Yahoo!7 Answers Australia

Our third Yahoo!7 Answers/Be a Better Planet $50k competition judge is Robyn Foyster – Editor of the longstanding and hugely popular women’s magazine New Idea.

As well as giving women all the latest celebrity news and fashion tips New Idea has a strong environmental conscience – the magazine works closely with the World Wildlife Federation and recently supported the Lights off Australiaand Earth Hour campaigns that are aiming to reduce the country’s planet damaging carbon emissions. Robyn also makes sure New Idea has regular features on how to save money by being environmentally friendly.

Robyn took time out of her hectic schedule to give us some of her thoughts on environmental issues…

What made you decide to become involved in spreading the word about climate change?
Being in a position to be able to motivate a lot of people to change things for the better and give our readers a voice is something I am very passionate about. Also, I am a mother of two and as such feel a responsibility to do the most I can to ensure a better future for my children.

What is your biggest concern about the state of Australia’s environment?
Perhaps more than any other country, the effects of climate change is really impacting us – with the drought, the degradation of the Murray-Darling river basin – our farmers are suffering.

What do you do in your own daily life to reduce carbon emissions?
Our family uses a shower timer, we walk as much as possible rather than drive and our family car is small and economical. We have energy efficient light globes as well as white goods.

How can people make their homes more environmentally friendly?
By installing solar panels, a rain water tank and making use of grey water. Also simple things like using energy efficient light globes and whitegoods and using less water by timing your showers.

Is Australia lagging behind other countries in terms of reducing carbon emissions and generally being environmentally friendly?
Yes and no. As Australians, we are one of the highest per-capita greenhouse gas polluters in the world, because most of our electricity comes from burning coal so we have to start using energy more efficiently and switching to cleaner energy sources now, which will result in a major reduction in climate change impacts.

In stating that, our awareness is very high, a recent international poll found that 92% of Australians are in favour of measures to counter global warming, we were ranked the highest – so I really think we are starting to make changes. (source – Chicago Council on Global Affairs)

Do you think people have their heads in the sand when it comes to climate change?
No, I think right now people are taking the issue more seriously than they ever have, Australians are realising the issue of global warming needs to be addressed with urgency. Our farmers know this firsthand with the hotter and drier climate that has caused the worst drought in living memory. Pester power is also on the increase – green is the new black!

Robyn will be taking part in the huge decision process involved in finding a best answer for the Yahoo!7 Be a Better Planet competition, and the user with the best suggestion on how 50 thousand dollars could create a more sustainable environment in Australia will see the cash go to the cause or initiative of their choice. There are now more than six hundred responses, but each and every answer will be considered so if you haven’t submitted yours make sure you do so soon!

And don’t forget to register first!

Yahoo!7 Answers Team

EDIT: This competition has closed for new submissions and the winning entry is now being considered by the judging panel.

Perfecting that “I can’t believe I’ve won!” look is all part of the process!

The annual Miss Universe pageant is a fierce competition, with young women from all over the world coming together with their eye on the prize. Some of the contestants have been preparing for the event by working the pageant circuit since their teenage years, others have fallen into the coveted spots by simply picking up a bit of modelling work and taking it from there, as our own phenomenally gorgeous Jennifer Hawkins did prior to taking out the 2004 crown.

The day of the competition starts early for all involved – and the process of getting ready is certainly arduous. Fake tans must be a perfect glistening brown, several coats of nail polish must be applied to avoid the disastrous possibility of chipping and any evidence of late nights spent practising walking down the runway must be carefully hidden. The months spent arduously creating the perfect figure for the swimsuit sectionhave paid off and all that’s left now is to carefully perfect the evening’s ‘updo’ and to apply the finishing touches that may just make the difference between being crowned winner or being spurned with the dreaded first runner up sash.

