Tag Archive: climate change

Opposition to the Murray Basin Plan is mounting, and the stakes are very high. Rogue Senators and angry irrigators from the South Basin have managed to mount a Senate Select Committee Inquiry into the Basin Plan. The Inquiry will look into the social and economic impacts of the Plan’s implementation. Essentially, though, it is about attacking the river-saving buyback of water for the environment. Some farmers and Irrigators believe that water buybacks are destroying communities and, somewhat surprisingly, hurting the environment.

A Public Meeting was held in Barham NSW on July 8^th and was just the beginning of what could be another protracted political argument over how our largest river system is managed. But while the politics roll on, Basin ecosystems continue to face threats, including a looming drought and a Federal Government proposal to cap water buybacks.

The Basin Plan already represents a huge political compromise. The 3200GL of environmental water promised in the Plan is barely enough to keep the iconic ecosystems of the Basin alive, especially given the uncertainties of climate change.

Can we risk more meddling in this historic agreement? Please consider making a submission to the Senate Inquiry on the Governments proposal to cap water buybacks for the environment.

Submissions close 31^st July 2015.

Water Amendment Bill 2015 – Brief guide to writing a submission.

Climate, Old_Notes, Sustainability

climate change, farming, Food, Sustainability

New website/enewsletter – One Step Off the Grid

robyn July 22, 2015

FOE members and friends who are interested in renewable energy and off grid living might be interested in this new website being set up by the excellent RenewEconomy – One Step Off the Grid. Enjoy!

Introducing our new sister site – One Step Off The Grid

“RenewEconomy is proud to announce the launch of One Step Off The Grid, our sister site that will focus on the consumer side of the energy market, and how the uptake of rooftop solar, battery storage and other technologies will usher in a dramatic transformation of our energy system”.

“Australia is at the cutting edge of this revolution. Already, it has more “pro-sumers” – consumers that produce at least some of their own electricity needs – per head of population than any other country. The advent of battery storage will offer even more choice. For some, it will mean the ability to leave the grid.

“But what are the social, economic, and business impacts of this transformation? How do consumers navigate their way through the complexity of tariffs, policy changes, and new technologies, and make the choice that suit their needs? Do we really want suburban households to quit the grid? Will the utilities evolve their business models?

“That is why we have created One Step Off The Grid. It is a free website and will have a weekly newsletter (click here to sign up for the newsletter), although it will be updated daily.

“It will provide information to consumers – in households, business and communities – on all of the latest developments, such as these new projections on commercial solar uptake, and the latest on solar, battery storage, tariff and policy changes.

“It also will focus on stories of what families, businesses, communities and townships have done, and are doing”.

Clean Futures, Climate, Divestment, Old_Notes, Renewables, Sustainability

climate change, education, Sustainability

Make the switch to a renewable energy future

robyn July 20, 2015

Take advantage of this opportunity to support Conservation SA when switching your electricity provider to environmentally friendly Diamond Energy. Friends of the Earth Adelaide are a member group of Conservation SA and supportive of the good work they do.

Conservation SA is excited to partner with Diamond Energy, an electricity retailer supporting the Renewable Energy Target (RET) and new renewable generation projects. We’ve done the research and believe your best option in SA is Diamond Energy.

By making the switch to an energy company that is passionate about renewables and protecting the Renewable Energy Target, you’re helping to keep our state a world leader in renewables. And by switching to Diamond Energy now, you are also supporting Conservation SA.

For every Conservation SA supporter who signs up through this offer, Conservation SA receives a small contribution. These funds will go towards our work advocating for renewables in SA!

The switch to Diamond Energy is easy – it can be done online and only takes a couple of minutes.

Q&A’s

Why should I switch my electricity retailer?

The Renewable Energy Target (RET) has helped drive the generational shift towards rooftop solar and other forms of renewable energy in Australia. But the Dirty Three retailers AGL, Origin and Energy Australia are clinging on to the old ways of fossil fuel energy generation and are lobbying for the (RET) to be dismantled. The Renewable Energy Target is bringing down the electricity price and encouraging investment in renewable energy whilst at the same time creating thousands of clean technology jobs. In other words, it’s working.

By supporting energy retailers who are working to protect the RET, you’re helping to transform Australia into the renewable energy powerhouse it should be.

*** The Dirty Three Energy retailers – June 2014 Greenpeace

Can I switch?

Anyone who is connected to the electricity grid can switch away from the Dirty Three energy retailers (they are lobbying to dismantle the Renewable Energy Target) to an energy retailer who is working to supporting the RET and with stronger environmental credentials.

How do I switch?

