Environmentality April 18 2012

Dear Environmentality Listeners,

Jaime and Danielle enjoyed ‘quiet conversation’ over the course of today’s show.   They discussed some current news items and also took the opportunity to reflect on the many inspiring and thought provoking interviews and radio programs aired by Environmentality in 2012. 

Firstly, Jaime commended Bob Brown on having done a ‘terrific job’ in advancing the environmental movement in Australia.   Bob Brown has been a very important figure in Australian politics.  Yes, the Greens are growing in numbers, but Jaime (who is also a Greens Party member) believes it will be tough act to follow in leadership.  We wish Bob all the best!

The team also give credit to Ted Ballieu in maintaining the mandatory 6 star energy rating scheme for new houses and renovations.   This is despite other Victorian Liberal members hoping to see the scheme scrapped.  Commentators thought it was a done deal.  In the end, common sense prevailed, as the program is about energy efficiency.   And ultimately energy efficiency is about saving money, which makes sense from a Liberal perspective!

Following from last week's discussion on the Murray Darling, the submission date for the draft Murray Darling Basin Plan has now passed.  The Murray Darling Basin Authority will now prepare a report based on the submissions made.  Let's hope for a successful outcome and a sustainable future for the Basin.  

Jaime and Danielle provided listeners with highlights of the Environmentality show from 2012.  Environmentality has been fortunate to have interviewed a number of exceptional people working in sustainability and the environment.  This has included representatives from Sustainability Drinks, Friends of the Earth, Gavin Webber (award winning blogger), Hume City Council, Engineers Without Borders, Environment Victoria, Climate Institute, Renew Magazine, Australian Conservation Foundation, Hepburn Wind and others.  A summary and a podcast can be found on all of these interviews on this blog.

As you can see, we have been busy and have grown the Environmentality team to include several volunteers.  Whilst on the topic of the blog, if you haven’t noticed already, we have attached an application to the right of this page that shows how much CO2 is in the global atmosphere.  Sustainable, safe levels are around 350 ppm, so we are well above that rate.

The Environmentality team welcomes feedback and ideas on any aspect of the radio program.  Potentially, you yourself could be a guest on the show!  SMS 0447777989 or leave a message on the blog.  


Listen to the show!

Environmentality 11 April 2012

Dear Listeners,

Today there were four!  Smokey, Jaime and Bridget are expanding their Environmentality team to include the addition of a new co-presenter, Danielle.  Together they were thrilled to interview Denise Boyd, Campaigns Manager of the Australian Conversation Foundation (ACF) and found out more about ACF’s campaigns.

The Australian Conversation Foundation was formed in the mid 1960s, a dedicated organisation to environmental conservation and protection, focusing on rivers, trees, wetlands and oceans.  ACF also campaign on sustainability and energy, for example, against tax subsidies that encourage the use of fossil fuels.

Denise talked about ACF's Murray Darling River campaign.  Over the last century, water usage of the Murray Darling has increased by 500%. There is an urgent need for basic common sense in the management of the basin, and the need to find a sustainable flow of the river.

Upper Murray Valley, image courtesy of ACF

Recently ACF organized a public meeting in Adelaide with 500 people, including the Federal Environment Minster, to discuss the future of the Murrry Darling basin, and determine what needs to be done to restore the basin to health.   

ACF have an online submission form you can send on the Murray Darling River: https://acf.good.do/help-murray-darling/make-a-submission-to-the-murray-darling-basin-plan-2/

ACF are continuing their work towards protecting Tasmanian forests.  ACF are assisting all sides of the Tasmanian forests ‘conflict’ come to a sustainable agreement.  There have been decades of war over the forests, everyone is exhausted.   The forestry industry has also been negatively affected by a declining international market for wood chips, and communities are suffering from the downturn. 

North George River, image courtesy of ACF

ACF are hopeful that transition packages can deliver a good outcome for communities, with a newly reserved 500,000 hectares for future generations.  There is an opportunity to write to the Environment Minister on the ACF website in support of the Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement:  http://acf.good.do/Tasmanian-forests/stop-logging-what-you-promised-to-protect/

The Environmentality team also had a lively discussion with Denise about the confusing level of commitment from various sides of politics towards climate change.  Unfortunately political views on climate change and the price of pollution are superseding the science.   Like in the case of the Liberal Victorian Government winding back the 20% carbon reduction target after coming into office. 

Yet most Australians know that we need to take action on climate change.   Denise made the very important point, that the longer we leave it, the harder it will be. Taking action is not an option, it is a given.

Thankyou to Denise for being such a fantastic guest.  Listeners, you may have a special guest you would like to hear on the show, or have a question.  Please feel free to provide feedback via this blog or SMS 0447777989.

Environmentality 4 April 2012

Dear Listeners,

Smokey and Bridget had the pleasure of interviewing Dan Cass, Director of Hepburn Wind, Australia's first community owned wind farm.  Dan talked about the wind farm, and gave listeners a snapshot about what is currently happening in the renewable energy sector.

