STEP Matters Number 139, April 2007
Carbon and All That I say the debate is over – we know the science, we see the threat, and the time for action is now. A Schwarznegger, 2005
In this issue there is much about global warming and its repercussions. Things are moving so fast that the newspapers are full of the subject and our politicians are, often quite comically, tripping over their recent press releases in an attempt to keep up as they are dragged along on a tsunami of public and scientific opinion.
The Pennant Hills Road Tunnel (page 2) is being argued about but the argument is still over which road rather than a consideration of transport solutions as peak-oil looms.
Murray Hogarth (page 3) spoke to a meeting convened by STEP in March. Murray is not a scientist – he is perhaps best described as a change agent and in future we are going to hear more and more from the likes of him as the emphasis changes from proving climate change to halting it. We review his book The 3rd Degree.
The article by Ian Dunlop (page 4) is a most intelligent blueprint for dealing with greenhouse emissions. Although Australians are profligate per capita users of energy and significant exporters of coal and gas, what we do won’t matter a jot unless the majority of the world population joins in. Ian addresses the difficult issue of global equity and his proposal for linear convergence of per capita carbon emissions is a very important concept. There is great opportunity for our government to develop such a proposal and to work on the world stage to have it implemented.
Tony Haymet (page 6) informs us on the consequence of increasing CO2 concentrations in the oceans. This is another frightening prospect. We might wonder what our governments are doing about that!
Careful readers of this newsletter will know that the environmental degradation caused by over-population is a constant topic. Jennifer Katauskas (page 7) shows us one way to improve people’s lives through micro-credit – and that always seems to lead to lower birth rates. There’s not much chance that our government likes that idea but you can participate!
May and June Walks History Talk Sunday 20 May, 1.15 for 1.30 pm Sunday 24 June, 10.45 for 11 am Settling into Ku-ring-gai’s Mitchell Park, Cattai National Park Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Landscape Features: Cattai Creek, gallery Features: Aboriginal engravings, rainforest, Forest Red Gums, classic early 20th century road Tuesday 22 May, 8 pm Ironbarks, freshwater swamp. construction and stunning water views St Andrews Hall, Vernon Street, Location: 12 km NE of Windsor, via across Cowan Creek. Ridgetop forest, South Turramurra dominated by Angophoras and Black Pitt Town, off Cattai Road, UBD 68–9. At this time of over-development and Alternative route via Old Northern Sheoaks, contrast with foreshore mangroves on tidal mudflats. enforced change it is very appropriate Road, then Kenthurst or Cattai Road. that Virginia Macleod and Pauline Cost: $7 park entry fee unless you Cost: Free. Curby, the authors of Under the Canopy, the recently published history have an annual pass. Location: Meet at the park entrance of Ku-ring-gai, will talk to STEP. This Meet: Grassy area near Cattai Creek, at the end of Bobbin Head Road, talk will cover the growth of Ku-ring-gai under tall trees, left fork (downhill) at St Ives Chase. Free parking is as a suburb and the values end of access road. available outside the park gates. underpinning its character, particularly Grade: Moderate; meandering forest Grade: Medium; mostly flat with some its relationship with the bush, its track, moderate hill climb, may be wet short rocky climbs along well- gardens and homes. underfoot. maintained track. This is an opportunity to hear first Duration: About 3 hours. Duration: About 4 to 4.5 hours. hand about the construction of this Suggestion: It's a longish drive so beautifully designed and presented consider making a day of it. In the Contact: Tim Gastineau-Hills book. Books will be available for sale morning visit Scheyville National Park 9449 2094, 0419 251 586. and Virginia and Pauline will be (Cumberland Plain Woodland), Bring: Good walking shoes, a picnic available to sign copies. Longneck Lagoon (bird life) or the lunch, snack food, water and a hat. As usual, light refreshments will be main Cattai National Park next to the Binoculars and telephoto lenses served! Hawkesbury River nearby (grey recommended. kangaroos, historic farmhouse). Contact: John Martyn, 9449 7962, 0402 284 366,
Action on the Ground – the Short Street Project Our Thornleigh members who came to us from TABS have for years been working on bush regeneration in the Upper Lane Cove Valley. Jacinta de Jong has provided us with the following update on progress. You can view the photos in colour in the electronic version of this newsletter on our website. An important part of the work that the former Thornleigh Area Bushland Society undertook is bush regeneration. Since 2003, members have been working with Hornsby Shire Council, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Scouts to restore the area of bushland at the end of Short Street, Thornleigh, which forms the main north-western entry point to the Lane Cove National Park. With the assistance of an Environmental Trust Grant to employ professional land engineers, and enthusiastic community members, the site was cleared of exotic overgrowth and revegetated with indigenous species and the degraded creek lines rechannelled. Since then the site has been maintained by a small but very active group of volunteers. The evolution of the site is shown below. In mid-2003, as shown in the photo on the left, the site was a tangle of lantana, privet, kikuyu and dumped metal and glass. The middle photo shows the area after land clearance, watercourse restoration and tree planting. The final photo shows the natives becoming established.
