Many organisations around the Globe have (or intend to) shed many a job in the face of the current ‘economic crisis’. Whilst for many I think it is a result of harsh economic times for others it unfortunately appears to be a catalyst for action they have been thinking of taking for some time.

One internal resource which seems to have escaped the workings of senior management and many fine highly paid consultants is ‘email’.

There is no doubting the positive impact email has had in terms of speeding up communication in a personal and working environment. What this had inadvertantly done, however, is almost destroyed the notion of face to face communication.

Corporates have madly spruiked the benefits of open plan offices for a few years now. In theory a good concept. Problem is far too many people in this situation hide behind the comfort of email as a way of communicating simple things to their co-workers.

So here is a suggestion to businesses out there.

Make email available for two half an hour periods per day, lets say 8.30-9am and 2.30-3pm. Obviously this does not pertain to customer orders, more general business/personal email use.

Try it for one week.

If there is any downturn in productivity then I apologise and please send everyone back to their computers.

Please give it a go. Really think it just makes sense.

Annoyed with the one you are sleeping with/on. Always handy to have another option.

Quite a good article highlighting a recent poll outlining the 30 best innovations over the past 30 years.

How things have changed – mostly for the best I think.

Mike Dennis from the ANU is developing a solar powered heating and cooling system not only reducing peak power demand but helping to reduce greenhouse gases as well.

Brilliant innovation and really look forward to this becoming a commercial reality.

Go Greener Australia

Whether or not you believe in the science an overall focus on the reduction of greenhouse gases can have a positive impact on us all.

By 2012 the World’s leading mobile phone companies have agreed to a universal mobile phone recharger interface.

Nothing against our big banks (apart from the fees perhaps) but they seem to have a bit of a stranglehold on where we put our money in Australia.

Just when you think one comes along that offers great service they seem to be swallowed up by or ‘merge’ with another player. I understand the concept that the major banks have to grow profits to look after shareholders funds and consequently many people’s superannuation but it would be nice if someone gave them a little bit of a run for their money.

Kiwi Bank seems to have achieved this in New Zealand. Will probably never be a major player in banking but doing enough to keep everyone else honest. 

Kiwibank’s Call To Arms

Looking for something to do or planning ahead. Comprehensive list of major and local community events across Australia.

The more you look into the Government’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) and the approach they have taken to date the more the mechanics of the scheme and potential pitfalls become apparent.

So far the Government have released a green paper and white paper outlining how the CPRS may operate. They have also release a medium term target of a 5 to 15% reduction on 2000 levels by 2020 somewhat setting a ‘cap’ on potential emissions reduction. The Government also launched a mass media advertising campaign telling the general public that they are proposing to launch the CPRS in 2010.

Now we have the Government launching an inquiry (we did – seems to have been canned for now) into the merits of an emissions trading scheme. I understand that we have unprecedented economic conditions but as The Australian article – ‘We Need to Start Emissions Debate’ suggests shouldn’t we have looked at this before?

As has been shown in the European Union’s Emission Trading Scheme there is potential for significant price volatility for carbon ‘permits’. The problem here is that if the price drops below a certain level then there is really no incentive for Companies to reduce emissions. That is the cost of the permits are potentially less than what it would cost to implement emissions reduction initiatives. This, combined with the enormous resources required to administer such a scheme really makes me a little nervous as to how effective it may be.

We also need to focus on what we are really trying to achieve here. My understanding is that the objective is to reduce carbon emissions and thus avoid ‘dangerous climate change’. Given Australia’s two main sources of emissions are stationary energy (mainly coal generated electricity) and agriculture in the absence of many of us converting to a vegan lifestyle the best solution is reduce electricity/energy consumption and increase our use of renewable energy.

If this is the objective then how about we not try and over complicate things and put a simple ‘price’ on carbon. More and more a Carbon Tax looks like the most effective way to achieve this.

Left and Right Agree on Carbon Tax provides a good insight into potential pitfalls of the CPRS and how a carbon tax can actually encourage ALL big pollluters to reduce their emissions.

Economist Warns of Dire Consequences of Emissions Scheme

Energy Matters are a leading supplier of renewable energy solutions with a focus on wind and solar power.

Here they give a great insight on what to watch out for if you are thinking of installing solar power in your home, school or business.

Mother Earth – Is Solar Power Right For You

There is an abundance of renewable energy solutions currently in development although the overall uptake is still very low.

One such solution is ‘Wave Energy’, and Australian listed clean energy Company ‘Carnegie Corporation’ has just been awarded a license by the South Australian Government to utlise 17,000 ha of seabed for this innovative energy solution.