Renewal energy forum

Atherton Tablelander
Tuesday 17/4/2007 Page: 25

WITH all the rain the Tablelands has received, you'd be mistaken for thinking that solar power was futile in this region. Solar power is just one of the more than effective sources of renewable energy residents can tap into to prevent the threat of climate change.

Residents can find out more about sustainable energy - such as the Tablelands' own wind farm at Ravenshoe - at a public forum being held at Atherton State High School on Wednesday night.

Speaking at the forum will be manager of the Queensland Sustainable Energy Industry Development Group, Wendy Miller. She will be debunking some of the common myths about renewable energy and look at its role and energy efficiency locally and globally in its capacity to meet our energy demands, while helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Forum organiser Gabriele Bohnet, from the Tablelands Environment Network, said a large number of people did not realise the options for renewable energy that existed in Australia. "Australia has been a forerunner in this technology, but hasn't been supported by our government," Ms Bohnet said.

Now companies are moving overseas where they have investment which they can't get here, and it is kind of sad." The forum, which is presented by the North Queensland Climate Alliance, will show residents affordable options for acting against climate change, such as installing a solar hot water system.

"I have been living around the Tablelands for the last eight years and during that time I've been living in a house with solar hot water," Ms Bohnet said. "In that house, even on a rainy day, we hardly had to use the gas booster." Australia is estimated to have enough natural gas reserves to last until 2050.

Ms Bohnet said natural gas was also an alternative energy source that was underused by Australians. At the moment our natural gas is exported, which it shouldn't be because it is a clean resource," she said. If enough people turned to cleaner sources of energy, entire communities could help reduce greenhouse emissions. "By using things like energy efficiency bulbs, with solar hot water and other renewable resources we could ultimately save on our power bills," Ms Bohnet said.

The climate change and energy forum will be held at Atherton State High School auditorium, on Maunds Road on Wednesday, April 18 from 7pm to 9pm. Everyone is welcome and a gold coin contribution would be appreciated.