The outstanding achievement of the Short Street Bushcare Group was recognised by Hornsby Shire Council at the end of last year when the group received the runners-up award for their work. Congratulations! The group meets on the third Sunday of each month from 8 to 11 am. New volunteers are always welcome. Contact Don Davidson on 9980 1113 for information. There are many bushcare groups around the suburbs and it’s easy to find one to join – the work is very rewarding.
The Pennant Hills Road Tunnel In 2002 the RTA commissioned, on Alas! What we got was a predictable It is, however, wishful thinking to hope behalf of the Australian Government, a missing link patch-up with zero that putting a new road in the west will study to identify a route for the attention given to the most efficient alleviate congestion on PHR. It would National Highway from the Western way to move people and freight. In the certainly get rid of the tunnel stacks by Sydney Orbital (the M2/M7) to the F3 meantime PHR has become even moving the pollution elsewhere but to relieve pressure on Pennant Hills more the domain of heavy trucks much of the traffic doesn’t want to go Road (PHR). After considering various transport and some of the locals are to the M7 but rather to Sydney’s ports alternatives the recommendation was complaining. In particular the Pennant or industrial and commercial areas and for an 8 km tunnel under PHR and this Hills District Civic Trust has been it won’t always be the first choice to was accepted and endorsed by the campaigning against the tunnel and in detour via Dean Park. In addition, any Australian Government. favour of a new superhighway from the reduction in traffic on PHR that may F3 north of the Hawkesbury joining the occur would soon induce additional STEP made a submission at that time M7 at Dean Park. vehicles onto the road until congestion because there were still vested again restricted the volume of traffic. interests lobbying for a surface route Their complaints seem to be about through the Lane Cove Valley and pollution from tunnel venting stacks The western route would traverse because the whole business of and about their view that a tunnel will national parks and therefore be transport planning impacts on our not alleviate congestion on PHR. unacceptable. It would open up present and future environment. You Following the Melbourne tunnel another section of Sydney for can read STEP’s submission on our accident they have added safety to development without any review of just website, but basically we their concerns. what sort of a city we want to become. recommended that nothing should The demographic feedback effect happen until there was an integrated On filtration they have a point. The would see more farming and bushland transport plan for NSW. By this we NSW Government has refused to lost to mindless development. At a install filtration on any of the other meant that there should be an end to time when peak oil is either with us or the continuous patching up of an ailing tunnels including the new Lane Cove not far away, when we don’t know public transport and freight transport Tunnel. Evidently the technology what the cost of fuel will be in 50 years system, that factors such as exists but is very energy intensive. It is time, when we don’t have a plan for population growth and impending peak also true, especially if there is another the future of Sydney it would be oil should be assessed and a strategy toll, that many trucks and cars will madness to build an expensive developed to take us through the next avoid the tunnel and continue to use superhighway through national parks. 100 years. PHR. If we must have a link then the tunnel is a flawed but best option.
