News January 19th 2007
Posted on 19 January 2007 by e-news
MASG NEWS
*Carolyn has started her maternity leave; watch this space for baby news….
*Sustainable Housing Tour date selected. The Planning and Housing working group is going to run a tour of houses that demonstrate sustainability principles, the likely date is Sunday March 18th. Contact the office if you wish to attend, assist or for further details.
*State Festival Business program. MASG will assist businesses support the Carbon Neutral component of the State Festival, and we need volunteers to help us get the carbon neutral message out with local businesses help. If you want to be part of this come to a workshop on Thursday the 25th of January at 8.30am at the MASG offices.
MASG WORKING GROUPS
We will be outlining the work of one of the different working groups each week for this month to help people keep up to date. This week it’s the Renewable Energy working group. If you wish to know more contact the office 54 70 6978.
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAM
This group has been meeting for approximately one year and has recently decided on a structure and concrete aims to get renewables moving in the Shire. The group aims to 1.reduce the greenhouse gas emissions generated within the Mount Alexander Shire by 30% by 2010, 2.to enhance the security of supply of electricity to Mount Alexander Shire. They will facilitate the installation of Renewable energy generation and work on projects that reduce the demand for electricity from domestic consumers. The group’s actions will be based on:
* Accessing the best financial and scientific information to guide their actions
* Raising community awareness of the uses and potentials of RE within the Shire
* Increasing the uptake of Greenpower usage
* Increasing the uptake of solar hot water usage
* Installing suitable Renewable Energy generation, a portion of which is to be community owned.
* Supporting planning and development processes that ensure low greenhouse emissions from built infrastructure.
* Liaising with the CSIRO Sustainable Communities Initiative to share information.
The group currently consists of 12 volunteers working in 4 research subgroups:
* Wind
* Solar PV and Solar hot water
* Biomass and Cogeneration
* Communications and Greenpower promotion.
MASG REQUESTS
*Still requiring volunteers for office staffing at around the time of Carolyn’s and Dean’s baby, probably the end of February-early March.
*Volunteers to help with the State Festival Business program, getting the carbon neutral message out with local businesses. Thursday 25th of January 8.30am or ring Dean 54706978 for details.
*Thanks to those who have offered bicycles but we still need a few more as part of the State Festival Carbon Neutral program.
*Volunteers to participate in the “River of Bicycles” event that we are planning to have as part of the MASG contribution to the Castlemaine State Festival Launch late (probably February 22nd). Ring the office on 54706978 and talk to Dean/Carolyn.
OTHER:
Please note these events are not MASG endorsed and are for members information only.
*Sustainable Living Festival; 16th – 18th February, 2007 Federation Square, FREE ENTRY Let’s lighten our footprint The Sustainable Living Festival is a celebration and showcase of leading examples of sustainable living in Australia, drawing together a wide variety of displays, exhibits, artworks, performances, demonstrations and workshops to inspire a sustainable culture. Take a tour around their website to see last year’s program and stay tuned for updates on next years event.
FINAL WORD
China to triple wind-power generation by 2010
China has announced plans for a huge increase in its wind energy production, aiming to triple its existing wind power capacity by 2010. In 2006 alone China increased its wind energy capacity by 80%, installing 1,000 MW, to take its current total to 2,300 MW. The Chinese plan will see 45.6 billion Yuan ($7.46 billion) spent to more than triple wind-power generation capacity by 2010. Click for details.
And on that note, the beginning of the think globally, act locally concept from 400 BC
I am a citizen, not of Athens or Greece, but of the world.
Socrates
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