'Net Curtains' - by George Monbiot

It is the most important news humanity has ever received: the general collapse of life on Earth. So it’s hardly surprising that it appeared on the front pages of only two of our newspapers (the Guardian and the Independent). The vast international assessment of the state of nature, whose results, released on Monday, reveal that the living planet is in a death spiral, didn’t make even the sidebar on the front of any other paper. Of all the varieties of media bias, the deepest is the bias against relevance. The more important the issue, the less it is discussed.

Industrial fishing - a key issue in the collapse of life on Earth.

There’s a reason for this. Were we to become fully aware of our predicament, we would demand systemic change. Systemic change is highly threatening to those who own the media. So they distract us with such baubles as a royal baby and a vicious dispute between neighbours about a patio. I am often told we get the media we deserve. We do not. We get the media its billionaire owners demand.

This means that the first duty of a journalist is to cover neglected issues. So I want to direct you to the 70% of the planet that was sidelined even in the sparse coverage of the new report: the seas. Here, life is collapsing even faster than on land. The main cause, the report makes clear, is not plastic. It is not pollution, not climate breakdown, not even the acidification of the ocean. It is fishing. Because commercial fishing is the most important factor, this is the one we talk about least. The BBC’s recent Blue Planet Live series, carefully avoiding any collision with powerful interests, epitomised this reticence.

Read the story by Guardian columnist George Monbiot - “Net Curtains.”

Correct solar verdict vital

It’s hardly surprising that many are keenly awaiting decisions on four major solar farm developments proposed for Greater Shepparton.

For one, these mark exciting projects in an emerging industry in which this region has the potential to be at the forefront.

The energy debate has seen deep divisions between the Victorian and federal governments, and even within the federal cabinet. It was, after all, a catalyst for last month’s leadership crisis that saw Malcolm Turnbull replaced by Scott Morrison.

It is also pleasing that the city has the potential to be on the front foot in what appears to be a growing need for cities to be surging towards a position where sustainability is more necessary than ever.

And the more we can look at ways to generate our own energy, the better.

There are other factors in why these decisions are so highly anticipated.

For one, they mark hundreds of millions of dollars worth of investment in the region. They mark plenty of construction jobs. And the potential to boost energy reliability locally.

For many local orchardists, irrigators and local representatives though, there’s also anticipation about what the approach will be in regard to protecting prime irrigated land.

It is pleasing that this remains a factor in decisions, as indicated by Victoria’s Planning Minister in parliament this week.

But on an even broader scale, there is likely to be those from other regions of the state awaiting a framework on how solar developments are set to be approached going forward.

One of the big issues locally has been reconciling the interests of protecting agricultural land and embracing a push towards renewables.

We hope there’s some clear guidance handed down on this.

The local council has also f lagged that some guidelines on buffers for developments would be helpful.

All of these factors indicate there’s plenty riding on these decisions. And even more importantly, perhaps, the state guidelines set to be handed down as a result of them. So it’s important they are correct.

Is there anticipation? Sure. And from indications, decisions on these four projects aren’t far away. But the hurry must not compromise the outcome of the decisions or this framework.

This Editorial is from The Shepparton News - “Correct solar verdict vital.”