This year’s event was not free of scandal, with one contestant pulling out because of complaints of degradation against women, and another being booed because of the immigration policies of her country. However the show must go on, and dozens of … ahem…. talented…women strutted their stuff for the judges before it was narrowed down to ten finalists from countries including Angola, Brazil, Korea, Nicaragua and Tanzania.

But of course there can only be one winner, and this year the honour went to 20 year old Japanese entrant Riyo Mori. For the next twelve months this lucky girl will officially be known as the most beautiful woman in the Universe and will be showered with free high heeled shoes and a life time supply of double sided fashion tape as she travels about promoting charitable causes.

I think she should campaign for the competition to put an end to discrimination and to finally allow extra terrestrial contestants to enter! It is called Miss Universe after all!

Clea

Opinions are helpful when they allow us to learn more about another’s experiences to help inform our decisions, but things get a bit trickier in topics that are more personal or controversial than “how to” style questions. Our Community Guideline reads: Be courteous.

Yahoo!7 Answers is a diverse community of people with diverse opinions. It is up to each of us to be polite and treat each other with respect.

Diversity is a very important part of community. It’s important to remember that Answerers come in all shapes and sizes, from many different backgrounds and viewpoints. In a community this diverse, it may be difficult to tell when personal opinions are appropriate and helpful.

When reading a question, consider who the Asker expects to answer their question:

• Does the topic in question conflict with your personal beliefs? If so, you might want to refrain from answering if you can’t keep your objections to the topic to yourself. Remember, if the user is following the community guidelines correctly they are looking for an answer, not a fight.
• Is the Asker seeking unique and differing opinions, or a factual answer? If they’re asking for advice it might be best to refrain from answering with just an opinion.

Lack of courtesy can also happen when asking questions. Consider how your question will sound to Answerers before you post it.

• Does your question sound like it targets a certain group’s beliefs or opinions? Does it use words or phrases that you would find offensive if said about your beliefs or opinions? If so, you might want to rephrase it or ask a different question.
• Are you genuinely looking for an answer to your question, or are you provoking a debate? If you really do want to hear other’s opinions, ask for them – and treat your Answerers with respect.

Dissenting opinions can be very valuable to the community, as long as we all remember to be respectful and courteous.

Yahoo!7 Answers Team

It’s time to introduce the second of our prestigious panelists in the Yahoo!7 Answers/ Be a Better Planet $50,000 question competition – environmental organisation Planet Ark’s well known founder Jon Dee.

Jon was just 27 when he set up Planet Ark to help show people and businesses the many ways they can reduce their day to day impact on the environment. More than 13,000 Australian businesses now have Planet Ark recycle bins in their offices and nearly 4 million printer cartridges have been recycled through the organization, diverting thousand of tones of waste from ending up as landfill. Planet Ark is also behind National Recycling Week, National Tree Day and a whole host of other earth friendly initiatives.

Jon gave us the story beind his dedication to saving the planet and some tips on how to better reduce your own carbon footprint

When did you first become passionate about environmental issues?
I’ve been keen on nature since I was a kid, but it turned into a passion in the eighties when I watched a movie starring Charlie Boorman called ‘Emerald Forest’ about rainforest destruction. Within a week of seeing it, I managed to get a full time job at a rainforest protection organisation

What do you do in your own daily life to reduce carbon emissions?
I’ve signed my home up to have 100% Government accredited GreenPower with the renewable energy company Jackgreen. That is the single biggest thing that the average person can do in the fight against climate change.

Back in 1992, I also switched all my incandescent lights over to energy saver lights, which has saved me a fortune over the years. I also own a hybrid Prius car but mainly travel up to four hours a day by train to get to and from my office in Sydney. That’s not as bad as it sounds as I manage to work while I’m on the train.

I also make sure that I turn off all electricity devices at the plug at night and when they’re not in use. That takes away the risk of fire when I’m asleep and it knocks up to 10% off my electricity bills (my Dad was a fireman so unplugging things at night was drummed into me from birth!).

