News: Fiji has two more rat-free islands

See: http://www.abc.net.au/ra/pacbeat/stories/201201/s3409426.htm

News: After 85-year Absence, Wolves Return to California

http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/43789

The Australian Marine Conservation Society's Sustainable Seafood Guide is now available online!

AMCS is proud to offer Australia's Sustainable Seafood Guide Online - the first online sustainability guide in Australia. Developed in response to growing public concerns about the state of our seas, it is designed to help you make informed seafood choices and play a part in swelling the tide for sustainable seafood.

Check it out at:
http://www.sustainableseafood.org.au/Sustainable-Seafood-Guide-Australia.asp?active_page_id=695


Now there is no excuse for buying unsustainable seafood!

Learn about Australia's Biodiversity and Report Sightings

Visit this awesome new website to explore information about Australia's animals and plants and to participate in citizen science by reporting what you have seen.

The Atlas of Living Australia:
http://www.ala.org.au/

'Extinct' frog species found alive after 30 years

A species of frog has been found alive in the New South Wales Southern Tablelands, more than 30 years after it was thought to have become extinct.

New South Wales Environment Minister Frank Sartor announced this morning the discovery of a population of yellow-spotted bell frogs.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/04/2836418.htm?section=justin


Awesome!

Rarest marsupial back from the brink

The world's rarest marsupial species will soon start up its third breeding colony thanks to a $750,000 fence.

http://www.theage.com.au/environment/rarest-marsupial-back-from-the-brink-20100305-pmxq.html

I don't know about back from the brink, but this is definately exciting.

Aussies get marine research gongs

Three Australian scientists have each received a prestigious award for their work in marine research.

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/aussies-get-marine-research-gongs-20100304-pl8m.html

Geothermal energy strike is close: Panax

A geothermal energy company is just weeks away from striking what could be the environmentally-friendly equivalent of oil in South Australia's southeast.

It is expected that Panax Geothermal's drilling rig at its Salamander-1 geothermal well in the Otway Basin near Penola will hit steam in just two weeks.

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-business/geothermal-energy-strike-is-close-panax-20100305-pmy0.html

Exciting!

Local fears as US backs bluefin tuna trade ban

Australia's lucrative but imperilled southern bluefin tuna fishery has come under scrutiny with moves towards a ban on trade in its northern hemisphere cousin.

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/local-fears-as-us-backs-bluefin-tuna-trade-ban-20100304-plsh.html

Well they should ban it here too.

Japan faces threat to sushi from US vote

JAPANESE hopes of keeping open a prized fishery suffered a severe blow yesterday when the US announced it would vote for a total ban on international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/japan-faces-threat-to-sushi-from-us-vote/story-e6frg6so-1225837127158

Yay, go the US!

A push to establish large marine sanctuaries

A new report has found there would be significant economic benefits associated with the creation of large marine sanctuaries in Western Australia's south.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/05/2837299.htm

Conservationists reject report questioning marine park

National conservation groups have dismissed a Marine Queensland report challenging the scientific case for protective zoning of the Coral Sea.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/05/2837547.htm

I told you it was nonsense...

More green lights for eco-friendly buildings

http://www.smh.com.au/business/more-green-lights-for-ecofriendly-buildings-20100302-pgc7.html

France builds biggest ever solar plant

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/france-builds-biggest-ever-solar-plant-20100303-pgp5.html

Go France! Of course they have tonnes of nuclear power too....

AUSTRALIA is to spend $30 million to protect forests on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, to tackle climate change.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/australia-to-pay-for-indonesian-forests/story-fn3dxity-1225836222517

Unexpected greenie steers city's future

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/unexpected-greenie-steers-citys-future-20100211-nuzs.html

Awesome Solar Panel Cross Installed at Caloundra Uniting Church!

Check out these awesome photos of the installation of the solar panel cross at Caloundra Uniting church. Great work by their Social Justice group! This is possibly the first installation of its kind in Australia.

I will include more information about this exciting story in the next Salt and Light Newsletter. If you aren't already on the list, email me at fiveleafecoawards at gmail.com to be included.

Religious Leaders meet Penny Wong

A single prophetic stance unified leaders from six different religions when they met with Penny Wong on October 27th. With the negotiations in Copenhagen around the corner, they advocated that Australia adopt corageous, ambitious targets for the sake of the world's poor and for future generations.
http://www.arrcc.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=296:religious-leaders-meet-penny-wong&catid=1:arrcc-news&Itemid=8

DVD: The Fair Trade Movie

The feature documentary The Fair Trade tells the story of Tamara Johnston who, devastated by the tragic death of her fiance, makes a bargain with God in exchange for a meaningful life. She and her twin sister Shelby join forces with brother-in-law Steven to start one of the first fair trade skincare companies—Anti-Body. Even as Tamara becomes a successful activist for human rights and social justice causes, despair over her loss remains unabated. As she nears the deadline of her bargain, a trip to Africa allows her to visit the fair trade co-op from which Anti-Body buys its organic shea butter. There, she finds a surprising answer to what is required of her in exchange for a sustainable life.
Website: www.thefairtrademovie.com

ACT sets ambitious emissions target

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/17/2744715.htm?section=justin