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Book Review: Turning off the Lights The 3rd Degree The on-line newsletter Crikey.com had Murray Hogarth is a newspaper and a cynical but entertaining view of the TV journalist turned business advisor. hour without lights that probably is He works for Ecos Corporation Pty Ltd valid enough. Many in the environment and advises firms on how to deal with movement who detest WWF (STEP social and environmental issues. doesn’t yet) will be cheering Crikey. Murray recently spoke at a public “Similarly WWF’s Earth Hour stunt, meeting organised by STEP. whipping up a little mass hysteria in His book’s title refers to the Sydney to turn off some lights for an catastrophe that will occur should the hour on Saturday night, has been a world experience 3 degrees of massive PR success. Too bad it was a warming that scientists tell us that, on con as far as reducing CO2 emissions goes. Contrary to the media claims, no current trends, will occur within 100 years. This is not a scientific treatise; it CO2 was saved, no lump of coal received a stay of incineration. Indeed, is about how society might respond to STEP has seen many changes over the challenges of global warming. His it’s not hard to argue that more CO2 the years and many battles won – we was produced by the circus as key proposals are that we should: have, however, always been able to • reinvent our politics free of the old thousands of Sydneysiders drove to note the victories and move on. We the harbour to watch, well, not much. left-right ideologies; like to be at the cutting edge of • be environmental activists in And then there were all those burning environmental imperatives rather than candles and kero lamps ... business; being mired in the past! He quotes • put quality of life above wealth; Charles Darwin ‘It is not the strongest The SMH led the gushes: • be relaxed about making money of the species that survive nor the In the city centre alone energy from the environment; and most intelligent, but the ones most consumption fell 10.2% between • take our values shopping. responsive to change’. That’s a good 7.30 and 8.30 pm, saving Murray sees a future where wasting line and raises the spectre as to how 24.86 tonnes of CO2 from being energy and water will become as the old warhorses of the left and the released into the air. Central unacceptable as drink driving, smoking right are going to cope with it all! Sydney's mighty effort is the indoors or forgetting the sunscreen! equivalent of taking 48,613 cars off He makes the point that ‘Neither the road for one hour. His main thesis is that our aim must be capitalism nor socialism nor outright to harness the enormous energy and communism or totalitarianism nor any Er, no. It didn’t happen. Saturday creativity within the business of the shades in between ever showed night’s electricity comes from base community. In that scenario the role of any respect for the environment’. Too load generators – the big coal-fired government would be to set the rules true but he left out religion, that other stations. They are not turned on and and create the legal framework within great movement which deserves a off at the flick of a light switch. seat at the despoilers’ table. Taming which such a harnessing is possible. Normal Saturday night NSW power It’s not very hard to make such a the wilderness is still the catchcry in many churches. consumption runs at 8,500 megawatts. case – our governments are shedding There was a dip of 150 megawatts per operations like the Commonwealth One disappointing aspect is his hour between 7.30 and 8.30 pm on Bank, Qantas and Telstra and have neglect of population as an issue. He Saturday night. That’s vastly more than shown little competence in complex mentions it early in the book and then the 23,613 kilowatts the SMH is wetting trading activities. drops the subject. It is surely possible itself about – but it’s still just a 1.7% He is very hard on the Australian to accept that allowing the world to go variation in electricity consumption. from 6 to 9 billion over the next Government’s current line that the Which means the turbines kept turning, choice is between wealth or the 50 years or so will not improve the outlook for greenhouse gas the coal kept burning and the CO2 kept environment and argues that we can being released. But never let facts get in have both. He sees people like John production. Surely it is necessary to address this issue and identify just the way of a good story. Lighting is one Howard as being unredeemably fixed of the least of electricity’s major worries. in the past and sees salvation in the what Australia should be doing about it both internally and on the world stage. The cool rooms kept operating on likes of Malcolm Turnbull and Peter Saturday night, the electric trains kept Garrett. Murray also fails to come to grips with running, the aluminium smelters kept Murray touches on the phenomenon the effect that the aspirational billions smelting and so on. throughout the world will have on whereby green groups feel a sense of And it’s just as well they did. If there loss and disappointment when their greenhouse gas production as they approach our level of consumption. really had been a sizeable instant cause is won and is taken over by the downturn in electricity consumption, say mainstream. Somewhat, one Despite these complaints, this book is 500 megawatts, it would have been the supposes, like the professional soldier a useful contribution to the global equivalent of one of the base load who has been dumped back in the warming discussion. It is easy to read stations running into trouble or a smelter community when the war is over! He and will give most people some new falling over – and that could well have claims that this leads green groups to concepts to consider as we enter a triggered cascading blackouts through dig in and claim that they have the period of great change within our the electricity system. only solution to the problem and society. therefore try to continue to own it. No, it’s not as simple matter, but don’t The 3rd Degree: Frontline in tell the public that. Throw them a Australia's Climate War, Pluto Press novelty item and let them think they’re Australia 2007 ‘saving the planet’.” 3