The community of Daylesford originally opposed having a wind farm in their area.  Yet they were still concerned about climate change and wanted to see action.   The shift occurred when the locals realized they could be active in the planning of the wind farm and form a community owned initiative.  There are now 1900 members, the majority of whom are local.

The two wind turbines are situated at Leonards Hill, just south of Daylesford.  The farm produces 12,200 MWh of energy, enough for 2300 homes, which is actually more than the number of homes situated in Daylesford.  In fact, since Hepburn Wind has been so successful, there are currently more than 50 communities around the country starting to discuss similar projects, including in solar and hydropower.

The award winning Hepburn Wind is an example of how successful renewable projects can be.  This is very important given Australia is starting to lag behind poorer countries like Egypt and Brazil in investing in renewables.  This is despite 80-90% of Australians wanting to see more investment in solar and wind energy.   

Dan also explained to listeners that renewable energy is now cheaper than coal based energy.  ‘Smart money’ around the world is now being invested in renewables, and away from coal.  For example, Google and General Electric and others are investing billions into solar.

We also heard about the need to shift to a new energy ‘Smart Grid Model’, based on a mix of wind, solar and other energy sources, organized by technology and computers.   The new model will cut down on waste, lower costs and increase reliability.  This is in contrast to the current grossly inefficient coal-based model (where coal stations are not turned on or off at night for example).  

It certainly is an exciting time for the energy sector, especially in solar.  Solar has the advantage of being relatively straightforward to find sites for, and being made of units, can easily be scaled-up from small to large initiatives. 

Bridget commended Dan on being a courageous leader in renewable energy and the environmental movement.  Listeners were able to hear Dan's selection of music for the show, including songs by Otis Redding and The Smiths.  Thankyou Dan!

There are opportunities to be involved with Hepburn Wind in volunteering, investing or even simply visiting the farm.  You can visit their website on www.hepburnwind.com.au 

Environmentality 28 March 2012

Dear Listeners,

Smokey and Bridget coveredsome serious matters today, including the Fukushima disaster, but as Smokey said on the show, matters that are important tohear.

Firstly, both presenters are very disappointed to learn that the Victorian State Government has pulled back on the 20% carbon emissions reduction target for Victoria over the next decade, set by the previousLabour government.

The State government claimsthe 20% emission target was out of line with the Federal government's 5%emissions reduction target. The State government also claim they have to spend a few billion to buy the carbon offsets overseas.

Hazelwood Power Station, Victoria

These claims negatethe original intention of the target. Bridget notes Victoria is the dirtiest state in Australia due toits heavy reliance on coal. It hosts one of the highest polluting power stations in the world in Hazelwood. Victoria should be doingits fair share of reducing carbon emissions.

Australia has the potential to do more towards reducingemissions, this includes Victoria. As Smokey said, Australia is sunny, windy, completely surrounded by oceans for tidalpower and has untapped geothermal potential. Australia could be a world leader in setting higher targetsfor reducing carbon emissions.

In the second half ofthe show, Smokey and Bridget spoke to Dr Jim Green, National Nuclear Campaigner of Friends of the Earth. DrGreen updated listeners on details of the Fukushima disaster, one year on. The Fukushima disaster consistedof natural disasters, the terrible earthquake and tsunami. Reports have found the nucleardisaster is man made.

If the nuclear back-up generators had been safeguarded with a simple protection mechanism, the Fukushimagenerators would not have flooded! The Japanese people are very angry. The protection mechanism only neededsimple engineering, as an example the Friends of the Earth alone could have facilitated this over a weekend.

Fukushima 1

Many aspects to thenuclear disaster are depressing. Dr Green shared details of recurrent safety concerns about Japanese nuclearfacilities over time, resettlement issues of the people in and aroundFukushima, and the poor wellbeing of the Fukushima people in the aftermath ofthe disaster. You can find out more information on the Friends of the Earth website: www.foe.org.au

In the news currently we find Australia willing to have an increased number of US nuclear submarines visiting Western Australia. Dr Green says that this is an example of Australia not being serious about nuclear disarmament. The position of Australia having a nuclear military alliance with the US is unlikely to change.

Smokey and Bridget also talked about energy. In light of the Fukushimadisaster, countries around the world are abandoning or scaling back nuclearpower. Many countries will instead use fossil fuels, not the answer to combatclimate change.

Which brings us back to Smokey’s original point about how Australia should use its own naturalresources and environment to meet its energy needs, investing in technologies like geothermal or solarthermal. Importantly though, the transition to renewables needs to be properly planned and managed well.

Thankyou again to Bridget for joining the radio team and showcasing your broadcasting talents! If you missed this thought provoking show, you can download it here.

Environmentality 21 March 2012

Dear Listeners,

We had a very exciting show last week, with the wonderful Bridget joining the radio team for the first time!  Jaime and Bridget were delighted to interview two guests, Gavin Webber an award winning blogger, and Jacinta Clearey, Editor of ReNew magazine.

