Author: evblogadmin

A 30 per cent mining tax is set for July this year after being passed through the lower house on November 23. The controversial legislation was given the green light after the Government made agreements with key independents to secure its passage. Debate over the tax remains extreme. Greens MPs want it broadened before passing it through the Senate.

A tax on iron ore and coal mining profits has been predicted to raise $7.7 billion in its first two years.

The new revenue stream was approved in November following deals struck between the Government, key independents and the Greens.

The tax threshold was increased to $75 million (up from $50 million) to secure the support of Andrew Wilkie. The Government has committed $200 million toward scientific research into coal seam gas mining impacts on groundwater and farming in a compromise to MPs Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor. NSW and Queensland communities are engaged in a heated debate over the impact of the controversial gas mining process.

Concerns centre over the mining sector’s claims that CSG process is eco-friendly. Liquid products from hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and fears of groundwater contamination have prompted a moratorium on the technique in NSW.

Mining response

The mining tax has been designed to tap into the booming mining industry and was negotiated with global mining giants BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Xstrata in 2010.

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies has pushed for the tax to be based on a production threshold instead of a profit threshold.

“Iron ore prices are not going to stay at high levels forever, they have already fallen quite a lot and the profitability levels of companies are all different,” chief executive Simon Bennison has said.

The mining tax at a glance

• The Mining Resources Rent Tax (MRRT) will start on July 1, 2012;
• The tax rate will be 30 per cent, which will be phased in when profits reach $75 million and paid in full at $125 million;
• Between 20-30 companies will pay the full rate;
• The tax is estimated to raise $7.7 billion in its first two years;

The Greens have pushed for the tax to be lifted to 40 per cent and to be applied to uranium and gold mines. The bill will need Greens support to pass through the Upper House in early 2012.

Critics of the tax claim it favours big miners over small and medium sized operators and that the provision to offset future state royalty increases against the tax will impact budget figures.

Green revolution proponents have pushed for the mining tax to fund better environmental outcomes.

The wealth generated by Australia’s non-renewable resources should be used to safeguard the future for everyone, which requires a genuine commitment to be environmentally-friendly. Liquid waste from mining sites, greenhouse gas emissions and land degradation are key challenges for this fossil-fuel dependent industry.

Environmental cleaning products suppliers Envirosafe Solution has tailored its products to help mine sites become more eco-friendly. Industrial liquids including solvent-free degreaser, rubber remover and soil-wetta/dust suppressor are part of its Extreme Green range. For more information on environmentally safe, high-performance cleaning solutions contact Envirosafe Solutions’ on 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/labor-set-to-clinch-mining-tax-20111121-1nr0i.html

http://www.climatespectator.com.au/news/federal-govt-wins-crucial-support-mining-tax

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/canberra-will-struggle-to-raise-111bn-from-impost/story-e6frg9df-1226202983591

http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/MRRT–Too-taxing

It’s easy to take for granted, but clean drinking water is essential. Warnings of groundwater pollution from non-eco-friendly industrial liquids are alarming for residents living in affected areas. A damning US report has this month linked coal seam gas mining to groundwater contamination.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has found a likely link between groundwater pollution and chemicals used in fracking.

It announced in December that compounds associated with hydraulic fracturing (fracking) – the process of forcing water, sand and chemicals deep underground to release methane – had contaminated groundwater in Wyoming.

Residents in Pavillion in the mid-western US state claim their water wells ‘reek of chemicals’.

The announcement has been welcomed by green revolution proponents and strengthens claims by environmentalists that coal seam gas mining was not environmentally friendly. A liquid cocktail containing chemical compounds is used to extract gas during the controversial mining process.

While the US EPA’s findings were not conclusive they have put a strong dent in the arguments that the depth of the fracking process would keep contaminants separate from drinking water supplies.

Gas and oil mining operations are not the only threat to the safety of groundwater plaguing the environment. Cleaning products and industrial chemicals (such as radiator cleaner, rubber removers and other non-eco-friendly liquid products) continue to cause contamination concerns across the country.

Adelaide car plant

Residents living near a major car manufacturing plant in Adelaide’s northern suburbs were advised this year not to draw water from the underground aquifer. The EPA said chemicals from the Holden factory had contaminated groundwater about 20 metres below the surface.

The car giant said it believed chemicals involved in manufacturing and non-environmental cleaning products were likely to have caused the contamination. Both Holden and the EPA agreed it was likely the contamination was a result of past practices prior to 1995.

Perth landfill site

Landfill chemicals contaminated groundwater into two Perth suburbs near the city’s Mirrabooka dump.

Testing of bore water near the site found it had been contaminated by arsenic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Residents were warned not to use bore water for drinking, cooking or to fill swimming pools.

US findings that chemical compounds used in fracking are likely to have contaminated groundwater will send an ominous warning to Queensland and NSW communities affected by the gas mining process. It’s a reminder of the threats posed by toxic chemicals.

Perth-based environmental cleaning products company Envirosafe Solutions remains committed to finding non-toxic alternatives for the mining and industrial sectors. Its Extreme Green range of products is designed to biodegrade to reduce soil and water contamination. For more information contact Envirosafe Solutions’ on 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/12/08/bc-fracking-groundwater-epa.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-11/holden-groundwater-bowden-remediation/3659548

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/special-features/investigators-probe-spread-of-contaminated-water-in-dianella-and-mirrabooka/story-e6frg19l-1225854629816

Are you aware of the health dangers of persistent toxic exposure? The cleaning products you use in your home or office can literally be poisonous. They can cause health problems when ingested, when inhaled, and even if they come into contact with your skin. Some of the cleaning products being used may be the most toxic items in your house or office. The solution to protecting your family and workers is switching to green cleaners.

