Do you live in Solar Street?
Over 1.4 million Australian households now have solar panels on their roofs. A quiet revolution is happening here among our streets, reducing CO2 emissions and causing the price of coal fired power to crash. How many houses in your street have photo-voltaic panels? Monash Rd in Gladesville has three houses, so does Nelson St. We are trying to find the street in the Ryde Gladesville area with the most solar powered houses. Email with the name of the street in which you have counted the most houses or businesses with solar panels and tell us the name of the street, with a photo if you can. We will report your finds in our next newsletter and to the local press. Email your responses to info@climatechangerg.org
Organic Battery
Researchers at University of Southern California have developed an organic battery that is cheap to make and lasts five times longer than a lithium-ion battery – perfect to store energy from wind and solar sources. Go to http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/06/27/researchers-develop-cheap-battery-power-your-house-green-energy-and-its-organic
Energy Freedom
Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) has a new campaign to help Australians reduce their energy costs and make their homes safer and more comfortable by transforming them into renewable energy powerhouses. To join go to www.energyfreedom.com.au
Lies about RET
The Federal Government is blaming renewable energy and the 5 million people who have solar panels, for rising electricity prices. Solar Citizens has a new campaign to tell coalition MP’s it’s not true. Go to www.solarcitizens.org.au/
Coal Seam Gas and Water
The chief scientist has said that safeguards protecting water supplies from mining projects are inadequate and companies who conduct shonky monitoring should have their operations overhauled. For the full article go to www.smh.com.au/nsw/coal-seam-gas-water-monitoring-not-good-enough-chief-scientist-20140702-zstfg.html#ixzz36LfnGMw0
Power to the People
On 7th July the ABC 4 Corners covered the necessary worldwide migration from fossil fuels to renewables in order to generate clean electricity and avoid the worst effects of global warming. If you missed it go to www.abc.net.au/iview/
Our “holy s**t ” climate moment
A recent article in the Guardian newspaper by NASA scientists said that the retreat of ice in the Amundsen sea sector of West Antarctica was unstoppable, with major consequences of sea levels rising one metre worldwide. For the full article go to.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/17/climate-change-antarctica-glaciers-melting-global-warming-nasa
Earthworker Cooperative
This is a community-led initiative to produce clean energy technology, and provide sustainable jobs in manufacturing. It is building solar hot water systems in Dandenong, Victoria . To find out more about them or buy a system, go to http://earthworkercooperative.com.au/
Fair Energy Pricing
The Grattan Institute has published a paper recommending a change to the way consumers pay for the network that carries electricity from generators to homes, better reflecting the cost of running the network. Find the report at http://grattan.edu.au/publications/reports/post/fair-pricing-for-power/
Solar has won!
Last week, for the first time in memory, the wholesale price of electricity in Queensland fell into negative territory in the middle of the day thanks to rooftop solar. For the full cheerful article go to http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/07/solar-has-won-even-if-coal-were-free-to-burn-power-stations-couldnt-compete?CMP=fb_gu
Fracking near you
The State government want to change the law to allow coal seam gas companies to frack within a few hundred metres of our homes. The Nature Conservation Council is encouraging you to let your MP know you don’t want this. Go to https://www.landwaterfuture.org.au/act-now/#join-the-fight
A new hope for the future
An uplifting article by Al Gore, Clive Palmer’s new friend. Find it on http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-turning-point-new-hope-for-the-climate-20140618
Help Save the Amazon
Amazon Watch has a petition asking the Brazilian president to transform Brazil into a clean energy champion. Sign the petition by going to http://amwt.ch/3402
What’s on
Moocooboola
We will be at Moocooboola again this year on Sunday 3 August from 9.30am at Boronia Park (Corner of Ryde and Park Roads). Come and say hello.
Selecting livestock for your property
Permaculture Sydney is running workshops on everything you need to consider when selecting and keeping livestock – basic husbandry, veterinary skills, handling etc. – on 19 and 20 July. To book go to http://www.permaculturesydneyinstitute.org/event/rural-skills-series-selecting-livestock-for-your-property/
Green Cleaning Workshop
Permaculture Sydney is running a workshop on how to make your own non-toxic cleaning and personal care products on 9 August. To book go to http://www.permaculturesydneyinstitute.org/event/living-with-less-chemicals/
National Tree Planting Day
City of Ryde will be participating in a national tree planting day at Waterloo Park, Marsfield 10am to 12 noon on Sunday 27 July. To find a site near you visit http://treeday.planetark.org/find-a-site/
Clean Energy Week
Clean Energy Week trade expo will be held at Sydney Showground 23-25 July and is the biggest event for the renewable energy and energy efficiency industry. So if you’re wondering about installing batteries or going off-grid go along. Solar Citizens will be one of the exhibitors there.