Category: Archive

Record January temperatures hit NSW

admin /17 January, 2006

Record January temperatures hit NSW  

Record January temperatures were set on the NSW coast, with 45.7
degrees Celsius at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith airport, 43.8 at Gosford
and a relatively mild 31.5 at Thredbo village in the Snowy Mountains,
according to The Land (5/1/2006, p.8).

The Western Division
centres of Ivanhoe, White Cliffs and Wilcannia scored the State’s
highest temperature with 47 degrees (116 degrees Fahrenheit) but this
was not a record for any of those townships. Most of the slopes and
plains had between 42 and 45 degrees, but Narrabri and Moree, at 36 and
37 degrees respectively, missed the worst of it.

Rice crops will not suffer from excessive heat: Rice farming
systems leader for the DPI at Yanco, John Lacy, said some might have to
top up water in their rice paddies because of high evaporation, but
crops should not suffer. He said the industry was more nervous about
any possible recurrence of the unseasonal cold spells of the past two
summers that had damaged crops.

Scientist discovers melanin can generate electricity from sunlight

admin /17 January, 2006

Electrical parts made of soft, durable plastic could soon replace
silicon chips and toxic metals in consumer goods if Paul Meredith has
his way. The senior lecturer in the University of Queensland’s School
of Physical Sciences is studying bio-organic polymers that conduct
electricity, reported The Courier Mail (21/9/2005, p.31).

The secret’s in your skin: Dr Meredith said his research on
electronic biomaterials focused on melanin, a pigment in humans that
colours our skin, eyes and hair, also found in squid ink. “Melanin, in
its purest form, is a black, odourless powder, conducts electricity and
can also be made to generate electricity from sunlight,” he said. “If
you extract this material from pigment-containing tissue such as hair
or skin and make a solid pellet out of it, it conducts electricity.”

Insecticides double leukemia risk

admin /17 January, 2006

CHILDREN frequently exposed to household insecticides used on plants, lawns and in head lice shampoos appear to run double the risk of developing childhood leukaemia, research suggests. A study by French doctors, published today in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, supports concerns raised in recent years about the use of toxic insecticides around the Continue Reading →

US and Australia diverge on solar power

admin /16 January, 2006

San Francisco, CA, USA: California Commission $3.2bn Solar Plan Approval
Draws Standing Ovation
Ending more than two years of debate
among political leaders, the state Public Utilities Commission has
voted to support a $3.2 billion plan to provide rebates over the next
11 years to homes, businesses, farms and public buildings that install
solar energy systems.

Web Site: http://www.solarbuzz.com/news/NewsNAGO287.htm

Canberra, ACT, Australia: Canberra Slashes Solar Power Rebates
Meanwhile, the Australian Federal Government tooka step backwards
when it announced it has slashed solar electricity rebates to community
organisations and schools. It will phase out financial incentives for
residential and commercial solar power installations by the middle of
next year.

Web Site: http://www.theage.com.au/new/national/canberra

-slashes-solar-power-rebates/2006/01/15/1137259945071.html

 

California offers solar rebates

admin /15 January, 2006

It seems California understands the benefits that rooftop solar PV can bring
to our lives yet the Australian government decided to instead focus on
selling coal, gas and nuclear fuel to who ever will pay, despite having some
of the best solar resources on the planet.

http://www.greenandgoldenergy.com.au/images/DirectBeamWorld.GIF
http://www.greenandgoldenergy.com.au/images/DirectBeamAustraliaandNewZealand.GIF

First we see what the AP6 meeting was really all about:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/uranium-export-talks-to-restart/2006/01/12/1136956290546.html

So now we see what the Sydney Climate Conference was all about. Selling
Australian uranium to anyone who will pay. What a crock. Minister Downer
said uranium was “Green House Friendly”! I guess the next step is to alter
the name of the “Australian Greenhouse Office” to “Australian Nuclear
Friendly Greenhouse Office”.

One day this Australia government will be seen as the climate pirates they
are, taken to a world enviromental court and given the punishment they
deserve.

California however, seems to have chosen a somewhat different pathway.

Fed Govt’s renewable energy targets deemed too low by industry

admin /14 January, 2006

Renewable energy company Novera Energy is quitting its Australian Stock
Exchange listing after blaming the Federal Government’s low renewable
energy targets, while Australian Business Council for Sustainable
Energy executive director Ric Brazzale questions how geothermal power
projects could be attractive at current prices, according to The Advertiser (11/1/2006, p.51).

RECS fall from $36 per megawatt hour to $28: The Australian
Government has tried to support the industry with the development of
renewable energy certificates (RECs) but offers for them fell from
almost $36 per megawatt hour in May to spot prices recently of about
$28. RECs are a new form of “currency” created under the Renewable
Energy (Electricity) Act 2000.