tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-354803222024-02-21T11:08:33.727+10:00Convenient SolutionsSimple actions to help tackle the <i>inconvenient truth</i> that is climate change.davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.comBlogger1120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-64315562257673164292023-10-14T07:26:00.002+10:002023-10-14T07:26:29.788+10:00EV Subsidy for Second-hand Electric Vehicles<p>Have I mentioned GoodCar before? This company imports second-hand electric vehicles from Japan to Australia, so that we have more affordable options than buying new.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodcar.co/good-car-ev-subsidy" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="600" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzeNSjyuFO0bYcXJOZx8FepuLnocsEwmKCMbl10cp-oTix9qRVgGafgJ3X8emm2JvPjaU5GT3j-dXW9yXjCATzP-sEvfbIGDIibkXYnGpahkosMoEOyyX-hpbbrbro_jYrw2IR50MlnLNt1l1F-O9G8ig1ByV2B6TOew2Fut_cLPUk_LOY_xEXQ/w400-h142/Goodcarsubsidy3000.gif" width="400" /></a></div></div><br />This month they have launched their own <a href="https://www.goodcar.co/good-car-ev-subsidy" target="_blank"><b>GoodCar $3,000 EV subsidy</b></a>, which can be subtracted from their already-low prices. <p></p><p>As I write this, their cheapest EV is $19,000, is in 5-star condition, and has just 13,000 kms on it. <a href="https://marketplace.goodcar.co/cars" target="_blank"><b>Check out their range</b></a>.</p><p>Combined with the running-cost savings of thousands of dollars year after year, switching to an electric vehicle has become a very viable option. GoodCar say charging an electric car is like filling your tank for $10. (<a href="https://www.goodcar.co/ev-cost-savings-calculator" target="_blank"><b>Calculate your savings here</b></a>)</p><p>The subsidy runs out on 20 October 2023.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Want the subsidy to be ongoing? Sign the petition</h3><p>Goodcar are funding this subsidy out of their own pocket, and believe government's should help everyday Australians purchase second-hand electric cars - not just wealthier Australians get brand-new ones. If you agree, why not <a href="https://www.goodcar.co/sign-the-petition-for-more-access-to-all" target="_blank"><b>sign their petition</b></a>.</p>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-22269565335732358822022-11-24T07:54:00.002+10:002022-11-24T08:02:27.980+10:00Carbon World Cup<p>How will Australia go in this year's World Cup? That's the big sporting question in Australia at the moment. Other teams in Australia's group are France, Denmark and Tunisia. Statistically, Australia should probably lose all three games.</p><p>If the game was carbon pollution, Australia would be the highest scorer by far. Our nation out-pollutes Denmark by 3 to 1, France 4 to 1 and Tunisia 6 to 1. Those scores would be great in soccer, but in climate change they are terrible for Australia - and for the world.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0RUrEwZe19KrSrTkfk2J7XtMkF5Ytz4f5l8-Khf1j3Cg1rS0hpjMXZbHtEPlXEvtdlaMRdXhi9aXbhCBqjG4pLbgfinCquln_WumjwsGSALzz235T71wj1BhTgwIvMI8epr6Z66uA6OyFLwYfQVDgC-xOPzOH_4nsMI8CWwXGSU9kwn80_M/s414/socceremissions.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="414" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0RUrEwZe19KrSrTkfk2J7XtMkF5Ytz4f5l8-Khf1j3Cg1rS0hpjMXZbHtEPlXEvtdlaMRdXhi9aXbhCBqjG4pLbgfinCquln_WumjwsGSALzz235T71wj1BhTgwIvMI8epr6Z66uA6OyFLwYfQVDgC-xOPzOH_4nsMI8CWwXGSU9kwn80_M/s320/socceremissions.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />In fact in the hole tournament, the only country that could match us would be host nation Qatar. That's the level Australia is at. As a nation we've got a lot of improving to do - and I don't mean in soccer.<p></p><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_greenhouse_gas_emissions_per_person" target="_blank"><b>See how your nation compares</b></a></div>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-63507997467834931512022-06-28T13:35:00.000+10:002022-06-28T13:35:45.825+10:00What's with these power price rises?<p>There's been a lot of talk about power price rises here in Australia. So what's causing it?</p><p>Short answer: Old coal-fired power stations that keep breaking down.</p><p>In detailed terms, here's a chart from finance reporter Elysse Morgan, showing the power output of AGL's coal-fired power stations over the last month or so.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgek5lGTom1olInaNJ5xdxFnc4ZpwFzNqnReFtHWennhenz8m0vAWWVyJ6muaLNXRBnZedhgjDbgCIAmu7ID_OtDAgXOr8ebG8ZuHOey4RrjKbsUDs_OcYWSRpWJY-8VA9mC0mJGHOI6sdOAIZ3bVjy1jMzH8OvyjaTDLG9stw1mqRYxVWTHeE/s590/poweroutput.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="590" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgek5lGTom1olInaNJ5xdxFnc4ZpwFzNqnReFtHWennhenz8m0vAWWVyJ6muaLNXRBnZedhgjDbgCIAmu7ID_OtDAgXOr8ebG8ZuHOey4RrjKbsUDs_OcYWSRpWJY-8VA9mC0mJGHOI6sdOAIZ3bVjy1jMzH8OvyjaTDLG9stw1mqRYxVWTHeE/w400-h226/poweroutput.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>The purple line at the top is what they would normally be producing - if the stations were all functional, and not having "unplanned outages". The difference is around a million homes.</p><p>Of course the electricity grid normally makes up for this shortfall by having gas-fired power stations operate as a backup. But this is quite expensive. Perhaps because the shortage is so large. Perhaps because the gas price (globally) is so high at the moment. Perhaps a combination of the two.</p><p>The result is that energy costs more, as shown in this graph of energy prices in the states of Queensland (QLD) and Victoria (VIC).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f35MzIoqHnTpO7qWC_9LkQH3nBmT22ZlXGEZ6lOaz1T-37gBTpr7gq7JbWzf4KVeUNdV2ox0x8LEE3QejrYrq0L4zyD8wk2LLbNak72oSKzU47-bSDgw2jsL2F9G220aRCeld4tZcMP7i-Fg5rfmTNXjsIw3GoTLT5uW3acOzj0h81S8FhU/s566/energycosts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="566" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f35MzIoqHnTpO7qWC_9LkQH3nBmT22ZlXGEZ6lOaz1T-37gBTpr7gq7JbWzf4KVeUNdV2ox0x8LEE3QejrYrq0L4zyD8wk2LLbNak72oSKzU47-bSDgw2jsL2F9G220aRCeld4tZcMP7i-Fg5rfmTNXjsIw3GoTLT5uW3acOzj0h81S8FhU/w400-h248/energycosts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Elysse Morgan points out that Western Australia (WA), as a gas-exporting state, requires companies to provide gas for WA first (at a fixed price).</p><p>As a sidenote she also points out that renewables like wind and solar also have a stable and low per-unit cost - as the power source is free.</p><p>Ah, if only we'd built more of that earlier. </p>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-59077400778171125782022-01-22T15:57:00.013+10:002022-01-22T16:40:58.512+10:00Wasn't 2020 bad enough? (without breaking climate records too)2020 will be remembered for different things - but it was also yet another stinker of a year from a <a href="https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/202013"><b>climate perspective</b></a>.<div><br /></div><div>2020 was the second hottest year on record - just 0.02 degrees Celsius behind 2016's record. That's virtually a dead heat. In Europe and Asia 2020 actually was the warmest year on record.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/202013" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="734" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLIjKn5773cCMryuyfe4xorLf6kq02gR4Nr0Lh3zb7O8EuwJkdGzwzAKFVYT36CxyYCalk5I_8Go6PAGEGRC3mOVAZfVGGz9qqdFdgtZhOElnUoCsyPz3QtlQlaGgZRI-TVOlE_qnMtXQkM4JjVzxSe4w34BYY-HkkWkTICclAAK9VYkWQJeQ=w400-h218" width="400" /></a></div></div><div>This is a bit worrying considering that in weather terms it's a La Nina year - meaning that it's cooler than we would otherwise expect.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the bigger picture, the last seven years (2014 - 2020) are the seven hottest since records began (in 1880).</div><div><br /></div><div>The ten hottest years have all occurred since 2005.</div><div><br /></div><div>More worrying still is that many people I know weren't even born the last time we had a regular-temperature year.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Further fascinating graphs</h3><div>I've done a number of these posts over the years - and it's scary how each record-breaking change in climate change is surpassed by another (as you can see on the above graph). Here are my posts for the years <a href="https://convenientsolutions.blogspot.com/2010/01/2009-in-australia.html" style="font-weight: bold;">2009</a>, <a href="https://convenientsolutions.blogspot.com/2011/01/2010-hottest-year-so-far.html" style="font-weight: bold;">2010</a>, <b><a href="https://convenientsolutions.blogspot.com/2014/01/australias-hottest-ever-year.html">2013</a></b>, <b><a href="https://convenientsolutions.blogspot.com/2015/01/2014-hottest-year-on-record.html">2014</a></b> and <a href="https://convenientsolutions.blogspot.com/2018/03/an-unprecedented-5-years.html"><b>2017</b></a>.</div>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-19695072487481720202022-01-05T14:41:00.003+10:002022-01-05T14:41:59.249+10:003 million Aussie solar homesAustralia has now passed the amazing milestone of <b><a href="https://reneweconomy.com.au/transformational-australia-passes-3-million-mark-for-rooftop-solar-systems/">3 million solar homes</a></b>. Even in 2020, around 370,000 homes got solar.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://reneweconomy.com.au/transformational-australia-passes-3-million-mark-for-rooftop-solar-systems/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="728" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9DPhBC2xdGYqpsAQ_F_EFcAKc_QI1HL0qYspGovS0Ykr9y1k7QtKkaHkqMhbDUsjTH4bxgTPekro0nhn7Ys4a01O0IBKXRtwIbjgTnEcPeVREIBurr8j0E0tVH-T2MhDZdGC2tK19hkyGDDni92IMw7IMoaUVPpiJzzQsZ-YDmEND0pcXnK0=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />It seems like only yesterday that I was writing a post about Australia reaching <b><a href="http://convenientsolutions.blogspot.com/2013/04/900-million-dollars-year.html">1 million homes</a></b>.