Dangerous Cleaners

Common cleaning products used to clean toilets, ovens, and drains are considered the most dangerous and the most toxic products used regularly. For example, standard drain cleaners contain corrosives that can result in burns when they come into contact with your skin, are swallowed, or even inhaled. Common complaints from people using these products are breathing problems, burning eyes and skin irritation.

Ammonia and products with chlorine bleach also pose severe health hazards. People who have respiratory problems, asthma, or heart problems are at high risk for health problems from these chemicals. In addition, many standard cleaning products contain irritating fragrances. These fragrances can add to health problems and cause allergic reactions.

Chronic health care problems can also result from the use of standard cleaners. Products containing diethanolamine and triethanolamine have been shown to correspond to increased risks of cancer and hormone imbalance. Butyl cellosolve is an extremely dangerous neurotoxin that is also in some all-purpose cleaners. The problem with scientific research is that it takes years before permanent damage to the human body can be statistically verified through product use.

The Environment

The danger of toxic chemicals found in household and office cleaners does not stop once the product is used. These chemical often seep into the environment and cause further dangers to your health and the health of community members and the natural environment.

While some toxic chemicals, when washed down your drain, may break down, others do not. These toxins are treated at water plants and eventually flow into our waterways. When this occurs the fish and wildlife are threatened.

Phosphates are a problem in many waterways. Found in dish detergents and other products, phosphates increase algae growth in water. The excessive algae growth lowers oxygen level which results in killing fish and other organisms.

Solving the Problem

Homeowners and businesses may think commercial cleaners work better. However, the opposite is true according to author and cleaning expert Shannon Lush. She recently reported in an interview that green cleaners are better than you may think.

“They (green cleaners) usually work better than what you buy in a supermarket”.[1] She goes on to state that while we may desire the smell of chlorine and fragrances to make us feel our homes (and offices) are clean, in reality these smells mean the opposite. Residual smells after cleaning mean there is residue left behind.

Unfortunately, some reports indicate that Australia generates the most pollution of any developed country.[2] That’s why the government is undertaking green measures to reduce the amount of pollution in Australia. However, the program can only be successful if each person and each business does their part.

Making a Change

You can make the switch to green cleaning and improve the health of your family and staff. Green cleaners are non-toxic and good for the environment. How do you know if a cleaning product is green and safe?

First, read the labels on all products. Green products that are safe will not contain toxins such as ammonia and chlorine bleach. Stay away from products with warnings for burning, skin reactions, and harmful vapours on the label.

Choose cleaning products that are biodegradable. Biodegradable products break down safely in the environment. These products do not contain phosphates, solvents, or other toxins. Many biodegradable cleaning products are plant based.

Green cleaning products will improve your health and your environment. The health dangers of persistent toxic exposure are real and dangerous. It’s easy to ignore the dangers because exposure to dangerous chemicals doesn’t lead to immediate health issues in many cases. It takes long-term exposure before the full consequences to human health are known.

Envirosafe Solutions (www.evss.com.au) offers a full line of environmentally safe products for home and office. Employers serious about developing work safe environments must consider the chemicals used by workers as well as the air quality.

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References

[1] Cleaning with Toxins Isn’t Really Cleaning. (n.d.). Retrieved from Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/cleaning-with-toxins-isnt-really-cleaning/2007/08/13/1186857429027.html

[2] Reduce Your Carbon Footprint. (n.d.). Retrieved from Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Effeciency: http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/what-you-can-do/individual/carbon-footprint.aspx

Have you thought about ‘going green’ but haven’t taken the first step? If so, you’re not alone. Buzzwords are tossed about, but how do you actually implement a green lifestyle? It begins with a different mindset. The fact is that now is the time to make simple changes that will improve your health and lifestyle and the environmental quality for workers while caring for the environment. You may already recycle but going green is so much more. Let’s look at why going green requires a different mindset and is not just a matter of sorting paper and plastic into bins.

Going green is a habit you must develop. A green mindset involves thinking green so that thoughts are converted into acting green. In other words, you don’t just think about it; you take steps to make green living a reality at home and work. Going green is a lifestyle and not insulated acts.

It takes twenty-one days to develop a new habit or break an old one. If you start today – thinking green and acting green – you can develop a mindset in less than a month.

When developing this new healthy and environmentally safe method of thinking you will have to slough off years of doing things the ‘old way’. It will take some effort like most important changes in life – like purging your cabinets of old, toxic cleaners and replacing them with environmentally safe products for you, your home, and your office. It will require new procurement policies and procedures so that green product purchases take priority. Going green also will require staff education so that a green culture mindset is developed within the organisation.

Green Resources

Green cleaning is defined as, ‘cleaning products and processes that achieve hygienic outcomes, while demonstrating a substantially reduced risk to health and impact on the environment’.[1]

The first rule to developing a green mindset is to be thankful for Australia’s natural resources. There are many resources that we use every day that can be conserved. For example, we are fortunate to have clean fresh water anytime we turn on a faucet. Many people in the world do not have this luxury? For Australians, the green mindset asks this: How can you be thankful for clean water while at the same time conserving as much water as you can?

