​This month we discussed the future of our group.  We decided that it was sustainable and would continue, albeit with a change of title to the ‘Sustainability’ group. ‘Towards a Sustainable Future’ can be rather a mouthful!   Included among the many topics discussed this month– a look at the take-up of electronic vehicles in Australia and an article ‘Australian students plan school strikes to protest against climate inaction’, an issue young people in the United States have mounted legal action in the courts to address.   

A particularly engaging discussion was held in response to an article titled ‘Our No 1 Recycling Mistake?   It’s in the bag’.   Apparently the number 1 mistake is to throw soft plastics, which get caught up in sorting machines, into the kerbside recycling bin.  Soft plastics such as bread bags need to be dropped off at Coles and Woolworths stores in the REDcycle bin.  Another common mistake– putting recyclables into bags, which get picked out manually and put into landfill.  We should keep items loose when placing recyclables into the recycling bin.   It seemed from the article and our discussion that we all get rather anxious about some of the decisions we need to make regarding ‘red’, ‘green’ or ‘yellow’ bin contents! 

We also talked about two events being supported by BSFG’s Renewable Energy Benalla action group, a Solar and Battery Offer by Mondo Power which closes on December 7 and an upcoming seminar ‘Electrifying Industry--showcasing how industry can move to 100% renewable energy’.

Bev Lee

It's almost time to think about classes for next year!

Towards a Sustainable Future has operated for the past 11 years as a ‘readings’ based class in which our facilitator, John Lloyd, presents articles for discussion selected on the basis of sound research on current developments.

The group isn’t an activist collective, however it is very clearly made up of older people concerned about climate change and a sustainable future for their grandchildren. 

​Members talk about strategies they use which work towards sustainability, practices including installing solar panels; reducing use of single use plastic; retrofitting homes, and more. 

While sometimes John laughs that the group gets rather 'grumpy', we do look for good news stories and find many of them!

John has asked us to consider the future of this group – is it sustainable with some of our long term members now finding it more difficult to attend meetings on a regular basis?

Bev Lee

When our convenor John Lloyd  is unable to come to class he always provides articles for us to discuss, however we sometimes become distracted!  At our last session, with John in Melbourne at a conference; our ex-VFL player Frank attending the football finals and Kathy ‘leading some birdo and plant people from Alexandra at Reef Hills’, the remaining members covered many topics.  Most related to our focus area of sustainability! 

Two of our newer members were asked  why they had become interested in and so highly value a sustainable environment.  A love of nature developed during childhood featured in their responses—a common theme amongst our members.   Group members were also asked how they felt their grandchildren were responding to climate change, whether they appear to be depressed or worried about it, resulting in an interesting discussion. 

Did you know that BSFG’s action group ‘Renewable Energy Benalla’, is ‘for Benalla to become a zero net energy town by 2028 by reducing and balancing energy demand with 100% renewable energy supply’.  It is approaching its mission from three angles – ‘Reducing 1/3’, ‘Replacing 1/3’ and ‘Switching 1/3’.  You can find out more at the new Renewable Energy Benalla website https://reb.org.au


Bev Lee

Our meeting on 17 August 2018 included a discussion of the difficulty of achieving political action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The latest policy proposal, the National Energy Guarantee, has been discarded since our discussion, and that was just the start of the tumult that ended Malcolm Turnbull’s Prime Ministership.

On a positive note it is encouraging that the Coles and Woolworths supermarkets in Benalla both now have REDcycle bins in their foyers to collect soft plastic items for recycling. A Melbourne-based company RedPlas has been collecting and recycling soft plastics for a number of years now, and turning them into products such as benches, signs, boardwalks and bollards. They collect plastics that cannot be recycled in our yellow bins, and that would otherwise end up in landfill.

Items they want include bread bags, silver lined chip packets, clean cling wrap, frozen food and fresh produce bags, bubble wrap, plastic Australia Post satchels and zip lock bags to name just a few. But they DON’T WANT plastic bottles or containers, drinking straws, glass, polystyrene, paper or cardboard. The REDcycle website shows what plastics can be recycled through the REDcycle bins at Coles and Woolies. Basically if it is soft plastic that can be scrunched up into a ball, it can go in the REDcycle bin. A detailed list of what and what NOT to REDcycle is attached below.

