02 PM | 01 Feb

Young Aussie #scientist follows her dream to produce clean #renewable #energy [#geekgirl]

Marianne Haines

La Trobe honours graduate Marianne Haines has been awarded prestigious Origin Foundation John Monash scholarship to undertake PhD at University of Calgary in 2018

Marianne will be taking a major step towards her dream of helping the world move to a more sustainable future as she looks to uncover the secrets behind using bacteria, fungi and algae to produce new forms of renewable energy.

The 24-year-old environmental microbiologist from Nagambie will be researching how to generate biofuel from photosynthetic micro-organisms after being awarded a prestigious scholarship to undertake a doctorate in Geoscience at the University of Calgary in Canada.

Ms Haines said, “Receiving the Origin Foundation John Monash scholarship is an incredible opportunity to contribute to addressing one of the most significant challenges of our time.

“My focus is on developing bio-technology that harnesses micro-organisms to generate new forms of sustainable energy. The tiny beings multiply on a diet of sunlight, water, CO2, and key nutrients. They can then be processed into an end-product like methane using a group of other micro-organisms. The net effect is the production of combustible biofuel in a carbon neutral manner.

“Having grown up on a property near Nagambie, my dream is that we can lead the world to sustainable, closed loop systems and products,” she added.

Source: Origin Foundation

10 AM | 18 May

#Sustainable #skateboards made from #hemp #video [#geekgirl]

These unique skateboard decks are made of hemp natural fibres. Designed for cruising, these boards were built for the future.

Rolkaz hemp skateboards are innovating around how skateboard decks are made. Promising high quality, ultimate performance and unique sustainability, these hemp skateboards are crafted with the belief that skateboarding and the care for the planet should go hand in hand.

The founders, the Rolkaz Collective, are committed to raising awareness on more sustainable materials and responsible board-making processes. When they discovered the great properties of hemp and flax fibres, they challenged themselves to create a skateboard with that extra feel good quality – one that drives positive change.

Source: Design Indaba

Kickstarter Campaign

12 PM | 12 Feb

The New Joneses pop-up Tiny House #Melbourne [#geekgirl]

A pop-up for positive change. The award-winning The New Joneses’ pop-up home is back, showing that with each lifestyle choice we make, from our bank to our energy company, we can create positive impact.

Get down to The New Joneses TINY HOUSE to learn about their Big Life Little Footprint ethos at Fed Square. Learn which energy company, which bank, which car, which bin, which bed, which coffee, which dunny paper you can chose to positively impact our people and planet! On til Til Feb 25, 2017 in association with the Sustainable Living Festival.

Monday to Friday – 12 to 6pm Saturday and Sunday – 12 to 4pm

Website

 

12 PM | 12 Feb

Portraits of Change – How other countries respond to #climate #change [#geekgirl]

photos-of-change

An interactive photographic exhibition that brings into visual dialogue the grassroots responses to environment and climate change issues in Bangladesh, China and Australia. Urban environmentalists in each country were invited to submit photo-stories on these themes, which show their shared struggles and inspiration behind taking local action. The images’ juxtaposition across the three countries’ various cultural, economic and environmental differences show the complexity inherit in ‘doing our bit for the planet’.

Photo workshops at the exhibition venue will provide opportunities for viewers to contribute to the dialogue through adding their own photo-stories.

A preview of the photographs can be found here Portraits of Change III

Sat 19 Feb – Second Opening celebration Library at The Dock 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade Docklands, Melbourne

 

 

01 PM | 06 Mar

Could #LEGO toys soon be made from #hemp #plastics [#geekgirl]

lego-bricks

LEGO is looking for a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastic. Hemp might be the answer.

LEGO wants to switch the material it uses to make its trademark toy bricks beloved by children around the world. The company currently uses plastic resin (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), but by 2030 it wants to be using a more environmentally conscious and cost-effective material, according to a Plastics News report.

LEGO senior project manager Allan Rasmussen told Plastics News that the new material must be able to form bricks that are indistinguishable from current plastic-made bricks.

Source: SunTimes