You can switch to Diamond Energy, (who is supporting the RET) online and they will even contact your current electricity retailer to let them know you’re switching.

Who should I switch to?

Greenpeace Australia recently conducted a ranking of Australian electricity retailers and published the findings in The Green Electricity Guide 2014. Diamond Energy was ranked the highest for electricity retailers in South Australia.

Diamond Energy is passionate about renewables. They are connecting residential homes to renewable energy every day and also connecting new renewable energy projects to the grid.

Diamond Energy support expanding the RET scheme and the more customers they have, the more they can support new innovative renewable technologies.

By switching to Diamond Energy, many SA customers have already taken a positive and simple step to support new renewable energy in Australia. Every day Diamond Energy customers enjoy simple and competitive rates for their homes and businesses.

What happens after I switch?

Switching to Diamond Energy is quick and easy – it takes less than 5 minutes.

Once you switch to Diamond Energy you can sit back and enjoy receiving competitive rates, discounts and no hidden surprises. – It’s hassle free.

If you are interested, you can also give them a call during business hours to get lots of smart energy tips to help you take greater control of your electricity usage and costs.

What if I am on a contract and want to switch?

You can change your electricity retailer at any time. If you are on a contract with your existing electricity retailer you can find out from them whether there are any exit fees when you leave, but ultimately they can’t stop you from switching.

If you switch to Diamond Energy and leave after 12 months there are no exit fees and we find that once you have been given their superior service, you won’t want to ever leave.

Will switching cost me more?

Diamond Energy continually delivers competitive rates, discounts and no hidden charges so you don’t have to pay extra to do the right thing.

Where does Diamond Energy source electricity from?

Diamond Energy sources electricity from generators that are Renewable Energy Target (RET) Scheme approved and accredited to produce 100% GreenPower, including Diamond Energy’s own Tatura & Shepparton biogas plants.

They balance their customer’s usage with the electricity they buy from these projects.

They also source electricity from rooftops of thousands of solar customers across the country that are exporting into the grid.

Increased support from a growing number of customers enables them to support more new innovative renewable generation projects.

You can read more about their recently connected new renewable generators on their website.

Is the offer available for people with solar panels on their roof?

Yes. Diamond Energy is the solar friendly retailer and services thousands of solar customers offering some of the most competitive rates and one of the highest feed in rates for solar. If you are one of the early adopter households who recognised the benefits of solar years ago, then you are probably already receiving a state based feed in tariff under a scheme that is now closed to new recipients. Subject to eligibility check, you will continue to receive your feed in tariff when you switch to Diamond Energy. If you are eligible for a net feed in tariff, they will top it up with their standard rate (currently 8c/kWh) – one of the highest available.

Diamond Energy also has programs that offer even higher feed in rates if you purchase a new solar system through one of their Pure Power solar installers, including programs supporting solar panels locally manufactured in SA.

Does Diamond Energy offer GreenPower products?

Yes. Diamond Energy offers Diamond Pure Plus, a GreenPower accredited product range for those wanting to make the extra commitment to support renewable energy products. If you choose Diamond Pure Plus, they will voluntarily surrender additional Renewable Energy Certificates to encourage further investment in renewable energy than the government mandates under the RET.

Who is Diamond Energy owned by?

Diamond Energy is an Australian private company, owned by the management team, some small investors and with a minority interest by the global US solar panel manufacturer, SunPower Corporation (a multibillion dollar company listed on the NASDAQ).

Diamond Energy was formed in 2004 and has won numerous awards for renewable generation projects throughout Australia.

What difference will switching make?

The more customers that switch to Diamond Energy, the more new renewable energy projects they can support in Australia. They are proud to work in regional areas of Australia supporting local investment and employment benefits. They support solar panels locally manufactured in SA and you can contact them for more details.

Visit here to see the range of innovative generation projects they have delivered and supported in the Australian market place.

Clean Futures, Climate, Renewables, Sustainability

climate change, Sustainability

“FRACKMAN” coal seam gas movie 30 July

robyn July 20, 2015

For those who missed the earlier screening, there’s a special screening organised by Doctors for the Environemnt Australia this thursday. There are still over a hundred tickets left; you can book at this site.

Screening this Thursday for DEA

Frackman

Promoted by Doctors for the Environment Australia

Thursday, July 30 7:00PM – 8:33PM

at Wallis Cinemas Noarlunga

38-42 David Witton Drive, Noarlunga Centre, SA, AU, 5168 (map)

$19.00 AUD General

Clean Futures, Climate, Old_Notes, Sustainability

*events*, Adelaide, climate change, Mining, Sustainability