Australia

Moreton Bay seagrass projected to drastically decline with sea level rise

To most of us, what is hidden beneath the waves of our coastal environment remains invisible and is little thought about or cared about. Yet seagrass meadows, though hidden from our direct view, contribute valuable ecological services supporting valuable fish nurseries, as food for dugongs and turtles, and as a highly efficient blue carbon sink sequestering carbon.

A new study of the seagrass meadows in Moreton Bay, Queensland found that a significant proportion of valuable seagrass habitats would be lost without action to offset the affects of climate change. "The area of seagrass habitat was predicted to decline by 17% by 2100 under a scenario of SLR of 1.1 m." said the study.

Biodiversity decline from climate change affects huge range of common species

While much scientific and public attention has focussed on the many species endangered or on the brink of extinction like Carnaby's cockatoo, the impacts of climate change on species biodiversity are much larger. A landmark study looking at nearly 50,000 common species with widespread ranges has determined that half of these animals and two thirds of the examined plant species will lose more than half their range in the next 70 years, by 2080, if nothing is done to slow down the rate of global warming through cutting carbon emissions. We are truly in the middle of a biodiversity crisis with habitat loss and climate change causing the 6th mass extinction

What would you do if the CSG companies came knocking?

What would you do if coal seam gas companies turned up and said they wanted to drill and frack in your area, your lucky chance to be part of an exciting new venture to provide cheap gas?

Jocelyn, Steve, Will, Jacqui and countless others are standing up for their communities and exposing the political lies. Watch and share this powerful 4 minute documentary and bring the truth to light:

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WGAR News: Indigenous adoption push prompts Stolen Generation fears: ABC Radio Australia Video

Newsletter date: 18 May 2013

Contents:

* CAAMA: Anger over Giles' claim to "remove neglected Aboriginal children"
* CAAMA Video: Interview with Jackie Baxter of Stolen Generation and Families Aboriginal Corp re Mr Giles comments
* SBS Radionews Audio: Alarm over NT Indigenous adoption plan
* ABC Radio Australia Video: Indigenous adoption push prompts Stolen Generation fears
* SNAICC News: Chief Minister's solution on Aboriginal child protection short-sighted & wrong
* SBS World News Video: Alarm over NT plan on neglected Indigenous kids

WGAR News: Murrawarri people take sovereignty campaign to UN: Jeremy Geia, NITV News

Newsletter date: 16 May 2013

Contents:

* Murrawarri Republic: Queen Recognises Murrawarri Republic
* Jeremy Geia, NITV News: Murrawarri people take sovereignty campaign to UN
* NITV's Jeremy Geia, SBS Radionews: Indigenous 'republic' to go to UN
* Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Murrawarri Republic
* Background to the The Murrawarri Republic
* Background to the Aboriginal sovereignty movement

* Sovereign Union: Goomeroi People call for a mining freeze on sacred lands [Transcript from NITV News - Jeremy Geia report]

WGAR News: "Stop Aboriginal deaths in police custody by saving the Custody Notification Service"

Newsletter date: 15 May 2013

Contents:

* Change.org Petition: Stop Aboriginal deaths in police custody by saving the Custody Notification Service (CNS)
* Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT: ALS News: Save the CNS
* The Wire Audio: Argument between governments puts lives at risk
* The Stringer: Funding cuts means more Aboriginal peoples incarcerated
* NIRS: Urgent funding call for anti-deaths in custody measure
* NIRS: ALS warns lives could be at risk unless phone line is funded

* Let's Talk's Tiga Bayles interviews Gerry Georgatos on Aboriginal imprisonment

Recent Aboriginal stories offered to 270 community radios

Argument between governments puts lives at risk

http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=10347 

An argument between state and federal governments over who should pay for a legal hotline could be putting lives at risk. The Custody Notification Service was recommended by the Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody, but it is now at risk of being left unfunded due to a disagreement of whether it is a state or federal funding responsibility.

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