Australia

Volume 42 Number 2 April 2014

Returning

to Earth acfonline.org.au Volume 42 Number 2

habitat Australia is published by the Australian Conservation Foundation, News Regulars authorised by Don Henry CEO Inc. ABN 22 007 498 482 6 | Meet our new CEO 3 | | In this issue Melbourne (Head office) Floor 1, 60 Leicester St Carlton VIC 3053 20 | Heritage under threat 4 | | Proofsheet Ph: 03 9345 1111 Freecall 1800 332 510 Fax: 03 9345 1166 24 | We don our hats 5 | | Letter from the CEO Sydney Ph: 02 8270 9900 | Olkola | | Campaign updates Canberra 26 16 PO Box 2699, Canberra City, ACT 2601 Ph: 02 6247 2472 26 | | Ask the economist Cairns Features Suite 1/Level 1, 96 – 98 Lake St 27 | | EcoTravel Cairns QLD 4870 Ph: 07 4031 5760 Fax: 07 4031 3610 | | GreenHome Broome 7 30 PO Box 1868 (Lotteries House) Broome WA 6725 31 | | EarthKids Ph: 08 9192 1936 Fax: 08 9192 1936 www.acfonline.org.au/habitat iPad app available at www.acfonline.org.au/habitatapp ACF membership the fibs of fast fashion [email protected] 15 President Returning to Earth Professor Ian Lowe Like parasitic astronauts we live in extra- 18 Backyard bounty hunters Chief Executive Officer terrestrial cities, sucking the earth dry and Anne Martinelli dons a cape and mask with Don Henry excreting only rubbish. It’s time we approach the Darebin Fruit Squad, picking fruit from Editor nature through the lens of connectivity urban orchards to fill hungry bellies. Tabatha Fulker and start paying attention to the health [email protected] of our host, writes Tessa Fluence. Guest editor: Tessa Fluence Deputy editor: Jessie Borrelle 22 Production editor: Livia Cullen 10 Advertising Angie Leben Ph: 0407 087 040 [email protected] Design Hypergraphia | www.hypergraphia.com.au [email protected] Copyright Riverdance Reproduction in whole or in part may Livia Cullen follows the sound of only occur with the written permission of the editor. Views expressed in this Ringbalin clap sticks as Traditional magazine are not necessarily views of the Prescription: Nature Owners dance the spirit back into Australian Conservation Foundation. Nature deficit disorder is not a medical the Murray Darling river system. ISSN 0310 – 2939 diagnosis. It’s a metaphor. But Richard Cover image: Ngarrindjeri Elder Major Louv reckons it has real consequences 28 Connecting the dots ‘Muggi’ Sumner for our health and wellbeing. Photo: Ali Sanderson 29 Beyond the fence line habitat is printed on FSC® certified paper. 12 Yellowcake whitewash

2 In this issue Letters to the editor

Tessa Fluence Dear Tabatha, Subject: Re: You say you want a On page eight of the latest habitat it revolution? I’d like to tell you a story about returning to Earth. reads as though nearly 50 per cent No, I want evolution. After decades of mismanagement and a fierce drought, of native Australian mammals have Alex Burlow the mouth of the Murray-Darling river system was dy- gone extinct. I think what was meant ing. Watching his ancestral lands waste away, Uncle is that nearly 50 per cent of extinctions Major Sumner, Traditional Elder and Lore Man of the of mammals in the last 200 years have @AusConservation Ngarrindjeri people, knew what had to be done. occurred in Australia. According to the Don is a rare leader, with Dancers and storytellers from Traditional Nations all ‘Field Companion to the Mammals of such unique warmth and along the river’s 3000 kilometre course gathered at the Australia’ by Vandyke, Gynther and humility and strength of top of the Darling River. Together, they reawakened an Baker the number of mammal extinc- character. What an enormous ancient Ringbalin ceremony and danced the spirit back tions is 20 species and seven subspecies, contribution. @jslez into the river. a depressing number but far less than Night after night, they danced. And the rain fell. 50 per cent. (I think it might be close @AusConservation As Gwamu Elder Cheryl Buchanan says, “dancing to 50 mammal extinctions globally). Received my ACF member- with your feet connects you to the Earth.” Moreover many species have a much ship letter and copy of habitat Yet many of us don’t touch the Earth with our toes. reduced range over the last 200 years mag. Couldn’t be happier! Philosopher Michel Serres argues we live like astronauts, and are under threat from the usual As well as a No Junk Mail high above the ground in extra-terrestrial cities. suspects; feral cats, foxes and habitat sticker to stop those pesky We are parasitic citizens, sucking all the nutrients loss being prominent. peddlers from wasting paper. from the earth and excreting only rubbish. Parasites use I did enjoy reading this edition. @iWalrus11 their hosts — they take without giving back and weak- Kind regards, en without killing. But we astronauts confuse use with Raymond Gibson Please email letters to abuse. Our feet are so far from the ground that we do not [email protected] and include notice we are sucking our host dry. your name and address. Letters may In this issue of habitat, we look at coming back down be edited for length and clarity. to Earth. We share stories of growing our connection to Nature by Chloe, age 7 Join the habitat twitter nature: spending time outdoors, sharing our backyard Nature is so important ­conversation @AusConservation bounty, connecting the dots between islands of habitat or like us on Facebook I care for it all and pressing our ears to the land to hear its pulse. /AustralianConservationFoundation Beetles, bugs and flying birds With our feet in the dirt and our eyes to the sky, our re- I care for it all turn to Earth can only bring us — and our planet — hap- We are part of nature too piness and health. So we need to beware of what we do We should not litter all around In the air and on the ground Nature is so important I care for it all If it was not there We would not be here at all!

Suffering nature deficit disorder? For effective relief of symptoms, get your hands dirty and nurture some native wisteria, kangaroo paw, everlasting daisies or golden wattle. We have eight packets of Australian native seeds from the good people at Sow n Sow to give to eight lucky readers. Too much concrete in your life? For a chance to win, email [email protected] with ‘Sow n sow’ in the subject line. Include your name, address and telephone number. We will randomly chose six winners on 15 May. → sownsow.com.au

3 Proofsheet

Ormiston Gorge is a rugged red landscape in the MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs. Geologists believe it was created 300 to 500 million years ago when massive geological forces shifted rocks several kilometres until they lifted, cracked and came to stand upright. The rock walls have wildly fractured faces with

Photo: Bette Devine, ribbons of red and orange quartzite. Ghost gums MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory and spinifex cling to their rocky ledges.

→ Visit acfonline.org.au/habitat­ to download proofsheet images as your screen saver.

4 Letter from the CEO

Together, we have achieved great protection of the envi- But there is also another gift — learning and ronment over the last 50 years in Australia. This wide brown doing things differently. We have a vibrant cul- land, girt by a little green and a lot of sea, with its ark of ture and we are starting to develop an economy unique animals and plants, now has 120,000,000 hectares of that can be clean and efficient, and restore the land and 230,000,000 hectares of sea protected. environment. More than a million Australian The great wildflower clad Moreton and Fraser Islands. The households are doing this with solar panels on Great Barrier Reef: the only living thing on earth visible from their roofs. And many are restoring damaged the moon. Tropical rainforests, home to some of the earliest land and bringing back wildlife or willing our flowering plants—truly green dinosaurs. The best remaining taxpayer dollars towards these things. tropical savannah in the world across Cape York, the Kimberley Here’s the paradox. So much more is be- and the top end of Australia, known and managed by the oldest ing achieved for the environment, yet at the continuous culture on earth. same time the threats are greater and more Extensive oceans with turtles and marlin and even whale damaging. We have never had so much solar sharks. The sky scraping forests of Tasmania: the largest living power, yet we have never had so much carbon things that have ever existed on earth, alongside the redwoods pollution. We have never had so many are- of California. Precious river systems like the Murray-Darling as protected, but never so many ecosystems that occasionally cut through this dry, old continent. threatened. This is our blood and soul. This is being Australian. This is a What do we need to do? We should have high- gift to the world and future generations. er expectations for protection of the environment

Henry

Don Henry from all political parties. We vote in our represent- economy. Australian leadership for global action, protection and flies over the atives. We pay their salaries and we should hold the restoration of the beautiful life we share with this ancient con- Kimberley. Photo by them to account. All political parties should be tinent. Economics and business that make the environment and Leon Mead strong supporters of the environment. Currently people central to decision making, and celebrating this, is a core they are not. We should and can change this. part of what makes us Australian. We need business to ensure that the protec- Most importantly, I want to share with you the notion that we tion of our environment becomes core business. can do this together. Fifteen years as your CEO, what a privilege. We can champion those who do so and take Here is a Brisbane boy who learned under Premier Bjelke-Pe- away the social licence of those that do not. The terson that a small group of committed people could protect minerals, gas and most of the land in Australia Moreton Island from sandmining, and who today has seen ACF are owned by ‘we the people’ and we licence its supporters and people and organisations across our society use. Of course, we can each do our bit. We can working hand in hand to achieve great things. There is so much be thoughtful about whom we invest our super more to do, but as I join you as an ordinary member of ACF, I and mortgage in and what we buy, and strongly know that together we have the power to change the world for support environmental organisations. good. I look forward to each of us exercising that privilege well, What do we need at the end of the day? Strong and to having fun working with the great people from all walks action to cut carbon pollution and build a clean of life who make this possible along the way. Thank you.

