Beating water losses from evaporation
22 January, 2009In a continent where the evaporation rate is typically four times more than the average annual rainfall — which is declining in any case — limiting the loss of water from farm and station storages is becoming a priority, according to a report released by the Desert Knowledge CRC. The study looks at several of the new methods for lowering evaporation — floating blankets, shade cloth, floating modules and thin layers of a chemical to ‘seal’ the surface.
Councils' water-saving measures pay off
08 January, 2009NSW councils are on their way to saving 10,000 megalitres of water by July 2010, thanks to a $22m joint initiative of the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW (LGSA) and the NSW Water Directorate.
Reinvigorated environmental focus for NSW councils
08 January, 2009Specialist training for NSW councils and Regional Organisations of Councils is being presented by the Urban Sustainbility Support Alliance (USSA). The training is designed to help councils make sustainability a key part of their planning and practices and ensure their community's ecological future.
Rainwater harvesting DVD
01 January, 2009 | Supplied by: Davey Water ProductsA Rainwater Harvesting Guide, designed to inform plumbers, building contractors and interested householders about the principles of rainwater harvesting for household or even commercial building water-saving applications, is now available.
Irrigation modernisation plan
23 December, 2008International professional services company GHD has been engaged to develop an irrigation modernisation plan for one of Australia’s most important irrigation areas.
Investment to help business be green
23 December, 2008The NSW Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Carmel Tebbutt, announced two new programs to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and help NSW businesses cut power use.
Response to Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
19 December, 2008International professional services company GHD has welcomed the federal government’s unveiling of its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) but has identified significant risks for business.
Uncertainty persists with agriculture's role in the CPRS
17 December, 2008Uncertainty persists about agriculture's role in the federal government's carbon pollution reduction scheme (CPRS) beyond 2015, according to farmers.
Saving water key to reducing energy use
17 December, 2008A report by CSIRO and the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) gives a clearer picture of water and energy use in Australia and New Zealand and highlights areas offering potentially significant water and energy savings.
Earth Hour 2009 to promote Australian green innovation internationally
16 December, 2008One billion people in more than 1000 cities are expected to participate in Earth Hour 2009, the Australian-originated campaign to raise climate change awareness.
Sustainable companies of the year announced
16 December, 2008Corporate Express Australia, an office supply and services company, has been awarded this year's Sustainable Company of the Year Award.
Soft target, more hand-outs
16 December, 2008The Australian government released the Climate Change White Paper on 15 December 2008 — Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme: Australia's Low Pollution Future. This follows on from the green paper released in July and is the final design. The design still includes an emission trading mechanism which will start on July 2010 but the emission reduction target has been reduced to an unconditional cut of 5% of 2000 level by 2020. Despite the lower target, generous compensation plans and free pollution permits are being handed out, leaving little money left for energy efficiency measures.
House carbon calculator
11 December, 2008A careful choice of materials when building a house can make the difference of nearly 50 tonnes in CO2 emissions, according to a carbon calculator for houses.
President of Greening Australia appointed
09 December, 2008Environmentalist Rob Gell has been appointed to the role of national president of Greening Australia with the mandate to drive the organisation’s strategic response to rapid climate change.
Support program targets business water use
09 December, 2008Following the launch of the T155 campaign which urges Melburnians to reduce average residential consumption to less than 155 L per person per day, a support program has been developed to encourage business to further cut water usage.
