Deal brokered on sustainable timber

THE Green Building Council of Australia has bowed to pressure from the Federal Government and the national forestry union to adopt an industry-backed certification scheme for sustainable timber.

The deal was brokered between federal Forestry Minister Tony Burke and the council in meetings last week, and will be announced today.

It means the Australian Forestry Standard for sustainable timber will now be considered as part of 'green star' ratings of new buildings for environmental impact and energy use.

The council had previously considered only the stricter and internationally recognised Forestry Stewardship Council certification scheme for sustainable timber but has come under immense pressure from the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union and state and federal forestry ministers in recent months to relax its standards.

Environmentalists say the Australian standard is less environmentally credible than the internationally recognised Stewardship Council scheme, because it certifies 90 per cent of all timber chopped down in Australia as sustainable.
Read article

What value does it have you can ask yourself...
On the other hand it has low energy requirements to process compared to other building materials.
If only they could grow and cut the wood a bit more sustainable.

Protest the emissions trading scheme deal

Click here to find out more about the 2009 Walk Against Warming

In the mean time you might like to voice your opposition to this scandal:
Demand deep emission cuts - say no to Rudd's emissions trading scheme!
Murray St mall (near Carillon overpass)
4.30- 5.30pm, Thursday November 26.

In a desperate bid to get its deeply flawed emissions trading scheme passed through parliament, Labor has offered sweeteners to the Coalition, to
* deliver an extra $7 billion to the biggest polluters
* cut $6 billion in compensation to households
* extend the number of corporate polluters eligible for handouts or exempt from cutting emissions.
If passed, the scheme will lock in low emissions targets that will undermine meaningful negotiations at Copenhagen in December. If adopted by the rest of the world, these targets would accelerate global warming well out of our control.

Outboard motors 'worse than oil spill'

Outboard engines are doing far more environmental damage than the oil spill from the container ship Pacific Adventurer, says retired Queensland academic and marine industry researcher Gary Fooks.

Mr Fooks said the Hong Kong-flagged ship that lost 31 containers after being battered in rough seas caused by Cyclone Hamish in March, dumped 250 tonnes of oil around Moreton Bay.

But weekend boaties using old technology two-stroke engines on their outboards dumped more than 3000 tonnes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the form of fuel and oil each year into South-East Queensland waterways, he said.

Mr Fooks, an adviser to government and industry, said the Pacific Adventurer disaster made headlines for two weeks and 2500 people worked for weeks cleaning up the environmental catastrophe.

“But the government’s own data shows that weekend boaties cause 15 times as much damage every year as the Pacific Adventurer and nothing is being done to stop that,” he said.

He said Australia could “easily” regulate outboard emissions just as it had done with cars 20 years ago but they had “fallen between the cracks” in government departments.
Read article

Over 100 icebergs drifting to N.Zealand: official

More than 100, and possibly hundreds, of Antarctic icebergs are floating towards New Zealand in a rare event which has prompted a shipping warning, officials said on Monday.
Read article
World's biggest ice sheet is melting
THE world's largest frozen water mass, the East Antarctic ice sheet, has been found for the first time to be losing ice at an increased rate.

For years scientists have worried about the smaller West Antarctic ice sheet's net melt, and some recent studies reported that the eastern sheet was growing slightly, due to snowfall.
Read article

Update 26 Nov: Aussies eye iceberg as floating bar ????

Update 4 Dec: Aussies' iceberg party plans drift away

Be prepared for a green Christmas!

Slow death by rubber duck

Info

Black mark for 'green' bags

MILLIONS of plastic shopping bags being touted as biodegradable in IGA supermarkets around Australia have failed to decompose as advertised during independent tests, raising serious questions over green marketing claims.

About 60 million of the plastic bags, bearing the brand name Goody and produced by packaging company NuPak, have been distributed through shopping centres, cafes and other stores.

But tests done in September by Belgian company Organic Waste Systems show that the bags were ''completely intact'' after 12 weeks, by which time they were supposed to be turning into safe organic compost.
Read article

But there is one part of the article I want to high light as I think it stinks! How can a CEO say that he can't control every aspect of the manufacturing process???

David Thompson, chief executive of Goody Environment, which produces the additive that makes the bags break down, confirmed that he had been called on to answer questions about the product by South Australia's Environment Protection Authority.