5 News Our new We are excited to welcome Ms O’Shanassy, who takes up the our new CEO, Kelly O’Shanassy,­ position on 7 April, says, “I’m thrilled who steps in to follow nearly 16 to be joining such an influential organ- years of incredible leadership isation and an amazing team of peo- by Don Henry. Kelly comes ple. For nearly 50 years, ACF has been to us from a long and fruitful synonymous with protecting Austral- era leading Environment Vic- ia’s environment and the future of toria where she dramatical- all Australians, and I look forward to ly increased its supporter and continuing that legacy and building community engagement and on the tremendous work of outgoing built strong partnerships with a CEO Don Henry. I take on this role range of other organisations. knowing there has never been a more We thoroughly look forward to hav- important time for strong leadership ing Kelly on board. for Australia’s environment.”

In a very special edition of his popular underwater talk show Catch of the Bay, King George Check it out here Whiting chats to Philip Snapper acfonline.org.au/kelpus about the sustainable seafood program creating a splash in Port Philip Bay.

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6 Feature Returning

toTessa Fluence Earth

Not all that long ago, mountains were seen as warts and blisters disfiguring the earth. The sea was feared—despised even—for causing our planet’s wrinkles, scars and fractures. The way we think about nature has changed since then, but have we come far enough?

Before the eighteenth century, the beach was not a rain and mountains was not natural at all, but place for sunbaking or long walks hand-in-hand. Waves were not a hangover from the great biblical flood. Before an attraction but a horror—sudden outbursts of anger that high- the flood, there was paradise and no sea, storms lighted the anarchic nature of the coastline. As the tide spilled or rain. Burnet writes: up the beach each day, it was a reminder that God’s wrath might The face of the Earth before the Deluge again spill over. was smooth, regular and uniform, with- To seventeenth century thinkers, the Earth was God’s per- out mountains, and without Sea … it had fectly planned and beautifully designed book. In 1684, British the beauty of Youth and blooming Nature, theologian and writer Thomas Burnet argued the confusion of fresh and fruitful, and not a wrinkle, scar

7 Feature

Photo: or fracture in all its body; no Rocks nor boundary zone full of sea monsters, gods and foreigners (who Philip McMaster, Mountains, no hollow Caves, nor gaping were as fearsome as monsters). Flickr cc Channels, but even and uniform all over. The vast unknown ocean was worrying — physically and met- aphorically. Early mapmakers tried to appease the terror of this Then came the flood, unleashing cosmic turmoil boundless void by filling it. The ocean in early maps — such as and leaving behind irreparable and aggressive those in Ptolemy’s Geography from the 1450s — is heavily popu- warts, scars and wrinkles. lated with sea monsters and serpents, sea rabbits and sea roost- To landlubbers of that time, the sea’s rocky ers, mermaids and mermen, dog-fish and lion-fish. Other early outcrops and craggy coastlines were chaotic maps fill the sea with landmasses that mapmakers had thought and monstrous. Burnet saw them as “the most better suited to God’s plans, such as continents in the shape of frightful sight that Nature can offer”. Because crosses and caskets. it was so ugly, Burnet argued, the ocean — and ›››‹‹‹ mountains too — could not have been nature’s That was all a long time ago; we now (sometimes) know better. work from God’s original plans. They must be These days, we have crossed and penetrated most of the ocean’s ruins left by the flood. furthest frontiers and scaled the tallest mountains. They way we A fear of the sea has long think about nature has changed dramatically. Our forbearers lodged itself in the European As the modern scientific worldview overtook religious thought, saw the sea as a psyche. Its roots stem from an- our forbearers completely reimagined the natural world. They frightening void cient Greek philosophers who studied and measured nature. They evaluated and calculated, and saw the ocean as a frightening physics replaced metaphysics. Governments started rationally that insulted the void, insulting the universe and scientifically to manage the environment in order to minimise certainties of the they understood through waste and maximise efficiency and wealth. Forests could be logged universe. Mountains, static mathematical concepts and plantations efficiently regrown. Water could be dammed and too, were warts and and metaphysical rules. The stored and rivers rerouted for agriculture. Single crops could be ancient Greeks personified planted en masse for ease of harvest and distribution. Even min- blisters disfiguring the ocean, with its moveable erals and fossil fuels could be extracted from deep underground, the earth nature and shifting bound- drastically changing the ecosystem. aries, as Okeanos, a pseu- Nature became a raw material, awaiting commodification do-geographical god-water figure. Okeanos and consumption. No longer seen as a gift of God, it was objec- was a potent enigma that framed the edges of tified and stripped of its living properties. Man’s ability to har- the knowable world. Its water was a dangerous ness, control and exploit nature was proof of how far we had

8 Returning to earth come — ‘man’ became master Today we experience Meticulous cleanliness and control of nature of the world! nature as ‘natural’ has its downsides. This scientific worldview There is no denying the majority of us ex- of nature as a resource still lin- spring water in perience less and less of nature. Tucked away gers today. While governments plastic bottles, in cities, we are increasingly divorced from the might (or might not) conserve or as frightening processes by which the raw stuff of nature gets small pockets of nature for microscopic bugs transformed into things we need or want. Most recreation, wildlife and tour- of us do not raise our own chickens and slaugh- ism, they exploit the rest of our to wipe away with ter them for dinner. We buy plastic wrapped planet for maximum wealth antibacterial lotion fillets instead. We do not grow our own vege- and efficiency, whether live- tables, but periodically empty our fridges of stock, agriculture or mining. The planet is ours for the taking. their rotting corpses without giving a second These days, we conceptualise nature in other ways, too. Na- thought to the effort they took to grow. We do ture refers to the purity, authenticity and goodness of ‘natural not notice the misery of the pigs that go into foods’—such as natural spring water and health foods produced our hamburgers, or the pollution from brown in factories, shipped around the world and sold in plastic packets coal that keeps us plugged in. Labour is divided in giant air-conditioned supermarkets. and outsourced as the lines of connection and Yet this is a paradoxical purity. To varying degrees, we still responsibility between nature fear nature. Ours is not just a fear of injury or litigation should and humans have become What are the children fall while climbing trees. It is a deeper fear — a fear of invisible. We have lost touch possibilities if we nature as the bogeyman. We are frightened by the microscopic with nature. start to see nature bugs that colonise our skin and planet, so we line supermarket French philosopher Michael shelves with antibacterial wipes and lotions (alongside those Serres argues today we are as- as a giant web of ‘natural’ products). Parents so fear dirt they drive children to tronauts, living “off-ground” connection — a sanitised indoor play centres, far from the uncertainties of mud in extra-terrestrial cities. “As- network of which we and creepy crawlies. But rather than keeping the plague away, tronaut humanity is floating are one small part? this fear of nature is having a negative impact on our health. in space like a fetus in amniot- ic fluid, tied to the placenta of Mother Earth by all nutritive passages,” he says. We are the ultimate abusive guests, parasitical- ly sucking the good bits from the earth and ex- creting only rubbish. Our feet are not planted on the ground, grateful for what we take and giving back where we can. We are disconnected from the earth, floating too high above it to notice we are sucking our host dry. It is obvious that we cannot continue as par- asitic astronauts. It is no longer sustainable to think of our planet as ripe for the taking, pas- sively awaiting human endeavour and exploita- tion. Nor can we continue to think of nature as paradoxically dead yet dangerous matter, or as a supermarket lifestyle category. What would happen if nature came to be Photo: seen as a giant web of connection — a network Eliza Tyrrell, Flickr cc of which we are one small part? Imagine if we were to approach nature not as warts or blisters, nor as dead matter for our whim, but as some- thing to which we are deeply interconnected. A shift in the way we view nature could create the mutually beneficial relationship we need to co- exist sustainably with our natural environment. It’s time we float back to the ground, reflect and reboot, and start paying attention to the health of our host.

