Week 12 When arts have something to do with green

Sometimes we have to admit that arts require a lot of energy and material, which is a kind of waste. Arts is only something for people to have fun, it doesn’t worth so much effort, isn’t it? By using the same resources, we can get more interest if investing them in other areas such as capital market. We should appreciate that artists have realized they have consumed a lot of matters. Now, even director and actress have the sense. They try to save as much energy as they can by redesigning theatre. Here, the famous actress Cate Blanchett and her husband haves set a good model. The uniqueness is one of the reasons why this article success. The subject can raise readers’ attention.
But the author doesn’t mention the “who” until the second paragraph. The following paragraphs offer more details about how the scheme works- they use water and photovoltaic to generate electricity. The author also interviewed the pair. The structure is classic pyramid.
Another good value is its importance. Same as the purpose of the director and actress, propaganda the energy saving plan, more and more artists will participate in it. This is the importance of the article which makes it valuable.
The weakness of the article is the picture which is a picture of Cate Blanchett. If the author can provide a photo of the model, the article will be more attractive. But overall, it is a piece of good news.
If you have interested in this article, please check the following website:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smart/theatre-project-shines-brightly-20100728-10uwb.html

Weel 11

It seems Victoria is getting closer to clean energy and sustainable development. If the last time is Wind power, solar energy this time!
This is a piece of hard news about Victoria's attempt to host Australia's largest solar power station. The government has settled 100 million dollars in it. The scheme will increase electricity supply in Victoria and create jobs. Now it is expecting to win the Federal government’s flagships program which values 1.5 billion dollars.
The successes of the article are the authority, the timeliness and the importance. Firstly, the interviewees are Premier John Brumby, Energy Minister of Victoria Peter Batchelor and of Western Australia Peter Collier, which make the news reliable. Secondly, as the situation of resource exhaust and climate change caused by increasing energy consumption, ordinary people have also noticed the importance of saving energy and developing clean energy. The importance of this article is to show the government’s determination and commitment to solve the problem. It also has a function of propagation, to encourage other states to finalized renewable energy programs. Lastly, the article is published on the day the news happened. This shows the advantage of online media which is delivering information instantly while the news happens.
The article has a video and a picture attached to help readers to understand and attract them. The picture is a solar panel which looks like a satellite. The video shows the government’s support to the scheme. It also contains some different opinions such as considerations of the influence of solar station to agriculture. This makes the news be not one-sided. It supplies entire information to the audiences. Overall, the journalist used multi methods to provide fresh meaningful news to the readers, informing them and monitoring the government in solving the climate change issue.
For more information of the news, check out the following website:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smart/massive-solar-energy-plant-scores-100m-funding-20100921-15kow.html

Week 10 The Green Home

Recently, people have suffered a lot from natural disasters and extreme weathers. The earthquake in Sichuan China and New Zealand, the flood in Taiwan and the Iceland volcanic ash and the Indonesia volcanic storm, but we can't shirk the responsibility. It is not deniable that human activities are direct causes. Since new technologies are developed, more and more energy are needed. Fuel resources exploitation result to earthquakes, consumption results to pollution and global warming. On the other hand, resources are limited.
While it comes to Green energies, many people say they are more expensive than the traditional ones. The problem is not the resources, there are many kinds of replaced energies being discovered, but they are consuming for ordinary people.
The title of the article is “techo meets eco at Jetsons” which is attractive. When I first saw it, I thought it was about a new technology. It is about a family living in an apartment in which the energy consumption is halved. The author did a comparison between the place they live before and now. He offers description of the new house and how it saves power- by using a ceramic fuel cell, solar panels and new battery storage technology. Nevertheless, although saving energy can save money in long term, it brings convenience.
The purpose of the article is to encourage readers to save energy like the family. Although it only gives the information of the amount of electricity consumption per day, it is clearly that living in the new house can save energy spend. Especially the comparison makes the article more impressive. It is a good article also because it also supplies the disadvantages. The author structures it clearly and logically.
If you want to read the news story, check the website:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/techno-meets-eco-at-the-jetsons-20100814-12425.html

Week 9 Green energy charge households

The news angle of the article is people are paying infrastructure but not renewable energies. The cause of this article is probably people’s complaint on electricity price increase. The author's purpose is to disclose that the government had not invested in electricity generation but the money mainly go to poles and wires. The government invested $42 billion for the next five years.
The structure of the article is clear. The lead gives a news hook to tell the main facts: who (clean energy groups) and what (the bill hikes are result from investment in infrastructure not renewable energy). In the next four paragraphs, the journalist supplies details and evidence to support the argument. Then the author interviewed the two sides of the issue- the clean energy council and Policy director. They showed their perspectives and provided more explanations. Following by, there are more details about the increase rate of the price in main cities to prove that the increase is caused by the rise of population. The more people, the higher price. At the last part, the journalist offers solution which is solar energy as the green energy group suggests. The journalist also uses US president Obama's encouragement in the solar energy adopted in residents as an example to persuade Prime Minister Ms Gillard to emphasis in solar energy rather than examine the carbon emission price. The group also advices Ms Gillard apply solar energy at her home.
Although the journalist presents two sides of perspectives to keep balance, the tone of the article is a bit persuaded. Fairness is a significant value in journalism. Australian Laws, codes of act also regular media practitioners to report fairly and accurately. But this journalist broke the rule and showed inclination to the green energy group side. As a result, it is a not a good news story.
Here is the link of the story:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smart/green-energy-not-reason-for-bill-hikes-20101007-169ev.html

