"Coal-fired electricity may have little or no economic future in Australia, a new analysis has found. While the new government seems determined to turn its back on renewable energy, our study shows that even without a carbon price, and even with the assumption that carbon capture and storage will eventually become commercially available, coal may not be able to compete with renewable electricity."

"People use less energy when they know their use is being monitored, a new US study has found. Among other things the findings suggest ways to increase the success of energy efficiency programs. Behavioural scientist, Dr Daniel Schwartz, from the University of Pennsylvania, and colleagues, report their findings this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences."

"Here's a bright idea: what if, instead of paying for solar panels to keep your electricity bills down, you asked a solar company to put them on your roof for free, then paid them back with excess energy that you didn't need? Well, it's already happening. Solar panel installation with no upfront payments, paid off over several years from the money saved out of your power bills, began in Australia almost two years ago. In a few years, it is likely that companies will be competing with each other to pay you for the privilege of using your roof to generate electricity for your home."

"Blustery weather in the middle of August has sent a slew of wind energy records tumbling. NSW wind farms generated 35 gigawatt-hours of electricity in the week starting August 18, beating the previous high for the state by about 9 per cent, consultants Intelligent Energy Systems said."

"South Australia broke another wind power record during August, with the state's wind farms providing the equivalent of just under 40 per cent of the state's power, the Clean Energy Council said today. Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh said August had broken records for wind power across the country, with South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales all hitting new highs during the period."

"Australia's effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions should be a pivotal issue in this election. Here and throughout the world, mounting scientific evidence that human activity is driving global warming is fuelling demand for policies to mitigate the risks."

"Beverly McGuire saw the warning signs before the town well went dry: sand in the toilet bowl, the sputter of air in the tap, a pump working overtime to no effect. But it still did not prepare her for the night last month when she turned on the tap and discovered the tiny town where she had made her home for 35 years was out of water."

"The cooling of eastern Pacific Ocean waters has been counteracting the warming effect of greenhouse gases. Our research, released today in Nature, shows this natural variability in ocean cycles is responsible for the "hiatus" in global warming over the last ten years or so."

"The 2013 Regional Public Place Recycling Grants aim to make it easier for regional Victorians to dispose of rubbish and recyclable waste correctly in public places. The competitive, merit-based $1 million grants program encourages partnerships between local government, business and community to address the challenge of resource recovery in public places. The total $800,000 grant funds available are for projects that involve education and infrastructure."

"Published on Aug 28, 2013 If Earth is going to remain habitable for more than about one billion people we need urgent and drastic action on climate change, not piecemeal solutions and a "softly-softly" approach. We have a choice. Future generations will not."

Following recent reports that Apple was preparing to launch their new iPhone trade-in program at Apple Retail Stores, 9to5Mac has managed to get their hands on some additional details - including the fact that the program is already launching at certain Apple Stores.

"Australia's two major parties have promised to reduce the country's emissions by 5% by 2020, with two different approaches. Labor has used carbon farming as part of its approach; the Coalition is making it a centrepiece. But analysis of Labor's approach shows it is likely to fail, whoever pursues it."

"26 August 2013 - The Victorian government has announced $3.59 million in funding to improve the energy efficiency of the state's commercial office buildings. The Smarter Resources Smarter Business - Energy Efficient Office Buildings program will provide matched grant funding of between $20,000 and $150,000 to mid-tier commercial office building owners to deliver energy savings."

"Okay, sure, not literally every 4 minutes. However, solar systems are now being installed at the rate of 360 solar systems per day, according to GTM Research. That's 1 every 4 minutes if you average it out over a 24 hour day. Really, it's more than that because, I assume, most solar systems aren't being installed outside of normal working hours."

"CLIMATE CHANGE HAS ARRIVED Here in the Pacific, droughts, floods, cyclones and rising seas are destroying our homes and jeopardizing our future. On 3 September, Pacific leaders will gather in Majuro to launch a new wave of climate leadership."

"The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in South Korea has been working on extending the range and convenience of operating electric buses. Two new buses are now being trialled in the city of Gumi that use technology in the road to wirelessly charge their batteries."

"Renewable energy such as wind, solar and hydro power could supply electricity at prices comparable to fossil fuels by 2030, according to a study commissioned by the federal government. Modelling by the Australian Energy Market Operator shows that 100 per cent of power from clean energy would be technically viable by 2030 - although with a price tag ranging from $219 billion to $252 billion."

"The Darebin Fruit Squad, a crack team of volunteers who, for free, harvest excess fruit and advise on tree maintenance. Leaving residents a box or two, they donate the leftover produce that would otherwise rot to the needy through charities such as Second Bite and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. The volunteers, in return, get free TAFE-level horticulture training."

"There's currently a very big difference between what the major parties contesting the election are planning to do for our environment. Here's where the major parties stand as at 12 August 2013. We'll update this snapshot over the course of the election campaign. Hopefully there are some big, positive announcements to come!"