Land & water
Questions Raised Over Roadside Tree Clearing During Bushfire Recovery Efforts
Residents and tourists have expressed dismay at the extent of tree clearing in hundreds (possibly thousands) of kilometres of roadside reserves in the aftermath of this summer's devastating bushfires. Many of these roadsides contain extremely valuable habitat.
Numerous organisations and business have been called on to clear roads and remove dangerous trees although, in comments on social media, some people are questioning whether healthy trees are also being removed unnecessarily. It is Friends of the Earth's opinion that the majority of the tree removal is needless and is actually uncontrolled wanton destruction.
Image: Princess Highway near Genoa - Photo: Nick Clemann
Land & water
Koala Crisis in South West Victoria Only Just Beginning
A recent visit to South West Victoria has deeply troubled Friends of the Earth. Perhaps the most haunting image of the crisis facing koalas in the region was a mother and baby holding on to a dead bluegum plantation tree, as Wedge Tail Eagles circled overhead. Thousands of similar scenarios are playing out across the region at present time. The plantation in question had been logged about one year ago. [The animals of concern appear to have survived as they were not present in or around the tree the next morning].
Land & water
What we can do next to protect koalas in VIC
Many people would have seen the recent story regarding koala massacre currently occurring in South West Victoria published over the weekend.
Land & water
Could Water Carting in the NT be a Short Term Option for Communities Drinking Uranium Tainted Water?
Friends of the Earth is deeply concerned to see a number of communities in the Northern Territory consuming drinking water with levels of uranium and radiological properties which pose a risk to community health.
Land & water
Koala Massacre Currently Occurring in South West Victoria
Friends of the Earth has been alarmed to learn of a koala "massacre" occurring during the logging of a bluegum plantation, located approximately 12-14km west of the south west Victorian town of Portland.
Land & water
Forgetting Fukushima
Irresponsible tactics are being used to bury social and environmental problems associated with the Fukushima nuclear disaster as Olympics approach in Japan.
Land & water
Chinese Food Imports Dominate Pesticide Breaches
A yet to be published Friends of the Earth investigation into pesticide residues on imported food into Australia, has shown that food imports from China, contain by far the largest amount of breaches from any country. The highest residues were detected in Chinese grown Lychees.
Land & water
Strzelecki Koala May Hold Key for Species Survival
The recent fire disasters in New South Wales and Queensland has played havoc with koala populations in those regions. Thousands of animals have been reported to have been killed and recent media reports have controversially suggested that the species is effectively functionally extinct.
Land & water
Why the government mustn't fast track approvals
Instead of reducing environmental assessment of major projects, Scott Morrison needs to implement a new set of federal environmental laws, which will actually do their job: protect the natural environment from major threats.
Land & water
Breaking down the gov’s announcement; What does this actually mean for Victoria’s forests?
It’s been an emotional few days following the Victorian government announcement that logging native forests will end in 2030. The government has also committed to state-wide protections for 90,000ha of old growth forests, and 96,000ha of new protected areas, 48,500 of which are in East Gippsland. An action statement for the threatened Greater Glider was also finally released, after two years of inaction following it’s up-listing to threatened in 2017.