Around The Web

Draft Recovery Plan for the Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens ecological community open for public comment. Consultation period closes 3 December 2014

Scientists modify E coli genes to produce gas that can power cars and heat homes

A gas which can power cars and heat homes has been made using a renewable process for the first time.

Propane, which makes up the bulk component of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), has previously only ever been produced from fossil fuels.

Continue reading...

First of its kind CSI-style technique to gather genetic material from animals could help track plight of endangered species

Trace DNA samples recovered from footprints in the Arctic snow have been used to reveal the bloody killing of a seal by a polar bear, which was joined by seagulls in devouring the corpse. It is the first time that genetic material from animals has been recovered from footprints, and the CSI-style technique is expected to prove a valuable tool in tracking the plight of endangered species. The method is cheaper, easier and crucially far less invasive than existing approaches which can involve capturing and anaesthetising wild animals.

A WWF expedition on Norway’s Svalbard islands high in the Arctic circle collected the snow in 10 footprints from one set of tracks made by a female polar bear. In the laboratory, the snow was melted and then filtered to collect skin cells from the tracks. The DNA in the cells was multiplied, allowing the identification of the animals and the reconstruction of the grisly scene.

Continue reading...

Neil Record and Nigel Vinson confirm their donations, and are both linked to thinktank that took funds from oil companies

Two secret funders of Nigel Lawson’s climate sceptic organisation have been revealed. This is the first time anyone financing the group has confirmed their contributions. Both are linked to a free-market thinktank, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), which has admitted taking funding from fossil fuel companies and has also argued against climate change mitigation.

Lord Lawson has steadfastly refused to name the funders of the Global Warming Policy Foundation since its inception in 2009, stating only that none have significant fossil fuel interests. The GWPF has become the most prominent climate sceptic group in the UK, but critics of the GWPF argue that funders’ names should be made public in the interest of transparency.

Continue reading...

Agency application on ecological sustainability - comments close 7 October 2014

The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder David Papps today announced that environmental water would be used within the Yallakool Creek, located in southern NSW.

Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder David Papps and NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Senior Environmental Water Manager Paul Packard today announced the delivery of water in the Lachlan valley.

Release of the Threat Abatement Plan 2014 for the incidental catch (or bycatch) of seabirds during oceanic longline fishing operations

Show and Tell - 27 Aug 2014

Julian Rutt’s interest in sustainability in architecture sparked while at university and grew while travelling after finishing his studies. Having spent several years working in London, on returning to Adelaide Julian began getting involved in the professional body, the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) through activity in the Sustainable Built Environment committee and the National Sustainability Committee in order to help sway sustainability policy, which later contributed to him receiving the New Architects & Graduates Award (now known as the Emerging Architect Prize). After 10 years back working for high profile practices on a wide range of commercial and residential projects, Julian began Lumen (Studio), a multi-disciplinary practice with sustainability as a key design driver. His own home was used as a testing ground for numerous sustainable design techniques and theories and recently won a Commendation for Sustainable Architecture at the AIA State Chapter awards and the Adelaide Review People’s Choice Award for new housing.
Julian also provides sustainability consulting for new projects as well as existing home and building retro-fits, has consulted to local government in the area of sustainability interacting with development plans, is a Design Review Panel member with the Office of Design and Architecture SA, has been juror and jury chair for the AIA awards, an expert witness in the ERD court and is a regular tutor/lecturer at UniSA and Adelaide University schools of architecture.

Cast: AdelaideSBN

Release of the Expert Panel's report on the Renewable Energy Target scheme.

Spotlight Event - 28 August 2014

Terry Dolman is a carpenter by trade and is currently a lecturer at TAFE SA's School of Building, Design and Drafting. He lectures in both sustainability and materials as well as delivers the Certificate IV in NatHERS. He has had interest in the environment since he was 13, after reading about toxic waste dumps in the USA.

Terry is also a keen gardener which led to an interest in permaculture. After meeting a likeminded person, he purchased an acre of land in the Barossa to grow fruit and veg. He is very passionate about social justice, which led him to work in Timor Leste over 4 years, setting up a training program for young people to help get employment which is still running.

All of his life experiences has lead to his current building project of his home in Angaston, SA.

Cast: AdelaideSBN

The Grey Nurse Shark Recovery Plan was developed in accordance with the guidelines for the compilation of recovery plans under the EPBC Act. This Plan sets out recovery objectives and actions to achieve those objectives

A landholders fact sheet is now available for the recently listed Kangaroo Island Narrow-leaved Mallee (Eucalyptus cneorifolia) Woodland, a critically endangered ecological community.

The Threatened Species Scientific Committee is seeking comments on the listing assessment of Natural Damp Grasslands of the South East Coastal Plain Bioregion. The consultation period closes on 19 September 2014.

Achvaneran, Highlands: Smaller badgers, uneasy at sharing their snack, fled when the doe appeared, but the biggest and most dominant barely hesitated before starting to eat

The first two badgers appeared earlier than usual, so there was no need for me to use the red filtered torch to see them. They were eating the peanuts I had put out earlier on top of an old oak stump only 3 metres from the window at the end of the house.

When I first started feeding them I thought they would eat the peanuts very quickly but, as usual, these two were picking up one or two and chewing them carefully. They began to mesmerise me in the wonder of being so close to them feeding away but then, suddenly, possible confrontation.

Continue reading...

Agency application on ecological sustainability - comments close 19 September 2014

Comments close 22 September 2014.

The Department of the Environment has released more than 1700 new maps and data that local communities can use to find threatened species in their area.

From 14 September 2014, CITES permits will be required to internationally export or import any part or derivative (e.g. fillets, fins) of the following species: Scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), Smooth hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena)...