Australia | Indymedia Australia

"Why don't the people get rid of the lizards?"

Submitted by takver on Sat, 15/05/2010 - 1:47am

"why don't the people get rid of the lizards?" said Arthur Dent. Well it seems the people are doing very well at getting rid of the lizards, due to climate change. Yep, it is our carbon emissions which is driving up global mean temperatures, altering the climate and driving lizards, Koalas and other species to extinction. The quote from Arthur Dent comes from Douglas Adams explaining the concept of democracy in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

Unfortunately, it seems we are getting rid of the wrong lizards - the ones with four feet that eat insects and are important prey for other small carnivores. That just leaves the cold-blooded political Lizards we have elected to office, still in charge and warming themselves in the glow from the fossil fuel vested interests.

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Rising carbon emissions threaten crop yields and food security

Submitted by takver on Fri, 14/05/2010 - 9:38pm

Crop yields are under threat from rising carbon dioxide emissions with climate change, according to new scientific research. In a new study published in Science on wheat and the mustard plant Arabidopsis at the University of California at Davis, scientists found that increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide interferes with plants’ ability to convert nitrate into protein resulting in lower nutritional yield.

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Koalas face starvation, extinction due to climate change

Submitted by takver on Fri, 14/05/2010 - 9:25pm

Rising carbon dioxide will stimulate eucalypt growth, but this will entail reduced nutritional yield and higher levels of phenols which will doom Koala populations to slow death by starvation and extinction according to scientists. Other arboreal creatures like the greater glider, common ringtail possum, and common brushtail possum may also suffer the same fate.

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Can we trust our media? The shocking behaviour of The Age's journalist John Garnaut

Submitted by Wei Ling Chua on Wed, 12/05/2010 - 3:57pm

This year mark the 2nd anniversary of the Earthquake in Sichuan, China (12 May 2008), 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, USA (29 August 2005), and the 1st anniversary of the Black Saturday (Bush fire) in Victoria, Australia (7 February 2009).

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Australians form 'human lifesaving rings' for refugees

Submitted by takver on Mon, 10/05/2010 - 11:10am

Over the weekend Australian refugee supporters attended 'Human Lifesaving ring' events in cities around Australia to send a clear message to politicians: asylum seekers should not be used as political pawns. The events were organised by Amnesty International, Get Up, Refugee and asylum seeker support groups, union and church groups.

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Amnesty International

Awful days ahead for refugees

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/05/2010 - 10:36am

Over the next few weeks hundreds of Afghan Hazaras in Darwin, Christmas Island and Villawood detention centres, are going to be refused visas on the grounds that Afghanistan is "evolving" and that it is safe to return. The evidence of persecution and the stories of fear of return have not changed in the past month.
The Hazaras were being granted refugee visas at the rate of 100% until now. What has changed are politics in Australia and the looming election.

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WGAR News: New National Congress of Australia's First Peoples (9 May 10)

Submitted by WGAR - Working ... on Sun, 09/05/2010 - 2:12am

WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

WGAR Website: http://wgar.info/

Contents:
New National Congress of Australia's First Peoples
Film Screening: The Ampilatwatja Walkoff vs. The Intervention
Rally against Racism: Stop racial discrimination in the N.T.
Other NT Intervention Articles

NEW NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AUSTRALIA'S FIRST PEOPLES:

- Radio

The Wire: Launch of National Congress of Australia's First Peoples
http://www.thewire.org.au/daydetail.aspx?SearchDay=2010-05-07

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Northern Territory Intervention

Ampilatwatja

Alyawarra nation

new national Indigenous rep body

National Congress of Australia's First Peoples (NCAFP)

SHAREHOOD INFORMATION EVENING - STARTING A SHARING COMMUNITY IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

Submitted by sharehood on Fri, 07/05/2010 - 4:09pm

Date and Time:

Mon, 17/05/2010 -

7:00pm to 8:00pm

Location:

17 Kerr Street Fitzroy, Australia

Contact Name:

Liz

Contact Phone:

0450720269

Contact Email:

contact@thesharehood.org

Website:

thesharehood.org

The Sharehood is all about sharing resources within our neighbourhoods. Sewing machines, cars, tools, books and washing machines all have the capacity to be shared. Skills too can be shared, such as gardening, handiwork, bike fixing, accountancy and so on. Many skills and resources we need are already available within our own neighbourhoods.

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Australia