Australlia and solar energy

April Sampson-Kelly (askpv@ozemail.com.au)
Mon, 6 May 1996 11:42:41 +-1000

>>What is taking place in -Australia-, in reference to phasing out =
fossil
fuels, and the building -Sustainable Communities ? I would hope the =
-forces
that be- are hard at work making the move toward Sustainable Community
Development... How is Australia addressing the -Concepts- of Agenda 21 =
?;
this -document- was the outgrowth of the 1992 Rio Conference..

Hello thankyou for your reply,
1. Australia is a big consumer of fossil fuels on per capita basis =
(18million people only in the nation)
2. We are also big polluters and contributors to the greenhouse effect. =
Yes we are aware that fossil fuels are finite, unfortunately though we =
are very good at finding more supplies, and recently we have found more =
off shore. We have so far prevented mining under the great barrier reef =
(the most visually spectacular thing I've seen in 20 countries I have =
visited to date) In the 70's there was great resitance by the fuel =
companies to fund solar, now they are doing it themselves. Also there =
has been a big break through in battery storage of energy, apparently a =
system has been devised at NSW university that completely revolutionise =
battery power as it is supposed to be self-generating ( the project is =
still well guarded). It must contain the energy well to obey thermal =
dynamics laws.
Australians have the biggest rate of skin cancer in the world I think. =
We are all very aware of the hole in the ozone - for us it is not open =
to debate anymore. All our children have to wear hats at school or are =
barred from the playing.
3. Our politicians say the right things in world arenas and they seem to =
really want to reduce our pollution. On a federal basis they re-forest =
areas while at the same time allow deforestation of old growth areas =
within ear shot of protesting greenies. =20
4. However, the greenies still keep their money at the bank, the banks =
fund this pollutive ventures.
I think on the whole, that practicing permaculture on a the fringes of a =
small University and steel industry city that still has beautiful clean =
beaches, has been accepted as a positive lifestyle by everyone I have =
meet.
In northern sydney the electricity company has made huge strides. =
Through rationalism, the generation and sales of electricity were =
seperated. This enabled sales to buy solar and other generation from =
other suppiers, there are solar homes capable of returning the =
electricity to the grid and it is bought!! Also people can choose to =
pay a little more and get renewable electricity. Solar hot water is =
still more expensive initially, but there are many owners who think it =
has been a worthwhile investment.
I think we have a good attitude but as yet still inadequate knowledge as =
to what measures we as individuals can use. Permaculture has become a =
household name for many, and reduction and recycling is growing well. =
We need more gardens and demonstration sites as this seems to be the =
fastest way to get people back into responsibility and wholistically =
productive lives.
April
Permaculture Visions International Correspondence Courses
We would appreciate info on solar too.