environmental impact, definition of

A global, three-dimensional computer model of the climate system; GCM's are highly complex and they represent the effects of such factors as reflective and absorptive properties of atmospheric water vapor, greenhouse gas concentrations, clouds, annual and daily solar heating, ocean temperatures and ice boundaries. The most recent GCM's include global representations of the atmosphere, oceans, and land surface.

They are often used to model the effects of human induced climate change into the future; but the accuracy of the models are highly dependent upon:

• The accuracy of the initial starting conditions;
• The accuracy of how the climatic processes are modeled, and;
• The accuracy of the assumptions made in the model construction.

• Solar Power - the facts about setting up Solar Power
  Solar Power systems installed at the home or office can reduce environmental impact. How solar panel systems work is described and how you and the environment benefit.
• Carbon Offsets, what they are and how they help
  Carbon offsets can help with reducing overall carbon emissions by possibly balancing out the carbon impact on the environment. This article goes into more detail on the subject.
• Solar Water heating, how it works and the options available
  Solar hot water heating uses the sun to heat hot water. We explain what the hot water heating options are, their advantages and costs.
• Is using a wood fire to heat being Green?
  We look at whether using a wood fire to heat your home is being really green or not.
• Water for Melbourne via pipe from Tasmania
  Discussion over why its far better for the environment to pipe water from Tasmania to Melbourne than building the Wonthaggi desalination plant
• Top Ten Going Green Tips & Tricks
  Top ten green tips and tricks you can do to be Green and more Eco friendly in your day to day life.

• Second hand building materials
  Second hand building materials offer an excellent way to reduce environmental impact, we show you how.
• Climate Council, represents who?
  The Climate Commission is being reformed as the Climate Council, we ask who do they represent and what is their funding model?
• Stop Coal Seam Gas...
  Seems now that we should stop coal seam gas, what are the pros and cons?
• Why Carbon Tax?
  Why do we want a Carbon Tax in Australia, this is a good question we will attempt to answer...
• Julia Gillard's Carbon Tax protest at Canberra
  Tomorrow in Canberra the Election Now No Carbon Tax Rally will do its thing...
• Carbon Tax Pros and Cons
  We look at the Pros and Cons of the Carbon Tax...
• The incredible shrinking carbon tax...
  Carbon tax is to be paid by even less industry, whilst in the US the Chicago Climate Exchange is finally put out of our misery..
• What is Carbon Pollution
  Carbon pollution, what is it?
• SpongeBob caught up selling Global Warming in schools
  Yep, its true, even good old little SpongeBob SquarePants is in on the act.. See the video below..
• Carbon Tax Convoy of No Confidence on its way to Canberra
  Want to be part of something Historic? Don't want to see Australia have a Carbon Tax? Read on...
• Keeping warm this Winter, the eco friendly way
  Tips on how to keep warm this Winter without breaking the bank or harming the environment.
• Home Ventilation
  Ventilating your home is important for your health and well being.
• What is weather and climate?
  What is the difference between weather and climate? We answer this question.
• What is climate change?
  We answer the question: what is climate change?
• Vaclav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic addresses the National Press Club
  The National Press Club Address in full by President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Klaus: “The mass delusion of climate change”
• Window insulating trick
  Would just like to report a little trick we found out that dramatically improves window insulation qualities for little cost..
• Lord Monckton vs Richard Denniss at National Press Club
  A very interesting discussion between Lord Monckton and Richard Denniss showing the divide in logical reasoning between the well informed skeptics and the vague warmists. Worth watching.
• Carbon rap - even the young realise Climate Change is a fraud
  Good video explaining what is really going on with Climate Change
• Carbon Tax environmental train wreck
  The carbon tax in Australia is going to do zip to improve the environment.
• The Dead Carbon Tax Sketch
  Based on the classic Dead Parrot Sketch, enjoy!
• Mold Prevention
  Mold prevention, great new article
• Atmospheric carbon, man made Co2 measurement problems
  The 'man-made' carbon dioxide signature in the atmosphere is not as precise as it is being presented...
• Carbon Tax does not work
  Carbon Tax has been shown in the US to be totally ineffective; we compare against the situation with Carbon Tax in Australia.
