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WA abandons shark culling program, but reserves right to kill again
Western Australia’s premier, Colin Barnett, announces application for baited drum line approval has been withdrawn
The Western Australian government has conceded defeat over its plan to systematically trap and kill large sharks near popular beaches, after scrapping a proposal to implement the strategy over the next three years.
Colin Barnett, the WA premier, confirmed on Friday that WA had withdrawn its application to the federal government for the shark culling to go ahead.
Continue reading...Suspicious death of rare Tasmanian devil prompts zoo investigation
New Mexico zoo increases security and offers $5,000 reward for information on death of endangered marsupial named Jaspar
The killing of a rare Tasmanian devil on loan from Australia has prompted beefed-up security at a New Mexico zoo and a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo is adding more guards and surveillance cameras following the death of the animal named Jasper at the zoo last week.
Continue reading...Meet the next generation of environmental engineers - Wed 22 October at UQ
Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum communique twelfth meeting - October 2014
Has Lockheed Martin really made a breakthrough in nuclear fusion technology?
Lockheed’s announcement has generated a lot of publicity, but experts point to the lack of details or results, suggesting fusion power is still a long way off. Karl Mathiesen investigates.
Let us know your thoughts. Post in the comments below, follow Karl Mathiesen’s Facebook page, email karl.mathiesen.freelance@guardian.co.uk or tweet @karlmathiesen
Scientists have responded with scepticism to the announcement of a breakthrough in nuclear fusion by Lockheed Martin.
The arms manufacturer announced on Wednesday that it was “working on a new compact fusion reactor (CFR) that can be developed and deployed in as little as 10 years”. But Lockheed’s four paragraph press release and accompanying video are heavy on hyperbole and light on detail.
Continue reading...Romanian politician calls for the army to help control bear population
Csaba Borboly has called for military assistance and for culling quotas to be lifted following a spate of cases involving brown bears damaging property in Romania
In the depths of Transylvania, Romania, a war against one of Europe’s largest brown bear populations is looming.
Following a string of cases involving damage to private property from bears in recent months, Csaba Borboly, a senior politician from the Transylvanian region, has called for the army to be brought in. “The [bear] problem needs the involvement of specialised state institutions such as the police, the paramilitary and even the army.”
Why cycling is great for everyone – not just cyclists
Mass cycling could save the NHS £17bn in 20 years, cut 500 road deaths a year and reduce smog, says a new study for British Cycling
At some point during most discussions about promoting cycling the question crops up: “Yeah, but some people don’t want to cycle or can’t cycle – how are bike lanes any use for them?”
The answers are many and overwhelming. However, they can be hard to pin down. Luckily, someone has just done just that in a thorough and easy to follow way.
Continue reading...National Heritage Listing for Koonalda Cave's outstanding Aboriginal heritage
Reef Trust Tender - Wet Tropics
20 Year Australian Antarctic Strategic Plan
Draft assessment report on the import of Scleropages formosus (Asian arowana) and Scleropages inscriptus (Myanmar arowana) to Australia
Supporting recreational fishing while protecting our marine parks - Ministerial Media Release
Review of Commonwealth Marine Reserves begins - Ministerial Media Release
Why is Antarctic sea ice at record levels despite global warming?
While Arctic sea ice continues to decline, Antarctic levels are confounding the world’s most trusted climate models with record highs for the third year running. Karl Mathiesen investigates.
Let us know your thoughts. Post in the comments below, follow Karl Mathiesen’s Facebook page, email karl.mathiesen.freelance@guardian.co.uk or tweet @karlmathiesen
Antarctic ice floes extended further than ever recorded this southern winter, confounding the world’s most-trusted climate models.
“It’s not expected,” says Professor John Turner, a climate expert at the British Antarctic Survey. “The world’s best 50 models were run and 95% of them have Antarctic sea ice decreasing over the past 30 years.”
Continue reading...Police commissioner proposes ID for cyclists – but can't explain why or how | Peter Walker
Katy Bourne explains why she thinks cyclists wearing identification numbers might be a good idea
The issue of cyclists being obliged to wear some sort of identification has been raised once again.
It’s one of those peculiar notions which can sound initially appealing to some but would, in reality, bring pretty much no benefits while creating huge negative consequences (I run through all this below). As such, it’s arguably most useful as a political barometer: you can safely assume that anyone who suggests it has no grasp at all of the issues.
Continue reading...Build on your CPD by learning about engineering Soft Skills
Global biodiversity targets won't be met by 2020, scientists say
World leaders failing in their pledge to stop wildlife decline, save habitats and create marine reserves
World leaders are failing in their pledge to cut the rate at which wildlife lose their homes, according to the the first ever progress report on targets to slow biodiversity loss by the end of the decade. Conservationist called the lack of action a “troubling sign” and a “reality check”.
Governments agreed on a set of targets in 2010 to stem the destruction of species’ habitats, increase the number of nature reserves and stop overfishing, but an international team of more than 30 scientists say in a report that, almost halfway towards the 2020 deadline, the Aichi targets are unlikely to be met.
Continue reading...The reason fewer US women cycle than the Dutch is not what you think it is
American women aren’t being put off by a lack of bike lanes but by lives that are disproportionately filled with domestic chores
Why don’t more women in the US bike? Men are two to four times more likely to make a bicycle trip than women, and just one quarter of bicycle commuters are women nationwide. The gap is large, and no city in the US has closed it.
Many researchers and advocates chalk it up to differences in risk and comfort.
Continue reading...20 Million Trees Programme Round One
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