Anniversary
8 years ago
Thursday, September 3, 2009
International agreement reached to combat illegal fishing
http://www.gmagazine.com.au/news/1546/international-agreement-reached-combat-illegal-fishing
Roof insulation rebate hides solar penalty
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26017225-3102,00.html
Human Waste Dumped in the Antarctic
http://www.theage.com.au/environment/big-stink-brews-in-antarctica-20090902-f8fq.html
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Another whale gets caught in a Shark Net - how unexpected... not!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/02/2673935.htm
I've said it before and I will say it again -shark nets are stupid and unethical. They give the public the illusion of safety* while providing none and killing thousands of sharks, turtles, fish, dolphins, birds, whales and everything else each year.
One day I'm going to stop whinging and do something about this... Preferably campaign for all nets to be exchanged for devices that create electromagnetic fields to deter sharks. It would be safer for the public and far less deadly.
* If you aren't aware, most shark nets on beaches do not, in fact close off the beach with a big net (in most cases nets would have to go too deep and wide for this to be cost effective), they are simply aimed at killing sharks to reduce population numbers in the area - assuming this will protect swimmers. Considering the research currently coming out about the behaviour of species like the Great White Shark (who travel great distances and are rarely in the same place for long) this seems incredibly unlikely to be at all effective. Hence, we are aiming to kill members of a very vulnerable group of species for no reason. This is a crime going on unnoticed beneath our noses.
I've said it before and I will say it again -shark nets are stupid and unethical. They give the public the illusion of safety* while providing none and killing thousands of sharks, turtles, fish, dolphins, birds, whales and everything else each year.
One day I'm going to stop whinging and do something about this... Preferably campaign for all nets to be exchanged for devices that create electromagnetic fields to deter sharks. It would be safer for the public and far less deadly.
* If you aren't aware, most shark nets on beaches do not, in fact close off the beach with a big net (in most cases nets would have to go too deep and wide for this to be cost effective), they are simply aimed at killing sharks to reduce population numbers in the area - assuming this will protect swimmers. Considering the research currently coming out about the behaviour of species like the Great White Shark (who travel great distances and are rarely in the same place for long) this seems incredibly unlikely to be at all effective. Hence, we are aiming to kill members of a very vulnerable group of species for no reason. This is a crime going on unnoticed beneath our noses.
Imperilled crocs get some Victorian help
http://www.theage.com.au/national/imperilled-crocs-get-some-victorian-help-20090901-f6y5.html
Festival of GDP worship must end! (Crikey)
http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=2430
Charcoal the way of the future for Carbon Sequestration?
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/its-no-drain-on-the-brain-to-see-that-this-is-a-potential-carbon-sink-we-need-to-explore-20090901-f6df.html
"The world according to Monsanto" - Ethical Consumer Group Meeting in Melbourne
Ethical Consumer Group September meeting - Thursday - 10th September >> 6.30 - 7.30pm - dinner - byo 'food and thoughts' to share >> 8pm - 10.30pm - movie & discussion. Nick & Janet's place, Footscray. RSVP for further details. Nick Ray 0417 114 492 email: nick (at) ethical.org.au The Ethical Consumer Group meets monthly to discuss aspects of living out sustainable alternatives in a consumerist culture.
Jess: I went to one of the Ethical Consumer Group meetings earlier in the year and I highly recommend them - they are very imformative and thought provoking.
Jess: I went to one of the Ethical Consumer Group meetings earlier in the year and I highly recommend them - they are very imformative and thought provoking.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Living Lightly Eco-Tip for September
This month's Eco-Tip:
If you belong to a local church, find out if there are plans for a service that raises awareness and encourages action around the Copenhagen climate talks in December. If not, ask the relevant person if this could be included in the Spring's programme.
If you belong to a local church, find out if there are plans for a service that raises awareness and encourages action around the Copenhagen climate talks in December. If not, ask the relevant person if this could be included in the Spring's programme.
Do you Feed the Ducks?
Feeding ducks is often a family favourite activity. Unfortunately feeding ducks bread is widely considered to cause more harm than good.
Bread is like junk food for ducks. It has very little nutritional value yet they love it! If eaten in moderation bread does little harm. However, if you consider the ducks at local ponds who are eating bread not just from your family but the families that visit before and after you, you can see that before long the birds have eaten much more bread than they should.
