Australia Talks

As temperatures across the East have been dropping and energy prices rising we're asking how you are heating your home this winter. Well here's a novel idea; how about running a wood heater? Wood fired heaters are set for a revival and the science is suggesting they can be carbon neutral across the life cycle of the fuel. At the moment the downside of air pollution still outweighs the benefits in combating climate change BUT with a bit more research that could be eliminated. In parts of Northern Europe, wood-fuel power stations are generating 250-300 megawatts of power and could also form the basis of potential bio-fuels. Maybe it's too soon to throw out your old wood burner?

Guests

Andrew Lang - Primary producer

John Todd - Adjunct professor Edith Cowan University - wood heating and smoke researcher

Greg Barnes - Firewood Association of Australia

Keryn Paul - research scientist sustainable ecosystems CSIRO

Further Information

For a link providing an overview of heating options

For a link to the Wood-Smoke handbook

For a link to the report on life-cycle anlaysis of domestic wood-heating

For a report on improving the efficiency of wood heaters

For information of Firewood and woody biomass and C02

For a link to the Firewood Assocation of Australia

For a link to information on the 2008 bioenergy conference in Canada

Presenter

Paul Barclay

Story Researcher and Producer

Matthew Leonard