• Free Green Dictionary App updated
  The Free Green Dictionary App has now been updated.
• Green Dictionary App available for Free
  We have taken the definitions off the Ecowho.com online dictionary and made them available for free in a standalone Android app.
• Property Assess App for buying or renting property released.
  We have just completed an application that will assist you with the process of considering properties for sale or to rent. It should take away much of the stress with keep track of notes, photos and key details.
• Cancun Cloud Feedback problems
  It appears that a 'weak' paper has been published supporting the IPCC cloud feedback models to coincide with the last day of Cancun.. hmm..
• Climate models are just wrong..
  In a recent paper climate models were hindcast tested against actual surface observations, and found to be seriously lacking if not totally useless... We provide some more background detail.
• 2010 the warmest ever; we think not
  The UN's WMO (World Meteorological Organisation) is saying 2010 will be warmest ever... The evidence does not back up the claim
• Will Kyoto fall on its own sword?
  It looks like Japan will stop Kyoto being extended and put a big cloud over Cancun.
• Climatic Models incomplete - poor understanding of mid level clouds cited
  Clouds play a major role in the climate-change equation, but they are the least-understood variable in the sky, observes a Texas A&M University geoscientist, who says mid-level clouds are especially understudied.
• Indonesia to cut down rainforests for $1Bn climate aid
  Indonesia plans to class large areas of its remaining natural forests as "degraded" in order to cut them down and receive nearly $1bn of climate aid for replanting them with palm trees and biofuel crops.
• Climate change is not the long term problem, environmental degradation is.
  We propose that man-made climate change, as a risk to society as we know it, is less of a real risk than current environmental degradation and pollution.
• CO2 global levels rising, is this a problem?
  According to recent reports in the media it looks like 2010 is 'expected' to be a record this year. We look into the actual facts and find this is just speculation prior to Cancum.
• Solar Panel Calculator
  Solar Panel Calculator, given the size, power and number of panels works out total power, rated voltage and amps.
• A Rational Discussion of Climate Change: the Science, the Evidence, the Response
  US House of Representatives Science Committee has a meeting today titled 'A Rational Discussion of Climate Change: the Science, the Evidence, the Response' - we give you the details.
• Green Blogging Sites
  if you run a green or eco blog, we would be interested in hearing from you
• Green gardening tips
  Just some simple tips I've found that make it easier to maintain a green garden.
• Plug pulled in French “Super Ministry of Environment”
  Its seems the French have given a big fat 'Nill Points' to the plans to set up a “Super Ministry of Environment” in France.
• ClimateGate Anniversary
  ClimateGate is just about to celebrate being one year old. We look at what has changed over the last year.
• Green Guffs of the week
  Quick summary of some major 'green' snarfs of the week in terms of not really doing the right thing to save the environment.
• Carbon trading is dead
  Carbon trading in the US is dead - the market set up to trade it is about to close down for lack of business.
• Biofuels destroying Rain Forests
  Biofuel producing crops are replacing rain forests, resulting in the silly situation that there is a net increase in carbon.
• Qantas A380 no crash in Singapore
  For those wondering about the Qantas A380 flight from Singapore, it did not crash.
• Climate Fools Meeting in the UK
  The UK just had a meeting at parliament of key climate skeptics and MPs to help educate other MPs and interested people in the real issues.
• Surry Hills Library wins Sustainable Architecture Award
  The Surry Hills Library and Community Centre in Sydney, Australia was recently awarded the 2010 National Award for Sustainable Architecture by the Australian Institute of Architects.
• Ocean acidification $15B NGO cash grab
  The NGO Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans (POGO) is after $15B upfront, then $5B a year to improve our ability to measure ocean acidification on the basis of a 0.1 change in pH from 8.2 to 8.1. This is monumental waste of money and we explain why.
• Solar Panels for your home, with the reduced feed-in tariff, are they a sound investment?
  We take a more detailed look at solar panels and help you work out if investing your money in solar is the right thing to do for you and the environment.
• Feed-in tariff for NSW reduced to 20c/kWh
  New South Wales has reviewed its feed-in tariff and reduced it to 20c/kWh, we look at what this means.