Mr Thompson said he could not explain why the bags containing the Goody additive did not pass the test.

"It could be a problem with the manufacturing at the factory in China. If that's the case, we need to go and rectify it," he said.

"We can't control every aspect of everything that happens in the manufacturing process but we'll be looking into this because we take these things very seriously.''

Be still - 25 November 10am

Be still wherever you are
The simplest way to be involved in Just This Day is to Just Be Still.
You can do this wherever you are, just:

- Take a moment to be comfortable.

- Gently rest your eyes, keeping them either open or closed.

- Withdraw your attention from all sights and sounds.

- Stay there, just resting, listening and allowing the body and mind to remain still.

- Don't be afraid to stay in that quiet space for as long as it is easy to do so.

- Acknowledge and appreciate the positive feelings and thoughts which may spring directly from this exercise.

- Then when you resume your activities, remember the stillness and connect with it whenever you can.

- Do this wherever you are. Do this wherever you find peace.

- By yourself. With friends. With colleagues. At work. At home. On the bus.

Many Churches, Inner Space Venues and places of worship are open during the day , why not just go in and spend 10 minutes being still and connecting through your heart with the rest of the world, check here for locations.

When in Perth you can go to Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University which will be open all day at 2 Excelsior St in Shenton Park

World Toilet Day

The average person uses 20,805 sheets of toilet paper a year. Reduce your impact by using recycled!

The main point of the day is to raise awareness about sanitation, or lack thereof it, around the world. Indeed, 2.5 billion people currently live without access to proper sanitation, which is not only an unpleasant but an unsafe situation, with 1.8 million people (sadly, mostly children) dying from related health issues each year.
Read more

Somerville Ecovilage is about to launch the next stage of Lots and are offering some great incentives to make it easier than ever to become part of this amazing sustainable community. Want to learn more about and find out how you can secure a lot for only $1000 then please register for one of the events.
Upcoming Information Sessions:

Wednesday, 25 November, 7.00pm
The Pink Church 315 Bagot Road in Subiaco
and
Saturday, 28 November, 2.00pm
Fremantle Film & TV Institute 92 Adelaide Street Fremantle
For more information and registrations Click Here

Let's Give Out Free Condoms to Stop Climate Change... Maybe Not as Daft As It Seems

Here's the latest salvo in the ongoing population growth-climate change debate: The latest UN Population Fund report says that an important component in combatting climate change is limiting population growth.

Explicitly stating that limits on number of children should not be considered, the report instead says improving women's access to family planning services and contraceptives, and assuring that low income is no barrier to access, is crucial.
Read article at Treehugger

Novel grain could be new superfood

WA researchers believe an antioxidant-rich grain mostly used as a stock feed could become a new climate-friendly super food to fight obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Food chemist Stuart Johnson from Curtin University's food science and technology program is working with food manufacturers including George Weston and Sanitarium to boost the use of sorghum in a range of breakfast cereals and bakery products.
Read article

Eliminate illegal forest products in Australia

Most of us have no idea where the wood we buy comes from. Whether you are embarking on a DIY project or have bought a gorgeous new dark wood dining room table, did you think to ask where the wood has come from?

The wood you have in your home could be illegal timber sourced from some of the world's most precious ecosystems.

Every year an estimated $400 million worth of illegally logged forest products are sold in Australia from places such as Sumatra, Borneo and New Guinea.

In 2007, Kevin Rudd promised to ban illegal timber imports, yet more than a year later, Australians could still be unknowingly buying bad wood.

It only takes one click to Say NO to Bad Wood in Australia.

A waste timebomb that must be defused

Australians pride themselves on being good recyclers, but at the same time we also generate more rubbish per head than just about anyone else, and much of it stills ends up at the dump. This is not a problem simply for consumers; it is a challenge that requires national leadership, greater responsibility from industry and a dramatic shift towards treating waste as a resource.

Recycling is considered to be one of the most important environmental solutions in Australia, however, when discussion turns to waste, eyes glaze over. It is hardly the most exciting issue to talk about, but it's also unavoidable.