Have you ever had an epiphany? One of those rare moments in life that set you on an entirely new course? Gavin Webber had an epiphany after watching Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth, feeling incredible anger, guilt and personal responsibility about climate change.  Gavin was strongly compelled to lower his own carbon footprint around the home. Gavin's blog has followed this journey.

The 'Greening of Gavin' blog as had almost 750,000 viewers, with around half of these being overseas hits. Gavin has shared how the simplest of changes at home can result in improved energy efficiency and self-sufficiency.  Simple changes like turning off light switches.  Gavin has transformed his home and garden to have veggie garden beds, fruit trees, chooks, a greenhouse and is fully solar powered.

What is most inspiring to others is that Gavin lives an ordinary suburban family life, on an average sized block, and works a 9 to 5 job. Yet, he has made remarkable changes and is inspiring others to do the same.  It's not too late to make a difference!  The blog won ‘Best Sustainable Blog’ by the Alternative Technology Association's (ATA) magazine RenEw.

You can find Gavin’s blog here:   www.greeningofgavin.com

Back again to RenEw magazine, Jaime and Bridget were also thrilled to speak to its editor in the second half of the show, Jacinta Clearey.   ReNew is a quarterly ‘DIY sustainability magazine’.

Jaime and Bridget admire the articles in RenEw, in that they are practical and have a good story behind them to engage readers.  Like for example, the story about Gavin and his blog, who shares his philosophy and actions.   

In the current edition, RenEw comes with an updated look, aiming to be easier to read and more enjoyable for readers.   RenEw features articles on a range of topics like sustainable design, DIY ideas, energy efficiency and more. 

You can find out more on the website www.renew.org.au

If you missed our show you can listen to the podcast.   We hope you will join us next time as we speak to a representative from the Friends of the Earth about the impact of the Fukushima disaster, one year on. 

Environmentality 14 March 2012

Dear Environmentality Listeners,

Do you want to learn more about indigenous plants? How to compost and run a successful worm farm? Energy efficiency in the home? The Hume City Council are running a fantastic range of environmental workshops over autumn.  Jaime and Smokey spoke with guest Simon Finnigan, the Sustainability Education Officer from the Hume City Council to find out more. 

The workshops are part of the Live Green program of the Hume City Council.  And wonderful for the public, they are free.   Ranging from sustainable gardening, cycling, conservation planting, ‘green film’ nights, wildlife photography and many others!  The workshops are usually held on a Wednesday or a Saturday (with some exceptions).

There was a lot of chatter in the show about the thought provoking monthly 'green films' being aired and the delicious culinary related workshops.

In particular, Smokey is excited about the home brew workshop for non-alcoholic ginger beer.   Real, quality ginger beer is a personal favourite!   Jaime is keen to attend the cheese making workshop, and wonders, is it a process that can be integrated into his weekly domestic schedule alongside bread making?

The workshops are, let us mention again, free!   You can find out more about the program and how to register for the Hume City Council Environment Workshops here:

http://www.hume.vic.gov.au/Waste_Environment/Environment/Get_Involved/Free_Environmental_Workshops

Staff from the Hume City Council are happy to answer any questions you may have about the workshops, call 9205 2200.

Listen to the podcast if you missed the show.  Otherwise, we look forward to you joining us next week!

 

Environnmentality 7 March 2012

Dear Environmentality listeners,

Jaime hosted a decidedly chilled-out show today, dedicating the first half hour to playing some music.

Jaime does miss Smokey… and he puts out a call to the community. Are there any budding radio presenters who would like to join in and be part of the show? Also, the Environmentality team would love to receive feedback from listeners on any aspect of the program, feel free to contact us on either of these matters.

Later in the show, Jaime welcomed Dan Atkins, co-founder and host of Sustainability Drinks to talk about his monthly events.

Dan Atkins, image courtesy of http://www.theswitchreport.com.au

Sustainability Drinks, hosted in cities around Australia, features a renowned speaker with expertise in their particular field of sustainability. The speaker normally speaks for about 5-10 minutes. Then guests are then free to mingle with eachother and purchase, as you may have guessed, drinks! In Melbourne, this popular event runs on the first Wednesday night of every month.

What came through our discussion today is there are many individuals keen to network with eachother on the environment and sustainability. Sustainability Drinks extends its invitation to people “who are passionate about sustainability”.

Also, we find that promoting sustainability can, and should be, fun! For example, the March speaker at Sustainability Drinks Melbourne is Dean O-Callaghan, who founded The Good Brew Company, a truly ‘green’ beer. Hopefully the guests at the Melbourne March Sustainability Drinks were able to sample some!

Dan has also hosted many other interesting and inspiring speakers over the last few years. You can find out more via the website. 

We at Environmentality love hear about these lively events steered towards sustainability!

Next week we chat to Simon Finnigan from the Hume City Council about some exciting and free upcoming environmental workshops. We hope you will listen in again then!

Listen to the show!