• energy efficient homes and energy saving
  Energy saving is something we all want to achieve at home through better efficiency. We look at the options available to you.
• Compost Toilets or Waste processing system?
  If you happen to live 'off grid' you often have to make the choice over what form of human waste disposal system is best suited. We give you some advice on this smelly issue...
• Hebel Wall Systems, what are they..
  CSR Hebel Wall Systems are a class of wall cladding that has some unique properties that makes them useful in certain building situations.
• climate scientists: no consensus
  A post in "The Australian" indicates that the consensus on climate change among climate scientists is a fiction.
• 10:10 - 10 reasons carbon emissions trading does not work
  Carbon emissions trading does not work, we give you 10 solid reasons why it won't.
• resignation from American Physical Society over global warming scam
  Prof Hal Lewis has just resigned from the American Physical Society after 67 years membership in disgust at the corruption around the 'global warming scam'
• carbon trading does not reduce emissions
  Carbon trading will not do a thing to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment; in fact it could end up doing the exact opposite as businesses use it as a way to create profit.
• 10:10 cut carbon emissions video, the links
  A quick summary posting giving links to the coverage so far online and in the media.
• Landfills May Be Greener Than Recycling, finds study
  Recycling plastic bottles might not always be the most environmentally-friendly option for disposal, according to a study by an independent consultancy based near Zurich, Switzerland.
• 10:10 cut carbon emissions viral video nightmare
  The 10:10 global campaign to cut global carbon emissions has demonstrated in a video they just pulled of their website (but has gone viral, so too late) exactly what they think of those who disagree with them...
• Royal Society acknowledges significant uncertainly in climate predictions
  A recent report from UK Royal Society (layman's guide to the science of climate change) has actually acknowledged that there is significant uncertainly in future climate models and predictions.
• National Broadband Network - is it really Green?
  How green is the National Broadband Network (NBN) and what are the alternatives?
• Solar Cells at the nanoscale
  it appears that some recent research is promising to improve the efficiency of solar cell light capture by up to 12 times..
• It does look like the Sun influences climate after all
  The idea that changes in the sun's activity can influence the climate is making a comeback, after years of scientific vilification, thanks to major advances in our understanding of the atmosphere.
• BBC calls for UN climate chief resignation
  As reported by the BBC several environmentalists, UK MPs and scientists has called for the resignation of Rajendra Pachauri, chair of the UN’s climate science body.
• Yahoo's super efficient Data Center
  Yahoo has been able to apply passive cooling and hydro-electricity to a data center to produce massive savings in power usage and environmental foot print.
• Reducing cows' methane production the natural way
  It appears that oregano can actually reduce the methane 'emissions' a cow produces..
• Climate Disruption
  Climate Disruption equals Climate Change equals Global Warming - the great global rebranding of AGW rolls on..
• WA Greens get evicted a Feedlot Operator for not believing in AGW
  It appears in Western Australia that the Green's have no shame in wrecking a families livelihood because they expressed anti global warming opinions. This has resulted in the family been given 4 days notice of eviction.
• Passive Solar Design advice
  Passive Solar design can be applied to existing buildings as well as new buildings. We explain some useful techniques and give links to useful resources.
• EarthCare Centre open day
  The EarthCare Centre in Western Sydney is having an open day on Sustainable House Day
• Sustainable House Day on this weekend
  Sustainable House Day 2010 in Australia is on this Sunday 12th September
• Forestry investments have all gone rotten
  The Managed Investment Scheme (MIS) operators have all gone to the wall in Australia, we look at why and if they were actually green.
• Self-Assembling Solar Cells Recycle Themselves Repeatedly
  MIT has been researching into creating natural cell like solar cells which are able to reassemble themselves and the research so far looks quite promising...
• Chicago Climate Exchange drops 50%, new record low
  Basically, if it gets any lower it will be ZERO..
• IPCC must reform, recommends IAC
  An independent review said the scientists who produce the periodic United Nations reports on climate change (IPCC) should be more open to alternative views, more transparent about their own possible conflicts of interest and more realistic in the reporting of the likelihood of climatic events.
• Alternative Solar Energy
  Alternative Solar Energy - this phrase often creates images of hippies and flower power... We look at what it really means.
