The front cover of ECOS magazine – Issue No. 147

Emergency stops for climate?

Reference: 09/35

ECOS magazine takes a look at global-scale mechanisms – natural and man-made – being proposed to rapidly reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) below levels at which dangerous climate change is predicted.

2 March 2009

CO₂ emissions increased by 3 per cent per year from 2000 to 2007. Current atmospheric CO₂ concentrations are around 385 parts per million (ppm), compared to pre-industrial revolution levels of 280ppm. Scientists warn that 450ppm is the threshold level that could trigger extreme warming, sea level rise and other global perturbations.

ECOS examines a range of so-called ‘geoengineering’ proposals including iron fertilisation of oceans to boost phytoplankton populations and the use of artificial trees – air-intake towers with CO₂ ‘scrubbers’. But agriculture and forestry avenues currently hold the best promise.

Experts such as Dr Tim Flannery point to the importance of strategically managing natural carbon storage systems such as tropical and old-growth forests; soil carbon in rangelands and agricultural crops that lock away carbon in humus and microscopic ‘phytoliths’; and biochar (see ECOS 146).

‘Shock treatment’ brings coral gardens back to life

ECOS also reports on how a dying coral reef ecosystem off the island of Bali has been given new life and high tolerance to bleaching events. Two researchers have pioneered a way of running a safe low-voltage current through seawater to metal mesh electrodes, encouraging corals to grow at 2–6 times the rate of natural reef growth.

The limestone structures created by the Biorock® process are being rapidly colonised by fish, crabs, clams, octopus, lobster and sea urchins, enabling the villagers of nearby Pemuteran to regain their livelihoods, through new conservation approaches.

“A researcher has found an ingenious way to link data collected on the state’s roadkill ‘hot spots’ to personal in-car GPS navigators, meaning you could now be warned to slow down where necessary when driving around Tasmania. Speeds below 80km/hr save many lives.”

Because the low-voltage Biorock process can be powered by small-scale wind turbines, photovoltaic solar panels or tidal current generators, it could be used to restore reef ecosystems in remote areas where conventional power supplies are unavailable. Could the technology be used widely to bolster threatened reefs against climate impacts?

GPS technology helps reduce Tasmania’s roadkill

There’s also some great news for Tassie’s devils, wombats, possums, pademelons and bandicoots – over 200,000 of which are killed each year by traffic.

A researcher has found an ingenious way to link data collected on the state’s roadkill ‘hot spots’ to personal in-car GPS navigators, meaning you could now be warned to slow down where necessary when driving around Tasmania. Speeds below 80km/hr save many lives.

The technology could be applied to wildlife conservation world-wide. (A short documentary film accompanies this story online).

The Dingo is an unlikely protector of small marsupials

Australian scientists have found an unlikely connection between the presence of dingoes and the survival of small ground-dwelling marsupials in some arid and semi-arid parts of the country.

Dingoes appear to keep down the numbers of introduced foxes and cats, which have been largely responsible for the extinction of many Australian mammal species.

However, the ‘dingo effect’ is not universal. The Australian Wildlife Conservancy is researching dingo interactions on its reserves, with preliminary results showing that in some areas, dingoes ‘prey-switch’ to native species with negative consequences. (A short movie accompanies this story online).

ECOS 147 also reports on:

Lessons from Cyclone Larry: The most severe storm to hit North Queensland since 1918 devastated a 100-km strip of our tropical coast in March 2006. With the same region set to experience increased cyclone-related environmental damage due to global warming, researchers are investigating how to reduce the impact of habitat damage on species such as the cassowary.
Drinking to sustainability: More and more beer and wine producers are promoting their green credentials. We profile some of Australia’s new green beers (page 18), and a winemaker that is making environmental conservation a key to its future (page 25).
New tactics for the camel plague: More than a million camels roam through much of central Australia, and next year there will be 80 000 more. Researchers from the Desert Knowledge CRC have proposed several solutions, including developing a camel industry that could benefit Aboriginal communities.
Protection not working for Papua New Guinea’s forests: PNG’s tropical rainforests are rich in species and may be a key factor in reducing future carbon emissions, but recent satellite data show they are fast disappearing.
Tracking bigger wave action: How will more frequent large-wave events affect our southern coastline in the years ahead?
Getting street smart: Sustainability Street is a grassroots suburban education program that is changing perspectives in 150 communities around Australia.