CEFE Runner up for IAG Eureka Prize in 2007

Andrew Denton and friends promote 50-50 by 2020 at the Eureka Awards
Andrew Denton and friends promote 50/50 by 2020 at the Eureka AwardsClean Energy For Eternity are runners up in the IAG Eureka award for innovative solutions to climate change. It was a great honour to be there, and a tribute to the communities of SE NSW that have supported the 50/50 by 2020 campaign.There is no doubt that being shortlisted for a Eureka prize increases net working ability. We met with Malcolm Turnbull, the Federal Environment Minister. He had no idea who we were, but now has an understanding of what is happening in SE NSW when it comes to climate change. We met with Phil Koperburgh, the NSW Minister for Climate Change and Water, who expressed an interest in meeting formally with us. Andrew denton and Robin Williams, (the abc science show presenter) were happy to be photographed holding a 50/50 by 2020 bumper sticker.
Matthew Nott, Malcolm Turnbull, Philippa Rowland and Nick Graham-Higgs
Matthew Nott, Malcolm Turnbull, Philippa Rowland and Nick Graham-Higgs

It was the meetings that Clean Energy For Eternity had before the Eureka awards that were most productive. First was a meeting with the Manly Council. They are most enthusiastic about the LifeSaving Energy concept, and want to help launch the project as a national campaign with a human sign on Manly beach on 2 Dec, to coincide with Ocean Day. They hope to have at least one of their 3 surf clubs up and running with a wind turbine and solar panels by the launch day.

Next was a meetng with the Mosman Council. Mosman has had some bad press lately, with a recent Sydney Morning Herald front page headline talking about the high carbon footprint of Mosman residents. There seems to be quite a lot of interest in turning that footprint around. The Mosman Mayor wants Clean Energy For Eternity to help host a 50/50 by 2020 target meeting for Mosman in October. 50/50 by 2020 is quite achievable in a rural environment, but in an urban setting there will be different challenges. Population density means that macro renewable projects are more difficult. We will need to look at widespread uptake of micro generation, ie solar hot water, and solar photovoltaic cells. Mosman has the highest rate of ownership of 4WD cars in the country, but also the highest rate of ownership of hybrid cars.

Lots of exciting challenges ahead.