9 Feature

Prescription: Nature The growing movement to reconnect with our natural world

Richard Louv

Nature deficit disorder is focused on their feet like blinkered horses.” She was remind- not a medical diagnosis. ed of how children walk along fixated on their mobile phone screens. Not more than 100 metres from the hikers, in the bay, It’s a metaphor. But it has a dolphin was slowly circled by three other dolphins. They were real consequences for our splashing loudly. And then it happened: “A tiny vapour spout joined the group of larger spouts. A dolphin had given birth!” health and wellbeing. The students had walked right past this once-in-a lifetime event without looking up. Photos: Not long ago, from a vantage point on Surely many other people on such an outing would have Tessa Fluence a high bluff, Carol Birrell watched a group of turned and looked. But in an increasingly distracting virtual high school students hike through a park bor- environment, lots of us spend as much or more time blocking dered on one side by a bay on the blue Pacific out our senses than using and growing them. “What are all of us and on the other by a subtropical ecosystem. missing out on when we rush through the bush, rush through Birrell, who teaches nature education at the life?” Birrell wonders. University of Western Sydney’s Centre for Ed- At least these students made it to the sea. ucation Research, described the scene: “All had In San Diego, where I live, Oceans Discovery Institute, a nature their heads lowered and backs bent with eyes education group, conducted an informal study of local inner city

10 Prescription: Nature children and found that approximately 90 per cent of these chil- in the national curriculum and a mandate for dren did not know how to swim, 95 per cent had never been in a every child to experience the natural world boat and 34 per cent had never been to the Pacific Ocean — less based not only on science but “on direct, viscer- than 20 minutes away. al and personal engagement with nature.” Among the similarities between Americans and Australians is Last year, the International Union for the a shared reputation for being an outdoors-oriented people. But Conservation of Nature, rep- Australians (who live in the world’s most urbanised nation), like resenting thousands of con- “The child in Americans, are experiencing what I’ve called nature-deficit disor- servation organisations from der. That’s not a medical diagnosis, but a metaphor. around the world, passed a ­nature is an In both countries, physical activity is decreasing and screen- resolution called the Child’s endangered­ based activity is increasing. The pace of that change increases Right to Connect with Nature as children get older, according to the Australian Bureau of Sta- and to a Healthy Environ- species.­ The tistics. One in ten children today play outside once a week or ment, which recognises that health of children less, and nearly one in four parents say their children have never “… children, since they are climbed a tree, according to Australia’s Planet Ark. an inalienable part of nature, and the health In 2007–08 the ABS National Health Survey found one-quarter not only have the right to a of the earth are of Australian children aged 5 to 17 years were either overweight healthy environment, but also or obese. This proportion has remained stable with updated re- to a connection with nature inseparable.” sults from the 2011–12 ABS Australian Health Survey. and to the gifts of nature for — Richard Louv In Sydney, researchers found 12-year-olds with the highest their physical and psychologi- levels of close-up work activity and lowest levels of outdoor ac- cal health and ability to learn and create …” tivity were two to three times more likely than their peers to de- A few words of caution. Without an even velop myopia. stronger worldwide movement, concern could We also know more about the upside of nature experience, fade. More and even better research — causal, specifically. Research around the world indicates a correlation not only correlative — is needed. between time spent in nature with reduced symptoms of ADHD So are new, creative ways to connect children and depression, and improved mental cognition and creativity. to the natural world through nature education, A study by Kathleen Bagot, a researcher at Monash University but also through direct, unorganised experi- in Melbourne, suggests the higher the level of vegetation around ence. As Carol Birrell’s story suggests, you can the school, the more highly lead young people to water, but without a deep- “What are all of children rate that environ- er understanding of the wonder of nature, with- us missing out ment as “restorative.” out the joy of it, you cannot make them see. Nature experiences can Richard Louv is the author of “The Nature on when we rush also build social capital. Re- Principle” and “Last Child in the Woods: through the bush, searchers at the University Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit of New South Wales found Disorder.” He is also Chairman Emeritus of the rush through life?” community gardens were Children & Nature Network, and spoke in sever- — Carol Birrell effective in promoting neigh- al cities in Australia at the end of February, as a bourhood renewal in public guest of the Australian Conservation Foundation. high-rise housing estates in inner Sydney, and determined that → For more on why we need vitamin N (nature) get our the gardens created “a greater sense of belonging, friendship and free habitat app generosity amongst the gardeners and a sense of community,” acfonline.org.au/habitatapp breaking down cultural barriers as well as promoting “good nu- action.org.au/nature trition principles.” This is just a sampling of the good research → Go wild with us at play outside day in May! coming out of Australia. action.org.au/play-outside Public awareness about such benefits is spreading. Across Australia and several other countries a multitude of inspiring campaigns and programs are springing up. Paediatricians are beginning to prescribe nature. Urban plan- ners are once again considering the nurturing of nature-rich neighbourhoods as a way to prevent disease and restore health. Conservationists are viewing urban regions as potential engines of biodiversity. As for education, University of Western Sydney associate professor Tonia Gray argues for more nature-based experiences

11 Feature

Yellowcake whitewash Dave Sweeney

Only hours after more than a million litres of highly acidic uranium slurry gushed into Kakadu, Energy Resources Australia announced “there is no impact to the environment.”

Mirarr ­Traditional In the early hours of Saturday 7 Decem- In a case of good luck rather than good man- Owner Yvonne ber, the evacuation order was given in the pro- agement no one was seriously injured, but the Margarula lives downstream cessing area of Energy Resources of Australia’s considerable damage bill is still being counted: from the Ranger troubled Ranger uranium mine in Kakadu. Min- ERA’s infrastructure and credibility both have ­Uranium Mine. Photo: utes later came the unforgiving sound of peeling gaping holes, mineral processing at the site has Glenn Campbell metal followed by a surge of over one million li- been suspended and the long suffering Kakadu tres of highly acidic uranium slurry from the environment has received another severe radi- buckled and broken number one leach tank. The ation exposure. toxic tide swept over the concrete bunds meant Only hours after the complete collapse of the to contain any spills, and moved uncontrolled tank, ERA—owned by the UK based mining through the night and the site. giant Rio Tinto—released a statement high on

12 Yellowcake whitewash bravado but extremely low on evidence that claimed all contam- are cutting costs and corners and in Kakadu, inants had been contained and that “there is no impact to the → Ranger is posing an increasing danger. D xoig the ­ Exposing U r a nium Industry’s Economic Myths: acfonline.org.au/Yellowcake-Fever

environment.” This predictable and premature assurance high- a Despite this radioactive reality ERA is con- lighted the company’s cavalier approach and its desire to control is co- ve Sweeney tinuing to press ahead with plans for new the perception if not the pollution of the massive spill. underground mining, the so-called Ranger 3 The Kakadu environment is a living landscape — dynamic, Deeps project. Work on the plan is progressing peopled and inter-connected — and an injury to one truly is an despite the halt on mineral processing at Rang- injury to all. The Ranger uranium mine sits close to the Mage- er, growing concerns over the company’s lack la Creek, one of the principal feeders of Kakadu’s magnificent of capacity and the persistent system failures. wetlands, and the source of water for the Mirarr community of a The 3 Deeps development work is advancing uthor of ­ Mudginberri who live only seven kilometres downstream. under the guise of exploration even though the As news of the tank’s collapse and images of the extent of the infrastructure currently being built is designed damage spread, the Traditional Owners spoke of feeling fearful to be used for mining. In a process that will be and unsafe. Yellowc a ke Fever: actively contested by ACF, the NT Environment The Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, which represents Centre and others, ERA is expected to seek for- the Mirarr and has been a long-standing partner of the Australi- mal federal approval for mining later this year. an Conservation Foundation through the successful campaign to Yet the clock is ticking on ERA’s licence to stop uranium mining at Jabiluka and beyond, was scathing. They operate with mining and mineral processing described Ranger as “nothing but a hillbilly operation, run by a mandated to end in January 2021. In the context hillbilly miner with hillbilly regulators.” GAC also posed the ques- of a depressed commodity price, an under-per- tion that a growing number of observers and stakeholders are ask- forming operation and a narrowing window ing —”How can we trust the assurances of a company which has for operations, ERA’s continued pursuit of the repeatedly failed to safely manage this highly toxic material?” 3 Deeps project makes little sense. The under- → The patience of people concerned over the impacts of Ranger’s → ground plan needs to be seen in the context of tig a Find out more a bout ACF’sa r free c mp nucle Ta ke a operations had already been tested in the weeks leading up to acfonline.org.au/nuclear-free the company’s long held and continuing dream the tank’s collapse. There was a series of high profile incidents at of a new uranium mine at the nearby Jabiluka the mine involving unauthorised vehicle and equipment move- te the imp deposit. Like the undead in a late night horror ction! Join thous Join ction! ment, decontamination and security failures. movie, the Jabiluka plan gets routinely revisited ERA was already under pressure and scrutiny and the tank and the hope of a new hole in Kakadu remains

collapse turned the steady stream of criticism into a flood. More a alive in the ERA boardroom. than 2200 ACF supporters took action, demanding an inquiry. of the R a nger ur nium mine: action.org.au/ranger-dangercts The history of uranium mining in Kakadu The public reaction to the leak has forced federal government has been one of broken pipes and broken prom- action: mineral processing at Ranger has been halted and a ded- ises. Sustained Aboriginal, environmental and icated investigation into the collapse has commenced. While a nds c lling for wider community opposition and resistance there are some positive signs, particularly the formal inclusion of have halted the development of Jabiluka halted a GAC representative on the investigation team, it is pivotal that and the threat of mining at Koongarra averted. this response does not follow the long-standing industry pattern Kakadu’s remaining radioactive running sore and become just another yellowcake whitewash. is the underperforming Ranger mine and that There have been over 200 leaks, spills and incidents at the wound needs to be dressed. ERA has failed and Ranger mine and there are severe and unresolved problems it is now time for Rio Tinto to give effect to its with the management of contaminated water and mine waste. to ­ ction corporate responsibility rhetoric and to com-

The mine is 30 years old and at the end of its design life. Equip- a ign: mence a considered and comprehensive Ranger ment and infrastructure is ageing and failing. This was starkly exit strategy. protect K a k du nd inves protect highlighted last December when in the same week as the Ranger If they were ever needed, the events of last tank collapse, a comparable failure happened in a leach tank at December have provided a million further rea- Rio Tinto’s Rossing uranium mine in Namibia — same compa- sons why it is time to close the chapter on ura- ny, same product, same process, same age, same contamination. nium mining in Kakadu and around Australia. Metal and management fatigue is a dangerous combination — es- pecially at a uranium mine in a monsoonal tropical environment Kakadu’s remaining radioactive inside a World Heritage listed national park. The free-fall in the price of uranium since the Fukushima nu- running sore is the underper- clear disaster — a continuing crisis directly fuelled by Australi- forming Ranger mine and that an uranium — has seen the uranium sector losing market share,

- wound needs to be dressed share value and money. In the last two years ERA has posted losses of over $A350 million. Everywhere uranium companies

13

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14 Feature The fibs of fast fashion Tessa Fluence

The huge social and environmental costs of the garment industry are often obscured by the neon hot sale price of disposable clothing. It’s time we buck the trend and hang some ethics in our wardrobes.