Asking yourself simple questions like this on a daily basis will get you on the road to green. Turning off lights when you leave a room, using green cleaning products around your home or office, and carpooling are easy ways to implement a green lifestyle.

An Easy Fix

One of the easiest ways to reinforce your new green attitude is to use green cleaners and other products in your home and office. Green cleaners and other products are safe for the environment and safe for you and your family.

When shopping for green products ensure you buy the best. There are no governmental labelling standards for green products so do not be tricked into buying products that claim to be green. A recent study revealed that people sometimes find it difficult to differentiate which cleaning products are green.[2]

Look for green products that are environmentally rated by the maker. For example, a reliable company puts all of their products through strident environmental safety testing and can document the results. Any company can claim their products are ‘green’ but it’s important for consumers and business procurement professionals to verify the claims are accurate and justified. Reading the ingredient labels and not just accepting the advertising claims is necessary.

From Your Home to the World

The small changes you make today will improve your lifestyle, your home environment, your work environment, and even provide benefits to the earth we live on. Going green requires a new and improved mindset requires thinking in terms of “green’ every time a product or lifestyle decision is made.

Small changes can begin with the purchase of products from Envirosafe Solutions (www.evss.com.au or http://www.evss.com.au./ which are designed to protect users from exposure to chemicals. Using environmentally safe products is a simple way to make a significant contribution to the environment while improving employee safety.

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References

[1] On the Road to Green Cleaning. (Facility Management Magazine). Retrieved from http://www.fmmagazine.com.au/features/on-the-road-to-green-cleaning/

[2] Greening the Cleaning Contract. (n.d.). Retrieved from Government News: http://www.governmentnews.com.au/files/GN%20DEC-JAN%20pg44-45.pdf

Why is green cleaning such a topic of interest today? There are two very good reasons. Standard cleaning chemicals can create smog and can also create an unhealthy environment. Cleaning with green products alleviates harmful toxins that enter the air while keeping your home or office clean and healthy.

The goal of green cleaning is to eliminate dust and grime in addition to viruses, allergens, bacteria, mould, and other harmful substances. This will result in better health for everyone.

With the intense focus on green cleaning, experts are redefining indoor air quality. Indoor environment quality, also known as IEQ, takes into account the use of volatile organic compounds, (VOCs), thermal comfort, glare, mould, formaldehyde, and even noise.[1] Green cleaning focuses on eliminating cleaning products that can cause smog in the environment.

Is Green Better?

While the news is flooded with information about green cleaning, many people remain wary. They wonder if green cleaning products will actually perform and eliminate germs and diseases. However, a look at the many health problems resulting from common pollutants is staggering:[2]

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Respiratory illness
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Carcinogenic exposure
• Viruses like the clod and the flu

Each of these health problems can be treated and in some cases eliminated when properly using green products to clean your home.

Ordinary cleaners release smog into your home or office every time they are used. Standard detergents, floor cleaners and finishes, furniture polish, and disinfectants are all on the list of offending products. They produce harmful compounds such as fluorocarbons, acetone, and ethanol. When they evaporate they combine with the air in your environment (the ozone) and are the cause of health problems.

Simple changes to green cleaning products can immediately make a difference. It’s important to look for green cleaning products that are non-toxic. Many green cleaners are biodegradable, and some are made from renewable resources.

Going Green

Going green will require you to make some changes in your cleaning supply cabinet. Many of the cleaners you currently own contain chemicals that have been manufactured such as phosphates found in detergents and volatile organic compounds found in solvents.

When replacing your old cleaning agents with green cleaners, it’s crucial to ascertain that they are free of pollutants that cause indoor smog by reading the labels carefully. Here are a few hints to get you started:

• Dishwasher soap often includes phosphates. These chemicals should be avoided.
• Buy cleaning products that are free of petroleum.
• Avoid bleach by using products with borax.
• Use furniture polish that does not list phthalates.

A good rule of thumb to remember: if you can’t say it, do not use it.

The Careful Green Consumer

While the interest going green is growing, there are no standards in labelling for green cleaning products. Consumers must take the time to ensure that what they buy is truly a green cleaning product.

Fortunately, there are excellent green cleaners available. Because so many false claims have been made in order to sell products, companies are beginning to take matters into their own hands. For example, one company has created its own rating system for their cleaning products, proving they are safe for the environment. It follows a strict protocol created to ensure product safety for your home.

You can also alter other green common behaviours to improve the air quality in your home or office:[3]

• Give your cleaner time to work instead of using more. You can soak baked on grime in pots using a green dish detergent or use a damp cloth with a green cleaning agent on hard to remove grime on hard surfaces.
• Clean your home or office on a regular schedule to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating.
• Keep a cleaning tool kit stocked with the right brushes, cloths, and other implements.

Cleaning chemicals can create smog by releasing chemicals into the air. Fortunately, it’s easy to lean up the air in your home or office today by making the switch to green cleaning. Products like those sold by Envirosafe Solutions (www.evss.com.au) are safe to use and won’t lead to air pollution.

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References

[1] Is Green Air Clean? (n.d.). Retrieved from AIRAH: http://www.airah.org.au/imis15_prod/Content_Files/EcoLibrium/2011/May2011/2011_05_F01.pd

[2] Brisbane City Council Green Home Fact Sheet – Clean Home Indoors. (n.d.). Retrieved from Brisbane City Council: http://www.sustainablehomebrisbane.com.au/bcc1.pdf

[3] Green Cleaning. (n.d.). Retrieved from Penrith City Council: http://www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/index.asp?id=2867

Infectious disease occurs all too often in childcare facilities and that’s because childcare centres are germ breeding grounds. Your child will come into regular and close contact with a large number of other children – maybe for the first time – leading to the spreading of infectious germs.