Waste exists because we do, and our attitudes need to change because we are ill-equipped to deal with the 40 million tonnes of rubbish we already create every year.
Read article

'Catastrophic' e-waste fuels global toxic dump: experts

A "catastrophic accumulation" of millions of tonnes of "e-waste" from computers, cellphones and television sets is fuelling a global pile of hazardous waste, an international body warned Friday.

Figures due to be released by the Basel Convention on transboundary movement of hazardous waste will show that the amount of discarded electronic goods has grown exponentially in recent years, officials said.

The convention's office said the stockpile, which includes toxic heavy metals and hazardous chemicals, needed to be tackled swiftly.
Read article

I am always surprised to see so much e-waste on the verge during verge collection. Not only old TV's and even sometimes one of the big 'new' LCD or plasma screens but also lots of computers are thrown between the other rubble to be collected. If those ignorant people think it will be sorted by the council they are wrong, everything you put out there on the verge is picked up by a contractor and goes straight into landfill!
MAKE SURE YOUR E-WASTE IS SAVELY DISPOSED OF!

Grave fears for iconic Swan River dolphin pod after six deaths

The health of the Swan River has come under serious question after researchers revealed that dolphins that died in the waterway were found to have high levels of the banned chemical dieldrin.

A report into the deaths says the levels of dieldrin are among the highest found in marine mammals anywhere in the world.

Photos of the dead mammals show shocking skins lesions, growths and discolouration.
Read article

Anyone for a swim or a peddle on the river?
Now I realise I was very smart to refuse to do so many eskimo rolls during kayaking trips!

Update: Weak ministers blamed for sick river

Update 23 Nov: Old dumps blamed for killing Swan dolphins
More than a dozen former landfill sites dotted on the banks of the Swan River have been identified as the probable source of the toxins that riddled the corpses of six river dolphins.

Update 27 Nov: Council told herbicide safe

Scientists Develop Rot-Proof Apple that Stays Fresh for 4 Months

Scientists in Australia have developed an apple that won't rot. Or, won't rot for a long, long time. The delicious-sounding RS103-130 apple is a rare cross-breed 20 years in the making, cooked up by researchers at Australia's Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries. They claim the shiny red apples will stay fresh, delicious, and crispy for four months. But, wait; aren't things like apples supposed to rot?
Read article

Toads turned into high heels

AUSTRALIA'S most unpopular animal has been given a new lease on life as a luxury fashion item.

Melbourne shoe designer Karine Emanouel has created a women's fashion shoe from cane toad leather.

"From a design point of view the cane toad is very similar to snake skin but I wanted to do something different while also helping the environment," Emanouel said.

"I know cane toads are a pest. They are also poisonous and ugly so I'm doing my bit for the environment by turning them into something beautiful and useful."
Read article

Proud tree-lover on hunt for tall timber

Australia is known as the land of big things - the Big Banana, the Big Pineapple, the Big Prawn, the Big Merino, even the Big Ned Kelly. But now there is a project underway to identify Australia's biggest trees.

The National Register of Big Trees, launched by retiree Derek McIntosh in May, involves keeping an online record of Australia's giant trees.

"The whole focus is to find the champion tree within every species," Mr McIntosh told ABC News Online.
Read article

WA property owners could be in deep water

A Perth academic has warned that global warming could cause the Swan River to flood its banks at every high tide and beaches could disappear by the end of the century.

University of Western Australia Professor Chari Pattiarachi said sea levels on Perth and the South-West would rise up to one metre by the end of the century, affecting foreshore developments, beaches and housing.

The predictions are so severe, Professor Pattiaratchi said he would "probably not" invest in a waterfront property.
Read article

Be part of Perth's biggest-ever free, mass bike ride - for the environment, for health and for fun!

The first-ever 'RIDE FOR CHANGE' has been organised by a group of Perth cyclists to bring the diverse Perth cycling community together for a fun, festive community bike ride!

Riders of all speeds, ages & ability are invited to meet at PICA (Perth Cultural Centre, James St, Northbridge) at 10am on Saturday 12 December.

Together, we will enjoy a short cycle tour - ending in a support ride for "Walk Against Warming" and action on climate change.

The ride will end with festivities in the park at nearby Russell Square. Along with shade and a well-earned rest, there'll be live bands, speakers, stalls and food!

*Form your own 'Ride for Change' group and arrange to ride or catch the train in together on the day.