</div>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-9289411947180645932021-08-11T12:12:00.004+10:002021-08-11T19:58:41.330+10:00Alan Kohler and climate change<p>Usually the finance guy on the news shows charts of interest rates, inflation, company performance and sharemarket movements. So it was a little bit surprising to see this last night.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-85vEOM8Agjs/YRMtch7tlJI/AAAAAAAAIhY/TDuXu5gLRFcIvhx8p-4h-UKpnx8I99TiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/alankohlerglobalwarming.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="600" height="243" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-85vEOM8Agjs/YRMtch7tlJI/AAAAAAAAIhY/TDuXu5gLRFcIvhx8p-4h-UKpnx8I99TiQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h243/alankohlerglobalwarming.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />It comes from the latest IPCC report. You can read more about that <b><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-09/coal-climate-change-global-warming-ipcc-report-released/100355952" target="_blank">here</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-10/coal-climate-change-covered-in-ipcc-reports-key-questions/100355954" target="_blank">here</a></b>. But the basics are that we are likely to exceed 1.5 degrees of warming (considered the upper limit of what would be a "viable" society) by 2030.<p></p><p>For Australia this means "fires are projected to get worse and more frequent, and fire seasons will last longer. In eastern Australia, if warming exceeds 2C, then droughts are projected to increase. Across southern Australia drought has already increased, and projections suggest that will worsen."</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">So why is this on the finance report?</h3><p>I did some digging and finance journalist Alan Kohler has doing a fair bit of research in this area.</p><p>He wrote an article about <a href="https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2021/02/08/alan-kohler-electric-vehicles/" target="_blank"><b>Australian businesses</b></a> that are taking advantage of the move to electric vehicles, and the massive drop in the cost of renewable energy.</p><p>He's also written an article titled <a href="https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2021/02/25/alan-kohler-solar-coal/" target="_blank"><b>Australia's solar tsunami to trigger coal collapse</b></a> - explaining how inflexible coal-fired power stations are on the brink of being unprofitable and closing. That's another business story, similar to the way Netflix made Blockbuster unviable.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Business is about managing risks</h3><p>More recently Alan Kohler has written about <b><a href="https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2021/07/19/climate-change-panic-alan-kohler/" target="_blank">how Australia manages risk</a></b>. When a vaccine has a 0.0011% chance of a side effect we take steps to avoid that risk. But when a country faces a risk (climate change) that is hundreds of times more likely we seem to do nothing.</p><p>He says that a <i>"4 degree rise in the average global temperature would make large parts of the planet uninhabitable and lead to the total collapse of the banking system."</i></p><p>Even if we avoid that, a mere 2 degrees of warming (which is still quite likely) would mean <i>"the banking system barely survives"</i>.</p><p>It seems that climate change information should be very important to the finance community. And all of us.</p><p>PS. Zooming in on that graph (and the current steep slope) it looks like we need to get serious about putting the brakes on pretty soon - if we're going to have any chance of keeping under 1.5 or even 2 degrees.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GuP4G1_2yN0/YRMt_R8gouI/AAAAAAAAIhg/ufxoB0aUro0IcB03wTq6uZek0FP5ZU-TACLcBGAsYHQ/s596/alankohlerglobalwarming2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="596" height="321" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GuP4G1_2yN0/YRMt_R8gouI/AAAAAAAAIhg/ufxoB0aUro0IcB03wTq6uZek0FP5ZU-TACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h321/alankohlerglobalwarming2.png" width="400" /></a></div>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-10132658473874265972021-04-27T15:28:00.001+10:002021-04-27T16:05:22.134+10:00Greener Vehicle Use<p>I was recently clearing out some paperwork and found this little list of tips for greener vehicle use. I'm assuming it they came from a seminar of some sort.</p><p>Anyway here they are, with my comments in brackets:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Minimise vehicle use </li><li>Do multiple errands on one trip</li><li>Utilise nearby shops (as opposed to distant ones)</li><li>Avoid peak hour wherever possible (so much petrol consumed going at walking pace or standing still - fortunately electric cars are far better in this aspect)</li><li>Drive in high gear at about 1500-2500 rpm</li><li>Drive smoothly and avoid unnecessary acceleration</li><li>Minimise fuel wasted in idling</li><li>Speed kills (not just lives but petrol too) - a journey uses 5% more fuel if travelled 110kmh compared to 90km/h</li><li>Minimise drag - roof racks, spoilers, open windows can increase fuel consumption by 20%</li><li>Inflate tyres - also gives longer life and better handling</li><li>Air conditioning uses 10% extra fuel, but if you're travelling faster then 80km/h then it's better than leaving the windows open</li><li>Travel light (having the bag of golf clubs permanently in the boot weighs you down)</li><li>Service regularly</li></ul><p></p><p>Hope that help you reduce your fuel bills and your emissions.</p><p>Of course, the biggest and maybe simplest thing you can do is (next time you get a new car) choose one with low fuel consumption. The <a href="http://greenvehicleguide.gov.au/" target="_blank"><b>Green Vehicle Guide</b></a> is the place to go to compare cars available in Australia.</p>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-10222305522133624022020-09-16T14:09:00.003+10:002020-09-16T14:09:59.160+10:00The Future We Choose<p>The Future We Choose is unique in its format. Near the beginning the authors describe two worlds - one in which take no climate action and the other where we do everything right. It's a stark difference and if that's all that this book brought I would have been happy with that. But there's more.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M9gWC95fVCE/X2GP69m-kfI/AAAAAAAAIVU/7X4e5A6zvrAeak5qt6rSMleRSQcTI-ywQCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/TheFutureWeChoose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M9gWC95fVCE/X2GP69m-kfI/AAAAAAAAIVU/7X4e5A6zvrAeak5qt6rSMleRSQcTI-ywQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/TheFutureWeChoose.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>There's a few chapters on mindset - often so much of how we respond is due to the way we think. Then there's a section on actions. But not the normal type of actions.</p><p>Often in books on climate change the list of actions will include things like turning off appliances when not using them, changing light bulbs, and using reusable shopping bags. Those are all good things, and are should be done. But there's more.</p><p>This book goes a bit deeper with the actions. Some are psychological - let go of the old world, face your grief. Others are about who we are - seeing ourselves as citizens not consumers engaging in politics. Others are practical actions - reforesting the earth, and investing in a clean economy.</p><p>Overall it's a great read - and helpful way to overcome the overwhelm and focus our attitudes and actions to make a difference.</p>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-67751274330317929232019-11-29T18:30:00.000+10:002019-12-04T16:34:13.091+10:00State of Play: who's winning the clean energy raceIn the absence of meaningful action at a federal level, it's mostly up to Australian states to do the heavy lifting in the renewable energy area.<br />
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Here's the <a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/states-renewables-2019/">Climate Council's assessment</a> of how those states are going.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/states-renewables-2019/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4cO2zXbLVDU/XedQzvTzynI/AAAAAAAAILc/kDaOMIzO0C4IIewBvqYKfXo2kOPzvnI5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/staterace2019.jpg" width="400" height="280" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="350" /></a></div><h3>Leaders</h3>Since <b><a href="https://convenientsolutions.blogspot.com/2018/11/renewable-energy-whos-winning-and-how.html">last year's list</a></b>, South Australia has leapt to to the top of the list with most of their power coming from renewables and a 100% target for 2030.<br />
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The Australian Capital Territory has also overtaken Tasmania and looks set to hit 100% renewable energy in the new year.<br />
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<h3>At the other end</h3>It's not just the time zones that sees Western Australian behind the other states. They've moved from last to second last place with an "aspirational" net-zero emissions target by 2050. That's nice but not much. I guess that's why they're still "at the starting blocks".<br />
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<h3>Here at home</h3>My home state of Queensland wins the "most improved" with lots of solar being installed over the past year, but still not enough to reach the 2030 target of 50% renewable energy.<br />
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It's bizarre that the "sunshine state" has just 8.8% renewable energy (including hydropower) and only 5.6% from solar and wind.<br />