Week 8 Mafia use clean energy invest dirty money

The success factor of the article is the uniqueness which is Mafia invested in renewable energy and the assets of the renewable company were confiscated. The investor is not any other government or organization but criminals. Why did it happen? But the crime was restrained. Sounds dramatic right? They article first gives a hook, presenting this uniqueness and then offers details of the wind farm. Following by the reason why it happened- bad policies and bad bureaucracies, as an official with the anti-Mafia association Libera Ruggiero explains it is a “new sector where there is more public money and less control”. After this, the article introduces the development of wind power in Italy.
Another important point of the article’s success is the conflict – the danger of organized crime. Mafia use clean energy to invest dirty money, turn them into clean money. This could destroy the country’s economy and energy industry and also boom the criminals. “They will twice” as Ruggiero said.
Other causes of the success are the importance and negativity of the news.
The article is put in the environment news section but not international breaking news section is because the purpose of the news is to urge the government to put emphasis on renewable energy. The article doesn’t provide much criminal details and background but analyze why it happened.
However, the picture accompanies with the article foregrounds wind turbines which invested by Mafia in the village of Patirnico. But the photo doesn’t play important role in the success of the news story as reader can not identified whether they are the ones invested by Mafia. They look just like normal wind turbines in any country.
For more details, check the website as follows:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smart/mafia-uses-clean-energy-to-invest-dirty-money-20100916-15cxl.html

week 7 first gas rig headed for NSW coast

Like most of environment news, the success of this article is still conflict: first, the construction of a gas dig and natural beauty of the coast; second, the conflict between Wyong council together with residents nearby and the developer. The significance is obvious. The built of the rig would help explore gas. Gas is a cleaner energy source as a fuel replacement for coal in power stations, which could help Australia meet its Kyoto protocol objectives. This is definitely of public interest too, as the subject of climate change and renewable energy is a hot topic recently. It is a piece of news happened in Sydney and posted in Sydney Morning Herald. This is the proximity of this news.
There are some explanatory words for how the rig is going to work. The picture gives a clearer picture about the scale of the rig and the depth of drill. It also offers the planned drill rig sites. The picture has added color to the online news story.
So good the scheme is, but the impacts on residents nearby should not be ignored too. It will cause noise and water pollution. It may also effect on fish, migrating whales and how any subsea rupture would be handled. The most apparent influence as the mayor of Wyong Bob Graham mentioned is on tourism- the construction would disturb the beauty of beaches and the noises would scare tourists away. So the impact is not only environmental but also economical.
The good feature in this article is the journalist interviewed two sides of people and got a variety of different perspectives. This help journalist reach a balance and keep the objectivity of the news.
Check out the news on Sydney Morning Herald website: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/first-gas-rig-headed-for-nsw-coast-20100829-13xnm.html

week 6 hotter weather results from climate change?

The success point of this article is, the journalist uses a lot of statistics of professional researches to improve the authority of the news. Statics is more impressive and persuadable than words. For example, “it was the fourth consecutive month in which the standing high mark was topped”, “the global thermometer could rise by 6 degrees compared with pre-industrial levels”, “Voluntary national pledges made after Copenhagen climate summit in December would most likely cap that increase at 3.5 to 4 degrees, still far short of the 2 degree limit that most scientists agree is the threshold for dangerous warming. Use statistics to compare, readers can have direct sense how serious the issue is.
However, there’s no evidence show the direct link between the year-on-year variations in the weather and change in climate. After listing the statistics, the journalist quotes experts’ analysis to support the news angle.
Moreover, the title is attractive. After the Copenhagen climate summit and the movie 2012, the issue of climate change has drawn a great level of public concern. People often question “Why weather becomes so extreme? The summers are much hotter and winters are much colder than 10years ago? Is it related to climate change?” The title is a common question in ordinary people, that’s why it’s closer to readers and can attract readers’ attention.
For the original news, check the website:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/first-half-2010-hottest-ever-but-is-it-climate-change-20100720-10iz7.html

week 5 Roof gardens cool urban

The article is a piece of well structured news. It points out the problem-urban heat island first and then puts forward the solution- roof gardens. At the beginning, the journalist Peter Ker gives a specific example: the temperature of the “Tuesday”. He also quotes Professor Nigel Tapper’s words “Think how poor the productivity of Melbourne would have on Tuesday after nobody slept the night before” to prove the fact-hot. In the next paragraph “Tapper is one of many experts convinced that the way we have built modern cities has blunted the natural cooling powers of the night and amplified the heat of the day”, this is how Peter swift the small picture into a big one, and also emphasis the significance of the problem. The facts are all demonstrated by experts’ words, which also strengths the article’s reliability.
Considering the newsworthy, we can definitely see importance, proximity and conflict here. It is a piece of local news reveals how people build roof garden, benefiting in not environment but also economy. It cools the suburb and also gaining profits by growing plants.
The news is narrative and also flows of logic. The photo on the topic of the page gives the readers a picture of roof garden. What’s more, we can see photovoltaic panels beside the garden. How green it is! The photo exactly delivers the theme of climate change which resulted from human activities and the application of renewable energy and substantial development. Basically it is a piece of soft news which full of experts’ words, kind of one-side news.
Move on the news if you have interest:
http://www.theage.com.au/environment/roof-gardens-to-have-their-time-in-the-sun-20100115-mckc.html

