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"On 9 May 2013 The National Sustainability Council presented Sustainable Australia Report 2013 to Minister Burke. The report provides a picture of Australia - what we look like and who we are. It tells the story of how we have changed as a nation over the last 30 years. We have made great progress in many areas. Australians are living longer, our health and levels of educational attainment have improved. We have benefited from a strong economy, with low unemployment and increasing incomes. However, inequality has increased and the health of our natural environment has continued to decline in some key areas. The report provides an evidence base for decision-making and planning about the future. It highlights a number of trends in Australia and the world that are set to have a significant impact on the next generation of Australians. We need to plan for an ageing population, rising health costs, growing cities and changes in traditional work and family roles. The National Sustainability Council intends to use the report, the first of its kind in Australia, as a starting point for a national conversation about our future."

"National Greenhouse Accounts Factors-July 2012"

"The Clean Energy Regulator has today released the 2012-13 National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) data publication. The publication includes the total scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions, total scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions and net energy consumption data reported for the 2012-13 financial year for these corporations."

"The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Measurement) Technical Guidelines (NGER Technical Guidelines) assist corporations to understand and apply the NGER (Measurement) Determination 2008."

"The US National Academy of Sciences and The Royal Society cordially invite you to join us for the release of "Climate Change: Evidence & Causes," a new publication produced jointly by the two institutions. Written by a UK-US team of leading climate scientists and reviewed by climate scientists and others, the publication is intended as a brief, readable reference document for decision makers, policy makers, educators, and other individuals seeking authoritative information on the some of the questions that continue to be asked."

"StudentCam is C-SPAN Television Network's annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think critically about issues that affect our communities and our nation. Students in grades 6-12 were asked to create a short (5-7 minute) video documentary on a topic related to the competition theme, "A Message to the U.S. Congress - What's the most important issue the U.S. Congress should consider in 2014?" "

"Australia's natural resources are reaching a crisis point as they struggle to support and sustain our lifestyles. But while degradation of these systems continues, research suggests the level of concern for the environment is falling. So could encouraging some national pride in our natural resources help improve the environment's outlook?"

"UB's SMB Campus is home to the Ballarat branch of the National Centre for Sustainability. The NCS provides educational leadership and works in partnership with industry, government and community. It undertakes program delivery, resource development, project work and applied research to support the development of sustainable practices. NCS staff with their knowledge and expertise are positioned to form strategic partnerships with industry, government and community, consulting and educating about sustainability. UB, through its innovation and regional community focus, is meeting the demands of the Western Victoria community in sustainability in the urban and natural environment."

"United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change"

UNEP's mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

""If the average temperature of a large body of water increases, that's an enormous amount of heat content," says Andrew Rosenberg, a convening lead author of the National Climate Assessment's Oceans chapter. Ocean waters are becoming warmer and more acidic, broadly affecting ocean circulation, chemistry, ecosystems, and marine life. Rising sea surface temperatures have been linked with increasing levels and ranges of diseases in people and marine life. In this video, Rosenberg discusses how human-caused climate change is transforming the oceans that make up 70 percent of the Earth's surface."

TeachWild is a nationwide marine debris project being run by leading scientists from the CSIRO and universities together with teachers, students and employees from Founding Partner Shell Australia. Information collected by citizen scientists will contribute to a comprehensive national picture of the marine debris issue across Australia. This website is equipped with some of the most up-to-date information and learning materials available on marine debris.

"The Climate Institute's Global Climate Leadership Review 2013 puts Australian climate policy in the context of ongoing international action to address climate change. The second in our annual series, the 2013 Review examines international action across several strands: it identifies which nations are leading the transition to a low-carbon economy; the dynamics and outcomes of intergovernmental climate negotiations; and the implications of all of these for Australia. "

Last week the world's atmosphere took a giant leap backward. For the first time in more than 3 million years, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) reached 400 parts per million. This was recorded at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's Earth System Research Laboratory located on Mauna Loa in Hawaii right out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a long way from major sources of CO2 in Asia and North America. What this means for the environment is uncertain but it's likely that, if no measures are taken to reduce this level of greenhouse gas, we could be headed for 3-4 degrees C warming globally by the end of this century

"In the 1960s, cars were threatening to displace bicycles in the main Danish cities. But the oil crisis, the environmental movement and a couple of controversial road projects reversed the trend. This is however just part of the story behind why Danes still cycle so much."

".... behind the scenes a growing number of economists and energy analysts are challenging the assumptions and methods behind these studies. None of them argues against seizing truly cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities. Rather, they caution against overestimating their energy and carbon savings potential. As such, it is time to rethink the privileged place efficiency has taken in the climate and energy strategies of national governments and international agencies. "

A study has found that increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can reduce the amount of water plants need to grow. Carbon dioxide concentrations recently exceeded 400 parts per million for the first time in three million years. But researchers at the Australian National University say the benefits of higher CO2 levels could partially offset some of the negative affects of climate change.

We all know how much emphasis is being placed on green energy strategies these days. The folks over National Geographic recently teamed up with GE Power & Water and the Center for Science to release Plan It Green: The Big Switch, a new cloud based online gaming community where students come together to learn more about the importance of recycling and how eco-friendly habits that can help save our environment. 

The 2013 Students of Sustainability Conference, is a national wide conference being held at the Launceston Campus of the University of Tasmania from the 5th to 9th of July. The 5 day conference brings together speakers from around Australia, to present on various sustainability initatives with talks ranging from Concentrated Solar Thermal uses in Australia through to Permaculture and plant foraging. This years action packed conference has over 100 speakers over the five days and is sure to be an exciting conference for all those who attend.