Carbon Counters - the weight watchers of GHG emissions

RowanBarber's picture
Submitted by RowanBarber on 30 September 2009 - 12:36pm
What's this idea about?
In less than 100 words, what is your idea?: 
I have established a social enterprise. I would like it to become to greenhouse gas emissions what "weight watchers" is to adipose. eg - a member driven enterprise prviding support, advice, social networks, products & services to individuals & families who would like to reduce their environmetal impacts but do not know how.
What is the social need or challenge your idea could address?: 
Looking at ways to overcome gaps in knowledge & motivaton which prevent Australians from reducing their GHGs.
What’s really new about your idea?: 
Adaption of existing concepts and frameworks (from the weight loss sector) & applying them to a new issue.
Stage of development
What inspired you to come up with your idea in the first place?: 
As a volunteer with Engineers Without Borders, we found many Australian's were aware of anthropogenice climate change but did not know how they could go about reducing their GHG emissions.
From 1-5, what stage of development would you say your idea is in? - Explain further: 
3
What can we do for you?
Select which are the one or two most important things that you need to help the development of your idea: 
Mentor - to help you through the process of turning your idea into reality
If Social Innovation Camp is able to help push your idea forward, do you have the time or desire to take ownership of it?: 
Yes
Anything else you want to tell us?: 
I have registered Carbon Counters Pty Ltd as a company with my business partner James Tilbury. We have a lame website up. www.carbon-counters.com I am a stay at home parent. I earn a living as a garbo with Brisbane City Council. I have quals & experience in Environmental Engineering. I run the Australian Sustaianble Business Group (www.aebn.net.au) in Brisbane.
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RowanBarber
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Ozziemedes's picture

Re: Carbon Counters - the weight watchers of GHG emissions

by Ozziemedes - 27 Jan 2010 - 7:36pm
I'm not convinced of the value of carbon counters. Like diet "points" counting, it only works for a subset of the population. I'd greatly prefer to see a more proactive approach - governments (state & local in particular) making consultancy services available to residents to provide advice on greening their homes and engaging directly with home builders on "out of the box" approaches for making homes and business premises more energy efficient.
SteveL's picture

Re: Carbon Counters - the weight watchers of GHG emissions

by SteveL - 23 Oct 2009 - 8:41am
Hi Rowan - There seem to be masses of Carbon Counters currently on the web. Can you tell us where your idea is different, better for some users or distinctive in some way?
fxl's picture

Re: Carbon Counters - the weight watchers of GHG emissions

by fxl - 23 Oct 2009 - 12:18am
There are some folks at http://www.energycoop.com.au doing related things. Maybe you could have a chat with them and see what happens? Did you know that there's been a recent discussion on the new power meters that are being rolled out by the electricity companies? The data collected by the companies is only going back to the companies. There were a bunch of technologists who argued that the data should be available to the household, so that they could monitor their own usage, but I think the idea was squashed. Perhaps you could investigate that, and continue to lobby for access to that data.

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