Kathy Costello

John is unable to be at class on Friday 17 August but has sent us the following articles to consider--the first three recommendations relate to the NEG:

Baldwin, Ken (2018) 'The renewable energy train is unstoppable.  The NEG needs to get on board' 15 August 2018 Ken Baldwin is the Director of the Energy Change Institute, Australian National University.

Murphy, Katherine (2018)'Claimed power price cuts from energy guarantee are 'virtually meaningless' The Guardian 15 August 2018

John also recommended that we watch Renew Economy's video of the day for August 14th the video link on the Renew Economy article 'Counting Frydenbergs NEG Lies' by Sophie Vorrath:

https://reneweconomy.com.au/video-of-the-day-counting-frydenbergs-neg-lies-32798/

Foden, Blake (2018) 'Many parts of the earth could become uninhabitable--Study's grim warning' Sydney Morning Herald 7 September 2018

If we have time, we will listen to a lecture Frank saw presented and highly recommends,The Changing Face of Agriculture and Food System into the 21st Century a lecture by  Professor Mark Howden, tracking the accompanying slide show as we do.  

This is the lecture in audio - you can listen and scroll down the slide show as you go.  

As we follow current developments in relation to a sustainable future we pick up many new ideas and concepts related to sustainability. The concept of the circular economy was used in an article read in July titled ‘Rethinking recycling: could a circular economy solve the problem?’.  (Naaman Zhou, The Guardian, 15 July 2018). 

A circular economy is one in which everything used in an economy is recycled within it, an economy in which everything which enters recycling is ‘reincarnated’.  A particular example cited is that of glass, which can almost be entirely reused if crushed back into sand.  We read that the circular economy is job creating, with the chief executive of the Waste Management Association of Australia stating “Studies have found repeatedly that, for every one job in landfill and 10,0000 tons of waste, over four are created by resource recovery”.  The article also considered the concept of ‘end of life product stewardship’ important, with onus being put back on the manufacturer, and included the need for government procurement to be made from recycled materials.

John has often suggested that our sessions could be produced as an ‘episode of ‘Grumpy Old People’!  However, we do look out for good news and were pleased to read in July’s edition of ‘Council News’ that Benalla is doing well in terms of reducing landfill; that our organics composting has saved more than 3 million kilograms of carbon dioxide (the equivalent of 27,210 tanks of petrol); and that Benalla Rural City has received a grant for $440,000 as part of a $900,000 upgrade for the construction of a Transfer  Station and improvement to the internal road structure. 

The role of community energy in Benalla is continuing to be discussed, with a Community Energy Forum to be held at BPACC on Friday 3 August at 7.30 pm.  All welcome.
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Bev Lee

Over the past month the topics of plastic and recycling have featured among the articles we have read and our discussions.  ‘Plastic Free July’ is almost here; the new series of ‘The War on Waste’ is just about to appear on the ABC and the community will soon be adjusting to the new single use plastic bag free practices of the major supermarkets. 

In our ‘third age’ we find ourselves reverting to the plastic bag free environments of our ‘first age’ when string bags and baskets were the order of the day!  You may have seen Plastic Wise Benalla’s ‘upcycled bags’ being made at the Drill Hall by volunteers, including a number of our U3A members.  The bags cost $5 and are available at Fruits ‘n Fare, the West End Post Office, One Wild Apple, Benalla Aquatic Centre and Blooms on Bridge.   The change from single use plastic bags by the supermarkets is just the start – it is quite possible we’ll soon be taking our own containers with us when we purchase take-away, meat from the butchers, and more. 

As well as reading and discussing articles of interest, we’ve kept abreast of local news related to sustainability, including the Church Street Surgery receiving the Benalla Business Networks’ Environmentally Sustainable Business award this year; the monthly building efficiency workshops being held by Renewable Energy Benalla; the uptake of the Mondo battery ready solar bulk buy offer; and the proposed solar farm at Winton. 

