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Living Planet Report 2008
Posted in Research by devin on November 17th, 2008
This abstract was recently listed on Australian Policy Online. To see the original document visit Living Planet Report 2008.
Living planet report 2008
World Wildlife Fund
Posted: 30-10-2008
Australian’s exploitation of the environment is worse then ever, with the nation now boasting the fifth largest ecological footprint per capita in the world - up from sixth worst just two years ago - according to the WWF biennial assessment of the state of the natural world.
This report uses complementary measures to explore the changing state of global biodiversity and of human consumption. The Living Planet Index reflects the state of the planet’s ecosystems while the Ecological Footprint shows the extent and type of human demand being placed on these systems.
The Living Planet Index of global biodiversity, as measured by populations of 1,686 vertebrate species across all regions of the world, has declined by nearly 30 per cent over just the past 35 years.
For the first time in this report, the volume of data in the Living Planet Index has allowed species population trends to be analysed by biogeographic realm and taxonomic group as well as by biome. While biodiversity loss has levelled off in some temperate areas, the overall Living Planet Index continues to show a decline. It appears increasingly unlikely that even the modest goal of the Convention on Biological Diversity, to reduce by 2010 the rate at which global biodiversity is being lost, will be met.
To read the full document download the Living Planet Report 2008.
Tags: environment, Living Planet 2008, report, WWF
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Italy aims for carbon-neutral farm
Posted in Models by devin on November 14th, 2008
Italy aims for carbon-neutral farm
By Duncan Kennedy BBC News, Castello Monte Vibiano Vecchio, Italy An attempt to create a pioneering carbon-neutral farm is starting in Italy. The farm’s management say want to “go further than anyone else” A range of new technologies is being installed at the farm in the central region of Umbria as part of an experiment to cut its CO2 emissions to zero over the course of the next year. They include everything from electric farm vehicles to sun-reflecting paint on storage buildings. It is all taking place at the Castello Monte Vibiano Vecchio olive oil farm, north of Rome. With its vineyards and olive trees, this beautiful corner of Italy might look like it has escaped the intrusions of climate change, but the farm’s owners say they, too, have to play their part in making the world greener. “We want to go further than anyone else,” says Lorenzo Fasola Bologna, Monte Vibiano’s chief executive. Storing solar energy One of the key investments is in a unique solar powered battery re-charging centre. Built by the Austrian company Cellstrom, the centre is a shed-sized box with 24 solar panels on it that houses a revolutionary liquid-based battery. The battery can, for the first time, store solar energy. Until now, electricity generated by the sun has generally had to be used immediately. It is one reason why opponents say solar power is limited. No longer. “We think that we will start getting our investment back after five years or so. From then on, our fossil fuel bills will disappear” Lorenzo Fasola Bologna Vibiano Vecchio boss Depending on the amount of usage, the battery centre can store solar-sourced electricity for up to three days. They are working to extend that to 10 days and more, enabling the farm to continue operating through foggy days when the sun does not shine. It means that golf carts and electric bikes will become the key means of transport for farm workers and that they can all charge up at the battery centre. ‘360º solution’ Cellstrom estimates the farm can save 4,500 litres of petrol every year and reduce CO2 emissions by 10 tons. “Yes, it is an expensive initial investment,” says Lorenzo, without revealing the actual cost. “But we think that we will start getting our investment back after five years or so. From then on, our fossil fuel bills will disappear.” Solar power is just one of the ground-breaking technologies being applied to this farm. They call it a multiple layered 360º solution to global pollution. They have bought a fleet of special miniature tractors that use a new generation of bio fuels. The farm says the new fuels will not be coming from food chain products like corn and therefore will not diminish world food supplies. Then there are the farm’s boilers which are used to create heat in the olive oil production process. They will use wood chips instead of methane gas, as in the past. The wood is a renewable source of energy found from supplies already on the farm. Even storage tanks on the farm are being painted white to reflect sunlight away from earth, in an effort to cut the effects of global warming. And, just to make sure they have not left anything else out, they have also planted 10,000 trees to soak up and offset any unforeseen CO2 emissions. ‘No choice’ By the end of next year they hope to be the first farm, anywhere, to reduce their inherent net carbon footprint to zero - ie without using off-site offsetting projects. “It will be great,” says Lorenzo, “to pass on this great, green enterprise to my children and their children.” And when asked if it makes economic sense for a business to attempt all this, he replies: “Absolutely. We are not a charity.” This whole region is responding to new climate pressures. At the nearby Lungarotti winery in Torgiano, recycled grape vines now power the process, not oil. Mini-weather stations provide data for planting and watering and organic fertilisers enrich the soil. Chiara Lungarotti, whose family owns the company, is just as committed as her neighbour Lorenzo. “We have no choice but to get agriculture to adapt to climate change,” she says. “It is our interest for the sake of our crops to be friendly to the planet.” So, agriculture is now doing its bit on climate change. Whether small olive oil producers or wine makers have lessons for bigger operations will be known when these experiments are over. But they will be toasting Umbria if they have. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/7669522.stm Published: 2008/10/18 00:11:54 GMT © BBC MMVIII http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7669522.stm
Tags: BBC, Carbon-neutral, farm, Italy, zero emissions
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The thin green line
Posted in Research by devin on November 12th, 2008
This abstract was recently listed on Australian Policy Online. To see the original document visit The thin green line: Climate change and Australian policing.
