NOT using renewable energy will cost Australia dearly
The Cost Of Not Using Renewable Energy http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3576
5 Feb 13, Not using renewable energy for electricity production is costing future generations over $9 billion a day – and that doesn’t costs associated with health impacts and climate change.
Solar naysayers have often used cost as a reason for not making the switch – an argument rapidly running out of steam given the plummeting prices of solar panels. Something else worth considering is the cost of not going solar.
For example, rapidly increasing electricity prices can make installing solar panelsa better investment than putting money in the bank for many households.
But what about the bigger picture? How much will delaying renewable energy in reaching its potential now cost the world each year in the future? While renewable energy sources such as the wind and sun are comparatively inexhaustible; burning a lump of coal to create power is a single-use affair.
A recently released report from the World Future Council attempts for the first time to calculate the economic loss caused by the use of fossil fuels for energy production.
“Externalised costs from burning fossil fuels are incurred not only through damages from climate change but also through the lack of future availability of fossil raw materials consumed to meet our current energy demands, although alternatives exist,” states political economist Dr. Matthias Kroll.
The report concludes that the future usage loss resulting from our current oil, gas and coal consumption is between 3.2 and 3.4 trillion US dollars per year – conservatively and based on current market prices.
“Protecting the use of increasingly valuable fossil raw materials for the future is possible by substituting these materials with renewables. Every day that this is delayed and fossil raw materials are consumed as one-time energy creates a future usage loss of between 8.8 and 9.3 billion US Dollars.”
The Monetary Cost of the Non-Use of Renewable Energies can be viewed in full here (PDF).
Infrasound is NOT a problem caused by wind turbines
Wind Farm Infrasound Myth Debunked http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3577 5 Feb 13, South Australia’s Environment Protection Authority has released a report showing infrasound levels at homes near wind turbines is no greater than what is experienced elsewhere. Infrasound is sound that is lower in frequency than 20 Hz (Hertz), which is lower than the “normal” limit of human hearing.
Infrasound is a point seized upon by some anti-wind farm campaigners as a contributor to “Wind-Turbine Syndrome“, a mysterious affliction said to cause psychological issues and physiological problems such as insomnia, headaches, tinnitus, vertigo and nausea.
In the EPA study, undertaken in conjunction with Resonate Acoustics, infrasound levels were recorded at seven locations in urban areas and four locations in rural areas; including two residences approximately 1.5 kilometres away from wind turbines at Bluff Wind Farm and Clements Gap Wind Farm.
The EPA says infrasound levels measured at the two residential locations near wind farms were “within the range of infrasound levels measured at comparable locations away from wind farms”. The report notes the results at one of the houses near a wind farm were the lowest infrasound levels measured at any of the 11 locations included in the study.
“This study concludes that the level of infrasound at houses near the wind turbines assessed is no greater than that experienced in other urban and rural environments, and that the contribution of wind turbines to the measured infrasound levels is insignificant in comparison with the background level of infrasound in the environment.”
Commenting on the report, Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh said, “The results of the EPA’s report show that the real contributors to infrasound are things like air-conditioners, traffic and urban office environments – not wind farms. This is great news for clean and safe renewable wind energy and further reassurance for communities near wind farms.”
In January last year, Australia’s Climate And Health Alliance (CAHA) stated“There is no credible peer reviewed scientific evidence that demonstrates a link between wind turbines and direct adverse health impacts in people living in proximity to them.”
The report on infrasound levels near wind farms and in other environments can be viewed in full here (PDF).
As New Zealand did, Australia should reserve Parliamentary seats for indigenous people
if history has taught us anything, it is that treating our most
vulnerable members like we treat everybody else can be the very source
of their disadvantage.
The pursuit of equality often requires that we
treat people differently because it is by attending to the specific
needs and histories of diverse populations that they gain the ability
to participate in society on a par with everybody else. That is why
breaking glass ceilings requires that we treat women not like men, but
as a group encountering unique social barriers to promotion…..
A better voice for indigenous Australians, SMH, February 4, 2013
George Vasilev Reserving parliamentary seats for indigenous citizens
is about equality. The vexed issue of indigenous representation has
surfaced again with Julia Gillard’s controversial endorsement of Nova
Peris as a Labor Senate candidate for the September 14 election.
Australia has an abysmal record on indigenous representation. Only
three indigenous people have ever been elected to federal Parliament.
