The Generator news service publishes articles on sustainable development, agriculture and energy as well as observations on current affairs. The news service is used on the weekly radio show, The Generator, as well as by a number of monthly and quarterly magazines. A podcast of the Generator news is also available.
As well as Giovanni’s articles it picks up the most pertinent articles from a range of other news services. You can publish the news feed on your website using RSS, free of charge.
Current activity of Bardarbunga volcano, Iceland: An intense seismic crisis started at Bárdarbunga volcano on 16 August 2014 and is continuing at the time of writing (23 Aug). It may or may not lead to a volcanic eruption, possibly under the Vatnajökull ice cap.
Follow updates as news come in!
Stratovolcano approx. 2000 m / ca. 6,560 ft
Iceland, 64.63°N / -17.53°W
Bardarbunga webcams / live data Bardarbunga volcano eruptions:
1080(?), 1159(?), ca. 1210, ca. 1270, ca. 1350, ca. 1410(?), 1477 (very large effusive-explosive eruption), 1697, 1702, 1706, 1712, 1716, 1717, 1720, 1726, 1729, 1739, 1750, 1766, 1769, 1797, 1807(?), 1862-64, 1872(?), 1902-03, 1910, 2014 Typical eruption style:
Large effusive eruptions, some explosive activity. Last earthquakes nearby
Bardarbunga volcano update: Fissure eruption decreases, but earthquakes pick up again – what’s next?
Wednesday Sep 03, 2014 07:05 AM | BY: T
View of the eruption this morning (Mila webcam)
Earthquakes near Vatnajökull during the past days (IMO)
Depth vs time of the recent earthquakes
Satellite image of the eruption yesterday (NASA)
Important changes seem to be under way. The fissure eruption with its spectacular lava emission at the surface still continues, but has decreased a lot since the first two days.
At the same time, earthquake and deformation activity that had decreased yesterday have picked up again. This is likely because the internal pressure is no longer efficiently released and intruding magma no longer erupted at the same rate as added underground.
The scenario of a new eruption along new fissures, possibly under the ice, or even at Bárdarbunga or Asjka volcanoes, is considered a possible scenario.
Small explosions
Small explosions were reported to have occurred in an area north of the glacier, but it is unclear what they were caused by. A possibility includes phreatic (purely steam-driven) or phreatomagmatic (magma directly in contact with water) explosions as magma (or surface lava flows) meets and heats up wet sediments.
As lava from the ongoing Holuhraun eruption continues to flow towards the nearby glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum, Iceland’s second largest river from Vatnajökull, and only approx. 6 km away yesterday, the interaction of lava flows with the river water will likely generate powerful steam explosions that can release dangerous gases.
Earthquakes
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurred at 03:09 this night at the northern caldera of Bárdarbunga. GPS data indicate that since the beginning of the crisis, the caldera is slowly subsiding as magma flows away from underneath. This increases the risk of an explosive eruption at the volcano itself.
Earthquakes along the dyke (magma intrusion at depth) NE of the volcano have continued in two clusters: one is in the area of the current eruption,along a 20-25 km long NNE-oriented stretch under the glacier edge, the latest eruptive fissure and north of it. The second cluster is NE of Askja to the north, suggesting that some of the intrusion has even progressed into Askja’s volcanic zone.
Status as of yesterday
The eruptive fissure was 1.5 km in length, positioned about 4.5 km from the ice margin of Dyngjujökull. At 14:00 UTC yesterday, the lava flow was 4.2 km2 in area. At 08:00 UTC the edge had extended 1.5 km to the east-south-east.
Daily update: Australian fossil fuel subsidies undermine case for wind, solar
Inbox
x
Renew Economy editor@reneweconomy.com.au via mail62.atl51.rsgsv.net
2:57 PM (42 minutes ago)
to me
Australian fossil fuel subsidies undermine case for wind, solar; Solar industry & voters rally to save RET; Electricity emissions jump as carbon price dumped; Big US utility hoses micro grid over centralised generation; GreenPower scheme to collapse under proposed RET change; Australia’s first fossil fuel free super fund launched; Aged care facility goes solar in Victoria; Usyd the thin end of the wedge in coal invested campaign; Gas ain’t so green says BP; On the verge of an EV battery breakthrough; Euro Council lifts 2030 renewables target to 30%; Tricking E.coli bacteria into making renewable propane; and 99.999% certainty humans a driving global warming says new study.
Residents on Tasmania’s Bass Strait islands will see their electricity bills fall this year, even as the cost of diesel rises. They pay less than one third of the true cost of electricity – just one example of the extraordinary subsidies that are crowing out solar, wind and storage in Australia.
Greenpeace’s campaign to get USYD to divest from Whitehaven Coal could be the thin end of a campaign that could embarrass coal investors and analysts alike.
The vast majority of global energy demand is for fuel, and a renewable source could help us heat our houses and travel efficiently long into the future.
Less than 1 chance in 100,000 that global average temperature over the past 60 years would have been as high without human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
Meg Mac plays the Spiegeltent for the Brisbane Festival
Brisbane Festival today announced soul-pop sensation Meg Mac will play at The Telstra Spiegeltent on Sunday 21 September, following the cancellation of Seattle singer-songwriter Damien Jurado’s Australian tour.
The sultry Sydney-sider will take to the beautiful Belgian venue to play tracks from her new EP, MEGMAC, in Brisbane for the first time.
