The News
|
Dick Smith to talk in Canberra on population |
 |
 |
 |
|
Written by Tom Gosling
|
|
Tuesday, 09 March 2010 10:28 |
|
 While Prime Minister Rudd told the 7.30 Report in January that he “doesn’t have a view” on whether it is wise for Australia’s population to grow to at least 36 million by 2050, businessman Dick Smith certainly does have a view, and wants people to know it.
Mr Smith will speak on "Population - the elephant in the room we have ignored for too long" at a public lecture in Canberra at 5.30 for 6.00pm on Wednesday 10 March. His talk, jointly hosted by The Australia Institute and Sustainable Population Australia, will be at 5.30 for 6.00pm and all are welcome to attend and stay for tea and coffee afterwards.
Widley known as an adventurer, philanthropist, aviator and a passionate advocate for the environment, Mr Smith believes it will be “a disaster” if Australia maintains its current rate of growth in years to come. “The way of life we love in Australia will be forever changed as we are crowded into packed and dirty cities,” Mr Smith said at the launch of Overloading Australia in January. Mr Smith's interest in initiating a debate on Australia’s population policy has been sparked by his concern for the future his grandchildren will face. |
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 09 March 2010 13:49 )
|
|
Supporting women, supporting the environment |
|
|
|
|
Written by Jane Addison
|
|
Friday, 14 August 2009 17:19 |
Globally, women’s education is negatively correlated with birth rates (e.g. see http://www.prb.org/) Whilst acknowledging that a correlation is not necessarily causation, women that are educated are likely to have more information about reproductive control, are likely to have more power in their relationships with their partners and have access to other ways of finding support in retirement, personal identity and fulfilment. Financial support of global organisations that promote women’s empowerment and education, such as women’s education programmes and microfinance schemes, is likely to reduce the rate of population increase globally in the most humane way.
|
|
Last Updated ( Friday, 14 August 2009 22:40 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Online forums for generating population debate |
|
|
|
|
Written by Jane Addison
|
|
Thursday, 23 April 2009 08:25 |
|
SPA President, Sandra Kanck, was yesterday quoted in the ABC Online article ‘Australia needs one child policy – ex MP’ (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/22/2549917.htm). Despite the article’s length only being a few short paragraphs, it generated a significant amount of interest – online. Within 24 hours of the article being posted, 76 online response comments had been made. Many people categorically agreed with Sandra’s comments, such as K “I absolutely second that!!!” and Robertson “It’s about time we heard a politician state publicly that we should reduce population growth.” Others completely disagreed, Gregh “Another rather naive view from a politician from a defunct party” and, Andrew: “Scary stuff!”
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 09 July 2009 07:50 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Population Quotes
For too long have we supposed that technology would solve the "population problem." It won't. I first became fully aware of this hard truth when I wrote my essay "The Tragedy of the commons," ... Never have I found anything so difficult to work into shape. I wrote at least seven significantly different versions before resting content with this one, ... . It was obvious that the internal resistance to what I found myself saying was terrific. As a scientist I wanted to find a scientific solution; but reason inexorably led me to conclude that the population problem could not possibly be solved without repudiating certain ethical beliefs and altering some of the political and economic arrangements of contemporary society. Garrett Hardin: Preface of "Exploring New Ethics for Survival" (1972)
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - MELBOURNE 2010
DATE- MARCH 20th 2010 at 2.00 p.m.
VENUE
University of Melbourne
Trinity College Royal Parade Parkville
Evan Burge Building
Buzzard lecture Theatre
Enter Gate A (next to Janet Clarke Hall)
Guest speaker:
Dr Bob Birrell, Reader in Sociology at Monash University.
Full Details
Media Release - SEQ Water Strategy - 10 Feb.
South East Queensland Water Strategy reveals SEQ population growth is unsustainable
High energy consuming desalination plants underpinning future water security for South East Queensland shows that the region’s population growth is unsustainable, say environmentalists.
“Detailed planning for desalination facilities at Lytton and Marcoola will commence in 2010, however, a desalination plant at Lytton shows a total disregard for the Moreton Bay Marine Park and its internationally listed values,” said Mr Simon Baltais, Vice President of the South East Queensland Branch of Sustainable Population Australia. Read On. ..
Discover biodiversity - every day
Biodiversity is the backbone of all life on earth, and its conservation lies at the very core of IUCN’s work. ‘Species of the Day’ has been launched as part of IUCN’s involvement in the International Year of Biodiversity.
With mounting scientific evidence of a serious extinction crisis, it’s time to take action. “The latest analysis of the IUCN Red List shows the 2010 target to reduce biodiversity loss will not be met,” says Jane Smart, Director of IUCN’s Biodiversity Conservation Group. “It’s time for governments to get serious about saving species and make sure it’s high on their agendas for next year, as we’re rapidly running out of time.”
Each day of 2010 will see a different species featured on the IUCN website, with information on the threats it faces. The 365 species selected represent the entire range of taxonomic groups and cover all regions. We have started by featuring some better known species, including the Polar Bear and will move on to cover plants, fungi, invertebrates and more. Both charismatic and obscure species will be featured, providing an insight into the astonishing level of biodiversity that exists.
If you would like to access the archived list of species go to www.iucnredlist.org/species-of-the-day/archives
|
The News