Climate Change Management By Ian Dunlop The primary target should be to do likewise. Thus the process Ian Dunlop, who lives in Ku-ring-gai, stabilise global atmospheric carbon becomes a positive, collective was formerly a senior international oil, concentrations at no greater than experience for the community to gas and coal industry executive. He 450 ppm CO2e, which is considered restructure and rebuild the economy chaired the Australian Coal the maximum acceptable level to avoid on sustainable principles. Association in 1987–88, chaired the dangerous climate change. Australian Greenhouse Office Experts Directional Incentives Group on Emissions Trading from This would be achieved by Directional incentives are essential to 1998–2000 and was CEO of the contracting annual global carbon speed the transition to a low-carbon Australian Institute of Company emissions from 8 gigatonnes carbon economy and to capitalise on new Directors from 1997–2001. today to 3.5 gigatonnes carbon by business opportunities. For example: 2050, a reduction of 55%. • increase mandatory renewal Recent reports on climate change energy target to 30%; have confirmed what has been The contraction task must be allocated equitably between nations. The • congestion taxing on vehicles in intuitively and practically evident for capital cities; many years, namely: developed world, having created the bulk of the problem, has a moral • investment in high quality, efficient • carbon emission from human public transport, cycling; activity is leading to increased obligation to take the lead, but the developing world, in its own interests, • stop further major expansion of atmospheric carbon freeway systems to constrain concentrations; this is very likely to must rapidly join in seeking solutions. This poses the fundamental question expanding vehicle use; be causing major climate change, of global equity. • eliminate subsidies encouraging particularly temperature increases, carbon emissions; which will become dangerous and It is morally indefensible and • emphasis on energy efficiency and potentially catastrophic if carbon unrealistic to expect that the resource conservation; concentrations are allowed to developed world can continue to emit • mandate world best practice continue rising; at current levels, with the developing vehicle emission standards; • the evidence is sufficiently clear world absorbing the bulk of the climatic • emphasis on high-speed that urgent precautionary impact and being asked to constrain broadband access Australia-wide measures should be taken to its own growth. The simplest, most to speed de-materialisation and reduce human carbon emissions if equitable and practical solution is for reduce travel burden; dangerous consequences are to each nation to agree to converge • total rethink of the consumer be avoided; and linearly from today’s unequal per society and related business • the cost of doing nothing far capita emissions to equal per capita models (e.g. transport, aviation, outweighs the cost of action to emissions globally by a date to be infrastructure, urban and rural mitigate and adapt to climate negotiated, say 2040. environments, financial services, change. This means Australian emissions supply chains, marketing, Having crossed the threshold, from would have to reduce by 50% by 2025 recycling) in-line with sustainability denial to accepting that climate and 90% by 2050. This would be principles; change is a serious issue, which the administered via a national carbon • redesign and simplification of the government now claims to have done, reduction budget, comprising year-by- market economy, corporate and sensible policy becomes mandatory. year emission reduction targets, which investment regulation, governance Time is of the essence, for the longer it inter alia provide certainty for long- and reward systems to deliver takes to implement solutions, the term investment decision-making, for long-term sustainability; and harder they become, particularly given example for power generation, • policy consistency across growing evidence of non-linear climatic resource development, urban government. responses to increasing atmospheric planning, transport etc. Fossil Fuel Exports CO2 concentrations. The national carbon reduction budget Coal exports are a substantial source Current piecemeal initiatives are totally could be achieved in various ways. of carbon leakage from the global inadequate. Emissions trading is now, Market-based instruments are carbon emission reduction effort reluctantly, under discussion, but it is preferable and emissions trading is unless the recipient country is part of only one component of the arguably the most efficient, provided it the global reduction program. There comprehensive policy required. So is properly designed and administered. may well be justification for higher what constitutes sensible climate However the schemes so far quality Australian coal, for example, to change policy? It would look discussed at state and national level be used for power generation in something like this. are not sufficiently comprehensive for preference to poorer quality coal in Set Targets to Avoid Dangerous the task we now face. The simplest, other countries. However, without most practical variant, which carbon being fully priced, there will be Climate Change overcomes their flaws, is a system of substantial distortion of the future There must be rapid implementation of tradeable energy quotas (TEQs). energy market if carbon-intensive measures to stabilise atmospheric projects become locked into the carbon concentrations by reducing TEQs are an electronic system for energy mix before global negotiations emissions substantially. This requires rationing energy, which includes every are completed. clear, binding, deliverable targets to be energy-user and energy-provider in a agreed globally and nationally, best national economy in the task of The Australian coal industry has achieved by committing to a modified reducing CO2 released into the belatedly acknowledged that clean Kyoto Protocol in the immediate atmosphere from fossil-fuel energy. A coal technology and carbon future. common purpose is created as sequestration is essential if coal everyone has an incentive to reduce combustion is to continue. However, emissions and to encourage others to despite the industry having been on 4
