Lunchtime Legends

This recycling game is designed mainly for kids. It looks simple at first, but as the levels go up so does the speed.

I bombed out on level 3, but I did learn that metal cutlery is recyclable, as are the takeaway coffee cups. Of course, if you're a big drinker of takeaway coffee, Keep Cups are a great idea.

Free Ice Cream

I popped by Ben and Jerry's recent Free Ice Cream Day. Apart from handing out sample cups, they were also launching their climate justice campaign - "Save our Swirled". Nice pun ;)

While we queued, there was also a chance to sign a petition to Keep Australia great, saying that "Australians deserve fresh air, clean water, sustainable jobs and a healthy environment."

I signed it on the spot - and you can do so online.

The hottest 12 months

I read yesteday that January-March this year is the hottest January March ever recorded.

Combined with last year's record heat, this makes the last year (April 2014 - March 2015) the hottest 12 month period on record. It beat the 12 months ending in February, which beat the 12 months ending in January

Coincidentally I met up with a couple of good friends last night, and one mentioned how long this summer has been.

The year to year temperature increase is probably not noticeable. But after a while it adds up, and it is noticeable when there are several 30°C days in the middle of Autumn.

Waleed Aly really cares about renewable energy

Waleed Aly, presenter of The Project, really caused a stir with his report on renewable energy in Australia. It was a great piece - check it out.

He mentions some of the 143 other countries around the world that have established renewable energy targets - such as Austria 68%, Sweden 61%, Scotland 50%, New Zealand almost 80% and Costa Rica 100% so far this year. Here's what that means for jobs in Australia. While the rest of the world employs close to a million people in renewable energy, we've lost jobs in this growing industry.

"It's the generations to come that will look back and see this for what it is - a willful disregard for the future of this nation by the people we've elected to lead us."

Waleed cares. Do we? How about we do something - like email one of those politicians.

The actual probability of disaster

I found this great animation and summary of climate science.



It's visually stimulating, but also gives a understandable summary of the science.

For me the end was also quite stunning. We really need to reduce our pollution significantly.

I love a sun-powered country

The ACF is giving away these posters to anyone who wants to display them. Just fill in the form, and they'll post them to you. Or you can get an electronic version (solar or wind) if you want to put it on your profile.

For international readers, the words relate to the famous Australian poem My Country (I love a sunburnt country).

Earth Hour Highlights Video 2015

Earthhour Australia put together this video of highlights from Earth Hour 2015, here in Australia.



In Australia this year the theme was food - highlighting how climate change, and more extreme weather, hurts our farmers' ability to grow food.

Related link: Earth Hour promo video

Earth Hour Video 2015

With Earth Hour tonight, 8.30-9.30pm in your local time zone, what better time to look at the official Earth Hour video for 2015 - featuring Pompeii by Bastille.

Australia's top 10 polluters

Who are Australia's top 10 polluters? Geoff Cousins went on Lateline to announce them - and here they are:

You may recognise them. Some of them have been very loud in the media trying to reduce the amount of renewable energy in Australia.

Read more about on the ACF website.

Super Solar

ABC's science show Catalyst this week looked at Australian solar research. A new technology converts about 40% of sunlight into electricity. That's double the efficiency of current panels.

It's a bit high-tech, and probably won't be suitable for home rooftops. But it could mean even more productive solar farms, which would mean even cheaper renewable energy. The episode is well worth a look.

High Speed Rail for Australia

Long-distance travel can be a tricky to do without emitting carbon. Until now.

Research group Beyond Zero Emissions have come up with a comprehensive plan for High Speed Rail in Australia.

The plan makes train travel a convenient and less expensive way to travel up and down the east coast of Australia. 60% of Australians live within reach of this high speed network, and trips to Sydney can be made in about 3 hours, from either Melbourne or Brisbane. And that time is city centre to city centre (not to an airport that takes extra time to commute to and from).

Here's a small sample of their example timetable.

It's a really good report. I encourage you to download a copy.

Breaking up with fossil fuels

Over 450 events were held in 60 countries, to mark Global Divestment Day. The idea is to withdraw our business from banks that invest in fossil fuels.

Of course the weekend was also Valentine's Day, so a British group put together this witty video of people realising it was time to end their relationship.



On the day, there were a lots of people divesting, and a couple of 'remade' songs. A group in Adelaide, dressed as Tina Turner to sing "Simply Divest", while a big group in Sydney enjoyed "Stop in the name of love (before you wreck the reef)". That song made it onto SBS News (at the 3 minute mark).

Australians, see if your bank invests in fossil fuels.

Global Divestment Day

With Global Divestment Day happening this weekend around the world, this video does some explaining, on what divestment is all about.



"Fossil fuels companies only care about one thing - money. Who can stand up against them and steer the world towards a safe future? You can."

"We'll close our accounts with banks and funds who continue to invest in climate chaos."

"Divestment is deliberately moving your money away from companies you're not happy with. It's helped to stop some of history's worst offenders including Apartheid South Africa."

"Each act of divestment takes back power from fossil fuel companies and helps create a mandate for our leaders to take real action."

Australians, see if your bank is funding fossil fuels.

Solar Scorecard 2015

This is a non-partisan blog, but near election time I do pass on some voter information. My home state of Queensland goes to the ballot box this weekend, and Solar Citizens has scored the parties on their solar-friendliness.

For the full scorecard, and the detailed responses of the parties, see www.solarcitizens.org.au/scorecard. The sunnier the ratings, the better the policy for solar.

This information is meant as a guide. If solar energy matters to you - this scorecard allows you to assess which parties are more likely to support solar energy.

2014 - Hottest Year on Record

It's Official. 2014 is the world's warmest year in recorded history - and the 38th year in a row of above average temperatures.

Bloomberg did a clever animation showing how the years just keep getting hotter and hotter.

And the New York Times had this informative graphic showing both a heat map of 2014 and a chart of all the years up to now.