EcoNews, St Kilda (2025)

04/09/2022

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🌻Hello Spring! 🌻

We are excited for some warmer weather and to head out into the garden this Spring.

Whether it's a few plants in the windowsill, containers on a deck, a veggie patch or a whole farm full, gardens big and small can reap big benefits for you and your family.

So what are you all planning in your garden this Spring?

Image: Eucalyptus caesia ssp. magna 'Silver Princess'

www.nativeshop.com.au

04/09/2022

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🔧 HAPPY FATHER'S DAY 🔨

Today we honour and think of the seasoned veteran dads and the new dads. The men who are waiting to become dads, the step dads and foster dads. The amazing single dads, the dads who have lost children and the dads we have lost. The men who will one day become dads and the amazing women that play both mum and dad.

It's your day and we hope it is a special one!

www.nativeshop.com.au

02/09/2022

Father’s Day is this Sunday and in Antarctica the most modern of fathers are welcoming their babies.

Male emperor penguins are now welcoming their babies after holding the egg off the ice through the most inhospitable winter on the planet.

The Mums are now replenishing themselves on a long fishing expedition. They will return soon to feed their newly hatched chicks and relieve their partners of their fast.

Read more - www.ecovoice.com.au

31/08/2022

The largest-ever privately funded reforestation project in Australia has entered its second planting season, with growth in operations four-times the scale of year one and continuing to scale year on year.

In 2022, the project will see the restoration of over 3,500 hectares, planting 3.26 million trees across six priority regions and working with 39 landholders.

The project is a partnership between global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, reforestation charity One Tree Planted, and environmental enterprise Greening Australia, with a commitment to plant 25 million biodiverse and locally appropriate trees across Australia by 2025, equivalent to one-quarter of the city of Canberra in size.

Since its launch in September 2020, the project has planted 783,700 native trees across New South Wales (NSW), Victoria and South Australia (SA), restoring 1,003 hectares of land. All on-ground project design and delivery is completed by Greening Australia, using a multi-scale spatial prioritisation to target regions where restoration will best contribute to landscape connectivity, habitat provision and carbon sequestration, as well as addressing land degradation and productivity declines.

Read more - www.ecovoice.com.au

24/08/2022

Solar powered bins, that internally crush rubbish to store five times the amount of waste as a regular bin, are being installed in Lake Macquarie.

Lake Macquarie City Council Waste Strategy Coordinator Hal Dobbins said the RAY Smart Solar Powered Compacting Bins, which are for general waste, would be a game changer when it came to beautifying areas and improving the environment.

“Not only will this be able to store more waste with a smaller footprint, but having a strong sealed hatch as a lid ensures no items will blow out into the lake,” Mr Dobbins said.

While a standard bin would hold 240 litres of waste, these can hold up to 1200 litres – the equivalent of filling more than six bathtubs.

“Smart sensors placed inside the bin alert Council when the bin is around 80 per cent full, so crews will know when to empty it,” Mr Dobbins said.

“The bins also lock when they’re full, so there’s no chance of them overflowing.”

Read more -www.ecovoice.com.au

17/08/2022

Oceanographers have discovered more about why the eastern Great Australian Bight supports a year-round abundance of marine predators, including different whale species and white sharks which attract cage divers and filmmakers inspired by the Hollywood blockbuster Jaws.

For the first time, experts from Flinders University and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) have described substantial subsurface phytoplankton layers deep beneath the eastern part of the Bight – which serves to support the rich marine biodiversity even when the surface phytoplankton blooms disappear at certain times of the upwelling season

“To conserve this important region, and prepare for climate change, we need to further understand these systems and food sources,” says Flinders University researcher Alex Shute, the first author of a new study in Continental Shelf Research.

“To understand this, we explored year-to-year variations of phytoplankton layers in the region using satellite data in conjunction with water-column data from the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS).”

To their surprise the IMOS data uncovered a ‘missing link’ of layers of substantial subsurface phytoplankton at water depths of 30m to 70m – undetected by even satellite imagery until now.

Read more - www.ecovoice.com.au

12/08/2022

Have you ever reached for a bright yellow bunch of bananas over bruised ones? Or perhaps you’ve tossed a half-full packet of spinach into the trash to free up fridge space. Chances are at some point in your life, you’ve contributed to the global food wastage problem. And you’re not alone.

In Australia, around 7.6 million tonnes of food is wasted every year – seventy per cent of which is perfectly edible. It’s a world-wide problem that Bond University student Lachlan Creese is tackling one dehydrated lime at a time.

In his final year studying a Bachelor of Property at Bond University, Mr Creese launched Dehydrated Co, a business which transforms fruit bound for the bin into a dried garnish with a long shelf life.

“Most weekends, I approach farmers at the local markets and purchase their fruit seconds,” explains Mr Creese.

“There’s nothing wrong with this fruit, it’s completely edible, but it might be an odd shape or colour which can stop people from purchasing it.

