Originally Posted by carlap

I think the OP had some useful points. Oz is environmentally in a very precarious position, yet they have the option to use natural energy. Solar power is only catching on because of grants, its always windy. Hardly any insulation in the houses (for hot and cold temps). She'll be alright seems to be the very real and naive attitude

Originally Posted by jayr

Solar, in particualr concentrating solar thermal, has a reasonable chance of commercial development.

Originally Posted by bcworld

Solar energy has absolutely zero chance of commericial development in Qld.

Originally Posted by bcworld

Solar energy has absolutely zero chance of commericial development in Qld. The state government has a coal, coal, coal philosophy based purely on economic factors (an inability to make difficult decisions) and likes to hide behind the idea that 'clean coal' might one day be an option as a barrier to change.

Originally Posted by ABCDiamond

December 14, 2008

SOLAR energy is powering a small outback town in south-west Queensland.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh on Sunday witnessed the emissions-free energy production at Australia's newest solar farm at Windorah - a Queensland first.

The $4.5 million farm's five solar dishes can create enough energy to the local grid to power about 60 homes and businesses.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...5-2702,00.html

Originally Posted by themerlin

Just think how much solar power could have been created with that 47 Billion the government has just put in the pokies (indirectly)

Originally Posted by suzyt

We work really hard at saving water (most times the kids shower together hee hee) and we have tanks, we have cut back to 1 car, and we have solar heating for the house and pool. Husband uses public transport everyday now. I never use the tumble dryer , and do the washing on a low heat setting where poss. And i have got paranoid about turning the lights off. Nothing is left on standby. God i sound like a prat but hey ho

Originally Posted by bourbon-biscuit

I guess all of us have massive long haul footprints and some of us make that journey more often than we'd like (bloody family marrying and so on), but I was determined when we moved over here from NZ (where we were very skint indeed) to be a bit more environmentally conscious. Now, I'm *never* going to be someone who shuns washing, goes without a car, stops using loo paper (honestly, some do- washable wipes ) etc but I have made a few commitments and I've been pleasantly surprised by a few things here in Australia. I only buy eco soaps, shampoo, cleaners and washing liquids, recycled loo roll etc. These are actually cheaper here in Oz than main brands and are top quality!!! You can also buy them from Coles, Woolworths etc so no traipsing to a health store in the middle of nowhere. We use a lovely shampoo and conditioner that are easily as nice for my hair as pantene was and they cost $3.80 a bottle- and even the bottle is made form plants. They are called organic something or other, on the bottom shelf and do a 'normal', 'for coloured hair' etc range. The clothes washing liquid and fabric softener is so cheap!

We're also trying really hard to adapt to one car and we've chosen to forgo getting a beast-like 4WD, given most our driving is within the city. We live in a smaller house in a beach suburb (which I rent from my mother), which was an eco choice on her part that we're benefiting from as the compromise is a smaller house but it's cool and we've used the air con just one day. I always line dry or use racks- can't see the point in a tumble dryer, just can't get my head around it given we're in a very hot climate.

I'd like to remember to take the cloth shopping bags with me when I shop and get a garden composter as although the waste is sorted into recycling and rubbish, I reckon half of our rubbish could be composted. I use a front loader machine with low water consumption but when it's hot I do shower twice a day and don't intend to stop doing that, although it's not a power shower.

Does the fragility of the eco-system of Australia concern you? Do we have a responsibility as migrants to lessen our footprint on Australia?

Originally Posted by themerlin

I have loads of trees in the Garden which I use to offset my carbon

Originally Posted by spartacus

Scared of the dark?

Originally Posted by Three Legs

I have loads of beer in my fridge which I use to offset my stress

Originally Posted by suzyt

ooh wines i find helps