​Many U3A members attended the Swanpool Environmental Film Festival recently - our class members will no doubt be discussing the excellent speakers and films shown with John at our next session.
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Bev Lee

John was in Melbourne at a conference related to Community Energy Projects at our last session in May, however left some articles and the comment 'No doubt the group will find plenty to talk about'.  We did indeed!  Decision making about solar energy featured, with Bill pleased that his decision to update an evaporative cooler and install a heat pump on his solar hot water service had led to a significant reduction in the electricity bill and generating significant renewable energy for the grid.  Another member reported that, while keen to become involved in the REB/Mondo Power battery and microgrid ready bulk buy offer, he had  been ethically advised by the assessor that their current array of was sufficient for their needs and to add more could become quite expensive with recent changes in requirements re cabling. Another member wondered whether he should make any changes to the array of 18 panels on his house with a rate for selling to the grid  of 70c a day to 2025 –the group advised him against making changes as he might lose this rate. 

Agriculture and biodiversity also featured, with our environmentally aware farmer summing up his concerns as ‘’We do need some trees”.  He is deeply concerned that soon the only trees near where he farms will be along the roads; that even those strips are being cleared and trees being trimmed up to make easy access and manoeuvring of big machines. He’s worried that the trees are being singed badly when stubble is burned; that bird life and shade for cattle are being lost; and is worried that many croppers ‘Just don’t like trees’.

We talked about what people were reading, with books discussed and shared including ‘Dark Emu’, ‘Cry of the Reed Warbler’ and 'The Biggest Estate on Earth - How Aborigines made Australia' and 'The Hydrogen Economy'. Kathy’s contribution of handouts comparing the services of Wangaratta and Shepparton's recycling transfer stations created lots of interest.
Reading of John’s recommended articles 'Who are Australia's largest carbon emitters?'; 'Solar and Wind could ease Australia's water shortage' and 'The new 100% recyclable packaging target is no use if our waste isn't actually recycled' followed the break.   We left with Frank's recommendation to listen to The Changing Face of Agriculture and Food System into the 21st Century a lecture by Professor Mark Howden, which is available on line and a reminder about the Swanpool Environmental Film Festival on Saturday 16th June.

​Bev Lee

We all look forward to meeting up each fortnight to update our understanding of current concerns and developments in relation to a sustainable future, with reading selected by our convenor underpinning our learning.  There is always much to cover and our discussions are well informed and thought provoking. 

This year we have been following the steps being taken towards a zero net energy future for Benalla by Renewable Energy Benalla.  During the month a number of members of our group and other U3A members attended information sessions held by  Renewable Energy Benalla and Mondo Power regarding their battery ready solar bulk buy offer for Benalla residents and businesses. We understand there is still some time register interest in this offer, with information about the Benalla offer available on the Mondo Power website.   

Wearing his 'other hat' as President of the Benalla Sustainable Future Group and member of Renewable Energy Benalla, our convenor John Lloyd will be the guest speaker at Meet & Mingle on May 16, John will present ‘An Update on Renewable Energy in the Benalla Area’ 
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Bev Lee

This month an article headed 'Shipping First as Commercial Tanker Crosses the Arctic Sea Route in Winter' was among climate change topics discussed in our group.  Warmer waters in the Arctic Sea were accompanied by severe freezing in Europe. 

We continued to discuss topics such as water policy;  the reality check resulting from the decision by China to slash imports of recyclable rubbish; the need for the introduction of meaningful reuse programs; and more.  There has been much to debate, much to be concerned about. 

There has also been much to celebrate, with good news stories regarding the success of the TESLA battery in South Australia; the potential for Australian wind power turbines to play a role as active participants in the National Electricity Market; developments in proton batteries, and more.  Frank Dunin reported on a development in energy retailing by 'DC Power' which is aiming to become a crowd funded, dedicated solar company. To find out more, check out https://www.dcpowerco.com.au 

Good news on the local front - Benalla Renewable Energy and Mondo Power are running information sessions on their battery ready solar bulk buy offer for Benalla residents and businesses - BPACC Tuesday 10 April at 7 pm & Sunday 22nd April at 2 pm. 
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Bev Lee

A synopsis prepared by John of the multitude of issues relating to a sustainable future which appeared in the papers in January formed a fertile base for discussion during our first session. Issues raised by members added to the mix, with ‘local interest’ generated during discussion of the recent rejection of recycled waste from regional municipalities in Victoria by China. Class members who have lived in Benalla for many years reported that some decades ago a furnace was built in Benalla for just this purpose and that the building, long unused, is still standing.