• US Thermal Solar Plant approved in California
  California approves the first U.S. Thermal Solar Plant.
• solar power efficiency
  What are the factors that are important in efficiently harvesting solar power - we look at what they are..
• Special Interest Groups
  To make it easier to find information on certain important topics we have made a set of SIG's (Special Interest Groups)...
• New Rainwater harvesting calculator
  This new calculator allows you to work out the practical tank size given average per month rainfall, your roof area and expected monthly water usage.
• More Efficient Solar Cells with Selenium
  Researchers have discovered that just adding a minuscule quantity of 9% selenium with zinc oxide base radically improved the sun light absorbing efficiency of the material...
• Climate Change Policy in Australia
  With an election just around the corner the politically sensitive issue of how Labour is to deal with Climate Change has been presented as policy today.
• GE Ecomagination Challenge $200m for good ideas
  GE Ecomagination contest hopes to gather ideas for improving electrical grid technology.
• Call for tighter review of IPCC data
  Prof Jean Palutikof, who spent 5 years at the British Met Office preparing the UN report, Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, admitted the existing system was flawed because "quite a lot" of information had not been peer-reviewed by independent scientists before publication.
• IPCC conclusions fail under legal cross examination
  A cross examination of global warming science conducted by the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute for Law and Economics has concluded that virtually every claim advanced by global warming proponents fails to stand up to scrutiny.
• new low cost solar cell tech - dye films
  solar dye film cells will be available at a projected price of 3p per kw/h, a tenth of silicon cells.
• Give Curry to sheep and save the planet
  Strange but true, feeding sheep curry could save the planet...
• Solar companies receive $2 billion
  Two solar companies have been awarded nearly $2 billion in Recovery Act funding for solar projects in three states.
• New Square LED's more light directional
  A new LED fabrication technique produces squares of LED's that are more directional.
• Best Solar Panels for home
  We look at what are the best solar panels for home use
• Climatic Modelling - the problems with getting it right
  Climatic Models are being used more and more to demonstrate human induced climate change is happening; we look at the problems with this.
• Solar Power Calculator Updated
  Our solar power calculator has been updated..
• Gillard is in
  Julia Gillard is in as the new PM of Australia, replacing Kevin Rudd; what does this mean for the Green Agenda?
• Insulation, how much do you need?
  Working out how much insulation to install can be difficult, we show you how.
• Green Home Loan Calculator
  A home loan calculator that allows you to also work out what you can do to be more green, and pay off your loan quicker as well.
• Quantum dot solar cells - is this the breakthrough?
  Quantum Dot Photovoltaics look to be able to double solar electricity collection efficiency. Is this enough to improve the viability of solar power to be practical to more of the community and make it sustainable green?
• Buy Green Books and Products
  We now have an online facility to purchase green books and products.
• Resource Super Profit Tax is Super Stupid
  We look at the Resource Super Profit tax and show why it will not work as advertised.
• Climate Change: the ice is fine
  Electromagnetic survey to measure ice thickness uncovers vast areas of resilient "old" ice in the Arctic; leading researcher concludes, "Any talk about tipping points, a sudden drop and no recovery ... I don't think it is going to happen."
• Keeping Cool in Summer
  Keeping cool in Summer as always a challenge, we show you how to do it whilst being green.
• Wind Power, is it really Green?
  Can wind power be considering a really green alternative energy source in its own right?
• Time to comment on the IPCC
  The IPCC is awaiting your feedback, tell it as it is...
• A study: The temperature rise has caused the CO2 Increase, not the other way around
  Differentiating the CO2 measurements over the last thirty years produces a pattern that matches the temperature anomaly measured by satellites in extreme detail. That this correlation includes El Niño years, and shows that the temperature rise is causing the rise in CO2, rather than the other way..
• Sustainable House Day 2010 in Australia
  Sustainable House Day 2010 is on for Sunday 12th September 2010, we look at how this can help you been more sustainable.
• Sustainable House and Home
  Sustainable housing, we look into what you need to do to make your house more green and sustainable.
• Passive Solar
  Passive Solar is often banded around as a good thing to do to make your house more green; we look at it in more detail.
