June « 2009 « Alternate Energy Sources

June 21, 2009

Australian Government Sinks Another Renewable Energy Rebate Scheme

Filed under: alternative energy,renewable energy incentives,solar energy grants,solar power plant — Tags: solar energy grants withdrawn — admin @ 6:16 pm

Well, I don’t want to say “I told you so…” but…

After pulling the residential solar PV rebate scheme two weeks early because of an enthusiastic uptake of the scheme (isn’t that what we want?), the federal government has done it again.

This time it’s the $200,000 grant for solar stand-alone power supplies in rural remote communities. Again, the government says money has run out for this scheme. You greedy people have actually taken the government seriously by taking to this scheme like ducks to water (well, there’s another subject…) and now you cannot have it any more.

Bang goes the lid on the cookie jar.

What’s happening?

Like I suggested before: governments think people must go renewable energy, whether or not it gives out rebates. So it feels it won’t need to do this anymore at a time it has no money left. It has just spent its billions on economic stimulus that encourages the very behaviour that got us into this mess.

So, what to do? Don’t rely on government rebates and solar energy grants anymore.

Live sustainably.

Save up to buy that PV solar panel and get that solar hot water panel with a government rebate right now.

Save energy where you can.

Leave the car in the driveway or share it with others.

Grow some vegetables in your backyard.

Be creative.

Comments (0)

June 20, 2009

Recession + Lower Green House Gas Emissions = We Can Do It!

Filed under: Climate change,alternative energy,saving energy — admin @ 9:11 pm

Alternative energy is not the only way to lower emissions. human behaviour is number one!

Study results of the thirty largest Dutch companies in 2009 shows greenhouse gas emission reduction levels of 7%. This thought to be a direct result of the economic recession and application of greenhouse gas emission-reducing measures.

What conclusions to draw from this?

First greenhouse gas levels in the Earth’s atmosphere are a direct result of human activity. Second, humanity has it fully in its power to lower greenhouse gas levels globally. Third, it’s a choice between consumerism or living within limits.

Worldwide Dutch company Shell lowered its emissions by 8.5%. Main reason? Oil production problems, notably in Nigeria. A fertilizer company, DSM, was able to lower its emissions by 21% through application of laughing gas removal technology.

Impressive achievements. Promises of being able to live with effects of global warming.

The Dutch Plan Bureau for Environment states that the economic crisis will help The Netherlands meet its Kyoto target. This target is 6% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions relevant to 1990 levels, by 2012. It fears that a 20% reduction by 2020 will be more difficult to achieve.

We might conclude that for the Earth’s sake, the economic crisis should continue. And by the time this crisis is over, we might have had enough of a prod in the back of climate change effects, to start doing things differently.

Like, consuming necessary things, according to real needs. And real needs will be better assessed by living for the common good, rather than for “number one.”

Sources:

http://www.volkskrant.nl/economie/article1246730.ece/Recessie_levert_schonere_lucht_op

Comments (0)

June 18, 2009

Climate change Tipping Point Nigh – University Of Copenhagen Report

Filed under: Climate change — admin @ 3:02 pm

Imagine waking up one morning and the world you know has changed completely. Perhaps like The Day After Tomorrow movie did.

Now, a new report has been released that says we are nudging the upper limits to what our global eco system can stand, and remain stable. Greenhouse gas emissions, they say must be reduced or an irreversible climatic shift is imminent.

Who says so? Well, 1,600 scientists met in Copenhagen a few months ago in order to assess the current state of our planet’s health. They have now released a Synthesis Report of this conference and you can download it here

One of its contributors is Professor Steffen from the Australian National university. He says time is running out to implement meaningful cuts in emissions.

“If we want to keep temperatures below two degrees – which is an often quoted guardrail – we pretty much need to see our emissions peak within the next six to 10 years and then drop very quickly after that,” he said.

Will humanity wait for this to happen or will we take the required steps to reduce our emissions?

What changes do you observe in your local environment? Share them here.

