Transition Town Kenmore

Climate "skeptics" return to smearing scientists with new batch of hacked emails

2011-11-26T00:14:00.001+10:00

As some of you might have read in the news, whoever hacked the Climate Research Unit (CRU) in the UK in 2009 has released another batch of the decades worth of emails that they stole at the time. A large number of investigations cleared the scientists of any scientific wrong doing (as we blogged at the time) but they were critisised for being somewhat evasive to freedom of information requests (

International Energy Agency: the door to 2°C is closing

2011-11-20T11:38:00.001+10:00

These are the words from the 2011 World Energy Outlook recently released by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Although a conservative organization the IEA take climate change very seriously and included in their report detailed investigations of potential energy senario's and how they will affect climate change. Here's their most salient conclusions (emphasis mine) We cannot afford to

November Transition Town Kenmore Meeting - Beyond Zero Emissions and feedback from the Sustainability and Environmental Engineering conference

2011-11-10T19:05:00.004+10:00

Thursday November 177.15pm for a 7.30pm startKenmore Library Meeting Room 3This month we will have two short talks.Our own Blake Barrett will present: "Conversation for Change" and Feedback from the Escaping Silos Conference. "Conversation for Change" is a 5-7min conversation with a climate change skeptic be they family, friend, neighbour, or colleague. Feedback from the Escaping Silos Conference

Carbon price passes - Australia to (finally) act on climate change

2011-11-08T19:02:00.001+10:00

With a vote of 36-32 the carbon price has passed the senate is now set to become law. This means that the price on carbon pollution (and the associated compensation to households and business) will begin next year. Australia will now (finally) join the growing list of countries taking meaningful action on climate change. It is probably worth repeating why putting a price on carbon pollution is

Desertec - work to start on ambitious solar scheme

2011-11-04T18:32:00.001+10:00

The ambitious plan to cover Southern Europe, North Africa and parts of the Middle East with solar power plants connected to Europe via a supergrid looks to be on course to get started in 2012. The Desertec plan kicks off next year with the construction of a 500 MW solar thermal power plant in Morocco, a trial solar plant that will hopefully be the first of many. The Desertec plan appears to be

California approves carbon price to start in 2013

2011-10-23T00:31:00.000+10:00

Some good news on the international climate change front, California has approved a plan for a state wide carbon price beginning in 2013. With a unanimous vote the California Air Resources Board adopted a cap and trade system that will put a price on carbon pollution. Why is this important? Well for lots of reasons: 1. It helps demonstrate how other countries (and states) around the world are

Sustainability and Environmental Engineering Conference

2011-10-21T16:45:00.003+10:00

Escaping Silos The Society for Sustainability and Environmental Engineering (SSEE) brings you the SSEE 2011 International Conference in Brisbane on the 24-26 October 2011 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.'Escaping Silos' will showcase pragmatic examples of actions that have overcome change resistance and the elements that contributed to the breakthroughs; engaging business leaders,

AngliGreen Meeting and Old Friary Open House

2011-10-21T16:44:00.000+10:00

Sunday 23 October 2011, 10am to 4pmThe next AngliGreen meeting will be held in conjuction with an Open House at the Brookfield Centre to remember the Old Friary. The day commences at 10am and will have a festival feel with folk singing, Taize music, a harp recital, story telling, art work and much more. AngliGreen will have their office open and will also be selling plants. The meeting will

Vera Street Community Garden Workshop: Building the Soil, Preventing Pests

2011-10-21T16:42:00.001+10:00

Sunday 23 October 2011, 1.30 to 3.30pmYou are invited to the final of Vera Street Community Garden’s three-part series of permaculture-based workshops. This month’s workshop will cover improving the soil in your garden to promote healthy plants, prevent pest and predator problems and control weeds. There will be guidance on composting and recycling in your garden.Cost: Free for members, $10 for

TTKD October meeting: Carbon Nation Film Screening

2011-10-12T11:01:00.000+10:00

At the Transition Town Kenmore October meeting will be showing Carbon Nation, a film that is ideal for people who are new to the area of climate action. Carbon Nation is a climate change solutions movie that doesn’t even care if you believe in climate change! Join us for Carbon Nation (84 mins) followed by a short film about Australia’s Beyond Zero Emissions Zero Carbon Australia Project.

Ride to work day - This Wednesday 12th Oct

2011-10-10T23:06:00.000+10:00

It's not too late to be part of this years Ride to Work day on October the 12th (Wednesday). Be part of Australia’s biggest active workplace event with tens of thousands riding into work. It doesn’t matter if you ride to work, school or uni everyday, or haven’t been in on two wheels since high school, the important thing is to get involved and make your ride count. Meet other cyclists;

Powershift 2011

2011-09-27T23:54:00.005+10:00

The Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) are running their annual Power Shift next month and this year it is in Brisbane. Tickets are still available and it'll no doubt be an awesome weekend for all involved. Here's the details:"Power Shift 2011 is coming to Brisbane on Saturday 15 - Monday 17 October. If you are aged between 15-29 or know someone in this age range who may be interested...

