Putting a price on the environment

UN sustainability panel says put a price on the environment

A recent cartoon (below) extrapolates the use of the word “sustainable”. It predicts that in 50 years each sentence will on average contain the word at least once. The cartoon is clever, and “sustainable” is indeed overused. But there is a good reason why we hear about sustainability so much these days. It is important.

Australian opposition leader to attack Labor's carbon tax

Tony Abbott to warn of carbon pay cuts | The Australian

TONY Abbott will use tomorrow's resumption of parliament to renew his attack on Labor's carbon tax by using Treasury economic modelling to warn it will slash wages. The Opposition Leader will time his attacks to coincide with speculation about Julia Gillard's leadership as he seeks to put pressure on the government in the first sitting week of the year. As the Coalition released its economic briefing notes yesterday, Labor ministers counter-attacked, with Wayne Swan condemning the opposition's pledge to relieve mining magnates such as Gina Rinehart and Clive Palmer of Labor's mining tax but refusing to implement a disability insurance scheme.

Carbon tax not enough to meet Australia's GHG reduction goals

Carbon tax only a good start: report

A CARBON price alone will not be enough for Australia to meet its target of a dramatic cut in greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century, an analysis by the Grattan Institute has found.

Crystalline skin will help make 2014 Olympic stadium sustainable

2014 Winter Olympic Stadium By Populous Will Have Crystalline Skin | Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World

Populous, a new venture recently spun-off from leading sustainable architecture firm HOK has unveiled its design for the stadium that will be the epicenter of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Although the plans are still hazy, the project will feature several sustainable factors including a shimmering crystalline skin. Much like many of the eco-stadiums in recent years, advanced material technology, lightweight structures, as well as daylighting and natural ventilation will most likely play an important role.

Stunning Solar Powered Stadium Included In Tokyo's 2016 Olympic Bid

Tokyo’s 2016 Olympic Bid Includes Stunning Solar Powered Stadium | Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World

It must be eco-stadium madness here at Inhabitat, because here’s yet another stadium design, this time as part of Tokyo’s bid proposal for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Tomorrow is the big day for the International Olympic Committee, who will be deciding the host city for the 2016 games. Tokyo is hoping to entice the IOC with their sustainably oriented plan, use of solar power, renovation of existing facilities and compact layout of the Olympic Village. Tokyo is up against some very strong competitors though and will have shine brightly to win the bid over Chicago, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro.

Creating jobs by cutting carbon

Cutting carbon is one way of creating jobs - Local - Halifax Courier

THE council is ready to endorse an ambitious £366 million scheme to create 450 jobs, slash energy costs and help save the planet. If the Energy Future Strategy works properly, it should pay for itself and slash Calderdale’s carbon emissions by 40 per cent by 2020. Senior Lib Lab councillors have already given the strategy the green light and Calderdale Council as a whole will be asked to back the plan at its meeting on February 15.