Blog
AUSTRALIA UNDER THREAT—WHAT TO DO NEXT?
AUSTRALIA UNDER THREAT—WHAT TO DO NEXT? “The situation is hopeless. We must take the next step” (P. Casals). Unless there is a turn-around in global emissions, the planet is faced with a dire climate-driven future. Australia is recognised as a nation under great...
SHORELINE RESPONSES TO SEA-LEVEL RISE
SHORELINE RESPONSES TO SEA-LEVEL RISE The topic of shoreline behaviour in relation to sea-level rise has long attracted debate. This is very evident in a response by Cooper et al. in Nature Climate Change ( “Sandy beaches can survive sea-level rise”, Vol 10, November,...
Port Stephens-Myall Lakes 1960 – Research Opportunities
Port Stephens-Myall Lakes 1960 - Research Opportunities In 1960 as an honours student in Geography at University of Sydney, I was given an incredible gift. To be free to choose a topic and an area for thesis research, a choice in retrospect that guided my future. Both...
Port Stephens – Myall Lakes 1960 – the journey.
Port Stephens - Myall Lakes 1960 - the journey. Just 60 years ago I started my journey in coastal research. I had the good fortune of selecting the coastal strip between Newcastle in the south and Seal Rocks in the north as a study area for a fourth-year honours...
Environmental outcomes at 2070 for the Gippsland Lakes.
Environmental outcomes at 2070 for the Gippsland Lakes. Gippsland Environment Group’s vision is that by 2070 the Lakes system is once again healthy for all. By that time perhaps the past can meet the future. See full presentation HERE Gippsland Environment Group...
LEGACY ISSUES AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT
LEGACY ISSUES AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT Coastal managers frequently find themselves in a quandary. Actions taken in the past, sometimes legally sometimes not, have left behind legacies which today are noted for adverse effects. In a world of increased population growth...
TYPHOONS AND HAINAN ISLAND, CHINA
TYPHOONS AND HAINAN ISLAND, CHINA Australian scientists based at ANU in 1975 made contact with Chinese colleagues at Academica Sinica. There was a mutual interest in Quaternary geology, human prehistory, and environmental change. I was at ANU at the time and took...
Impact of sea-level rise on coastal natural values in Tasmania
Impact of sea-level rise on coastal natural values in Tasmania Red-Necked Stints (Australia) The coast constantly falls through the cracks 'between' focal areas and interests relating to various 'care' groups and campaigns.Australians see the coast as a resource...
ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES REMAIN THREATENED
ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES REMAIN THREATENED Environmental legislation now before federal parliament offers an opportunity to go beyond that of removing “green tape”. Devolution to the states of federal responsibilities without an independent regulator and funding support...
HAMELIN POOL (Shark Bay, Western Australia) —AN ESTUARY?
HAMELIN POOL (Shark Bay, Western Australia) —AN ESTUARY? In writing the blog on estuary health and management, I was prompted to think about the diversity of estuary types around the Australian coast. Many have written on this topic. I am reminded of the work done...
Kangaroo Island – June 2020
Kangaroo Island - June 2020 Professor Patrick Hesp from Flinders University (SA) has compiled some stunning photographs of Kangaroo Island after the devastating bushfires of the 2019-2020 Summer. Pictures note the impact on the foredunes and dunefields of the island....
Estuary Health
Estuary Health Lakes Entrance, Gippsland Lakes, Victoria. Last week I participated in a presentation by fellows of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry on national water reform. Jan Dolan, one of the...