dirtier and produced more carbon dioxide. The new Prius produces just 89 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre compared with the Mini's 104 g/km.

The new Prius has several other tricks up its sleeve, with solar roof panels and plastics made from plants rather than petroleum-based chemicals.
Read article

6 Jul 2009

Cold? Put on a jumper and save $92 a month

NORTH shore and eastern suburbs households are among Sydney's greatest users of energy-guzzling portable electric heaters.

One portable blow heater can use as much electricity as 25 standard TV sets.
Read article

I bet it's about the same here in Perth as the temperature inside is in between 15 and 17 degrees at my place. But I add layers of jumpers and a body warmer and when behind the computer I often wear my fingerless mittens and sometimes even add a scarve to keep warm. That helps, I hardly have the heater on! Also cups of hot tea help or when it's sunny outside I go for a few minutes in the sun to warm up. I bet I've saved heaps on the electricity bill while still very comfortable warm!

MARGARET RIVER GREEN DRINKS

Margaret River Environment Centre will be holding the second Green Drinks night at 5.30pm on the 15th of July at the Townview Business Centre in Margaret River.

We will have a guest speaker coming along, Rachel Siewart from the Upper House to talk to us about issues affecting the area and she is giving us the opportunity to raise issues we feel strongly about with her and is open to questions so it should be a great night.

The more the merrier and so if you know of anyone that might be down this way that would be interested to come long they would be most welcome and please feel free to let them know.

3 Jul 2009

PUBLIC DEBATE ON CLIMATE CHANGE - 9 July


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Perth Green Drinks 14 July - Speaker: Peter Newman!

You are invited for the Perth Green Drinks on 14 July 2009.

Green Drinks is for anyone involved in the environment and related fields. Green groups / NGOs, Freelancers and consultants, Companies, Students, Academics, Government departments, Local Authorities, Younger as well as older people so please forward this invitation to anyone you think might be interested in meeting other people related to sustainability.

Green Drinks is a self-organizing network of professionals, students and enthusiasts working in sustainability who meet up in cities around the world for drinks once a month, or every second month in Perth. Everyone is invited to come and have fun, make contacts, get ideas, share information, find inspiration, and of course, to drink!

Green Drinks is GLOBAL: active in more than 540 cities worldwide! UK - USA - Canada - Australia -Germany - Sweden - Netherlands - Argentina - Belgium - Brazil - Chile - China - Czech Republic - Denmark - Finland - France - Hong Kong - India - Ireland - Italy - Japan - Malta - Mexico - New Zealand - Poland - Puerto Rico - Singapore - South Africa – Switzerland – Turkey – Russia – Philippines – Norway – Romania – Portugal – Spain – Thailand – China - Botswana

When: Tuesday 14 July 6.00 – 8.00 pm

Where: At the UWA University Club
Case Study Room - 1st floor - 6pm to 7pm for speaker
Club Café - ground floor / outside terrace - 7pm to 8 pm

How: The University Club is providing one voucher per person for a choice of “green cocktail” or “green beer” + peanuts and popcorn on the table. Following drinks = cash bar.

What: Network, interact, talk, laugh, debate, drink, have fun!

Speaker: Peter Newman - The Global Green New Deal and Perth
Peter Newman is the Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University and is on the Board of Infrastructure Australia that is funding infrastructure for the long term sustainability of Australian cities. He has recently returned from a North American tour promoting his two new books ‘Resilient Cities: Responding to Peak Oil and Climate Change’ and ‘Green Urbanism Down Under’, both written with Tim Beatley. In 2001-3 Peter directed the production of WA’s Sustainability Strategy in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. It was the first state sustainability strategy in the world. In 2004-5 he was a Sustainability Commissioner in Sydney advising the government on planning issues. In 2006/7 he was a Fulbright Senior Scholar at the University of Virginia Charlottesville where he wrote his new books. In Perth, Peter is best known for his work in saving, reviving and extending the city’s rail system. Peter invented the term ‘automobile dependence’ to describe how we have created cities where we have to drive everywhere. For 30 years since he attended Stanford University during the first oil crisis he has been warning cities about preparing for peak oil. Peter’s book with Jeff Kenworthy 'Sustainability and Cities: Overcoming Automobile Dependence' was launched in the White House in 1999. He was a Councillor in the City of Fremantle from 1976-80 where he still lives.

RSVP: Before Monday 13 July 5pm
Email info @ universityclub.uwa.edu.au or phone 6488 8770

Hope to see you there!

Wilma van Boxtel
o2 global network for sustainable design - liaison Western Australia