by Komoneed | Jun 12, 2024
Our editors curate highly rated brands that are first assessed by our rigorous ratings system. Buying through our links may earn us a commission—supporting the work we do. Learn more. Every year, we review the 50 brands that’ve received the highest ratings against our world-leading methodology to give you a comprehensive understanding of who’s […]
The post More Sustainable Clothing Brands: The 50 Top-Rated Brands on Good On You appeared first on Good On You.
by Komoneed | Jun 12, 2024
Work has begun on a new stormwater pump station behind the levee at Murwillumbah (Brothers) Leagues Club.
The $1.626 million flood mitigation project is one of several being delivered in the Tweed Local Government Area as part of the Australian Government-funded Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program (NRRRP) following the devastating floods of February and March 2022.
It is being undertaken by Tweed Shire Council in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Reconstruction Authority (RA) and the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
“This stormwater pump station was a vital component of Council’s flood mitigation strategy for Murwillumbah and aims to reduce the impact of stormwater flooding in the area,” said Tweed Shire Council Mayor Chris Cherry.
“The pump station will not eliminate all flooding but it will reduce the frequency and magnitude of nuisance flooding due to storm events. While we can’t stop flooding from occurring, the pumps will significantly improve drainage of the area following a rain event, helping to reduce the impact of flooding on local residents and Brothers Leagues Club in the future.”
Construction of the pump station started in early May and is expected to take about three months to complete, weather permitting. Two new pumps will be installed, standing approximately two metres tall. Combined, they will be able to move almost 1000 litres of stormwater per second at full speed — the equivalent of filling up over six bathtubs of water per second.
“This project is an excellent example of how government funding can support communities in undertaking necessary steps to improve flood protection following the devastating 2022 flood events,” said Member for Richmond Justine Elliot.
“The NRRRP is delivering real projects in the Tweed which are local priorities and will ensure communities like Murwillumbah are in a better position to recover from future severe weather events.”
Under the NRRRP, $6.67 million has been awarded for several other projects supported by an additional $2 million from the RA.
These projects are:
Wharf Street pump station upgrade
Lavender Creek pump station upgrade
New pump system within east Murwillumbah levee
Detailed evacuation procedures
Alma Street modification
Earthworks across Lot 4 on Quarry Road and modification of Condong Creek.
Image caption: State Member for Lismore and NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin MP with, from left, Murwillumbah (Brothers) Leagues Club representative Dave Orr, Tweed Shire Mayor Cr Chris Cherry, Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot MP and Brothers’ Glenn Weaver inspecting construction of the new pump station.
by Komoneed | Jun 12, 2024
These 3 steps will fortify your company’s culture and the successful implementation of your sustainability strategy.
by Komoneed | Jun 10, 2024
Warm weather and long, sunny days get people out of the house and into nature or trap them inside to avoid the heat and humidity. As a result, it’s also a time when people may forget about sustainable living. An estimated 90% of U.S. households use AC to stay cool. The average usage is around 1,100 […]
The post Sustainable Living in the Summer: Tips & Tricks During the Warm Months appeared first on RecycleNation.
by Komoneed | Jun 10, 2024
The theme of this year’s World Environment Day (5 June 2024) — land restoration, desertification and drought resilience — has drawn attention to the importance of groundwater in sustaining a rising world population as the climate changes.
In Australia, groundwater supplies between one-fifth and one-third of water consumption. It accounts for more than 90% of all water used across almost 50% of Australia’s land area and is the main water source over more than 80% of the country.
To help improve groundwater research globally, a group of Australian experts from government, the mining sector, Indigenous water science and academia have collaborated on a new research priorities publication.
The report has been issued by the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NCGRT) at Flinders University.
“Groundwater is critical to our water, food and energy security,” said Flinders University Professor Peter Cook, Co-Director of NCGRT. “In Australia, almost one-third of the nation’s irrigation is dependent on groundwater and 38% of our metal ore mining development.
“Groundwater also provides value beyond that derived from its extractive use, as it supports our tourism and forestry industries.
“The health of traditional lands, of which water is an intrinsic and sacred part, is intimately linked to the cultural and spiritual identity of Indigenous people and communities.
“Groundwater also plays a critical role in sustaining ecosystems and maintains springs, streamflow in most of Australia’s perennial streams and waterholes in ephemeral and intermittent streams, during dry seasons and during droughts,” Cook added.
Professor Peter Cook. Image courtesy of Flinders University.
Cook, a professor of hydrogeology, said significant advances in groundwater science, management and policy have been made over recent decades, but there are several contemporary and emerging challenges that will increase pressure on groundwater resources.
The report responds to projections that while the Australian population is expected to grow to between 37.4 and 49.2 million by 2066, a quarter of Australia’s 288 groundwater management areas are already over-allocated.
“Australia is not ready to manage a doubling of groundwater demand within the next few decades without addressing key knowledge gaps,” Cook said.
“Climate change is predicted to reduce groundwater replenishment in many of Australia’s productive agricultural regions, further threatening groundwater supplies. Improved science and management will be required to ensure Australia’s food, water and energy security and protect the environment.”
In their report, the groundwater experts have recommended 18 research priorities to prepare for a growing demand on groundwater due to the joint impacts of climate change, impending El Nino conditions, population growth, an increase in mining and a shift in Australia’s energy mix. These include:
Understanding the impacts of climate change on groundwater replenishment, water demand and cropping systems.
Developing better water infrastructure and management systems that allow us to switch between using rivers, dams and groundwater depending on climatic conditions.
Creating a framework to support explicit groundwater management/allocation to protect Indigenous cultural values.
Better understanding the errors in models to predict future changes in water availability and how to quantify them.
Exploring the potential productive use of saline groundwater, including the potential to substitute saline water for existing freshwater use in industry and mining.
Developing methods and materials to support building community knowledge of groundwater and the need to use it sustainably.
The National Groundwater Research Priorities report June 2024 is available to read online.
Top image caption: NCGRT report graphic. Image courtesy of Flinders University.