It’s the new normal, a bargain bo- nanza every day. Two tees for just $9.99! Sum- mer maxi dresses from $12.95! Get the latest look—‘get more, pay less.’ Yet behind the façade of pumping music, loud Photo: Zoriah, Flickr cc branding and neon lights, these euphoric promises have an ominous clang. ‘Everyone’s a winner with Australia’s killing at least 1,133 people and injuring 2,500, many of them se- lowest prices’ says Big W — but the environmental and social riously. The collapse drew the world’s attention to the army of cost of disposable fashion is conveniently hidden from view. millions who toil away for a pittance in unsafe conditions—all Not everyone wins. so we can ‘get more, pay less’. Our disposable culture of one-hit-wonders has a gigantic Once the garment has been manufactured, its lifecycle and eco-footprint. Much fast fashion is made from cotton — yet environmental impact continues to shipping, packaging and cotton is one of the most destructive and environmentally un- laundering. But fashion is fickle. You might only wear that dress friendly crops in the world. It takes around 1.5 kilograms of once. Ultimately, those garments that guzzled finite resourc- agrochemicals and 2,720 litres of water to grow enough cotton es, polluted our earth and exploited vulnerable workers, even to make a single t-shirt. costing lives, will probably end up in landfill. Once the fibre has been produced, it travels along a dark Against the tide of disposability and style without substance, labyrinth of interlocking processes and operators—such as we need to shift towards more conscious modes of consump- weavers, dyers and cutters—before it arrives in the shiny land tion to reassess what we actually need. We need to think about of retail. The many links are difficult to trace, yet each step has where stuff really comes from, where it goes and what the alter- a range of environmental impacts like toxic chemicals, water natives are. Maybe then everyone can be a winner. use, pollution and waste. After food, the clothes we buy make up 14% of our ecological footprint. Then there are the staggering social costs. It is now a year → For the full article, download habitat the iPad since the Rana Plaza garment factory collapsed in Bangladesh, magazine at: acfonline.org.au/habitatapp

15 Campaign updates

Adam Majcher Climate change program manager (acting)

→ For updates visit acfonline.org.au/climate-change

Jonathan La Nauze No one enjoys an exhaust- is under serious threat. Despite the clear warning Healthy ecosystems program manager ingly long road trip in a packed signs, we’re battling a fallacious debate saying we car with no air conditioning. The can’t afford to respond. The truth is, we can’t afford → For updates visit only thing worse is that one per- not to. acfonline.org.au/protect-national-parks son who feels the need to say Our campaigners Abi Jabines and Jamie Hanson “Boy, its hot”. continue to work with other environment groups, as After thirteen years as the brains That shunned character is well as building partnerships across several sectors and thumping heart behind ACF’s forest campaigns, what it feels like to be a climate including emergency services, health, clean tech- Lindsay Hesketh finally hung up his ACF boots this campaigner at times. nology and insurance, to swing the pendulum back January. Many ACF supporters will know Lindsay Early this year, the southern in favour of action on climate change. for his dedication, generosity and encyclopaedic states suffered the second heat We will illuminate what an adequate national knowledge of Australian forests. Over the years, wave of its intensity in five years. policy response looks like, and speak loudly to any countless forest activists—myself among them— We observed far-reaching im- alternatives (good or bad) put on the table by our have learnt from his wisdom, and his tireless assis- pacts on human health, trans- new government. We will squarely focus on ensur- tance has boosted many a campaign. He has been port services, energy networks ing that the most credible science and responsible influential as a strategist, an analyst, a spokes- and three states experienced economics set the agenda. person and a teacher. And always with an abiding severe bushfires. We will highlight the stories of people bene- sense of social justice that extends to the workers Within ACF, it strongly sig- fiting from current schemes like the Clean Energy and communities of the timber industry. Thanks nalled a need to up the ante. The Finance Corporation and the Renewable Energy Lindsay for a fine contribution so far and may you way of life we’re accustomed to is Target, along with those who are impacted most by carry on making a mark. changing with the climate. We’re climate change. Sadly, our forests still need people power to keep working harder than ever to shift We believe that Australians shouldn’t pay to them standing. In February, Federal Environment the trajectory we’re on. The pro- clean up someone else’s mess. That’s a bill the car- Minister Greg Hunt asked the World Heritage Com- found progress we fought hard bon polluters should pick up. mittee to remove protection from 74,000 hectares for and won in the last few years Finally, we’re delighted to welcome Victoria Mc- of World Heritage forests in Tasmania so they can Kenzie-McHarg, who joined us at the helm in February. be logged once again. His proposal includes places like the Florentine and Weld valleys, made famous by iconic forest protests. The community outcry was swift and punchy, with over 200,000 people sign- Graham Tupper ing petitions against the delisting. Timber industry Northern Australia program MANAGER leaders also spoke out against the plan, including Tasmania’s largest timber processor, Ta Ann, the → For updates visit peak timber lobby group, FIAT, and the forestry acfonline.org.au/northern-australia union. Together we are making it plain to see that Hunt’s proposal is devoid of a constituency, let Did you know that according to internation- Given how valuable these alone a customer for the wood. It is far from certain al research commissioned by Tourism Australia, Aus- natural assets are, you might that the World Heritage Committee will agree to his tralia ranks as the world’s number one destination assume the recently announced bizarre plan, but neither can we simply leave the for “world class beauty and natural environment”? Parliamentary Inquiry on The De- future of these magnificent forests in their hands That means we come in ahead of Hawaii, Switzerland, velopment of Northern Australia alone. It’s going to be a busy year for those who care New Zealand and Canada as having some of the most would include a reference to en- for our forests. naturally outstanding places on earth. suring environmentally sustaina- Northern Australia is home to many of these ble development, which protects places—from the Kimberley to Kakadu and Arnhem these globally significant natural Land, to the Gulf country, Cape York and the Wet and cultural values? Tropics—fringed by the stunning Great Barrier Reef Well, think again. Unfortu- and Ningaloo Reefs. nately the Inquiry makes no

16 Healthy ecosystems · Climate change · Northern Australia · Social cultural change · Economic change

reference to sustainability and ACF will be engaging with the Parliamentary Inquiry focuses instead on removing and the White Paper processes on northern Australia impediments to the mining, en- throughout 2014. We will do this collaboratively with ergy and large-scale agricultural people across the north and present an inspiring and industries. tangible vision for an ecologically sustainable future, ACF’s big task in 2014 will be including for appropriate economic development in to challenge the ‘more mines the north. Tabatha Fulker and big dams’ vision adopted by What we really need now is for tens of thousands Social cultural change manager (acting) some for northern Australia. We of people in southern Australia to show they care want to ensure policy makers see about the future of our precious places in the north. → For updates visit the bigger picture and hear the During 2014 we will ask you to support us in advanc- acfonline.org.au/nature voices of people living in some of ing an alternative vision for northern Australia, one our most remote regions, such as that ensures Australia maintains its place in the ACF recently hosted a series of Traditional Owners. “world-class beauty and natural environment” stakes. public events titled ‘Connected by Nature: In conversation with Richard Louv’ across Mel- bourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. The events were fantastic participatory affairs with strong audience participation and en- gaging content. In his two books The Last Child in the Dugald Murray Woods: Saving our children from Nature Senior economist Deficit Disorder and The Nature Princi- ple, Richard Louv pulls together extensive → For updates visit research that shows as our connection to acfonline.org.au/new-economics nature weakens, we’re getting bigger and sadder. Spending less time outdoors is re- With politicians from across the spec- We are also sad to have lost sulting in a wide range of health and behav- trum fixated on the merits of taxpayer support for deep thinker and all round good ioural problems. Nature-deficit disorder is a disability pension recipients, SPC, Holden and Cad- guy Charles “Chuck” Berger. Af- term defined by Louv to explain the human bury it can only mean one thing—the Federal Budget ter 10 years at ACF, Chuck has costs of alienation from nature. is due. New Treasurer, the Hon Joe Hockey MP, will taken up a new role at Outdoors But when we do tap into the restorative soon deliver his first report on the Government’s Victoria, the peak body for the powers of nature, we can boost mental acuity spending priorities. outdoors sector in Victoria. His and creativity; promote health and wellness; Managing the twelfth largest economy in the contribution to the environment is build smarter and more sustainable busi- world must be a daunting task. Always ready to astounding, from successfully su- nesses, communities, and economies; and pitch in, your ACF team provided some guidance ing the Victorian Government over ultimately strengthen human bonds. Inter- on the right direction. Our advice to Mr Hockey was the Hazelwood power plant to acting with the natural environment is good first and foremost, cut the fossil fuel subsidies. We driving ACF’s work on population, for us. And (ultimately) for the environment. think spending on our environment is worth more green jobs, Fringe Benefit conces- Future environmentalists are formed to the nation but without change, wealthy, pollut- sions, charity tax regulations, the through childhood experiences of play in ing multinational mining corporations and others Clean Energy Finance Corporation nature. Reconnecting to nature is one key to will receive almost $6 billion in fossil fuel subsidies and the environmental impact growing a larger environmental movement. this year alone. That amount grows annually and al- of bank lending portfolios. Over Expanding the conversation of nature for ready costs more than the Government spends on the years, Chuck drafted count- nature’s sake, to one that includes nature public education. less submissions, including many for health, wellbeing and happiness is a way We’re taking this message to Canberra because Federal Budget submissions, pro- to strengthen the values strongly associat- wealthy multinational mining corporations do not vided outstanding legal advice as ed with the likelihood for civic engagement. need a subsidy of 38 cents on every litre of diesel ACF’s legal adviser, and proved a they consume. It encourages the miners to use more formidable corporate campaign- fuel than they need and comes at the cost of other er. Chuck, you are already missed. areas in desperate need of federal funds. Check our website for our budget submission and updates on fossil fuel subsidies.

