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Army called in Serbia: The Serbian Government announced emergency measures on 14 April as thousands of army troops were helping to stack sandbags along the river, which burst its banks in several areas, flooding parts of Belgrade and northern regions in Serbia.

Snow melt and rain combine: Spring melting of snow, together with heavy rains, has led to floods throughout southeastern Europe in the past few weeks.

All Bulgarian river communities on alert: The Danube, the second-largest river in Europe after the Volga, reached a record high of 9.4m in the northwestern Bulgarian city of Vidin, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency and prepare the city of 50,000 for a possible mass evacuation. Authorities declared a crisis in all 22 communities along the country’s 450km stretch of the river.

Romania makes ready: And in Romania, more than 3000 police, military and civilian workers monitored dams, with dozens of communities ready to evacuate in case of flooding.

Nuclear power plant monitored: In the Bulgarian town of Kozlodui, the Danube reached 8.5m and submerged the port. Workers at the nearby nuclear power plant were inspecting dikes, but the civil defence agency said the plant’s safety was not threatened.

The Australian, 15-16/4/2006, p. 13

Source: Erisk Net 

"Poor management" accusation: The recommendations are in a report, Empty Oceans, Empty Nets, which says government catch statistics over the past 60 years show the state fishery is "on the edge of collapse" because of poor management.

Decline continues despite reduced commercial activity: The report, which tracks catches of 64 species between 1940 and 2000, says almost all species are in decline even though the commercial catch has halved in recent years.

How many constitutes "recreation"? The state’s one million recreational anglers can now take up to 200 fish a day across all species and up to 20 of some species. The council wants that limit cut to 20 across all species.

Marine parks govt priority: The State Government is already considering changes, including an overdue review of bag limits, but will not discuss specifies until it has finalised the last of six marine parks.

Not enough, says report: The report’s author, Paul Winn, from the Hunter Community Environment Centre, says marine parks do not go far enough: "They don’t cover the entire coastline. It falls well short of what is really needed to address fisheries management."

The Sydney Morning Herald, 14-16/4/2006, p. 3

Source: Erisk Net  

The Danube river has reached record-high levels in Serbia, Romania and parts of Bulgaria, submerging fertile farmland and threatening major flooding, reported The Australian (15 April 2006, p.13). … More  

Freer trade needed: He argued that Australia should also continue to play a leadership role in efforts to break down global barriers to trade.

Sustainability a key goal: Mr Howard said a challenge was to ensure that the nation’s use of natural resources was placed on a sustainable basis for future gerations. "We live in a fragile continent, and we have a responsibility to use our natural assets and resources wisely."

Energy security an issue: Achieving prosperity, security and sustainability in energy was a big challenge requiring long-term investments and efficient energy markets, he added. Wise development of energy resources also meant protecting the environment and playing an active role in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Emissions a global problem: "The challenge of climate change must be addressed in a way consistent with economic growth and poverty reduction. And an effective global strategy must involve major emitters such as the US, China and India, which is why Australia is playing a leading role in the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate."

Water the greatest challenge: Mr Howard described the nation’s water use as its greatest conservation challenge. "The Government’s $2 billion Australian Water Fund is expanding water storage and supply infrastructure, and assisting all Australians to use water more efficiently. Projects worth more than $1 billion have already been announced, but more needs to be done to augment supply given forecast population growth and water demand," he said

The Sydney Morning Herald, 21/4/2006, p. 11

Source: Erisk Net  

Delayed action damaging: They said delaying action by nine years would limit gross domestic product growth to an average of 1.9 per cent up to 2050 and could lead to a major disruptive shock to the Australian economy.

The post-Kyoto healing process: The chief executives of BP Australia, Westpac, Insurance Australia Group, Origin Energy, Swiss Re, Visy Industries and the Australian Conservation Foundation form the coalition. It is the strongest attempt yet to unite the business community and fix the damaging split over some sections’ support for Australia’s refusal to sign the Kyoto treaty on emission reductions.

Aust business needs to be seen to take positive stance on emissions: "Climate change is a real risk for business," Westpac’s David Morgan said. The coalition warns that without action big areas of Australia will be uninsurable and key industries like tourism and agriculture could be put at extreme risk.

Carbon trading a front runner in proposed measures: Research commissioned by the coalition suggests Australia could achieve the cuts by introducing a national market-based carbon pricing mechanism; publicly stating that government will not provide an indemnity against future carbon risks; building on incentives for energy efficient building codes and appliances; and by encouraging investment in emerging technology.

No to nuclear generation (but keep selling uranium overseas): But it also says there is no need for nuclear energy. "That’s because nuclear energy was not considered cost effective for Australia," Origin Energy’s Grant King said. "No doubt we will keep exporting it, but economically it doesn’t work for Australia."

Kyoto club membership not necessary: The group also saw no need to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Australia’s current performance in cutting emissions is only kept close to the Kyoto targets by curbing land clearing. Previous modelling done by ABARE has shown that constraining carbon emissions could cost Australia between 1.2 per cent of GDP to 6.2 per cent by 2050.

Early action the key: But the new report – with economic modelling done by the Allen Consulting Group and climate impacts determined by the CSIRO – says a 60 per cent reduction in carbon emissions is possible while maintaining strong economic growth, with real GDP averaging 2.1 per cent through to 2050 if early action is taken.

Slow start, more long-term pain: This compares with delaying action until 2022, which would result in lower GDP growth by an average of 0.2 per cent through to 2050, and concentrate any disruptive shocks over a shorter period. Under the early-action scenario 250,000 more jobs would be created compared with the late-action scenario.

The Australian Financial Review, 7/4/2006, p. 5

Larry sharpens awareness, brings problem into focus: More than 2000 people from at least six separate communities could lose their land and livelihoods as global warming pushes the shoreline ever closer. The communities most affected have applied to the State Emergency Service for disaster relief after Cyclone Larry exacerbated the problem last month, causing widespread destruction.

Island residents cannot retreat from a four-sided attack: Coconut Island elder Olandi Pearson has seen erosion and king tides take their toll over the years, but never to such an extent as now. His nephew Cedric Pearson, the island council’s deputy chairman, said: "This time it is coming from all four sides, and no one has seen that before. I have personally seen about 60 metres of land disappear since the year 2000."