“I turn this imperfect fruit into something that is stylish and delicious and can be celebrated in the kitchen.”

Read more - www.ecovoice.com.au

11/08/2022

New research sheds light on how climate change will impact the distribution of great whales in New Zealand waters.

An international collaborative study between Massey University, the University of Zurich, Canterbury University, and Flinders University, used a complex modelling approach to project the regional range shift of blue and s***m whales by the year 2100, under different climate change scenarios.

Results show that these species will shift to lower latitudes as the oceans become warmer, exposing sites of high conservation priority.

The study, published this week in the international journal Ecological Indicators, shows a southerly shift of suitable habitat for both species, which increases in magnitude as the ocean warms. The most severe climate change scenario that was tested generated a 61 per cent loss and 42 per cent decrease of currently suitable habitat for s***m and blue whales, mostly in New Zealand’s northern waters.

Research lead Dr Katharina Peters of the University of Canterbury says, “Regardless of which of the climate change scenarios will be the reality, even the best-case scenario indicates notable changes in the distribution of suitable habitat for s***m and blue whales in New Zealand.”

Read more - www.ecovoice.com.au

10/08/2022

The countdown is on to Lions Australia’s 75 year anniversary in September, and one Lion volunteer will be spending the time paddling down Australia’s longest river for a good cause.

On the 22nd August Tathra Lions Club volunteer Mark Darby will begin a 2 month journey paddling the Murray from the Snowy Mountains to the sea in South Australia (2,400kms).

“After many years of bad news from the Murray, my paddle aims to share the positive stories of individuals, communities and organisations that are caring for the Murray River and its environment,” says Mark.

Mark is also raising money to help Trust for Nature protect and restore places where native wildlife and plants can thrive.

“During the paddle I will be seeking to raise $10,000 to support Trust for Nature’s work at Neds Corner Station, on Ngintait Country, in North Western Victoria. They are planning to establish one of the largest predator proof fences in Australia to preserve and protect the introduction of native species, such as the Greater Bilby. The funds will also support their spring biodiversity study of Neds Corner,” adds Mark.

Read more - www.ecovoice.com.au

09/08/2022

Nearly four in five (79%) businesses say digital technology is playing a key role in achieving sustainability goals. Now, most are boosting their investment in digital and automation to achieve efficiencies and emissions reductions, according to new research findings.

Conducted on behalf of Schneider Electric, the global leader in the digital transformation of energy management, the Sustainability Index: transforming intention to outcomes report surveyed more than 500 business managers and decision-makers across corporate Australia. It found that three quarters (75%) believe that the benefits of adopting sustainable technology outweigh the costs.

Compared to three years ago, 57% of respondents report that their companies are investing more today in digital transformation, as well as automation (42%) and electric vehicles (24%).

The rapid investment in energy efficiency is part of an industry–wide digital revolution adds Gareth O’Reilly, Schneider Electric’s Pacific Zone President:

Read more - www.ecovoice.com.au

05/08/2022

The northern and central Great Barrier Reef have recorded their highest amount of coral cover since the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) began monitoring 36 years ago.

Published today, AIMS’ Annual Summary Report on Coral Reef Condition for 2021/22 shows another year of increased coral cover across much of the Reef.

In the 87 representative reefs surveyed between August 2021 and May 2022 under the AIMS Long-Term Monitoring Program (LTMP), average hard coral cover in the region north of Cooktown increased to 36% (from 27% in 2021) and to 33% in the central Great Barrier Reef (from 26% in 2021).

However, average coral cover in the southern region (from Proserpine to Gladstone) decreased from 38% in 2021 to 34%.

AIMS CEO Dr Paul Hardisty said the results in the north and central regions were a sign the Reef could still recover, but the loss of coral cover in the southern region showed how dynamic the Reef was.

Read more - www.ecovoice.com.au

17/07/2022

Associate Professor Marcus Randall, Bond University Business School – Opinion Editorial

If we fail to halt the progress of climate change, be prepared to kiss the kebabs goodbye and say hello to insects as your major protein source.

Don’t let the recent deluges on Australia’s east coast fool you – the planet is getting hotter and drier and it’s going to have a major impact on some of the world’s most common crops.

After a series of natural disasters driven by climate change, many Australians are already having to change the way they eat due to shortages of basic foods and price rises caused by supply chain disruption.

It’s something we might all have to get used to.

Read more - www.ecovoice.com.au

14/07/2022

Built on a decade of thinking, research, and advocacy, Green Music Australia’s Sound Country: A Green Artist Guide will give musicians the practical tools they need to implement sustainable solutions and involve their audiences in change.

A working guide for musicians at all levels; from local pub acts to stadium rock tours, Sound Country aims to connect and empower artists to take charge across all aspects of their careers, from involving their teams to incorporate more sustainable practices into their touring operations to becoming increasingly vocal ambassadors for change.