17 Feature Backyard

Anne Martinelli hunters

Like Robin Hood (but with permission) nearly 150,000 strong population. One of the wonderful legacies of this ethnic diversity is the wealth of backyard fruit trees — col- Darebin Fruit Squad stops the rot to lectively known as ‘the urban orchard’— established by commu- feed the hungry. nities who have brought their traditions of home food production to Australia. There’s a quiet revolution going on However, as the post-war migrant generation ages, it is being in our cities right now — a revolution in the way replaced by new residents who are less familiar with productive we think about our food. Where it comes from, trees. Rising property prices are also driving denser develop- who has enough and who doesn’t, how it con- ment. Even when new owners do not explicitly plan to remove nects us to our community and how we value pre-existing trees, ignorance and apathy about fruit trees and the resources right under our noses — the va- how to care for them means we risk losing them altogether. cant lots, the roadside verges and the backyard Yet just as we are losing this valuable local food resource, more veggie gardens and orchards. and more people in our community are experiencing some de- Photos: This re-imagining of our relationship with gree of food insecurity. Amy Goodman, food comes in an era when for the first time in Much of this food insecurity is hidden, with the problem only S_Karr and Rovanto, Flickr cc human history a majority of the world’s pop- becoming more visible once people are driven to seek emergen- ulation now lives in a city. And as the realities cy relief. And even this visible tip of the food insecurity iceberg of a changing climate and water-scarce future is growing. Despite Australia’s affluence, Foodbank Australia start to kick in, many people are realising the estimates that more than 11,000 Victorians were turned away urgency of making our cities more food secure from emergency food relief providers each month in 2013 be- and resilient. cause of insufficient food supplies. And to compound matters, One of the many urban food projects emerg- many of the disadvantaged people seeking emergency food ing all across Australia right now is the Dare- relief often have other health problems such as obesity, heart bin Fruit Squad. Focused on Melbourne’s inner disease and diabetes, due in large part to poor diet. In Dare- northern suburbs, the community fruit harvest- bin, official figures suggest that as many as 1 in 11 adults may ing project aims to preserve cultural heritage, have experienced some form of food insecurity within the last promote local food production and address 12 months. food insecurity and disadvantage within the All of this points to an urgent need to address the mismatch Darebin community. between an abundance of high quality fruit in domestic back- Nestled between Merri Creek and Darebin yards and a growing demand for donated food (particularly Creek, the City of Darebin is among the largest fresh, healthy food) by emergency relief providers. and most diverse communities in Victoria, with Enter Fruit Squad, a team of volunteers (not always in capes vibrant Italian, Greek, Chinese, Macedonian, In- and masks) who descend on heavily laden backyard fruit trees, dian and Indigenous communities within its harvesting excess fruit and offering advice on tree maintenance.

18 Backyard bounty hunters

The fruit goes to emergency food services, such Enter Fruit Squad, people in our neighbourhood as the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. a team of volunteers with similar interests in using Before the fruit picking fest begins, Fruit local produce.” Squad volunteers first get up to scratch on har- (not always in capes To date, the squad has har- Photo: vesting and maintaining fruit trees through and masks) who vested and donated more than Stéfan, Flickr cc customised training in horticulture by the descend on heavily a tonne of high quality home- Northern Metropolitan Institute of TAFE. One grown fruit to local food agen- year in, the squad is made up of 15 volunteers laden backyard cies including Second Bite, the who harvest backyard fruit all over Darebin. fruit trees Salvation Army and the Asy- The Squad put a call out through commu- lum Seeker Resource Centre. nity networks seeking households with the → If you’d like more Now, they are looking to blessing and curse of excess fruit. They got a information about expand their horizons. “Last great response: after a year, there are 84 house- getting involved in year we had a lot of offers of ol- holds registered with around 200 trees. And the the Darebin Fruit ives that we weren’t able to ac- Squad is always on the lookout for other un- Squad project or cept, as the project was geared tapped urban orchards. starting your own, see up for simply harvesting and Squad organiser Rachel Carlisle was pleas- darebinfruitsquad.com­ , distributing fresh fruit”, ex- antly surprised at the positive reaction from email [email protected]. plains Rachel. “So next year, householders inundated with fruit. “When we au or call Liz at Jika we’re keen to explore options started thinking about this idea, we weren’t re- Jika Community Centre for processing some of the fruit ally sure how householders would react. It all on 03 9482 5100. we can’t use fresh — like ol- really depended on how willing people were to → Anne Martinelli ives and cumquats — maybe in donate their fruit, as well as to have volunteers is a sustainability partnership with a group of lo- come into their backyards,” she says. “But what consultant based cal parents who make jams and we’ve found is that householders are grate- in Melbourne chutneys for their school fete.” ful — they’re glad to have a solution to their annemartinelli.com The Fruit Squad is keen to problem of unwanted fruit dropping and rot- spread its idea beyond Dare- ting on the ground, and they’re glad it’s being put to good use.” bin. Sharing local food forest bounty makes Jen Drysdale and her son could never use all the fruit from everyone richer. People experiencing food in- their large fig tree and wanted to share it. “We’ve been involved security receive local, fresh fruit. Volunteers in other local trading networks like Sharehood over the years, and connect with their local community and learn so Fruit Squad seemed like another natural way to contribute to new skills. And householders solve the prob- the community,” Jen says. “And I really like the idea that the pro- lem of rotting fruit and embrace their local duce is being used by people who need it, and the chance to meet food forest heritage.

19 News

It’s unprecedented. No govern- and degraded is just plain wrong. The → Add your voice to ment has ever tried to overturn a deci- United Nations’ World Heritage Com- the roar that is ACF’s sion of the World Heritage Committee mittee and its independent technical fastest growing for political reasons. advisers have unanimously listed these petition at But right now Environment Minister forests as World Heritage. Can there be a action.org.au/heritage Greg Hunt and Prime Minister Tony Ab- clearer assessment of their value? and call for the World bott are asking the UNESCO committee Will you tell the World Heritage Com- Heritage Committee to: to reject some of Tasmania’s old growth mittee to stand by their decision? The “Stand by your decision forests — approved for the world’s high- Committee can be influenced by direct to protect Tasmania’s est protection just last year. representation from citizens. If we build magnificent forests Greg Hunt would have Australians a critical mass, your message will be no- with World Heritage and the World Heritage Committee be- ticed. It will amplify our action on the listing.” lieve that much of the heritage area has ground, and strengthen the heart of the already been logged and is not worth movement to protect nature in Australia. conserving. This isn’t true! Only 5.9 per cent of the total area has been damaged by logging — small holes in magnificent forests of the highest conservation value. To describe these areas as low quality

World heritage … Snowgums on the Navarre Plains, south of Lake St Clare, in the Tasmanian forests. World Heritage area the government wants delisted. Photo Rob Blakers

20 World heritage under threat … under threat Great Barrier Reef

On the Great Barrier Reef a similar disaster story is unfolding. The decision to approve the dredging and dumping of 3 million cubic metres of sludge in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area is a blow to the reef and more than 60,000 jobs — more than the a slap in the face to everyone who loves entire mining industry in Queensland. this amazing natural wonder. ACF members have fought for the Reef untold damage to our The federal government’s unprece- ever since 1968, when 500 people attend- international reputation, dented attack flies in the face of environ- ed a symposium on its future. But now our economy and the mental and economic logic. A report by there is a strong and disturbing possibili- environment we leave Gillespie Economics for the federal gov- ty that the UN’s World Heritage Commit- to our children. ernment in 2008 found Australia’s World tee will decide to downgrade the Great To wreck these World Heritage sites were worth more than $16 Barrier Reef’s status to “in danger”. Heritage sites for short- billion in “annual direct and indirect na- Removing Tasmania’s forests from the term politics and a quick tional output or business turnover”, most- World Heritage list and downgrading the buck is a travesty that ly through tourism. The Reef supports Great Barrier Reef to “in danger” will do must not happen.