Of those, the Liberals’ Ken Wyatt is the only candidate to ever win a
seat in the House of Representatives.
In a country where indigenous people comprise 2.5 per cent of the
population and with a federal Parliament with 226 seats, we fall way
short of the most basic standard of representative fairness that
demands legislatures reflect the societies they govern. Continue reading
World expert joins CSIRO push for thermal solar power
“Australia has one of the best solar resources in the world, Dr Blanco said.
“It is a natural fit for an international solar thermal research
collaboration to use this resource and our expertise to make solar
power the cheapest, cleanest energy source it can be. “We will reduce
the cost of solar thermal to just 12 cents a kilowatt hour by 2020 and
provide zero-emission energy to people when they need it. It’s a
technological leap but we will do it.”
World solar expert shines light on Australia Eco News, BY DAVID TWOMEY
· FEBRUARY 4, 2013 Australia’s leading science and research
organisation, CSIRO, has appointed world-renowned scientist Dr Manuel
J Blanco as Director of the Australian Solar Thermal Research
Initiative (ASTRI). Continue reading
In depth look at plan for Ranger 3 Deeps Underground Mine- submission from Environment Centre Northern Territory
A case in Submission to Ranger 3 Deeps Project underground uranium mine referral
Energy Resources of Australia Ltd/Mining/at existing Ranger uranium mine in Alligator
Rivers Region/NT/Ranger 3 Deeps Underground Mine
Reference Number: 2013/6722
31 January 2013
Prepared by
Stuart Blanch, Director, Environment Centre NT, Darwin, coordinator@ecnt.org / 0448 887 303.
The Environment Centre NT welcomes the opportunity to provide comment on the referral.
We make the following comments:
1. The Ranger 3 Deeps Project is proposed by Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) to be built inside
the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park and surrounding internationally recognised
Ramsar wetlands of the Alligators Rivers Region. By its very nature is is a highly risky project over
the long term, given the need to manage radioactive contamination for thousands of years. The
Ranger Uranium Mine has already created very substantial long term waste management issues
over the past three decades of operation, and remains a highly controversial project in the eyes
of many Territorians and Australians.
The proposed mine is a nuclear action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act (Cth) (EPBCA). However it also poses a risk to various other Matters of National
Environmental Significance including 14 threatened species, 20 migratory species and a National
Heritage Place. ERA’s view that only one MNES, namely nuclear actions, are likely to be impacted
is fanciful and disingenuous (p81). Clearly the existing water management issues caused by three
decades of mining, let alone an even larger process water inventory, pose a significant risk to
downstream Ramsar wetlands and World Heritage values should there be an uncontrolled
discharge into Magela Creek or ongoing lateral spread of the groundwater plume underneath the
tailings dam.
Full EIS’s are regularly conducted under the EPBCA for mines that entail much less risk to species,
places and values which are legally recognised under federal environmental law and attract
protection under international agreements.
2. Underground mining at Ranger has never been subject to an EIS, and was not addressed in the
Julian Assange – a force to be reckoned with in Australia’s 2013 Senate election?
Julian Assange to run for Australian Senate seat
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/julian-assange-to-run-for-australian-senate-seat/story-fncynkc6-1226565414301
30 Jan 13, JULIAN Assange will run for a Senate seat in the 2013
federal election and his mum reckons he’ll be awesome.
Christine Assange has confirmed her son’s candidacy, after WikiLeaks
tweeted the news.
“He will be awesome,” she said.
“In the House of Representatives we get to choose between US lackey
party number one and US lackey party number two – between the major
parties.
“So it will be great to `Assange’ the Senate for some Aussie oversight.”
Queensland-born Assange, who founded the secret-leaking website
WikiLeaks, announced his Senate ambition last December from Ecuador’s
London embassy. Continue reading
Assange remains in legal limbo as Sweden not keen to press charges against hm
With Assange in Diplomatic Limbo, Sweden in No Rush to Press Rape Charges , 01 February 2013 By Alissa Bohling, Truthout | News Analysis With Julian Assange remaining in diplomatic limbo in London, Sweden refuses his offer for an interview, leading some to suspect they are not anxious to pursue allegations of rape that have been lodged against him……
In an October 2012 letter to US Attorney General Eric Holder, they asked the Department of Justice to give its word that Assange will not be extradited, subject to indefinite detention or prosecution under the Espionage Act for the activities of WikiLeaks, but with no response, he and his Swedish accusers remain in legal limbo, calling into question whether Assange’s civil liberties and the women’s right to take their accusations through the criminal justice process can both be upheld.
