Seminar on sustainable public infrastructure
Meet industry, council and community leaders who are designing and building sustainable neighbourhoods. With the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia and others I’ll be presenting a seminar on how to build and operate sustainable public infrastructure. The first one is in Sydney on Wednesday and Thursday 26 and 27 March. Country seminars will follow later in the year. The seminar is called, Sustainable Public Infrastructure and... Read More
Sustainable Tip 3 – Food, energy and water – the real monsters
The growing, production, transport and waste of food is the second highest carbon polluting activity after coal fired power stations in Australia. Yes, my house is sustainable as it gets its energy from the sun and water from the rain on the roof. But . . . my tummy uses 30 to 40 times more energy and water than my house. Each year, by using the rain that falls with clean, natural energy from clouds, the house saves over 100,000... Read More
Aussie firm brings solar lights and local businesses to urban Indian poor
Imagine employing some young folk then staying friends with them as go off in the world to do things that touch you deeply. For me, it’s a feeling of exhilaration and simple pleasure. One such is Monique Alfris, an engineer. Some years ago Monique and some colleagues left Oz to set up a business making new local businesses in India who sell solar powered lights. They create both new local businesses there and sales for solar... Read More
Sustainable Tip 2 – From pools to ponds
After a fridge a pool will be the biggest, or it can be the bigger, energy user. An option is to change your pool to a pond and, in doing so, cut down the energy and pollution it causes due to the pump running 24/7 and the use of cleaning agents such as chlorine. How: Put some plants in, change to a low power, low energy pump, or simply turn yours off. Why: The water is easier to maintain, the yukky chlorine smell is gone, the plants do the... Read More
A sustainable tip a day: Day 1 – Future plumb your house
Uh oh. Look here for a sustainable tip a day. (Let’s see if I can be that disciplined, hey.) For this first day, the tip is: Future plumb your house If you’re unsure whether you wish to use rainwater or grey water or blackwater but wish to give yourself the option, or offer it to those who may buy or rent your building then here’s how and why to future plumb your building. How: lay another pipe in or under the floor or along the... Read More