notice for more than 15 years, the convergence, to sell to those atmospheric carbon concentrations, R&D investment devoted to this task is requiring additional quota, in the which would be foolhardy in the light of miniscule compared with the challenge process easing global inequity by the evidence available. But the risk ahead. Further, whilst carbon transferring wealth from the developed assessment must be kept under sequestration may work in specific to the developing world. Technology review as the scientific evidence circumstances, it is by no means clear transfer from the developed to the evolves. that it will be generally applicable or developing world, to achieve low- that timely solutions will be available. carbon outcomes, must also be part of More detail on Ian Dunlop's policy the process. proposals, covering both climate Accordingly, no further fossil-fuel change and peak oil, can be found in export projects should be approved Summary his submission to the Prime Minister's until either all exported carbon can be The transition to a low-carbon Task Group on Emissions Trading at securely sequestered on a long-term economy will fundamentally alter the www.dpmc.gov.au/emissionstrading/s basis, or it is accounted for in the lifestyle of the entire community. It will ubmissions/29_sub_emissionstrading. importing country by global carbon only be achieved successfully if there pdf. reduction agreements. This will ensure is a whole-hearted commitment to that investment decisions are not achieving these objectives. To build distorted, and spur technological and this commitment will require extensive Controlling Carbon diplomatic innovation. community awareness programs. Rather than continually being There are two ways in which society Domestic Carbon-intensive can attempt to control carbon; by a Investment Projects presented as problem, it must be seen as a unique opportunity to set carbon tax or by carbon trading. The No further domestic carbon-intensive humanity on a new course, built on former attempts to do so by controlling investment projects should be sustainable principles. price while the latter does so by approved until the market structure controlling the quantity. In both cases outlined above is in place, with full Conventional economic growth is a the cost of the price of goods will rise carbon pricing. This would apply, for large part of the problem. We must in proportion to their carbon intensity. example, to any new coal-fired power move to a new paradigm of a generation, water desalination plants, sustainable economy. This requires The trouble with a tax is that it is industrial plant etc. Given Australia’s large structural change, but whilst impossible to know what level of tax is required to produce the desired dependence on existing coal-fired some industries decline, greater reductions in carbon and so the power generation and its associated opportunities open up. It is essential to government must continually adjust high emissions, all existing power take a proactive, forward-looking view plants should be phased out by 2020 and seize these sustainable the rate – something that no one likes. unless retro-fitted with clean coal opportunities, rather than reactively In setting up a trading scheme the technology and carbon sequestration defend an unsustainable status quo. government can go straight to the to acceptable standards. The former represent the future of desired quantity of carbon to be Australia, whereas the latter Airlines and International Sea eliminated and issue permits that guarantees our decline and reflect that. Firms can then sell off their Freight immeasurable community hardship. allotment as their emissions reduce to At present airlines are not included in Above all, visionary, principled, long- firms that find they need more. A emissions trading systems. Airlines term leadership is need in trading scheme will allow market account for around 3% of global government, the community and forces to work and provide incentives emissions, although this may be an business. Action is required in the next for firms to reduce emissions. underestimate as some types of 6 to 12 months, not in the 3 to 5 years emission may be particularly It seems obvious that a trading favoured in political debate. damaging, the total impact perhaps scheme is the best option. being two to four times as great. There remains the possibility that the Airline emissions are growing rapidly, science is wrong and that climate spurred by cheap air travel and change currently being experienced is 2HHH Community Radio increasing wealth, and will become a primarily due to natural causes rather much more significant component of than being human-induced. The It seems that few of us know about overall emissions. Accordingly aviation mounting evidence suggests that the 2HHH which transmits on FM 100.1. must be included in the global and probability of this being so is low, and This community station operates from national emission reduction programs. declining. Nonetheless, in committing a studio in Edgeworth David Avenue International sea freight similarly is not to the policy proposed, this scenario and targets Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai included in current emission trading should be kept in mind. council areas. However its signal schemes and must be incorporated. begins to fade out at around Pymble. Prudent risk assessment, weighing the International Emissions Trading risks and their probabilities in the light On Saturday mornings from 8 to 10 am of today’s knowledge, suggest that it Mark Wallace, editor of the Hornsby International emissions trading will be Advocate, runs a news show called essential to achieve the optimal, least clearly makes sense to proceed with these proposals, as the potential Wally’s Weekend Breakfast. He cost emission reduction strategies. interviews a wide variety of people on This should be provided for by nation- impact of dangerous climate change may be catastrophic, while the costs of local matters and it’s usually well worth to-nation emissions trading under the listening to. auspices of the modified Kyoto carbon emission reduction are Protocol. It would allow nations with manageable. To continue with quotas in excess of their needs, as business-as-usual implies an determined under contraction and irreversible increase in global