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Here's how each state does on renewable energy (light blue) and solar and win energy (darker shaded area).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/states-renewables-2019/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7KoIjzQp3Gg/XedRuo6ZG1I/AAAAAAAAILk/cgo0Xsq6nRcDTuWi_xWrOxH4H1C4-xOLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/statere2019.jpg" width="400" height="262" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="328" /></a></div><br />
Download the <b><a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/states-renewables-2019/">full report</a></b> from the Climate Council. davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-56656378301786509712019-11-19T18:03:00.001+10:002019-11-19T18:03:37.760+10:00Fires and how to ignore them: a politician's guideEven if you're reading this outside Australia, you've probably heard about the enormous areas of bushfire through Eastern Australia.<br />
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<h3>Climate change and fires</h3>Clearly this is related to climate change. This map shows the changes in forest fire danger over the last four decades.<br />
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Brown represents more danger, blue less. The more intense the colour bigger the change.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/state-of-the-climate/index.shtml" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS30F3x6TkS2zQ_X5cCV6amGq4PZqeLCOsSjZcXPmmZpWZ3zpirihn4caORkEOoen7sHta0IMcIaBrwv6Bdiu5XHiaavzT0g14nKvuLGOl_UKIjURNCd5OI4M8QKmWWABFCaua/s400/forestfiredangerindex.png" width="400" height="289" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="361" /></a></div><br />
<h3>Something to talk about?</h3>But leaders don't want to talk about it. You'd think leaders would be keen to address something that threatens the citizens. But apparently not.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/cartoon/2019/11/16/15738228009064" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNbejH12UwU/XdOba-9Ca1I/AAAAAAAAIK4/FwyfRK7BzCMK6jmW8USOCZdpCUoqq3uFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/cartooncaveman.jpg" width="400" height="310" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="388" /></a></div><br />
They didn't want to talk about it <b><a href="https://convenientsolutions.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-bully-with-brick.html">in 2013</a></b> - or during any bushfire since - or on any other day. I think that's what prompts cartoons like this.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/davpope/status/1193779660934402048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-75B987ihH4s/XdOa9Sr6myI/AAAAAAAAIKs/IXTHZhgs67km9CjG2A_6VOBFPbV6bRbmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/climatechangelevel.jpg" width="400" height="366" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="458" /></a></div><br />
<h3>Not Today</h3>My favourite bit of satire was this video by Mark Humphries and Jan Fran. (Aussies, look out for a clever cameo part way through the video)<br />
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<iframe width="500" height="271" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g3HlSybEmuY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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<h3>News (satire) headlines</h3>Some of my favourite satirical headlines are:<br />
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<ul><li><a href="http://www.theshovel.com.au/2019/11/12/government-says-its-inappropriate-to-talk-about-global-warming-when-its-so-damn-hot/?fbclid=IwAR3mxxAxU1LhakLGsDgQwOaFETf7ODXCT5nbWFZti83W0qTm3o3NwY_uRnM">Government Says It’s Inappropriate To Talk About Global Warming When It’s So Damn Hot</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.theshovel.com.au/2019/11/10/morrison-provides-boost-to-struggling-fire-departments-two-million-thoughts-prayers/?fbclid=IwAR2MfDhvXhSxm3e8n5uhLCzvkwFNSF9l6gdGl0G07C91eK638FRNwqqXM1c">PM Provides Boost To Struggling Fire Departments, Committing An Extra Two Million Thoughts & Prayers Per Year</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.betootaadvocate.com/breaking-news/now-is-not-the-time-to-discuss-how-we-ignored-decades-of-warnings-that-this-would-happen/">“Now Is Not The Time To Discuss How We Ignored Decades Of Warnings That This Would Happen”</a></li></ul><br />
<h3>Why the laughs?</h3>Aside from the map (Bureau of Meteorology) I've focussed a bit on the humour and satire side of this. It's mainly a situation where one has to laugh or one would cry (or get really frustrated).<br />
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It's simply astounding that governments not only have no interest in solving the problem, but also no interest in even discussing what is killing people and destroying homes.<br />
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This month it's bushfires. For ages it's been drought. Later it will be another climate-change-assisted disaster. The reaction seems to stay the same. :(davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-16605700251026514592019-10-31T16:48:00.000+10:002019-10-31T18:43:02.069+10:00Clean energy, cheap pricesLast night, Alan Kohler summed it up on ABC News:<br />
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<blockquote><b><i>Electricity prices are falling because of all the renewable energy being built.</i></b></blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Luj1Nd_aCi0/XbqCOX9QaSI/AAAAAAAAIJk/SqAh6adycUc58q0E80LnnOtswc0zNyQ8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/electricitydown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Luj1Nd_aCi0/XbqCOX9QaSI/AAAAAAAAIJk/SqAh6adycUc58q0E80LnnOtswc0zNyQ8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/electricitydown.jpg" width="400" height="224" data-original-width="934" data-original-height="524" /></a></div><br />
It's common economic knowledge that when you increase supply of a product, the price goes down. But for some reason politicians continue to pretend it's the environment versus the economy. It's not.<br />
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If we build more clean energy, prices keep coming down and everyone can pay less for power. Sounds like a convenient solution!<br />
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<h3>Related posts</h3><br />
<b><a href="https://convenientsolutions.blogspot.com/2019/04/powershop-its-great-choice.html">Powershop - switch and save</a></b> - see how you can save by switching to a renewable-friendly electricity provider.<br />
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<a href="https://convenientsolutions.blogspot.com/2017/02/are-there-jobs-in-renewable-energy.html"><b>Are there jobs in renewable energy?</b></a> - here's another way clean energy helps our economy.davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-10441966780839567552019-09-20T19:56:00.000+10:002019-09-21T10:31:42.420+10:00Brisbane's 20 best signs (Global Climate March)Today is a <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-20/school-strike-for-climate-draws-thousands-to-australian-rallies/11531612">global climate "strike"</a>. Around the world people are gathering to support (perhaps even insist) on climate action.<br />
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<h3>The park was packed</h3>In Brisbane today's event was the biggest the city has seen. So much so that the park could not hold all the people. Fortunately, the street had already been blocked off. People stood on the road and on the footpaths of adjacent blocks.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--mXHq3HkWVI/XYSWTjVRMEI/AAAAAAAAIEM/30A3jvYFA7kl77CFI7Rq0WQzmpWEGaFvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/parkpanorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--mXHq3HkWVI/XYSWTjVRMEI/AAAAAAAAIEM/30A3jvYFA7kl77CFI7Rq0WQzmpWEGaFvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/parkpanorama.jpg" width="400" height="70" data-original-width="1000" data-original-height="175" /></a></div><br />
<h3>Let's get to the signs</h3>I've always been a fan of people's creative signs for these events. Here are some of Brisbane's best.<br />
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<h3>Kids</h3>With this being the last day of school term, there were lots of kids there (with their parent's permission) and a number of signs were about that.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qpr3ZtgEaiQ/XYSXsqhZipI/AAAAAAAAIFI/EOJoMSonE3YwdkJHxbQHjhA6Emz5pXncgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qpr3ZtgEaiQ/XYSXsqhZipI/AAAAAAAAIFI/EOJoMSonE3YwdkJHxbQHjhA6Emz5pXncgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign25.jpg" width="400" height="394" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="492" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW2BVovfmF8YoF4zDkbs5X2z4crUfALE4MhHDLHwMn4cz3xFrV5lwgPAfTYWjkge2WUeG-_c7MAwk0Vmf3HpZH_GWj6PFiWsdTGs5mXrnw94XB_7i4N290NZdjRmmi2RzJ4pF/s1600/sign24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW2BVovfmF8YoF4zDkbs5X2z4crUfALE4MhHDLHwMn4cz3xFrV5lwgPAfTYWjkge2WUeG-_c7MAwk0Vmf3HpZH_GWj6PFiWsdTGs5mXrnw94XB_7i4N290NZdjRmmi2RzJ4pF/s400/sign24.jpg" width="386" height="400" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="518" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-btQ0JHgpCtY/XYSXslacMtI/AAAAAAAAIFM/k5XWGLcoC7QoC7q_sNPHYD4GqGPsig9XQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-btQ0JHgpCtY/XYSXslacMtI/AAAAAAAAIFM/k5XWGLcoC7QoC7q_sNPHYD4GqGPsig9XQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign6.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="667" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vTiKfdUIycA/XYSXrV0CQmI/AAAAAAAAIE8/yF2cZMAQwT8PW-T4eKvFG7xjxDohN2dVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vTiKfdUIycA/XYSXrV0CQmI/AAAAAAAAIE8/yF2cZMAQwT8PW-T4eKvFG7xjxDohN2dVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign2.jpg" width="400" height="156" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="195" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SC6Xa16CeTQ/XYSXtLGVS6I/AAAAAAAAIFQ/c9Z9Xz7Uf34Wj1aOzdYuNmgNWDcQkoVJACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SC6Xa16CeTQ/XYSXtLGVS6I/AAAAAAAAIFQ/c9Z9Xz7Uf34Wj1aOzdYuNmgNWDcQkoVJACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign8.jpg" width="400" height="379" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="474" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8-e_IV9Dneg/XYSXrYLym9I/AAAAAAAAIFA/b71qWeQ0beUammHeWoIEqSP9TCHewlM0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8-e_IV9Dneg/XYSXrYLym9I/AAAAAAAAIFA/b71qWeQ0beUammHeWoIEqSP9TCHewlM0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign12.jpg" width="368" height="400" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="543" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAPEJw27aLTcZlxeKarQqYX3PsKfc-rPODhKFIQGb2Kkzf4dqiHTxjDzzLJjmaR1KYJOCWRvp5Vsu6knkeg7Jm-l7HGUpSiQCShMzxd5Vm91GnF7hlKn_-3oagDN4x_dA9lPa/s1600/sign18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAPEJw27aLTcZlxeKarQqYX3PsKfc-rPODhKFIQGb2Kkzf4dqiHTxjDzzLJjmaR1KYJOCWRvp5Vsu6knkeg7Jm-l7HGUpSiQCShMzxd5Vm91GnF7hlKn_-3oagDN4x_dA9lPa/s400/sign18.jpg" width="326" height="400" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="614" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bMtlTI-yY3Y/XYSefmTRcpI/AAAAAAAAIH0/jhaRgti-zgMIuhXY09l_-FL-FfJle6XkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bMtlTI-yY3Y/XYSefmTRcpI/AAAAAAAAIH0/jhaRgti-zgMIuhXY09l_-FL-FfJle6XkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign28.jpg" width="364" height="400" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="549" /></a></div><br />
