By Honey Gillard
 
THIS just in – Earth Hour is to go GLOBAL!!!!
 
Representatives say that Sydney will take the moral message of Earth hour to the world, in an upcoming metting of world-wide city leadsr, in New York. Clover Moore, the Lord Mayor of Sydney, has received a personal invitation from the mayors of London and New York - Ken Livingstone and Michael Bloomberg - to join in the C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group. Moore will attend the group’s meeting in the coming month.
 
The  meeting will also seat representative from Paris, Tokyo, Jakarta, Rome and Delhi. Hopefully they will get the ‘Earth Hour’ fever that we all recently caught.
 
“Environmental quality is an increasingly important factor in the competitiveness of global cities,” Moore stated. “Instead of waiting 20 to 50 years for old commercial buildings to be replaced, Sydney’s program delivers greenhouse gas reductions through tenancy fit-outs during lease turnovers which can occur every three years.”
 
Moore also commented on how other member cities could learn a lot from Sydney’s 3CBDs scheme –a scheme that the North Sydney, Parramatta and City of Sydney councils collaborate on, discussing and acting out ways to improve the green credentials of city buildings and their tenants.
 
A recent AMR Interactive poll discovered that 53 per cent of Sydneysiders switched off their lights for Earth Hour. It was also revealed that the Earth-hour-ers were more predominantly women than men. The highest particapation on the truly splendid event came from the innercity. An auxiliary 28 per cent of citizens had considered taking part but had in the end forgot. 77 percent of Sydney residents revealed that  if their was to be a follow-up ‘Earth Hour’ that they would take part.
 
Energy Australia’s retail general manager, Tim O’Grady, said he hoped households and businesses would take the next step to make homes energy efficient, such as switching appliances off when not in use and discarding old fridges.
 
Energy Australia calculated electricity use during Earth Hour, and surprisingly found out that in the vicinity of the CBD energy use was cut by a whole 10.2 per cent –that’s 48,760 kWh of electricity saved. This sum is equivalent to the amount needed to run more than 800,000 60-watt light bulbs for one hour.
 
Woah! And that’s only Sydney’s results….
 
To read more from me, Honey,visit my blog – honeyz818.wordpress.com
 
Sources: SMH

By Honey Gillard

THE European Union (EU) have seized the initiative on global warming, EU leaders agreed to combat global warming by constructing more windmills, solar panels and efficient light bulbs, to lower greenhouse emissions.

On Friday, the European Union heads of state and government agreed to set binding goals concerning the distribution of renewable energy in the bloc’s energy fusion, and an independent reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2020. Angela Merkel, German chancellor, challenged the rest of the world that even if the measures force changes in lifestyle, business and economy, they should follow suit. He reinforced the claim that “there still was time to avoid what could well be a human calamity”, being the result of an overheated planet.

European leaders said, “The challenges of climate change need to be tackled effectively and urgently … The European Council underlines the vital importance of achieving the strategic objective of limiting the global average temperature increase to not more than two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.”Though the 27 European Union nations came together in the agreement to structure further windmills and other environmental aids, they remained separated when the conversation turned to nuclear power; a tool that produces small amounts of CO2, but rather takes a toll on the environment with the production of large sums of radioactive waste.

“We assume leadership with this unilateral reduction,’’ stated French president Jacques Chirac, “This is part of the great moments of European history.’’

Sources:

Economic times

English peoples daily times

By Honey Gillard

 A candle-lit wedding; romantic and environmentally friendly. 

Sydneysiders Jo Elvey and Eric Hutchens have not let their previous wedding plans stand in the way of them helping to save the world.

The couple, who had planned to exchange vows on the 31^st of March, didn’t plan on turning out the lights at their wedding reception, but now that Earth Hour has hit, that’s exactly what they plan on doing. 

They had booked the venue sometime ago now, but as soon as a friend told them about Earth Hour, they instantaneously considered how they could be part of the world-first global warming scheme to turn off Sydney’s lights for one hour on Saturday 31 March. 

“We decided to turn it into a positive,” said Ms Elvey, a development manager, “We believe that every little thing you do can make a difference.” 

Jo and Eric had booked the landmark city hotel venue for their wedding, so that guests could be spellbound by the spectacle of the city’s lights, during the reception, but have decided to make the most of Earth Hour.  

Candles will light the wedding and the booked band will be performing ‘unplugged’. The lights of the couple’s reception room will be shut off during the entrée course; perhaps making it a green course, but lighting will resume during the main course.