While there is no proven way to control all infectious diseases from spreading in childcare centres, you can greatly lower the risk using certain methods to control the spread of germs.

How Do Infectious Diseases Spread?

The National Health and Research Council has identified four major steps in the spread of infectious diseases and germs.[1]

• The infected person spreads germs (releases them into the environment)
• The germs continue to exist in the environment
• A second person contracts germs through hard surfaces, water, air, or food where the germs thrive
• The second person is infected by the germs

Each of these steps can be halted in most cases when proper precautions are taken by childcare workers and children. One of the most important precautions for infectious disease control requires using proper cleaning methods that break this cycle.

Preventing the Spread of Infectious Disease

How can the spread of infectious germs be halted? In addition to identifying the way infectious diseases spread, the National Health and Research Council also recognises three methods to keep the spread of germs to a minimum.[2]

• Washing hands
• Prohibiting sick childcare workers and children from interacting
• Immunisation

Due to the fact that germs have the ability to spread silently, or before a person exhibits any sign of illness, washing hands is one the first barriers to the preventing the spread of infectious germs. The trick is to wash hands completely with the proper hand cleaning product.

To wash hands correctly takes ten to fifteen seconds. First, run hands under water to wet and add liquid soap. Hands should then be rubbed together and attention must be given to under the fingernails and between fingers. Next, rinse the hands completely. Finally, dry the hands with paper towels.  Experts suggest using a soap dispenser that does not require pumping so it’s a hands-free device and using paper towels when touching the faucet after rinsing hands.

Children and staff should wash hands with the right cleanser after going to the toilet, blowing their nose or coughing, coming into contact with raw food, changing diapers, and before eating.[3]

Remember, children must be taught proper hand washing. Young children may require supervision.

When to Stay Home

Because childcare centres are germ breeding grounds it is important to know when to stay home. When sick staff and children are present it increases the risk of others getting sick.

Childcare centres should have a written exclusion policy to avoid complications with parents. A child or staff member should be excluded if they present with an infection that has the ability to spread to others. Overall, staff and children who are not healthy should stay home.

The length of exclusion is variable. For example, a person with measles should stay home for a minimum of four days after the first signs of the disease while a person with influenza need only stay home until well enough to function without strain.

Immunisations

You can greatly reduce and in some cases prevent the spread of infectious germs with immunisations. Childcare centres should keep a record of a child’s immunisations on file.

Even with proper hand washing, immunisations, and a strict exclusion policy some infectious germs will find their way into childcare centres. Childcare centres are germ breeding grounds, but the danger can be greatly reduced with attention to cleaning and the use of proper cleaning products, a strict exclusion policy, and immunisations.

Envirosafe Solutions (www.evss.com.au) can recommend the right hand and surface cleaners that are effective at preventing the spread of germs. The cleaners are environmentally safe while being highly effective.

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References

[1] Staying Healthy in Childcare. (2005, December). Retrieved from National Health and Medical Research Council: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/ch43.pdf

[2] Ibid

[3] Antibacterial Cleaning Products. (n.d.). Retrieved from Better Health Channel: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Antibacterial_cleaning_products

Overfishing and offshore oil drilling and are among the threats facing Western Australia’s marine environment. Cleaning products, plastic rubbish and other pollution are also spoiling WA’s big blue backyard. Conservationists believe it’s time to take action.

Marine parks are needed along south-west coast of Western Australia to protect ‘globally-significant’ hotspots, according to one Australia’s peak conservation groups.

The Australian Conservation Foundation has called for marine national parks to be established in the Kalbarri to Eucla region, which includes the Perth Canyon. The green revolution movement is aimed at protecting vulnerable species, which have faced increased pollution from non-eco-friendly industrial liquid waste.

“This is one of only two feeding sites in Australian waters for the critically endangered blue whale, the world’s largest animal,” said an ACF spokesperson.

“It features the southernmost major tropical coral reefs in the Indian Ocean and Australia’s highest underwater mountain range.”

The region is also home to the white shark and the leatherback turtle and provides an annual harvest of about 25,000 tonnes of seafood, including western rock lobsters. According to the CCWA, marine parks would ease pressures on vulnerable and threatened marine species and keep the coastal region environmentally friendly. Liquid and hard waste add considerable pollution to the once-pristine ocean.

“Western Australians can see that all is not well in their big blue backyard, they have observed the decline of water quality, marine life and habitats and the loss of seagrass nurseries for fish,” the ACF continued.

‘Vulnerable five

Big reef fish species – referred to as the Vulnerable Five – are believed to be at risk from overfishing. They include the West Australian dhufish, baldchin groper, breaksea cod, pink snapper and red snapper.

Offshore oil and gas drilling projects are also on the rise and bring with them an increased risk of oil spills

Despite the push by conservationists for the creation of marine parks (a no-go area for fishing and mining activities), opponents argue they would threaten the viability of professional and recreational fishing.

WA Fisheries Minister Norman Moore has said WA’s fish stocks were “some of the best managed in the world” and that the state’s marine environment was eco-friendly. Liquid products including fertilisers, pesticides, industrial waste and non-environmental cleaning products contribute to marine pollution.