*Keep an eye on this website for details about group rides heading in to PICA (including from Fremantle) -or email us at rideforchange.perth@gmail.com with details of your own group ride heading from another direction. And if you Twitter, follow us @rideforchange.

*Bring your bike bell - ring in unison!

*Wear bright clothes (e.g. yellow), your cycle group jersey or dress up in a theme!

*Don't forget water, sunscreen and your helmet.

*Cycle at own risk, so please show courtesy & obey road rules

Europe rejects GE corn but Australia has 'no concerns'

A GENETICALLY engineered corn authorised by the Australian food regulator as safe for human consumption has been withdrawn from Europe because of safety concerns.

Monsanto has pulled its commercial development application for high lysine LY038 corn, originally intended only as feed for animals, after the European Food Safety Authority questioned the safety studies already conducted by the company and used by Food Standards Australia New Zealand to approve the GE corn in 2006.

Rather than conduct additional research as the European authority requested, Monsanto decided to abandon its bid to introduce the corn to the European market.
Read article

You might want to watch the documentary which I posted here a few months ago on Monsanto again...

Last Perth Green Drinks at University Club

Tuesday night we had the last Green Drinks event at The University Club of UWA who sponsored this years Perth Green Drinks with it's beautiful venue and a green drink!

Herewith I like to thank The University Club for being a fantastic host this year and I hope the link with Green Drinks will stay forever!
Most of my thank goes to Celine Gaudin who organised all the events to be perfect in this great environment.

This last event was different from other nights when we had speakers, as we had organised a speed networking event lead by Shell Leeder, rep of Sustainable Living Fabrics which was pretty successful as we got to meet a lot of different people where we could talk to for each four minutes.

Sustainable Living Fabrics is a leader in environmental fabrics for upholstery and vertical surfaces.
They have an environmentally certified collection with over 400 heavy duty fabrics designed for Education, Corporate, Hospitality and Healthcare and won several design and environmental awards.
Watch the movie here

Cause of WA oil spill revealed

An oil spill off the WA coast regarded as one of the worst-ever environmental disasters in Australia was caused by poor decision making and corporate greed, a senior industry source claims.

The man, an installation contractor part of the drilling team at the West Atlas rig, said it happened after drillers did not cap the associated Montara oil well properly, causing it to burst.

PTTEP Australasia, the company responsible for the spill at its Timor Sea operation, is facing a Senate inquiry into the disaster, which so far has cost $5 million to clean up - and $170 million for the loss of the well - and caused untold environmental damage in the sensitive Kimberley area.
Read article

Eco design job in Europe

o2 Member Ursula Tischner from econcept, Agency for Sustainable Design is looking for a part to full time expert in Ecodesign and Design for Sustainability.

MUST: Some experience in Ecodesign and Design for Sustainability and fluent in English AND GERMAN

They wish to employ or subcontract as a freelancer an energetic enthusiast, who likes to help them making design more useful and the world a better place.

The position would be assistant of the manager.
You should be willing to help carrying out all activities necessary to run a small agency like econcept with 2 to 5 members.
Your special interest should be in research/ development, conceptualizing and consulting rather than detailed product design and styling.

They offer an exciting field of activity and space to develop own skills and interest.

Please apply with your CV and portfolio by email. Please include an estimate of your salary expectations for a full time equivalent position.

Prof. Ursula Tischner
econcept, Agency for Sustainable Design
Alteburger Str. 32
D-50678 Cologne, Germany
Tel.: +49/(0)221/ 420 26 -76 Fax: -74
u.tischner@econcept.org
www.econcept.org
powered by green energy

This November, join us at a special screening of 'The End of the Line'

Our State’s unique marine life is an important part of our great local lifestyle.

Did you know that up to 90% of marine life in the south west is unique, and yet less than 1% of our waters are currently protected?

Right now the Federal Government is considering the future of our amazing marine region, we could see the establishment of large marine sanctuaries to protect our marine life.

Join The Wilderness Society WA at this special pre-release screening of internationally acclaimed film ‘The End of The Line’, including a short introduction to the Save Our Marine Life campaign (prior to the screening).

