Blog Archives

Pumped Hydro - an area of interest....

26/9/2017

September news

21/9/2017

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!

Coming up!

7/9/2017

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#

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.

BSFG on:

'Sustainability'

True sustainability is only achieved when our society achieves this in three spheres of our activity: Social, Economic and Environmental. Sustainability in each of these three spheres is far from being achieved. This has become the concern of governments and ordinary people world-wide and has resulted in many questions about the sustainability of our present lifestyle.

This course aims to explore topics such as global warming and climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, clean energy options, the challenge of population growth, sustainable agricultural practices, water use, sustainable use of resources, sustainable and energy efficient building design, improving the social condition of people and various economic issues.

Our sessions during the year will examine different aspects of these major topics with a focus on looking towards a sustainable future. No prior knowledge of these topics is required just a general interest in the issues around climate change and sustainability.

With discussion of these topics throughout the year you will find that you become better informed about these issues.

Meeting Times

1st and 3rd Friday
10 am to 12 midday
U3A Meeting Room 1

Convenors and contact details

John Lane
0474 936 460

Convenor 2008-2021

John Lloyd

Local Links

Benalla Sustainable Future Group:

Renewable Energy Benalla - website