Feeding bread to birds in general can cause a whole lot of problems including malnutrition, gut problems, aggressive behaviour, and spread of disease. Unfortunately many of these problems can result in death.
Please visit our website to find out more about this and for some bread alternatives. www.ourenvironment.org.au
Bread is like junk food for ducks. It has very little nutritional value yet they love it! If eaten in moderation bread does little harm. However, if you consider the ducks at local ponds who are eating bread not just from your family but the families that visit before and after you, you can see that before long the birds have eaten much more bread than they should.
Feeding bread to birds in general can cause a whole lot of problems including malnutrition, gut problems, aggressive behaviour, and spread of disease. Unfortunately many of these problems can result in death.
Please visit our website to find out more about this and for some bread alternatives. www.ourenvironment.org.au
Event: Bushcare Activity!
Yes, another special opportunity is open for Gungahlin residents. Come and actively help your special Mulligans Flat.
We will be helping Ranger Grant spread Kangaroo Grass seed over areas that were damaged when erecting the Sanctuary Fence. Reseeding these areas is vitally important to prevent weeds such as Serrated Tussock taking hold.
When? Tuesday 22 September
10am – 12pm
Where? Mulligans Flat Carpark
Bring? Gloves, eye protection (such as sunglasses)
BYO Lunch
We hope to see you there!
We will be helping Ranger Grant spread Kangaroo Grass seed over areas that were damaged when erecting the Sanctuary Fence. Reseeding these areas is vitally important to prevent weeds such as Serrated Tussock taking hold.
When? Tuesday 22 September
10am – 12pm
Where? Mulligans Flat Carpark
Bring? Gloves, eye protection (such as sunglasses)
BYO Lunch
We hope to see you there!
Event: "An Introduction to Bird Watching"
Ever wondered what that pretty bird trilling away in the garden was? This is the perfect workshop for those of us who like birds but don't know much about them.
Learn from a bird expert. This workshop will start at Mulligans Flat where you will be given a "theory" lesson of how to successfully bird watch and identify some species of birds. Then you will put your new knowledge into practise with a walk around Mulligans Flat spotting and learning more about birds.
When? September 19, 8:30am
Where? Mulligans Flat Carpark off Amy Ackman St, Forde
All workshops are FREE
To register phone 6229 3204 or email bushcare@consact.org.au
Learn from a bird expert. This workshop will start at Mulligans Flat where you will be given a "theory" lesson of how to successfully bird watch and identify some species of birds. Then you will put your new knowledge into practise with a walk around Mulligans Flat spotting and learning more about birds.
When? September 19, 8:30am
Where? Mulligans Flat Carpark off Amy Ackman St, Forde
All workshops are FREE
To register phone 6229 3204 or email bushcare@consact.org.au
Creation Care Covenant
Covenants can be a great way to encourage people to make a real commitment to change. The following covenant originates in the US, but is just as relevant to Christians and churches here:
"We recognize that creation care is a part of the call to Christian discipleship. We are committed to integrating biblical principles of environmental stewardship into the life of our church. As first steps, we commit ourselves to improving our energy conservation practices, reducing waste through recycling, and promoting greater concern for God's creation. We seek to learn more about the impact of climate change, species loss, and other environmental problems on the vulnerable poor, doing our part to address these concerns for the benefit of all."
I encourage you to make use of this covenant as a tool in greening your lives and congregations. Let me know if you would like your commitment listed on this blog.
"We recognize that creation care is a part of the call to Christian discipleship. We are committed to integrating biblical principles of environmental stewardship into the life of our church. As first steps, we commit ourselves to improving our energy conservation practices, reducing waste through recycling, and promoting greater concern for God's creation. We seek to learn more about the impact of climate change, species loss, and other environmental problems on the vulnerable poor, doing our part to address these concerns for the benefit of all."
I encourage you to make use of this covenant as a tool in greening your lives and congregations. Let me know if you would like your commitment listed on this blog.
Christian Ecology Link prayer topic for today
The Copenhagen Summit in December has been described as “the last chance for the planet.” Churches Together in Britain and Ireland have put out a programme of resources to encourage churches to observe Creation Time from today till October 4th – which has been designated Climate Change Day of Prayer. “In the face of mounting evidence that we are heading for runaway climate change and massive losses in biodiversity, we need an international treaty to bind governments to drastic and immediate cuts in carbon emissions, but this requires courageous and far-sighted political leadership to transform our economy and many aspects of our culture.” Website: www.ctbi.org.uk/375
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