• Bilderberg 2010
  Bilderberg 2010, a meeting you have never heard of, full of people you have never heard of - trying to manage the world without your say..
• Rain fall and rain harvesting calculator
  A new calculator that uses some publicly available rain fall data to help work out your monthly rain fall and hence collectible rain water.
• Green Directory
  New Green directory service on line.
• Architects held to be "Fit For Purpose"
  Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Bill (No. 2) 2010 will seek to remove an exception requiring Architects and Engineers to comply to a 'Fit for Purpose' warranty. We think this is a good thing.
• The Skeptic Global Warming Conference
  The Fourth International Conference on Climate Change is taking place in Chicago, Illinois.
• New Scientist, in denial on denial
  New Scientist has just published a 'Age of Denial' special edition..
• Kids test with added global warming propoganda
  The recent NAPLAN test in Australia has caused an outrage due to it containing an inaccurate article that pits roo meat against beef & the coal industry in terms of environmental impact.
• Is Cap and Trade really the way to care for the planet?
  I reckon Cap and Trade is not the way to go..
• Is Climate Change caused by Photoshop?
  We look at the images used in the media to portray climate change and find quite a few have been run through PhotoShop..
• Home Sustainability Assessment - do you really need one?
  Home Sustainability Assessments, are they actually assessing your home or assessing your ability to pay for more green modifications...
• Most convinced global warming not man made
  It appears that down in Australia that there is an outbreak of common sense occurring.
• Hot Water Heat Pumps - are they a rip off
  We have a quick look at the cost benefits behind heating hot water using a heat pump...
• Lets the climate models tell the truth we want to see..
  Climate models are just that, a model, based on assumptions and theories. Their accuracy is limited not only through the complexities of the climatic systems they model but also by the conclusions researchers want to see from them..
• More exact monthly means...
  Following up with more data set pairs showing the difference in accuracy between min/max daily monthly means and taking the mean of all hourly measurements in that month..

• Thousands of hectares of koala habitat are cleared every year, including for renewable energy projects
  We examined approved and proposed projects under federal environment legislation to look at how much koala habitat is being slated for destruction across several industries.
• Climate Change Weekly #514: 🦇 Evidence Mounts that Green Tech Is Wiping Out Species 🐦
  I and other Heartland Institute scholars have written before about the bird, bat, and marine mammals that industrial wind is killing around the world. The Heartland Institute has also written concerning industrial solar’s threat to desert species,...
• How do you cool a reactor and does Australia have enough water for nuclear power?
  Nuclear power relies on millions of litres of cooling water. The federal opposition's plan to build reactors on seven sites raises questions about water use and the effect on the environment.
• Nuclear plants are thirsty. Can the driest inhabited continent on Earth support them?
  Nuclear power relies on millions of litres of cooling water. The federal opposition's plan to build reactors on seven sites raises questions about water use and the effect on the environment.  
• Massive SunCable solar project spanning more than 12,000 hectares gets environmental tick in NT
  A project to develop "the world's largest renewable energy precinct" in a remote stretch of the territory receives crucial environmental approvals, but a final investment decision for the $30 billion-plus project is not expected until 2027.
• Rural residents told to 'get over' look of powerlines as Victoria's renewable targets face barriers
  Andrew Balfour has seven transmission towers on his farm. He doesn't recommend it to others — but sites for new power infrastructure will be needed across the state as renewable energy projects take off.
• University clears hundreds of trees to build solar farm
  La Trobe University's plan to clear trees for a solar farm in Melbourne's north has raised questions about renewables coming at the cost of native habitat.
• Is it worth investing in a battery for your rooftop solar? Here's what you need to know before you buy
  In some cases, adding a battery to your rooftop solar system will pay off. But to be sure, households need information about many factors — and there's no single reliable place to find it, write Asma Aziz and Daryoush Habibi.
• Going from gas to all-electric is cheaper and greener. Here's how governments can help more of us make the switch
  Switching from gas to all-electric has significant financial and environmental benefits, but many households face hurdles that make it hard or impossible to do...
• Switching from gas to all-electric is better for your budget and the planet
  Switching from gas to all-electric has significant financial and environmental benefits, but many households face hurdles that make it hard or impossible to do...