New Zealand to be 90% Renewable by 2025

An interesting contrast...

A. In New Zealand, Janet Clarke commits to 90% powered by renewable energy by 2025.

B. In Australia, John Howard commits to a 15% renewable energy target by 2020, which the Government admits is simply the sum total of existing and planned targets under the Commonwealth and states' energy target schemes.

It should be noted that note that NZ is already 70% powered by renewables - mainly from hydroelectric dams, with geothermal a secondary source. Clarke also hopes New Zealand will someday be completely carbon neutral - I'm sure they also have lots of wind. Further NZ goals are a 2040 target for reducing by half per capita emissions from transport, widely introducing electric vehicles and achieving a net increase in forest area of 250,000 hectares (617,000 acres) by 2020.

[EcoGeek blog and renewableenergyaccess.com]

Google Trends: useful tool for analysing Web topic trends

Google Trends is a rather useful tool that you may not be aware of. It lets you analyse trends in Web topics according to their search frequency and News coverage. Up to five topics can be compared with results listed by country and region. Major news topics are listed and tagged on the trend lines.

For example, this image shows trends in the use of the terms 'Peak Oil' and 'Climate Change' over the last 4 years (see live trends here). It shows how the UN Climate Change Report caused a major peak on Feb 2, 2007, but interest in Peak Oil appears to have tailored off. There seems to be far more interest in both topics from Australia and New Zealand that the US.

Selecting a particular country shows the corresponding search activity, but unfortunately not the News items (the product is under development).

For more info see About Google Trends

Formation of the Bicycle Coalition

Four of the largest riding organisations in Australia have come together to form the Bicycle Coalition:

• Bicycle NSW
• Bicycle Queensland
• Bicycle South Australia
• Bicycle Victoria

The Coalition will significantly enhance the ability of each group to achieve its purpose through a combined membership of over 60 000 in contact with a quarter of a million bike riders across Australia.

It will establish agreement about bike riding issues; present common positions to government, community and business; develop shared intellectual property and develop shared ventures and initiatives.

• National social marketing programs for National Ride to Work and National Ride2School.
• The Light Up! campaign reduce the proportion of bike riders who ride at night without lights.
• Getting more bicycle facilities built.
• Improve the frequency, accuracy and comparability of bicycle trip data.
• Shared internet services for riders including a Bike shop finder to help riders find independent bicycle dealers and help independent bike dealers serve riders
• National Ride leader accreditation program.
• Establish joint positions on Commonwealth and State legislation and policy: Commonwealth fiscal policy; Bicycle parking and other bicycle friendly planning guidelines; Road trauma reduction; Preventative health measures

Suggestions for issues the Coalition could address are invited!

MyCuppa - colour matching mugs for tea or coffee

Available in Tea or Coffee styles, it's claimed these mugs will help you mix your favourite brew by matching the colour guide on the inside. Available end of September from SuckUK for £7.50

Alternative Energy Cuba: Four Wind Turbines for Guantanamo Bay

The U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay is demonstrating yet more global responsibility with the installation of four new wind turbines. They'll not only reduce oil imports, but show those "energy-starved communist neighbours what they are missing". No plans to share the technology with Cuba however.
[Alternative Energy Blog]

The Viability of Domestic Wind Turbines for Urban Melbourne - ATA Report Launch

The Alternative Technology Association will launch a report prepared for Sustainability Victoria into the Viability of Domestic Wind Turbines for Urban Melbourne.

When: Thursday 13th September, 2007
Time: 6:15pm for a 6:30pm start
Where: Saint Michael’s Building, next to 120 Collins St. Disabled access. (click here for a map)
Costs: $10 for ATA members (ATA couples $15). Non-members welcome $15.
Refreshments provided
RSVP essential as seats are limited. Contact Wendy Clarke on ph:(03) 9631 5407 or email: wendy@ata.org.au

This report investigates the feasibility of small-scale, grid-connected wind turbines for urban Melbourne, outlines the findings of the research and highlights the issues which may face the emerging market.

Speakers include:

• Geoff Mabbett, CEO of Sustainability Victoria will launch the report
• Alicia Webb, a wind engineer, is the author of the report. She will overview the report, looking at the different types of micro turbines, what is available in Australia as well as the considerations around installing micro turbines in residential Melbourne.
• Dominique La Fontaine, CEO of the Australian Wind Energy Association (Auswind) is one of Australia’s leading wind energy authorities, well renowned for her advocacy of wind energy, aiming to mainstream the use of wind energy worldwide. She will look at the potential of wind energy, innovation in the Australian wind industry and current incentives (VRET, emissions trading, NRET, MRET).

See also entry on Small Barrel Wind Turbine for residential rooftop use

Innovative Bicycle Product - the 'Tandem Rack'

It's claimed this pseudo-tandem rig is easy to use and works for both children and adults, but it looks pretty scary to me...

A telescoping tube fitted to a cantilever style bike rack attaches to a trailing bike. If either rider gets distracted, falls or the rear bike starts to pass, the linking bar automatically disconnects.

[Innovative Bicycle Products - Tandem Racks]

"My Grandma Owned a Car": Short Film from Future Melbourne backcast workshop

This documentary from a Future Melbourne 'backcasting' workshop showcases how leading transport and urban development thinkers envisage we might be living and working in a post- peak oil and climate change future.

It can be viewed online (21GB) but will also be shown on the Big Screen at Melbourne's Federation Square (map):
5pm and 6pm Friday September 7, 14, 21 and 28* (*5pm screening only)
12:30pm and 5:30pm Tuesday September 18 and 25, 2007
12:30pm and 4:30pm Sunday September 9, 16, 23* and 30, 2007 (*12:30 pm screening only)

* Where will we live when petrol is too expensive for average income earners to buy? Will the electric car mean business as usual? Will our nature strips be filled with vegetable patches?
* Will we just have to travel less? More working from home? Will we all be living in dense suburbs or apartments and relying on our feet, pedals and telecommuting to transport us?
* Will we our future grandchildren laugh at the absurdity of us having once owned a car?

Featuring...
Dr Patrick Moriarty, Monash University/GAMUT
Prof. Chris Ryan, Australian Centre for Science, Innovation and Society
Dr Jan Scheurer, RMIT University
Prof Bill Russel and Prof Nicholas Low, GAMUT
Mr Ray Kinnear, Department of Infrastructure
Prof Dimity Reed AM, Mr Daniel Khong and Mr Martin Williams, VicUrban
Mr David Teller, Committee for Melbourne
Mr William McDougal, Sinclair Knight Merz
Ms Jess Fritze, Victorian Council of Social Services
Mr Bernie Carolan, Metlink
Mr Chris Loader, Bus Association of Victoria
Mr Kevin Luten, UrbanTrans
Ms Kerry McConnell, VicRoads
Cr Janet Rice, Metropolitan Transport Forum, City of Maribyrnong

PS: note family contribution!