Some people are sceptical. They say money and power rules all, politicians are corrupted and don't expect the fossil fuel industry to lay down and die, regardless of the heating planet.

But perhaps the money and power will shift to the newer cleaner energy. That seems to be happening now to some extent.

We wrote recently about watching Michael Moore's latest documentary Planet of the Humans, which is showing for free on YouTube. It highlights the ways in which solar panels and wind turbines are made, along with the clearing of natural areas so they can be built [let's not forget the environmental impact of fossil fuels and countless other products].

We put this to University of Newcastle Associate Professor Hao Tan, who is an international business and energy researcher.

Topics: "Some critics say renewables aren't as green as they seem because fossil fuels, land clearing and mining are needed to produce them? What do you think?"

Dr Tan: "More rigorous studies based on life cycle analysis indicate renewables are much more environment-friendly than fossil fuels, even taking into account emissions during manufacture, construction and fuel supply."

We also spoke to Sam Mella this week, of Beyond Zero Emissions. She's been working on plans for the Hunter to be home to a "renewable energy industrial precinct".

She said the precinct concept involves "stepping into the future of the manufacturing sector and taking the emissions out of the supply chain".

Companies like Apple and BHP were "looking to take emissions out of the supply chain in every stage from minerals processing through the manufacturing cycle, transport and the end destination".

Maybe the money and power is shifting.

Charlestown's Greg Gibson has made it home after riding 2690 kilometres across NSW.

We told Greg's story a few weeks back about how he was riding to raise money for the Mark Hughes Foundation. He aimed to raise $1500 and, so far, he's raised $2750.

In a family discussion over dinner on his first night home, Greg said the people he met on the way was a definite highlight, along with the "sense of freedom" he experienced.

The 65-year-old lost nine kilograms on his 37-day journey.

"I don't plan to regain the weight," he said.

"I feel disappointed it's all over. I'm keen to do another one."

The worst moments of the trip were riding in the rain, being bombed by magpies - one of which nipped him on the ear - and dealing with a slow puncture.

What's a wind turbine's favourite colour? Blew.