21 Feature

“When the water comes together, the people come Riverdance together” — Ngemba Following the songlines of the Murray-Darling Elder Paul Gordon

This story starts in 2010 after a decade of drought — the worst on record. Cities were running out of water. Farmers were despair- ing. The rivers of the Murray-Darling were dying. Like the human body needs blood, the river and its wetlands need water to function. Livia Cullen After only a hundred years of irrigation and diversion, Australia’s management of the river was clearly failing in both human and ecolog- ical terms. In the Coorong lakes and estuaries where the river meets the sea, at the end of its 3000 kilometre course from Queensland to South Australia, one man had a dream. Watching the death of his unique ances- tral lands, Uncle Major Sumner (AO), Elder and Lore man of the Ngarrindjeri people, traditional custodians of the land at the end of the rivers, wanted to dance the river’s spirit back. Uncle Major knew the river needed the connection between culture and the earth to be rekindled. He decided to re-awaken an ancient ceremony, a Ringbalin, to dance and sing from one end of the river to the other. With a group of dancers and storytellers, he travelled to the top of the Darling River in Queensland, to the Country of the Guwamu Nation. There on a dusty flat, they were met by dancers from the Ngemba Nation, and together they performed the first ceremony of a nightly journey that would follow the river for over 2000 kilometres. Halfway down, their dances were answered. In Wilcannia, on a sacred site where a caravan park now sits on the banks of the Darling Riv- er, the skies darkened and for the first time in many years, rain fell on the dry ground. They continued south, and the rain kept com- ing as they danced each night. Something ancient had been reawakened, a connection between the culture and people, the lands and waters. What followed were the biggest rains on record. The Ringbalin has continued every year since. A documentary maker went along to film what happened, that first year. The footage has

22 Riverdance

“The rain was following us. You could see it coming across the land. When you look behind us you could see it was travelling” — Ngarrindjeri Elder Major Sumner

now given birth to a remarkable collaboration This year at Easter Uncle between traditional knowledge holders and Major will pack the bus and technology. Ringbalin River Stories is an Aus- head north to meet with tradi- tralian multi-platform interactive documen- tional dancers from many na- tary and geo-located smart phone app that is tions, and the Ringbalin will bringing the stories of Australia’s greatest river begin again. They will honour system to the fingertips of people everywhere. and share their connection Through short documentaries and interactive with the lands and waters that maps, Elders and storytellers from communi- give life to half of Australia, ties along the Murray and Darling Rivers with an open invitation for have created journeys for you to follow, everyone to come along. with stories and songs of the waters and their peoples. For decades ACF has cam- These are journeys of connec- paigned for a healthy Mur- tion and transformation, guided ray-Darling Basin. The by the insights of Indigenous Murray-Darling Basin Plan, knowledge holders. They pro- endorsed by Federal Parliament vide a unique understanding in late 2012, was the culmina- of why we must return water to tion of work by environmental the Murray-Darling Basin. groups including ACF, govern- Click on the maps to watch ments, farmers and communi- the stories unfold from your ties who understood the future armchair or bring your iPad or risks of a degraded river system. smart phone as you physically fol- It recognises the best protection low the river’s path, and the Elders for all communities is to keep will find you as you enter their Coun- the river system flowing. tries. Let the sound of clap-sticks alert you on your phone, as you near → to find out more join “Dancing the sites of their stories. Ringbalin on facebook: Ringbalin Riverstories nar- facebook.com/Ringbalin with your feet rates not only a different un- → Visit the website: connects you derstanding of the rivers, but ringbalin-riverstories.com a new approach to the govern- → Download the to the Earth” ance of the Basin, one that plac- Ringbalin—River — Gwamu Elder es local community knowledge Stories app from the App at the vanguard of ecological Store: acfonline.org.au/ Cheryl Buchanan management. The filmmak- ringbalin-app ers and Elders have worked to- → Register now to join gether telling Indigenous stories of stewardship Major Sumner and for future generations. ACF for a screening Photos: The stories have significant implications for of the documentary Ali Sanderson how Australia crafts sustainable futures in the Ringbalin — Breaking Murray-Darling Basin — from the underlying the Drought in geography, geology and hydrology; through to Melbourne on Thursday the Indigenous stories of watercourses, culture 22 May and Adelaide and history; to the current flow of the rivers and on Thursday 29 May the work of the Elders to keep the flow of water acfonline.org.au/ and knowledge alive. ringbalin-film

23 News

We don our hats to an extraordinary leader

Don Henry bids ACF farewell at the end and the Murray-Darling Basin agreement. Don’s vision, energy and networking capacity was critical to all of these advances. of March, after 17 years as CEO. He has In addition to these significant achievements, Don has been given ACF truly outstanding leadership pivotal in broadening the way ACF works. He initiated new col- laborative networks like the Southern Cross Climate Coalition, over that extraordinary length of time. working with trade unions and the welfare sector. He worked with Al Gore’s organisation to develop what is now the Climate Ian Lowe Reality Project, through which hundreds of Australians have giv- ACF President: en presentations about climate change to their local communities. And he successfully engaged major donors to support the work We are stronger, more financially secure, bet- of ACF, such as the donation of the award winning 60L building ter connected and more widely respected. That from which our staff operates. is Don’s legacy. Don’s friendliness and approachability has also made ACF a Photo: His contribution to the protection of our great place to work. In recognition of this, he was named ‘CEO Leon Mead natural systems was appropriately recognised of the year’ in the non-government sector a few years ago. I am last year when he received the accolade of En- sure he will continue to be a strong voice for the environment in vironmentalist of the Year. This award reflect- his new academic role. He leaves with our heartfelt thanks and ed Don’s vital role in a range of significant best wishes. environmental achievements including the Tasmanian Forests Agreement, the package of measures to slow climate change, the proclama- Al Gore former Vice President of the United States and Nobel Laureate: tion of the world’s largest network of protected marine areas, adding the western Kimberley Many people talk about wanting to change the world. to the World Heritage list, the reacquisition of For decades, Don Henry has simply gone about doing it, lead- large areas of Cape York by Traditional Owners, ing the charge on carbon pricing, protecting Australia’s sacred

24 We don our hats to an extraordinary leader landscapes and training the next generation of leaders to take know much about the subject. He is a very fine on the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced. But what man. He has a real gift in helping to articulate you won’t see on his incredible list of achievements is the way the insights of others as well as providing those he’s done all this with such dedication, warmth, and humility of his own. that every day he’s inspired the rest of us to work harder, reach further and be kinder than we ever thought we could. I count myself fortunate to call him a colleague and even more so to call Phill Pullinger Director of Environment Tasmania: him a friend. It was an intense and difficult phase of the negotiations over Tasmania’s forests between the Ged Kearney Australian Conservation Foundation, TWS, Envi- ACTU: ronment Tasmania, and Tasmanian and National On meeting Don, I immediately found him to be not only forestry industry groups and unions. The nego- full of energy and a brilliant thinker and strategist, but someone tiations were stuck over the quota for ‘specialty who was fully inclusive and felt everyone deserved to have a say. timbers’— rainforest timbers that are concentrat- During my time at the ACTU, we have worked closely with ed within the rainforests and old-growth forests ACF. Don’s leadership and support has been invaluable and at the heart of the conservation claim. Something something I will always be grateful for. was needed to break the deadlock. Enter Don Don is a true visionary and a great leader who has helped Henry and the proposal for underwater logging. make issues like climate change and protecting Australia’s great Lake Pedder had been a landmark conserva- environmental heritage mainstream concerns. Thanks to his tire- tion campaign tragically lost when Lake Pedder less work, I believe the groundwork has been laid for common National Park was flooded for a dam in South- sense to eventually prevail in the climate change debate. West Tasmania the 1960s. Don’s proposal was to kill two birds with the one stone — drain Lake Pedder, restoring it to its former beauty, and sal- Adam Majcher vage the rainforest timbers at the bottom of the Climate Reality Australia: Lake at the same time as breaking the deadlock When you first meet Don, your first cautious thought to save the forests. is that surely no one operating at that level is that nice. But with Though draining Lake Pedder didn’t make every ongoing interaction, you ashamedly prove yourself wrong it to the final text of the Tasmanian Forests and realise that you have the privilege of knowing someone who Agreement, Don gave it a red-hot crack! His lat- is able to reinstate your faith in humanity. eral thinking, innovation and persistence were Working on Climate Reality with Don has been a pleasurable fundamental to the breakthrough over Tassie’s insight into the respect and admiration he benevolently com- forests, whilst also faithfully carrying the flame mands that transcends hierarchy, sectoral background and all for the restoration of Lake Pedder into the most other classification. Watching the mutual respect shared with unlikely of forums. people like former US Vice President Al Gore is the truest tes- tament to Don’s authenticity, commitment and integrity when taking on the biggest environmental challenges. Lyndon Schneiders National Campaign Director of the Wilderness Society:

Patrick Dodson I have worked with Don for much of Nyamba Buru Yawuru: the past 15 years, firstly in Queensland on is- Don has the uncanny ability to appear non-present sues as diverse as Cape York and land clearing, when he is paying attention to the subject under discussion. He and more recently on the Tasmanian Forests can then almost blind side you with an offering of profound and Agreement. Don is one of Australia’s greatest penetrating analysis of the options that might need further consid- environmental advocates. He builds bridg- eration. It is not as if he is linking daisies to make a chain because es where once there were chasms. He does so he could also be constructing, in the abstract, some alliance be- though his honesty, integrity and commitment tween unlikely parties to achieve a strategy for some good to come to dialogue and looking for the common good, from. Often it is his diligent reconstruction of some inarticulate rather than a winner takes all approach that proposition that someone has stumbled through that Don in his has been favoured by too many in the environ- anxiety to be clear about what was said can paraphrase succinctly mental movement. He will be greatly missed and respectfully illuminate the concept or point of view through by many after a lifetime of service to the move- his restatement. Then he will demure by saying he doesn’t really ment and the cause of environmentalism.

