Author Archives: Luke Gibbons

Tuna: who CAN you trust?

Tuna-fishCanned tuna. It’s convenient, relatively healthy and oh so diverse – from wraps and sandwiches to mornay and pasta bakes. Tuna is also relatively cheap when you consider the journey that little fishy takes to get from the deep blue sea to your plate, not to mention the energy and resources required to make the packaging.

Queenslander wins Gold in the pool

noble-pools-nightSeveral years ago swimming pools were seen as a liability in times of water shortage, but today pool builders are adopting innovation to create sustainable swimming havens. Last weekend I was fortunate enough to attend the Queensland Swimming Pool and Spa Association‘s (SPASA) Awards for Excellence Gala Ceremony to present the awards for the Sustainable Pools category.

Shedding light on the environmental benefits of LEDs

1991_featAt Rio+20 held in June, The Clean Revolution launched a campaign to tackle energy consumption and emissions caused by lighting.  Globally, lighting accounts for approximately 20% of electricity consumption which leaves a lot of room for improvement. LED (light-emitting diode) lighting can have a huge impact on reducing energy bills over time, but at the moment the upfront cost deters most. Take a look at this neat infographic for an insight into how The Clean Revolution hopes to change the world’s lighting:

Using the rain to keep a raingarden

A raingarden built by the side of the road.With all of this rain falling from the sky, wouldn’t it be a great idea to harness what nature is providing us for the garden rather than relying on drinking water?

Rainwater Tanks – a few things to consider

Rainwater TankAs many reservoirs around Australia continue to fill, and with many government water rebate programs drawing to a close (except in Victoria) fewer rainwater tanks are being installed. But should it actually be the other way around? It is better to install a tank when water is still plentiful, rather than waiting for the weather to dry out.

A sustainable alternative to business cards

Sustainable business cards?Business cards – they are so important for networking, and being so small, they often escape our environmental concern …at least until they start to stack up.  If you’re a born networker then you know what I’m getting at; business cards in random suit pockets, on the bedside table, or strewn across the desk at work.  If you are super organised, at best they will be in a neat pile somewhere. But all this paper and printing adds up

How to bring our communities into Equilibrium

Equilibrium by nightThe Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show was held last week (March 28-April 1) with the savewater!® Equilibrium display receiving Gold in the Show Garden category. The tranquil setting of the Carlton Gardens the night before as the garden judges pottered around was a far cry to the days leading up to the event.

Recycle the right way

Recycle the right way with these simple tips!Recycling is something we all like to do to help the environment – everyone is on board with the yellow lid recycling bin now and the reduce, reuse, recycle phrase has become part of common lingo.  That said, there are some unanswered questions about recycling that we are going to get down and tackle right here on the ripple effect this National Recycling Week (November 7 to 13).

An Island is not an Island

An Island is not an IslandHeron Island, situated at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, about 70km off the coast of Gladstone in Queensland, is a wild life haven. Boasting abundant bird life and surrounded by coral reef, the island is also a protected nesting place for the green turtle and loggerhead turtle – a lot has changed since the 1920s when there was a turtle soup factory on the island.

The benefits of going grey

The Farrel's GardenJim and Gwen Farrell are a retired couple who live in Shepparton, Victoria. The Farrells have taken some great initiative in making their home more water efficient, both inside and outside their house, earning them an entry into the house and garden categories of Goulburn Valley Water’s Waterwise Award.