One of Australia’s leading suppliers of eco-friendly cleaning and industrial products believes reducing reliance on toxic chemicals is an easy way for Australian businesses to support the marine environment.

Perth-based Envirosafe Solutions has alternate products which work just as effectively as traditional cleaners and industrial applications. Its Extreme Green range is safe to use, transport and store. For more information contact Envirosafe Solutions’ on 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=2148

A decision to sell uranium to India has reignited a heated debate in Western Australia. The state’s Liberal Government overruled a controversial uranium ban in 2008 but opposition to the mining of the radioactive element remains extreme. Green conservationists warn opening the door to India sets a dangerous precedent.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Australian Labor Party voted to lift a ban on uranium sales to India in December.

The policy-shift made headlines around the globe as Australia has some of the world’s richest uranium and mineral deposits. Removing the ban paves the way for sales of uranium to India, which is not a signatory to the international nuclear weapons Non Proliferation Treaty.

The move has reignited debate over uranium mining in Western Australia, which despite driving Australia’s current mining boom has left its rich uranium deposits – including Kintyre and Yeelirie – untapped. Radioactive uranium is not seen as an environmentally clean product, due in part to the impact of mining, including non-eco-friendly industrial liquid waste.

WA Opposition leader Eric Ripper has signaled the Labor party’s intention to make uranium mining a major issue at the next election. The WA Labor Party has remained firmly opposed to uranium mining, despite the decision by Federal Labor to allow sales to India.

“The next election is possibly the last chance to stop uranium mining in WA,” he said.

Premier Colin Barnett dismissed the possibility of uranium mining becoming a major election issue.

“This is a mining state; I think people are well educated, they understand that uranium and particularly nuclear power generation is a reality,” he said.

Mr Barnett said it was likely a uranium mine would be under construction in WA by the next state election, in 2013. South Australia has the world’s largest known uranium deposit, being mined by BHP Billiton at Olympic Dam. Another large-scale uranium mine is at Ranger, within the Northern Territory’s Kakadu National Park. The mine has been plagued by spills requiring environmental cleaning production.

Green revolution lobbyists have warned the decision to allow uranium to be sold to India sets a dangerous precedent.  Conservation Council of WA campaigner Mia Pepper has argued that Australia’s disregard for the non-proliferation treaty sent a message to fellow signatories including China and Russia and non-signatories such as Pakistan and Israel.

“This is a dangerous precedent to set and one that undermines the only international agreement we have limiting the spread of nuclear weapons,” Ms Pepper said. “This decision also undermines the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty as India continues to test long range missiles and it undercuts the Roratonga Treaty, implicating the Pacific in an illegal trade of uranium.”

Last year’s Fukushima nuclear power plantdisaster highlighted the dangers posed by nuclear energy yet the prospect of safe nuclear energy generation remains tantalising. Creating a greener mining industry through better environmental practices, including the use of environmental cleaning products, is a step in the right direction. Envirosafe Solutions has a range of eco-friendly liquid products designed to eliminate the need for toxic chemicals at remote mine sites. For more information contact 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://ccwa.org.au/blogs/nuclear-disaster-federal-labor

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/premier-unafraid-of-fighting-election-on-uranium-mining-20111115-1ngz8.html

http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/japanese-disaster-hurts-was-uranium-support/story-e6frg2r3-1226094838478

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1610027/alp-votes-to-lift-india-uranium-ban

A peak Western Australian environmental group has called for a review of fertilisers and other non-eco-friendly industrial products because of impacts on river health. The Swan River program has highlighted the risk posed by toxic chemicals on soil and water health and promoted the use of environmental cleaning products.

A ‘cocktail of environmental pollutants’ are to blame for the poor health of the Swan River, according to the Conservation Council of Western Australia.

The green revolution lobbyists have launched a campaign to make the iconic river more eco-friendly. Industrial liquid waste including fertilisers and other pollutants have been blamed for poor river health.

“The main cause of the river’s chronic poor health can be traced to a cocktail of environmental pollutants entering the river system from a range of industrial, agricultural and urban sources,” according to the CCWA. “These pollutants’ impact is exacerbated by climate change as we receive less rain in the catchments to flush the nutrients out to sea and higher temperatures aid algal growth.”

The CCWA claims toxic algal blooms have increased dramatically along the Swan River in the past five years.

Warm temperatures and high-levels of nutrients make waterways more prone to outbreaks of algae (the greenish blue slime which sits on the surface of the water). Non-environmentally friendly liquids including fertilisers and domestic and industrial products such as laundry powder contribute to algal blooms, which kill fish life and can pose a threat to other animals.

Choosing products low in phosphorous and nitrogen can dramatically reduce the risk of pollution from non-environmental cleaning products entering catchment areas.

Phosphate and nitrogen-rich fertilisers applied to the sandy soils of the Swan Coastal Plain enter the river through groundwater and surface flows.

According to the recent Swan Canning Water Quality Improvement Plan nutrients entering the Swan River are twice the maximum levels allowed for the river health to be restored.

The CCWA has been lobbying for greater awareness and better waste management.

“Nutrients that are not used by garden plants or agricultural crops and pastures are a wasted resource.. we know that alternative, slow release fertilisers can have the same, if not greater, results in promoting plant growth without the pollution.”

Alternative environmental cleaning products in industrial factories, workshops and farms can also reduce water and soil contamination.