Government Tactic of Smearing Whistleblowers Continue reading
Big loss for Australian uranium company ERA
Australia uranium miner ERA books steep 2012 loss http://www.marketwatch.com/story/australia-uranium-miner-era-books-steep-2012-loss-2013-01-31 By Ross Kelly SYDNEY–-Energy Resource of Australia Ltd. said Thursday annual losses deepened to 218.8 million Australian dollars (US$227.4 million) due to weak uranium prices, a high Australian dollar and the cost of rehabilitating a recently-depleted mine bordering Kakadu National Park.
The company, which counts Rio Tinto Ltd. as its largest shareholder, said the net loss for the year to Dec.31 compared to a A$153.6 hole in 2011.
ERA stopped mining at its only producing pit, Ranger, in November and will process stockpiled ore while it decides whether to build a new underground mine there. The company produced 3,710 metric tons of uranium oxide in 2012 and forecast production sourced from stockpiles in 2013 of between 2,700 and 3,300 tons.
ERA also announced that its chairman, David Klinger, would retire next month and be replaced by current non-executive director Peter McMahon.
Tony Abbott’s Tea Party proposals in full swing
Abbott confirms his tea party connections http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/5-things-we-learned-this-week-about-tea-party-politics-22437 REneweconomy, Giles Parkinson, 1 Feb 13, We’ve been casting Tony Abbott in the role of Tea Party conservative for months now, fretting that he might somehow take offence. Not at all. The Opposition leader proudly told the Canberra press gallery in his stump speech on Thursday that he had hosted not one, not two, but 33 local morning teas with voters over the past year or so. And, by golly, he conceded, climate change is real and man may even be making a contribution towards it, which is why he is proposing something sensibly practical that the CWA would be proud of – organize a series working bee to pick up litter, build boardwalks, and plant trees. There will probably even be a BBQ.
Abbott did, of course, promise to repeal the carbon tax, saying his previous support for the measure was in the context of other countries doing the same. He insisted no other country is going “anywhere near” carbon taxes or trading schemes – apparently never having never heard of carbon taxes and ETS’s and pilot programs implemented and planned throughout the 27 states of Europe, Scandinavia, New Zealand, South Korea, China, California, a bunch of other American states and Canadian provinces, South Africa and Mexico. Not to mention Kazakhstan. And where did we find such subversive information? Well, Google would have done the trick, but most of it is contained in his own Direct Action policy. Here it is on page 9.
Local Area Land Councils throughout New South Wales protest against (NSWALC) mining decisions
Ryan’s defence of mining plan dismissed by angry protesters National Indigenous Times, 1 Feb 13, An angry mob of First Nations people representing Local Area Land Councils throughout New South Wales delivered the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) a blunt message at a protest rally last Friday – “Consult us before mining in our Country”.
And New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council Chairman, Stephen Ryan was delivered a warning by Gomeroi leader Alf...(subscription only) http://www.nit.com.au/news/2426-ryans-defence-of-mining-plan-dismissed-by-angry-protesters.html
Storage systems for home renewable energy – necessary in a weather emergency
there are ways solar households can keep the lights on during a blackout event. Some choose to incorporate a small deep cycle battery based off grid solar power system for emergency supply; but the Next Big Thing is the fully integrated home energy storage system.
Australia’s Storms Build Buzz For Home Energy Storage http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3569 1 Feb 13, Recent and more frequent fierce weather in Australia would be making some Aussie households think more about acquiring a home energy storage system.
ABC News reported more than 230,000 homes were without power on Monday after at least 2,000 transmission wires were blown down in high winds; another nasty effect associated with ex-tropical cyclone Oswald. These ‘once-in-X-years’ severe weather events seem to be occurring more frequently.
Whether it’s torrential rain, howling winds, lightning strikes, baking temperatures or even just human error; electricity infrastructure can be severely affected for extended periods.