South Perth - Perth Zoo Theatre, Labouchere Road, South Perth
When: Wednesday 18th November, 7pm
Tickets: $12 adults, $8 children (under 16yrs)
Bookings: The Wilderness Society on 9420 7255 or email wa@wilderness.org.au

Fremantle - Fibonacci Centre, 19 Blinco Street, Fremantle
Please note this is a community screening in an art space, you will need to bring chair / cushions & refreshments
When: Friday 20th November, 7pm
Tickets: $10
Bookings: The Wilderness Society on 9420 7255 or email wa@wilderness.org.au

Kalamunda - Town Square Hall, 5 Barber St, Kalamunda
When: Thursday 26th November, 7pm
Tickets: $12 adults, $8 children (under 16yrs)
Bookings: The Conservation Council of WA on 9420 7266

New machine turns office waste into toilet paper – right in the office

Tokyo-based Nakabayashi offers everything from bookbinding services, child car seats and office products. But the newest (and certainly coolest) product of the 2,000-man company is an in-office machine , which turns used copier paper into toilet rolls, right there in the office. Brillant.

The toilet paper machine is able to produce two rolls per hour from around 1,800 sheets (or 7.2kg) of used A4-sized paper, which would have usually been just thrown away. At 600kg, it seems to be a dangerously massive piece of hardware.
Read article and don't forget to read the comments!

Pesticide-Soaked 'wallpaper' cuts Malaria exposure

To lower mosquito exposure in malaria-prone places there are two basic pesticide use strategies. The half-century old approach - a remnant of 1950's era thinking - is to spray entire towns, as well as the surrounding countryside, with a pesticide such as DDT or pyrethrin.
Read article

Trash to treasure - recycling warehouse pulls in the crowds

This week is National Recycling Week!

CIRCUIT board lamps, reams of fabric and a sofa made from a 44-gallon drum are just a few of the reused items at Reverse Garbage, a Marrickville warehouse attracting increasing numbers of people on tight budgets.

The warehouse sells discarded odds and ends and is popular with people looking for art-and-craft supplies or items for do-it-yourself home projects.

But the financial crisis and a focus on sustainability has led others on tight budgets to the second-hand emporium, said its public relations co-ordinator, Christine Harris-Smyth.
Read article

Wake Up, Freak Out - then Get a Grip

by Leo Murray on Vimeo.

Union battle over sustainable timber codes

THE independent Green Building Council is under pressure from state and federal governments to support an industry-backed sustainable timber standard alongside a strict international code.

A motion at a meeting of forestry ministers today, backed by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, will seek to push the council to accept the alternative standard which certifies 90 per cent of timber cut in Australia as 'green'.
Read article

Talk about green washing...

The head of the union's forestry division, Michael O'Connor, said yesterday he wanted ministers to 'pressure' the Green Building Council to accept the forestry standard. He said most of the forestry council's accredited timber was imported and was costing local jobs. And the limited supply of forestry council-accredited timber meant builders were turning to steel - which has other environmental effects - as a replacement to achieve green-star ratings.

What's wrong with working according the international standards to get FSC certified as well???

Drink container recycling

The WA Greens are again urging the Federal Government to establish a national scheme to recycle drinking containers.
Read article

No national bottle refunds, say environment ministers
Conservation Council WA spokeswoman Jessie Cochrane said WA had Australia's worst record for recycling drink containers. Just 15 per cent of cans and bottles were recycled, compared with 80 per cent in SA.

"Not only will a 10 cent recycling refund scheme increase WA's embarrassingly low rate of recycling but it will create new jobs, investment in the recycling industry and most importantly reduce the amount of litter going into landfill," Ms Cochrane said.

Update 10 Nov: Drink scheme canned for now

Revealed: polluters' fear tactics on climate

BIG greenhouse polluting companies around the world, employing thousands of lobbyists, are exerting heavy pressure on governments to weaken climate change laws at home and slow progress on an international climate agreement in Copenhagen, a global investigation reveals.

In Australia, 20 companies who have already won the most concessions from the Rudd Government's emissions trading scheme employ 28 lobbying firms with well over 100 staff, many of them former politicians, political advisers or government officials.
Read article

MISS EARTH 2009

I wasn't even aware of the Miss Earth 2009 until I saw it today on the Dutch news website. And Miss Earth Australia has even its own website like many other countries!

For Miss Earth Australia there are only 2 candidates from WA on the list, Risa and Sara but 24-year-old Australian beauty Melinda Heffernan (NSW) won the Miss Earth Australia 2009 in Sydney on 19 Sept.