How can companies make their offices more environmentally friendly?
Make sure employees use recycling bins that recycle more than just office paper. Not letting people put recyclables in the rubbish bin, switching to energy saving light globes, activating the EnergyStar setting on their electrical goods, buying energy efficient products and giving people reusable coffee mugs and refillable water bottles (that can be filled by a water filter in the company kitchen).

What is one really simple thing people can start doing right now to reduce global warming?
Switch to GreenPower. Visit www.GreenPowerPriceWatch.com.au to find out what the best deals are for GreenPower in your State. It is a site I set up to help people make the switch.

How can people make their homes more environmentally friendly?

Buying energy efficient products and turning the thermostat down by one degree and turning off unused electrical appliances at the wall is a definite way to have a safer house and cheaper bills.

Again, there are many places online that will give you a variety of tips on what you can do.

Is Australia lagging behind other countries in terms of reducing carbon emissions and generally being environmentally friendly?

Yes and we must do more. The one good thing is that the Government took my idea I gave them of phasing out incandescent globes over 3 years so that we could ban them in favour of energy saving light globes. The rest of the world is following our example on that front, which is great!

Do you think people have their heads in the sand when it comes to climate change?
To a degree but it’s changing rapidly. Green is once again the new black!

Jon will be one of the judges scrutinising every entry that answers the question How would you spend $50,000 to create a more sustainable environment in Australia?, with the best answer to receive the money to put towards the cause that they have nominated. There is still time left for you to contribute your idea and have it read by Jon and his fellow judges, but don’t forget to register first.

his week’s featured user is a guru of all things humanities – and is thus named The Oracle. With a best answer rate above fifty percent, 32 fans on his list and more than 9 thousand points, he is a highly successful level 5 user.

The Canberra based Oracle has a diverse and busy lifestyle and his passions include dancing, drama, theatre, literature, scuba diving, kayaking and art. In his professional life he is a technology consultant and a manager in the area of education, with qualifications in computer science and law. You’re most likely to get an answer from The Oracle if you post a question about any one of Shakespeare’s plays – particularly Romeo and Juliet, if you need help with your homework or if you are interested in poetry, history or trivia. The Oracle even has a winning answer to the age old question – ‘What came first, the chicken or the egg?’ His broad range of life experience means that there’s unlikely to be a that The Oracle can’t answer!

In his own words –

“I enjoy Yahoo!7 Answers because it’s a great way to reflect on knowledge I have already developed, to help other people and to discover new things. As an education technologist, I’m also professionally interested in how communities like Yahoo!7 Answers supports the pedagogical concept of “informal learning” – learning what you need, when you need it – and there’s no better way to investigate the potential of a new tool than to become immersed in using it.”

The Oracle obviously enjoys learning and sharing what he knows with other people. Keep an eye out for him next time you need help with a homework question or are struggling to find the right rhyme for your poem!

Today I’d like to introduce you to the first of our Be a Better Planet judges, none other than Jason Hodges, the resident landscaper from the hit Channel 7 show Better Home and Gardens. Jason will be part of the team selecting the winning answer to the most important question to be posted on Yahoo!7 Answers yet – How would you spend $50,000 to create a more sustainable environment in Australia?

Because he works all days with flowers and all things green, Jason is passionately aware of environmental issues and has been ever since he was 7 years old. We caught up with Jason and asked him the following questions about his involvement with environmental issues –

What is your biggest concern about the state of Australia’s environment?
The fact that I went to Brisbane last week and the loss of plants and tree shrubs is going to take generations to repair due to lack of rain – the Murray is drying up – lack of water in our dams is a major concern. It hasn’t just become an issue, it has been an issue for the last 20 years or more – and with an extra 6 million people in that time… we all need to be doing something. If we save a litre of water a day that is 20 million litres of water a day and 140 million litres a weeks and so on and so on.

