Earth Hour 28th March Be in it

On Saturday, March 28 at 8:30 PM, people around the world will turn off their lights for one hour, Earth Hour, to show their support for taking action on climate change.
Earth Hour 2009 promises to be huge in Australia this year – State governments, local councils, major corporations and community organisations are once again getting behind Earth Hour to support what has become a major event in the calendar. Up to 11 million Australians will be taking part this year, switching their lights off and having fun at the same time!

Participation is simple - register your support at www.earthhour.org, turn off all of your non-essential lights (including external signage, but leaving on any lighting required for safety reasons), and encourage your guests and friends to do the same. Explore other ideas for getting involved - candle-lit dinners or BBQs for example. The website also has downloads that can be used to help promote Earth Hour.

Are you going Green? Get a GREEN health check now

Check your carbon footprint today.
See what you might be able to change to make the whole world a better place.

Sign up now for Green Globe Lite Health Check Framework

For proactive businesses that want to start addressing sustainability and climate change the Green Globe Lite program provides your business with an online user friendly Health Check Framework.

It assesses all key environmental performances areas within your business to help get you started.

By measuring your Greenhouse Gas emissions (carbon footprint) you will be prepared for mandated carbon reporting. You will be able to monitor how your energy and water consumption and you waste production compares to the Best Practice and Baseline figures for your industry sector.

To sign up for the Health Check Framework visit the Green Globe Lite website.
Did you know that if everyone in the world lived a typical Australian lifestyle, we would need the equivalent of three planet earths to supply our food, transport, shelter and services? How much carbon is your home using? Take a quick quiz to calculate your home’s carbon emissions. You’ll need your last four electricity and gas bills. www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/get_informed/carbon_calculator Once you’ve calculated your home’s carbon emissions, why not take the seven day carbon challenge? www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/get_involved/low_carbon_diet_-_for_community_groups

Your Carbon Footprint

The Future is Bright for Wood Burning

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the market for wood burning appliances. As environmental issues have pricked the social conscience, and people take steps to reduce their carbon footprint, there has been a preference to carbon neutral solutions over coal or gas fuel. Whilst coal, gas and other higher carbon fuels are suffering in terms of cost and high emissions, wood and wood based fuels are becoming more and more popular. Manufacturers and installers in this industry are reaping the benefits of increased sales and growth due to the levels of demand. Customers want the best of both; to have solutions that make their house comfortable and to save on carbon. Essentially customers still enjoy the charm of stoves that have a real flame.

The use of sustainable wood fuels is now considered a viable carbon neutral option for both the commercial and domestic market and when combined with other technologies could lead to the visionary zero carbon home of the future. Solid fuel is classed as wood, wood based biomass fuels and solid mineral fuels, amongst these wood biomass being the most environmentally friendly. Many people prefer the lifestyle choice of wood burning equipment and the industry body HETAS is on hand to ensure customers have access to high quality wood.

As a green customer if you are worried about the carbon miles incurred from transporting the wood, you should find it easy to source from local suppliers. The cost of purchasing wood is still relatively high but as demand continues to increase and the idea of carbon neutrality becomes the norm, price should start to fall.

HETAS is also there to make sure that you have access to the right products and services. They provide information on approved registered installers and independently test manufacturers' appliances so you can be confident of purchasing a product that complies with the current regulations. It is advisable to get your appliance installed by a registered HETAS installer not only for their skill and competence but to avoid the need to apply for a Building Notice from your local authority (which may cost over £200). Additionally by using a HETAS registered installer you have the peace of mind that your appliance has efficiency figures or CE marking, instructions in English, can be installed easily and gives you recourse for a refund if anything goes wrong.

As a renewable and carbon neutral energy source wood fuelled appliances are set to lead the way. An important consideration is the sourcing of sustainable wood in order for the carbon cycle to remain intact. Sustainable sources of wood include Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified wood, woodland managed under the Woodland Grant Scheme or wood felled after the issue (by the Forestry Commission of a Felling Licence).

When choosing wood it is better to buy by volume rather than weight because a large proportion of freshly felled wood is made up of water. Some of the best woods to burn in your wood burning appliance are ash, hornbeam, beech and hawthorn.

About the author:
For more information on using wood burning appliances please visit HETAS registered installers MK Fireplaces at http://www.mkfireplaces.co.uk. MK Fireplaces are experts at installing wood burners, multi-fuel fires, gas fires and stoves.