Comments (0)

June 13, 2009

Green Investing Returns Up During Global Recession

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: green investing in The Netherlands — admin @ 8:53 pm

The Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development (VBDO) reports an increase last year of 8.4% in the “green” market share of all Dutch investments. This means that investing ethically, in renewable energy, and socially responsible business is a winner financially as it is for the environment and for social advancement.

Never before did eco/social investment banks Triodos en Bank en ASN Bank see so much money flow into their clients’ saving accounts as during 2008 – they grew by 37%!

Not so long ago green investing was no more than “cute”, but not to make you any money. No more. Worldwide realities of dwindling oil reserves, dirty coal, carbon credits and strong renewable energy growth point to the inescapable conclusion green investment is the future. And it’s now.

Sources:

http://www.volkskrant.nl/economie/article1242699.ece/Duurzaam_sparen_blijft_populair

http://www.eurosif.org/about_eurosif/sifs/the_netherlands

Comments (0)

June 10, 2009

Alternate Energy Sources, Energy Saving, Global Warming, Just A Waste of Time?

Filed under: alternative energy,solar energy grants,wind energy — admin @ 9:05 pm

I always knew it. Mercury’s orbit is deformed and might cause a collapse of the solar system.

Here am I, a Gemini, trying to pull the whole thing together here on earth. Arguing for seeing our planet and all life on it as a whole, deserving action towards a sustainable life.

Renewable energy, wind generators, green jobs, energy saving devices and ways of living…

Sustainable Life? In a collapsing solar system?

OK, OK, calm down… So, what’s this all about then?

Well, some French researchers have just published in Nature their theory of a 1% chance of collapse of the entire solar system.

The culprit? No, not us humans this time.

Not Mercury either but Jupiter (God of war) who is pulling vulnerable little Mercury out of its orbit, already “20% deformed.”

“Deformed?” Hmmmphhh… Just “challenged”, or “differently abled” perhaps. A bit more sensitive, please… These Nature-people!

Anyway, Mercury could also cross paths with Venus, or with the Sun.

Oh dear…

No more solar energy. No worries either about whether your solar energy grant scheme is going to be taken away from you by the government hand that giveth. Or whether your wind power generator will work.

But, a 1% chance nevertheless. It’s odds many people frequently punt on in buying lottery tickets. And as they say there’s always a winner.

Let’s think. Cool head. We DO know for sure that the oceans are rapidly expanding, glaciers are melting.

We also know that we are heating up the Earth’s atmosphere by our important actions of consuming computers, software, dvd’s, cd’s, nylons, cars, fast food, useless toys, meat we don’t need, gadgets and more gadgets… In one half of our lives running around in mad circles buying it, in the other half producing it.

It’s enough to make you want to get off? But where? Another solar system?

But, it seems the chances of us landing in a global mess because of our own actions are much much greater than Mercury’s vulnerability to the big thugs out there in space. And that’s a Gemini telling you.

So, do relax, go back to what you were doing in your own life about saving the planet and let Mercury, Venus and Jupiter do their own thing.

Your own alternate energy sources are within you. Your personal power system.

Here’s to you!

Planets Could Collide

Comments (0)

June 8, 2009

Solar Rebates Can Be Ripped From Under You Without Warning

Filed under: alternative energy,renewable energy incentives,saving energy,solar energy grants — admin @ 10:51 pm

The Australian government has just terminated its AUS$8000.00 rebate scheme for domestic installation of PV solar panels. Two weeks early of its planned cessation.

What does that mean?

While economic stimulus in the US and, in part in Australia, is built on growing the renewable industries, this is the first sign that governments are now judging this movement needs no help. Plus people have been taking up this opportunity to a much greater extent than government budgeted for.

It is a must, so people will do it anyway, so government reasons. And it has already given out so much money in economic stimulus that it has no more to spend.

