NEWS IN BRIEF

Intheblack, Apr 2008

Queensland's green businesses

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is calling for nominations from Queensland's businesses for the state's annual Sustainable Industries awards. Entries are sought from businesses, individuals, community and not-for-profit organisations and local or state government. They should relate to projects or initiatives that are Queensland-based and have potential to be adapted or adopted by other organisations. To see which category your project or business initiative might fit and for information on how to enter, visit www.epa.qld.gov.au or contact EPA Marketing on (07) 32251999 or email siawards@epa.qld.gov.au

Entries close 14 April 2008.

When the oil runs out

If the world had to rely on the US for all of its oil, the supply wouldn't last very long - one year to be exact. According to calculations by Gilbert Masters, Stanford emeritus professor of civil and environmental engineering current oil supplies in all nations combined would last the world for only about 41 years. Masters painted the sobering picture of the world's looming energy dilemma during a January conference on environmental sustainability. He was one of more than a dozen speakers urging attendees to "Reduce Your Ecological Footprint" during the three-day conference.

Overworked Aussies

More than 90 per cent of Australians say they work an average of 10.5 hours overtime every week, a news.com.au poll has found. Just under 80 per cent of the 3141 respondents said they did not get paid for that work, and three out of four said they "had no choice".

London rules

London remained the most expensive place in the world to occupy an office during 2007, a global report by real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield says, with rents up 30 per cent during that time.

Hong Kong came in at number two, with Singapore jumping 10 places to number seven. Rents there rose 78 per cent.