World Environment Day
by BIEPA July 7, 2019 Bribie Island conservation environment Moreton Bay world
As in previous years, BIEPA had a stall at the World Environment Day Festival organised by the Sunshine Coast Environment Council on 2 June. In spite of the rain, it was an enjoyable day and a great opportunity to meet up with likeminded stallholders and visitors.
Since World Environment Day began in 1974, the event has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries. Each year the day is centred around a theme, this year’s theme is air pollution. Unfortunately, 91% of people live in places where air quality falls below World Health Organisation limits and 90 out of 193 countries do not have vehicle emission standards. World Environment Day is a global day for people to take action. There are many small steps we can take that collectively can have a big difference, learn more here:
The future of a species is at stake. A new analysis by EDO Qld has revealed Adani is going backwards on its commitments to the critically-endangered Black-throated Finch, apparently cutting out 2000-plus hectares of core habitat from its proposed offset area.
Our investigation also suggests Adani is having difficulties legally securing land for their proposed offset area, highlighting major weaknesses in the document central to their Carmichael mine approvals.
EDO Qld has spent years fighting on the side of the endangered Black-throated Finch.
Our landmark 2015 court case against Adani proved once and for all that the company’s proposed Carmichael megamine sits on the finch’s core habitat, and would constitute an existential threat to the species.
But instead of working to preserve the species, Adani’s latest plans suggest it has actually reduced the size of its proposed offset area, including thousands of hectares that its own studies reveal is prime habitat for the finch.
Until December last year, Adani’s plan proposed to go beyond the minimum requirements of its approved 2016 Biodiversity Offset Strategy. It’s unclear why the company has now changed the plan.
This is why our work is so crucial.
Without proper scrutiny, companies like Adani can and will ride roughshod over our natural environment, putting at risk our precious native species and ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef.
It takes dedicated scientists, conservationists, and top environmental legal experts like EDO Qld to ensure these mining companies remain accountable.
But it’s an uphill battle to make sure miners like Adani do the right thing and obey our laws, and we need all the help we can get.
If you haven’t given recently, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to ensure EDO Qld can keep fighting the good fight to protect our endangered wildlife and natural areas.
If you can’t make a donation right now, please consider sharing our page with friends and family via email or social media. Getting the word out on this issue is vitally important.
Thanks very much Diane, for all your support.
Jo-Anne Bragg
CEO and Solicitor, EDO Qld
PS – Keen to make a splash for the Great Barrier Reef? Our annual swimathon Swim For The Reef is on again, with supporters form all around Queensland taking part to raise much-needed funds for EDO Qld.
Attached is a poster advising volunteers that the Sandstone Point Hotel wishes to no longer separate oyster shells, for recycling: rather than sending the information to the Police or ending them to landfill with all other waste.
Download:Oyster shell recycling
QCC has launched the Queensland’s Natural Wonders Photography Awards as part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations.
There’s nothing as powerful as a photograph to inspire emotions and motivate people to action. That’s why we’ve launched these new Awards, to recognise and celebrate the power of images – and the importance of photographers – in protecting our natural world.
We would love to have all our member groups get on board to make sure the best photographers and most beautiful places in your region get represented in the competition.
Can you include a post about the awards on your social media? Or perhaps you could send an email to your members, or give us a shout-out in your newsletter? To make it easy, we’ve even created these graphics and text you can use straight away – just click here to download.
There are fantastic prizes up for grabs, including a weekend for two at one of Queensland’s top eco-resorts for each of the three category winners, and vouchers for adventure and photography equipment for runners-up and junior prize winners.
Be quick – entries close Friday 8th March – click here for details on how to enter.
The best photographs will be showcased at our Natural Wonders Awards Night on Sat 6th April in Brisbane. Tickets for this glittering event go on sale soon.
So many photographers are also nature lovers, and this photo competition gives them a chance to bring together both their passions. We can’t wait to see all the wonderful entries.
P.S. who do you know who takes great photographs? Why not forward this email to them and encourage them to enter!