Perth-based Envirosafe Solutions’ Extreme Green range of eco-friendly industrial liquids are highly-effective and unlike traditional cleaning solutions are safe to use, improving workplace safety and reducing storage risks. Its environmentally responsible range includes Soil Wetta-Dust Suppressor (ideal for use on farms, mining sites and transport depots), industrial hand cleaners including anti-bacterial hand wash, low-phosphate laundry liquids and powders as well as specialist cleaners such as rubber remover. For more information contact Envirosafe Solutions’ on 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://ccwa.org.au/issues/swan-river

Water security remains a major challenge for Australia. As the driest continent on the planet, our inland waterways are a precious yet threatened resource. Pollution from non-environmental cleaning products and overuse from thirsty industries present a tough challenge for policymakers.

The latest report card into Australia’s environmental health has identified climate change as the biggest threat facing inland water systems.

It has called for better management to sustain our river systems and keep them environmentally-friendly. Liquid pollution, including waterways contaminated by non-environmental cleaning products, are also threatening the health of our rivers and lakes.

The State of the Environment 2011 report was released by the Gillard Government in December.

The independent assessment – the fourth in a series tabled in Federal Parliament every five years – examines the state of the atmosphere, land, biodiversity, coast and marine environment, inland waters, heritage and built environment and the Antarctic.

It looks at the impact of climate change and population on the environment.

Environment Minister Tony Burke said development had taken a significant toll on Australia’s natural resources. Major environmental cleaning productions are needed in some areas to restore water and land habitats.

“The report provides a big-picture view of what Australia’s doing right, what we could do better, and what more we need to know to target our management responses,” Mr Burke said.

“We are turning things around on some counts but, on others, we are still facing challenges with the legacy of centuries of over-consumption and pollution of our environmental resources.”

Green revolution lobbyists warn the report sounds an “urgent alarm’ about the health of Australia’s environment.

“The report itself states that ‘the prognosis for the environment at a national level is highly dependent on how seriously the Australian Government takes its leadership role,” Australian Conservation Foundation campaigns director Denise Boyd said. She said the most urgent findings included:

• Identifying climate change as the ‘largest future threat’ to inland water sources remaining eco-friendly (industrial liquids including fertilisers also continue to contaminate catchments);
• Land clearing had continued at a rate of one million hectares per year for the past decade;
• Since 2006 the East Antartic Ice Sheet had lost about 60 billion tonnes of ice each year; and
• The Southern Ocean is warming faster than anywhere else in the world.

Inland water threat

The report identified increased demand for water as a major challenge facing Australia.

Fresh inland water supplies have been under threat from years of drought and restoring environmental flows was critical to keeping systems eco-friendly. Liquid products including desalinated sea water and recycled wastewater would reduce reliance on river and lake systems but would carry other environmental costs, including increased energy consumption.

The 2011 State of the Environment Report is another warning card for Australian policymakers. Water-thirsty industry – from irrigators to miners – will need to continue to find water-saving measures to ensure future water security.

Reducing water pollution is another step toward preserving our waterways. Leading Perth-based environmental cleaning products suppliers Envirosafe Solutions has a range of non-toxic, biodegradable products to replace toxic chemicals including anti-bacterial hand wash, rubber remover and fuel conditioners. For more information contact 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=3585

http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/2011/report/key-findings.html#inland-water

http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/burke/2011/mr20111212a.html

The trucking industry has been making inroads into reducing its impact on the planet. From cleaner fuels and eco-driving strategies to using environmental cleaning products, this heavy-polluting sector is building a greener image. It has called for increased government support as it prepares for the impact of the carbon tax.

The trucking industry has called for amendments to a government grant scheme aimed at softening the impact of the carbon tax.

Peak industry body the Australian Trucking Association has released an extensive submission on the draft guidelines for the Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program.

The $40M Federal Government scheme is aimed at offsetting some of the costs of the $23 per tonne carbon tax, which comes into effect from July this year.

In its submission, the ATA has drawn on key contributing factors that lead to the success of its TruckSafe program. The program has helped make small-to-medium sized operators more environmentally friendly Liquid gas (LNG), better driving techniques and more modern systems have helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

ATA chief executive Stuart St Clair said the grants were designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

“Trucking businesses will face higher costs from 1 July 2012 when their suppliers put up their prices to respond to the carbon price. The Government plans to impose the carbon price on the fuel used by trucking businesses from 1 July 2014, although the ATA will continue arguing against it,” Mr St Clair said.

“Trucking operators will need to pass their increased costs on to their customers, but their ability to pass on their costs will be limited by their existing contract arrangements and lack of market power. Many trucking businesses are locked into long term contracts. Small trucking businesses often feel forced to accept the rates they are offered, even if the terms are unfavourable.”

The trucking sector faces many challenges as it strives to become more eco-friendly. Industrial liquid waste and greenhouse gas emissions are major polluting issues.

Mr St Clair said the grants would not only help operators join the green revolution, but also help soften the impact of carbon tax pressures.

“As well as providing advice on energy efficiency, industry associations need to be able to provide their members with advice on how to improve their business practices to cope with the carbon price. This could include guidance on best practice contracts, adjusting fuel levies and the law relating to carbon price claims.”

In its submission the ATA has called for the scheme to be broadened toinclude energy efficiency standards and audit tools for industry-run accreditation programs.

