Switching off to climate change

Discussing climate change

Last Sunday I was relaxing at home when a neighbour dropped in for coffee. Our discussions usually cover a broad range of subjects and this time we ventured from politics, tsunamis, nuclear power and finally to our topic de jour -- climate change. I’m sure you would agree that good discussions are stimulating, perhaps even as stimulating as … [Read more...]

Government subsidies encourage pollution

Don Henry image

Eco talks with Don Henry of the Australian Conservation Foundation about the impacts of government subsidies. Don Henry is the Executive Director of the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF). Henry has led the ACF since 1998, helping it to become a strong advocate for the environment by promoting solutions through research, consultation, … [Read more...]

Climate Coolers: one million Australian women

Natalie Isaacs

Campaigning against climate change and encouraging a whole multitude of women to join her unique action group must be a natural therapy for mother of four, Natalie Isaacs. The former natural cosmetics  business woman is simply glowing and full of energy as she strives for a target of one million female supporters to each commit to reducing CO2 … [Read more...]

Factor Five

factor five

Book Review - Factor Five Transforming the Global Economy through 80% improvements in Resource Productivity Ernst Von Weizsacker; Karlson “Charlie” Hargroves;  Michael H. Smith; Cheryl Desha;  Peter Stasinopoulos Publisher: Earthscan 2009   ISBN 978-1-84407-591-1 Whilst climate change is “the moral challenge of our time”  -- it … [Read more...]

Leading the way wisely

Professor Tim Smith

Ian Christesen puts some questions to Professor Tim Smith PhD who is the Director of the Sustainability Research Centre at University of the Sunshine Coast (USC). Prior to his appointment with USC, Dr Smith was a senior research scientist with the Resource Futures Program of CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems.  He works on a number of projects around … [Read more...]

Why Dr Ben McNeil has hope

Dr Ben McNeil

The passion is palpable, so is the sense of frustration and underlying anger. Yet like a seam of silver there’s healthy gleam of humour occasionally exposed. To assay Dr Ben McNeil is an interesting task. He’s in the stop strata of the academic rocks of intelligence that deal with climate change research and he has an urgent job at … [Read more...]

Green opportunities

lowesquare

We finally got a government after the most protracted post-election negotiations in my lifetime. While the process was not edifying, I think the result is as good as we could have hoped for. It is a lot better than the only two outcomes that looked possible during the election campaign: either the return of the Gillard government, or an … [Read more...]

Larissa ready for hard work ahead

Larissa Waters

Queensland's first Greens senator Larissa Waters, while all fired up after her recent election success, now has to be patient as she faces a long wait before she can take her Senate seat in Canberra. While she can’t take office until the new Senate term starts next July, senator-elect Larissa will be keeping busy by going back to her old job … [Read more...]

Climate change: and the threat to our biodiversity

Roger Kitching

The mainstream media excites their readers and listeners with many things. Fall under their spell and you would almost be forgiven for thinking that the biggest threat from climate change, if you still believe the scientific facts as opposed to columnists’ opinions, will be upon the size of your wallet. Professor Roger Kitching reminds us of … [Read more...]

It’s time … for a real climate policy

wind energy

With Ian Christesen A recent opinion poll commissioned by WWF of 4000 residents showed that 79 per cent of respondents believe Australia should either begin reducing carbon pollution before other countries, or start reducing regardless of when other countries choose to act. Rudd has duped the electors by refusing to take action on … [Read more...]