LifeSaving Energy started last summer, at the Tathra Surf Club. In the teeth of a brisk North-Easter and blazing sun, the solar panels and wind turbine at the surf club were officially opened. Amidst the abundant renewable energy, the turbine was quietly spinning, and the solar cells were pumping out the watts. It was a great occassion. The local community had invested in the package, with support from council and an Australian Greenhouse Office rebate, making this project a real partnership.

Since then, surf clubs along the South Coast have been raising money from local communities, and are ready to start installing. LifeSaving Energy is a campaign to get every club in the country set up with renewable energy. Surf clubs are an iconic part of Australian culture, they offer a highly visible demonstration of working renewable energy, and the LifeSaving Energy message is entirely positive. That's why this will work.

LifeSaving Energy will save surf clubs dollars, it has the potential to educate thousands of people, and can save our atmosphere 3 tonnes of CO2 (per surf club) each year. LifeSaving Energy is about to go national, and it's going to take off. Manly CEFE have taken LifeSaving Energy by the horns, and plan a national launch with a human sign on Manly Beach on 2/12/07. This is going to be big, and more fun than you can poke a stick at.
Matthew Nott