Stuff.co.nz - Reality hits optimism on renewable energy target

Renewable energy sources will have to produce nearly twice as much electricity as they do now if the government's target of 90% renewables is to be met by 2025.

Despite enthusiasm from some industry participants, others are sceptical that such a goal can be met.

Voxy NZ - Another First From A Winery Pioneering Climate Change

At Yealands Estate's vineyard and state-of-the-art winery, a range of techniques have been implemented including solar and wind power, numerous high tech energy savings initiatives, the harvesting of storm water to irrigate the vineyards around the winery and developing more than 20 wetland areas to preserve native species and attract native birds.

ABC - Climate change protection: Indigenous community backs marina

Aboriginal landowners say the proposed Arafura Harbour development near Darwin's East Point will provide funding and protect the nearby community from rising sea levels.

The Australian - Bishop backs Kevin Rudd on climate change at bushfires service in London

George Browning, the former Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn, told more than 2000 people gathered in London's Westminster Abbey that human activity was causing climate change and extreme weather conditions.

Industrial IT - Nano-Nouvelle’s clean energy semiconductor gets Climate Ready grant

Nano-Nouvelle is developing a nano-structured thin film semiconductor which it claims will efficiently convert various forms of energy into electricity. It hopes to complete developing a proof of concept by the end of 2009.
The new nanotechnology would be targeted at the renewable energy sector, with the goal to provide clean energy at an economically-feasible price.

NZ Herald - Farmers can cut gas emissions and still make profit - report

More than 13 per cent of New Zealand agriculture's greenhouse gas emissions can be cut at an overall profit to farmers, the Sustainability Council told MPs today.

ABC - Carbon trading will create 'new fields of employment'

Carbon trading in Australia will create millions of new green-collar jobs by expanding traditional industries and creating new ones, says the CSIRO's senior science leader.

ABC - ACT solar water heater sales go through the roof

There has been a sharp increase in the number of solar hot water heaters sold in the ACT in the last three months.

Guide2 NZ - Commissioners Turn Down Bid For Wind Farm Near Dannevirke

Wellington, April 3 NZPA - Local government commissioners have turned down an application by Contact Energy to build a $500 million wind farm near Dannevirke.

Stuff.co.nz - Arctic ice 'gone in 30 years'

Arctic sea ice is melting so fast most of it could be gone in 30 years.

ABC - Anger at Rudd's adviser over coal comments

The New South Wales Government has questioned the impartiality of a top-level Commonwealth adviser after he raised concerns about a planned expansion of Newcastle's coal facilities.

Proactive Investors - Cougar Energy raises $4.2m to develop underground coal gas gasification project, QLD

Cougar Energy (ASX Code: CXY) has received commitments for the placement of 70 million shares at a price of 6 cents per share, raising a total of $4.2m before costs associated with the placement.

The funds raised will be used primarily to advance Cougar Energy’s Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) project near Kingaroy in Queensland, specifically for the construction of the UCG Pilot Plant facility due to commence operations later this year. Additional work will also be undertaken on expanding the resource base for the Company’s proposed 400MW power project at Kingaroy, and on the Company’s Wandoan coal lease in the Surat Basin.

News.com.au - Farmers unsure climate change is man-made

FARMERS in the Northern Territory are calling on the Federal Government to cease work on climate change policy until all scientists agree that global warming is man-made and not part of a natural cycle.