The Burning Issue

You may have heard politicians describe the heatwave and the bushfires as a one-in-a-100-year event. So far the record goes to John Brumby at 1000 years!

Why do they say this? Well if something's a freak occurence, it can be put down to bad luck. To admit it's because of climate change (and government's lack of action) is an inconvenient truth.

But the Sydney Morning Herald seems to get it. In their article Scientists warned us this was going to happen, they point out that "if seeing is believing, then it's time to accept climate change".

Oh The Irony!

I read that Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman is currently on a trip to Abu Dhabi - a city known for its use of solar power and public transport. In fact, it aims to be the world's first carbon-neutral city.

My local member, Ronan Lee (The Greens) pointed out the irony...

It's a sad day when the oil producers of the Middle East can see the benefits of basing their economy on renewable energy but our leaders in Queensland can't

In other news, Ronan Lee and federal Greens leader Bob Brown have announced the Greens' plan to build two solar-thermal power stations (big enough to power 600,000 homes and business) and intiate energy efficiency plans. Apart from saving energy and reducing greenhouse pollution, it would also create 7600 jobs.

Just Add Sunglasses

Apparently, the coal industry in the US has launched an ad campaign for coal (the world's most polluting fossil fuel). The surprising part is the similarity to the "Joe Camel" campaign used by cigarette companies to promote cigarette smoking, especially to teenagers.


Our friends at Reality contrast the claims of the add with the facts. The also remark that perhaps "clean coal" is about as believable as a "healthy cigarette".

Climate Change Tops Survey

Recently, the organisation GetUp released the results of its 2009 survey. The most important issue amongst those surveyed was Climate Change, with people wanting more support for renewable energy, and improved public transport.

Also, 86% of people felt their MP did not represent them well.

A Solar Future

That's the website i've just discovered. They have an online petition, asking the PM to initiate a gross feed-in tariff which ensures people who produce solar electricity are rewarded for it.


It's a great idea to encourage solar power, so i've signed on.

Eco-button & Stats

Good friend of mine sent me the following link to an eco-button, a device that plugs in to the USB port of your computer. When you're away from your computer, one hit of the button switches the computer to ultra-low-power mode until you get back.


Apart from the device itself, i mention this because the website has an interesting animation (partially shown above) which demonstrates the amounts of carbon dioxide generated (to power computers) in terms of hot-air balloons and football stadiums. Scary stuff!