solar | Indymedia Australia

Green groups criticize federal government for slashing climate programs for disaster reconstruction

Submitted by takver on Thu, 27/01/2011 - 9:09pm

Environment, climate change and green groups have criticized the Federal Government for budget cuts to solar development and carbon reduction programs, as part of its reconstruction program for rebuilding Queensland after the devastating floods.

Deferring expenditure in the solar flagship program is of major concern for the development of industry scale solar power stations in Australia, necessary for converting our reliance on carbon intensive coal fired power to renewable technologies. A US study has shown the feasibility of converting global power to 100 per cent carbon emission neutral alternative energy technologies in 20 to 40 years, similar to the Australian study by Beyond Zero Emissions with the Zero Carbon Australia 2020 report, launched in July 2010.

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US study: Carbon neutral solar and wind powered world possible in 20 to 40 years

Submitted by takver on Thu, 27/01/2011 - 1:44pm

Is it achievable? You bet! All it takes is the political and social will to make it happen says two US researchers who have just published a study of the material resources and technology required to power the world 100 per cent by carbon emission neutral alternative energy technologies. It would also save 2.5 million to 3 million lives a year through slashing water and air pollution and simultaneously slow global warming and the problems of climate change, and develop secure, reliable energy sources and at costs comparable with what we spend on energy today.

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Pioneering solar photovoltaic centre of excellence loses research funding

Submitted by takver on Fri, 30/07/2010 - 3:23am

Why is a ground breaking solar research facility losing research funding at such a crucial time for transitioning from coal fired power stations to renewable energy? On Monday 26 July Greens staffer Tim Hollo revealed on Twitter that research funding had not been renewed for the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Advanced Silicon Photovoltaics and Photonics based at the University of NSW.

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How to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2020

Submitted by takver on Thu, 15/07/2010 - 10:52am

The public launch of the Beyond Zero Emissions report - Zero Carbon Australia 2020 - was delivered to an overflowing audience at Melbourne University last night. The report is one possible blueprint for acting on the challenge of climate change by converting the existing coal and gas fired carbon pollution dependent electricity generation to 100% renewables using only current technologies in ten years.

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Call for Gillard to install solar panels on the Lodge

Submitted by takver on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 3:58am

The international climate activist organisation - 350.org - has launched a campaign for Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard to install solar panels on The Lodge. It has called for leaders of nations to instal solar panels on official residences, as part of global action on climate change on 10/10/10.

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Renewable energy target: 20 by 2020 or zero emissions by 2020?

Submitted by takver on Mon, 28/06/2010 - 2:53am

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New solar power station to run on sun and air

Submitted by takver on Wed, 28/04/2010 - 5:13pm

The CSIRO is about to build a new research solar power tower at it's National Solar Energy Centre in Newcastle that uses just the sun's energy and heated air in a Brayton turbine to produce electricity. This is innovative renewable technology - the largest of its type in the world - to combat use of fossil fuels and climate change, to be built and fully operational by March 2011.

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Mildura solar power plant languishes while coal gets funding

Submitted by takver on Sun, 24/01/2010 - 12:06am

About 50 people attended a rally Saturday 23 January 2010 on the Victorian parliament house steps to Save Solar Systems and build the Mildura Solar Thermal Power Plant.

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Climate protest highlights environment funding in the Australian Budget

Submitted by takver on Sat, 16/05/2009 - 4:19am

Photo courtesy Rising Tide Newcastle Eight people were arrested in a dramatic climate protest at Canberra during the 2009 Government budget session over the Government's inadequate response to climate change. So, how did the Environment fare in the budget?

"This is a historic level of Commonwealth investment in solar energy and public transport and we warmly welcome it. The money for solar gives a good kick start to this crucial industry of the future. In contrast, the $2 billion of new funds over nine years for carbon capture and storage research is public money not well spent. The companies that make huge profits from mining and burning coal should fund the research into technologies that may – or may not – help reduce Australia’s carbon emissions in ten, fifteen or twenty years." summed up Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) executive director Don Henry.

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