A major focus at our second session was the Murray Darling Basin and the government’s plan to reduce by 70 billion litres the amount of water that irrigators must return to the environment in the northern part of the Murray Darling Basin. The plan was blocked in the senate by Labour supporting the Greens. A lively discussion followed about the pros and cons of the Murray Darling Basin.

We are always keen to discuss positive stories and are sure many will emerge as a result of the work of the Renewable Energy Benalla group. Among other strategies, Renewable Energy Benalla is promoting a session by Mondo Energy in early April regarding a bulk buy offer to the Benalla community of panels, monitoring systems and eventually batteries, with the potential to develop microgrids throughout Benalla. Many U3A members resident in the Ascot Court area have solar panels, at least one of whom has expressed interest in being part of a microgrid.

The Benalla Sustainable Future Group quarterly Newsletter is now available on the BSFG website, a great place to catch up with the ideas and work of the local sustainable futures oriented community, including current concerns about the future of the Greater Glider with the intended logging of the Barjarg coupe in the Strathbogies.


John Lloyd and Bev Lee

This month saw the return of John Lloyd from his overseas trip.  John had only been back a week and said that he’d already attended five meetings relating to various roles in working towards a sustainable future!  While keeping an eye on shifting policy sands and environmental politics each session, we continue to be excited by good news stories.  These can overcome the despair which at times overtakes us.  An interesting development we heard about was that see-through solar cells have been created which could turn windows into small scale solar plants. Researchers at Michigan State University have developed thin, transparent, plastic-like material that can act as an energy-generating coating on windows, and provide additional power when coupled with a rooftop solar installation.
 
We have often discussed the plight of people having to leave low lying Pacific islands due to rising sea levels and it was interesting to learn that the New Zealand government could become the first in the world to recognise climate change as an official reason to seek asylum. If implemented the plan could see up to 100 refugees per year admitted to New Zealand on a newly created visa category. The 1951 UN Refugee Convention, written long before there was such a thing, does not recognise victims of climate change.
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We also seek a response from John about the current work of Renewable Energy Benalla which will be conducting a community forum and workshop on Tuesday 28th November to launch Benalla's Renewable Energy Transition Strategy - a plan for how all Benalla's energy can come from renewable sources. It was good to welcome new member Brian Feeley recently – Brian clearly has a deep interest in working towards a sustainable future and asks many engaging questions.  

John Lloyd and Bev Lee

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With John Lloyd overseas, Peter Maddock from the Benalla Sustainable Future group and the Swanpool Cinema was invited to our most recent session.  Peter brought with him ‘Two Raging Grannies’ ‘a documentary about two raging grannies which challenges the idea that we must continue to shop, consume, amass and keep the economy growing’.   This engaging film creatively draws upon the dilemma facing two older people who felt they needed to support the economy while at the same time were concerned about having too much ‘stuff’.  Cameras followed them as they sought to develop understanding of the nature of economic growth and the different positions taken regarding ‘the Limits to Growth’.  We found ourselves identifying with their dilemma; benefitted from hearing the perspectives of the economists they interviewed; and celebrated with them at the end of the documentary as they found a way to demonstrate their concerns using megaphones at their local university campus.  We also identified with other challenges faced during their adventures, including health and mobility problems!  We’d certainly recommend this touching and thought-provoking film to older people interested in the topic of a sustainable future.
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Bev Lee

​With John Lloyd overseas, Brian Howard took responsibility for shepherding us thoughtfully into our most recent session, commencing with a Lateline segment in which 'Bob Katter and Anthony Albanese visit Bob Katter's electorate on a renewable energy 'power trip' . If you would like to know more about pumped hydro as an alternative option for baseload energy, this extremely watchable video (available on the Lateline webpage) is a good place to start.   

