I'm an investor!

SunFunder combines small amounts of money from people like us - to do meaningful solar projects in developing countries. As the project completes, we get paid back.

The current project provides 3,800 solar lamps for rural homes in Zimbabwe.

These homes currently rely on kerosene lamps for lighting (63% of Zimbabwe doesn't have access to electricity). Switching to solar lamps helps provide cleaner air in the home, better light, and reduced energy expenses. Of course, it also reduces fossil fuel use.

It's quite exciting to think that my little investment is helping make a difference - and when it's done I can invest the same money in another project. You can invest with as little as $10. Would you like to join me?

Getting Satisfaction at the Bank Branch

Two things happen when you take your money out of a bank that finances fossil fuels. First, the good feeling from knowing that your money is no longer being used by the bank to ruin our planet - and that you've done something to improve life for yourself - and people everywhere.

The second is that you get a chance to tell off your old bank.

As I transferred my money, I entered the description "Move to a non-coal bank". I don't know if anyone reads that, but I feel good when I read it on the statement.

I also took the time to write the bank a short note to say that

• I'd learnt they were funding fossil fuels,
  
• I didn't think that was a responsible use of money, and so
  
• I'm taking my money elsewhere.

PS. See whether your bank deserves the same treatment, and perhaps switch banks.

Uruguay - You are Great

At the recent UN Summit, Uruguay committed to reduce its greenhouse emissions by 85% by 2030.

Of course there are many other nations with admirable and responsible commitments. (Not Australia though. Still just a 5% reduction)

I've been tagging all my posts like this one, about other nations doing great things, with the tag 'the world'.

But the Climate Council has put it all together in a clickable map.

Hooray for Port Augusta!

Port Augusta is the community that's looking to replace it's dying coal power station with something else.

The took a town vote, and solar was the hand-down winner. Then they walked 300km from Port Augusta to Adelaide to let the politicians know.

They asked the company to consider building solar on the same site. And now it looks like the company also sees the benefits of solar-thermal technology, rather than burning coal or gas.

It's good news for the residents. For jobs, for health (previously the area had high lung cancer rates) and for clean energy for Australia.

This is one of the shareable graphics they made to spread the good news.

Sorry for the extra-large graphic, but this is exciting news.

Get Rewards for Recycling

They are reverse vending machines. You put in a recyclable container - a can or plastic bottle - and then choose your reward.

They've been overseas for a few years, and now the idea has reached Australia. The Envirobank Locator can find the machine closest you.



7-Eleven franchises seem to be the main locations so far, at least in my city. Perhaps I'll contact my local 7-Eleven to see if they are going to get one.

Thankyou, Bendigo Bank

Bendigo Bank, Australia's biggest bank (outside the major 4) has announced its opposition to coal, saying it will "not lend to companies for whom the core ­activity is the exploration, mining, manufacture or export of thermal coal or coal seam gas".

This is great news. Customers have a new choice for banking ethically, without worrying that their savings are being used to fund coal pollution. Also, it shows that banks can run just fine without the fossil fuel industry.

Why not join me in thanking Bendigo (it's an easy type-and-send). This might be the first time we've sent a thankyou to a bank!

PS. Compare banks at Market Forces
See Bendigo's full statement

A Paved Paradise?

It's hard to know what the future holds, but it's exciting to see new innovative ideas - like Solar Roadways.

This couple have developed a prototype for solar roads. If expanded, it could be a future road surface of toughened glass with solar panels underneath. A series of LED lights provides changeable road markings.

There's more info in their video and more images of what it would look like on their fundraising page.



Now that's what I call a 'road of the 21st century'.

Solar in my street

It's quite enjoyable to see so many people taking advantage of solar power. Also great to be able to see it each day. This is a view in my street.

These people have gone solar at different times. The different sizes reflect how affordable panels have become - with households going from 6 to 12 to 24 panel systems.

In 5 years time, the top house in the picture could even go off-grid. That's how quickly battery prices are coming down.

Good News Week (for Solar)

The Climate Council brings us this summary of recent solar events.

Solar Aid have provided a million solar lamps to Africa - helping children to study, saving families money and improving people's health.

Solar is now cheaper than gas in Asia.

A solar plane will fly around the world. It is called Solar Impulse, and is a bigger version of the one that last year flew across America.

Social Media Disaster

Apparently, the coal industry found out about social media. Their hashtag #Australiansforcoal was meant to allow the so-called "silent majority" to voice their loving support for coal. Unsurprisingly, that's not what happened.

