Warning on over-exploitation of natural resources

Guardian

Human beings are using 30% more resources than our planet can replenish every year, according to the latest Living Planet Report. The report paints a bleak picture for the environment over coming decades if unsustainable trends continue, including increasing deforestation and barren lands, ballooning air and water pollution, and loss of biodiversity, particularly among marine species.

WWF and the other conservation groups responsible for the report believe we are running up an ecological debt of $4-4.5 trillion US dollars annually, based on estimates of the economic value furnished by healthy ecosystems.

posted by seamas on November 2, 2008 at 6:46 pm · filed under

Opposition puts price on Murray-Darling farm water saving

ABC News

The Australian Government needs to support infrastructure funding to the tune of $6 billion in order to help the Murray-Darling Basin, says the Federal Opposition. Farm infrastructure is the key to saving water and restoring flows according to the Opposition’s Climate Change and Water spokesman Greg Hunt.

posted by seamas on November 1, 2008 at 7:02 pm · filed under

Australia amongst the worst for environmental exploitation

WWF Australia

Australia’s ranking in the league table of the the world’s worst environmental exploiters has risen to fifth, according to the WWF’s Living Planet Report. Each Australian uses more land and water per person than the UK, China, Russia and India and it now takes 7.81 hectares to maintain the lifestyle of each Australian - up from 6.76 hectares per person in 2006.

posted by patrick on October 31, 2008 at 5:35 pm · filed under

Rethink needed on farming and food: ACF

ACF

According to a new report published by the ACF, Paddock to Plate: Food, Farming & Victoria’s Progress to Sustainability, current practices in the production, distribution and consumption of food in Victoria are unsustainable and demand a response from government. Some key issues raised in the report are:

• over-reliance on fossil fuels in food production and transport
• environmental degradation caused by agricultural practices
• food as a major source of household carbon pollution and water usage

posted by patrick on October 29, 2008 at 8:41 am · filed under

Government funding to benefit Great Barrier Reef runoff

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts

The Government claims the Great Barrier Reef will benefit from water quality improvements and reduced runoff thanks to the allocation of $23 million in funding to natural resource and industry groups. Part of a $200 million Reef Rescue package, the money will help farmers reduce the amount of fertilisers, chemicals and sediments entering waterways draining into the reef.

posted by seamas on October 24, 2008 at 4:05 pm · filed under

Tassie groups take out Landcare awards

ABC News

Recently announced Landcare awards have recognised the efforts of coastal and river conservation efforts in Tasmania. The Mount Roland Rivercare Catchment and Southern Coastcare Association took out national awards for the state.

posted by seamas on October 24, 2008 at 4:00 pm · filed under

Leading Scientists Call for Better Labelling and Regulation of Genetically Engineered Foods

Greenpeace

Fifteen leading scientists have called for a review of labelling and assessment guidelines for genetically engineered (GE) food. The scientists found strains of corn and canola that are not approved overseas because of dangerous side effects are due to enter Australian food supply this year.  They support the report released yesterday by Greenpeace which claimed that Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) was not adequately protecting consumers from GE food. Although the Federal Government last year committed to not approving GE crops unless it was beyond reasonable doubt that they were safe, FSANZ has approved every application it has received.

posted by jennifer on October 22, 2008 at 6:57 pm · filed under

Local Council Votes Unanimously Against Pulp Mill Pipeline

The Wilderness Society

West Tamar Council has unanimously voted to not allow Gunns to build a pulp mill pipeline on council land. The Wilderness Society has called on Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett to take heed of the local opposition to Gunns’ pulp mill, and grant no further approvals for the mill’s plans.

posted by jennifer on October 22, 2008 at 6:37 pm · filed under

$2 million fine for logging company

Sydney Morning Herald

The operator of one of Australia’s biggest native-forest clearing projects has been fined $2 Million - one of strongest federal actions taken against a logging company. The 26,000 hectare site on the Tiwi Islands, in the Northern Territory, is being cleared for plantation by Great Southern Plantations. The Federal Government found breaches of buffer zones set up to protect rainforest and wetlands.

posted by Vinnie on October 16, 2008 at 9:58 pm · filed under

Tiwi Islands forestry operations in breach of approval

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts Media Release

Forestry operators on the Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, are being ordered to pay up to $2 million dollars in reparations after the Ministry for Heritage and the Environment found them in breach of approval. Mr Garrett said clearing carried out at the plantations between 2004 and 2006 had encroached on required buffer zones which protected important rainforests and wetlands. The project’s approval stipulated that clearing was not to occur within set buffer zones designed to protect important rainforest and wetland habitats used by threatened species protected under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

posted by ruby on October 16, 2008 at 10:26 am · filed under