Last night, returning to Stuart Town after an Environmentally Concerned Citizens of Orange (ECCO) meeting, I looked up and saw the beautiful clear sky. The stars were shining and there was little dust.
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Then as I woke up this morning I had a song pulsing in my head.
An old Beach Boys song for those who can remember, 'Wouldn't it be Nice'.
Wouldn't it be nice if the rain kept falling, and wouldn't it be nice if we all had solar power. And wouldn't it be nice if we had electric cars and buses. Wouldn't it be nice.
It is important to stay positive and dream, because when people dream, it is possible to turn dreams into reality.
We have to dream of a renewable future for the sake of our children and grandchildren. We have to leave our descendants a better world full of stars, rain and song.
Some cities in Australia are realising dreams. They are taking action to plan for the future, and prepare for climate change.
In realising their dreams, they are showing us that it is possible to move to clean energy, and attract jobs, investment and growth.
In Port Augusta , SA, there are thirteen renewable projects happening.
In mid 2016, Port Augusta was on a downward trajectory due to the closure of two power stations.
Today it has attracted nearly $5bn in renewable energy investment.
Late in 2017 Daly River became the first Northern Territory township to become 100 per cent powered by solar during daylight hours.
The first stage of their Top End project saw a 1mw battery and solar installation.
The second stage is a $59 million project, jointly funded by ARENA and the Northern Territory government, which will deliver 5.6 MW of solar panels to 17 NT towns in remote areas.
In Melbourne, the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project marks the first time in Australia that a group of local governments, cultural institutions, universities and corporations have collectively purchased renewable energy from a newly built facility.
MREP members have committed to purchasing 88 Gwh of electricity per year from the Crowlands Windfarm in North Western Victoria, under a long term power purchase agreement.
Because the wind farm will produce more than the group's needs, it will also bring additional renewable energy into the market.
Come on Orange. We can do this too.
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