Greenpeace has launched the 2009 True Food Guide, which provides information on shopping for GE-free food. You can download the Guide as a PDF or order a pocket-sized copy.
The National Market-Based Instruments (MBI) Forum was held in Brisbane in late September. Now available are many of the PowerPoint presentations, as well as video interviews exploring the MBI experiences of a wide range of people.
By using policy tools called market-based instruments (MBIs), governments, regional NRM groups and others natural resource managers are applying the economic principles of supply and demand to the management of the natural resources such as water, biodiversity, habitat, water quality and forests. MBIs rely on market signals to positively influence behaviour.
A ‘market’ is any place where sellers of a good or service can meet buyers of that good or service. Markets are historically associated with the buying and selling of tangible products or intangible items such as stocks and shares. However, harnessing the competitive pressure of commercial markets is increasingly being used as a policy tool to reduce the costs of securing environmental outcomes and to create greater flexibility for delivering natural resource management (NRM) outcomes.
Making Environmental News is an email portal that delivers access to environmental news items appearing in the major non-subscription electronic news media to your email every weekday. It is a summary of what has made the news in the preceding 24 hours, linking you to the news item if more information is required. The service is free and is designed for busy people who need to know what is being reported in the news. There is no filtering or editorial, and each email update takes about three minutes to scan. Making Environmental News is an initiative of the Banksia Environmental Foundation.
The Rudd Government has announced more than $28.5 million in funding to support 137 local and community groups with environmental and sustainable farming projects under Caring for our Country Open Grants.
The package includes more than $5.5 million for sustainable farming practices; $8.9 million for Landcare projects; more than $7.3 million for biodiversity and natural icons, more than $5.7 million for coasts and critical aquatic habitats and more than $1.1 million for other projects.
Read the primary media release or view the list of funded projects.
Waterlines report No 10 – November 2008 is a ‘how to guide’ that will help Australian households boost their re-use of stormwater and greywater. The report was developed for the Commission by the Master Plumber and Mechanical Services Association of Australia, with assistance from key stakeholders and regulatory authorities.
The publication gives householders the essential information they need when considering installing a greywater system. The report covers rebates, approval processes, planning tools and installation issues. This Waterlines report will make a significant contribution to the implementation of the National Water Initiative by assisting with the safe re-use and recycling of these alternative water sources in urban environments.
Two related specialist handbooks, which will provide plumbers and householders with expert technical advice on how to install and maintain rainwater tanks and greywater systems, have also been released.
The Australian
20 November 2008
QUEENSLAND Premier Anna Bligh yesterday left the door open to scrapping her recycled sewage plan, as it emerged that the 2.6 million residents of the state’s southeast may not be told if their drinking water has been contaminated.
The shift by Ms Bligh follows a series of reports by The Australian, which highlighted concerns by experts about whether viruses and other contaminants would be blocked by the planned seven-stage screening process.
With pressure mounting on the Government as continuing rain raised dam levels further yesterday, Ms Bligh said she would listen to advice from the Queensland Water Commission about whether the scheme should proceed as planned early next year…
Read the full article here.
Coastcare Week is just around the corner and this year’s theme is “Life on the Edge”. See the latest Coastcare Week Newsletter and the Coastcare Australia website.
New sustainability education resources “Lessons from Teachers” are now available on the Teach Sustainability website.
“Lessons from Teachers” case studies document the experiences of secondary teachers who have developed units of work about sustainability. These case studies include a unit of work and a narrative, where teachers share their reflections on delivering these lessons. They discuss how sustainability issues can be integrated into their subject area, the way they approach teaching the unit and the highlights and challenges they have encountered.
Teach Sustainability is a not-for-profit educational website designed specifically for Australian teachers. The site connects educators across Australia and fosters the sharing of teaching programs, resources and experiences.