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Posts Tagged ‘australia’

Climate change: The plight of Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin

climate-change-the-plight-of-australia%e2%80%99s-murray-darling-basin

The mismanagement of irrigation, compounded by drought and a drop in commodity prices, has spelled disaster for Australia’s most important agricultural region.
The waters of the Darling River and the massive Murray irrigate a region that produces almost half of Australia’s fresh produce. But the worst drought in over 100 years has plunged the Murray-Darling Basin [...]


Video: Climate scientist explains global weather woes

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From Australia to China to Pakistan to Russia and central Europe, this summer has so far been characterized by extreme weather events such as torrential rains, flooding, drought and wildfires.
In the following video report by ITN News, climate scientist Thomas R. Karl explains how the current extreme weather events across the globe are linked and [...]


Creature Feature: The Lord Howe Island Stick Insect

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This week’s Creature Feature takes us to Lord Howe Island, located approximately 370 miles (660 km) off the eastern coast of Australia. This particular creature is special because it’s been referred to as the “rarest insect in the world”.
The Lord Howe Island Stick Insect (also known as the Land Lobster or the Lord Howe Island [...]


History Comes Alive: Australian Scientists Discover Living Prehistoric Creatures Below Great Barrier Reef

history-comes-alive-australian-scientists-discover-living-prehistoric-creatures-below-great-barrier-reef

The history of this planet is an awesome thing to learn about and there are so many ways you can do that. You can go to a museum, read books, check out a historical reenactment event, or specialize in the hunt for fossils and other artifacts. Some people say history comes alive, but what if [...]


‘Hedging bets’ necessary to preserve biodiversity, study says

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A recent study published in the scientific journal Nature found that quality is more effective than quantity when it comes to nature conservation strategies:
Replacing the least cost-effective 1% of Australia’s 6,990 strictly protected areas could increase the number of vegetation types that have 15% or more of their original extent protected from 18 to 54, [...]


Plastiki: 100 days at sea to highlight plastic pollution and overfishing

plastiki-100-days-at-sea-to-highlight-plastic-pollution-and-overfishing

Eco-warrior and youngest air to a banking fortune, David de Rothschild set out in April on a well-publicized trip from California to Australia aboard a vessel constructed from recycled plastic bottles. The raft, christened the Plastiki, is set to arrive in Sydney in about two weeks time. The purpose of Rothschild’s journey: To draw attention [...]


Creature Feature: The Numbat

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This week’s Creature Feature is about a marsupial that, although may be a symbol of Western Australia, it may not be so well-known to the rest of the world.
The Numbat, or Banded Ant Eater, is the only member of the Myrmecobiidae family. This furry little creature ranges between 13 and 18 inches (35-45 cm) in [...]


Conservation: Swimming with whale sharks in the Philippines

conservation-swimming-with-whale-sharks-in-the-philippines

Once considered a pest and hunted, the majestic whale sharks of Donsol in the Philippines are now a successful attraction for eco-tourists.
The whale shark is the world’s largest fish and can measure up to 20 meters in length. Used as a food source in some places of the world, whale shark meat is not cheap [...]


Bauxite mines highlight environmental and human consequences of aluminum extraction

bauxite-mines-highlight-environmental-and-human-consequences-of-aluminum-extraction

Last week Queensland Alumina Limited was fined $90 thousand Australian (78k USD/63k euros) for an industrial incident that released caustic vapors within 6 km of their Gladstone alumina refinery last year. The company pleaded guilty to the charge of causing serious environmental harm.
According to a report by ABC News Australia, the main section of the [...]


Many Updates in the World of Whaling

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The whaling issue is creeping back into the news more often again and this article is no exception.
In recent news, Australia announced plans to take legal action against Japanese whaling, which includes the involvement of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). It has been known for a long time that Australia has an issue [...]


Australian Surfer Attacked Twice by Shark in Stable Condition

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A surfer was attacked by a shark on Sunday—not once, but twice.
The attack happened to off Conspicuous Cliff Beach, located south of Perth, Australia. Surfer Michael Bedford, who was rescued by a friend and some fishermen, suffered deep gashes to his right leg, but fortunately he is in stable condition at a hospital.
Apparently, he caught [...]


Top 10 Eco-Vacation Spots Around the World

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School is ending, summer is rearing it’s blistering hot head, and the vacation season is upon us. Will you take to the beach again this year, or perhaps go camping in the mountains? Have you been eyeing one of those Caribbean cruises or thinking of trudging through an over-crowded amusement park? While some destinations may [...]


Australian Government Plans to Take Legal Action Against Japanese Whaling–Starting Next Week

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As the IWC meeting in Morocco approaches and an anti-whaling activist faces trial in Japan, the Australian government made a bold move yesterday by announcing plans to take legal action against Japanese whaling—starting next week.
It has long been known that Australia does not support whaling, especially when it happens in the nearby Southern Ocean Whale [...]


And Now for Something Really Interesting…

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Last week, a rather interesting critter was discovered in Perth, Australia. The creature appeared to be nothing more than a common Shingleback, or skink lizard. Well, with one exception: the lizard has 2 heads.
The lizard is currently being cared for at a reptile park in Henley Brook. Unfortunately, two-headed lizards don’t have particularly long life [...]


Creature Feature: Putting Lesser Known Endangered Species into the Spotlight!

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I am starting a new weekly segment here on GreenFudge.
We all know there are thousands of endangered species around the world. Here, and elsewhere, I’m sure you’ve seen more than enough reports about the plight of the tiger, or the orangutan, or the whale. And I’m sure you’re sick of seeing the same animals being [...]


