Part of the local dawn and dusk chorus

A snapshot of Luke Hartsuyker earning his taxpayer funded salary

In the House of Representatives debate on super trawlers being allowed to fish in Australian waters, what was the esteemed Nationals Member for Cowper’s contribution over the course of three days?

Why, this sarcastic interjection on 12 September 2012:

Mr Hartsuyker:  You can count on Sid!

Given that Brisbane is identified by RV Able Tasman's owner-operator as this super trawler's home port and, the NSW North Coast was part of its prospective fishing range, Hartsuyker can hardly say that he was looking after his electorate's interests.

DEX blooper - reprints old race fields

The only things correct in the four-page racing lift-out in today's Daily Examiner are the paper's name and the date. Today's Examiner reprinted the race fields for Saturday 8 September.
The events at Warwick Farm, Doomben and Flemington have been well and truly run and won, so the very least readers could have been provided with was a new lot of tips from the paper. But, oh no, the paper had the temerity to print its original, and in most cases losing, tips.
Who went to sleep at the wheel steering the good ship DEX last night? Was it the night helmsman or the captain? C'mon, who's going to put their hand up and claim bragging rights for this little ripper at the annual Xmas party? Perhaps a stewards inquiry is needed.

CSIRO: Climate change likely to have a major impact on Australia's plants, animals and ecosystems

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) media release of 18 September 2012:

Major changes needed to protect Australia’s species and ecosystems

A landmark study has found that climate change is likely to have a major impact on Australia’s plants, animals and ecosystems that will present significant challenges to the conservation of Australia’s biodiversity.

The comprehensive study, conducted by CSIRO (Australia’s national science agency), highlights the sensitivity of Australia’s species and ecosystems to climate change, and the need for new ways of thinking about biodiversity conservation.

‘Climate change is likely to start to transform some of Australia's natural landscapes by 2030,’ lead researcher, CSIRO’s Dr Michael Dunlop said.

The comprehensive study highlights the sensitivity of Australia’s species and ecosystems to climate change, and the need for new ways of thinking about biodiversity conservation.

‘By 2070, the ecological impacts are likely to be very significant and widespread. Many of the environments our plants and animals currently exist in will disappear from the continent. Our grandchildren are likely to experience landscapes that are very different to the ones we have known,’ he said.

Dr Dunlop said climate change will magnify existing threats to biodiversity, such as habitat clearing, water extraction and invasive species. Future climate-driven changes in other sectors, such as agriculture, water supply and electricity supply, could add yet more pressure on species and ecosystems.

‘These other threats have reduced the ability of native species and ecosystems to cope with the impacts of climate change,’ Dr Dunlop said.

One of the challenges for policy and management will be accommodating changing ecosystems and shifting species.

The study suggests the Australian community and scientists need to start a rethink of what it means to conserve biodiversity, as managing threatened species and stopping ecological change becomes increasingly difficult.

‘We need to give biodiversity the greatest opportunity to adapt naturally in a changing and variable environment rather than trying to prevent ecological change,’ Dr Dunlop said.

The study highlights the need to start focussing more on maintaining the health of ecosystems as they change in response to climate change, from one type of ecosystem to another.

‘This could need new expectations from the community, possibly new directions in conservation policy, and new science to guide management,’ Dr Dunlop said.

‘To be effective we also need flexible strategies that can be implemented well ahead of the large-scale ecological change. It will probably be too late to respond once the ecological change is clearly apparent and widespread’.

The study found the National Reserve System will continue to be an effective conservation tool under climate change, but conserving habitat on private land will be increasingly important to help species and ecosystems adapt.

The team of researchers from CSIRO carried out modelling across the whole of Australia, as well as detailed ecological analysis of four priority biomes, together covering around 80 per cent of Australia.

The study was funded by the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and the CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship.

More information and the reports are available from The implications of climate change for Australia's biodiversity conservation and protected areas.