Leading Perth-based environmental cleaning products company Envirosafe Solutions has been working with the transport sector to provide eco-friendly liquid products to replace harsh chemicals. From dust-suppressors to glass cleaner, radiator coolant, rust remover and industrial hand cleaners there’s a solution for every problem. For more information contact Envirosafe Solutions’ on 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://www.atatruck.net.au/media/media-releases/use-energy-efficiency-grants-improve-business-practices

A review into groundwater allocations by the Western Australian Government has highlighted concerns over its ‘first-in, first-served’ approach. Conservationists argue big mining companies are taking too much and that to be more environmentally friendly, liquid groundwater should be reserved for food production and ecosystems.

Groundwater resources are being drained by mining projects at the expense of farming, according to conservationists.

The Conservation Council of WA has launched a campaign to protect groundwater as part of a State Government review into the system.

Concerns over the scarcity of water resources and poor quality – due to contamination from non-environmental cleaning products and other pollutants – continue to dominate water policy debate.

“Without groundwater in Western Australia we cannot produce food, and our ecosystems cannot survive,” according to the CCWA.

“Yet the State Government is giving away billions of litres of our precious groundwater for free to the mining industry under a water allocation policy that prioritises mining over the environment and food production.”

Water requirements are high at remote mining sites and contribute to the sector’s non-eco-friendly image. Industrial liquid waste and the vast amounts of water required for washing iron ore are among the issues facing mining.

The CCWA said that mining activities placed a significant drain on groundwater resources and that:

• A single mine was allocated nearly 90 per cent of an entire Mid-West Aquifer (five billion litres of water per year) to wash iron ore at the expense of farmers in the region;
• The collie coal industry used nearly 50 billion litres of groundwater each year, which was not eco-friendly.

Liquid products used by the sector also contributed to soil and water pollution (although environmental cleaning products such as solvent-free degreasers were helping to address this).

WA Water Minister Bill Marmion said that under the current groundwater allocation system, access to groundwater was granted on a ‘first-in, first-served’ policy.

“As more of our groundwater and surface water areas come closer to full allocation, and as competition for water increases, this policy is becoming less effective for making sure we get the best value from our water resources,” he said.

A discussion paper into groundwater allocations has proposed using market mechanisms such as an auction once resources reached 70 per cent of their capacity.

Opposition to current allocation policy has been extreme. Greens MLC Alison Xamon said the decision to grant Mid West miner Gindalbie Metals access to more than 80 per cent of water allocation rights to a local aquifer highlighted the problems.

“There doesn’t seem to have been any consideration of the future of the community who live above the aquifer,” Ms Xamon said. “As a result of this decision, the future expansion of agriculture in the region has been hamstrung.”

Leading Perth supplier of environmental cleaning products, Envirosafe Solutions, has been working with the mining sector to reduce water and soil contamination. Switching from toxic cleaners to eco-friendly industrial liquids has helped the sector improve its environmental credentials. For more information on Envirosafe Solutions’ Extreme Green range contact 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://ccwa.org.au/content/protect-our-groundwater-environment-and-food-production

http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=144207

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/countryman/a/-/news/10308580/probe-on-wa-water-allocation/

The company behind a major Queensland gas project is making its groundwater testing results public. Gas giant Santos has announced it will publish water quality test results online to allay community concerns over coal seam gas mining and environmental impacts. Like cleaning products, chemicals used in the process can taint precious waterways.

The results of water testing near a major Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project at Gladstone in Queensland will be made public.

In what has been hailed an Australian-first, resources giant Santos has launched an online portal (http://www.santoswaterportal.com.au) showing Surat and Bowen Basin water testing results.

“From today, all members of the community will be able to access the results of all our water quality and bore level testing thoughout our CST operations in the Surat and Bowen  Basins,” Santos GLNG president Mark Macfarlane said.

The coal seam gas industry has been plagued by concern over the possible contamination of underground water aquifers as a result of the mining technique, known as fracking. Critics claim the process of forcing water, sand and chemicals into rock seams to force out trapped methane is not eco-friendly. Industrial liquid waste management is a key issue as is the contamination of water supplies from the non-environmentally friendly liquid fracking cocktail.

Mr Macfarlane said the new online water results portal brought a new level of accountability to coal seam gas mining.

“We have done this because we want to be completely open and accountable with the community in relation to the impact of CSG activities on water quality and groundwater levels,” he said.

“We are confident these results will show that our work is not adversely impacting the aquifers from where farmers draw their water. We believe it will demonstrate that CSG can proceed in a sustainable way, in a manner that will have no impact on the viability of the Great Artesian Basin, as extensive scientific research has concluded.”

Gladstone LNG project

The Gladstone project will convert the methane from coal seam gas mining into LNG, which has become a major export for Australia.

The first cargoes of LNG from the project are earmarked for 2015. The project is a partnership between Australia’s largest domestic gas producer, Santos, Malaysian LNG producer Petronas, French oil and gas company Total and major LNG buyer Kogas.

The project is predicted to produce between 7.8 and 10 million tonnes per annum of LNG.

The industry claims LNG has less environmental impacts than other fossil fuels, producing substantially less greenhouse gas emissions.

The green revolution movement has rejected this, claiming CSG mining (and its related non-eco-friendly liquid products) and LNG conversion, storage and transport carry enormous environmental risks.

Concern over long-term impacts of toxic chemicals has been a major motivator for leading Australian environmental cleaning products company Envirosafe Solution. The Perth-based supplier has an Extreme Green range including rust remover, radiator coolant and rubber remover. For information on eco-friendly mining products contact Envirosafe Solutions’ on 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://www.santoswaterportal.com.au/

http://www.glng.com.au/Content.aspx?p=55

http://www.glng.com.au/library/Santos%20GLNG%20Water%20Portal%20Media%20Release.pdf

It appears most Australians are sympathetic to the plight of farming communities in NSW and Queensland opposed to coal seam gas mining. A recent opinion poll has shown support for a moratorium on the controversial process – at least until environmentally-friendly liquids are used to extract the methane trapped deep underground.

