In the future, the best will be better than perfect: the new biology paradigm (journal article)
by Arnold Brown
From The Futurist, Sep/Oct 2008, Vol 42 No 5, pp. 25-28
The article explores the development of biological systems and technology. According to the author, the change focuses on the evolution of functional machines which are more efficient, faster and better. He adds that the things need to adapt to the changes and circumstances, and function according to their environment. These biology-based systems include Wikipedia, Internet, virtual networks and user-generated computer games. New manufacturing model localized modularization which specifies key features, size and weight of products has emerged in China.

Global Trends in Culture, Infrastructure and Values (journal Article)
by Andy Hines
from The Futurist, Sep/Oct2008, Vol 42 No 5, p18-23
The article examines the global consumer trends that affect the changes of culture, public infrastructure and values. The emergence of cultural centers of excellence influence the potential division and specialization of labor. Half and 19 percent of the population has access to Internet and mobile communications, yet, remote areas lack access to these technologies. It predicts that the younger generation will accelerate the flow of information and ideas immersed in different cultures. The increase of access to electricity stimulate the development of rural communities and living standards.

Energy technology perspectives 2008 : in support of the G8 Plan of Action : scenarios & strategies to 2050 [online resource]

Authors: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) & International Energy Agency (IEA)

"Presents an in-depth review of the status and outlook for existing and advanced clean energy technologies, offering scenario analysis of how a mix of these technologies can make the difference." - page 37.

Conducting sustainability assessments [online resource]

Author: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Reviews "the state-of-the-art in conducting integrated sustainability assessments and their policy application as a key tool for advancing sustainable development. These assessments identify longer-term synergies and trade-offs across the economic, environmental and social impacts of policies and programmes." - foreword.

We-think [book]

Author: Charles Leadbeater

"You are what you share is the ethic of the world being created by YouTube and MySpace, Wikipedia and Facebook. .... [this book] reports on an unparalleled wave of collaborative creative as people form California to China devise ways to work together that are more democratic, productive and creative." - cover.

Urban water pricing: practical perspectives and customer preferences (journal article)
by Lin Crase, Sue O'Keefe and Brian Dollery
from Economic Papers, Vol 27 No 2 June 2008, pp. 194-206
There is considerable variation between Australian jurisdictions in their approach to urban water and waste-water pricing. Regardless of the explicit commitments of signatories to the National Water Initiative to 'best practice pricing' in 2004, there are no obvious signs that a common and efficient pricing regime is emerging. This paper considers one of the dimensions of urban water tariffs: the split between 'volumetric' and 'access' charges."
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Some emerging issues in urban water supply and pricing (journal article)
by John Freebairn
from Economic Papers, Vol 27 No. 2 June 2008, pp. 184-193
"In the future, the marginal cost curve for urban water will be an increasing function. This fact favours a single volumetric water price to meet both equity and revenue adequacy criteria, and in some cities an explicit resource rent tax should be imposed. Although desalination and recycled water are likely to be more expensive than rain-fed water, their comparative stability and security of supply gives them a stabilisation value, and in a portfolio model framework there is a good case for their inclusion as a component of urban water supply."
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Cities as sustainable ecosystems : principles and practices [book]

Authors: Peter Newman & Isabella Jennings

"Explains how to pursue a path of urban sustainable development and regeneration. Its organizing principle is the ten Melbourne Principles for Sustainable Cities." - cover.

False hope : why carbon capture and storage won't save the climate [online resource]

By: Greenpeace International

Argues that independent scientific research shows that CCS cannot be deployed in time to stop climate change, that it wastes energy, and that safe storage cannot be guaranteed.

Biofuels or biofertilisers? Agriculture's contribution to reducing emissions (article)
By Brian Chatterton
from Australian Options Autumn 2008, pp. 27 - 29
"The program to develop bio-ethanol in the United States is a triumph of the lobbyist's art over rationality. Most of the powerful pressure groups have been mollified but the scheme is fundamentally flawed and should not be used as a model for Australian efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Population and Sustainability: A global role for Australia (article)
By John Coulter
from Australia Options Autumn 2008, pp. 22 - 26
"There is abundant evidence that Australians are not living in an environmentally sustainable manner. Too many are demanding too much from Nature but every government in Australia seeks more people and more economic growth, a surrogate measure of environmental demand."

IT training's impact on the bottom line (journal article)
by Eddie Kilkelly
From Training Journal, July 2008, pp. 47-51
The author discusses the ramifications of having an IT department that is not fully skilled, and the benefits of providing comprehensive training and support.
Contact the library for a copy of this article

One Good Big Idea for Water Reform
By Scott Hargreaves
from Policy Vol 24 No 2 Winter 2008, pp. 26-31
"The article reports on the water supply and disposal reforms in Australia particularly the creation of a national regime for third-party access pipes. In this system, the owners of water and wastewater pipelines transmit water at regulated prices for customers. Furthermore, the Australian government should help facilitate in the reforms in water distribution and allocation."

Warm house cool house : inspirational designs for low-energy housing [book]

By: Nick Hollo

"Gives a simple explanation of the principles of low-energy housing design, and illustrates these principles with more than one hundred and ten examples from around Australia." - cover.

Infrastructure 2008 : a competitive advantage [online resource]

By: Urban Land Institute (US) & Ernst & Young

"Examines the latest trends in infrastructure, how to finance it, and the effect of infrastructure investment on the built environment." - publisher's website.

Climate change 2007 : synthesis report [online resource]

Author: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

"Discusses adaptation and mitigation options over the next few decades and their interaction with sustainable development." - introduction to report.

Rising powers, shrinking planet : the new geopolitics of energy [book]
Author: Michael T. Klare

Predicts that international cooperation will be essential for survival of modern industrial societies in the face of depleting stocks of not just oil and natural gas, but also resources like uranium, coal and copper.

Electricity Gas Australia 2008 [reference book]

Author: Energy Supply Association of Australia

"Provides industry statistics relating to generation, transmission, distribution and the consumption of energy for 2006-07 and is packed with essential information for those involved in the electricity and gas industry."
Now available in Library & Research Services' Reference Collection.

Zoom : the global race to fuel the car of the future [book]

Authors: Iain Carson & Vijay Vaitheeswaran

"Visits the boardrooms of car executives and shows how some are fearlessly exploring new energy sources and designs ... [and] examines the alliances that are being formed to end our addiction to oil in both the West and the growing markets of China, India and Russia." - cover.

Considers the values and methods required to effectively engage Indigenous Australians in natural resource management [e-book]

Author: Australia. Land & Water Australia

Considers the values and methods required to effectively engage Indigenous Australians in natural resource management.

Click here to access.