“It could be quite exciting when the lights in the city come back on,” stated Ms Elvey.

All I can say is that if this couple can still participate in this great green cause on one of the most important nights of their lives, then why can’t the rest of Sydney?

Earth Hour is set to switch on; or off for this matter; on Saturday the 31^st of March between the hours of 7:30pm and 8:30pm.

To participate in Earth Hour visit Earth Hour - Home and sign up.

Sources: Earthhour.com    

By Honey Gillard

GREENPEACE have stated that they will continue pressuring Japan to stop the inhumane whaling operations, following their retreat from this year’s hunt.

Last Wednesday, Japan called their 6 ships, situated in the Southern Ocean, back into harbour. The retreat called following a disastrous fire aboard the Nisshin Maru, two weeks ago.

The fire resulted in the death of a 27-year old crew member and caused voluminous damage to the ship’s processing equipment.

According to the chief executive office of Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Steve Shallhorn the decision will save approximately 500 whales.

Stallhorn stated, “As much as we applaud the decision, we don’t believe there was much choice in the matter. What remains to be seen is whether Japan will do the right thing and that is retire this decrepit old vessel and not replace it. Clearly that would be the favoured view of most countries and most peoples across the world.”

Stallhorn also reassured others that he will continue to pursue and pressure the Japanese Government not to replace the ship. He continues saying that Japan has definately made the right decision, to call their ships in and conclkude whaling for this season.

“It means that about 500 whales will be swimming free.”

All six ships are currently making their way back to Japan, but the Institute for Cetacean Research has announced that they will return to the icy southern oceans next Summer.

According to previous accounts, 935 minke whales were expected to be slaughtered during this year’s whaling raid.

Mr Turnball has continued to urge environmentalists, as well as whalers to act responsibly, upon the situation.

“All people at sea, whether they’re working with anti-whaling organisations or not, should act in a way that is safe and takes care to look after human life,” he said.

“Some of the actions that we’ve seen earlier, the Sea Shepherd in particular, crossed over that border and into unsafe conduct.”

Sources: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1859927.htm

By Honey Gillard

TONIGHT on channel TEN, 5 Australian celebrities lifestyles and household will be put under the microscope, by the National Carbon Test.

 A team of experts residing from Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures have been scrutinising each and every move taken by former Miss Universe Australia, Erin McNaught’s, as well as the 4 other stars,  to test the level of her carbon emissions.  

McNaught’s results will be revealed to her during the live, two-hour show. She claims that she has always tried to be environmentally conscious.

“Because of the nature of my lifestyle, I drive a lot, which is bad for emissions, but I don’t have airconditioning or leave lights on.” 

“And I’m vigilant about recycling. The whole purpose of the show for me, was that I hope people can relate to my day-to-day activities and figure out how every individual can make a difference.”  

The show will not only reveal Erin’s environmental footprint,but will also reveal the footprint of four other spotlight families.

Also taking the challenge, will be actor Toni Collette and her husband David Galafassi, representing couples without children; ex-AFL footballer Paul Salmon with his teenage family; champion surfer Mark Occhilupo and his young kiddos; and brothers Jon, Peter and Dann Hume, who together from the Australian rock-band Evermore, reflecting a shared household.  

The 2-hour green T.V programme will also include interviews with US climate-change activist and former vice-president Al Gore and Australian of the Year Tim Flannery, along with comedy duo Merrick and Rosso. 

“There is no more pressing issue than climate change, and on this one we really are all in it together,” stated channel 10’s chief programming officer David Mott.

Viewers will be able to participate in the environmental test, being helped by a full-page carbon audit, exclusively available in today’s The Sunday Times.

COOL AID: the National Carbon Test will air on Australian Televisions tonight on channel 10 at 8:30pm. 

Sources: PerthNow

By Honey Gillard

Last Thursday, Gore spoke to Oklahomans. Telling them of the dire environmental consequences that will eventuate, if changes to decrease the amount of greenhouse gases are not made.The crowd, made up of approximately 7000 bodies, seemed mostly supportive of Gore’s efforts. Those attending the event included Gov. Brad Henry, his wife, Kim and one of their daughters; State Treasurer Scott Meachem and State Attorney General Drew Edmondson. Like Gore, Henry, Meachem and Edmondson all are Democrats.“We are focusing on a subject that matters. This is not simply a subject to discuss. It is a subject to live out.” OU President David Boren stated in his introducing of Gore.Boren drew an ovation from the crowd, when he congratulated Gore on his documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth,” winning two Oscars earlier this week The documentary followed Gore’s multimedia presentation, which lasted an hour and 42 minutes.“Many assume the earth is so big we as human beings couldn’t have any lasting impact on it … that’s not so,” Gore said.

