Eat your dog to save the planet?

Researchers have found that the carbon pawprint of a dog is twice that if a 4.6-litre Land Cruiser driven 10,000 km a year. The factors taken into account for determining this figure were ingredients of pet food and the land needed to create them. "A lot of people worry about having SUVs but they don't worry about having Alsatians and what we are saying is, well, maybe you should be because the environmental impact ... is comparable." says Brenda Vale, author of Eat the Dog: The real guide to sustainable living.

A medium dog eats 164 kg of meat and 95kg of cereal every year. This means it takes 0.84 hectares to feed Fido, which amounts to more than doule the fotprint of a Toyota Land Cruiser. In comparison, cats have an eco footprint of 0.15ha - slightly less than a Volkswagen Golf. Hamsters have a footprint of 0.014ha – keeping two of them is equivalent to owning a plasma TV.

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350 - International Day of Climate Change Action

On 24 October, people in 181 countries came together for 350, the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history. 350's mission is to inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis—to create a new sense of urgency and of possibility for our planet. At over 5200 events around the world, people gathered to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis. Over 15,000 photos have been submitted so far! You can view all the fantastic images, read stories about the day's actions, and get some detailed climate change action online at 350.org.

And while you're there, don't forget to sign the pledge!

Global warming greatest health threat of the 21st Century

Doctors and scientists in America have warned that global warming is the biggest threath humankind will face in the 21st century, with first consequences already unfolding. The threat comes from increasing temperatures and the natural catastrophes it brings along, ranging from floods over heavy storms to heatwaves. Older people who cannot regulate their body temperature as well, and their is an increasing worry about plagues especially affecting refugees and poorer nations.

There is also an increasing threat from pollution and unhealthy dust storms, along with mosquitoes and other pests moving into new territories. This leads to an unhealthy rise in outbreaks of malaria and dengue fever.

The scientists are frustrated that people are doing so little to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, saying we are underestimating the dangers.

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Maldives cabinet makes a splash

The government of the Maldives has held a cabinet meeting underwater to highlight the threat of global warming to the low-lying Indian Ocean nation. President Mohamed Nasheed and his cabinet signed a document calling for global cuts in carbon emissions. Ministers spent half an hour on the sea bed, communicating with white boards and hand signals. The president said the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen cannot be allowed to fail.

At a later press conference while still in the water, President Nasheed was asked what would happen if the summit fails. "We are going to die," he replied. The Maldives stand an average of 2.1 metres (7ft) above sea level, and the government says they face being wiped out if oceans rise.

"We're now actually trying to send our message, let the world know what is happening, and what will happen to the Maldives if climate change is not checked," President Nasheed said.

"If the Maldives cannot be saved today we do not feel that there is much of a chance for the rest of the world," he added.

Click here to read the whole article on BBC News.

Consensus at Copenhagen Climate Change Talks crucial for the future of the planet

Hopes are up that Copenhagen will lay the foundation for a new global climate change consensus as a successor to the Kyoto Protocol. It has been recognised that the economic crisis has aided the halting of industrial emissions growth, giving further hope to ambitious targets in Copenhagen. Environment ministers and officials are meeting at a UN summit in Copenhagen in December to thrash out a global deal on climate change. The COP15, short for the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has an extensive agenda.

Officials will try to agree a new climate treaty as a successor to the Kyoto protocol, the first phase of which expires in 2012. Copenhagen is set to determine several important issues such as how much industrialised countries are willing to reduce their emissions, and how much major developing countries such as India and China are willing to do to limit the growth of their emissions.

Countries must strive hard for a consensus on ambitious 2020 emissions targets and carbon trading to limit the damage that will be caused by global warming.

For more information please visit: http://unfccc.int/

Apple leaves U.S. Chamber of Commerce over global warming views

05 October 2009 - Apple announced today that it is resigning from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce because it objects to the chamber's stand on global warming. The chamber opposes federal efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

This makes Apple the fourth company to part with the powerful U.S. business federation over global warming.

"Apple is committed to protecting the environment and the communities in which we operate around the world," Catherine Novelli, Apple’s vice president of worldwide government affairs, said in a letter to Thomas Donahue, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s president and CEO. "We strongly object to the Chamber’s recent comments opposing the EPA’s effort to limit greenhouse gases."

Apple is currently on a bid to burnish its green image by developing more energy-efficient products. Environmentalists all over the world applauded this move, as speculations are up for further companies to leave the chamber.

"Apple’s departure is a clear signal that more and more of the chamber’s members want it to download a new tune when it comes to climate change," said Peter Altman of the National Resources Defense Council.

"There is a growing recognition in the business community that strong clean-energy and climate legislation as the way to strengthen our economy, reduce our oil imports and reduce pollution, but the chamber is turning a deaf ear to the trend," Altman said.

For more information please refer to: the Boston Herald and other sources

Maldives cabinet to go underwater

The government of the Maldives is to hold a cabinet meeting underwater to highlight the threat of global warming, the BBC reported today. President Mohamed Nasheed and his cabinet will sign a document during the 17 October dive, calling for global cuts in carbon emissions.

An adviser to the president told the BBC the dive was "a bit of fun" but the cabinet intended to send a serious message about rising sea levels.

The low-lying island nation says it faces being wiped out if oceans rise.

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The MS Sydney to Gong Ride

Coming up on November 1 is the 2009 MS Sydney to Gong ride. The Gong Ride is a one of a kind fundraising event. You can pedal 90km from Sydney to Wollongong on any day of the year but it’s only on the first Sunday of November that you’ll experience the camaraderie, fellowship, unity, safety, scenery and sense of achievement for pedalling in support of people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). But be quick because numbers have been capped so places are limited!

To get involved or for more information please visit http://www.gongride.org.au/

Zilzie Wines Carbon Neutral Bulloak Range

Zilzie released Australia's first 100% carbon-neutral range of wines in October 2008.

The Zilzie Wines 2008 Bulloak Range has been certified a carbon neutral product by CRI after an extensive audit and certification process.

Zilzie's managing director Andrew Forbes said the process concentrated on the entire lifecycle of the wine. 'It's from the grape to the grave - vineyard through to recycling,' Forbes said. 'It's inclusive, but not limited to, freight, packaging, assets, travel, electricity, fuel usage, general expenses and waste and wastewater. We've pursued all possible efficiencies that will reduce our energy consumption but no matter how efficient we are, some greenhouse gas emissions are unavoidable,' he said.

Zilzie has developed an all-encompassing Environmental Management Strategy, focused on minimizing Zilzie’s impact on the environment through reducing water consumption, waste management, packaging reduction and re-vegetation of the Bulloak reserve.

The Bulloak range was named after the northern most stand of threatened Bulloak (also known as Buloke) trees which is situated on the Forbes property overlooking the vineyard and winery. Stands are endangered by farming practices in the Wimmera region of western Victoria, where it is integral to the survival of the endangered southeastern subspecies of the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo for feeding and nesting.

The Forbes family donated this section of land back to the Department of Sustainability and Environment to protect the Bulloak trees, and the natural biodiversity of the region, for future generations.

The Bulloak range is available in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Merlot, Shiraz, and from this year, Moscato, Rosé and Pinot Grigio. Bulloak's 2008 Chardonnay has earned four trophies and two gold medals and the 2007 Bulloak Shiraz is also a gold medal winner. Zilzie Bulloak range is available in Liquorland stores across Australia.

For more information visit http://www.zilziewines.com.au