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Overloaded Oceans By Tony Haymet, Director, Scripps Coral reefs are also in danger due to We cannot stop studying this problem Institution of Oceanography, University the corrosive nature of increasing just as we are beginning to appreciate of California ocean acidity. Representing the most its full magnitude. We must begin today diverse marine ecosystem, coral reefs to increase focus on this vital area of Ocean acidification is a real and are crucial to the health and research. We call today for a Keeling potentially devastating consequence of perpetuation of marine biodiversity. Curve for the oceans. The Keeling climate change that demands Yet these vital aquatic resources are Curve depicts the measurement of CO2 immediate attention. An excess of under siege by a number of in the atmosphere since 1957 and fossil fuel-derived CO2 is causing environmental stressors including definitively links the observed rise to the profound changes in ocean chemistry. temperature increases, local pollution, increased burning of fossil fuels. These changes are some of the most coastal erosion, over-fishing, and, of pressing problems presented by the We also call for a determination of the course, ocean acidification. burning of fossil fuels, but they get little biological consequences of increasing attention. A small but growing number Ocean acidification decreases the ocean acidity and its effects on the of scientists are turning their thoughts calcification rate for corals and other ocean food web. Such measurements to the oceans and their findings organisms as the carbonate ion would build on the WOCE/JGOFS demand that we take action. concentration is reduced. This is a surveys of the 1990s, and would chronic issue that could eventually provide a comprehensive The science is simple. The CO2 lead to the demise of many calcifying measurement of ocean acidity generated by human activities is marine species, including all coral throughout the oceans. As we released into the atmosphere. Some reefs, even Australia’s Great Barrier celebrate the 50th anniversary of the remains there, the rest is taken up by Reef, the world’s largest biological groundbreaking Keeling Curve, now is land vegetation or makes it way into structure. What effect these changes the time to promote the same long- the oceans. Although life in the oceans in ocean chemistry will have are still to term measurement and response does take up CO2, its role in the be seen, but impacts on entire program for CO2 in the oceans. uptake of this additional CO2 is, as yet, ecosystems and thus to economically small. As the amount of CO2 taken up vital fisheries are certainly possible. by the ocean increases, it causes an Howard’s Way: This One’s OK! increase in ocean acidity, and the Atmospheric CO2 has already been John Howard’s proposal to assist ocean’s natural ability to counter this linked with water issues in California. countries in Asia to recover forests did acidity increase is being compromised. The state was recently approached by not deserve the drubbing that it an environmental group attempting to received in the media. His motives We have already experienced an use the federal Clean Water Act to may be open to question but Australia increase in ocean acidity of nearly regulate atmospheric CO2, claiming is a net planter of trees with our forests 30% compared to pre-industrial times the gas does harm to the cycle of life reportedly growing at 70,000 hectares and a doubling has been predicted by in the ocean. Making clear the effect a year while Indonesia’s are shrinking 2100. Increasing the amount of CO2 in CO2 has on the ocean, requests like by 1.8 million hectare per annum. That the oceans causes an increase in – this help draw attention to the air-sea- Turnbull took the proposal to hydrogen carbonate ions, HCO3 , but 2– land interconnectivity of the Earth. The Washington and won American a decrease in carbonate CO which 2 record from the distant past gives support can only be commended. organisms need to make calcium added cause for concern. For a period carbonate shells and other structures. more than 55 million years ago, ocean Only by addressing climate change as The predicted acidity increase will acidity was much higher than today, a world problem, and acting have unknown consequences for and shell-forming organisms, and accordingly, can Australia maximise its marine life and ecosystems such as those coming after them in the food contribution to solving the problem. If coral reefs, tiny marine organisms chain, vanished. only some of our peak environmental called pteropods, and fish larvae to organisations would get behind that name but three. Each of these Yet the rate of change occurring type of action! organisms plays a fundamental role in 55 million years ago is certain to have local ecosystems and the food web, been much slower than the rate today. therefore amplifying the effects of their It is believed that the speed at which Membership and Email forced changes. we are altering the current acidity of Thanks to those who have renewed the ocean has not been seen before, their membership since the last Take for example the pteropod, a free- and therefore we may not be able to newsletter. Those few still outstanding swimming snail that lives near the anticipate the changes based on would have recently received an surface of the ocean. It is a key food historical data. invoice separate to the newsletter. source for a number of fish and marine mammals. As ocean acidity rises, We must not let the ambiguity of exact Further thanks to those who have sent pteropods experience a double threat. implications stop action on this us their email addresses. This will Not only does the water corrode their problem. Ocean acidity, rather than allow us to inform you of upcoming shells, it may inhibit their ability to build temperature warming, may determine STEP activities. In addition, we are shells in the first place, leaving them the upper limit of atmospheric CO2 that trialling an email feedback process without an adequate protective layer. Earth can safely tolerate. Even if whereby we can ask you your views The effects of their decreasing emissions stopped today, we will still on issues. The committee thinks and numbers will ripple through the food see an acidification effect in the hopes that it is in tune with the web and could eventually impact oceans for a century or more due to members but it would be good to get humans as the fish we eat becomes the slow cycle of deep-ocean some feedback from time to time. scarcer because of the decrease in circulation and the long life of CO in 2 So if you have not done so yet, their food supply. the atmosphere. please send your email details to [email protected].
