Archived material from historical editions of The Generator
Iceland has just announced that they will give a license to one man to commercially hunt whales. The quota is 30 minke whales and 9 fin whales – which are an endangered species. Sign Greepeace’s petition against this now!
Prime Minister John Howard said Australia had to consider the nuclear power option, given the nation had the largest uranium deposits in the world, and it had to be debated as part of the response to global warming, reported The Australian (17 October 2006, p.1). Macfarlane weighs in: Industry and Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane, who Continue Reading →
The Stop Climate Chaos coalition would highlight in its “I Count” campaign that, as Tony Blair’s premiership melted away, climate change was the most important issue on which he could leave a lasting legacy, the Press Association reported.
Coalition’s book with sculpture: The coalition planned to unveil a 4ft-high ice sculpture of Blair’s head encased around its book "I Count": Your step by step guide to climate bliss, which would appear in major bookstores from Thursday, 19 October.
Book to be sent to 10 Downing Street: Stop Climate Chaos said the ice sculpture would be unveiled at Trafalgar Square in London by Stop Climate Chaos director Ashok Sinha, and the book later sent to the Prime Minister’s official residence at 10 Downing Street.
“Unprecedented and growing” coalition: Stop Climate Chaos described itself as an "unprecedented and growing coalition” on climate change, bringing together environment and development organisations, unions, faith, community and women’s groups.
Members of coalition: Members include Friends of the Earth, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Greenpeace, WWF, Oxfam, Tearfund, Christian Aid, the Women’s Institute and UNISON.
Personal reduction of CO2 emissions: The "I Count" book, published by Penguin, provides practical and entertaining guidance on how people can reduce their personal carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and encouraged them to place pressure on politicians to take action.
Reference: Digest of latest news reported on website of Climate Change Secretariat of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 11 October. 2006. Address: PO Box 260 124, D-53153 Bonn. Germany. Phone: : (49-228) 815-1005, Fax: (49-228) 815-1999. Email: press@unfccc.int
http://www.unfccc.int
Erisk Net, 17/10/2006
A recent survey by the Green Building Council Australia found that the "green star" environmental rating system is becoming the green building standard for the industry and that government initiatives were a catalyst for change. Manufacturers slow to respond: BCI Australia chief executive officer Matthias Krups said that the results reflected momentum in the industry, Continue Reading →
The house-buying public is being quietly conned, according to a Canberra Times letter-writer. Old-fashioned building techniques that rely on power-hungry appliances to maintain lifestyles are still being used by the housing industry.
Houses too close to be sustainable: According to Derek F. Wrigley, Mawson housing subdivisions are now so cramped and badly oriented to the sun (only ongoing source of heat), that some 80 per cent of blocks have no hope of allowing a “sustainable” solar powered house to be built on them.
Potential iceboxes when energy prices rise: The future wellbeing of the occupants will rely on all blocks being solar effective. Houses being built today will prove to be ice boxes when electricity and gas become unaffordable.
A/C only rectifies bad design: And air-conditioning is now necessary only to rectify bad design. A public inquiry into this unsustainable industry is more than warranted. Unsustainable housing cannot be allowed to continue – and the answers have been known for decades.
The Canberra Times, 13/10/2006, p. 10
Source: Erisk Net
Farmers will be required to get written permission from their neighbours before they can conduct aerial spraying of crops under tough new federal pesticide laws, reported The Australian (12 October 2006 p5).
Label info to be scrutinised: Queensland Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority principal scientist David Loschke said that under the federal reporting program, labels for all chemicals would be reviewed to determine if they provided adequate protection against misuse.
Rigour in product evaluation: “There will be more vigorous science behind the assessment of new products,” Dr Loschke said.
Training and updates for users: The Queensland legislation requires users of agricultural chemicals to undertake a registered training course before being issued a certificate of competency. Every three to five years, they will need to undertake a refresher course.
Penalty regime for misuse: The legislation will sharply increase penalties for chemical misuse from the maximum fine of $45,000 that applies for most offences.
Chemical mishap reduction targeted: Primary Industries Department chemical use manager Sandra Baxendell said the changes should reduce the incidence of chemical misuse. “The intent is to ensure chemicals are used more responsibly and that spray drift can be properly actioned against,” Dr Baxendell said.
Spray drift casualties: Rural insurance company Freemans Agriculture estimates crop losses of more than $25 million a season from the drift of chemical spray.
OH&S liability: Health authorities blame the misuse of chemicals for serious illnesses in crop growing areas. In recent years, an average of eight people a year have been admitted to hospitals on Queensland’s Darling Downs suffering from pesticide poisoning.
The Australian, 12/10/2006, p. 5
Source: Erisk Net