Here's the wrap on this week's eco news :)
Debate on the construction of a bridge over Daintree resurfaces
In far North Queensland, the controversial idea to build a bridge over the World Heritage Daintree river has resurfaced. Currently, a ferry carried cars over the river however recently, congestion has left vehicles queuing for two hours to get across. Environmentalists and sustainability groups are petitioning against the bridge saying it will destroy the surrounding rainforest with increased traffic and construction works. The idea has been raised and dismissed in the past, the council will vote again on whether or not to explore the possibility.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-28/new-mayor-floats-daintree-bridge-idea/12189894
NASA satellites record new data showing the extent of melting ice
Satellites are helping NASA scientists gain a more holistic analysis of both Greenland and Antarctica’s melting ice. Scientists estimate that this contributes to approximately a third of the sea level rises that we are observing at the moment with an average rise of 14 millimeters every 16 years. This rate is also accelerating by 3.4 millimeters per year, which puts the planet in a very serious situation. While the satellites are helping NASA survey Greenland and Antarctica on a large scale, they are urging countries to engage in more field work, particularly Australia as our base is located in East Antarctica where relatively little is known about the melting ice.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-05-01/nasa-satellites-ice-loss-in-antarctica-greenland-sea-level-rise/12200748
Decline in shark species worrying for ecosystems
Locals and scientists have recently noticed almost an entire absence of great white sharks in False Bay, South Africa. Where many species of shark used to live in abundance but have experienced sharp declines, concerns are mounting about the fishing industry and its potentially detrimental effect on marine ecosystems. Many small shark species are being overfished, slipping through loopholes in fishing regulations, and leaving larger sharks like the great white without a major part of their diet. Conservationists and activists are urging Australian’s, whose seafood is mostly imported, to choose sustainably caught seafood and call for tighter restrictions and more transparency in the industry.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-02/false-bay-great-white-sharks-australian-fish-and-chips-flake/12172090
Angus Taylor caught up in illegal use of herbicide on critically endangered grassland
The company Jam Land, part owned by Angus Taylor and directed by the environment minister’s brother has been found to have illegally poisoned up to 28.5 hectares of critically endangered natural temperate grassland on a property in NSW. The conclusions of the investigation by the federal environment department have resulted in calls from the labour and greens parties to immediately sack Mr Taylor who has been repeatedly exposed for questionable behaviour. There are also concerns about a meeting that took place during the investigation in which Mr Taylor is suspected to have requested the changing of certain laws in order to be exempt from the regulations. Jam Land escaped a fine but is required to restore the grasslands over the next 6 years.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/30/angus-taylor-jam-land-company-part-owned-illegally-poisoned-endangered-grasslands-investigation-finds
Oil and gas company under pressure to set greenhouse targets
Australia’s largest oil and gas company, Woodside Petroleum, has had more than 50% of its shareholders calling on the company to set ambitious greenhouse gas targets in line with the Paris agreement. While the vote is not binding, activists are celebrating what seems to be the largest, investor-pushed climate resolution in such a company. Woodside will now have to explain how it plans to reduce its emissions to levels in accordance with less than 2 degrees celsius of warming if it wants to maintain the trust and support of its shareholders.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/may/01/investors-call-on-australias-largest-oil-and-gas-company-to-set-greenhouse-targets
Debate on the construction of a bridge over Daintree resurfaces
In far North Queensland, the controversial idea to build a bridge over the World Heritage Daintree river has resurfaced. Currently, a ferry carried cars over the river however recently, congestion has left vehicles queuing for two hours to get across. Environmentalists and sustainability groups are petitioning against the bridge saying it will destroy the surrounding rainforest with increased traffic and construction works. The idea has been raised and dismissed in the past, the council will vote again on whether or not to explore the possibility.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-28/new-mayor-floats-daintree-bridge-idea/12189894
NASA satellites record new data showing the extent of melting ice
Satellites are helping NASA scientists gain a more holistic analysis of both Greenland and Antarctica’s melting ice. Scientists estimate that this contributes to approximately a third of the sea level rises that we are observing at the moment with an average rise of 14 millimeters every 16 years. This rate is also accelerating by 3.4 millimeters per year, which puts the planet in a very serious situation. While the satellites are helping NASA survey Greenland and Antarctica on a large scale, they are urging countries to engage in more field work, particularly Australia as our base is located in East Antarctica where relatively little is known about the melting ice.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-05-01/nasa-satellites-ice-loss-in-antarctica-greenland-sea-level-rise/12200748
Decline in shark species worrying for ecosystems
Locals and scientists have recently noticed almost an entire absence of great white sharks in False Bay, South Africa. Where many species of shark used to live in abundance but have experienced sharp declines, concerns are mounting about the fishing industry and its potentially detrimental effect on marine ecosystems. Many small shark species are being overfished, slipping through loopholes in fishing regulations, and leaving larger sharks like the great white without a major part of their diet. Conservationists and activists are urging Australian’s, whose seafood is mostly imported, to choose sustainably caught seafood and call for tighter restrictions and more transparency in the industry.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-02/false-bay-great-white-sharks-australian-fish-and-chips-flake/12172090
Angus Taylor caught up in illegal use of herbicide on critically endangered grassland
The company Jam Land, part owned by Angus Taylor and directed by the environment minister’s brother has been found to have illegally poisoned up to 28.5 hectares of critically endangered natural temperate grassland on a property in NSW. The conclusions of the investigation by the federal environment department have resulted in calls from the labour and greens parties to immediately sack Mr Taylor who has been repeatedly exposed for questionable behaviour. There are also concerns about a meeting that took place during the investigation in which Mr Taylor is suspected to have requested the changing of certain laws in order to be exempt from the regulations. Jam Land escaped a fine but is required to restore the grasslands over the next 6 years.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/30/angus-taylor-jam-land-company-part-owned-illegally-poisoned-endangered-grasslands-investigation-finds
Oil and gas company under pressure to set greenhouse targets
Australia’s largest oil and gas company, Woodside Petroleum, has had more than 50% of its shareholders calling on the company to set ambitious greenhouse gas targets in line with the Paris agreement. While the vote is not binding, activists are celebrating what seems to be the largest, investor-pushed climate resolution in such a company. Woodside will now have to explain how it plans to reduce its emissions to levels in accordance with less than 2 degrees celsius of warming if it wants to maintain the trust and support of its shareholders.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/may/01/investors-call-on-australias-largest-oil-and-gas-company-to-set-greenhouse-targets