A wealth of knowledge, experience and passion has been poured into the guide by the likes First Nations music producer Rhoda Roberts AO, environmental consultant Matt Wicking, as well as musicians Allara Briggs Pattison, David Bridie, Jen Cloher, Jessica Cerro (Montaigne), Lisa Mitchell, Missy Higgins, Regurgitator, Sally Seltmann, and Tim Hollo.

Sound Country: A Green Artist Guide will be launched on Monday, 18 July, at the Northcote Social Club, and is proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.

Read more - www.ecovoice.com.au

10/07/2022

This October, Australia and New Zealand will welcome the world’s first simultaneous running event, bringing more than 100,000 runners together with a single mission of running as one in the name of helping protect the Great Barrier Reef.

The inaugural run4reef international event will span 21 cities across the two countries, leveraging world-leading timing technology to unite thousands of runners of all abilities across 1km, 5km and 10km fun runs, and a special elite 10km run.

Runners from cities from both sides of the ditch will also be connected through large format digital screens located onsite at all the running events, streaming a simultaneous race updates and live-cross vision from all events – helping runners from all over feel part of a global mission.

run4reef registrations will raise much-needed funds to help protect the Reef, including developing restoration programs like the innovative ‘plant a coral’ initiative. A portion of the funds raised directly from event registrations and peer-to-peer fundraising will go to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and WWF-Australia’s work to Regenerate Australia and protect our oceans, marine wildlife and natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef.

Read more - www.ecovoice.com.au

15/06/2022

An Australian solar-powered car, designed and built by university students, is on track to challenge for a prestigious Guinness World Record.

The UNSW Sydney Sunswift Racing team, which has more than 25 years of heritage in solar car production, this week officially unveiled its latest model – Sunswift 7.

It has been designed to claim the title of world’s fastest solar vehicle and will put its credentials on the line when going for a Guinness World Record at the Australian Automobile Research Centre in Wensleydale, Victoria in December.

Sunswift 7 weighs in at just under 500kg, which is around one quarter that of a Tesla Model S electric car, thanks to high-tech engineering which includes carbon fibre chassis and bodywork.

The aerodynamic design also dramatically reduces wind resistance, while efficiencies in power transfer between the solar panel and the motor mean the car can travel for more than 1200km on a single charge of its battery.

The 50-strong student team, which is overseen by Professor of Practice Richard Hopkins, former Head of Operations for the Red Bull Racing Formula One Team, hope to break the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Solar Electric Car over a distance of 1000km.

Read more - www.ecovoice.com.au

04/06/2022

The Native Shop] with
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Callistemon viminalis 'Hannah Ray'

2-4m high x 2-3m wide. Hannah Ray is a large shrub with weeping habit, and is a cultivar of Callistemon viminalis. Profuse flowering in Spring with a follow up in Autumn make this a great screening plant for a variety of climates.

The Native Shop]
www.nativeshop.com.au

04/06/2022

For over 36 years, Australian Geographic has documented Australia’s flora and fauna, people, places and culture and supported conservationists through its charitable arm – the Australian Geographic Society.

Australia has the worst extinction rate on Earth and has lost more mammal and plant species than any other country.

As of 2021, more than 1,700 species of plants, animals and ecological communities are at risk of extinction.

Australia has the second highest rate of overall biodiversity loss next to Indonesia in the world.

Supported by NSW Government’s Saving our Species program, Australian Geographic has launched “Extraordinary & Endangered” – a new book which profiles animals and plant life on the brink of extinction and the extraordinary profiles working towards preserving Australia for future generations.

Read more - www.ecovoice.com.au

02/06/2022

Seeing as every 2nd breath we take comes from the ocean, it’s important that we protect it against the effects of climate change and human interference. As marine scientists and creators of reef-safe sunscreen, we often remind our community that sunscreen pollution is a very small part of the problem when it comes to the state of our oceans.

Covering 70% of the planet’s surface and hosting 80% of the world’s biodiversity, our oceans are our Earth’s true lungs – before the Amazon rainforest. However, rising sea temperatures and atmospheric CO2 levels are having devastating effects, such as ocean acidification and coral bleaching.

The rise of CO2 levels in our atmosphere is causing the ocean to absorb more & more carbon dioxide, making ocean water more acidic. This change in our ocean’s chemistry is compromising the health of plankton & shellfish, who’s skeleton is made of calcium carbonate, and thus sensitive to a change in water pH. Plankton may be small in size, but they play a huge role in our ocean’s health & balance, being primary producers of oxygen and a critical source of food for the entire ocean food chain.

Our modern way of life is exacerbating the issue as well. Damaging practices such as overfishing, oil drilling, shipping & plastic pollution are direct threats to our oceans and marine life, and the way we eat, shop and travel is having a negative impact too.

June 8th is the United Nations World Oceans Day – an occasion dedicated to taking action and raising awareness about the importance of protecting our oceans. The 2022 theme is ‘Revitalisation: Collective Action for the Ocean’.

Read more - www.ecovoice.com.au

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