If it weren’t for the scientific data, meticulously documented case studies, analysis of legislative and political machinations and the honest, personal narrative, one would prefer this book to be a work of fiction. Sadly, it is not. This stuff of nightmares is real – and getting worse. Unless we urgently do something about it.
Dr Markus has produced a chronicle of this continent’s amazing biodiversity and the systematic failure to protect it to the point of collapse. Fuelled by exponential population growth and over-consumptive behaviours, the vested interests of high impact industries such as mining, unsustainable agricultural methods and development wreak havoc on the environment.
Political expediency and continued ‘business as usual’ in a time of climate change are driving species to extinction at accelerating rates and destroying the fabric of ecological integrity. Bringing to life the complex and fascinating ecosystems of such areas as the alpine regions, the deserts, coastal plains and more, we come to realise the depth of ignorance and abuse this land has been subjected to, notably since the time of white settlement.
Dr Markus cites the impetus to write the book came from conversations with people from a range of cultural and professional backgrounds who revealed an alarmingly poor understanding of the challenges facing Australia.
While many are aware of issues such as land clearing, salinity and species loss, the sense of the long term implications, or the scale and extent is missing. Certainly there is little grasp of the effort needed to deal with arresting these declines or who is ultimately responsible for doing so.
A disconnect pervades between awareness of what is occurring to this country’s unique and fragile landscapes and what people feel personally responsible for.
We resile from images of Amazonian rainforest and Borneo highlands being razed and burned displacing orang-utans and incredibly diverse wildlife from their habitats and demand their protection. And rightly so. However, Australia is as just as much a culprit with the long term effects yet to be fully realised.
The book describes where a report commissioned by WWF-Australia outlined that ‘Queensland’s clearing rate between 1997 and 1999 was estimated at around 446,000 hectares per year, a rate equivalent to one hundred football fields every hour.
The ‘panic clearing’ of brigalow, gidgee and eucalypt open forest and woodland before stricter clearing regulations came into force in late 2004 is estimated to have caused the deaths of about 100 million native mammals, birds and reptiles each year’.
Disbelief, frustration and downright anger combine with sadness for the shocking loss and treatment of the flora and fauna in this country. This is not because of an overly emotive writing style but due to thoroughly researched information and intelligent insights delivered in an extremely well structured and accessible manner.
The biodiversity in this country and across the globe is in crisis. The science and growing list of threatened terrestrial and marine species cannot be ignored. Weak environmental legislation must be bolstered and loopholes closed. Adopting and demanding more environmentally conscious practices and exerting political pressure as a community will help turn the tide.
Speaking with Dr Markus recently, she expressed her deep disappointment in the Rudd Government for backing down on its 2007 election promises for the urgent and necessary action on the environment and climate change since gaining government.
Seeing a need to break down the political steadfastness on action, with even ‘pathetic’ attempts making no mark, she observes that this government is ‘Sacrificing Australia’s future and Australia’s voice globally’, thus urging the community to keep moving the politicians on until the necessary policies are in place.
Nicola Markus is to be commended for bringing this shameful situation into stark and unflinching reality. This pivotal and enormously important book is a must-read, empowering call to action.
With an impressive professional and personal resume, Dr Nicola Markus has taken on the role of Chief Conservation Officer with Bush Heritage Australia since completing On Our Watch.
Reviewer: Narelle McCarthy
On Our Watch: The race to save Australia’s environment
Author: Dr Nicola Markus
Publisher: Melbourne University Press 2009
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