Turning heads with her much-hyped singles Known Better, Every Lie and Roll up Your Sleeves after winning triple j’s Unearthed Falls Festival competition in 2013, Meg Mac has had a whirlwind year.
If her latest sold-out gigs in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney are anything to go by, festivalgoers are advised to get in quick-smart before this gig sell out too.
Brisbane Festival is an initiative of the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council and runs from 6 to 27 September 2014. For more information visit brisbanefestival.com.au.
Four original Brisbane to Goldie riders have clocked up 1000k each
They’re known as the 1000k Club, a nickname to honour the achievement of each riding the 100km Santos GLNG Brisbane to the Gold Coast Cycle Challenge ten times.
There was celebration aplenty as four of the challenge’s original participants, Bernard Milford, Shane Osmond, Phil Forshaw and Garry Kuhn accepted the honour of cutting a specially crafted bicycle-shaped birthday cake to mark a decade of Queensland’s biggest and best bike ride.
For Mr Milford, a 64-year-old grandfather of eight, the opportunity to achieve the perfect ten ensured he was one of the first people to enter Bicycle Queensland’s annual ride from Brisbane to the Goldie.
“I took part in the inaugural ride in 2005 and knew there was something special about the Brisbane to Gold Coast Challenge right from the start,” Mr Milford said.
“Your bike can be a lonely place but on that one day the cycling community comes together and the thrill of riding with such a huge group of people has kept me coming back ever since.
“I’ve made lifelong friends as the years and the kilometres of the Challenge have rolled past and I’ve helped raise a bit of money for a number of good causes through it too.”
Bicycle Queensland CEO Ben Wilson said Bernard would be one of an expected 10,000 participants to tackle the 100 kilometre ride which, over the years, has raised almost $1.4 million for various charities.
To celebrate a decade of pedalling to the glitter strip, the entire field will receive a stylish commemorative jersey.
“Over the last ten years the Santos GLNG Brisbane to the Gold Coast Challenge has grown to be Queensland’s biggest and best bike ride,” Ben said.
“No other ride brings together so many like-minded people in a safe and structured environment or offers once-a-year experiences like riding the South East Busway and taking part in a fun, healthy and rewarding activity.”
In 2014 the Santos GLNG Brisbane to the Gold Coast Cycle Challenge is supporting the Heart Foundation and riders are being encouraged to help raise funds for research, prevention strategies and advocating positive, healthy choices to combat Australia’s number one killer.
Santos Vice President Queensland Trevor Brown said Santos GLNG was proud to support the ride for the third year in a row
“Over the years, more than 61,000 cyclists have participated in the ride – including hundreds of Santos GLNG’s very own cycling enthusiasts – and the fact that so many people are keen to take up this challenge is a great indicator of the increasing popularity of bike riding,” Mr Brown said “It’s a great fit for our business, given our strong focus on health, safety and fitness, and I’m pleased that more than 100 Santos GLNG employees have already signed up for this year’s ride.”
Marcia’s on Montague has spread its wings beyond the wide and wonderful range of homewares, kitchen appliances and decorations for which it is famous. Marcia’s Organics is well established in groceries, herbs, spices and organic fresh food but the cafe that joins the two stores has expanded its coffee and cake offering to serve salads, snacks and meals.
Fresh food and dry goods are the cornerstone of Marcia’s organics
With the care and attention that is paid to the selection of the other goods you can bet the food will be great.
This little gem has been hidden behind the roadworks on the corner of Beesely St for some time and is just re-emerging into the sunlight.
Source: Responible Investing Association Australasia. Benchmarking Report
According to a recent industry benchmark report, responsible Australian equities funds have outperformed the ASX 300 index over the last 10 years. They’ve also outperformed the average Australian equities fund in the same period.
The same is true for international share funds and multi-sector growth funds. This proves once again that you don’t have to sacrifice returns if you want to invest in line with your values.
You don’t have to sacrifice returns to invest responsibly
The table at the right shows the 10 year per annum returns to 31 December 2013. Past performance is not necessarily an indicator of future performance.
In fact, more and more Australians are demanding responsible investment choices for their money. This growing public interest has been spurred on by groups like 350.org who are asking Australians to reconsider the financial risks of investing in fossil fuels over the long term. They have taken this a step further by asking Australians to change bank accounts if their financial institution is financing fossil fuel projects.
No longer are Australians happy to just sign petitions and attend rallies. They are now making their money accountable too. Certainly this makes good sense as there is little point petitioning against climate change or environmental pollution when you are investing (say via your superannuation fund or directly) in the very companies that are funding or doing the actions you are protesting against.
Get your money working for you, and the planet
Australian investors want to focus on companies and investments that are bringing about positive change to the world – medical technologies, renewable energy advancements, better education, waste management, and water technologies, for instance.
It’s easier than ever before for investors to get the right investments in their superannuation fund or personal investment portfolio. The Ethical Advisers’ Co-operative is a group of Financial Advisers that are accredited by the peak industry body, the Responsible Investment Association Australasia. Atwww.ethicaladviserscoop.org you can locate an adviser that can help you.
Karen McLeod CFP®, is the Chairperson of the Ethical Advisers Co-operative, a board member of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia and an Authorised Representative (242000) of Ethical Investment Advisers (AFSL 276544).
