The Generator is founded on the simple premise that we should leave the world in better condition than we found it. The news items in this category outline the attempts people have made to do this. They are mainly concerned with our food supply and settlement patterns. The impact that the human race has on the planet.
Wong must take firm reduction figures to world climate conference Lenore Taylor, National correspondent | May 21, 2009 Article from: The Australian THE success of international climate change negotiations in Copenhagen in December hinges on developed nations such as Australia turning up with legislated emission reduction targets. Danish Climate Minister Connie Hedegaard said this as Continue Reading →
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Experts say this could see the sun set on sustainable farming. (LWA)
Sustainable farming research in Australia is facing a lack of strategic leadership, experts say.
Dr John Williams of the Wentworth Group of Scientists was commenting on the planned closure of Land and Water Australia (LWA) announced in last week’s Federal Budget.
Williams says he has been unable to find any reference in the budget to replace the leadership role played by LWA.
The plans to build a tropical food bowl to rival the dying Murray Darling met serious difficulties last week as traditional owners, north queensland farmers and scientists began to explore the issues in detail. Noel Pearson and other Aboriginal leaders have promoted the development of large scale agriculture as a means of economic independence for traditional owners, but environmentalists are worried about a repeat of the destruction that has taken place in the Murray Darling. CSIRO tropical agriculture scientist Garry Cook, said the poor soils, the hot climate, floods and the lack of infrastructure made large scale agriculture unlikely.Nationals Senate leader, Barnaby Joyce said the area has the right fundamentals for agricultural development — plenty of water, sunlight and fertile land.
Michael Pascoe, consulting editor to Business Daily has torn strips of the Managed Investment Sector in agricultural products. He pointed out in a scathing column last week that some companies only put 20 cents of every dollar invested with them into agricultural products. The rest of the money was spent on fees and commissions. He expects the losses to come from the $4.6billion sector will dwarf those of insurer HIH or Bond Enterprises.
NASA has joined the gold rush to farm algae as a potential energy source, food supply and means of drawing down atmospheric carbon dioxide. In August 2006 Spanish company, BioFuel systems announced that it could meet the world’s liquid fuel demands with an algae farm in the open ocean 250 kilometers square. Since then, a number of companies, including Australian innovator Aquadam, have announced plans to harvest the microscopic organisms. NASA research scientist, Jonathan Trent said, “sea-based nurseries leave land free for food production and the process should take out more carbon from the atmosphere than what it puts in.”
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Date: Sat, May 16, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Subject: Re: [HWG] Transparency of acq and Cost per house RE: NSW government plans to buy 1, 000 homes
To: Housing Working Group <hwg@lists.nsw.greens.org.au>