Eco online

A time to unite

Anyone who has attended meetings will know — the greater the number of people, the less chance there is of obtaining an outcome.
Therefore the outcome of Copenhagen should come as no surprise. Governments from wealthy countries know that voters are easily swayed by economic arguments. Poorer countries want more for their people. While we all [...]

Local action starts as Copenhagen talks continue

The climate was on everybody’s mind as low clouds created hot and humid conditions on the Sunshine Coast today. But it wasn’t only local weather patterns being discussed. As the Copenhagen climate conference enters its second week, thousands of Australians took to the streets around the country for the 5th annual walk against warming.
On the [...]

Remove solar hot water from renewable energy target

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 part of the [...]

Seven reasons to take the sun seriously

Even though we live in the ‘sunshine state’ and those of us in south-east Queensland have recently witnessed the impacts of leaking oil tankers, there are some that still doubt the ability of the big ball in the sky to supply clean, efficient and cheap energy. Even though those doubts make as much sense as [...]

Sunshine Coast is Australia’s first Transition Region

By guest writer – Sandra Conte
The Sunshine Coast, as the world’s first recognised Transition Region within Australia, is an environmental pioneer. Eumundi-based permaculture teacher and author Janet Millington, explains the concept.
“It focuses on helping communities overcome fossil fuel dependencies in the face of peak oil and climate change. It means asking people to reassess their [...]

And the winner is … clean coal

By Guest Writer, Lindsay Holt

Federal Environment and Climate Change Ministers jointly announced that there was less than 8 hours to submit solar rebate applications before they were stopped 3 weeks before schedule. Environment Minister, Peter Garrett is now clearly in the running as the most disappointing and underachieving environment minister in recent years.
The rationale for [...]

Green jobs are the key

How many times do green groups need to shout if from the roof tops? Roof tops that could easily be covered in green, clean energy.
Clean energy and energy efficiency industries will create more than 28,000* new jobs by 2020, according to ground breaking economic modelling released today by the Clean Energy Council (CEC).
CEC Chief Executive, [...]

Up Close with Klaus Langner

In this section we explore the stories behind the people. In ECO 8 we look at Klaus Langner…