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.
The Sustainable Regions forum in Murwillumbah last Friday evening brought together local farmers with renewable energy pioneers and government agencies to outline practical solutions for farming in the face of water shortages, rising oil prices and the globalisation of agribusiness. Among messages emerging from the forum was the fact that most speakers, including the Nationals Continue Reading →
According to Tim Blue in The Australian (25/9/2007, p.B23), the Queensland Treasury looks to be the immediate winner from rising government enthusiasm for wind and solar energy, set free by John Howard’s declaration on renewable energy targets.
Origin, AGL in front row for renewables certificates: Industry sources speculate that a portfolio of wind assets owned by the Queensland Government will have risen in value by around $50 million to $400 million in the wake of the Prime Minister’s target to have 15 per cent of all energy demand supplied from renewable sources by 2020. Energy retailers Origin and AGL are expected to head a list of bidders to be finalised this week, and to make the best offers, given their ability to make use of renewable energy certificates that will come with ownership of the wind assets.
The Greens today successfully moved a motion in the Senate to establish
an Inquiry into the future of agriculture in a drying climate.
"We desperately need a strategy to make certain that policy settings
are consistent in addressing both food security and the need to help
our agricultural sector deal with climate change and to provide the
practical assistance needed to adapt," said Senator Rachel Siewert
today.
"Continuing business as usual is not acceptable."
"Securing food and fuel supplies on the driest continent on earth in the
face of climate change needs a complete rethink about how and what we do
in agriculture," said Senator Milne.
The National Farmers Federation and the Griffith University have released a report titled, Reform of Australia’s Federal System. The report was initially commissioned to explore the mechanisms where by a new state might be created within NSW, to overcome the excessive spending of resources on Sydney at the expense of the regions. The report was Continue Reading →
Research carried out by the CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology would forecast weather conditions in 100 kilometre by 100km quadrants across the country, with the collected data then used to identify probable changes to factors such as growing seasons, yields and the effect on livestock, reported The Land (23/8/2007, p. 3). Predicitons in 20-year Continue Reading →
The National Farmers Federation had released startling figures of the impact the dollar was having on the farm-gate prices of individual commodities, reported Queensland Country Life (23/8/2007, p. 5). One cent equals $190 million: Just a one-cent appreciation in the dollar wiped about $7/bale off the value of cotton, $3/tonne off sugar and grains prices Continue Reading →