Some signs featured the Dr Seuss character The Lorax.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dlq-lr3uvBE/XYSZm0krLJI/AAAAAAAAIFo/9BFtAJEc10YOJK2wdkwyzQVyBxfC1Er4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dlq-lr3uvBE/XYSZm0krLJI/AAAAAAAAIFo/9BFtAJEc10YOJK2wdkwyzQVyBxfC1Er4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign13.jpg" width="400" height="336" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H99KGeGK_E8/XYSZq3mI08I/AAAAAAAAIFs/fZDMsL1y2RgfTgMKxx0Abb_TWd0NqvDgACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H99KGeGK_E8/XYSZq3mI08I/AAAAAAAAIFs/fZDMsL1y2RgfTgMKxx0Abb_TWd0NqvDgACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign10.jpg" width="400" height="273" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="341" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jhFg8u30wD4/XYSZq7_oHsI/AAAAAAAAIFw/OD8sJ5QqPI0uMbxHAup837vnN1MacltwACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jhFg8u30wD4/XYSZq7_oHsI/AAAAAAAAIFw/OD8sJ5QqPI0uMbxHAup837vnN1MacltwACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign11.jpg" width="400" height="249" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="311" /></a></div><br />
<h3>Grandparents</h3>Old people showed up for their kids grandkids ... and great grandkids.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1WgyVec1wHc/XYSbKOHDDII/AAAAAAAAIGI/AHO44JlGpr0C78h2m-SCQBh-6jyrI7IzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1WgyVec1wHc/XYSbKOHDDII/AAAAAAAAIGI/AHO44JlGpr0C78h2m-SCQBh-6jyrI7IzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign23.jpg" width="400" height="382" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D-bW5cMh1_s/XYSbKEDFbXI/AAAAAAAAIGE/BjUG5U7_a04CgGJ20-IYw8gvcvOk8mOmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D-bW5cMh1_s/XYSbKEDFbXI/AAAAAAAAIGE/BjUG5U7_a04CgGJ20-IYw8gvcvOk8mOmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign26.jpg" width="400" height="288" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="360" /></a></div><br />
<h3>Positive encouragement</h3><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YqMe3qlU5iE/XYScHy059pI/AAAAAAAAIGY/rcthj-l1YB4mCeb9dXN0nuW2p8XbCnhygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YqMe3qlU5iE/XYScHy059pI/AAAAAAAAIGY/rcthj-l1YB4mCeb9dXN0nuW2p8XbCnhygCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign1.jpg" width="400" height="210" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JXDcdvio1AM/XYScIBIBpwI/AAAAAAAAIGc/_ECTii9p0K8iP8mAsAcZZQZNbkILKYgGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JXDcdvio1AM/XYScIBIBpwI/AAAAAAAAIGc/_ECTii9p0K8iP8mAsAcZZQZNbkILKYgGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign3.jpg" width="391" height="400" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-og6_hkvO6YE/XYScIOdZZmI/AAAAAAAAIGg/5MiVkuqTkQgKh5Voyn_2ihgeA4X7Sm-oQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-og6_hkvO6YE/XYScIOdZZmI/AAAAAAAAIGg/5MiVkuqTkQgKh5Voyn_2ihgeA4X7Sm-oQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign5.jpg" width="384" height="400" data-original-width="520" data-original-height="542" /></a></div><br />
<h3>Witty Signs</h3>Some signs were quite clever, like this one from a university staff member (presumably the health faculty):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PhsfGDgQwRc/XYScj-9dV5I/AAAAAAAAIG4/ZL6kCvx9URELNNoNsGRcKBeW_rN8qa9DQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PhsfGDgQwRc/XYScj-9dV5I/AAAAAAAAIG4/ZL6kCvx9URELNNoNsGRcKBeW_rN8qa9DQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign19.jpg" width="357" height="400" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="561" /></a></div><br />
This one starts by saying "I like my planet the way I like my men..."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqA3vxEl2mRfCHO8K5BOhTVd9v89eW1hSX206uqaruLs-7NiKqpA6Uz9e8OAyOCvvme3wwQ9NyLtoZQ3uN1-6RlSLHHiFYwP5f4eUMmB3oohv5phD_1a-Jf6a3NhlRL1Dvbwf/s1600/sign22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqA3vxEl2mRfCHO8K5BOhTVd9v89eW1hSX206uqaruLs-7NiKqpA6Uz9e8OAyOCvvme3wwQ9NyLtoZQ3uN1-6RlSLHHiFYwP5f4eUMmB3oohv5phD_1a-Jf6a3NhlRL1Dvbwf/s400/sign22.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="375" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o8WO9YxPZpo/XYSckpb861I/AAAAAAAAIHA/uS3_S7hmXZQUlrKZTMu_Bbz1KkRX66zAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o8WO9YxPZpo/XYSckpb861I/AAAAAAAAIHA/uS3_S7hmXZQUlrKZTMu_Bbz1KkRX66zAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign27.jpg" width="365" height="400" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="548" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAFBoN8k7WWEZIhGV_Myvroqp3g4GWAlVzLXWdUW_eH7swp1mVfae_EDTWQr4caeaagsJoWpQQMozPrGrvVZzjXnPa5GhMlJ1xC4RHv_KpBs5UB9JmHR0XIXe9pBmSDiklPmD/s1600/sign16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAFBoN8k7WWEZIhGV_Myvroqp3g4GWAlVzLXWdUW_eH7swp1mVfae_EDTWQr4caeaagsJoWpQQMozPrGrvVZzjXnPa5GhMlJ1xC4RHv_KpBs5UB9JmHR0XIXe9pBmSDiklPmD/s400/sign16.jpg" width="386" height="400" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="518" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZJ26xnUZNo/XYScjdRGwvI/AAAAAAAAIG0/eGmpyWgQI6YO99IIbQ_iBDivGXMXufxIACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZJ26xnUZNo/XYScjdRGwvI/AAAAAAAAIG0/eGmpyWgQI6YO99IIbQ_iBDivGXMXufxIACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign17.jpg" width="400" height="369" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="461" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-er_1jSdPQjI/XYScjbpVSzI/AAAAAAAAIGs/wbpm2MLDhBQgylJgecgfI0L8WUjhh4JuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-er_1jSdPQjI/XYScjbpVSzI/AAAAAAAAIGs/wbpm2MLDhBQgylJgecgfI0L8WUjhh4JuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign14.jpg" width="376" height="400" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="532" /></a></div><br />
<h3>Frustration</h3>Some were just frustrated with the government's lack of action.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XqotlGbK87Q/XYSdh59tQuI/AAAAAAAAIHY/vwqKwB5kcWQCRYzf8eAbBJ16nNyJ36qUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XqotlGbK87Q/XYSdh59tQuI/AAAAAAAAIHY/vwqKwB5kcWQCRYzf8eAbBJ16nNyJ36qUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign7.jpg" width="327" height="400" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="489" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vagzTuTmSTM/XYSdh2MbxcI/AAAAAAAAIHg/IPFLaxs8WyE8b7fNXrUa4xJekmynx3IhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vagzTuTmSTM/XYSdh2MbxcI/AAAAAAAAIHg/IPFLaxs8WyE8b7fNXrUa4xJekmynx3IhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign15.jpg" width="400" height="332" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="415" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EciEjM0xVlc/XYSdhxvGybI/AAAAAAAAIHc/Wc5TOwccgg4auwka2RGHbbIXltH_VnmFACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EciEjM0xVlc/XYSdhxvGybI/AAAAAAAAIHc/Wc5TOwccgg4auwka2RGHbbIXltH_VnmFACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign21.jpg" width="400" height="375" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="469" /></a></div><br />
That last one is a reference to the current prime minister saying the schoolkids shouldn't be speaking up for the future (being "activist").<br />
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<h3>What a wonderful world</h3>Some just wanted to say what a wonderful thing the earth is.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXS-d8dthuc/XYSeTdA4gwI/AAAAAAAAIHs/7PI1jkzjuxQQDv2UGZTN53uXoCvAeUXyACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXS-d8dthuc/XYSeTdA4gwI/AAAAAAAAIHs/7PI1jkzjuxQQDv2UGZTN53uXoCvAeUXyACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign9.jpg" width="287" height="400" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="557" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xcrS9ZoMwSo/XYSeTZzvN5I/AAAAAAAAIHw/SElmnwWEN0Yc38rJWI-Zj7mHIXCP6kmDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sign20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xcrS9ZoMwSo/XYSeTZzvN5I/AAAAAAAAIHw/SElmnwWEN0Yc38rJWI-Zj7mHIXCP6kmDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sign20.jpg" width="400" height="391" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="489" /></a></div><br />
<h3>Want more?</h3>See some highlights from previous events - <a href="https://convenientsolutions.blogspot.com/2018/12/schoolkids-strike-my-favourite-photos.html">Schoolkids strikeof 2018</a> - <a href="https://convenientsolutions.blogspot.com/2015/05/i-want-some-action.html">I want some action</a> - <a href="https://convenientsolutions.blogspot.com/2011/04/rally-day.html">Scientists</a>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-31657059523179865342019-08-19T13:23:00.000+10:002019-08-19T13:26:08.524+10:00Australia sinks island hopesAt the recent Pacific Island Forum, Australia has appeared to prefer burning coal to saving lives<br />
