A while ago I learned of research and old trials to produce power from thorium.  I was quite surprised about the lack of global industry and global government support to develop the technology to a commercial scale.  I’m still not convinced as to whether or not it will be cost effective, although I’m trying to find out by reading as much as I can about the subject.

I started an advocacy website for Thorium in Australia, called Thorium Australia.  I have pretty much finished setting up the framework of the website, and built up a collection of articles for learning about the subject, and now I plan to do a series of posts about how it could have a role in Australia if we were to develop and/or implement it.

An interesting company that I have been keeping an eye on for many years for purposes of interest and maybe investment, is Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals. They have been developing a pill which helps to give you a tan, which although I wouldn’t do myself, one could see how this innovation would be a worthy investment.

Anyway, I am intersted to see that they have released an educational video about why ultraviolet levels vary – sometimes in Australia we get sun-burned on cloudy days, and some days we don’t get sun-burned at all.  It can be strange, but this video ‘sheds light’ (excuse the pun) onto the topic.  For anyone that’s ever been sun-burned or uses protection from the sun, watching this video is a must.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz9wfuYH91A]

After everyone at Glenelg had left the beach on Australia day, large amounts of fast food waste packaging have been left behind, particularly near the Glenelg jetty.  There are two bins at the end of the jetty, neither of them were full.  Is this what being Australian is all about? Is it really that ‘un-cool’ to be responsible and put litter in the bin?

Trash left on Glenelg beach 10pm on Australia Day, taken from the Glenelg Jetty.

It is illegal to litter, so who is pro-actively polices this?  Also, why did we ban plastic bags in supermarkets when we don’t even police littering where it matters the most?