Geelong Sustainability

"Passive solar architectural principles have come of age. They have given rise to thousands of buildings of all sizes and purposes around the world, in all climate types, to demonstrate how buildings don't need to consume fossil fuel energy to support their occupants. They can even generate more power, or absorb more carbon, than they use. Below is a ten-step guide to how to go about designing and building one."

"Our firefighters, emergency services and communities need to prepare for much greater bushfire risk from climate change. Victorian communities will be among the most affected. The Climate Council's latest report looks at what this means for the state. READ THE REPORT"

"Earth Ed is an engaging specialist science and mathematics facility providing real world Earth Science educational experiences for Victorian students. Focusing on Renewable Energy, Climate Science, Sustainability and Geology, our programs provide access to specialist scientific equipment, innovative digital resources, and promote a scientific inquiry approach to learning."

"Here's a fun fact about "sea-level rise": The seas aren't actually level to begin with. Because of predictable, long-term patterns in climate, global winds push more water into some oceans than others. This leaves the seven seas (not really a thing) divided into six "basins" (actually a thing). Water in these interconnected systems can slosh around to different areas while the overall volume stays the same - much like water in a bathtub. Or so we thought!"

"A new report from the World Bank, 'Turn Down the Heat' warns that already global warming of around 1.5°C above pre-industrial times is locked into the Earth's atmospheric system. Unless we act now to reduce emissions, warming of probably 4 degrees will occur within our century, and everyone will feel the impact, particularly the poor."

"Celebrated author Michael Pollan talks climate change, and how farming can help stop it. "

"Educating kids about recycling can have an impact on the entire household. That's why Planet Ark has developed the Packaging Covenant Schools Recycle Right Challenge to support recycling education in schools. Register your school now to access a wide range of recycling-themed activities, lesson plans and events ideas that have been developed specifically for Australian schools."

"A team of researchers at Michigan State University has developed a new type of solar concentrator that when placed over a window creates solar energy while allowing people to actually see through the window. It is called a transparent luminescent solar concentrator and can be used on buildings, cell phones and any other device that has a clear surface. And, according to Richard Lunt of MSU's College of Engineering, the key word is "transparent.""

The Victorian Government today launched a website allowing users to discover if onshore gas licences cover their property. The website comes as the controversial CSG issue threatens to reshape Victoria's Parliament at next month's state election.

"Beach Patrol is a chain of FEP community groups each defined by suburb, post code and t-shirt colour.Starting in 2009 with 3206 Beach Patrol - Middle Park , it quickly became evident that many 3206 residents cared greatly about the condition of their local beaches and were in fact willing to donate one hour of their time each month to help keep the beaches cleaner and safer for the greater enjoyment of all. Beach Patrol - Port Melbourne was soon up and running and following on 3182 Beach Patrol - St Kilda and 3186 Beach Patrol are now also going strong."

"We should all start noticing rubbish on the street and pick it up. If I walk past it, I accept it. See it, Bin it. Witness it, Report it! Everyday"

"Ignorance has just become much harder, for citizens, industry and policymakers alike: CSIRO has released the damning results of a three-year study of marine debris around Australia's coastline and seas. Three-quarters of all the refuse is plastic, and almost all of that comes in small pieces. In Australian waters, it found up to 40,000 pieces of plastic per square kilometre."

"The Coalition's review of the Renewable Energy Target has caused investment in clean energy to drop below that of Algeria, Thailand and Myanmar"

"The biggest solar power project in the entire state of Minnesota is going to be at an airport. On Thursday, Gov. Mark Dayton joined officials from the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport to announce the construction of a $25 million solar project there, which will be built on top of two parking ramps at the airport's main terminal. The solar panels are expected to produce 3 megawatts (MW) of power, and generate close to 20 percent of the airport's total electricity. Beyond the airport, the project means that Minnesota itself will have 20 percent more solar capacity than it did before."

"Over 2012 and 2013, parts of New Zealand experienced their worst drought in nearly 70 years. Drought is the costliest climate extreme in New Zealand; the 2012-2013 event depressed the country's GDP by 0.7-0.9%. The drought of 1988-1989 affected 5,500 farms, pushing some farmers to the wall. But what does a climate-changed future hold? Recent evidence confirms that New Zealand on the whole is getting dryer. And we're beginning to understand why - increasing greenhouse and ozone-depleting gases are driving changes in the atmosphere, with impacts far beyond New Zealand."

"Chileans call the fruit "green gold" for its popularity stateside, but as Eilis O'Neill writes for Civil Eats, the crop is doing all sorts of damage to the country's groundwater supply, especially as it continues to face ongoing drought:"

"Indian PM's renewable energy ambitions are big and the country is home to Asia's biggest solar farm in Gujarat, but coal use is still increasing"

"My colleague and co-author Katie Hull Sypnieski (with whom I'm writing a sequel to our surprisingly popular book, The ESL/ELL Teacher's Survival Guide) are teaching a lesson on climate change to our Intermediate and Advanced English Language Learners on Friday. I'll be combining my Intermediate class with her Advanced one. I thought readers might be interested in hearing what we will be doing…"

"This online course will emphasise a multitude of ways to enrich your teaching programs using the theme of sustainability. As a cross-curriculum priority of the Australian Curriculum, you will learn practical and creative ways to make sustainability come alive in your classroom. Busy teachers will find this course incredibly valuable, as you will be provided with a complete Education for Sustainability (EfS) 'getting started toolkit'. You will gain a: * A clear definition of what EfS is and why it is important to integrate it into teaching practices * Guidance on how and where it can be integrated into your classroom using the Australian Curriculum * Examples of best practice from leading schools and other inspirational teaching ideas * Strategies in overcoming barriers and enabling staff and students * Hundreds of FREE to access, high quality ready-made classroom lessons and hands-on activities that can be used by all teachers within your school. Get a head-start on 2015 and enrich your curriculum today!"

footprint is a complete online water and energy monitoring solution developed by iota, the commercial and innovative business arm of leading water authority South East Water. footprint's dynamic technology can instantly and accurately identify unaccounted water and energy usage as well as irregularities in trade waste. footprint will help your business better manage risk and compliance, achieve operational efficiency and profitability and minimise carbon footprint - enhancing the value and reputation of your company.