Antarctica pollution shock

Microplastics and chemicals used in a range of household goods have found their way to Antarctica’s pristine waters and ice caps, research shows.

Greenpeace says the microplastics, which are commonly used in body washes and toothpaste, and polyfluorinated alkylated substances, like those used in non-stick cookware, were found in samples taken from Antarctica’s waters and snow between January and March this year. The findings have sparked calls from Greenpeace for an Antarctic ocean sanctuary to be set up, so penguins, whales and the continent’s ecosystem can recover from the pollution pressures.

‘‘We may think of the Antarctic as a remote and pristine wilderness, but from pollution and climate change to industrial krill fishing, humanity’s footprint is clear,’’ Greenpeace’s Protect the Antarctic campaign spokeswoman Frida Bengtsson said as the findings were released yesterday.

‘‘Plastic has now been found in all corners of our oceans, from the Antarctic to the Arctic and at the deepest point of the ocean, the Mariana Trench. We need urgent action to reduce the flow of plastic into our seas.’’

The microplastics and potentially hazardous chemicals were detected in samples collected from the sea surface and seabed.

Story from The Shepparton News - “Antarctica pollution shock.”

Baby fish led astray by rising CO2 levels in the ocean.

The world's oceans are being polluted by chemicals and plastic, and disturbed by the movements of cargo ships and cruise liners.

Baby fish face a multitude of problems, among them. climate change.

But one of the most pressing issues for our oceans is climate change.

New research has found baby fish are being led astray by rising CO2 levels in the ocean.

And that could see a dramatic decline in fish populations in the future.

Listen to the Radio National program - “Baby fish led astray by rising CO2 levels in the ocean.”

The Misinformation Machine - George Monbiot

‘I first encountered the machine when writing about climate change’

George Monbiot.

Yes, Donald Trump’s politics are incoherent. But those who surround him know just what they want, and his lack of clarity enhances their power. To understand what is coming, we need to understand who they are. I know all too well, because I have spent the past 15 years fighting them.

Over this time, I have watched as tobacco, coal, oil, chemicals and biotech companies have poured billions of dollars into an international misinformation machine, composed of think tanks, bloggers and fake citizens’ groups. Its purpose is to portray the interests of billionaires as the interests of the common people, to wage war against trade unions and beat down attempts to regulate business and tax the very rich. Now the people who helped run this machine are shaping the government.

I first encountered the machine when writing about climate change. The fury and loathing directed at climate scientists and campaigners seemed incomprehensible until I realised they were fake: the hatred had been paid for. The bloggers and institutes whipping up this anger were funded by oil and coal companies.

Read the piece by Guardian columnist, George Monbiot - “The Misinformation Machine.”

Searching for future energy sources

Many ideas, some seemingly sensible others rather hard to get you head around, are being explored in the hope of resolving future energy shortages.

What will the energy of tomorrow be like?

Beyond finding the energy of the future, the hope is that such a discovery might in some way mitigate climate change.

The Guardian, in a story headed: “Turning carbon dioxide emissions into chemicals, fibres and jet fuel”, discusses the fact that scientists are using the principles of photosynthesis to turn CO2 emissions into useful products.

Some ideas being considered are wonderfully exciting, but they overlook, pretty much entirely, that the introduction of some form of new energy source would only work when backed with an infrastructure system.

To replace our oil-based energy system, even if we went to all electric vehicles, including personal cars, the replacement of existing infrastructure would cost billions of dollars.

Cribb alerts us to 'The greatest human impact of all'

Julian Cribb is a thoughtful and innovative thinker who first warned us about the emerging global food crisis in his 2011 book “The Coming Famine”.

Julian Cribb.

Cribb, who spoke in Shepparton last year, is now warning us about our addiction to chemicals; chemicals that threaten to end all life on earth.

He has written about our pervasive and dangerous use of chemicals in a piece headed: “The greatest human impact of all” in “On Line Opinion”.

He argues: “Testing shows that almost every individual is now a walking contaminated site”.

Cribb concludes: “Chemicals are valuable and extremely useful things. They do great good, save many lives and much money. But all this may be for nothing if the current uncontrolled, unregulated and unconscionable mass release and planetary saturation continues. Most people know it is not a good idea to foul the place we live: that lesson must now be applied in the case of these invisible substances, before universal and irreversible harm accrues to life on Earth.”