25 Ask the economist News Who are the

“Dear Economist, I read reports that the OLKOLA? carbon tax doesn’t work and it costs $4,000 to ACF’s Northern Austral- cut one tonne of carbon ia Program has embarked pollution. Is this true?” on a new partnership with the Olkola Aboriginal Corporation of Cape York Peninsula. uestion The Olkola people’s tradi- tional homelands encompass No. The carbon price is cutting pollution at a low cost. roughly one million hectares of The carbon tax uses economics to reduce the amount of land in south-central Cape York. pollution that is released into the air. Put simply, if you are From the rugged sandstone escarp- a really big polluting company, you have to pay to pollute. Golden ­shouldered ment of the Kimba Plateau through to the The current carbon price in Australia is set at $24.15 for every parrot. Photo: wetland and river systems that flow west into the Ian ­Montgomery tonne of pollution. Some people are not sure if Australia has Gulf of Carpentaria, Olkola country is a diverse a carbon tax or an emissions trading scheme. It’s mostly se- range of ecosystems and landforms. mantic but the important distinction is that there is no cap Over the last decade, under the unique Cape on pollution under the tax, so polluters can belch as much York tenure resolution process, millions of hec- carbon into the air as long as they pay the tax on each tonne. tares of the Cape have been re-acquired by Tra- It’s working. Carbon pollution from the electricity sector, ditional Owners as Aboriginal freehold or as our biggest source of pollution, is down about 7.6 per cent national parks jointly managed by Traditional since the carbon tax was introduced in July 2012. But this Owners and the Queensland government. fall was countered by hefty rises in pollution from sectors ACF played a key role in securing govern- of the economy uncovered or only partially covered by the ment support for the tenure resolution process carbon tax. Land clearing and pollution from transportation, with both the Commonwealth and Queens- not covered by the carbon tax, has been rising steadily, while land Governments. pollution from coalmine expansion and new gas plants has One outcome of the initiative is the new Al- been soaring. wal National Park on the Cape. The park is now So far the big polluters have paid for more than 242 mil- owned and managed by the Olkola Aboriginal lion tonnes of pollution. But pollution is growing — without Corporation Land Trust with the support of the carbon tax, pollution would have been massively high- Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Named er. Adding the ups to the downs means that total pollution after one of Australia’s most endangered bird has only fallen by just 1.8 million tonnes compared to last species, the Alwal or Golden Shouldered Parrot, year. At the same time, the carbon tax has raised almost $7 the park is home to one of the last known popu- billion, or as some people have calculated, $4,000 for each of lations of the parrot, as well as woodlands, sea- the 1.8 million tonnes. But of course that’s not right because sonal wetlands, vine thickets and escarpments it ignores the ups and downs and overlooks the amount of with significant conservation values. pollution that would have been belched into the air without As the Olkola reclaim their traditional home- the tax. lands, they are developing opportunities in a range of culture and conservation livelihoods. Dugald Murray Across the variety of tenures, including Ab- original owned national parks, their aim is to Email your questions to the Economist seek to develop a range of economic initiatives [email protected] including tourism, carbon management, con- have your say at Facebook servation and cultural management and to con- /AustralianConservationFoundation tinue with sustainable pastoralism. We look forward to supporting the Olkola → For the full answer download the habitat iPad people in advancing their culture and conser- magazine at the App store: acfonline.org.au/habitatapp vation economies.

26 Ecotravel

Law of the jungle Jane Couch

Wild: adverb, noun, adjective. Living in a state of nature, not tamed or domesticated: a wild animal It would be like Given the opportunity, who wouldn’t want to cuddle a Sometimes such venues a Disney fantasy, koala, share a cheeky grin with an orang-utan or ride an elephant? have breeding programs for It would be unforgettable, lumbering through the jungle on the their featured endangered lumbering through back of a giant, touching its wrinkly skin to really get in touch species and might use this as the jungle on the with nature. It’d be like a Disney fantasy come true … right? a major promotional exercise, back of an elephant, Well … maybe it’s not so fantastic when a stressed out koala masquerading under the ban- touching its wrinkly claws you, the orang-utan contracts your cold and you find out ner of conservation. But for what really happens to train that elephant to be docile and submit many species, breeding in cap- skin to really get in to the mahout’s commands. tivity is not a great saviour if touch with nature When I look back over several decades of travel adventures the genetic mix is not right or a and some close encounters with wildlife, in hindsight there are ready release into the wild is not possible. quite a few things I’d do differently now. I wouldn’t allow an Captivity cannot meet the welfare needs of Photo: orang-utan to take me by the hand. I’d be more cautious when marine mammals such as dolphins and whales. KayVee, Flickr cc. walking through cassowary territory (I was chased) and I’d pass It’s best to avoid facilities that display captive up riding an elephant anywhere. I now realise being in touch with marine mammals or offer activities like swim- nature does not necessarily mean literally touching wild animals. ming with captive dolphins. They may appear These days there’s much better information to help us navi- fun and educational but in reality they are un- gate the ethical dilemmas that human and wildlife encounters natural and stressful for the animals involved. present. Intrepid Travel and The World Society for the Protection Free Willy! of Animals (WSPA) recently asked what people think about ani- Don’t pay or arrange to pose for photos at mal-friendly travel. We found 82 per cent of survey respondents close range with wild animals. These animals saw some positive animal experiences as extremely important to may have been taken from the wild and their making their holiday enjoyable. mothers killed. They may be drugged, harshly Perhaps reflecting this, there has been a dramatic increase in the trained or have had their teeth removed to en- number of venues that offer close encounters with wildlife. How- sure they ‘behave’ around tourists. ever behind the click clicking cameras and the happy smiles of In Australia, all native animals are protected tourists, there is often a hidden dark reality of suffering and cruelty. by law. Ethical tourism operators will only pro- It is always best to view wildlife where it belongs: in the wild. mote wildlife encounters that are well managed Don’t feed wildlife or unduly disturb it from its regular behav- and regulated and approved by state national iour. The best animal encounters come from a mix of patience, park or wildlife authorities. Eco certification respect and luck. through Ecotourism Australia will also indi- If you want to see wildlife on show, choose carefully. As a gen- cate that the program is a well-managed sus- eral rule of thumb, if a venue has animals performing or doing tainable operation. unnatural human-like activ- Jane Crouch is the Responsible­ ities — avoid it, despite how → Both WSPA and Intrepid Travel strongly believe in Business Communications cute bears on unicycles and responsible travel. Want more information on animal ­Specialist at Intrepid Travel monkeys in tutus might seem. friendly travel? Visit intrepidtravel.com and wspa.org.au

27 Feature

Northern Exposure: the Refreshing the Murray-Darling From tip to toe: the Great Kimberley to Cape Initiative Basin Eastern Ranges Initiative Across Northern Australia, from A connectivity approach is The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative the Kimberley in Western Australia connecting the dots in the is working to restore connectivity to Cape York in Queensland, we Murray Darling Basin, our largest along the length of a 3,600km are working with environment and freshwater ecosystem, by seeking conservation corridor stretching Indigenous groups to safeguard new and innovative ways to from western Victoria to far north connected natural and cultural connect rivers with their thirsty Queensland. This mountainous values and ensure appropriate floodplains. The Basin contains spine contains Australia's greatest development. Northern Australia wetland habitats of international diversity of plants and animals and is exceptional in that ecological significance and protects a the reliability of its rainfall makes connectivity remains largely intact number of threatened species. If it one of the most climate resilient with vast unbroken savannahs, freshwater can’t spill over the landscapes in an increasingly hot, free-flowing monsoonal rivers and riverbanks into surrounding forests dry continent. unpolluted marine and coastal and lakes, we won’t be able to stop environments. However the the disappearance of native fish or increasing pressure to develop the the extinction of endangered birds north as a food bowl and mine pit and mammals. threatens all of this.

