Eco online: environmental news, features and opinion from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Environmental news from Eco online, Sunshine Coast and Queensland environmental news, with indepth sections including interviews, sustainable business, eco adventures, green living and wildlife
The woman behind the Woodford Folk Festival’s Greenhouse program prefers to be the quiet, effective achiever in the background, rather than spearheading campaigns. That woman is Jillian Rossiter – she’s not exactly a shy, retiring person but she does respect her self-imposed limits and does brilliantly within them, working hard to bring … [Read more...]
When faced with tragedy, atrocities or grief we humans, it appears, have a wonderful way of dealing with it. Denial. In his book States of Denial, Knowing About Atrocities and Suffering, sociologist Stanley Cohen writes: “One common thread runs through many different stories of denial: people, organisations, governments or whole societies are … [Read more...]
It’s often said that a picture paints a thousand words. Photographs of faces of anguish after the initial announcement, beautiful natural scenes that were so close to being lost forever and finally faces of joy and relief after the simple word, ‘no’ echoed throughout the Mary Valley. Arkin Mackay’s images made the issue personal. They … [Read more...]
By Ian Christesen The Federal Government’s chop and change approach to renewable energy policy is causing uncertainty and the stalling of cleaner energy projects. Everyone knows that solar hot water is not a renewable energy source however Minister for Climate Change and Water, Penny Wong has included solar hot water and heat pumps as … [Read more...]
By Valerie Lewis In a recent Washington Post article we learn that governments all across Africa are putting their farmlands up for lease. In particular Ethiopia, currently quite green, is being leased to Indians, Chinese, Arabs, and whichever Big Agribiz can afford it. As a consequence there is a big rush to acquire African farmlands in order … [Read more...]
By Ken Hickson There’s a new emissions plan in the wind for Kevin Rudd and Penny Wong to take to Copenhagen. A water-tight commitment to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent by 2020 - much better than the pitiful 5 per cent - which will appeal to the Tony Abbott-led conservative (and sceptical) Coalition, as well … [Read more...]
By Dr Valerie Lewis, President of the Sunshine Coast Environment Council In 2006, an important paper by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization entitled “Livestock’s Long Shadow” was released and then almost completely ignored by the world’s media. In it, the contribution of the world’s livestock agribusiness, … [Read more...]
Water shortages, along with climate change, are perhaps the best and most topical examples for describing the complex affects of population and consumption. Our solutions to water shortages and climate change have, to date, focused upon consuming less. Reduce water consumption during long dry periods and use less carbon-based energy … [Read more...]
As with Caloundra South, another open space on the Sunshine Coast has been targeted for intensive development. The area north of Palmview and south of Sippy Downs has also fallen under the state government’s SEQ Greenfield Land Supply Review. As a result, the local council has now developed a structure plan for the 954 hectare site. The … [Read more...]
A city with the population of Gladstone on the Sunshine Coast’s doorstep. Seven-storey buildings may soon welcome our southern visitors courtesy of the State Government’s growth plans. Caloundra South is just one of the many developments that the state government is promoting and fast-tracking to accommodate its agenda of growth. With a … [Read more...]
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