Sources : CBS news

 By Honey Gillard

After 7 hours alone and lost in the icy waters of the south, two whale activists have been found in Antarctica – alive and safe.

Activists with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society tracked down the Japanese fleet near the Ross Sea early on Friday, after spending weeks searching the glacial waters, with a plan of disrupting Japan’s annual whale hunt.Within hours, squads of activists occupying high speed inflatable rubber boats had begun their campaign of persecution - setting off severak smoke bombs, hurling foul-smelling material at the whalers, and attempting to seal holes, which drain water and blood from the ships.Little did a pair of activists - comprising of an Australian, Karl Nielson from Western Australia and an American, John Gravois from Los Angeles - know that they were about to face a life-threatening event. The pair were aboard a Zodiac inflatable dinghy, which suddenly disappeared in fog in the icy waters southwest of Australia. Japanese whalers joined anti-whaling activists in the cold ocean seas surrounding Antarctica, calling a temporary truce as they searched for two missing activists in an inflatable.

Gravois claimed that they had been trying to foul the propeller of the vessel with a net, but got too close and withing moments the dinghy was taking on water, the weight of which preventing them from keeping up with the other crafts in the protest fleet.They were then encircled with fog, and in freezing conditions, the men reached for their radio but it failed to work – they were stranded.

“We just kept going out from one point in a circular search until we found them. They were standing up and waving and smiling.” reported Captain Watson, aboard the Sea Shepherd flagship Farley Mowat.After 7 freezing and havocous hours for the two young men they were hurled to safety, obviousely knowing how lucky they were to be alive.“It was not so much a matter of not being found, it’s how long it’s going to take because you can only stay out on those conditions for a certain amount of time before the cold really starts doing some detrimental things,” Neilsen, 29, told ABC radio. He continued saying that they done what they could do to keep themselves alive for as long as possible - they pulled out the safety blankets, huddled together and kept warm.Captain Watson revealed earlier that he was confident the men would be found well as they were dressed for the conditions in wet suits and survival suits.He also said that he had thanked the Japanese for their aidance before telling them, “now it’s back to business.” Hideki Moronuki, the chief of the whaling section of the Japanese Fisheries Agency, told smh.com.au: “Their dangerous activity caused this tragedy. I ask Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace to stop this kind of dangerous activity immediately.”Japan intends to harpoon up to 935 minke whales, as well as 10 fin whales under its scientific research program this year.

Sources: smh.com.au       

             Theage.com.au     

By Honey Gillard

By Honey Gillard

Every year 1000’s of Australian’s come together and march for the ‘Walk Against Warming’.

The annual ‘Walk Against Warming’ rallies are held to help to get the government and industries to lower their greenhouse gas emissions.

So you ask why the walk? Well the concept of it is pretty simple – we are already aware that a vast majority of Australians are concerned about the impacts that climate change is going to have on out planet – as well as the impacts that have already been noticed. The 750m walk is a time for the community get out there and show their support for action being taking on the issue of climate change. IT is also an occasion for people to learn more about how they can further engage on the issue in the future – and help create a better future for us all.

Last year, the leading march was in Sydney, as thousands of people united together and marched from Martin Place to the Botanical Gardens. Campaigners opposed to coal and nuclear power and are calling for the Government to adopt more solar and renewable energy sources.

You see, unfortunately the actions of individuals in their own homes just won’t be enough to stop global warming. Governments, industries and the community all have to work together if we are to see real cutbacks in greenhouse gas emissions – which is very necessary if we want to avoid dangerous climate change taking place. To lower these emission we need laws put in place that make sure more of our electricity comes from environmentally-friendly and renewable resources such as wind and solar and that we gradually take less power from polluting fuels like coal. The same can be said for the petrol in our cars.

So to build a better future for us all, as well as the unborn we need to not only do all we can to reduce the extreme amount of CO2 emissions in our home but we also need to encourage industries and the government to get on the boat and sail with us to a better world; a better future.

This statement was issued concerning the walk: “We’re calling for mums and dads, kids, friends and groups? Anyone who is concerned about climate change but didn’t know what to do about it - to come along for a fun afternoon and join thousands around the world as part of the international day of action on climate change.”

It’s now up to each and every one of us to ensure that the walk lasts well into tomorrow and beyond by compelling politicians to do much more to help cool our globe.