Kathy brought along two excellent articles on demand reduction, which we followed up with a recent Leigh Sales interview with Christina Figueres, former UN climate chief, discussing the Government decision to pressure AGL to stay in coal.  Bev then introduced an article which described climate change as a highly complex ‘super wicked’ problem.  Frank,  a scientist, put the view that climate change is clearly happening and must be dealt with, whether or not time is spent philosophizing about it as ‘a super wicked problem’! 

Our final video for the day – from 'The Business' on electric vehicles, included discussion of the impact of the growth in demand for batteries for electric vehicles on Western Australia’s lithium mining capacity.  

Our next session will include ‘a touching and thought provoking documentary about two grannies which challenges the idea that we must continue to shop, consume, amass and keep the economy growing’.  

​On a final note, ‘Spring into Sustainability’ was celebrated at the Library last week with a screening of the ‘Before the Rains’ documentary narrated by Leonardo Di Caprio.   Our own ‘Spring Into Sustainability’ elephant stamp was awarded via the website to U3A Vice President Bill Parris for always keeping the reusable cup he acquired during a walk at Cradle Mountain on hand!

John will be away for our next few sessions.  Brian Howard is taking over the role of convening the sessions with some input from class members and Peter Maddock from the Benalla Sustainable Future Group.  

Bring along an article of interest to share with the group at the Seotember 15th class.  We will be watching a video segment from Lateline in which 'Bob Katter and Anthony Albanese visit Bob Katter's electorate on a renewable energy 'power trip' including visiting a pumped hydro scheme. The link to the program is: http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2016/s4729057.htm

If there's time we'll also watch a segment from 'The Business' on electric vehicles.  The link is http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/business/NU1704H156S00# 
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On October 6th Peter Maddock of BSFG and Swanpool Cinema fame will be showing us a film about two older people fighting for environmental justice which we think will be of great interest to our group.

For more news of the coming classes - watch this space.

Articles about solar energy have been prominent in ‘Country News’ (insert in the Ensign) recently, including an article on the possibility that large scale solar farms may impact on microclimates of nearby farming properties.  After exploring this proposition with the help of our agricultural scientist, Frank Dunin, and the scope for them to be placed on land of low productivity, we moved on to discuss articles about  policy decisions being made to ban fossil fuel cars in the UK and France and the efforts being made by car manufacturers to adapt.

Possible upheavals as electronic vehicles with a potential lifespan of 800,000km and fewer moving parts make combustion engines obsolete include oil companies experiencing less demand for petrol; spare parts not needed by electric vehicles (such as spark plugs and fuel injectors) becoming difficult to find and home charging units replacing petrol stations.

One class member mentioned that their longserving, trustworthy mechanic in Benalla looked somewhat crestfallen when they said they would like to buy an electric vehicle when prices come down.  Professor Seba from Stanford University suggests cost parity may be achieved within five years, with the influence of market forces more significant than government bans. Local signals of market driven and policy change towards fossil free cars include Tallis winery at Dookie installing a charging station for electric vehicles recently and the Benalla Council already having policy relating to the transition over time to electric vehicles.  

​In ‘Petrol vehicles approaching their Kodak moment’ (Age, 23/7/17) Evans-Pritchard suggests that it’s not only fossil fuelled cars that will be affected—haulage and trucking; aircraft; ships and ferries –will also be impacted… ‘Scandinavia already uses electric ferries for short trips’ and ‘Boeing is even working on electric aircraft for short haul flights’.

Towards a Sustainable Future meets on the first and third Thursdays from 9.30 to 11.30 am.  New members welcome!  

Our fortnightly sessions focus on monitoring well researched media reports of developments related to a sustainable future, however we do share anecdotes of interest. This month Brian Howard reported on taking the opportunity, while spending a few nights at the RACV resort in Cobram, to test drive an electric vehicle made available by the RACV. The car in question was a 2012 Nissan Leaf. He found the experience well worthwhile, commenting on the quietness and driveability of the vehicle; but also noted his concern, when monitoring the battery indicators on the return to Cobram from Yarrawonga, as to whether he and Margaret would make it back. They did!

