Archived material from historical editions of The Generator
CHIMPANZEES and humans split from a common ancestor 4 million years ago — a much shorter time than present estimates of 5 million to 7 million years ago. Full story from The Age but it doesn’t answer the question: who is the common ancestor?
The combination of record low inflows into our dams, predictions of continued hot and dry weather and higher than expected water consumption this summer means that Water Restrictions have come into force across the country. What water restrictions govern your water usage. At a glance … Australian Capital Territory Stage 3 water restrictions have been Continue Reading →
Mining giant Rio Tinto made representations to the Australian Federal parliament yesterday, calling for a slow start to carbon trading to avoid "excessive pressure" on industry. The presentation, billed in some media as a call for carbon trading, in fact outlines a plan to postpone any carbon trading for ten years and then make sure Continue Reading →
The Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce recommended that the WA Government lead by example in energy efficiency. It recommended:
Ensure compliancy: i. Buying or leasing, and operating minimum 5-star buildings or tenancies (subject to availability), buying the most efficient appliances in range, and ensuring all computer and office equipment is Energy Star compliant and enabled;
Raise Green Power purchases: ii. Purchasing a greater proportion of Green Power for government electricity use, establishing new energy efficiency targets for government agencies and extending its Carbon Neutral and Solar Schools programs;
Cogeneration for hospitals: iii. Establishing a program to progressively install cogeneration in government-owned hospitals and other appropriate institutions wherever possible; and
Cooperate with local governments: iv. Continuing to work closely with and assist local government in their greenhouse gas abatement initiatives and programs.
Christal George, Canberra, ACT, in The Australian Financial Review (22/02/2007, p.58), wrote that BHP extracted 32 million litres of water a day from the Great Artesian Basin at no cost, as well as being exempt from the Water Resources Act.
Special exemptions: The 1982 Roxby Downs Indenture Act of South Australia also exempted the mine from a range of laws. These included the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988, Environmental Protection Act 1993 and Freedom of Information Act 1991.
Defying norms of corporate social responsibility: This was astonishing special treatment for a company that prides itself on its “licence to operate”. The extraction of megalitres of water from the artesian basin every day also appreciably affected mound springs to which Arabunna people had spiritual and cultural connections.
"Official" BHP words: The BHP Billiton sustainable development policy said that “wherever we operate we will … ensure we understand, promote and uphold fundamental human rights within our sphere of influence, respecting the traditional rights of indigenous peoples and valuing cultural heritage”.
Decision time: Don Argus and the BHP board had the power to decide to switch to extracting all water needs from the proposed desalination plant.
The Tasmanian Government planned to push ahead with Waterhouse Dam plans despite advice it would destroy one of the last big stands of an endangered black gum. A letter from a Forest Practices boss showed the 96ha of eucalyptus ovata provided major legal impediments to the huge North-East dam, reported The Mercury (15/02/2007, p.19).
Permit granted despite concerns raised by Forest Practices three years ago: The Tasmanian Conservation Trust released the letter, written by chief officer Graham Wilkinson to the Waterhouse Community Irrigation Association three years ago. His letter stated: “[The] proposed impoundment area for the Waterhouse Dam proposal contains 96ha of shrubby eucalyptus ovata forest, all located on public land.” He stated the forest type was now less than 50 per cent of the pre-1750 cover, with hardly any of the remains in stands over 50ha.
Conservation, threatened species concerns make permit "unlikely": That made “the large, intact stands within the Waterhouse area very important for the long-term management and conservation of this endangered community”. A Forest Practices permit was needed in order to clear the forest but Mr Wilkinson said in the letter it was unlikely it could be given. The area also contained three plant species covered by threatened species law.
Socio-economic factors more important, says Minister: Primary Industries and Water Minister David Llewellyn, who was in China, had said that social and economic factors would become more important under his planned changes to water projects. Changes to legislation to fast-track dams were expected to be introduced to Parliament next month.