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The leaders of the Small Island States had all agreed to a declaration for stronger action on climate change. Perhaps not surprising considering these nations' future existence is at stake. But then <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-15/no-endorsements-come-out-of-tuvalu-declaration/11419342">Australia stepped in</a>.<br />
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Instead of giving them what they need (action on climate change) Australia gave them foreign aid money. Cartoonist <a href="https://twitter.com/cathywilcox1/status/1161390487904776192">Cath Wilcox</a> illustrated how (not) useful that is.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/cathywilcox1/status/1161390487904776192" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lzFYpSVVi-4/XVoVqaR-DFI/AAAAAAAAIDE/nAyqvRPfAfYdfaROjs6TVaSkKLpVsk_PQCLcBGAs/s400/sandbags.jpg" width="400" height="266" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="333" /></a></div><br />
And even worse, it's not extra money - it's been <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-13/pif-pacific-islands-forum-tuvalu-morrison-fiji-climate-change/11406868">redirected away from other foreign aid programs</a>.so orther worthy programs no have to go without.<br />
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So basically Australia, having heard that climate is the biggest issue for all these Pacific Island nations is not giving one extra dollar and not reducing pollution by one single gram.<br />
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Back in Australia, the Deputy (and acting) Prime Minister made some <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/16/pacific-islands-will-survive-climate-crisis-because-they-can-pick-our-fruit-australias-deputy-pm-says">bizarre remarks about fruit-picking</a>, and also,<br />
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<i>“I also get a little bit annoyed when we have people in those sorts of countries pointing the finger at Australia and say we should be shutting down all our resources sector so that, you know, they will continue to survive,”</i><br />
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Two things here. First is the exaggeration/lie about what was being asked - it was only ever about coal. Second is the display of priorities where he seems to be saying that a polluting industry is more important than people's lives - that he wants to continue burning and exporting coal forever - even if it wipes out several nations along the way. Stunning.davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-56110623412841895722019-08-12T14:07:00.000+10:002019-08-16T08:54:36.274+10:00Climate Change: The Facts - by David AttenboroughIf you missed last night's ABC screening of <i>Climate Change: The Facts</i> here's <a href="https://iview.abc.net.au/show/climate-change-the-facts">the link to see it on iview</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://iview.abc.net.au/show/climate-change-the-facts" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEI7fAG6nOczdSExyI7m8NK3jNHBL1Sq04jvHxFpwB3kalM0UhNFxGCGnrGryXOsfqGZBX58sJFcKpB_nSpsbIJ_1DFL8M3bsXQm_YT4cwrz_cxKEUtTRHBiSdoYlBftfk5Pi/s400/david_attenborrough_climate_change_the_facts.jpg" alt="David Attenborough's Climate Change: The Facts" width="400" height="199" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="249" /></a></div><br />
There's an explanation of climate change, it's impacts and what we can do to reduce it. Being a David Attenborough documentary it also contains some amazing footage:<br />
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<ul><li>Australian bats <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-19/heat-wipes-out-one-third-of-flying-fox-species/10632940">littered on the ground after a heatwave</a>, (perhaps turn away at that point if you're an animal lover)</li>
<li>Dashcam footage as a father and son driving through a bushfire to escape it - only to realise that was impossible, (their escape was quite miraculous)</li>
<li>Flames coming out of ice. This was a demonstration of the quantity of ice-trapped methane in the permafrost. When this permafrost melts (due to climate change) this methane will be released and cause even more climate change. This is what's called a tipping point.</li>
</ul><br />
There's also amazing stats:<br />
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<ul><li>British heatwaves are 30 times more likely than in the 70's.</li>
<li>Greenland is losing ice at 5 times the rate that it was just 25 years ago.</li>
<li>The US state of Louisiana is losing land the size of a football field every 45 mins - due to sea level rise - and already people have had to abandon their homes.</li>
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Sometimes our tendency is to avoid change even when it's necessary. It's important to remember that the <i>"cost of action is dwarfed by the cost of inaction"</i>.<br />
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Some more David:<br />
<a href="https://convenientsolutions.blogspot.com/2016/04/david-attenboroughs-great-barrier-reef.html">David Attenborough's Great Barrier Reef</a>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-37357327358499999252019-07-29T13:16:00.001+10:002019-07-29T13:16:32.689+10:00The Earth can't keep upIf you spend your whole year's income in 7 months, that's not good. That's what we're doing to the Earth.<br />
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Today (29 July 2019) is <a href="https://www.overshootday.org/">Earth Overshoot Day</a>. That's the earliest it's ever been. Already this year we've used up a year's worth of natural resources. To put it another way, what we use in a year takes 1.7 years for the earth to regenerate.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.overshootday.org/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkwiX2ugzRI/XT5jWaNgaoI/AAAAAAAAIB0/LODAbiOIcR4ZE6IryXnEhe90nSI2SYVpgCLcBGAs/s400/12monthsgraphic.jpg" width="399" height="400" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="501" /></a></div><br />
<h3>It hasn't always been this bad</h3>In 1970 the date was at the end of the year. We were using the exact amount of resources that Earth could replenish. Yes, there's more people today, but with our advanced technology and better choices we can get our of ecological debt.<br />
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<h3>Australia hasn't improved</h3>If everyone behaved like Australians, we would need 4 Earths to sustain us. Our overshoot date is March 31 (same as last year) and is one of the worst. (Yes, the USA is still a bit worse).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.overshootday.org/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_j-tJ61ZL0g/XT5j156_q9I/AAAAAAAAIB8/R6Gzq6241HIPn8m43dFPTI1w4ceTxlW7wCLcBGAs/s400/howmany2019.jpg" width="244" height="400" data-original-width="472" data-original-height="775" /></a></div><br />
<h3>Is your country not here?</h3>See if you can find your country on <a href="https://www.overshootday.org/newsroom/country-overshoot-days/">this calendar</a>. (The later your country's overshoot date, the better).davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-37717417880022879822019-07-26T08:12:00.000+10:002019-07-26T08:14:30.712+10:00Global warming really is globalLocal ABC news doesn't normally give international weather reports but this was an exception.<br />
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Europe is going through a heatwave. England is set to record it's <a href="https://twitter.com/metoffice/status/1154022246475862019">highest temperature EVER</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/metoffice/status/1154022246475862019" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kwZVNkN4nZg/XToW8dVvSnI/AAAAAAAAIBc/cbj3UakjENA9wB0iMcoyCpyXuZmLOilfgCLcBGAs/s400/englandforecast.jpg" width="395" height="400" alt="Forecast for England's hottest ever temperature" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="506" /></a></div><br />
Here in Brisbane, Australia, July is our coldest month. This July it looks like every day of the month will reach 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit). That's happened only twice before - last year and once early in the 2000's. It never ever happened through all the 1900's.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bn5PwPhUP68/XToo-kadulI/AAAAAAAAIBo/37fvTm6iKMMa5tqVWlhKnraW6e5ybdKYgCLcBGAs/s1600/jennyweather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bn5PwPhUP68/XToo-kadulI/AAAAAAAAIBo/37fvTm6iKMMa5tqVWlhKnraW6e5ybdKYgCLcBGAs/s400/jennyweather.jpg" width="400" height="231" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="289" /></a></div><br />
Meanwhile the US has also been having heatwaves. Normally these affect the elderly quite badly, but this one claimed <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-20/former-nfl-player-dies-in-us-heatwave/11328214">32-year-old former SuperBowl player Mitch Petrus</a>.<br />
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It's one thing to see a hot or cold day in one place, but when this is happening consistently all around the world we need to take action.davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-3570154689280982332019-06-21T14:53:00.000+10:002019-06-21T14:54:47.490+10:00Coal barren - Mine vs Ours<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article/coal-barren" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46WjSY-wMII/XQxhJCGaXoI/AAAAAAAAIAI/Oy6Ug0JAIMwS2OFbzwZVNQrTF8FNGtBrQCLcBGAs/s400/minevsours.jpg" width="400" height="263" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="329" /></a></div><br />
This <a href="https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article/coal-barren">brilliant cartoon</a> highlights the inequity of coal mining and climate change in general. While there are benefits to be gained by the billionaire, or company, that pollutes - the cost of that is felt by everyone else.<br />
