Over several sessions during the year, we had discussed alternative systems of measuring 'progress' beyond the dollar focussed gross domestic product (GDP). We looked at examples of measuring 'progress' across all sustainability sectors, environment, society and economics - often referred to as 'community well-being'. In our first session in November, we briefly returned to the community well-being issue as the federal Treasurer had promised community well-being measures in his budget. There wasn't much except a budget statement discussing the concept and a promise that government would release a community well-being framework in 2023.
We spent most of this session looking at projected impacts of climate change with regard to coastal hazards and what some councils have been doing to prepare their communities for the possible long-term impacts. In doing so, we looked at what constitute coastal hazards and how warming sea temperatures and sea level rise will increase these hazards.
At our second November session, we took a look at the use of biogas/bioenergy, the processes to produce it (methane) and why, unlike fossil fuel sourced gas (also methane), it is considered a renewable source of energy. The Federal govt released a 'roadmap' in late 2021 to ramp up this industry. While biogas is still methane and therefore produces CO2 and water when burnt, its recognition as renewable energy means it is considered a good transition fuel, compared to fossil fuel gas, and possibly has a long-term future in areas where it is difficult to replace gas/liquid fuel, such as in aviation.
John Lane
We spent most of this session looking at projected impacts of climate change with regard to coastal hazards and what some councils have been doing to prepare their communities for the possible long-term impacts. In doing so, we looked at what constitute coastal hazards and how warming sea temperatures and sea level rise will increase these hazards.
At our second November session, we took a look at the use of biogas/bioenergy, the processes to produce it (methane) and why, unlike fossil fuel sourced gas (also methane), it is considered a renewable source of energy. The Federal govt released a 'roadmap' in late 2021 to ramp up this industry. While biogas is still methane and therefore produces CO2 and water when burnt, its recognition as renewable energy means it is considered a good transition fuel, compared to fossil fuel gas, and possibly has a long-term future in areas where it is difficult to replace gas/liquid fuel, such as in aviation.
John Lane