Most Australians support the push for a moratorium on coal seam gas mining, according to a new Galaxy poll released by the Australian Greens.

A poll of 1048 people has found that 68 per cent of us want coal seam gas projects to be halted until environmental impacts are better known.

This includes the possible contamination of underground water aquifers due to the extraction process, known as fracking. Critics claim this is not eco-friendly: Industrial liquids forced into the gas seams in underground rock contain water, sand and chemicals.

This chemical cocktail has been linked to contamination of groundwater in Wyoming by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Community concern

Greens leader Senator Bob Brown said of those polled, 70 per cent wanted an outright ban on CSG mining in cities and towns. He said the poll was conducted across age groups and that those surveyed were a cross-section of the community, including rural, regional and city areas of each state.

“There is overwhelming support from the Australian people for a moratorium on this potentially devastating industry,” Senator Brown said.

Queensland Greens Senator Larissa Waters said protecting groundwater in agricultural areas was critical to Australia’s food security.

“The stampede for profits from coal seam gas risks Australia’s best food-growing land and its underground water supplies – food security should be beyond politics,” Senator Waters said.

“You can’t eat coal and you can’t drink gas.”

What are the risks?

Coal seam gas industry players argue methane produces greener energy than coal-fired power.

There have been moves to make the fracking process more eco-friendly. Liquid fracking products using a group of volatile organic compounds known as BTEX have been banned in Australia. A new more environmentally-friendly liquid using sand, salts, polymers and water is being hailed as ‘greener chemistry’.

Critics still argue this fracking cocktail is far from eco-friendly. Industrial liquid waste from drilling wells is highly saline and needs to be properly managed.

They are concerned that any contamination of groundwater or surface water is hard to contain. Green revolution proponents point to the irony of drilling for methane on prime farming land – claiming methane can be better produced from cow, pig, chicken or vegetable waste.

Chemicals can have a devastating environmental and health legacy. Envirosafe Solutions is a leading supplier of environmental cleaning products. The all Australian company has an Extreme Green range which delivers effective results while being gentler on the environment. For more information contact Envirosafe Solutions’ on 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://greens.org.au/content/survey-shows-majority-want-coal-seam-gas-moratorium

http://directaction.org.au/issue29/growing_opposition_to_coal_seam_gas_mining

Concern over the environmental impact of coal seam gas mining is rising. Communities affected by the new mining boom in Queensland and NSW have welcomed a recent Senate committee report calling for a moratorium on all new projects pending scientific research, particularly into the non-eco-friendly industrial liquids used.

A moratorium should be placed on any future coal seam gas mining projects until more scientific research is conducted, according to a Federal Senate committee.

The committee’s interim report was handed down in late November, 2011 with a final report due in June 2012.

The 24 recommendations contained in the report are aimed at addressing concerns over coal seam gas mining, which critics claim is far from eco-friendly. Industrial liquid waste water is highly saline and can contain chemical residues, which must be disposed of carefully.

The process for extracting the coal seam gas, known as hydraulic fracturing or fracking, involves forcing a cocktail of chemicals, water and sand into rock cracks to pump out trapped methane.

While methane produces 40 per cent less greenhouse gases than coal-fired power, mining it is not eco-friendly. Liquid products forced deep underground to extract the gas have been linked to pollution of underground water aquifers.

Debate over fracking is extreme. Green MPs, environmental activities and farming communities have called for an immediate halt to any new developments pending more research into whether it’s environmentally friendly. Liquid groundwater contamination would be dire in key farming areas and near drinking water supplies and rivers.

The Senate report has recommended:

• A moratorium on future CST mining pending an independent assessment of Earth surface movements and whether salt and brine residue can be removed;
• Due consideration of the impact of CSG mining on surrounding areas with a permanent ban in strategic cropping land;
• The area where the Murray-Darling Basin and Great Artesian Basin overlap should be off-limits pending the results of at least two scientific studies;
• A review of the chemicals used in the fracking process (like non-environmental cleaning products, some of these chemicals are carcinogenic).

A ban has been placed on the most dangerous batch known as BTEX. These volatile organic compounds –  benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene – have been used in non-eco-friendly industrial fracking liquids. The fracking process itself has also been found to release naturally occurring BTEX, according to the Greens.

The senate committee has acknowledged community opposition to CSG mining, but argued that with careful controls the sector could co-exist peacefully with farmers.

It has said communities should reap the benefits of the booming CSG industry, which it predicts may only last for another 50 years.

Chemicals used in coal seam methane extraction, like non-environmental cleaning products, risk groundwater and soil pollution.

Leading supplier of eco-friendly industrial liquids Envirosafe Solutions has been working with the mining sector to reduce reliance on harmful chemicals. Its Extreme Green range includes solvent-free degreasers, hard-water laundry liquid, industrial hand cleaner and fuel conditioners and treatments. For information on non-toxic solutions to reduce your environmental footprint contact Envirosafe Solutions’ on 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/senate-committee-wants-csg-mining-to-halt-20111130-1o6ll.html

http://greens.org.au/content/greens-welcome-belated-btex-ban-csg