September TTKD Meeting - Sustainable Transport for Kenmore

2011-09-10T16:31:00.005+10:00

The TTKD September meeting will feature sustainable transport planner Linda Fullerton talking about sustainable transport for Kenmore.When: Thursday 15 September from 7.30pmWhere: Kenmore Library (meeting room 3)Linda is a transport planner who focuses on providing sustainable and integrated outcomes. For most of her career she has been employed by consultants but her recent professional

Carbon farming legislation passes - first part of carbon price package becomes law

2011-08-26T21:57:00.005+10:00

The carbon farming initiative (CFI), which allows farmers and land managers to earn credits by reducing pollution and sequestering carbon in trees and the soil has passed the parliment and is set to become law. The basic idea here is that carbon credits can be earned for various practices that either reduce emissions from the land sector or sequester carbon dioxide. These credits can then be

Have your say on public transport in the Western Suburbs

2011-08-24T15:47:00.000+10:00

If you have any suggestions or comments regarding public transport in the Western Suburbs (and I know many of you do!), here is your chance to be heard. Wilson Lowe is receiving email feedback from people in the Western Suburbs regarding any suggestions or comments about public transport in the area. He will collate all of the feedback and take it to the next Public Transport Advisory Group

Native Bee Workshop

2011-08-24T15:40:00.003+10:00

NATIVE BEE WORKSHOP with entomologist and stingless bee keeper, Dr. Tim Heard, CSIRO. When: Saturday October 29 9.30 a.m. - 3.30 pm Where: The Hut (47 Fleming Road Chapel Hill 4069) As well as explaining the natural history of our native stingless bee, Trigona carbonaria, Tim will demonstrate keeping a colony, and you will have the chance to taste the honey. If you have a colony in a hollow

The University of Queensland Solar Array

2011-08-23T22:37:00.005+10:00

As hopefully many of you are aware, a couple of months back the largest flat-panel solar PV system in Australia was opened at the University of Queensland. With just over 5000 solar panels spread across the rooftops of 4 buildings it's an impressive sight. The array can generate 1.22 megawatts at peak production and is expected to supply 5-6% of the peak power demand of UQ. With a peak demand

Carbon price package presentation from TTKD August meeting now available online

2011-08-21T12:48:00.009+10:00

There were some requests for a copy of the talk given by Mike Clark on the Government's proposed clean energy future/ carbon price plan at our most recent meeting. A pdf copy of the talk can now be found on Scribd and is embedded below. The pdf version is without some rather extensive notes contained in the power point to help explain each slide. The powerpoint is also available on Scribd.

TTKD August meeting: The Carbon Tax/ Clean Energy Future Package

2011-08-15T14:06:00.003+10:00

- Confused about the carbon price package? - Concerned about the cost? - Keen on clean energy? - Got questions? You are not alone. Come along to the Transition Town Kenmore August meeting where we will dissect the Clean Energy Future package. Mike Clark, our local policy enthusiast, will be presenting the details of the package, followed by Q&A and general discussion. We hope to see you all

Room for optomism - climate action in China

2011-08-09T22:14:00.001+10:00

The rising emissions of carbon dioxide in China is one of the favourite excuses of those who would rather not act on climate change for not doing so. However, a look at what is actually happening in China and their future plans makes it clear they are taking climate change very seriously. Obviously compared to Australia, China is in a different position with a rapidly developing economy and

High speed rail in Australia

2011-08-07T13:01:00.023+10:00

This week the government released stage 1 of a detailed study into high speed rail (HSR) for the east coast of Australia that would eventually connect Brisbane-Newcastle-Sydney-Canberra-Melbourne.The major findings of the study, which were widely reported, were:1) That the entire project would cost between $61 and $108 billion dollars (spread over several decades).2) Train journeys between

The government's carbon price mailout

2011-08-03T20:12:00.012+10:00

I've just finished reading the Gillard governments' carbon price mailout which arrived yesterday.It reinforces in my mind, how, by creating a comprehensive policy, they have also created quite a complex policy. Although the household compensation is only one aspect of the package it takes up the vast majority of the handout. (For anyone reading who wants to know how you and your family will be

Unravelling a few of Australia's climate change myths

2011-07-30T18:17:00.005+10:00

Australia has recently been host to a fairly prominent visitor from the UK, no not that one, I mean Sir Richard Lambert. Until recently Lambert was Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry, the UK's top business and industry organisation. So it's fair to assume he has a good knowledge of how business is affected by and responds to carbon pricing like they have in Europe.Lambert

Being skeptical of the skeptics - Bob Carter edition

2011-07-18T10:42:00.002+10:00

Adj Prof Bob Carter is one of Australia's most prominent climate "skeptics". Unlike most climate "skeptics" he is a scientist, although the number of scientific papers he has published on climate change are few to nonexistent).A couple of months back Bob gave a talk to the Sydney Mining Club where he repeated many of his claims, including that the planet is not warming due to greenhouse gasses

2011-07-17T13:47:00.002+10:00

Hi Mike, good summary. The following was put out by the ACF in its Habitat magazine in its children's section. Maybe this is the level of communication required:)Seven Good Reasons To Say Yes To A Price On Carbon Pollution: 1. Big Polluters Pay, Not Individual taxpayers ( the carbon price will be paid by less than 1% of businesses who are responsible for 75% of Australia's carbon pollution).2.