Want a good laugh about “ocker” shed culture? Try the “Institute for Backyard Studies”:
http://www.ibys.org/shed/?page_id=7
especially Hoke’s Tool Co: http://www.ibys.org/shed/?page_id=101
and Deep Shed Culture: http://www.ibys.org/shed/?page_id=17

A different system of ‘eco burial’: An Australian company is claiming to be the first in the world to offer a watery grave. The new service will present bereaved families with an alternative to burial or cremation that involves essentially dissolving a body in hot water. A newly registered business, Aquamation Industries, aims to appeal to people who want to eliminate the 200 or so kg of greenhouse gases associated with a typical cremation. The first ''aquamation'' unit is expected to be declared operational on the Gold Coast today. See:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/dissolve-a-loved-one-and-save-the-planet-20100811-11zqe.html

Weird buildings - Who said buildings had to be straight or perpendicular! See:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/gallery-e6frg6n6-1225904799702

The Greens famous “Gruen Nation” ad: Watch it as a YouTube clip:
http://greens.org.au/content/have-you-seen-ad-everyone-talking-about

GetUp’s Climate Change T-Shirts: Show your support for climate change action:
https://www.getup.org.au/campaign/election2010&id=1312

Thoughts on ‘peak population’ for Dick Smith: With his documentary 'The Population Puzzle', Australian entrepreneur and adventurer Dick Smith has done something very brave, and very important, in working to break the taboo on speaking about population. Read more:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2010/08/thoughts-for-dick-smith.html

Dick Smith’s $1 Million Wiberforce Award for population action:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2010/08/wilberforce-award.html

Nurture not nature makes boys and girls think differently: A new slant on whether boys and girls brains are really wired differently. Seems they hardly differ at all! Read more at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/15/girls-boys-think-same-way

Portugal’s clean energy makeover. If they can do it, why can’t we? Nearly 45 percent of the electricity in Portugal’s grid will come from renewable sources this year, up from 17 percent just five years ago. Land-based wind power — this year deemed “potentially competitive” with fossil fuels by the International Energy Agency in Paris — has expanded sevenfold in that time. And Portugal expects in 2011 to become the first country to inaugurate a national network of charging stations for electric cars. Read more at:
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/10/science/earth/10portugal.html?_r=1

Sun’s quiet period explained: Solar physicists may have discovered why the Sun recently experienced a prolonged period of weak activity. Read more at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-10967292

[Thanks to Sue E, John H, Malcolm Dispain, Cruxcatalyst, and The Greens for the links.]