​On another note entirely, it is with great sadness that members of this group learnt of the death of class member Jim Casey at Box Hill Hospital. At our meeting on the third Friday in June, we thoroughly enjoyed hearing Jim Casey and Frank Dunin engaging with gusto in their customary intellectual teasing and repartee. Then, at our next class on July 7, we were to share the news that Jim had passed away. It will be so sad not to have Jim with us as we continue to explore issues related to sustainability. A number of us attended the beautiful service for Jim at Moorngag during which flocks of white birds flew past, high in the sky, as we remembered him.

​There is never a shortage of topics for discussion in our class!  Even when our fearless leader John Lloyd was away last week we covered lots of topics, all bringing along articles of interest.

Our discussions often fit within Renewable Energy for Benalla’s three areas for action/investigation – Buildings and Energy Efficiency; Solar and Community Energy; and Utility Scale and Storage, with a particular interest in stories about community energy projects.
 
Good news stories this month included the development of ‘Eco-cement’ and Tesla’s solar roofing tiles.  A particularly interesting article related to Australian company Bristile Roofing’s new solar tile and the partnership Bristile has formed with German battery storage giant and major Tesla rival, Sonnen, to supply solar powered energy story systems for homes using it.

Other articles included an article from Engineers Australia’s magazine called ‘Get Pumped’ on pumped hydro; an article critiquing carbon capture and storage technology; and an excellent extract in the ‘Good Weekend’ from Anna Krein’s Quarterly Essay ‘The Long Goodbye – Coal, Coral and Australia’s Climate Deadlock’.  

Before the next newsletter, many of us will have attended the Benalla Sustainable Futures Group AGM and screening of Adani related film ‘Guarding the Galilee and attended the Swanpool Environmental Film Festival.  Perhaps we will see you there?
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Bev Lee

Environment Victoria’s #Repower Victoria  campaign is currently asking Benalla residents ‘If you could repower an iconic building in Benalla with clean energy from the wind and sun, which one would you choose? ‘ Which one would you choose?
 
Benalla Council has already acted in relation to many of its buildings, including the Benalla Art Gallery and the Indoor Recreation Centre, adopting an innovative strategy involving using the savings made from use of renewable energy in one building being invested in a further round of renewable energy based technology.  ​

‘Towards a Sustainable Future’ group members are active in the community in a range of ways, through personal initiatives relating to sustainability of their homes; to attending Benalla Sustainable Future group general meetings (which often feature guest speakers with particular expertise in areas we discuss in class); to contributing to the BSFG newsletter (for example, recent articles  'Clean Coal in an oxymoron! Welcome to 'alternative facts' and the 'post truth' world!' by John Lloyd; 'Want to be a green shopper?' by Jenny Geer; to putting pen to paper to respond to issues discussed in class such as Frank Dunin’s recent writing for our webpage in response to Scott Morrison’s presentation of a lump of coal in a Parliamentary speech.  

​If you are interested in keeping abreast of developments directed towards a sustainable future, please consider joining us on the first and third Fridays of the month from 9.30 to 11.30 am.

After reading and discussing articles of current interest, in early April the Towards a Sustainable Future class left W4 for a much anticipated field trip to Brian Howard’s home.  Following morning tea with scones (thanks Margaret) we headed out to the backyard shed to inspect three models built by Brian  which demonstrate the principles of solar thermal energy production.  It wasn’t long before Brian’s impressive models were generating steam via small engines powered by solar thermal energy. 
 
Brian demonstrated other models he has built during his retirement – with still others on display in beautifully crafted wooden cabinets in his shed.  Our teacher John at times mentions Brian’s models in class, so it was wonderful to be able to visit, inspect and be informed about them.  Brian and Margaret are certainly 'early adopters' of renewable energy, with solar panels long present on the roof of their home and Brian’s inspirational modelling of alternative methods of producing renewable energy.   Thank you for introducing us to your forward thinking models, Brian.  

