AUDIO: solar powered help for cyclone-ravaged Vanuatu
AUDIO: A solar powered recovery 31 March, 2015 ABC Radio New England North West
By Tawar Razaghi An Armidale-led campaign to solar power the Cyclone Pam recovery When Cyclone Pam tore through the south pacific island of Vanuatu almost two weeks ago, the wild weather left most of the country without access to clean water, food and electricity.
It captured the attention of Armidale resident and solar businessman Rob Taber. He’s since begun collecting second hand solar panels to donate to Vanuatu in the hope of restoring basic power to the island.
Mr Taber proposed the idea at Australia’s Solar Energy Industries Association state conference and says he received overwhelming support from members and it’s now a national campaign.
“I put to the conference that maybe we have solar panels in warehouses, even second hand panels that are tested, that are quite okay, that we could send to Vanuatu,” Rob Taber said……..
If you would like to help, you can contact the Solar Energy Industries Association or by email at admin@seia.com.au
University of Western Australia appoints climate change sceptic
Climate ‘sceptic’ Bjorn Lomborg’s Australian influence grows as he joins University of WA, The Age April 2, 2015 Markus Mannheim Public service editor One of the world’s best-known climate contrarians, Bjorn Lomborg, will establish a base in Perth as his influence in Australia grows.
The controversial Dane has struck a four-year deal with the University of Western Australia to run a policy research centre in its business school, which will focus on the nation’s future prosperity.
Dr Lomborg said he planned to spend a “significant amount of time” in Australia following his appointment this month as one of the Abbott government’s advisers on foreign aid.
That appointment was criticised sharply by the Labor opposition and environmental activists, who questioned why someone who played down the effects of global warming should be advising on Pacific Island nations, which are particularly vulnerable to climate change. http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/climate-sceptic-bjorn-lomborgs-australian-influence-grows-as-he-joins-university-of-wa-20150401-1mcowc.html
Wind energy company gives up on Australia due to RET uncertainty
Renewable energy sector crisis forces Banco Santander to quit Taralga wind farm, SMH, March 31, 2015 Angela Macdonald-Smith Banco Santander, a major investor in renewable energy, will sell its only Australian wind farm and exit the local sector because of policy uncertainty that has dragged the industry into crisis.
Santander will seek a buyer for its 90 per cent stake in the 106.8 megawatt Taralga wind farm near Goulburn, which is not being included in the renewable energy fund it set up late last year with two Canadian pension giants because of the perceived poor prospects for the sector in Australia, say sources………
Santander is closing the Sydney office for its equity investment arm, which focuses on renewable energy, in mid-2015. http://www.smh.com.au/business/renewable-energy-sector-crisis-forces-banco-santander-to-quit-taralga-wind-farm-20150331-1mbjsk.html
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of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 