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"New laws toss energy jobs to the wind Andrew Bray, September 2, 2011

"THE Victorian Opposition will overturn tough wind farm planning laws introduced by the State Government in 2011 if elected to power. Opposition planning spokesman Brian Tee said if elected next year, the Labor Party would repeal the setback that prevents developers building turbines within 2km of a house without the owner's written consent."

"The old-fashioned approach to recycling in which consumers pay a redeemable deposit on drink containers is popular among all kinds of people, from Greenpeace members to traditional Coalition voters. But this nostalgia-fuelled enthusiasm isn't a good reason to suspend sound judgement. The truth is container deposit schemes are outdated and ineffective, and it's time we consigned the idea to history's dustbin."

"Los Angeles became the biggest city in the country to ban free plastic bags in grocery stores following a city council vote Tuesday. The 9-1 vote supports a ban that will take effect Jan. 1 for large stores, City News Service reported. Under the law, shoppers will have to tote their own bags, or pay 10 cents each for paper bags."

"AN INDEPENDENT study of wind farms and noise is among the first environmental ­priorities of the Abbott government. Incoming Industry Minister Ian ­Macfarlane said he would begin talking to wind farm operators before parliament sits in November to discuss the scope of the inquiry and a law to establish real time monitoring."

"Community renewable energy has significant political and economic benefits, but is often hindered by five major barriers. Watch this vividly illustrated presentation to learn how communities can overcome the barriers and advance more local renewable energy. ILSR Senior Researcher John Farrell gave this presentation as part of a Sustainable Economies Law Center webinar on April 30, 2013."

Energy Made Easy is an Australian Government website maintained by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). Under the National Energy Retail Law, which came into effect on 1 July 2012, the AER developed and must operate a price comparator website. The aim of Energy Made Easy is to help residential and small business energy consumers to navigate the often complex electricity and gas retail markets to find a suitable energy offer. The website also allows you to understand and compare your residential electricity usage against other similar households living in their area and to learn about energy related topics such as energy efficiency, contracts, bills, your rights and obligations, and the energy market.

"The ISO 14000 environmental management standards exist to help organizations (a) minimize how their operations (processes etc.) negatively affect the environment (i.e. cause adverse changes to air, water, or land); (b) comply with applicable laws, regulations, and other environmentally oriented requirements, and (c) continually improve in the above. ISO 14000 is similar to ISO 9000 quality management in that both pertain to the process of how a product is produced, rather than to the product itself. As with ISO 9000, certification is performed by third-party organizations rather than being awarded by ISO directly. The ISO 19011 audit standard applies when auditing for both 9000 and 14000 compliance at once."

"People at risk of displacement from climate change and natural disasters do not want to be seen as refugees. Their predominant wish is to remain at home, but if circumstances force them to move, they want to be seen as valued migrants, moving in dignity and with humanity, with the respect of the international community. Policymakers need to appreciate that migration is one form of adaptation to climate change and, in consultation with affected communities, devise thoughtful strategies to facilitate this."