Go Greener, Australia

Online

• An interim report on the Garnaut Review (PM Rudd’s research into the cost of climate change action) has been released today, stating that we need to take action urgently on climate change or risk great damage to our country. You can read the full report or the executive summary here.
• Pictures of a Greenpeace protest in the US. They used light to project a slogan onto the Washington Monument, like a better-looking version of the Pasha protest in Newcastle last year. I really like this way of protesting - it’s attention getting, but doesn’t hurt anyone.
• 5 easy ways to remember your reuseable bag: in your bra, as a toy, as a belt, and so on… from eco-chick.com.

In print

• The February issue of The Monthly magazine has an interview with Greens Senator Christine Milne. She’s less of the dreadlocked hippy than you’d expect for a Tasmanian Greens member, and more of the Country Women’s Association type. She makes a great passionfruit slice and can talk those farmers, loggers and politicians into doing the right thing
• Just noticed that there’s a way to get an online-only subscription to The Monthly. Sounds like a good idea for people like me who love to read magazines but hate the waste of paper…
• The last issue of Quarterly Essay has a great article from Ian Lowe as it’s main essay: Reaction Time. In it, he talks about the problems of nuclear power, and it’s political history in Australia. Not every newsagent stocks it, but Borders and other bookstores do.

Tomorrow I’m speaking at the Perth Green Drinks meeting for November - just a few words about my site Go Greener Australia. It’s my first time at the drinks, and I’m hoping to meet some other local greenies for a good chat.

Later this week I’m starting a series on how to make your Christmas more eco-friendly. I didn’t want to start in on the Christmas talk so soon, but realised that it’s better to talk about it now rather than give you a bunch of good ideas after you’ve done your shopping

It’s very easy to get caught up in the consumer frenzy at Christmas - I know I’ve done it before, and wondered afterwards how I got to that point when I’m not like that the rest of the year. But it doesn’t have to be that way: making some green choices can help you cut back on the spending and wasteful parts of the holiday, so you can focus more on your family and friends, and why it is that you’re celebrating in the first place. I’ll be looking at how you can green your Christmas day and the presents you give, and will throw in a few suggestions for some gift ideas as well.