Whatever anyone’s views are, the facts remain the same! The result of Copenhagen Summit was a political accord between a limited number of developing and developed nations, rather than a legally binding agreement.

With the return to parliament, Climate Change has been the major topic of debate at the beginning of this month.

Jim Turnour our MP has been involved in these debates with a great concern for our environment, economy and way of life. “Island communities in the Torres Strait face inundation from rising sea levels, and environmental icons like the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest risk devastation from rising temperatures putting at risk our tourism based economy.” as Jim Turnour has mentioned on his blog page.

Through the debate the new leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott has been trying to convince the country that he now believes in Climate Change after initially describing it as ‘crap’, his own words. Hence the Prime Minister has labelled his policy a ‘Climate Change con job’. I don’t think so!!! As a nation we are still in the unknown. However both of the sides of politics still agree that a market based emission trading scheme was the right way to take action on climate change as it was through the Howard Government.

Regardless what the outcome will be in the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) or any other policy, you can be assured that the cost of electricity and fuel will go up.

The key to minimising your costs is preparation. Many local businesses have been working hard over the last few years to have environmental/sustainability policies or statements in place or perhaps even got their Eco Accreditations. Businesses need to develop strategic contingency plans in the near future to reduce their overall carbon footprint by implementing simple steps in their every day to day operation.

• Waste control measures
• Minimising resources such as water and energy
• Improving management of materials, processes and operations

There are number of ways to reduce your carbon footprint and by doing so you will not only reduce your carbon emissions but reduce your costs.

The Missing Link is a company based in Far North who links you to the information that you need by providing you with the highest quality, practical, and achievable technical environmental advice with training solutions. Their assistance will save you time and money and reduce your legal risks, whilst protecting the environment.

So be environmentally savvy and give yourself the advantage by preparing for the changes we will experience in the next couple of years.

There are three sand mines extraction operations in Cairns at Holloways, Carvonica and Yorkeys Knob, with the Carvonica site has been approved for extension. In the next couple of months the council will be considering a new proposal for sand mine development just off the Lower Freshwater road only a few hundred meters from Peace Lutheran College and Freshwater Primary school and not to mention very populated areas.

Our Mayor Val Shier and Councillor Margaret Cochrane were present at the Peace Lutheran College community event on the 11^th of February with over 100 local residents expressing their concern over Freshwater sand mine development. Both ladies have noted that the proposed sand mine will most likely not be approved, however the local residents and Rob Fysh, the principal of Peace Lutheran College fear the worst.

Most of the information in assessing the risk of silica has been from the mining industry because in that area the dust exposures are higher, and they can be measured and the workforce can be monitored.

As one of the parents who have their child in Peace Luthern College, I have to agree with their concerns. After doing my research on the side affect of sand mining, I have come to some understanding how serious this issue is.

Some Facts:

• A review by The Cancer Council Queensland of cases of lung cancer around quarries in the Redlands region found higher than average rates of cancer. A prominent cancer specialist responded by noting the harmful nature of exposure to silica dust.
• Sand mining creates hidden dangers, with pollutants lurking in the air and drinking water.
• Being exposed to respirable crystalline silica, a known carcinogen that can be so small, it’s invisible to the human eye.
• The higher the cumulative dose of respirable Silica, the greater the risks of silicosis and of lung cancer.
• These are the health issues we will be facing if the proposed mine goes ahead and of course the environmental changes that our water ways will experience.

Before this development is even lodged with the Cairns City Council we should urge a study to measure the health and environment hazards of our existing sand mine sites and the surrounding areas are showing.

So far there has been 943 submissions received, but this is not going to be enough to stop this development to go ahead!

If you wish to get participate or learn more please visit http://www.sandmine.com.au

Michael Moore’s article in Cairnsblog.net on the Barron and Thomatis Delta is an interesting read.

http://www.cairnsblog.net/2009/09/moratorium-on-development-in-barron.html

Eco- Efficiency Analysis

Searching for an easy process to reduce your organisation’s energy bill..?

Looking for a way to fall in with the Queensland Government’s Q2 target to cut Queensland’s Carbon Footprint by 30% by 2020?

Missing Link Resource Coordinators can provide tools to first identify energy inefficiencies at worksite level and then guarantee a significant reduction in energy consumption. This consumption monitoring system can deliver an energy budget to organization that is – No Fuss, Supportive, Cost Effective and Practical.

The process is non intrusive, done in collaboration with staff and seamlessly built into operating procedures. The benefits of reducing your carbon footprint, cost savings, engaged staff, marketing opportunities with proven results.

Eco-efficiency makes good business sense. Being environmentally efficient can and does produce real cost and time savings. It produces positive relationships with clients and suppliers, as well as regulatory authorities. Reduction in the use of energy and the generation of waste are quantifiable cost savings for a business. A business which promotes itself as ‘eco-friendly’, ‘sustainable’ or any other of these terms implies a commitment to environmental protection and thought about minimising the impacts of its business on the environment in which it operates.

As a good social citizen it would be expected that in this time of ‘triple’ or ‘quadruple bottom line’ business principles, the environmental and social impacts of a business are just as important as the financial or safety aspects and need to be considered in the continuous improvement aspects of any systems thinking that are applied to ensure the efficient running of the business.

Click here to check out their website: www.the-missing-link.com.au

• Continually improve its business performance and conduct its operations in an environmentally responsible manner.
• Commit to fostering the sustainable use of the Earth’s resources by “treading lightly”
• Implement and maintain an Environmental Management System equal or close to ISO14001 requirements. To do this we will:
• Comply with all relevant environmental legislation and regulations, and other initiatives to which we subscribe;
• Incorporate environmental better practice into our core business plans and management processes;
• Minimise negative impacts we may have on the environment and implement pollution prevention practices through the efficient use of resources, and the reduction of emissions and waste;
• Develop an framework for setting and reviewing our environmental objectives and targets, which will include key environmental management and performance indicators against aspects of our operations;
• Provide regular monitoring and reporting against these indicators to all staff;
• Incorporate environmental better practice into all technological solutions, and the fit-out and operation of accommodation;
• Ensure we work closely with our clients, suppliers, local communities, and other interested parties to continually improve our processes in environmental better practice; and
• Foster the initiation and ownership of environmental activities by all our staff, thereby building a strong environmentally aware business culture

Author: Managing Director Vlasta Eriksson