Instead the hashtag was flooded with satirical posts by people saying why they are NOT for coal. The Guardian report contains some of the smartest posts, while Buzzfeed did 23 Reasons - an illustrated list of the funnier tweets.

Both articles provide a few chuckles, but two of my faves were:
"Because #australiansforcoal scans better than #minersshippingprofitsoffshorewhileheatingtheplanetandgivingaustraliaworsebushfiresmoreoften"
and
"because our kids deserve the best bushfires, droughts, and cyclones money can buy" - which was accompanied by the above photo.

For readers outside Australia, the references to Mordor relate to the coal mine just outside the Australian town of Morwell. It caught fire for about a month, and caused unprecedented air pollution causing evacuation of the town.

Sounds for the Reef

Artists such as James Butler, Missy Higgins, The Cat Empire, Hiatus Kaiyote and Remi have come together to make the album Sounds for the Reef to support the Great Barrier Reef - one of the world's great treasures that is under threat from climate change.

You can buy a song for $1 or the whole album for $10, and support a good cause.

Recycle at Easter

With Australians eating an average of 20 Easter eggs, that's almost half a billion wrappers. Planet Ark reminds us that (just like an aluminium can) this aluminium can be recycled.

Apparently the best way is to collect them up into a ball, and toss that in the recycling after Easter. If you're really keen, make a huge one by adding your family's wrappers - or by keeping it going all year round.

PS. Coincidentally, as I write this, the recycling truck is making its way up my street.

A New Leaf

One of the great things about electric cars is that they're continually getting better. This comes from the Green Vehicle Guide:

The second generation of the Nissan Leaf is 15% more energy efficient than the previous year's model, and can go 11% further on a charge. I'm sure it will get even better as the years go by.

Spain almost halfway there

In 2009, I wrote about Spain predicting 25% renewable energy by year's end. They've now reached 42.4%. That 18% in 5 years!

Wind power (21.1%) and hydro electricity (14.4%) made up the bulk of it, and solar capacity is growing rapidly. With all this renewable energy, the amount of coal power has shrunk to less than 15%.

Meanwhile in Australia, we get excited when coal gets below 75%. And our small 20% (by 2020) renewable target is under review - with the potential to be reduced.

Aruba to go 100% renewable

Caribbean nation Aruba plans to go to 100% renewable energy by 2020. Other Caribbean islands are looking to follow their lead.

There are plenty of benefits for the small island nation. Apart from utilising the plentiful sunshine and wind, there's financial savings to be made. Aruba used to spend 16% of its economy of fuel - purchasing 6,500 barrels of diesel a day. Already renewables have brought down the electricity price by 25%.

Jamaica and Barbados lead a group of nations looking to switch to renewables.

More info: News article

Related link: Philippines to go 100% renewable

Philippines to go 100% Renewable

Despite it's relative lack of wealth, the Philippines has decided to get to 100% renewable energy within a decade - to increase energy security, while reducing emissions and power costs.

Renewable Economy

It's good news that renewable sector is doing so well. It can help us move to cleaner source of energy, and also provide a new source of employment.

PS. A bit of sad news is that there is talk of the government 'reviewing' Australia's renewable energy target. Removing the target is projected to halve the number of solar jobs, and make the other climate policy more expensive.

USA - Electric Car Sales

In the US, there are now 62 models of 'advanced vehicles' available. That's hybrid cars, plug-in hybrid cars and fully electric cars. Sales of these advanced vehicles is now greater than Australia's total car sales.

US emissions are down

Emissions in the US are down 3.7% last year, for a total of 16% reduction since 2007. Back home, South Australia has reduced it's emissions from electricity by more than a third, and Australia's reduced by 8.6% after the carbon price came in.

With all these emission reductions, perhaps it's time for Australia to have a more meaningful target, instead of the paltry 5% by 2020. After all, the USA achieved nearly that in just this year alone. Our government's previous excuse was that they wouldn't do anything until the USA did. Clearly that time is now.

100% Wind power for Denmark

On November 3 Denmark wind power produced over 100% of the nation's energy needs. The excess wind power, along with that from other energy sources, was exported to neighbours Sweden and Norway. In the future, it could be used to produce hydrogen - helping convert transport to renewable energy also.

It's inspiring to see this level of action already happening. Many countries talk about renewable energy as an energy source of the future. But Denmark are already realising the potential - and benefiting from it.

Trivia:
1. Wind had reached 93% in October.
2. Denmark has a website of live data on its energy production.

PS: I had another look later on, and the wind production was up to 123%