Friday, July 18, 2008
Alice Solar City commercial program launched
The Alice Solar City Commercial Services Program was officially launched (link to this media release on website) on 30 May, and over 25 businesses have expressed their interest in getting involved. Did you know that the non-domestic sector consumes over 50% of Alice Springs’ power? The call for applications for large businesses to access Alice Solar City incentives was announced on 10 July (link to this media release on website). Large businesses are those that use over 160 megawatt hours (MWh) per year. Businesses who are interested can check their powerbill to see if they qualify to apply for subsidies of up to $25,000, or for more innovative projects consideration will be given to provide up to $50,000. Applications close August 22nd, however there will be a second round offered early in 2009 if businesses are not ready.
Alice Solar City will also support Schools that are applying for the Federal Government Grant of up to $50,000 per school in the National Solar Schools Program. More information about this coming soon.
The residential program is proving to be extremely popular with over 300 residents already signed up to receive a variety of services and financial incentives. A substantial number of residents have also expressed interest to install a rooftop solar PV system, however there are still a significant number of the 225 PV systems available. If you would like to find out more about Solar PV, other incentives or to sign up to Alice Solar City just drop into the Smart Living Centre at 82 Todd Street (next to Bojangles) or call 8950 4350.
Alice Solar City will also support Schools that are applying for the Federal Government Grant of up to $50,000 per school in the National Solar Schools Program. More information about this coming soon.
The residential program is proving to be extremely popular with over 300 residents already signed up to receive a variety of services and financial incentives. A substantial number of residents have also expressed interest to install a rooftop solar PV system, however there are still a significant number of the 225 PV systems available. If you would like to find out more about Solar PV, other incentives or to sign up to Alice Solar City just drop into the Smart Living Centre at 82 Todd Street (next to Bojangles) or call 8950 4350.
Greywater bucketing is now OK in the NT!
Manual bucketing onto lawn and garden areas using water from the bathroom or laundry, or temporary use of a hose manually fitted to a washing machine outlet hose, is permitted subject to the advice found here. However, permanent greywater diversion systems still need NT Health Dept approval as explained here. The health department website has a page on onsite wastewater management, with lists of approved greywater diversion devises .
Do:
• Avoid contact with greywater before eating or drinking
• Prevent children from playing on greywater irrigated areas until dry
• Use washing products with low salt, phosphorus and boron
• Remember greywater is often alkaline and not good for acid loving plants
• Avoid using kitchen greywater
Don’t
• Store for more than 24 hours
• Allow it to pond
• Use if people in the family have diarrhea or are vomiting
• Use kitchen greywater
Do:
• Avoid contact with greywater before eating or drinking
• Prevent children from playing on greywater irrigated areas until dry
• Use washing products with low salt, phosphorus and boron
• Remember greywater is often alkaline and not good for acid loving plants
• Avoid using kitchen greywater
Don’t
• Store for more than 24 hours
• Allow it to pond
• Use if people in the family have diarrhea or are vomiting
• Use kitchen greywater
Home Water Audits
Want to save water and combat climate change? Book a home water audit from DKA COOLmob. Audits cost only $10 and take about an hour. Your auditor may even bring some free water saving items such as a shower timer. You can also find out about the NT government’s $500 plumbing rebate. To book. ring 8952 0299
Making Solar Ovens out of old hot water systems
Making Solar Ovens out of old hot water systems – Saturday August 23rd
Learn to make and cook in your own solar oven out of recycled and new materials, including bits from old solar hot water systems.
Steve Sawyer, winner of last year’s solar oven bakeoff, is conducting the workshop at Red Hot Arts on making a box cooker. Materials provided. Places are limited to a maximum of ten.
RSVP by August 19th to Kat, 8952 0299 or dka.coolmob@coolmob.org
Learn to make and cook in your own solar oven out of recycled and new materials, including bits from old solar hot water systems.
Steve Sawyer, winner of last year’s solar oven bakeoff, is conducting the workshop at Red Hot Arts on making a box cooker. Materials provided. Places are limited to a maximum of ten.
RSVP by August 19th to Kat, 8952 0299 or dka.coolmob@coolmob.org
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Social networking site for environmental professionals
Earth Newswire is a professional network and news website driven by people interested in environmental science, ecology and conservation. The site includes member-generated pages, event notices, discussion forums, and photos and videos.
New Education for Sustainability Online Journal
London South Bank University (UK) has launched Indicator, a new online journal focusing on education for sustainability. The journal is freely accessible, and downloadable content will be archived to build a valuable resource over time.
I have added a permanent link to Indicator from this blog in the links section so you can always find it by returning here.
I have added a permanent link to Indicator from this blog in the links section so you can always find it by returning here.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Keep Australia Beautiful Week 2008
Keep Australia Beautiful Week 2008 runs from Monday 25 – Sunday 31 August.
You can help tackle climate change and protect our natural resources by participating in the Score Points for the Environment Challenge during Keep Australia Beautiful Week 2008.
For more information see the flyer. Register on the KAB website.
You can help tackle climate change and protect our natural resources by participating in the Score Points for the Environment Challenge during Keep Australia Beautiful Week 2008.
For more information see the flyer. Register on the KAB website.
Solar Oven Bakeoff
Now is the time to start thinking about entering the Solar Oven Bakeoff
Steve Sawyer, winner of last year’s Solar Oven Bakeoff, is preparing to hand over the Green Spoon trophy to the next solar chef. This could be a great challenge for students, especially those in the middle years.
