Conservationists object to Tasmanian mining exploration

The Wilderness Society has lodged an objection to the granting of a mining exploration license in the Cox Bight–Melaleuca area of South West Tasmania, because it believes mining will threaten the local environment.

The region provides habitat for endangered species such as the orange-bellied parrot and has been recommended for World Heritage listing by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.

posted by seamas on January 23, 2008 at 1:47 pm · filed under

Refuelling Japanese ship a genuine research vessel

The Australian Government says the Japanese ship Shonan Maru II is a genuine research vessel, conducting non-lethal research on whale numbers in Antarctic waters under a program endorsed by the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission (IWC).

posted by seamas on January 23, 2008 at 1:41 pm · filed under

“The march of progress is not always linear”

In a return to “old school” sail-power, the world’s first kite powered ship is this week undertaking her maiden voyage, from Germany to Venezuela. The 10,000 tonne MS Beluga uses the computer guided kite in conjunction with her main engine to minimise reliance on fossil fuels, reducing the environmental impact of conventional shipping, as well as saving a potential $1,860 per day on fuel.

posted by Vinnie on January 22, 2008 at 9:53 pm · filed under

Ocean currents changed by aerosols

A CSIRO team has found that human-generated aerosols could be causing changes in temperature in both northern and southern hemisphere oceans, and causing the ocean water circulation system - which redistributes hot water from the south and cold water from the north to create a more equal temperature throughout the ocean - to be pushed further south. This change could force storms and winds towards the poles, and in doing so could result in less rainfall over southern Australia

posted by jennifer on January 22, 2008 at 9:57 am · filed under

Drought threatens fish species

The already endangered southern purple-spotted gudgeon, native to the Lower Murray wetlands, is edging closer to extinction due to shrinking habitat caused by lack of rainfall flowing into the Murray according to the Waterfind Environment Fund.

posted by Vinnie on January 21, 2008 at 4:18 pm · filed under

Sustainability Convergence (Melbourne)

“The Sustainability Convergence focuses on helping to align and define sustainability strategies across the social and environmental movements.”

posted by Vinnie on January 21, 2008 at 3:26 pm · filed under

Key questions hang over Bay dredging

Senior Scientists claim the Port of Melbourne Corporation has failed to answer serious questions about moving 150 years worth of polluted sediment from the mouth of the Yarra River as part of the Bay Dredging project due to commence on February 1st.

posted by Vinnie on January 21, 2008 at 3:02 pm · filed under