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Archives for February 2013

The Coffee Oracle

February 28, 2013 @ 20:30 By Gavin Webber 8 Comments

Where we live, water is not as abundant as it once was.  We have had one significant rain event for the entire Summer.  Only 55 mm (2 inches) of rain in three months.

With empty rainwater tanks at around the mid January mark, my veggie patch and fruit trees were on life-support until two days ago.  It finally rained.  Enough rain in one day to refill both tanks.  Yay!  I can now think about winter vegetables.

However, long dry summers, without much rain, have become the norm over the last 15 years (except 2 years ago when we had floods).  I have certainly noticed this change in the local climactic patterns, but many others around me have not.  I didn’t think anyone noticed.

Until today that is.  To my astonishment, I stumbled across an Oracle in my work place.  A mechanical prediction machine.  You know, like the Zoltar Speaks machine in the movie Big (with Tom Hanks).

We have a coffee machine that can predict future events in our part of the world.

It is true, honestly.  I didn’t believe it myself at first, until I took a closer look.

What’s that.  You can’t read it?  Well take another look.

Clever Coffee Oracle!  I wonder what it is going to predict tomorrow?  I can’t wait to find out.

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Filed Under: climate change, Philosophy

Curd Cutter Instructions

February 26, 2013 @ 23:07 By Gavin Webber 1 Comment

Today’s post is over at the Little Green Cheese.  My cheese pal, David, kindly gave permission for me to post the instructions on how to construct the curd cutter (aka cheese harp) that you may have seen in a few of my cheese making video tutorials.

One of the curd cutter that David gave me as a gift.

So, now all you budding curd nerds need to hit this link to my post titled “Making Your Own Curd Cutter” so you can read the detailed instructions.

Enjoy, and please leave a note of thanks while you are there to David for the kindly sharing the instructions with all of us for this fantastic cheese making tool!  It is so useful, and beats a curd knife hands down.  I would now be lost without it.

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Filed Under: Cheese, Little Green Cheese

Death and Destruction for a Fistful of Dollars

February 25, 2013 @ 20:29 By Gavin Webber 10 Comments

A harsh title for a harsh reality.  Our continued fetish for exporting and using coal is killing us and many other species on Earth.  Let me explain.

We all know that coal is a fossil fuel that when burnt, releases additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which in turn increases the amount of solar radiation trapped in the Earth’s biosphere.  These additional greenhouse gasses throw out the delicate balance of the natural carbon cycle.

This creates an enhanced greenhouse effect, which is causing climate change, and this additional heat fuels the extreme weather events that we are experiencing more frequently.  A 1-in-100 year event are now 1-in-10 year events, or even shorter.  Welcome to the Anthropocene.

Australia exports black and brown coal, and lots of it.  In 2011, coal was our second biggest export behind Iron Ore, and was worth A$46.8b in export revenue.  We also use a lot of it to generate electricity for the national grid.

Source

It is had to imagine that figure so this is what it looks like,  A$46,800,000,000.  That is a lot of coal, and it makes a lot of money for some of the richest people in this country.

Money also means power. Political power in the form of lobbying, to entice governments to change policies in favour of exporting more coal, building more coal infrastructure with taxpayers funds, and making more money without looking at the long term damage it is causing future generations.  Shareholder returns for death and destruction.  Cash before the welfare of Earth.

Even though Australia has a price on carbon pollution, this price per tonne of CO2-e is only calculated on the extraction and transportation of the coal within our borders.  It does not extend to the coal we export which when burnt overseas is adding to the global levels of atmospheric greenhouse gasses.  With governments approving new coal mines in this country, they are damaging any good effects achieved by the carbon price.

Ironically, as other countries burn this exported coal, it affects the global climate, which causes extreme weather events all over the planet including the originating country.

We all know that these extreme weather events cause death and destruction, not only here in Australia, but throughout the world.  I won’t dwell on the tragic loss of life, suffice it to say that it is happening, and it is sad that we are the makers of our own destruction.

Even more ironic is that the main states affected by the increasingly frequent extreme weather events here in Australia are Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, which are the biggest exporters and users of coal in the country.

Even though our coal exports may contribute greatly to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), they are causing more harm than it is worth.

Domestically, it was estimated that the 2010-2011 Queensland floods caused over A$3b in damage, with an estimated reduction in Australias GDP of about A$30b.  This was quickly followed by the Victorian floods, which caused over A$2b in damage.  This years floods in Qld and NSW have caused over A$2.4b in estimated damage to date, with an unknown impact to GDP, so one would expect a similar reduction to the 2010-2011 floods.  All events are currently being attributed to warming oceans and a hotter planet.  Last financial years flood levy was not to pay for flood damage, it was to pay for our own stupidity.

I hope the shareholders who benefit from these short term export profits think that it is worth it all of the current suffering and future heartache for their descendants.  In the end everyone suffers.

Now, dear reader, the irony continues, as Australia has one of the highest per capita ecological footprints (7th of all countries) on the planet.  This is driven by our own consumer culture that is one of the main causes of coal demand from China.  We buy stuff made in China and across Asia, who makes the stuff with electricity generated by burning coal that we export.  Our own coal exports harm us directly.

Simple logic would determine that if we demanded less stuff, we would import less stuff, and they would need less coal to burn to make the stuff, therefore lowering atmospheric pollution.  However it is not that simple anymore.  It may have been the case a decade ago, however increasing affluence in Asia makes domestic demand rise, and therefore increasing domestic resource utilisation. It is a very ‘Catch 22’ situation.

Australia and China are not alone.  All countries that export and consume fossil fuels expedited by a consumer culture are at fault to some extent, which really makes it a global issue.

The only solution I can think of is to divest from fossil fuel companies, via either a reduction in consumer spending or ethical investment and switching to renewable energy sources reduces the political power held by these conglomerates, and transfers it to the greater good (in theory, anyway).

I believe that every single dollar that we spend or invest makes a difference in our current economic system.  So to stop or at least slow the death and destruction, spend wisely.  Invest in renewable energy sources, or consume less.  The future is everyone’s hands, not just governments.

We are the people we have been waiting for, so lets work on the solution to biggest challenge that has ever faced humanity.

Ourselves.

P.S.  All I ask in return for you reading this post it to share it via you favourite social network if you agree.  Lets get the conversation started.

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Filed Under: climate change, Coal

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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.

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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

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