Get your ovens ready and start creating recipes for the 2008 Bakeoff on September 20th at Olive Pink Botanic Gardens. The judge is rumoured to be a very well known cookbook author.
Steve Sawyer, winner of last year’s Solar Oven Bakeoff, is preparing to hand over the Green Spoon trophy to the next solar chef. This could be a great challenge for students, especially those in the middle years.
Get your ovens ready and start creating recipes for the 2008 Bakeoff on September 20th at Olive Pink Botanic Gardens. The judge is rumoured to be a very well known cookbook author.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Climate Change Workshop
On the morning of Monday 30th June the Central Australian Research Network based at CDU in Alice will host the first of two scenario-building workshops on Central Australian Climate Change.
The workshops are part of the CDU's School of Environmental Research's program to develop regional models of climate change.
This month's workshop in Alice will be facilitated by Professor Stephen Garnett and will be used to develop an initial trial set of scenarios to be re-analysed later this year.
We would like the workshop to be attended by people, not just with
an understanding of the way the landscape in central Australia is
lived in and used, but also the imagination to envisage a future
thirty years hence.
For more information, or to register your interest in participating please email
rolf.gerritsen@cdu.edu.au
The workshops are part of the CDU's School of Environmental Research's program to develop regional models of climate change.
This month's workshop in Alice will be facilitated by Professor Stephen Garnett and will be used to develop an initial trial set of scenarios to be re-analysed later this year.
We would like the workshop to be attended by people, not just with
an understanding of the way the landscape in central Australia is
lived in and used, but also the imagination to envisage a future
thirty years hence.
For more information, or to register your interest in participating please email
rolf.gerritsen@cdu.edu.au
My Environmental Education Evaluation Resource Assistant
A new web-based tool to assist environmental educators in conducting programme evaluations has been created by Dr. Michaela Zint of the University of Michigan (USA).
My Environmental Education Evaluation Resource Assistant provides guidance on all aspects of evaluating an education programme.
My Environmental Education Evaluation Resource Assistant provides guidance on all aspects of evaluating an education programme.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
2020 Summit Report
Just in case you haven't heard, the final report of the 2020 Summit is now available online
2020 Summit Final Report
2020 Summit Final Report
Friday, June 13, 2008
Carbon Free Youth Conference
In early July, 9th - 12th, the Australian Association for Environmental Education is holding is biennial conference in Darwin.
An important part of this conference is the Youth conference that is being coordinated by Alicia Curtis through Millennium Kids Inc.
The goal is to have as many young people from the NT participate as possible.
The conference is open to 10-25 year olds and will be the first Carbon Free Youth Conference in Australia
Instead of 100 young people flying to Darwin for the conference, there will be activities in locations across Australia for young people to participate in and then connect in with state youth representatives in Darwin via video link.
For more information, please contact
Alicia Curtis – AAEE MK Youth Conference Coordinator
E: alicia@aliciacurtis.com
M: 0413 565 338
Find out more
An important part of this conference is the Youth conference that is being coordinated by Alicia Curtis through Millennium Kids Inc.
The goal is to have as many young people from the NT participate as possible.
The conference is open to 10-25 year olds and will be the first Carbon Free Youth Conference in Australia
Instead of 100 young people flying to Darwin for the conference, there will be activities in locations across Australia for young people to participate in and then connect in with state youth representatives in Darwin via video link.
For more information, please contact
Alicia Curtis – AAEE MK Youth Conference Coordinator
E: alicia@aliciacurtis.com
M: 0413 565 338
Find out more
Friday, May 30, 2008
Students of Sustainability 2008
Students of Sustainability (SoS) is a five day conference for anyone interested in creating a more ecologically and socially sustainable world.
SoS '08 will be held at the University of Newcastle from the 5th to the 9th of July, with camping close by. Students, community and Indigenous activists, academics, public intellectuals, environmental educators, social change agents of all stripes and from all over Australia will come and participate in a range of educational, practical and participatory forums and workshops. SoS is about imparting the inspiration, tools, motivation and education required for participants to inspire and educate others when they return to their own communities.
The conference includes
- Workshops on environmental and social justice issues
- Planning for a sustainable future
- skills and planning sessions for taking real action
- High Schools Day (Monday 7th July)
- Community Day - Linking the local to the global
Serviced campsites provided
The conference will take place at the University of Newcastle from 5th-9th July.
For more information check out the website
The conference will be followed by the Camp for Climate Action, which is also being held in Newcastle from 10th to 15th July
SoS '08 will be held at the University of Newcastle from the 5th to the 9th of July, with camping close by. Students, community and Indigenous activists, academics, public intellectuals, environmental educators, social change agents of all stripes and from all over Australia will come and participate in a range of educational, practical and participatory forums and workshops. SoS is about imparting the inspiration, tools, motivation and education required for participants to inspire and educate others when they return to their own communities.
The conference includes
- Workshops on environmental and social justice issues
- Planning for a sustainable future
- skills and planning sessions for taking real action
- High Schools Day (Monday 7th July)
- Community Day - Linking the local to the global
Serviced campsites provided
The conference will take place at the University of Newcastle from 5th-9th July.
For more information check out the website
The conference will be followed by the Camp for Climate Action, which is also being held in Newcastle from 10th to 15th July
World Environment Day Movie
The Arid Lands Environment Centre is hosting a film night at The Lane on World Environment Day, Thursday 5th June.
The film, The Future of Food will start at 8pm and will be followed by DJ's
Cost is $5/$10
Wear warm clothes
The film, The Future of Food will start at 8pm and will be followed by DJ's
Cost is $5/$10
Wear warm clothes
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