Join the ATA’s free webinar – How it works: building a sustainable house to suit your site

 ATA, Events, Resources  Comments Off on Join the ATA’s free webinar – How it works: building a sustainable house to suit your site
May 312012
 

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P1050914cropWhen: Friday 15 June 2012

Time: 11am

In conjunction with bankmecu, the Alternative Technology Association (ATA) presents a series of free online presentations to share practical knowledge about energy efficiency, sustainable building and water conservation at home. Webinars are broadcast live for view over your web browser, and will be available for playback on demand afterwards.

The fifth webinar in the series will be held on Friday 15 June, and will focus on the importance of site orientation, location and climate in designing an energy-efficient, sustainable house. It will introduce the sustainable design elements incorporated in an owner-built home on Sydney’s northern beaches, looking in particular at how the site’s location and challenges (including slope, proximity to the sea, and limited solar access) influenced the design.

The webinar will feature a presentation by designer Dick Clarke of Envirotecture, and a conversation with homeowners Barbara Stack and Rodney Reece on their design priorities and what it’s like to live in the finished house. The webinar will finish with a Q&A session.

Click here to register for free for the webinar.

 

If you’re not able to join in live, remember that the webinar will be recorded and you will be able to view it via the ATA website from a couple of days afterwards.

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 Posted by at 4:15 pm

Sydney World Environment Day Screening – Bimblebox Documentary

 CSG, Events  Comments Off on Sydney World Environment Day Screening – Bimblebox Documentary
May 292012
 

See the Facebook event here

Presented by Climate Action Network Australia, Beyond Zero Emissions, Greenpeace and Stop Coal Seam Gas Sydney, this event will be the highlight of this year’s World Environment Day celebrations in Sydney.

The documentary, ‘Bimblebox’, exposes the huge expansions planned for Australia’s coal and CSG export industry and the grassroots struggle to save the land, and our rural communities from its overwhelming force.

By the director of the 2005 film Mountaintop Removal, Mike O’Connell, this film has touched the hearts of audiences across the country.

The film features many prominent members of the debate against coal expansion in Australia including Guy Pearse (Global Change Institute), Ove Hoegh-Guldberg (University of Queensland) and Matthew Wright (Beyond Zero Emissions) and the music of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, The Lurkers and The Horseflies.

Speakers are:
John Hepburn, Greenpeace
Jacinta Green, Stop-CSG Sydney
Geoff Cameron, Beyond Zero Emissions
Larissa Waters, Queensland Greens Senator

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 Posted by at 6:21 pm

Loss of biodiversity impacts on people and communities too, say psychologists

 Activism, Climate Action, News, Psychological, Reports, Resources  Comments Off on Loss of biodiversity impacts on people and communities too, say psychologists
May 292012
 

Loss of biodiversity impacts on people and communities too, say psychologists

Environmental degradation and the accompanying loss of biodiversity have an impact on human health and well-being and only a holistic approach will assist both people and natural environments to adapt to that change, according to a recent Australian Psychological Society (APS) submission to the Government.

Read the Media Release here

The Australian Psychological Society has lots of interesting material available on their website.

Of particulate interest in Sustainability is dealing with the impacts on Children and people in the sometime divisive subject of Climate change.

See also Talking with children and adolescents about the environment.

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 Posted by at 12:23 am

Are you inclinded to underestimate ?

 Reports, Resources, Social Sustainability  Comments Off on Are you inclinded to underestimate ?
May 272012
 

Sustainability is not just for the Environment or reducing our impact it includes social sustainability. Can we help others to live full and rewarding lives ?  Common Cause thinks so, and has the tools and resources to do so. If you visit there site now you can take the quick quiz  How well do you know your Sydney?

Many of us have lived in Sydney for all our lives but don’t really know what’s going on. Take the quick quiz to see whether you know the real Sydney.
After answering the correct answers will be displayed.

I was surprised how I underestimated things, what about you ?