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Grameen Miracles Fixing the Climate Sceptics There are some 4 billion bulbs in the US and a similar number in Europe. If STEP member, Jennifer Katauskas, is We have all come up against the sort we doubled that to approximate the very involved with the Grameen Bank of perverse, smart Alec argument that whole world then shifting to compact and here brings us up to date. is hard to instantly rebut unless one is fluorescent lamps (CFLs) that burn at very verbally dextrous. The Grameen Bank and its founder 15% efficiency, would save over 600 Muhammad Yunus were the recipients Some common lines include It’s cold million tonnes of CO2 emissions per of last year’s Nobel Peace Prize, for today in Wagga, there is no evidence, annum. That seems worthwhile! their work in micro-credit; advancing Antarctic sea ice is actually increasing, It seems, however, that the very small loans to the poorest of the satellites show cooling, the medieval introduction of CFLs is merely an poor in developing countries to enable warm period was just as warm as intermediate step. CFLs are still only them to escape from bonded labour today, many scientists don’t believe it, about 15% efficient in the twirly form and the exploitation of middlemen. we can’t even predict the weather next that will be used in most applications – These loans have been given week, the climate has always tubes are nearer to 30% efficient. The overwhelmingly to women because of changed, water vapour accounts for all next step will be light emitting diodes their proven reliability in repayment. the greenhouse effect – and so on! (LEDs). These are currently about Families with secure finances, Now, however, there is a website 30% efficient but there is optimism that particularly where women are given which will arm us with all the answers. that can be increased towards 70%. respect and some power, don’t need Just go to http://gristmill.grist.org/skeptics. Despite LEDs being used extensively to have large families to ensure they You may even have some unresolved in car headlights and the like they are have descendants to care for them in issues yourself that are nagging away! not yet technically suitable for general old age. Millions of lives have been This site will sort that out and allow lighting and far too expensive. transformed, and one of the by- you to go forward as a climate change products of the increasing financial warrior with a clear conscience. Changing light bulbs won’t be such a security of families has been a common activity as these new decrease in the birth rate; essential in Bye Bye Bulbs technologies take over. An the fight against environmental incandescent filament bulb may last degradation. Sometimes one must feel sorry for the 1,000 hours, a CFL may last 10,000 politicians – damned if they do and and a LED 50,000. While there may be The Grameen Foundation Australia damned if they don’t. The latest a short-term ongoing need for filament (www.grameen.org.au) is an example of this is the bagging that bulbs for dimming and such organisation of Australian supporters Malcolm Turnbull got after announcing applications there is no doubt that, of the work of Grameen and has been that filament bulbs would be phased after over 100 years of filament bulbs, involved in aid projects in The out. We are indebted to the 31 March the change is going to happen. Philippines, East Timor, Vietnam and 2007 edition of New Scientist for an other countries, has worked with explanation of what is going on. AusAid, and is currently negotiating to STEP Committee help establish a Grameen Foundation It’s worth reporting that in January the John Burke in Indonesia. It is also in the process of state of California introduced an act Tim Gastineau-Hills establishing an Australian website in named the How Many Legislators Graham Jones connection with the American Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb Bruno Krockenberger organisation Kiva (www.kiva.org) so Act (if you don’t believe that go to Michelle Leishman that those interested can make small http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/me Andrew Little loans directly to those they would like mbers/a40/). Filament bulbs, that are Neroli Lock to help. Kiva is providing the software 5% efficient, will be banned there by John Martyn free and PayPal is processing the 2012. Three weeks later Australia Barry Tomkinson loans free of charge. announced it would do the same and Jim Wells in March the UK Government followed. Helen Wortham To find out more check out the above The European Commission is also Newsletter editor – John Burke websites. considering legislation.