Oil from Chinese Vessel Found at North West Island Nature Sanctuary

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There is always a dark cloud hiding somewhere behind every silver lining and unfortunately, this also applies to the recent Great Barrier Reef incident. Although the Chinese vessel was refloated and towed away from the shoal, some oil from the spill still washed up at the well-known North West Island nature sanctuary.
This particular sanctuary is [...]


The Top 10 Hiking Trails Around the World

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I absolutely love to go hiking. The great outdoors is a wonderful place to explore and to go to for some peace of mind. There are so many spectacular views, vistas, scenic areas and landscapes around the world; all of which are definitely worth seeing. Unfortunately, it may be impossible to hike all those trails [...]


Update: Chinese Vessel Successfully Removed from Shoal

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Things are looking up for the incident that happened in the Great Barrier Reef. The 750-foot (230 m) Shen Neng 1 has been moved off the shoal and without spilling anymore oil. A Maritime Safety Queensland spokesman stated:
“They have moved it to a position off the shoal. It has been stabilized and will probably be [...]


Update: Salvage Crews Begin to Remove Oil from Damaged Chinese Vessel

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There is finally a bit of good news with the whole Great Barrier Reef incident. Yesterday, salvage crews began pumping the fuel oil from the damaged Chinese coal ship onto a barge. Inflatable booms are in place to trap any oil that may spill during the transfer. The barge will be taking the oil away [...]


Update: Chinese Captain Takes No Responsibility for Great Barrier Reef Oil Spill

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Earlier this week, a Chinese coal ship began leaking oil into the Great Barrier Reef. Many people around the world are upset about the incident, but the Chinese ship captain is not one of them.
Rather than taking responsibility for directing a massive ship off-course and polluting one of the world’s most treasured coral reefs, Captain [...]


Oil Leaking from Stranded Chinese Ship Causes Major Concern for Great Barrier Reef

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Right now, a Chinese coal ship is stranded in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Oil is slowly leaking out of the ship into the reef, which may cause a lot of damage to large areas of the protected reef.
The ship (Shen Neng I) belongs to the Shenzhen Energy Group—a subsidiary of COSCO (China Ocean Shipping [...]


Severe Storms Attack Australia’s Coasts

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It may have seemed like the end of the world for residents of Perth, Australia, this week.
At least 160,000 people were left without power on Tuesday as golf ball-sized hailstones, floods and landslides attacked the town. Falling trees took out power lines and damaged homes, while flood waters ran into hospitals and schools. Some [...]


Coral Bleaching of World’s Southernmost Reef Blamed on Climate Change

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The southernmost coral reef of the world isn’t looking too pretty.
Where is this reef? It’s located near Lord Howe Island, which is off the eastern coast of Australia. Warming seas have caused bleaching of this particular reef for the first time ever. Coral bleaching (or whitening) occurs when the algae-like protozoa dies or is expelled [...]


Elephant Calf Born Alive, Despite Predictions of Death

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Life and death work in mysterious ways and one recent incident in Sydney’s Taronga Zoo is proof of that.
An Asian Elephant gave birth yesterday to a healthy, living, baby boy. Two days ago, you wouldn’t have known that. Two days ago, zookeepers and veterinarians both declared the elephant calf dead inside the womb. Apparently, the [...]


Whaling Compromise Reaches a Dead End at Florida Talks

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Last week, 25 nations met in Florida to discuss ongoing whaling issues. The main focus of the meeting was a compromise that would allow Iceland, Japan and Norway to hunt whales openly (despite a 1986 ban on commercial whaling); but in turn the 3 nations would be required to greatly reduce their quotas over a [...]


Australia and Indonesia Announce Plans to Save Sumatra’s Forests

australia-and-indonesia-announce-plans-to-save-sumatras-forests

Sumatra: A large, Indonesian island that is home to over 200 mammal and nearly 600 bird species, including critically endangered animals such as the Sumatran tiger, rhino, and orangutan. It’s also the target of a new environmental initiative launched by Australia and Indonesia.
Yesterday, those 2 nations announced a multi-million dollar plan to reduce greenhouse gas [...]


Whales: Preventing the Clear-Cutting of the ‘Forests of the Ocean’

whales-preventing-the-clear-cutting-of-the-forests-of-the-ocean

Today, a number of officials are gathering in Florida to discuss the ongoing issues with whaling. Things appear to be split at least 3 ways amongst them and right now it’s hard to tell what direction the meeting will go in.
First, you have the IWC (International Whaling Commission), which is responsible for slapping a 1986 [...]


Australia: Logged forests more vulnerable to wildfires

australia-logged-forests-more-vulnerable-to-wildfires

A wildfire is currently raging in Western Australia, some 170 miles (275 km) north of the state capital, Perth. Though the area is mostly farmland and not densely populated, Australian Fire Emergency Services have urged residents to leave the area with ’survival kits’ in tow.
According to a Press Association report on the situation in Western [...]


Australian Cane Toads: Should They Stay or Should They Go?

australian-cane-toads-should-they-stay-or-should-they-go

In 1935, the Cane Toad was introduced to Australia in an attempt to control the native Cane Beetle problem. Since the introduction, the Cane Toad population has swelled from 102 to over 200 million of these hopping amphibians.
This particular species of toad is notorious for its toxins. When a Cane Toad is threatened, it will [...]


Australian Prime Minister Threatens Japanese Whaling Program with Legal Action

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In an effort to finally put a stop to the whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, issued a November deadline for Japan to stop their research whaling program.
The whaling program is sponsored by the Institute for Cetacean Research and while it’s possible a portion of the whales might be [...]


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