For those with grid connect solar power systems; while saving a bundle on power bills under normal conditions, when a blackout occurs solar households are often in the same boat as their non-solar neighbours – powerless. Continue reading
Report on renewable energy storage in Australia
this could lead to profound changes in the
structure of Australia’s electricity market,stating,
“If this happens on a large scale it will force a change in the
business model of how we fund the poles and wires network, unlock the
full potential of Australia’s enormous renewable energy resources and
accelerate the shift to a clean energy economy.
Energy storage to grow to 3000MW in Australia by 2030
http://www.climatespectator.com.au/news/energy-storage-grow-3000mw-australia-2030,
31 Jan 2013
By a staff reporter The Clean Energy Council has released a report
that suggests the market for energy storage technology in Australia
will be approximately 3000MW by 2030. The authors of the report,
Marchment Hill Consulting, have estimating this growth based on
current trends and projected costs. Continue reading
Australia’s overseas aid used to promote image of Paladin and Bannerman uranium mining companies
Paladin, which has been the subject of some controversy in Malawi over job cuts, was last year linked to a funding application through its employees’ charity – Friends and Employees of Paladin for African Children.
Paladin’s (African) Ltd general manager, international affairs, Greg Walker, who was invited late last year to be Australia’s honorary consul to Malawi, was involved in the process, according to 2012 correspondence from Australia’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Matthew Neuhaus, to Mr Walker. The letter obtained under freedom of information confirmed Mr Walker’s successful application for the employees’ charity funding proposal.
The Aidwatch director Thulsi Narayanasamy said it was not the place of the Australian aid program to fund the corporate social responsibility programs of wealthy mining companies.
Firms use tax money for aid projects : http://www.smh.com.au/money/tax/firms-use-tax-money-for-aid-projects-20130129-2ditd.html#ixzz2Jbp0RzOT January 30, 2013 Rory Callinan
WEALTHY resource companies operating overseas are tapping into Australian taxpayer funds to set up aid projects potentially benefiting their corporate social responsibility credentials.
Aid and mining watchdogs have expressed concerns about the practice, arguing the corporations are wealthy enough to bankroll their own aid and that linking donations to controversial mine operations is a conflict of interest.
Nine mining companies all operating in Africa have been linked to the successful applications via the Foreign Affairs Department’s Direct Aid Program – a scheme that allows heads of missions to give up to $30,000 to local causes.
About $215,000 of taxpayers’ money went to the mining company-conceived projects last financial year, including a school for the deaf, providing trade skill training to local workers, establishing women’s groups and digging wells. Two applications involved uranium mining companies, Paladin Energy in Malawi and Bannerman Resources in Namibia. Continue reading
Dramatic success of Perth Solar City Program
Perth Solar City’s Stunning Success http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3573 by Energy Matters, 31 Jan 13, Over 16,000 households have participated in the Perth Solar City Program and collectively saved over a million dollars on their electricity bills last year. The most comprehensive energy efficiency initiative in Western Australia, the Perth Solar City Program developed and implemented more than 30 energy efficiency and renewable energy projects within Perth’s Eastern Region.
The Program together with SunPower installed 673 residential solar panel systems at an average size of 2.30kW, for a total installed capacity of 1.56MW. Analysis shows the average solar household used 41% less electricity from the network, or 8.15kWh per day. Continue reading
Tony Abbott selects anti-wind power, climate denialists, as top advisors
Abbott’s adviser hates wind farms, doubts climate change Crikey, TRISTAN EDIS | JAN 29, 2013 Tony Abbott’s latest Coalition policy statement remains short on climate policy detail. More worrying is his selection of a noted anti-wind farm advocate and climate change sceptic as lead business adviser.
Tony Abbott’s policy statement promised the direction, values and policy priorities of the next Coalition government. It contained no additional detail on climate change policy beyond what was outlined in the Coalition’s 2010 election policy, which was largely expected. But what was more unnerving was outlined under economic policy:
“We will establish a new Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council to advise the Executive Government on developing the economy. The Business Advisory Council will be chaired by leading Australian business leader Mr Maurice Newman.” ….
he [Newman] has also made a range of public statements that indicate his advice to Abbott will be detrimental to businesses focussed on clean energy and carbon abatement. On wind power, Newman wrote in the publication The Spectator on January 21 last year: Continue reading
1 This month.
20 September –National Day of Action in Melbourne on the International Day of Peace
Help Aunty Sue Protect Her Land and Sacred Sites From Destructive Rocket Testing.
.
Australians deserve the truth
about
AUKUS – https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 