On 22 November Miss Earth 2009 will be chosen in Boracay, very exciting for lots of beautiful girls who are working on a better earth. The winner of MISS EARTH will serve as the Ambassador to environmental protection campaigns worldwide.

Liar, liar, your scheme's on fire

I like the way Olga Galacho wrote this article for the Herald Sun today:

That's when I finally understood why the climate change debate in Australia had been so counter-productive -- too many deniers, too many greedy types telling lies about the costs to their bottom line of efforts to cut carbon emissions and too many politicians claiming their policies can achieve meaningful cuts to emissions cost-effectively, when in fact their policies will allow emissions to balloon.
Read article

WA to get glass recycling plant

The State Government has committed close to two million dollars towards building a glass recycling plant.

Western Australia has been without a glass recycling plant for the last five years and local councils have been forced to send their glass products to South Australia for recycling.
Read article

Pert Green Drinks 10 November 6-8pm

You are invited for the Perth Green Drinks on 10 November 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 630 cities worldwide!

When: Tuesday 10 November 6.00 – 8.00 pm

Where: At the UWA University Club
Club Café - ground floor / outside terrace

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

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

SPEED GREEN:
Shell leader, representative for Sustainable Living Fabrics is going to lead Speed Green after a short introduction on SLF. Sustainable Living Fabrics is an Australia owned upholstery and screen fabric company, with GECA certification on all of their products and Greenhouse Friendly Carbon Neutral certification for their entire supply chain.
Speed Green will be fun and interesting as you are going to meet a lot of new people in a short time, spending 4 minutes chatting with other sustainable enthusiasts before moving onto the next, then you can find the most interesting people at the end to drink with. Bring a small piece of information with you but in case you are lost for words, a couple of ideas . . .

1. What is the most important thing/issue you want to see happen in 2010 in Perth?
2. What is the biggest difference you are making for the environment?

RSVP: Before Monday 9 November 5pm
email / phone 6488 8770
Make sure your name is on the list for the name tags!

Hope to see you there!

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

Meet international Green Drinkers and become a member of the Perth Green Drinks group at NING

Job opportunity from the o2 forum:

Hi,
Artica Technologies Ltd is marketing an innovative low energy alternative to air conditioning. The company and its products are based on sound environmental principles. We are looking to recruit two design engineers with mechanical or thermodynamics backgrounds, HVAC Industry experience useful but not essential. Offices in SW London. Be part of the solution, not the problem... See job descriptions here
Many Thanks
Will Penfold

One40William: 5 Star Green Star Office Design v2

Located in Perth's CBD above a major train station, One40William consists of:
- approximately 36,000 square metres of commercial space spread across heritage buildings
- a new three-tiered high rise building of 6, 15 and 20 storeys
- 7,000 square metres of retail area.

During this one hour tour you will have the opportunity to view the building's:
- Reverse osmosis water treatment (the first of its kind) for cooling towers
- Destination Control System lift design
- Natural shading system and single glazed faade that respond to the Western Australian climate
- Rooftop, surrounding gardens, and the indoor fresh air quality which is approximately three times the level required as minimum standard.

There will be two, 1 hour tours:
10am - 11am
11am - 12pm

Book online (Members $50.00 - Non Members $70.00)

Analogue switch to turn old TVs into hazardous waste

THE shutdown of the analogue TV signal from next year has sparked warnings of a glut of hazardous electronic waste.

The fate of millions of unwanted televisions and computer screens will be decided this week at a meeting of environment ministers in Perth.
Read article

Aussies half way towards digital changeover

Australia’s progress on digital changeover

We'll probably wait until the last moment or is it better to buy a new TV now? What a dilemma, a big screen might be nice as often I can't read the subtitles on ours, but on the other hand, those things are so big and ugly, expensive and high energy consumers...

Japanese team wins solar car challenge

A Japanese solar car has won the Global Green Challenge race from Darwin to Adelaide, crossing the finish line this afternoon.

The Tokai Challenger took the lead on the first day of the 3000 kilometre race, which began last Sunday.

The win breaks a four race winning streak by the Dutch Nuon team.
Read article

1 Japan
2 The Netherlands
3 USA