Visit Now www.commoncause.com.au

You can also Access A summary of the Common Cause Report into Sydney’s key social issues or the summary report. Note the two reports are miss labeled on the website links.

When people lives are healthy they can then work with us to improve our lives and the environment.

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 Posted by at 3:10 pm

Bondi Transition – This weeks News

 Events, Food, News, Transition Bondi  Comments Off on Bondi Transition – This weeks News
May 262012
 
This Week’s News

Welcome to our spunky new look newsletter! Same awesome content, just something a little easier for us to manage. Do let us know if you have any suggestions for it. Let’s get started shall we? *Sunday 27th May E-waste collection day at Lyne Park car park, Rose Bay, entry via Vickery Ave 9am-3pm.

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 Posted by at 1:34 pm

CSG Workshop and Panel Discussion $

 CSG, Events  Comments Off on CSG Workshop and Panel Discussion $
May 252012
 

The National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NCGRT) in conjunction with the Australian Water Association is presenting a three-hour workshop to discuss the science underpinning coal seam gas.

Professor Craig Simmons, director of the NCGRT; Professor William L Fisher, Department of Geological Sciences – University of Texas; and Professor Peter G. Flood, Emeritus professor, retired Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of New England, will present followed by a panel session to answer questions from participants.

These scientists are among the world’s foremost experts on coal seam gas. They are responsible for setting the research agenda, and can authoritatively articulate the difficulties and opportunities in the field. This workshop will be of interest to anyone wanting to understand the current state of play of science in coal seam gas, both nationally and internationally.

DATE & LOCATIONS 

Sydney Tuesday, 24 July 2012, 2-5pm followed by drinks and canapés, Aerial Room, University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

Melbourne Thursday, 26 July 2012, 9am -12pm followed by light lunch, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

Brisbane Friday, 27 July 2012, 2-5pm followed by drinks and canapés (prior to QLD Gala Dinner and Awards Night), Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

 Workshop Fees

AWA Member $300
Non Member  $385
Student           $150

http://www.awa.asn.au/CSG_Workshop/

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 Posted by at 5:16 pm

Clean Energy Finance Corporation legislation welcomed

 AuSES, News, Renewable Energy  Comments Off on Clean Energy Finance Corporation legislation welcomed
May 252012
 
Clean Energy Finance Corporation legislation welcomed

The Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) has welcomed the introduction to Parliament of legislation to establish the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. “The $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation will supercharge solar throughout Australia”, said AuSES Chief Executive, John Grimes. “The CEFC will help unlock substantial investment in community, commercial-scale and Big Solar.”

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 Posted by at 3:29 pm

Stop CSG Sydney

 Activism, CSG, Events, News, Resources  Comments Off on Stop CSG Sydney
May 252012
 

www.nogasmininginsydney.com

News and Events and FAQ’s on Coal Seem Gas

What is Coal Seam Gas?

Coal Seam Gas (CSG) is a gas consisting of around 98% methane and is formed from the degradation of plant matter over millions of years. CSG is trapped by water and ground pressure against the surface of coal in underground coal seams and is also located within pores inside the coal. The spaces between the coal are known as fractures or cleats. Some of the fractures are interconnected and permeable which allows water and gas to move between the fractures.

How is Coal Seam Gas extracted?

CSG is extracted via CSG wells that are drilled into the coal seams to release the gas trapped within the coal. For economic extraction of CSG, coals seams in Australia are generally between 200metres – 1,000m metres deep. The CSG wells are cased with steel and cement. In situations where coal seams are very deep and of low permeability, the use of hydraulic fracturing or ‘fraccing’ may be employed to increase permeability. This process involves pumping fluid comprising water, sand and other additives such as BTEX (BTEX is an acronym for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene compounds) at high pressure down the cased CSG well and into the coal seam. This action fractures the coal seam and provides a pathway to facilitate gas flow through the coal.

www.nogasmininginsydney.com

 

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 Posted by at 12:44 pm