HOW CAN YOU MAKE WASTE SEXY
Waste management is not regarded as a glamorous occupation, let alone sexy! However all businesses generate waste and pay for the disposal of it. The cost varies with the type of waste and amount of treatment it requires before it can safely be sent to land fill.
Solar electricity kicks in!
There has been considerable public discussion regarding the reasons for rising electricity prices. This debate has become an extension of the carbon price debate, which I have discussed in previous blogs. An issue, which has emerged from this debate is that the cost of transmitting electricity from the power station to the end user is more than 50 per cent of the total electricity cost.
Online vs face-to-face training
The deputy opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull recently commented on the importance of Australian businesses embracing the digital world.
It comes as a timely reminder for those of us who deliver training courses.
US achieves greenhouse gas targets!
My last blog discussed the impact technology which has been developed in the United States to extract shale oil and gas is having. I was quite pessimistic about the negative impact this development would have on the introduction of non-fossil fuels, but, the results have been extraordinary, with the price of natural gas in the US being halved.
Peak Oil Toppled
There is a theory about the supply of fossil fuels for transportation – it is called peak oil. It states that when the consumption of oil exceeds the discovery of oil, there will be a sharp decline in reserves. This will lead to a price shock similar to what was experienced in the 70s, which caused a worldwide recession.
Harry Butler Honoured
Harry Butler Honoured
Doctor Harry Butler may not be well known now, but he was a household name in the late 70’s and early 80’s with his nature program “In the Wild” on ABC Television.
Dr Butler pioneered a style of presentation that was mimicked around the world by celebrities like David Bellamy. He might have been a famous television personality, but it was merely a sideline for the real work he did as an environmental consultant in the resource sector.
Personal Protection Equipment Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
Personal Protection Equipment Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
I have often been asked why we don’t supply Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) with our spill kits as standard equipment.
As its name implies, such equipment is meant to be tailored not just to the individual, but also to suit that particular individual’s field of work. It’s important to correctly specify the PPE to match the chemicals that have been spilt. I have seen many cases of spill kits containing PPE which was inappropriate for the chemicals stored in that area. It would be better to have not have any PPE, than the wrong PPE, which may provide a false sense of protection and potentially expose the individual to hazardous situations. Unless we have been given a clear idea of the chemicals the spill kit is intended to handle, we simply can’t specify which PPE is required.
NSW tightens environmental incident reporting requirements
Late last year, the New South Wales Parliament rushed through changes to the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) regarding pollution incident reporting requirements.
The proposed amendments to the legislation were prompted by an incident at a Newcastle Ammonium Nitrate plant where a release of hexavalent chromium into the atmosphere occurred in August last year. The plant has only recommenced operation this month.
The Great Carbon Debate
The debate on the Carbon Tax is reaching fever pitch as the legislation gets closer to being unveiled in parliament. In fact the tone and pitch of the debate is such that all reason has been abandoned in favour of shrill accusations from both sides.
Seems like a good time for me to get my megaphone out!
Conference puts light on “Holy Grail” of sustainable energy
Even though I’ve worked as a chemical engineer most of my life, I’m dedicated to ongoing professional development.
I’m a firm believer in remaining “current”, particularly when it comes to the latest trends and developments in environmental chemistry.
And besides that, this stuff is really interesting (for chemical engineers, anyway!).
So last December, I jumped at the chance to attend the Pacifichem 2010 International Chemical Congress. Read More