Australia will need to create a wildlife corridor spanning the continent to allow animals and plants to move to cope with the effects of global warming. The impacts of climate change should be less severe in systems that remain intact and healthy. The 2,800-kilometre climate ‘spine’ has been approved in principle by state and national …
Let’s clear the smoke on the claim that fire is as damaging as logging. Carbon is stored both above and below ground. Forest parts above ground lose roughly 800 tonnes per ha when logged and burnt. Using figures both Federal and State governments have been quoting in parliament, the recent fires sent less than 40 …
Federal ALP leader Kevin Rudd took a further step to the right on July 23 when he announced full support for logging old-growth forests in Tasmania. Rudd also announced his support for Gunns Ltd’s $2 billion pulp mill project proposed for the Tamar Valley, north of Launceston, in the federal electorate of Bass. Responding to …
We have to be very careful of applauding carbon-trading schemes as the solution to reducing emissions. The NSW government’s greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme is so flawed some participants are rewarded for ‘cutting pollution’ when their emissions have in fact increased. Researchers at the University of NSW showed two Queensland coal-fired power stations earned millions …
These comments from the State of the Environment (SoE) report 2008 – Inappropriate fire regimes (too much or too little fire) threaten the persistence and condition of some species and ecosystems. Uncertainty exists over optimal levels of planned burning in Victoria for ecological benefits and protection from wildfire. Human sources of ignition account for at …
There were 233 bulldozers out there pushing our forests, streams and mountainsides around during the peak of last summer’s fires. The bulk of these massive clearing operations did naught to slow or stop the drought-fuelled fires, but it did give the impression that something important was being done by lots of blokes on big machines. …
Shooting, climate change, drought and more frequent El Ninos have reduced water bird numbers by 82% from 1983 to 2004. The 2007 survey shows water bird populations have dropped even further. Polls have shown that 87% of Labor respondents, 83% of Liberal/National Party supporters and 98% of Greens voters want the recreational shooting of native …
Two critically endangered plants have been found in a controversial area that was left out of the new East Gippsland reserved areas before last year’s state election. The State Herbarium has verified their identity The exciting discovery of the small stand of about 100 plants was made during our Forests Forever Easter camp in 2007. …
The Prime Minister’s stacked Emissions Trading Task Group is comprised of airline, coal, banking, aluminium and mining interests, as well as hand-picked bureaucrats. What’s missing is any objectivity – there was not a single scientist, enviro rep. or independent person. The terms of reference required the group to protect the coal and uranium industries at …
Burning forests for power – back on agenda If Mr Bracks wants to increase drought and weather extremes in the state, he’s doing a great job, but they’ll need an army of spin doctors to sell this latest one to the public. The Bracks government is again planning to generate power by burning Victoria’s native …
