The Greening of Gavin

TGoG Podcast 080 – Reaction Podcast Interview with Voicemail Questions

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The main part of this episode is an interview that I gave when I appeared on Reaction Podcast as a guest of Matt and Beau. We talk about all things sustainable living, including a bit of analysis about this podcast.

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It is full of fun and laughs and the odd swear word.  What can I say, I was excited so my accent and banter was heavier than usual.

The Reaction Podcast is all about other podcasts where Matt and Beau (I believe they are brothers) review other podcasts.  You can find all their shows at reactionpodcast.com.  Previous episodes that I have listened to have been a laugh-riot, and their style of humor is infectious.  Thanks for having me on the show fellas!

Reaction Podcast

After the interview, I answer lots of listener questions that have been sent in via voicemail over the last month and a half.  From growing sweet corn, to where to get african horned melon seeds and everything in between!

During the show I mention the following links

If you enjoyed the show, please visit iTunes and rate the show and leave an honest review. You can also do the same within Stitcher Radio if you use that service.  It would help me out so much, and elevate the ratings so that others can find out about the podcast and learn about sustainable living in the ‘burbs.

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Until next time, stay green and keep keen!

No New Coal In Bacchus Marsh!

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I live only 13 kilometres from this lovely town, which is the garden market of western Melbourne.  We buy most of our fresh produce along the Avenue of Honour.

However, trouble is afoot.  Coal mining and Coal Seam Gas, no less.

Whilst I heard about this horrible news awhile ago, but I thought that it wouldn’t come to anything, and that our state government couldn’t be that stupid as to grant an exploration licence for fossil fuels in our area.

Here is the description from the video;

“Bacchus Marsh locals are concerned, and with good reason. 

Mantle Mining have an Exploration License (EL) which includes Bacchus Marsh and 386 km2 of the surrounding area.

This license is for both open cut and coal seam gas mining with an estimated 1-2 billion tonnes of coal targeted for export. 

Join our community where we look at the risks, the issues and the people of beautiful Bacchus Marsh.”

More information can be found at the websites listed below.

http://www.mooraboolmeg.org.au
http://quitcoal.org.au


I fully support this community action of No Coal in the Marsh!

Please Close Down Dirty Coal Power Stations

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Some of you may have heard the news that once again some of our federal politicians have reneged on a promise, this once being an important step towards a clean energy future.

Here is what I received in my inbox from GetUp!

“Yesterday, Energy Minister Martin Ferguson announced that the Government has abandoned its commitment to shut down some of Australia’s dirtiest power plants.
The scheme, called Contract for Closure (CFC), was designed to close stations like the infamous Hazelwood brown coal plant, by paying out the commercial operators. Instead, the program’s been scrapped because coal-fired generators remain so profitable that they think their assets are worth more than what the government was willing to pay.

What’s particularly hard to swallow about the breakdown in negotiations is now the most emissions-intensive generators are free to continue polluting – and be paid for it, to the tune of $5.5 billion in taxpayer compensation. Hazelwood alone has already received $266 million to continue polluting.
Now, it’s being estimated that due to that compensation some of Australia’s biggest polluters are actually expected to profit from the carbon price; the exact opposite of what should have been an incentive to either transition to cleaner technologies, or close down. [1]
It means that owners of Australia’s most polluting generators are being propped up, at our expense, while they continue business as usual.”

Not being one to stand back and whinge about this turn of events without doing something about it, I sent some of our MPs a personal email.  I sent it to our Federal MPs Combet, Ferguson, and Swann being Ministers for Climate Change, Energy, and the Treasurer.

Dear Ministers, 

Please reconsider your decision to back away from the negotiations with some of Australia’s biggest polluting energy companies.

Failing to close these coal fired power stations will send a message to the world that Australians are not serious about mitigating climate change, and that we are not willing to replace dirty coal with clean, green renewable energy. 

Instead of propping up a 19th century electricity generation technology, lets embrace the 21st century and make our energy from the sun and wind. We have the means, and the know how, we just need the political will, because Australians all over the country are asking for these solutions. 

Please do the right thing and re-enter negotiations to close the deal and some of the dirtiest power plants in our great country.  Lets think of the legacy that we are leaving behind for our children and grandchildren.

Yours Sincerely, 

Gavin Webber

I know I am only but one voice, but I believe that if we do not each take an active part in voicing our dissatisfaction then nothing will change.

You can find the tool to send these three MPs your email at the GetUp! campaign site.  Please take the time to let them know your views on the matter.