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It can be more frequent extreme weather events, more severe droughts, or in this case a destroyed natural wonder. In any case, a few really rich people benefit while everyone else pays the price.<br />
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Cartooning credit to the brilliant <a href="https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article/coal-barren">Fiona Katauskas</a>.davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-12334121849599271452019-06-13T16:03:00.001+10:002019-06-13T16:03:06.383+10:00Yes, Australian voters want climate actionSince the Australian election some have been worried that Australian voters seem unconcerned about climate change. However, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-15/federal-election-vote-compass-climate-change/11110912">ABC's Vote Compass</a> shows the opposite.<br />
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While not many people changed the party they vote for, they are ready for (and expect) more climate action.<br />
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<h3>How much should we do?</h3>The proportion of people saying we should do more has reached an all-time high. Also, the number of undecideds has decreased each election.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5bUL_ZThG7Q/XQHdRBeyWjI/AAAAAAAAH_c/yMfrHqCKFpQfzACjFsjDAGpVlfLay2xHwCLcBGAs/s1600/VoteCompass1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5bUL_ZThG7Q/XQHdRBeyWjI/AAAAAAAAH_c/yMfrHqCKFpQfzACjFsjDAGpVlfLay2xHwCLcBGAs/s400/VoteCompass1.png" alt="How many Australians want more action on climate change" width="400" height="178" data-original-width="478" data-original-height="213" /></a></div><br />
<h3>Cross-party support</h3>Across the four biggest parties, each party's supporters want more action rather than less. The highest are Greens (99-0) and Labor (96-0) supporters. A bit further back are Coalition supporters (59-13) and One Nation supporters (40-34).<br />
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Whilst some parties seem opposed to more action, every party's supporters think we should be doing more.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8I0Gu0piYoQ/XQHdbd9WTYI/AAAAAAAAH_g/Ge39uAgw-7sDolC0BKVu2zpSp4k34HLTACLcBGAs/s1600/VoteCompass3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8I0Gu0piYoQ/XQHdbd9WTYI/AAAAAAAAH_g/Ge39uAgw-7sDolC0BKVu2zpSp4k34HLTACLcBGAs/s400/VoteCompass3.png" alt="Which party's supporters want more action climate change? All of them." width="322" height="400" data-original-width="470" data-original-height="584" /></a></div><br />
<h3>What about policies?</h3><br />
Renewable energy is immensely popular with 86% of people saying there should be more of it.<br />
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The price on carbon emissions was abandoned by the current government. Yet still 68% of people agree with the Greens policy to bring it back.<br />
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Electric cars are also a popular idea with 72% saying that the government should do more to increase the number of electric cars in Australia.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWQFCvN5m7y4hUjB5Fxct1xOhcXmxKysKKBMuEiZ8kR6TpI3c-D4gslI3k_LOl7XFDWluWo7g6c_-eaIANKNjxO4J0aeH82hHUuvjRmATxa1AKD7FHkshyphenhyphenj6cFNSu6jnN0dlb/s1600/VoteCompass4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWQFCvN5m7y4hUjB5Fxct1xOhcXmxKysKKBMuEiZ8kR6TpI3c-D4gslI3k_LOl7XFDWluWo7g6c_-eaIANKNjxO4J0aeH82hHUuvjRmATxa1AKD7FHkshyphenhyphenj6cFNSu6jnN0dlb/s400/VoteCompass4.png" alt="What actions Australians want on climate change." width="400" height="328" data-original-width="486" data-original-height="398" /></a></div><br />
<h3>What does it mean?</h3>Despite the increasing desire for action on climate change, the votes of all the parties remained almost identical to the last election. Perhaps people are sticking with their preferred party, but expecting them to do more.<br />
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It's interesting that we seem to be in favour of policies that politicians seems less keen to introduce. Will this be something they notice and begin to act upon? Or could this possible be the effect of political donations by companies that profit from polluting?davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-70217940575473138872019-05-14T11:17:00.000+10:002019-05-17T08:05:32.000+10:00Zero waste election day?Sometimes elections can seem like a high-waste event. Here are some tips to minimise the environmental impact of the day.<br />
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<h3>Why the flyers?</h3>The info on the flyers is important in a federal election. The Senate is a crucial part of our democracy and for a Senate vote to be valid we need to number at least 6 parties in our order of preference.<br />
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<h3>Who are these people?</h3>There are so many parties on the Senate ballot paper. Many have ambiguous or strange names, so it's hard to know exactly who you are voting for, or giving your preferences to.<br />
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You can do your own research - the ABC has a <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2019/guide/senate">Senate Guide</a>. Click your state at the top and you'll get a page with links to all the parties that are running in your state. For example, here is the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2019/guide/senate-qld/">Queensland list</a>. [Edit: Buzzfeed also have this <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/ginarushton/single-issue-micro-parties-election-2019">informative (and humourous) guide</a>.]<br />
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But with 25-30 parties running in most states, many people find that too hard and opt to follow their favourite party's how-to-vote card.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-13/proposal-to-restrict-distribution-of-how-to-vote-cards/8114960" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2bgBhZqu0c4/XNoDdkUEceI/AAAAAAAAH-U/EzdtXVxjkGIEzrC5n3lSE9zw87aKH_QEgCLcBGAs/s400/volunteer.jpg" width="400" height="235" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="352" /></a></div><br />
<h3>What can we do</h3>While the papers are important we can still minimise our impact - and the impact of others. Depending on your enthusiasm, here are several levels of waste reduction you can do.<br />
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<h4>Level 1</h4>Only take flyers from candidates or parties that you are interested in. I see people take flyers from every party. I guess it seems polite but it's just a waste.<br />
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<h4>Level 2</h4>Put any flyers you take in the recycle bin supplied at the booth, or at home.<br />
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<h4>Level 3</h4>Take care of the flyer(s) you take so it's in good condition to return it to the volunteers. They can use it again.<br />
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<h4>Level 4</h4>After voting, casually take a bunch of used flyers out of the recycle bin at the booth and return them to the volunteers for reuse. The more leftovers they have at the end of the day, the more confident they can be in printing fewer copies next time.<br />
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<h3>Going online</h3>Parties are starting to put this information online. The <a href="https://vote.greens.org.au">Greens one</a> is the most user-friendly. Labor <a href="https://localvotinginfo.org.au/">also do it</a>, but it seems to require a fair bit of personal information to be entered.<br />
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The Liberal party one is <a href="https://www.liberal.org.au/how-to-vote">semi-functional</a>. It's hard to tell what parties it suggests to preference. The names of other parties are either removed or too small to read (at least on my screen). I'm hoping this is poor design rather than a deliberate attempt to hide the identity of the party they suggest you give your preferences to.<br />
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Again the ABC provides a great resource of all the how-to-vote cards for each state. Here's the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2019/guide/senate-qld-htv/">Queensland list</a>. For other states click your state at the top of the page. It's handy to see them because each party's suggested preferences give you an idea of what they stand for.<br />
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<h3>Take heart</h3>The sight of all this paper can be disturbing to the eco-minded. Bear in mind that good parties are now printing on recycled material and most of the paper is recycled afterwards.<br />
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Whilst they are very visible, federal elections are only once every three years. The stuff that happens every day of the year (and often out-of-sight) adds up to a far bigger impact than election day. Once the election is over let's get back to fixing those issues.<br />
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Try to walk or cycle to the polling booth. It avoids parking problems and positive environmental impact is even greater than what you do regarding flyers.davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-11882264870383025112019-05-13T18:07:00.000+10:002019-05-13T18:07:07.849+10:00See the "Accelerate" documentary for freeThe "Accelerate" documentary is now available to view for free! It's just under an hour, has featured at special screenings around the country and is now online for free.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://350.org.au/watch-now-accelerate-feature-length-premiere/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZxZbktoy1Mt2-IdP3eblUHL619GXcCmnFB-T7fRtNuRlsySopwZyerMc9ehKX8bBdFN1VhoOj8xmWqxVlojr5G62v_Bc2TGy-x9z4HIstfK208a9FOe8HifqC3PQuD-1d3Oy/s400/accelerate.jpg" width="400" height="223" data-original-width="550" data-original-height="306" /></a></div><br />
