Archived News for Green Sector Professionals - March, 2013
A research project that has examined sediment cores from several Victorian lakes has gained new insights into how the climate has changed over the past 2,000 years, revealing that the most severe impact on the water systems have occurred in the last four decades.
Committee hands down Queensland uranium report
Queensland’s Uranium Mining Implementation Committee has handed down its final report outlining how the uranium industry should be re-established in Queensland.
Koongarra protection passes parliament
Koongarra will now be protected as part of the Kakadu National Park following the passage of legislation by the Federal Government.
NT to continue container scheme
The Northern Territory Government has announced it will continue its Container Deposit Scheme for a further eight weeks while it mounts a challenge against the Federal Court’s decision that concluded companies did not have to comply with the scheme.
UQ announces battery breakthrough
The University of Queensland (UQ) has announced that of a new version of the lithium-sulphur battery that can run electric vehicles is currently being developed.
Car emissions down 21 per cent
The average amount of greenhouse gasses produced by new cars has fallen by 21 per cent in 11 years, according to the National Transport Commission (NTC).
Policies strangling energy innovation says consortium
A consortium of some of the nation’s most influential groups has publicly expressed its concern over the nation’s energy policies, saying that a clear, evidence based policy platform must be developed in order to cater for the nation’s energy demand.
UNSW produces cloned embryos of extinct frog
A team of researchers from the University of New South Wales have succeeded in reproducing the genome of an extinct frog, reviving and reactivating it through the use of a sophisticated cloning technology to implant a ‘dead’ cells into an egg of another frog species.
Victoria announces Campaspe River funding
The Victorian Government has announced it will triple environmental water entitlements for the Campaspe River under the $3.73 million Caring for the Campaspe project.
Victoria announces water purchase program
The Federal and Victorian Governments have announced a new voluntary strategic purchase program for eligible irrigators under the Goulburn-Murray Water Connections Project.
Commission releases climate change adaptation report
The Productivity Commission has released a report into the barriers facing effective climate change adaptation, following a year-long investigation.
Government finalises Marine Park Management Plans
The Federal Government has tabled the final plans for the world’s largest network of marine reserves, which will aim to protect 2.7 kilometres of the nation’s ocean environment.
Government pledges water protection
The Federal Government has announced it will implement greater environmental protection for water resources impacted by coal seam gas and large coal mining developments.
NSW shows its environment some love
New South Welshman are unabashed lovers of the environment, with the majority of the state's population pitching into help clean up the environment in one way or another.
Crown-of-thorns cull completed
The Federal Government has announced over 60,000 crown-of-thorns starfish have been culled under a project to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Australian market ripe for change says CEC boss
The Australian energy market is uniquely poised for massive changes in its production, according to the Clean Energy Council's Chief Executive David Green.
Call the CSG bluff urges experts
Claims by the coal seam gas industry that the recent sector reform in NSW will quash the energy market and drive up prices are overblown and the bluff should be called, according to a collaboration of clean energy experts.
Move to trading scheme now says Ai Group
Australia’s largest industry lobby group has called for the immediate transition to an internationally linked market based emissions trading scheme.
New research cracks plant reproduction question
New international research has discovered the mechanism that regulates the reproduction of plants, paving the way for a possible tool foe engineering higher yielding crops.
Government chips in to help solar shine
The Federal Government has announced a $1.86 million grant to help Melbourne’s Semitech Semiconductor develop technology to reduce the cost of photovoltaic systems, making them more affordable and practical for homes and businesses.
Keep calm and act local says UWA
The University of Western Australia’s (UWA) top ecologist has lambasted the idea of a planetary tipping point – where global ecosystems shift radically and irreversibly into decline – saying it could promote unnecessary dread of catastrophe or dangerous complacency.