There is never a dull moment or slow news day for this class.  Some headlines for this month’s reading included ‘The Angry Summer’; ‘Snowy Hydro surge – Turnbull’s plan for $2b expansion’; ‘SA’s state-first plan overturns a decade of power play’; ‘Energy costs eclipse carbon-price levels – Action urged over surge in power prices’; ‘Tesla says its batteries could fix Australia’s energy problems in just 100 days’ and more. 

We continue to look out for positive case studies, this month reading about Samso, an island in Denmark which is carbon neutral and runs on renewable energy, with power and profits flowing back into the community   

​Next month we are heading to Brian Howard’s after our coffee break to see a model built by Brian which demonstrates three different ways of generating power from the sun.  

Chemistry lesson for Scott Morrison

Treasurer Scott Morrison's display of a lump of coal in Parliament last week could have benefited from more details.  Assuming it weighed one kilogram, he could have explained that when burnt in a power station, it would produce two to 2.5 kilowatt hours of electricity, about 2.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide and up to seven grams each of sulphur dioxide and various oxides of nitrogen.  It would also produce about 50 grams of fly ash and a few micrograms of heavy metals, including mercury, and some radioactive materials.

Alternatively, if Mr Morrison had displayed one kilo of silicon, he could have explained that it could make about two square metres of solar panels and, at 20 per cent efficiency, with an average five hours of full sun a day, after two days they would have made more electricity than his piece of coal.  Then he could have pointed out that modern solar panels are guaranteed for up to 30 years, by which time they would have generated about 2000 kWh of electricity, or about 1000 times as much as his coal lump.

Rory McGuire
Pyrmont, NSW

Here's Frank's response, which he agreed could be published on the website:

'This letter to the editor by Rory McGuire understates the case for solar panels on two counts, assuming his calculations are predicated on solar radiation inputs to Sydney's Observatory Hill with an average daily input of 16.5 MJ/ m2 ( 4.6 kWh). His statement that 2 m2 of solar panels will produce 2.5 kWh from 2 days with full sun for 5 hours is based on the principle of the lowest common denominator.. 2 days each with 5 hours of full sun applies for winter conditions in June/July whereas average daily solar input for any other season will suffice in exceeding a daily power generation of 2.5 kWh.

Long term power generation from the panels over 30 years amounts to 20,000 kWh based on Sydney's average daily input of solar radiation and hence this is equivalent to 10000 times as much as a lump of coal, I suspect a typographical error has crept into the calculation of the superior performance of solar generators over coal.

My overview is still to to congratulate Mr McGuire  on a telling chemistry lesson, even if conservative estimates apply.

Frank Dunin 
March 3rd, 2017'

Thank you, Frank, for considering this matter further

10 years ago this month John Avery gave notice of a new class ‘Future Energy’  which then class member and our current convenor John Lloyd two years or so later convened as ‘Towards a Sustainable Future’.   Our archivist Corrie found this in the February 2007 Newsletter … “Future Energy: … a meeting of prospective participants is called for Thursday March 19th to commence planning the content of this challenging subject.  Contact John Avery on 5762 1818 to discuss your ideas.” 
 
Although we try to leave party political discussion to the Politics class, our February participants couldn’t help discussing the current national and international hurly burly of environmental politics, particularly the debate about (supposedly) ‘clean coal’.    We reflected, from the perspective of parents, grandparents and great grandparents, whether the world being left to our descendants is a better world than we were left with by our parents, and clearly had concerns.  We speculated as to whether the policies of the Federal Coalition government may become increasingly irrelevant as practical initiatives by consumers, non-fossil fuel based businesses, communities, states, regional authorities and  local governments come into play.  News of such initiatives is escalating, including John’s good news story this month about a new wind turbine with oscillating blades which mimic the figure-8 motion of the wings of a hovering hummingbird.   We continue to look out for and monitor such good news stories and will be taking a particular interest in initiatives recommended as part of the new ‘Renewable Energy for Benalla’ project.  
 
On a final note - thanks to Judith Borthwick for submitting John’s article and photo of our group to the Ensign recently!
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