Connecting the dots Jess Abrahams

Australia is the world leader in wildlife ex- so much dry woodland, so many wetlands and so many reefs, all tinction. This honour puts us to shame, especially the plants and animals that lived in these environments would when viewed alongside our resource depletion, be with us forever. We were wrong. habitat loss and land and water degradation. We Early studies in island biogeography found the closer an is- need to do better by this big brown land, fringed land is to other islands, the greater the opportunity for connection with green and once full of wildlife. and interaction and the greater the species diversity. Conversely, Despite the conservation movement’s best smaller more isolated islands have much lower species diversity. attempts over the last fifty years to turn this Islands are not just land girt by sea. In Australia we have cre- trend, including all the national parks we’ve ated isolated islands of protected bush in a sea of degraded resi- secured, the trees we’ve planted, and the mines, dential, agricultural and industrial land. Rivers are disconnected dams and dodgy developments we’ve stopped, from their flood plains and estuaries. Ecosystems are sliced and it has not been enough. diced by paddocks, towns and freeways. The whole system is Species continue to disappear, precious hab- full of missing parts and broken connectors. itat is lost to development and environmental The result? Environmental degradation and decreasing spe- indicators continue to go backward. This is not cies richness, even in the national parks we thought were safe. just the legacy of our past when we didn’t know any better. We continue to make short-sighted Connecting the dots decisions that degrade our iconic natural herit- To turn the tide of wildlife extinctions and habitat loss, we need age for financial gain. to reconnect these isolated islands. Innovative conservation ef- It is gloomy stuff, but if we really care about forts think about the big picture and approach connectivity on a nature and want to protect it, we need try some- long-term continental-scale, reconnecting the broken links. thing new. It’s well and truly time to connect Connectivity conservation means working across land ten- the dots. ures and with farmers and private landholders. It restores and conserves degraded land and river systems to connect them Lessons from Island Biogeography with more intact, protected habitats. By working strategical- Traditional approaches to nature conservation ly and connecting the dots, connectivity creates corridors and sought to protect biodiversity by safeguarding stepping-stones for wildlife and ecological processes. By repair- representative examples of remnant habitat. We ing the broken connections, we will benefit this big, nature-rich believed if we protected so much tall, wet forest, land—and all of its inhabitants.

28 connectivity conservation Beyond the fence line Dugald Murray The benefits of connecting farms to natural ecosystems.

A patchwork of farmland blankets more than half prevents erosion of valuable soils, provides car- of our continent. Vast stretches sway with golden sprigs of wheat. bon sequestration, water filtration, windbreaks Other parts are pounded flat by the heavy hooves of sheep and cat- and shade for livestock. And, acidified and pol- tle. The patchwork is sometimes flanked by bush or intersected by luted rivers, which can decimate tourism and rivers — narrow stretches of green that run like spidery veins. fishing industries, also stand to benefit from re- These days, parts of the patchwork are being stitched as more duced fertilizer and chemical and more farmers discover the benefits of blurring the lines and use. All farms are connected better connecting their farms to natural ecosystems. To get the most from nature, to the same landscape. This is the international year of family farming, so it’s a good CSIRO research shows farm- They might be individual time to look at the importance of Australia’s farm sector to our ers need to conserve native economy and environment. Australia has 136,000 farm business vegetation on the farm and squares on a larger patch- controlling 53 per cent of our landmass, so when it comes to con- revegetate on-farm areas like work, but the seams are servation, how that land is used and integrated really matters. fencerows. This works best all that separate them Realising the significant benefits to their farms, industries and com- alongside conservation efforts munities, farmers are increasingly connecting with nature in inno- that connect the dots to create natural corridors vative ways. Inorganic fertilizers, insecticides, and other polluting and stepping-stones that help wildlife and eco- chemicals have long been the necessary evil of agriculture because logical processes flourish. of the constant threat of pest and disease outbreaks. But as scien- Australian farmers have learned to adapt tists at the CSIRO and the growing number of organic farm busi- with practices that conserve and improve their nesses know, there is a better way than fossil fuels and chemicals. land. As CSIRO scientist John Kirkegaard says, Part of this new approach recognises that all farms are connected “If there was an Olympics for conservation ag- to the same landscape. They might be individual squares on a larg- riculture, Australian farmers would win gold.” er patchwork, but the seams are all that separate them. Scientists at By harnessing this attitude and doing more the CSIRO now understand that managing pests on a larger scale to preserve native flora, our farmers and their has a much greater impact than individual on-farm approaches. communities will get more back from their en- Take the straw-necked ibis, for example. It is a farmer-friendly vironment. As a result the patchwork will be- native bird that eats locusts and needs access to native vegetation come greener, healthier and better assembled. and wetlands across its lifecycle. But a locust-busting ibis is no use to a farmer if the wetland is too far away from the plague. Sci- entists at the CSIRO have found that this kind of natural pest con- trol works better when native vegetation and farmland is closer together. The shorter distance means pest controlling species can act before pest populations grow too large. Pests live on crops, of course — but native vegetation is often home to the native enemies of these pests. Native vegetation also provides essential resources to support pests’ enemies when pest populations in crops are low, such as after harvest or during drought. In addition, native flowers and habitat help sustain life and reproduction and act as a safe haven free from insecticides. CSIRO research from Queensland has shown native vegetation can help to balance the beneficial insect-to-pest ratio. Connecting to native vegetation and using less insecticide has benefits across the patchwork and beyond the farm gate. Areas of native vegetation support bees, our essential pollinators. Vegetation

Landcarpet by Florian Pucher

29 Greenhome

The compost aerator The Little Veggie Patch Co

Is your compost bin a cauldron of soggy fermenting goop, full of undesirable bugs and belching a foul stink? Check out this cheap and easy solution from the good folk at Little Veggie Patch Co to get your compost bin turning scraps into gold.

Stinky compost need not persist! A cheap and Start by measuring the height of the bin. Remember, the pipe is Photo: easy way to solve this problem is to add a compost going inside, so measure below the lid. Watt Dabney, aerator, which will allow for adequate airflow in the Cut a piece of PVC to the right height using whatever type of saw Flickr cc compost pile. While the aerator will reduce the you can get your hands on. Using a 10mm bit, drill holes at regular and overall heat, the aerobic frequent intervals, all the way from the bottom to the top. It’s not re- An aerator is a good boost will far outweigh ally possible to overdo it, so go wild! the lower temperatures. Make room in the centre of the bin by working a large stick in a way to repent for all of A stinky bin can usu- circular motion. As the hole gets larger, upgrade to larger sticks. Ro- our composting sins ally be traced back to an tate the stick anti-clockwise in the southern hemisphere and clock- imbalance between wet wise in the northern. kitchen scraps —‘green waste’ and dry material Drive the pipe into the centre of the compost heap using a wood- such as paper, straw, and leaves —‘brown waste’. en block or rubber mallet and throw in a thick layer of brown waste The ideal compost should have even layers of each, (we like sugar cane mulch). It’s that easy! but we aren’t here to make anyone feel guilty. An aerator is a good way to repent for all of our com- → wAtch a video tutorial for this compost aerator in posting sins. habitat the iPad magazine acflonline.org.au/habitatapp

Go wild with us! Sunday 4 May is our Play Outside Day. Come cloudspotting, tree climbing or stargazing. Take a magnifying glass through your Play urban jungle or collect sounds with your ears.

outside!→ Sign up at action.org.au/play-outside to host or attend a play outside day gathering. We’ll send you a kit to get you out and about.

30 EarthKids Hi EarthKids! Calling all earth kids I challenge you to ... go outside There’s a big and get grubby. world outside, just Playing outside is a great thing we can do to help the waiting for you. earth. There’s no need for batteries or power cords to So go outside play outside. When we play outside the energy that we use is not solar power or wind power it’s ... kid power. and get grubby! You can start the kid-powered fun by running, dancing, Love from dirtgirl playing statues or hopscotch.

What games do you like to play outside?

Ken likes to lie on the ground and watch the clouds and see if he can spot any funny cloud animals. Clouds are amazing. Sometimes if you stare at them for long enough you Scrapboy’s favourite outside can make them disappear game is definitely riding his trike. ... Start with a little one and see how you go! I can’t choose between flying kites or making mudpies. There’s so much you can do Grubby loves jump rope. outside to have fun. hayman and ken turn the rope and she makes up little rhymes while she jumps. Her favourite one at the moment is ... Look at me I’m grub –y I jump high Can touch the sky I can twirl and I can whirl I can hop and I can STOP!

So now you are ready to get grubby. Here’s my top three tips for three grubby things to do before bedtime. 1. Go on a scavenger hunt ... …find something smooth, shiny, crunchy, smelly, soft and something beginning with ‘G’ for grubby! 2. Make a mud pie cafe ... …é…mix up some mud and water and make some ‘delicious’ mud pies. You can decorate them with flowers, leaves, sticks and stones. 3. Get grubby in the garden. Plant a seed, turn some compost, feed the worms And to watch a video or pop out some mulch. With my garden gloves and gumboots on, this is my about getting grubby and favourite way to get grubby! do some nature loving activities, ask mum or dad to download habitat the ipad magazine 31 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF BEING CONNECTED BY NATURE

ACF is celebrating 50 wonderful years with a series of incredible events. The party starts this August. If you would like to attend or receive events updates, please express your interest here: www.acfonline.org.au/50years