Environment – Page 2 – Openforum https://www.openforum.com.au Open Forum offers an independent platform for Australian debate Wed, 27 Mar 2024 21:57:31 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.25 We need an ecological civilization before it’s too late https://www.openforum.com.au/we-need-an-ecological-civilization-before-its-too-late/ Fri, 23 Nov 2018 20:58:39 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=17638 One way or another, humanity is headed for the third great transformation in its history: either in the form of global collapse or a metamorphosis to a new foundation for sustainable living.

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Unearthing the secret life of wombats https://www.openforum.com.au/unearthing-the-secret-life-of-wombats/ Sat, 15 Sep 2018 23:37:18 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=16708 The most significant wombat conference in 20 years will bring experts from around the world to South Australia.

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How the ‘yeah-but’ mentality stalls progress on bag bans and other green issues https://www.openforum.com.au/how-the-yeah-but-mentality-stalls-progress-on-bag-bans-and-other-green-issues/ Tue, 24 Jul 2018 23:42:54 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=15686 Meet the 'Yeah-buts' - those who know plastic is bad for the environment, but can't get behind the bag ban because it affects their own convenience. This mindset can stall the best-laid green plans to help save the planet.

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Good in parts – Science and the Federal Budget https://www.openforum.com.au/good-in-parts-science-and-the-federal-budget/ Tue, 08 May 2018 21:25:35 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=14172 Australian academics and scientists analyse the budget's impact on research, health, infrastructure, education and the environment.

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Well-being and the great outdoors https://www.openforum.com.au/well-being-and-the-great-outdoors/ Wed, 25 Apr 2018 00:24:36 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=13481 Time spent outdoors in green space is good for our physical and mental wellbeing. It sounds simple. But making sure those positive benefits are extended to all corners of our community is a considerably more complex issue.

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The limits of modelling – Knowing what we don’t know https://www.openforum.com.au/the-limits-of-modelling-knowing-what-we-dont-know/ Sat, 21 Apr 2018 23:41:56 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=13696 Modelling the impact of mine developments on groundwater is critical for protecting ecosystems and agriculture, but it can go astray if we don’t recognise that all models lack certainty.

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What is happening in the Arctic? https://www.openforum.com.au/what-is-happening-in-the-arctic/ https://www.openforum.com.au/what-is-happening-in-the-arctic/#comments Thu, 22 Mar 2018 21:01:53 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=13055 While North America shivers, the Arctic has experienced soaring winter temperatures for the fourth year in a row. Such extreme weather events will only intensify unless there is a rapid and deep reduction in rising greenhouse gas levels.

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Yes, kangaroos are endangered – but not the species you think https://www.openforum.com.au/yes-kangaroos-are-endangered-but-not-the-species-you-think/ Fri, 16 Mar 2018 21:13:42 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=12756 While our iconic large kangeroos are safe from extinction, many smaller and lesser known species are threatened by cats, foxes and mass scale habitat destruction.

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Australians want community consent on new mining developments https://www.openforum.com.au/australians-want-community-consent-on-new-mining-developments/ Wed, 14 Mar 2018 20:34:07 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=12729 A new national survey on citizen attitudes toward mining shows that three-quarters of Australians think mining companies should gain consent from local communities before development.

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The left shouldn’t own the green agenda https://www.openforum.com.au/the-left-doesnt-own-green-values/ Tue, 13 Mar 2018 20:58:15 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=12735 Although green issues are often seen as the province of the left, James Alexander argues that conservation and respect for the natural world should lay at the heart of true conservative values.

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Clean and secure power – A roadmap to a renewable future https://www.openforum.com.au/clean-and-secure-power-a-roadmap-to-a-renewable-future/ https://www.openforum.com.au/clean-and-secure-power-a-roadmap-to-a-renewable-future/#comments Sat, 10 Mar 2018 05:46:18 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=12659 Time is running out for the climate as temperatures rise, the poles melt and weather patterns alter. Australia needs to act quickly and decisively by cutting greenhouse gas pollution from the electricity sector and a new plan from the Climate Council explains how it could be done.

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Why don’t environmental laws prevent deforestation? https://www.openforum.com.au/why-dont-our-environmental-laws-prevent-deforestation/ https://www.openforum.com.au/why-dont-our-environmental-laws-prevent-deforestation/#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2018 20:29:22 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=12584 Despite its 'green' image, Australia has some of the worst rates of deforestation in the world, exacerbating climate change and the loss of biodiversity. We need better laws, and stronger enforcement, to protect our precious natural vegetation.

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