The Accelerate documentary shows why we need climate action, and how collectively we can work together for a safe climate future.davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-49703020955538897642019-04-24T12:59:00.000+10:002019-05-02T08:09:16.580+10:00Powershop - switch and saveWe've recently switched our electricity provider to Powershop. I'm highly recommending it. Here are 8 reasons why it's a great choice.<br />
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<h3>Renewable energy makers</h3>Whichever electricity retailer I choose, they're going to make a profit from me. I'd prefer that profit to go to a good company. Powershop is owned by Meridian Energy, which also makes renewable energy. That's the kind of company I like to support.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://secure.powershop.com.au/r/davidw-vy4sngD?p=557" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oAACp-42dSw/XL_CqL5LrXI/AAAAAAAAH8U/npPfmNJ4P-kDsOBLQzx0oaoqnor1NGw3QCLcBGAs/s400/renewables.gif" width="400" height="179" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="268" /></a></div><br />
<h3>Greenest electricity provider</h3>The <b><a href="https://www.greenelectricityguide.org.au/" target="_blank">Green Electricity Guide</a></b> ranks electricity companies on their green credentials. This includes emissions from power stations they own, their policy positions on renewable energy and fossil fuels, their deals for solar consumers, and their promotion of energy efficiency.<br />
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Powershop tops the list every year and is one of only two companies with a 5-star rating.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.greenelectricityguide.org.au" target="_blank" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0Rw-9erHB4/XL_Ke7jKYQI/AAAAAAAAH80/TkvgRIbFE_0DsWk6ksOjpOHNK9jE3ORcQCLcBGAs/s400/PowershopGEGrating.gif" width="400" height="247" data-original-width="425" data-original-height="262" /></a></div><br />
<h3>Cheaper Electricity</h3>Electricity costs are made up of two parts - the daily 'supply charge' and the 'usage rate'. Both of these are cheaper than our previous provider. Also, their pay-on-time discount applies to both areas. Other providers generally offer their discount only on the usage charge part of the bill.<br />
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To compare to your current provider, check out <b><a href="https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/" target="_blank">energymadeeasy.gov.au</a></b>.<br />
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<h3>Extra "David-discount"</h3>You won't see much advertising for Powershop. Instead of paying for TV ads, they just give the money to customers. What a great way to do business!<br />
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If you sign up with <b><a href="https://secure.powershop.com.au/r/davidw-vy4sngD?p=557">my special link</a></b> you'll get $75 credit and so will I.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://secure.powershop.com.au/r/davidw-vy4sngD?p=557" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCppfU8-J-BUcN3_yy8EkUBzl0NOKm7cN6wMxMaa-9lstEp5OuUVgPYQBjg_CdjdZlcwkzdqq1gDeCESLFsuNP0P2U6lCb5UDBFChKmxB6HxkoNRk2b4OYW1mVF-nNcF6E_0B5/s400/bonus.png" width="400" height="117" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="175" /></a></div><br />
<h3>Top-ups</h3>Powershop also does billing better. You can top-up your credit at any time (like a prepaid phone or a public transport card). You get a discount for doing this. For example you can buy $100 credit for just $85.<br />
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<h3>Smaller bills</h3>Powershop bills monthly rather than quarterly. (Yay!) Apart from making it easier to budget for, it's also less of a shock because each bill is around one-third what you are used to paying. Powershop also lets you know a few days ahead of time, so you have a chance to double-check you have enough credit to cover the bill.<br />
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<h3>What about my solar panels?</h3>The Energy Made Easy site doesn't really cater for solar households. You might have to compare the rates to your current bill. Generally their solar rates are good (part of their great environment score). Here's the link to <a href="https://www.powershop.com.au/find-your-rates-residential/"><b>check rates for your area</b></a>.<br />
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<h3>What do other customers think?</h3>Powershop is big in Victoria (their first state). Amongst its customers there it <b><a href="https://www.canstarblue.com.au/electricity/vic-providers/" target="_blank">rates 5-stars</a></b> in most categories and out-rates the major retailers by quite a margin.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.canstarblue.com.au/electricity/vic-providers/" target="_blank" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUNeWSQNXrQ/XL_FGvsLnLI/AAAAAAAAH8o/Lw_mZ-IK_g0VGibJcpd6buUKdCg7BQwPQCLcBGAs/s400/powershop_canstar_ratings.gif" width="400" height="58" data-original-width="963" data-original-height="139" /></a></div><br />
<h3>Are there any negatives?</h3>I know of only two possible negatives. The greenpower option is slightly more expensive (at least compared to my previous provider). However, as 100% Greenpower customers we found this small extra cost was offset by Powershop's great base prices. Even with our 100% Greenpower the overall cost was practically identical. The sign-on bonus was waaay more than the tiny difference in cost. We changed mostly to support a renewable energy company with better business practice. If you're not a purchaser of Greenpower, then you should have lower cost, and a sign-on bonus.<br />
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The only other thing is that your very first bill may be based on estimated usage. Powershop bills monthly, but physical readings are only done quarterly. So your first bill may seem bit low or high. This will even out once they've done a physical reading. Or you can choose to enter your own DIY meter readings via the website.<br />
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<h3>In summary</h3>If you're looking for the cheapest deal, Powershop's a great choice.<br />
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If you're looking for the greenest electricity company, Powershop's a great choice.<br />
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If you'd like more for the solar power you export, Powershop's a great choice.<br />
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If you'd like to receive a sign-on bonus, Powershop's a great choice.<br />
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<b><a href="https://secure.powershop.com.au/r/davidw-vy4sngD?p=557">Here's my special link</a></b> to get your $75 bonus credit.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://secure.powershop.com.au/r/davidw-vy4sngD?p=557" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCppfU8-J-BUcN3_yy8EkUBzl0NOKm7cN6wMxMaa-9lstEp5OuUVgPYQBjg_CdjdZlcwkzdqq1gDeCESLFsuNP0P2U6lCb5UDBFChKmxB6HxkoNRk2b4OYW1mVF-nNcF6E_0B5/s400/bonus.png" width="400" height="117" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="175" /></a></div>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-78288934980136745832019-04-03T19:10:00.000+10:002019-04-03T19:10:51.534+10:00Climate for ChangeWhen the media and politics talk climate change there's we hear a lot about renewable energy versus coal. Fair enough, electricity does account for 34% of our country's emissions.<br />
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But what about the rest? ABC's <i>Four Corners</i> program did this documentary about Australia's emissions, where we are compared to the rest of the world, and what can be done to improve.<br />
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Here is my quick summary. You can also <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/climate-of-change/10959830">watch it online, or read the transcript</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/climate-of-change/10959830" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4KrL2gTBxl4/XKQcngITYbI/AAAAAAAAH6Y/k4rfSVhrqpIlzosZh7V1V34GLj8qHZlywCLcBGAs/s400/climateofchange.jpg" width="400" height="225" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="281" /></a></div><br />
<h3>Transport</h3><b>19% of emissions</b><br />
Transport emissions are growing because our population is growing and our demand for transport is increasing. Our vehicles are improving but not quickly enough to match our increased use.<br />
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We currently have no emission standard on vehicles. In the USA and Europe vehicles are more efficient and cheaper to run.<br />
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Some countries have already started phasing out petrol and diesel cars in favour of electric vehicles. Norway is the leader with 31% of new cars being electric. In Australia it's 0.2%.<br />
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Even in the UK, there are 29 affordable models of electric cars (under 60,000 AUD). Here in Australia we have 4.<br />
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<h3>Industry</h3><b>30% of emissions</b><br />
Australia is the world biggest exporter of natural gas (LNG). If the countries that buy this gas are burning it instead of coal, that's good for world emissions. But Australia's emissions are higher because of the energy used to extract, liquefy and transport it.<br />
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The industry's rate of improvement in energy use and carbon intensity is at the bottom of world standards. Why?<br />