Stay updated on Walk Against Warming 2007 at www.walkagainstwarming.org

Sources: www.walkagainstwarming.og

The Australian Walk Against Warming - 4 November 2006

By Honey Gillard 

Channel 7 news broadcast show, Sunrise, has officially become Australia’s first greenhouse friendly TV program, as of Monday December 4.

As the environment arouses concerns around the globe, and an increasing number of citizens come to terms with the dangerous state that the environment is heading towards in the future, Sunrise has made the flick, into an eco-friendly state.

Sunrise host’s David Koch (or more commonly nicknamed Kochie) and Melissa Doyle Federal were presented by Environment Minister Ian Campbell with a certificate administered by the Australian Government’s Greenhouse Friendly™ initiative.

Adam Boland, the Executive Producer of Sunrise has spoke out on behalf of the Sunrise crew stating that they were proud of what has been achieved and that it’s a sign of things to come.

In order to reach this Greenhouse Friendly™ state, Sunrise has undergone a thorough process to verify just how many tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions are produced through its production and broadcast, across our nation. Every aspect of the show’s emissions were totalled together – taking into account all facets from lights to cameras to computers to travel.

“It would be wrong of Sunrise to report on the consequences of global warming without ourselves taking steps to fix it.” The Sunrise team announced. “They may be small steps… but they become giant leaps when other shows and business groups follow suit.”

From there the emissions are cut and further neutralised – by acts such bringing more energy aware and friendly procedures into action and purchasing annulment  –whether it be in the form of planting trees, recycling, averting waste from landfill, or renovating organic materials to compost.

Sunrise has now occupied the 7^th slot on the board of products/or services in Australia that have been given the title of Greenhouse Friendly™ - though it is the first media outlet to make the green change.

This step into becoming a greener and carbon neutral show is an ingredient in Sunrise’s Cool The Globe campaign, which aims to fight global warming.

 Sunrise is Australia’s number 1 breakfast show.

You can catch the ecologically aware show on Channel Seven Monday to Friday, from 6am-9am. Wanna do something good for the environment?

Sign the petition to help get the governmetn to finally sing the KYOTO agreement. 

Sources: cool the globe.com

By Honey Gillard 

An Inconvenient Truth’; a documentary; an Oscar Winner. 

FORMER US vice-president Al Gore’s documentary, concerning global warming, has won itself 2 hot Oscars, at this year’s star-spangled event.

The documentary centres on Al Gore’s increasingly popular slideshow. The slideshow addresses many issues surrounding the controversial topic of climate change, on our planet.

During the course of the formal evening, ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ joyously claimed the two honours for its repertoire– one for best documentary and the second for best song. 

 “My fellow Americans,” Gore said Sunday. “People all over the world, we need to solve the climate crisis. It’s not a political issue, it’s a moral issue. We have everything we need to get started with the possible will to act. That’s a renewable resource. Let’s renew it.” 

Gore also messed about with rumours of his plans to possibly make another presidential run, though he later put to rest such speculations saying, “I do not have plans to become a candidate for office again.”  

Gore claimed that he would rather be devoting his time to pressing the government to act on these environmental affairs. 

“I really hope the decision by the academy to honor the work by director Davis Guggenheim and these producers will convince people who did not go see it before to see the movie and learn about the climate crisis and become a part of the solution.”

The former VP spoke to the ‘Tennessean’ – his home state newspaper, saying, “I think the Oscar nomination was great because for one thing, it helps bring more attention to the message contained in the movie. That is my principal focus, delivering this message to as many people as quickly as possible.”

 The win seemed to come on a rather ‘convenient’ night, as in the preceding hours, Al Gore stepped out on to the stage, alongside Hollywood’s Leonardo Dicaprio to inform viewers, and the audience of the efforts the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had undertaken, in order to make this year’s awards more environmentally friendly. 

“For the first time in the history of the Oscars, this show has officially gone green,” DiCaprio stated. 

In this green effort, the Oscar ballots had been created from partially recycled paper and organic produce had been served at the Governor’s Ball. The academy joined with the Natural Resources Defense Council to reduce energy usage and increase recycling.  

Other enviro-schemes put into action included rides for guests and hosts in hybrid vehicles. The meals for the hundreds of crew and cast members were served on reusable plates and eco-friendly dishware. Any food left over from the post Oscars Governor’s Ball was called to be donated to a local shelter.  

To learn more about the documentary or the global warming crisis visit http://www.climatecrisis.net/ 

Sources:Abc11tv.com     newsmax