Unit cost Number Cost ($) Membership (only complete if ‘06’ is shown on address label on next page) Single (per financial year) $16 Family (per financial year) $20 Life $200 Field Guide to the Bushland of the Upper Lane Cove Valley $30 Maps of Walking Tracks (cost of maps to non-members is $20) Lane Cove Valley $15 Middle Harbour Valley. Sheets 1 and 2 Bungaroo and Roseville Bridge $15 Middle Harbour Valley. Sheets 3 and 4 Northbridge and North Harbour $15 Donation (donations of $2 or more are tax deductible)
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The San Hospital Proposal In the last newsletter we told you One must assume that increased There is, however, much doubt as to about the proposal submitted by the congestion could also delay whether it should be allowed to Johnson Property Group on behalf of ambulances carrying emergencies to become a home unit and shopping the Adventist Church. The version we and from the hospital. Why would you centre developer on that site. We see reported on had over 1,438 dwellings isolate a major hospital in a sea of grid developments of the hospital and but that was the second submission – locked traffic? allied activities such as nurses’ the first contained 2,000 or so! quarters and training colleges as being So what’s going on? Both Ku-ring-gai part of the proper use of the site. But We have now had a chance to have a and Hornsby Councils are very of course there will eventually be limits closer look at the traffic implications. concerned but the property, although it to even those activities. Those of you who drive on Fox Valley abuts Hornsby at Mount Pleasant Road or the Comenarra Parkway will Avenue, is wholly within Ku-ring-gai. All bushland on the site should be know how congested they can No formal development proposal has conserved and transferred into the become at busy times. Traffic can yet been submitted. Lane Cove National Park. The quid bank up from Pennant Hills Road to pro quo for that should be the hospital Fox Valley Road and from the As we understand it the Minister would being given certainty as to its Parkway towards Lucinda Avenue. prefer Ku-ring-gai to deal with the development options over the The intersections of Fox Valley Road application and that suits Ku-ring-gai. remainder of the site. and the Pacific Highway and the Council has had meetings with the Parkway and Kissing Point Road often developer and insists that the scale of So far Minister Sartor and Council the proposal be reduced. Council is seem almost as concerned as us. We already have long waiting times. There is difficulty in access from Mount now assessing the traffic, fire, shall watch closely and keep you Pleasant Avenue. bushland and other implications and informed. hopes to negotiate an acceptable The intersection of Pennant Hills Road compromise. But acceptable to whom? Good News and Bad and the Parkway is already exacerbated by the proximity of the STEP has written to Council and to While wallaby sightings around Wood Street intersection and performs every councillor setting out our northern sections of the North Shore poorly, especially in the evening peak. concerns and what we believe would have become common, there have be an acceptable outcome. been far fewer in the Lane Cove Both Fox Valley Road and Kissing There would be a massive loss of Valley. However the dead wallaby on Point Road have extended peak the Comenarra Parkway on Friday periods and 40 kph zones because of bushland on both sides of Fox Valley Road. This would arise as much from 13 April demonstrated their presence. the schools near their intersections The fox baiting program is obviously with the Parkway. the RFS buffer zone requirements than from actual building where there working wonders: the next question is A preliminary analysis shows that the now is bush. A huge perimeter area just how we are going to prevent road current proposal would dump some would be turned into mown parkland deaths from becoming a too regular 900 cars per hour onto the roads in with no understorey and a much- event. peak hour without considering the thinned canopy. The impact of the impact of the added high school. additional thousands of residents Barry O’Farrell There would be two additional roads would add a huge pollution load to the STEP is of course non-political but intersecting with the Parkway, one headwaters of the Lane Cove River when one of our valued members each side of Fox Valley Road, and and degrade the remaining bushland. becomes Leader of the Opposition we additional roads intersecting with Fox There would be significant loss of must wish him well. His UTS Lindfield Valley Road. All of these are close to corridor habitat. Bill and his other environmental views the existing intersection and to the give us hope that he will usher in a traffic lights at the main hospital There is no question that the hospital should have a right to expand to meet new era in conservative respect for the entrance and would mandate more environment. traffic lights. the health needs of the community.
STEP Matters If undeliverable return to: STEP Inc PRINT POSTAGE PO Box 697 POST PAID Turramurra, NSW 2074 PP 246764/00011 AUSTRALIA