Hello and welcome back. First and foremost, as I have been on holidays for the last month, I have not been able to post the weekly wrap-ups to my blog. However, if you are following my instagram (@green.t.blog) then you would have seen that I was still posting it on my instagram. So if you are keen to catch up on the last month of environmental news, head to my instagram for the run down of everything conservation, sustainability and culture.
Now to this week's weekly wrap-up! Its been another week of bushfire news - some good and some bad. But I also tried to look global for some overseas news to remind us all to be global citizens and understand that we all live on one interconnected planet. So here it is...
ACT in a state of emergency
With the Orroral Valley fire burning out of control in the ACT, a state of emergency has been declared for the first time since 2003. The fire is burning 8 kilometers from southern Canberra suburbs and authorities warn that it may break containment lines. This fire has burnt approximately 18 000 hectares since it started on January the 27th. A heatwave is causing temperatures above 40 degrees celsius in the state and creating hazardous bushfire conditions.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-31/act-in-state-of-emergency/11917546
Genetic modification to save honey bees
Scientists are experimenting with genetic modification in an effort to help build resilience in bee populations against Colony Collapse Disorder. This occurs when honey bees suddenly desert a hive when they are diseased. The new bacterium that has been created will give bees greater ability to fight off pathogens, in turn creating healthier hives and ensuring that the bees are able to continue to pollinate and produce honey. These are both essential contributions made by bees to the ecosystem which will face extreme challenges if bee populations continue to decline.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-01-31/honey-bees-insect-colony-collapse-varroa-mite-deformed-wing/11905980
Rescue missions for endangered Corroboree frog
The Australian Defence Force has been assisting threatened species experts gain access to remote areas of Kosciuszko National Park where protected areas for the corroboree frog were destroyed by bushfires. A number of enclosures were burnt killing several frogs and devastating their habitat. While the species is still secure thanks to breeding programs such as the one in Taronga Zoo, experts worry for the survival of the native frog which is critically endangered.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/30/defence-force-flies-experts-to-kosciuszko-in-corroboree-frog-rescue-mission
Trump reducing protection for American waterways
A policy change has left waterways in America vulnerable to pollution after the Trump administration reduced the types of waterways that are eligible for federal protection. This move was aimed at giving farmers more freedom in managing their land without worrying about protected waterways. However, environmental groups worry that this change will allow businesses to dump harmful pollutants in rivers as well as fill in wetlands creating huge strains on ecosystems and biodiversity and decreasing access to clean drinking water.
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/trump-rollback-could-leave-waterways-vulnerable-pollution-n1122481
Aussie bush regenerates after fires
The Australian bush is proving its resilience as it starts to regenerate itself after the devastating bushfires. For some plants known as “re-sprouters”, the bark on trees has protected the plant and the buds from fire. Now they are emerging as shoots of green to replace blackened branches. “Re-seeders” regrow from seeds that drop to the forest floor and germinate. While some fires are still burning, some parks are beginning to repair themselves. However all these plants need time to re-establish themselves. They won’t stand a chance against a second bushfire and can struggle with competition from weeds. This is the moment for all of us to help our national parks regenerate; pull out a weed next time you’re in the bush and leave only your footprints behind.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-01/natural-bushfire-recovery-underway-binna-burra,-blue-mountains/11916742
Now to this week's weekly wrap-up! Its been another week of bushfire news - some good and some bad. But I also tried to look global for some overseas news to remind us all to be global citizens and understand that we all live on one interconnected planet. So here it is...
ACT in a state of emergency
With the Orroral Valley fire burning out of control in the ACT, a state of emergency has been declared for the first time since 2003. The fire is burning 8 kilometers from southern Canberra suburbs and authorities warn that it may break containment lines. This fire has burnt approximately 18 000 hectares since it started on January the 27th. A heatwave is causing temperatures above 40 degrees celsius in the state and creating hazardous bushfire conditions.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-31/act-in-state-of-emergency/11917546
Genetic modification to save honey bees
Scientists are experimenting with genetic modification in an effort to help build resilience in bee populations against Colony Collapse Disorder. This occurs when honey bees suddenly desert a hive when they are diseased. The new bacterium that has been created will give bees greater ability to fight off pathogens, in turn creating healthier hives and ensuring that the bees are able to continue to pollinate and produce honey. These are both essential contributions made by bees to the ecosystem which will face extreme challenges if bee populations continue to decline.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-01-31/honey-bees-insect-colony-collapse-varroa-mite-deformed-wing/11905980
Rescue missions for endangered Corroboree frog
The Australian Defence Force has been assisting threatened species experts gain access to remote areas of Kosciuszko National Park where protected areas for the corroboree frog were destroyed by bushfires. A number of enclosures were burnt killing several frogs and devastating their habitat. While the species is still secure thanks to breeding programs such as the one in Taronga Zoo, experts worry for the survival of the native frog which is critically endangered.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/30/defence-force-flies-experts-to-kosciuszko-in-corroboree-frog-rescue-mission
Trump reducing protection for American waterways
A policy change has left waterways in America vulnerable to pollution after the Trump administration reduced the types of waterways that are eligible for federal protection. This move was aimed at giving farmers more freedom in managing their land without worrying about protected waterways. However, environmental groups worry that this change will allow businesses to dump harmful pollutants in rivers as well as fill in wetlands creating huge strains on ecosystems and biodiversity and decreasing access to clean drinking water.
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/trump-rollback-could-leave-waterways-vulnerable-pollution-n1122481
Aussie bush regenerates after fires
The Australian bush is proving its resilience as it starts to regenerate itself after the devastating bushfires. For some plants known as “re-sprouters”, the bark on trees has protected the plant and the buds from fire. Now they are emerging as shoots of green to replace blackened branches. “Re-seeders” regrow from seeds that drop to the forest floor and germinate. While some fires are still burning, some parks are beginning to repair themselves. However all these plants need time to re-establish themselves. They won’t stand a chance against a second bushfire and can struggle with competition from weeds. This is the moment for all of us to help our national parks regenerate; pull out a weed next time you’re in the bush and leave only your footprints behind.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-01/natural-bushfire-recovery-underway-binna-burra,-blue-mountains/11916742