I have predicted this would happen sooner or later but I did not think it would be this soon. It’s not a mere two week cut, sooner than planned. This is a signal tthat will be repeated as the importance of The Economy resumes its undeserved first place over the Environment and Social domains.

Yes, the Australian government will still offer a solar credits system, but it’s not the same as a cash rebate, is it?

So, while governments still offer solar energy grants and rebate, take the opportunity now. Research what is available to in your country and take action.

Australian Renewable Energy Grants

Solar Energy grants – A Living Database

Australian Energy Incentives Government Source

Renewable Energy Grants

Comments (0)

June 7, 2009

Climate Change Is Real – Just Ask The Tuvaluans

Filed under: Climate change — admin @ 10:12 pm

Even if you want to give credit to Australian Senator Fielding’s new-found knowledge of solar flares as the cause for global warming, the phenomenon itself is definitely real – not a flare-up.

So real that Indonesia has put offers on the table to help neighbouring island nations move to its higher-lying islands. The first climate refugees will be tenants on these islands. Nauru, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu are all candidates for becoming such tenants.

Fancy losing your land, your country, only to become a tenant elsewhere… What if you don’t pay the rent. Surely we need better answers.

A report by the Global Humanitarian Forum blames climate change for the deaths of 300,000 people a year, seriously impacts on the lives of 326 million people and costs $125 Billion per year.

The situation always has been serious but the effects are now beginning to be felt by many. The Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012 and we must put something much more potent in place of it.

Comments (0)

June 6, 2009

Gas And Petrol Prices Are Rising Again – And There’s No Going Back This Time

Filed under: Green cars,Peak Oil,alternative energy,saving energy — admin @ 8:26 pm

My local branch of the Motor Trade Association (Western Australia) has just issued a warning on rising fuel prices.

The price of a barrel of oil has risen to almost $70 recently and this is reflected by your pain at the bowser. You might be laughing at the price of AUS$1.24 for a litre of petrol here now. But it’s set to go much higher. Much higher, I suggest, than the predicted $1.40 by the end of 2009.

Why?. Peak oil is here. Dwindling oil supplies, high demand and few (cheap) alternatives will have you cut back on your Christmas shopping spending this year.

If the economy is really now climbing out of the recession then energy demand will grow again. But oil will be the break on it this time.

I drive on LPG, tied to half the going price of petrol. But, half of a lot will still be a lot!

You can however take advantage of grassroots car conversion technologies and fuel-saving gadgets.

Rising fuel prices will cause the biggest global explosion of fuel-saving conversion and gadget demand ever seen as the fuel-cost graph goes in one direction only from now on – North!

Of course you can look at converting your own car, or let your mechanic do it.

How To Convert Your Car To Electric

Yes, Running Your Car On Water Vapour (Browns Gas) Is Not A Myth

Comments (0)

June 4, 2009

Peak Oil Has Arrived Says Swedish Expert

Filed under: Peak Oil,saving energy — admin @ 7:55 pm

Kjell Aleklett, professor in Physics, Global Energy Systems, Uppsala University, Sweden and president of ASPO, the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas, says it’s here now.

Peak oil. That’s what.

By 2030, world oil production will have fallen 25%. Calculated on an internationally accepted scale, denoting the commencement of phenomenon of Peak Oil, this is it. It’s all the way down from here.

Of course oil production is only part of the story. Expanding economies – once this recession is forgotten – will see rising energy demand once again.

And renewable energy is not ready to tack up the slack, bar a few percentage points of world energy capacity right now.

Translation?

Be prepared!

* Be prepared to pay much higher prices for fuel

* Be prepared to pay much greater prices for domestic energy use

* Be prepared to pay much higher prices for just about anything because just about anything relies on oil to make it, or get it to you.

What can you do?

Prof Aleklett says: “If we don’t have the energy, society will crack, so there is not one solution,” he said.

“We should use everything, we should use energy more efficient, we should use other forms of energy, renewable energy is a must of course.”

So, again, what can you do:

* Use less energy

* Buy energy-efficient appliances