What do you do in your own daily life to reduce carbon emissions?
I am conscious of trying not to waste energy. I do drive a ute for work due to landscaping every day but I don’t drive everywhere if I don’t have to. Simple things like leaving lights off, I hate packaging on products so buy products with the least amount, use recycling bins… all this impacts our landfill and hence carbon emissions. They are simple things to do and we need to think in simple terms but realise the amount of impact it can have.

How can people make their homes more environmentally friendly?

• Think about your water and energy use.
• Think about what you are throwing into your bin – recycle – don’t throw an aluminum can in your bin. Sort it out.
• Save water, by doing what I do and having a bucket in your shower to catch all the cold water when you first start a shower – use that water in the bucket for your garden. I put a brick in the toilet cistern… it saves 2 litres a flush.
• Don’t think you can’t fit a water tank in your garden. I have one of the world’s smallest gardens – 15 x 3 metres and I have a slim line water tank you wouldn’t even know was there.
• I have insulation in my roof – so not only is it soundproof but warmer in winter and cooler in summer- so I don’t use heater or air conditioner.

Do you think people have their heads in the sand when it comes to climate change?
No but I think people think “How can I make a difference? I am one in 20 million, it doesn’t matter if I leave a light on.”- We have to stop taking our environment for granted and feel overwhelmed by it and simply change our attitude.

According to Jason the most simple thing you can do today to help reduce global warming is to plant a tree – and as a landscaper he certainly does plenty of that!

We’ll be introducing you to the other judges over the coming weeks, but in the meantime if you haven’t already contributed your thoughts to the $50,000 question make sure you register here first and get your thinking cap on!

Clea

Reading can distract you from anything!

Being a regular on public transport, I am also a big reader. I spend at least an hour a day travelling, and as much of that time as possible with my nose buried in a book. My local library has cottoned on to this fact and set up a stall near my station, which means I can drop off an old book and grab a new one on my way to work.

But what to read? The latest and final instalment in the Harry Potter series won’t be available for several weeks, and I have read the most recent book by my favourite ‘chicklit’ writer and each one that has come before it.

It is always a good idea when choosing a book to ask what other people thought of it – or get them to list their all time favourites – if you are like minded in other things often you will have the same taste in literature. I am a big fan of crime novels and biographies so if I can get something from that genre recommended to me I’m happy.

As I have a love of literature I also enjoy discussing it with people, interpreting the meanings and messages behind both and modern bestseller and finding out which books had the biggest impact on their lives. One book that I find unforgettable is The Secret History by Donna Tartt, a dark exploration into what happens after a group of young friends plan and commit murder.

If you have any questions about memorable reads or even about publishing a book of your own there is always someone willing to help on Answers.

Clea

In April, Yahoo! announced that it would be going carbon neutral and turned to the Answers community to decide how we would do that.In Australia, we want to share what we know and today we launched a new site, Be a Better Planet. It is all about empowering Australians to take action against climate change and is designed to keep you up to date with the latest tips, news and ways to take action. If you go to the site you can learn how to become more environmentally conscious at home, how to save money while you save the environment and you can even find out about ‘green’ movies and actors who support the push to fight climate change.

In honour of this exciting new site, Yahoo!7 will be giving $50,000 to a project that will help to create a more sustainable environment in Australia. This is where comes in!

We are seeking your ideas and suggestions on how you think $50,000 could be best spent to save the Australian environment. If you are in Australia, you have until the 8^th of June to log on and share your ideas, after which time the money will be contributed to a not for profit organisation that will implement the initiative. If your idea wins, we will fly you to an event in Sydney where your idea will be presented.

How can I be part of this?

1. Get yourself a Yahoo! ID (if you haven’t already) and sign up to Answers on the Yahoo!7 Answers site. You can do both here.
2. Go to the Be A Better Planet Answers registration page and fill out the form.
3. Click on the link to tell us your idea.

