Overfishing threatens world food supplies

The Age

Despite Australia’s efforts to protect marine life, global fish stocks are collapsing due to overfishing. A key example is the jack mackerel - its numbers in the Southern Ocean have been decimated by 90% in just the last two decades. Now industrial fishing fleets are sailing further and further south into waters off Antarctica in search of catches, while the international community cannot agree on measures to make fishing sustainable. Oceanographer Daniel Pauly believes a major world power must take a stand and rally nations into action to protect fish stocks before it’s too late for them to rebound.

posted by seamas on January 30, 2012 at 7:27 am · filed under

Australia’s carbon price may not compete

Farm Weekly

A significantly lower carbon price in Europe will put “Australian business at a stark competitive disadvantage,” according to a National Party spokesperson. The Australian Government plans to introduce a flat $23 per tonne CO2 tax on high emitters in July. However, European financial giant Societe Generale’s assessment of stagnating EU economies and expanding low-carbon energy sources has curtailed its outlook for the continent’s carbon price, making Australia look like it could be sitting further out on a limb.

posted by seamas on January 23, 2012 at 7:33 am · filed under

Scientists slam flawed Murray-Darling rescue plan

Sydney Morning Herald

Top scientists have called on legislators to reject what they claim is a seriously flawed plan to save the Murray-Darling Basin. The Wentworth Group of scientists criticised the $9 billion infrastructure and water buy back plan proposed by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. The draft plan aims to return 2750 billion litres of water annually to environmental flows in the system, but scientists say there is no data to indicate that is enough to restore the basin to health. The group also notes that the draft plan fails to consider the potential impacts of drawing almost as much water from underground aquifers or future climate change.

posted by seamas on January 19, 2012 at 7:33 am · filed under

Gaps in Tassie forest deal implementation exposed

ACF

Environment groups claim the conservation agreement released today by the Tasmanian and Commonwealth governments fails to adequately deliver on the first key conservation outcome promised by the Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). The coalition of groups urged both governments to bring an immediate end to logging that has continued in forests earmarked for protection and shown to be home to endangered species.

UPDATE: Prime Minister Julia Gillard has defended implementation of the IGA, saying “99.5 per cent of the nominated area for interim protection is being protected,” while the conservation value of the forests is verified.

posted by seamas on January 13, 2012 at 1:49 pm · filed under

Peace deal looks flawed from Tassie treetops

Feature

Conservationist Miranda Gibson has spent weeks sitting 60 meters above the ground, at the top of a tree in the middle of Tasmania’s south-western wilderness. Miranda made the commitment to remain on her tree-top platform until the area of forest receives the protection that was promised by State and Federal governments in August 2011.

Read & Comment »

posted by ecomedia on January 7, 2012 at 2:38 pm · filed under

Land management link to wacky weather

Sydney Morning Herald

Landscape management expert Peter Andrews believes unpredictable weather across Australia is more likely due to widespread gross mismanagement of our land than the impact of global warming. Andrews briefed the Sydney Morning Herald’s Paul Sheehan on the direct connection between land use and weather systems, while also strongly criticising management of the Murray-Darling Basin and the cogency of the Australian Greens party.

posted by seamas on January 3, 2012 at 7:23 am · filed under

Sustainable Living Festival (Melbourne, Feb 11-26)

Held at Melbourne’s Federation Square and beyond, the two week Sustainable Living Festival raises awareness and provides tools for change by showcasing leading solutions to ecological and social challenges. The festival includes interactive workshops, talks, demonstrations, artworks, exhibits, films and live performances.

posted by seamas on January 3, 2012 at 5:04 am · filed under