• About
  • Archive
  • Contact
The Greening of Gavin
  • Home
  • Our Green Shop
    • Little Green Workshops
  • Green Workshops
    • Cheese Making
    • Soap Making
    • Soy Candle Making
  • eBooks
    • Clay Oven eBook
    • Keep Calm and Make Cheese eBook
  • Podcast
    • TGOG Podcast
    • TGoG Podcast Archive
    • Little Green Cheese
  • Vlog
  • Cheese
  • Green Living
    • Chickens
    • Gardening
    • Soap Making
    • Recipes
    • Climate Change
    • Peak Oil
    • Solar Power
  • Resources

Coal World

October 4, 2012 @ 09:00 By Gavin Webber 8 Comments

Australia used to ride on the sheep’s back.  We were the biggest wool exporter in the world at one stage.  Today, we are famous for our mineral exports, and bloody big holes in the ground.

What do we dig out of the ground?  Well many minerals like iron ore, nickel, copper, bauxite for aluminium, and fossil fuels.  Fossil fuels mainly in the form of coal.  Here in Victoria, it is mainly brown coal, but it is so polluting that no one wants to buy it from us, so we burn it to make electricity instead.  How wonderful!

The other type of coal is black coal.  Now further north in New South Wales and Queensland, we have gigantic deposits of the stuff.  So much so that our coal exports are now Australia’s biggest contribution to climate change.  As the Arctic sea ice melts to record lows, our coal exports are reaching record highs.  Something is just not right in the land of Oz.

Here is the skinny from Greenpeace Australia about Coal World;


So do we really need these billionaires getting richer while our planet continues to warm up and melt?  Personally, I don’t think so.

Did you know that if Australia’s Galilee Coal Basin was a country, it would be the seventh biggest emitter of carbon dioxide pollution from fossil fuels in the world. If you want to learn a bit more, read the full report, ‘Cooking the Climate, Wrecking the Reef’.  It is eye opening.

In a burning world, there are no winners!

-20.9175738142.7027956

Will this article help someone you know? If so help them out by sharing now!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: climate change, Coal

← Bottling Beer Second Hand as Our Default Setting →

About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Comments

  1. Frugal Queen says

    October 4, 2012 at 15:57

    We have those ‘programmes about monster size trucks and plant equipment and they are always based in Australia – huge scars in the planet xxxx

    Reply
    • Gavin Webber says

      October 5, 2012 at 10:30

      Hi Froogs, those trucks and excavators are massive. My younger brother used to work in one of those coal mines driving the ore trucks. The tires are two stories high!

      And you are right about the scars. A blight on the landscape.

      Gav x

      Reply
  2. Linn says

    October 4, 2012 at 20:39

    Thanks for the post Gavin. I will have to link to your post as I know many people who don’t understand the whole coal thing and this video could educate them.

    Reply
    • Gavin Webber says

      October 5, 2012 at 10:30

      Thanks Linn

      Reply
  3. Fiona from Arbordale Farm says

    October 4, 2012 at 22:21

    Great link Gavin. Very Scary Stuff.

    Reply
    • Gavin Webber says

      October 5, 2012 at 10:31

      Indeed Fiona. It is scary where this will end up. We need to be a bit more vocal in opposing such developments.

      Gav x

      Reply
  4. nevyn says

    October 5, 2012 at 10:59

    Hi Gavin,

    It frustrates me no end that this country has immersed itself so much in the coal industry. But as long as it is portrayed as the big provider, offering huge salaries to it’s workers people will continue to accept their existence.

    The fact that we live in one of the sunniest countries in the world with a huge expanse of barren land and it’s not been used for solar power makes my blood boil. Australia may be touted as the lucky country but there are many days when I think of it as the dumbest country.

    Reply
    • Gavin Webber says

      October 5, 2012 at 18:17

      I agree Nevyn. We could be so much more if we just stopped doing the same thing. Embracing renewable energy and kicking up a stink when a new coal mine is proposed is a step in the right direction.

      Gav x

      Reply

Comments build lively communities. Let me know your thoughts, but keep it clean and green! Spam is removed instantly. Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search This Blog

Follow my work

About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

Delve Into the Archives

Visit Our Online Simple Living Shop

Little Green Workshops

Latest Podcast Episode

Subscribe on iTunes

Top Posts & Pages

Strawbridge Family Inspiration
The Seven Stages Of Change
How To Remove Scaly Leg Mites
Growing Queensland Blue Pumpkins (Winter Squash)
Building a Wicking Bed on Concrete
Repeat After Me. I Will Never Plant Potatoes With Pumpkins Again
Black Aphids On Garlic
Planting Australian Purple Garlic
Broad Bean Rust
Selling Your Own Soap in Australia

Recent Awards

Recent Awards

Local Green Hero

Categories

Favourite Daily Reads

Debt Free, Cashed Up, and Laughing

The Off-Grid Solar House

Greener Me

The Rogue Ginger

Little Eco Footprints

Down To Earth

Surviving the Suburbs

Little Green Cheese

Eight Acres

The Witches Kitchen

TGOG Readers On-line

Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

Carbon Offset website

Copyright - Gavin Webber © 2023