Fresh green links

I’ve got more links than usual today, to keep you going over the long weekend:

Firstly, there’s an interview with Stephen Chu, Obama’s new energy secretary, on the Science Show from Radio National. It’s available as an mp3 you can listen to, or a transcript you can read. Chu looks like an exciting pick for the new President’s team – he’s a Nobel Prize winner who says in the interview that his goal is to save the world!

Honda has told the Rudd government that they should give better support to homeowners with solar panels, in the form of better feed-in tariffs. Meanwhile, Holden has announced that with federal support they’ll be opening a new factory to make fuel-efficient cars – diesels, small cars, and hybrids. This is good, in that it’s another 1200 jobs at a time when we really need them. But it’s slightly annoying that Holden is getting handouts for something Honda did all by itself a decade ago! (via)

As you know, I’m not keen on bottled water. However, if you’re in a situation where you must buy it, try to find some One water, which is a new ethical brand. 100% of their profits go to providing water to developing countries. This is a great cause, and hopefully One will be available widely soon. (via)

On Australia Day, you might like to join the Australian Conservation Foundation’s Save Our Icons BBQ campaign – the idea is that you have a bbq with your friends, and take a photo of you all holding a sign showing that you want to save the Great Barrier Reef, or Kakadu, or your own backyard, from the effects of climate change. Then you send it to the ACF, and they make sure that politicians get a copy of everyone’s pics.

Next week, Germany is hosting IRENA, a conference with the aim of transitioning countries to renewable energy as quickly as possible. Countries can sign a treaty outlining their obligations, but will then also be able to get help from other countries who have signed on. Since a quarter of a million jobs have already been created in Germany’s renewable energy sector, I think it’s silly for Australia not to get involved asap – but I can’t find any mention in the news of Australia signing up, or even attending the conference.

Finally, you might like to use this HDTV energy efficiency chart to see if your tv is an energy hog. Models from 2006 – 2008 are listed for you to compare. (hat-tip to Rick)

Have a great long-weekend! Don’t get sunburned!