Energetics have just released a paper for businesses entitled The Reality of Carbon Neutrality (PDF 52 KB). From what I can tell it’s aiming to be both a guide for businesses wanting to go carbon neutral, but also an attempt to define, to some degree, what going “carbon neutral” means as a term.

Although it sways a little bit towards the technical, and seems a little biased towards larger businesses (the costs referenced, and the mention of international standards etc. is something smaller businesses usually wouldn’t be in a position to action), it’s still an interesting read.

But more importantly, perhaps, it raises some important points about what “carbon neutral” means, and asks where the line between “greenwash” and legitimacy lay.

Leave a comment if you have any thoughts after reading the paper - especially if you’re in a business and are considering going “carbon neutral”…

I’ve decided to buy a bike. As with most things, there are a couple of reasons, but the two biggest themes are health/fitness and environment.

I want to ride to work to lose some weight and get active (some personal health issues have stopped me doing this for a while). But I’m also wanting to reduce my footprint - although I catch public transport to work, it’s still nice to go neutral - well - except for the CO2 I breathe out!

Plus I get to avoid the morning crush…

I’m trying not to get sucked into the style of things, but also looking for something that I enjoy and feel confident riding.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had to actively look at bikes, and it’s a bit daunting. Do I get a mountain bike (what I’m used to), a street bike or a hybrid? What’s the difference between a flat bar and whatever other options are around? Is Shimano the only brand when it comes to components? And what’s the real difference in components (so far the answers have been “longer lasting and more serviceable - which almost makes sense)?

I’ve been lucky enough to have a friend who rides a lot helping me out, but I thought it would be worth asking all you Futuremakers for your thoughts.

My requirements are:

• Mainly street riding, with the strength to take a few bumps (pot-holes, the odd gutter jump etc.);
• Fits me - I’m 6′ 2″ - so I think I need a 50cm frame or bigger;
• Not too hard on my back;
• Looks clean and nice; not too flashy, not too dull;
• Doesn’t take up too much space in my apartment (a 1 bedroom loft in Newtown).

I also wonder if there are any other environmental criteria I should be thinking of/looking out for when bike hunting?

As I live in Newtown, I’ve been to Cheeky Transport and I’m trying out a Vivente Novara Elite.

But there’s also a chance I might be able to get a foldable bike, but I’m concerned that with my height and the distance I’ll be traveling (and my want to do more riding on weekends to lose weight) means that’s not a suitable option.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Note to self: Must get that “Buy a bike” action up.

If/when I get one, there’s a few tips that I’ve found for “getting started” with commuting - so I’ll try to post them too…

The idea of "cohousing" has popped up for me a couple of times in the last few years. The Cohousing Association of the United States explains:

Cohousing communities combine the advantages of private homes with the benefits of more sustainable living, including shared common facilities and ongoing connections with neighbors. These intentional neighborhoods, created and managed by residents, offer an innovative solution to today’s environmental and social challenges.

So I was interested to read an email from Rae, a Futuremaker in Hobart, about Cascade Cohousing, the cohousing community in which she lives:

[Cohousing is] providing the "reality" that so many groups around Australia at the moment are only dreaming and planning to do as they try to get happening their own cohousing. (Which can take a lot of time and sustained effort) They are rare on the ground at the moment in Australia - but of course very ‘ordinary; in Denmark!

When I’ve heard about cohousing in the past, the community-building aspects has usually been the focus. But Rae also pointed out some of the environmental benefits of this approach to living:

• sharing of resources/reduction in consumerism ‑ not duplicating things ‑ e.g. one lawn‑mower/power‑tools etc. for a community of 13 households; one TV in TV room of the common-house so many households opt to not have a TV in their own home; a laundry in the common-house so some people again opt to not have a washing machine in their own house they can use the one in the common-house if they want to.
• There are low‑water/mulched native gardens and we’ve always had strong re‑cycling practices etc. We keep chooks and grow organic vegetables. No herbicides etc. allowed. There is a no meat policy in the common-house and we have a food cooperative for bulk food items and as much as possible use organic produce. We have a ‘two cat policy only’ for the whole community and a curfew for those 2 cats. (We edge onto bush and there are possums and other native animals that would otherwise be threatened)
• The cohousing location was especially chosen because it is located on a bus‑route into the city and quite a few of us cycle into work ‑ meaning lots of support and companionship. Parents, whose children go to a school in a different suburb, will often car pool in regard to picking up children from school.
• We seek to educate others about the benefits of living in a cohousing community ‑ there is a once a year tour organised through the Environmental Studies department of the university.
• Living in the community means that you are with other like‑minded, environmentally-conscious individuals who together support each other which increases the power that collective action can bring. Most of our community members, in one way or another, work or volunteer in support of environmental issues - for example, with the Green party, Tasmanian World Heritage and Parks and Wildlife Department and CSIRO. Our occupations include: archaeologist, biologist, cartographer and forester etc. and all of us have done many voluntary jobs throughout the years ‑ I was employed with the Wilderness Society in the national membership office in Hobart in the late 80’s and worked other years as a volunteer on campaigns on particular wilderness issues. We’re all into bushwalking and all the beauty that Tasmania offers.

Her house has some additional benefits as well:

Mostly it’s the passive solar qualities (faces north/expanse of windows) and the double‑glazed windows plus my use of a recycled kitchen and in the bathroom. And we also have a recycled sink. The heavy solid outer doors of the house are more than 50 years old and salvaged from a house demolition. The materials are as much as possible natural, (which can be difficult with modern houses.) The house is smaller than you Australian average "MacMansion", as are all the houses at Cascade Cohousing ‑ this being in keeping with the emphasis on using less materials and that everyone is able to share the common-house.

Sounds like there is a lot of cool stuff going on in the community. Cohousing certainly not for everyone - but as Rae’s comments shows there’s some good environmental benefits to the approach, as well as the more commonly identified community aspects.

What are your thoughts on cohousing? Do we have any other Futuremakers out there that are living (or have lived) in a cohousing community? What was your experience?

P.S. Rae is actually moving and looking to sell her house. If you’re interested, you can contact her on 0417 337 589 or by email at

Rebecca tells us about her chooks:

We have 2 chickens, Heather and Denise. They’re surprisingly lovable, and they give us fresh eggs with no food miles.

Having a constant supply of fresh eggs encourages us to cook at home rather than buying pre packaged cakes and breakfasts out. This saves us money and we know what’s in our food.

Read more…