Wildlife: a changing climate is not their only concern

Wallabies and other macropods face an uncertain future as habitat is cleared. Image greghardwick.com.au

I wish that we could blame the decline of our Australian native species on one major influence such as climate change, but unfortunately that is not the only problem facing our wildlife. Human impact, in many forms, have been the direct culprit from the moment humans stepped onto this beautiful country.  As the population has increased over the … [Read more...]

Dam opposition well and truly afloat

Several hundred canoeists and supporters turned out to show their energy for battle was undiminished. Image Arkin Mackay stoppress.com.au

For a community that Government sources claim is starting to accept a dam, Mary Valley residents and others were showing no sign of it when they took too the river to visibly signpost the three mark in their fight too stop the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam. Three years to the day since Peter Beattie’s shock announcement of plans to build … [Read more...]

Mid winter update

Inside this edition World Environment Day Festival news Outrage over Sustainable Planning Bill Latest Group Profile - PAGE Eco Adventures - A tale of two mountains Carbon, climate and koalas Eco watch - clean coal Exploring the past - climbing Mount Coolum in 1927 Whales and eco tourism Other articles How to contribute The … [Read more...]

People Advocating Green Energy

What to expect - transmission towers, power lines and their easement cut a swathe through Beerburrum State Forest. Photograph: John Burrows

The Sunshine Coast Environmental Council (SCEC) is the umbrella organisation of more than 50 community groups. In this issue of ECO, we feature the group PAGE and its work which, if successful, will encourage the State government to get serious about climate change and revise their whole strategy of power generation and distribution. The latest … [Read more...]

Brownwater Classic celebrates its twentieth

In most cases, dam opposition has invaded every aspect of life in the Mary Valley - this poignant black bean pod boat is an entry in the Moy Pocket Brown Water Classic. The annual 'boat' race is enjoyed by children and adults from far afield. Image: Arking Mackay stoppress.com.au

Since 1988 the Brownwater Classic at Moy Pocket has lured both locals and those involved in the environment movement to a patch of riverine forest near Pickering Bridge on the Mary River. It’s been a celebration of the river, in particular the blackbean tree, for it is the seed pods of this tree that provide the raw material for the tiny craft … [Read more...]

A tale of two mountains

Looking south from the summit of Mt Coolum. Image John Burrows

Mount Coolum and Mount Ninderry are two very striking peaks visible from many parts of the Sunshine Coast, close to each other – only 10 kilometres as the crow flies – but very different in character and offering very different experiences for the eco adventurer. They’re closely connected in the Dreamtime tale of the Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi … [Read more...]

Carbon, Climate and Koalas

By: Sophia Walter When CEO of the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) Deborah Tabart began her job in 1988, she never thought she would be engaging in the world of global warming. But new data is showing that the role of koalas in the climate change debate could be much more relevant than anyone had previously thought. Recent findings by … [Read more...]

A complex clock of acronyms

If a clock can't keep accurate time, it is pointless describing how its cog wheels mesh together

As the Australia Institute rightly points out: “ If a clock can't keep accurate time, it is pointless describing how its cog wheels mesh together”. That’s their way of describing the complex structure created around the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) and its inability to measure the amount of renewable energy being produced … [Read more...]

Outrage over Sustainable Planning Bill

Our shared vision: To be Australia's most sustainable region - vibrant, green, diverse. Image:greghardwick.com.au

As the Sunshine Coast continues to push towards sustainability, the state government appears to be doing its best to undermine our local community’s efforts. Narelle McCarthy reports. Major amendments to the Integrated Planning Act 1997, carrying implications for local planning powers and the critical assessment of applications, have … [Read more...]

Seven reasons to take the sun seriously

Life on this planet has run from solar energy for eons

Even though we live in the ‘sunshine state’ and those of us in south-east Queensland have recently witnessed the impacts of leaking oil tankers, there are some that still doubt the ability of the big ball in the sky to supply clean, efficient and cheap energy. Even though those doubts make as much sense as the tightly spun marketing term, … [Read more...]