You may well be wondering who will be involved in choosing the best answer for such an important question. Yahoo!7 has gathered six prestigious panellists who will work together to choose the final winner – including Yahoo! Chief and Co-founder David Filo, Planet Ark Founder Jon Dee, University of Technology Sydney Professor of Environmental Science Derek Eamus, All Saints actor Virginia Gay, New Idea Editor Robyn Foyster and the CEO of our very own Yahoo!7 Ian Smith.

Keep an eye on the Yahoo!7 Answers blog over the next couple of weeks to learn more about these great people and their involvement in environmental awareness.

We are all looking forward to reading your great ideas on how you would use $50,000 to create a more sustainable environment in Australia.

 Perceptive Answerers may have noticed a few changes to our Category List over recent days. First of all, the Environment & Ecology category no longer exists under Science & Mathematics. That’s because environmental issues are so popular amongst the community that we’ve given the topic its own space, complete with new subcategories. The Environment category in now located top level in the Category List and can be found on the Answers Home Page.

The new subcategories in Environment are Alternative Fuel Vehicles, Conservation, Climate Change, Green Living, and General – Environment. Current questions about any of these topics will be moved into their new locations.

In addition, we’ve added a few of the most requested categories from the community. You’ll now find a Horses category under Pets, a Dream Interpretation category under Social Science, and we’ve added People with Disabilities and Seniors categories under Cultures & Groups.

We’ve also added a few categories based on some of the more popular topics on Answers, for example you’ll now find Camping and Climbing categories under Outdoor Recreation. We’ve also added some categories dedicated to popular websites under Internet, including Facebook, Flickr, Google, MSN, MySpace, Wikipedia, and YouTube.

Lastly, we couldn’t ignore the growing popularity of consumer gaming consoles. That’s why we’ve updated Games & Gear with Nintendo Wii, PlayStation, and Xbox subcategories.

These are just a few of the changes we’ve made to the Category List so keep your eyes peeled for new categories and remember to place your questions in the appropriate areas.

Clea

Two weeks ago we started a new series of blog posts aimed at digging deeper into the Answers Community Guidelines. In that post, we started things off light by tackling “Do #1: Share what you know.”

This time around, let’s take a look at “Don’t #1: Don’t use Yahoo!7 Answers as a soapbox to vent your frustrations, rant, or otherwise violate the question and answer format

Answerers with specialised interests, experience and in many cases training, spend countless hours sharing their knowledge and opinions with others in our community. This works out well, but where does the line between quality Q&A and community violation actually exist?

Let’s take a look at the following question:

Now let’s look at some possible answers:

Answer 1: “I hate the Ford Focus! Anyone that puts more money into one that has already had problems is an idiot! Don’t be stupid. Ford sucks.”

Answer 1 is a violation, but some might still ask, “Why is this in violation?”

The Answerer who posted this wasn’t really looking to answer the question. Instead, they used their answer as an opportunity to take out their frustrations on the Asker. The Asker isn’t looking to be attacked for their decision to own a Ford vehicle. They’re asking how to change a timing belt, and if you read the details they are explicitly looking for advice on ways to get started.

Answer 2: “Nice question! I want to know the answer to this also. Let me know when you get an answer”

Answer 2 is also a violation. In this case, the Answerer does not actually answer the question. It’s true that they aren’t being mean, harassing anyone, or venting to the community, but we have to keep in mind that Answers is a community based on questions and answers. Q&A is our focus, so if you’re posting responses that aren’t actually answers to questions, you’re not helping the Asker find what they are looking for. If you want to keep an eye on a question, you can always add it to your Watchlist so you can revisit it later and read the answers.

As we all know, questions can violate the Community Guidelines also. Let’s take a look at a question that would qualify as a violation:

As you can see, this question is in violation of the Community Guidelines because the person that posted this isn’t actually asking a question at all. Instead, they are using Answers solely for the purposes of ranting.I hope this helps clarify some of our Community Guidelines. We’ll continue our exploration of Community Guidelines Dos and Don’ts in future posts like this. Let us know what you think.

Clea