http://hdl.handle.net/10453/183 2013-06-19T12:40:29Z 2013-06-19T12:40:29Z Cooper, Carlia Franks, Daniel Mason, Leah Giurco, Damien Evans, Geoff http://hdl.handle.net/10453/20454 2012-12-17T05:16:56Z 2009-10-27T00:00:00Z

Mineral Futures Discussion Paper: Sustainability Issues, Challenges and Opportunities Cooper, Carlia; Franks, Daniel; Mason, Leah; Giurco, Damien; Evans, Geoff Minerals and metals will continue to play an important role in underpinning the future prosperity of our society. However, to confront the challenge of sustainability, the way in which resources are currently used, and might usefully be used in future, merits serious and broad discussion. This paper explores the background issues relating to mineral futures as a first step in the three-year research program of the Mineral Futures Collaboration Cluster – a collaborative program between the Australian CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation); The University of Queensland; The University of Technology, Sydney; Curtin University of Technology; CQ University; and The Australian National University.

2009-10-27T00:00:00Z Cooper, Carlia Franks, Daniel Mason, Leah Giurco, Damien Evans, Geoff http://hdl.handle.net/10453/20470 2012-12-17T05:17:33Z 2009-10-27T00:00:00Z

Mineral Futures Discussion Paper: Sustainability Issues, Challenges and Opportunities Cooper, Carlia; Franks, Daniel; Mason, Leah; Giurco, Damien; Evans, Geoff Minerals and metals will continue to play an important role in underpinning the future prosperity of our society. However, to confront the challenge of sustainability, the way in which resources are currently used, and might usefully be used in future, merits serious and broad discussion. This paper explores the background issues relating to mineral futures as a first step in the three-year research program of the Mineral Futures Collaboration Cluster – a collaborative program between the Australian CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation); The University of Queensland; The University of Technology, Sydney; Curtin University of Technology; CQ University; and The Australian National University.

2009-10-27T00:00:00Z Fane, Simon. http://hdl.handle.net/10453/20469 2012-12-17T05:17:31Z 2009-10-02T00:00:00Z

An assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from the proposed Tillegra Dam Fane, Simon. The proposed Tillegra Dam would be a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG). The claims that the dam would be carbon neutral cannot be sustained and the environmental assessment report (EAR) for the Tillegra project needs to be amended. Even if the GHG emissions from the dam’s construction are ignored, it is estimated that a total of at least 327,400 t CO2-eq (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) of GHG emissions would result from the Tillegra Dam in its first 20 years. However there are large uncertainties associated with surface emissions from water storage dams and these alone could easily contribute 1.0 million t CO2-eq. Excluding its construction, the Tillegra Dam will increase the operational GHG intensity of water supply in the Lower Hunter by at least 46%. The potential surface emissions alone from the proposed Tillegra Dam could be equivalent to adding an extra 27,000 cars to the Hunter’s roads. The bulk of the GHG emissions from the Tillegra Dam will be surface emissions generated as flooded organic material decomposes. Decomposition produces carbon dioxide and methane. Methane gas surface emissions will be of particular concern because methane has a global warming potential 72 times that of carbon dioxide over a 20-year timeframe, and 25 times that of carbon dioxide over a 100-year timeframe (IPCC 2007). Once the dam was constructed, the increased emissions would be unavoidable because unlike the GHG emissions associated with new supplies such as recycled or desalinated water, the emissions from large dams occur regardless of whether their water is used. The GHG assessment in the Tillegra EAR ignores methane generation and release from the storage. This would be the largest source of GHG, and this major flaw means that the EAR needs to be amended. The carbon offset claims in the EAR are also unsound. The EAR claims that there would be a significant offset for renewable energy generated by a mini hydroelectric plant but no such plant is included in the project. Also of concern is the simplistic inclusion of tree planting as an offset with no consideration of important factors such as the loss of soil carbon in the establishment of plantations on agricultural land. In stark contrast to the GHG emissions from the Tillegra Dam proposal, a sustainable water strategy for the Lower Hunter, based on improved water efficiency and water conservation measures, could reduce GHG emissions by an estimated 1.5 million tonnes of t CO2-eq over a 20-year period.

2009-10-02T00:00:00Z Mitchell, Cynthia Willetts, Juliet http://hdl.handle.net/10453/20468 2012-12-17T05:17:28Z 2006-12-06T00:00:00Z

Learning to be a “Transdisciplinary” Sustainability Researcher: A Community of Practice Approach Mitchell, Cynthia; Willetts, Juliet This paper utilises a ‘community of practice’ model to reflect on the post-graduate research program at the Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS. Our work at the Institute involves resolution of complex problems in today’s society, a task which requires insights generated through multiple disciplines. Over the last five years we have conducted an evolving program of activities for our post-graduate students to equip them with the necessary skills for this challenge. This program has been transformational for both individuals and the group, which now operates as a cohesive, mutually learning team. In this paper we look to the ‘community of practice’ model as a critical lens to examine our program and assist in identifying new opportunities to improve our approach to transdisciplinary research training.

2006-12-06T00:00:00Z