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Australia has a 'baseline' system where big polluters are each given an emissions cap. If they exceed that cap they are penalised - at least in theory. One-third of big polluters have been allowed increase their cap. Emissions from these polluters is up 12% in the last four years.<br />
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The rules around changing the cap we changed last month. Bizarrely, they make increasing the pollution cap even easier.<br />
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<h3>Agriculture</h3><b>15% of emissions</b><br />
Agricultural emissions is usually a hard area to find reductions. There are a lot of methane emissions from livestock. However, Australia's science agency CSIRO has discovered a natural feed-additive that reduces livestock emissions to almost zero.<br />
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<h3>Electricity</h3><b>34% of emissions</b><br />
Electricity emissions are trending down as renewables replace coal and gas. Transgrid, the network operator in NSW say the last time they connected a coal power station to the grid was 1992. Wind and solar are very affordable now.<br />
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French company Neoen started in Australia in 2012, and now have built half their global capacity here. They say a long term goal is needed and that such a goal is not a burden but a certainty for investors.<br />
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At the moment 2/3 of Australia's power still comes from coal. These power stations are old and due to close. We need to start soon and do so in an orderly fashion, so that they don't all close at once.<br />
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<h3>Current Policies</h3>The current government buys carbon reductions by giving money to projects that reduce emissions. Sounds good in theory, but there are two issues.<br />
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As discussed earlier, companies are being allowed increase their pollution so this "emissions reduction fund" is not reducing emissions, just trying to make up for industry's increase.<br />
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Secondly, some projects would still occur without the government funding. So we're spending money on projects that would happen anyway.<br />
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In short we're spending money we don't have to spend and emissions aren't reducing.<br />
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<h3>International commitments</h3>So how will we meet our Paris target of a 26% reduction in emissions? The current government is looking to use "credits" from a previous time period where we met our targets.<br />
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One of the experts on the documentary said it's like failing your year 12 exams and trying to increase your mark because you got excellent results in year 8.<br />
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Also the Paris meeting was held in 2015. Next year all the nations gather again and are expected to improve their targets. The way we're going we can hardly reach the weak targets we currently have.<br />
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<h3>Conclusion</h3>Despite Australia doing so poorly at the moment, there is much hope when we see what is possible. One of the experts has the opinion that <i>"when the debate is over, the economy and people will move forward and take a lot of advantage"</i>. I'm looking forward to that.davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-52654051164696247612019-03-30T15:54:00.000+10:002019-03-30T15:54:32.971+10:00Improve the world from your toiletAn obvious everyday action we can take is to recycle - and to buy products made from recycled material. A great example is the company <a href="https://au.whogivesacrap.org/"><i>Who Gives A Crap</i></a>.<br />
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This company makes recycled toilet paper, gives free delivery (in metro Australia) and gives 50% of profits to build toilets in developing countries where people are literally dying from diarrhea etc as a result of poor sanitation.<br />
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If you haven't yet bought from Who Gives A Crap, here's a <a href="https://refer.whogivesacrap.org/by/djweddell@hotmail.com">special $10-off offer</a> (for a limited time).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://refer.whogivesacrap.org/by/djweddell@hotmail.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbblWdF7rjprmmLWyAcuNjexxCMGVjINFgnOsTZxZw23VfK5HbvomqSnweTiVeqkdX52Qvbav1zhMGTcuI7pdnkG_frY8inHidqSpCtwLiyqBxfChsjz8iovWDVX9usTFkzLCR/s400/WGACoffer.jpg" width="400" height="200" data-original-width="514" data-original-height="257" /></a></div><br />
It has no inks, dyes or scents and the packaging is zero-plastic; all cardboard and paper (easy to recycle). The rolls are also double-length rolls so you get a lot more use between roll changes.<br />
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Note that this is a special offer for new customers. Existing customers, you already know how good this is - you don't need extra enticement.<br />
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PS. In full disclosure, I also get $10 off my next purchase if you take up this offer. So it's a win for everyone - you, me, the environment and African kiddies. :)davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-60531622683476038282019-03-15T16:35:00.000+10:002019-03-15T16:35:38.583+10:00Australia's hottest summer everWe've had other hot summers but this one was at least 50% hotter than the previous record.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/angriest-summer/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YU2QiRCcJac/XItDrLLic2I/AAAAAAAAH4o/o45JA7kWHoIk0uHTpLBVbnivXT5LS_n9wCLcBGAs/s400/AustralianSummer201819.jpg" width="400" height="243" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="365" /></a></div><br />
And it's obvious where the trend is going.<br />
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The Climate Council summarised this <i><a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/angriest-summer/">Angriest Summer</a></i> with an infographic.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/angriest-summer/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8q7yMkDQJiU/XItDfnSQo8I/AAAAAAAAH4k/7CPZUPsXBjI7m1mWKL3GI3dkXmlQNPKIQCLcBGAs/s400/Angriest%2BSummer%2B201819.jpg" width="400" height="309" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="386" /></a></div><br />
In my home state, Cloncurry had 43 consecutive days over 40°C (104F). That's a state record. In South Australia, Adelaide recorded 46.6°C (116F) - it's hottest ever temperature. Port Augusta took the title for the hottest temperature of the summer, with 49.5°C (121F).<br />
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I thought Autumn might bring some cool relief but even this week there's been two days of 36°C or more (97F). In Autumn.<br />
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<a href="https://theconversation.com/2018-19-was-australias-hottest-summer-on-record-with-a-warm-autumn-likely-too-112616">Scientists are predicting a warm autumn too</a> - and that's certainly been true so far.<br />
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davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35480322.post-79508809615311365382019-03-13T15:07:00.001+10:002019-03-14T16:25:56.018+10:00Australians deserve the truthThe Australian government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/mar/03/angus-taylor-again-falsely-claims-australias-greenhouse-emissions-are-falling">repeatedly tries to assure</a> the public that we will meet our greenhouse target. But many are becoming very sceptical. Let's look at why.<br />
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<h3>What is our target</h3>The target we set for ourselves, and committed to, is a 26% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 (compared to 2005 emissions). Yes it is a fairly weak target - taking a quarter of a century to do a quarter of the job - but that's a discussion for another day.<br />
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Today's question is whether we're doing anywhere near enough to get anywhere near it. Here are the government's own figures on emissions:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/GrogsGamut/status/1100964845048848384/photo/1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJg7zv-kbjnvydllcdfaUEo4KrppVJzpWc8hhUPl3R-F1qsImEvSSK0uqX05I6Bqdvkt9tbAwj7F5QDZAUUP6Pp6eI_qwZBMaKIjoDWoijWSvXVcjVYSTJTSHHdTbn8uZhCYrQ/s400/AusGreenhouseEmissions.gif" width="400" height="250" data-original-width="652" data-original-height="408" /></a></div><br />
The start of the line is 2005 - the year we are comparing with. To reach our target, we have to get back to that level - and then another 26% below it. In just 10 years.<br />
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It's been 15 years so far and the only meaningful decrease was in the carbon price period. We'd need to do at least as well as that for the next decade to even get close.<br />
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<h3>So what are we doing?</h3>The section marked "Emission Reduction Fund" seems to have no reductions at all and this is the policy the government wants to stick with (although with less annual funding).<br />
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It's no wonder that dozens of the country’s leading climate and energy experts have signed a joint statement stressing that without further action Australia <a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/joint-statement-australia-not-on-track-2030-target/">will not meet its 2030 pollution reduction target</a>.<br />
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Something needs to change. Big time. Otherwise we'll be far closer to 26% <i>more</i> emissions rather than 26% <i>less</i>.davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223229241414391785noreply@blogger.com0