National Centre for Sustainability, University of Ballarat Blog

Is there a bottom line in being green?

ncsubsmb — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:06:45 +0000

Is there a bottom line in being green is the focus on a breakfast briefing on Friday 27 March, 2009 in Ballarat? Speakers include:
1. University of Ballarat’s sustainability officer, Dale Boucher speaking about how the university is reducing their costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Sheree Buehner, from the Colonial Lantern, a retail lighting shop looking at energy efficient lighting.
3. Justin Catley, the Complex Manager of Bunning’s Warehouse Ballarat. His focus will be on water saving, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and waste management.

Event organisers are the Australian Industry Group, University of Ballarat National Centre for Sustainability and the Highlands Regional Waste Management Group.

Cost $25 inc GST, 7am-9am, Barkly Restaurant, 43-57 Main Road, Ballarat

RSVP by23 March to Kay Macaulay 0353317688 or

email kay.macaulay@aigroup.asn.au

A quick energy audit can save money

ncsubsmb — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:07:30 +0000

Just recently our sustainability officer, Dale Boucher, spent an hour with a local not-for-profit organisation and managed to saved them a bucket load of money.

Firstly, the weather was cold, so the heating was on. Unfortunately the airconditioning was on at the same time! Rooms had different temperature fluorescent tubes therefore providing inadequate light. (You can tell by the different colors.) Some of the rooms were hot during summer, fitting of external blinds would help fix this.

Finally they were paying too much per kwh, so they could reduce costs there by negotiating a cheaper rate with another supplier.

Sustainability is about looking closely at what you do and while it is good for the environment it is also good for the bottom line.

Diploma of Sustainability

ncsubsmb — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:35:31 +0000

Climate change, water scarcity, carbon trading, high fuel costs, rising electricity costs, population growth, loss of biodiversity and behaviour change are global issues impacting on how we live.

The National Centre for Sustainability at the University of Ballarat is now offering a course, The Diploma of Sustainability, to help communities, business and Government address these issues.

There are still vacancies for the Diploma Course starting next week – either four long weekends a year in Horsham or Tuesday evenings in Ballarat. See http://www.ballarat.edu.au/vfed/sustainability/courses.shtml

email the centre on sustainability@ballarat.edu.au

or call Craig Hurley on o3 5362 2684

Welcome

ncsubsmb — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:53:08 +0000

Welcome to The National Centre for Sustainability blog. We’re hoping to post regularly on topics of interest on environmental sustainability. Your comments and feedback is most welcome.