The thin green line: Climate change and Australian policing
Anthony Bergin and Ross Allen / Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Posted: 24-10-2008
This report examines the implications of climate change for Australia’s police forces and officers. It is written by Anthony Bergin and Ross Allen. The report has a number of recommendations including the creation of an information hub and the development of risk assessments of the locations that will be most affected by climate change as part of a multi-agency strategic approach to climate change adaptation.
To read the full document download The thin green line: Climate change and Australian policing.
Tags: adaptation, Australia, climate change, policy, report, risk assessment
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Liveable City
Posted in Models by devin on November 10th, 2008
The section below is republished with permission from the Going Solar Transport Newsletter #84, 4 November 2008, compiled by Stephen Ingrouille. Going Solar newsletter provides an excellent commentary on local sustainable transport issues in Melbourne.
“What makes a liveable city?
1. A liveable city has walkable, mixed use, higher-density, mixed-income neighbourhoods where it is a pleasant, short walk to a store, an office, a transit stop, a friends’ house, a school or a park.
2. A liveable city has vibrant, exciting, sociable, human-scaled pedestrian experiences.
Tags: Going Solar, liveable city, sustainable city, Transport
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Peats Ridge Festival
Posted in Models by devin on November 6th, 2008
What: Peats Ridge Sustainable Arts & Music Festival
When: 29 December 2008 to 1 January 2009
Where: Glenworth Valley, NSW – 1 hour north of Sydney
Tickets: through Moshtix
Peats Ridge is the first major event in Australia to run completely on renewable energy and winner of the NSW Government 2008 Green Globe Award for Environmental Sustainability across all industries.
Tags: community, environmental sustainability, Events, festival, Models, Peats Ridge, renewable energy
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Green College Network
Posted in Movements by devin on November 3rd, 2008
Green College Network is a shared platform for Colleges, Teachers, Students and Corporates sharing a Green Philosphy and a Green Job. Sign up to promote your profession and expertize, and work with wider community at Sign Up for Green College Network.
Tags: community, green academics, green jobs, network
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ABC News wants YOU to report from the future
Posted in Events by devin on October 28th, 2008
If you consider yourself as a citizen of the world and want to make contribution to the global community, ABC gives you the opportunity to make it happen! Roll your camera on and join the Earth2100 Project!
For more information on how to get involved visit the Earth2100.
Tags: ABC, community, earth, future, media, report, sustainability
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Reminder to RSVP for Sustainable Cities Round Table!
Posted in Events by devin on September 14th, 2008
Dear Sustainable Melbourne readers,
This is a reminder that the RSVP deadline for the next Sustainable Cities Round Table on “Waste Not Want Not” are due this Friday, 19 September. Please remember to RSVP for this event so you don’t miss out! RSVP to rsvp@sustainablemelbourne.com. Find more details about the event below! It’s going to be fun!
What: The Sustainable Cities Round Table - Waste Not Want Not
When: 6:30 – 8:30pm, Wednesday 24 September
Where: Carrillo Gantner theatre, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, the University of Melbourne
RSVP: by 19 Sept to rsvp@sustainablemelbourne.com
Tags: Sustainable Cities Round Table, waste, waste campaigns, waste management, waste resources
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