Week 4 The biggest wind farm support or stop

The largest wind farm in southern hemisphere will be built in south-western Victoria. Energy Company AGL announced that the 140-turbine wind farm would be built under a $1billion deal by 2013. Can you imagine it? In order to give readers a more impressive picture, the editor posted an approximate 1 minute video (from Ten News) with the online news. The video offers the scene of a wind farm which is beside ocean, full of wind turbines settled, rotating. Following by is the Victoria Premier John Brumby’s speech on a media conference (I assume), claiming the importance of the wind farm: It is essential for not only environment but also economy. It will generate enough energy for more than 220000 homes. I will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by about 1.7 million tones and create up to 400 jobs during construction. About 30 people would be employed to run it once it is completed. The speech has strengthened the reliability of the news and added color. Although it is a bit boring and the content is already presented in the text, the video is the first reason for the success of the news story. The significance is the second. As climate change is the hot-debated since last year's Copenhagen climate summit, renewable energy is more and more of people's interest. In Australia, wind is one of the most affluent renewable energies.
Another factor is the conflicts. One conflict is between the necessarily of the wind farm and the law and policy. The scheme has come across difficulties although both the opposition and the government claimed to support. It was clashed over since it must be built under law. According to the Coalition’s policy, wind turbines must not be built within 2 kilometers of homes without the owners’ approval. But as Coalition planning spokesman Matthew Guy said, it has received community support. If I were this journalist, I would interview the residents who live near the place to confirm if they really support the scheme.In addition, to vary the voices and add color to the article. Make sure people’s voice to be heard is journalists' role.
The other is the different voices of the parties. The presentation of different voices to balance and enhance the journalist’s angle. In the last paragraph, Denis Napthine, the Coalition member for the seat of South West Coast said the government should ensure the wind towers being built by Portland manufacturer Keppel Prince. Law and policy are administrated by human, money the main drive of everything!

See the original news: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/southwest-wind-farm-the-biggest-20100812-121j0.html
(photo source:http://www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au/image-gallery/live?SQ_PAINT_LAYOUT_NAME=image&5968_result_page=7)

Presentation PPT

Hi there
I've uploaded the presentation PPT in Slideshare.com, check it out if you are interested. The link is here
http://www.slideshare.net/3278818/melody-bao-week-2-presentation
So how was it?

Mel

Week 3 Holden plans Commodore engine on 85% ethanol

It is well-known that oil and gas are definite. It is also a undeniable truth that the emission of transportation has caused pollution and climate change. But the situation is getting worse and worse. What if humans run out of fuels? What if 2010 is the end of the world? I'm not scaring you!
Although renewable fuel standard engines are not new inventions, they are seldom applied. While many car companies such as Toyota implemented sustainable plans, Holden recently plans to announce a Commodore that can run on E85, which is a combination of 15 percent of petrol and 85 percent ethanol.

check out the online news story in SMH website: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smart/holden-plans-commodore-able-to-run-on-85-ethanol-as-standard-20100802-112ef.html

The introduction gives the most important information including the basic facts: who, Holden, what, rely on alcohol as car fuel, where, Australia, why, against dwindling world oil supplies. The present tense indicates that it will happen soon.
The next few paragraphs show the details of the fuel, by comparing with the traditional fuel. It's cheaper and "green", which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Then the article introduces how it will be applied nationally-- the E85 refuelling station will be built and the cars will be sold in Melbourne. After concluding the main idea,Berry park introduces the development of the boi-power car and why it failed. The second last paragraph also mentions the drawback of the E85 fuel car, which is it cost more fuel than the normal one. It concludes with more information: which engines will apply the fuel.

Basically, the article follows the pyramid style and structured concretely with complete information. The news angle is also clear, which is the application of renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emission. However, it is one-sided. If the journalist can interview expert, or maybe interview some consumers to see if they are willing to use the new fuel. But it looks more like a soft news piece, which functions to promote the new car, because all the information come from the Holden company.

Welcome to Melody's Blog

Hi everyone
My name is Weiwen Bao, but please call me Melody (*^-^*). I'm originally from China and now I'm doing my second and the last semester of master's degree major in Journalism and Communication in University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
This is my first English blog. I will wirte some commentaries of online news about environment which I am interested in. Climate change is a rising topic these days. Extreme weather and natural diassters continuing happen. Human activities are the main cause.
I hope through this platform, I can exchange my ideas and make friends with you.
By the way, I will do presentation in class next Tuesday, welcome you to participate in it. Thank you very much!