Land & water
Another year. Still no national air fleet
Aerial firefighting capacity – planes and helicopters - are an essential component of Australia’s ability to respond to bushfires. This was demonstrated in the 2019-2020 bushfire season, when an unprecedented use of aircraft occurred. This summer was mild in the east but Western Australia saw months of terrible fires.
Australia has a nationally co-ordinated fleet of about 150 planes and helicopters in an average fire season (with up to 500 aircraft available on call when needed). These are used for firefighting, winching fire crews into remote areas, intelligence gathering and guiding larger aircraft in their operations (called Air Attack Supervision).
Large aircraft and helicopters are an essential part of these operations – Large Air Tankers, or LATs and Type 1 helicopters are used on large fires. In an average summer we will need at least 6 LATs. However, we need to lease them from overseas (one LAT is owned by the NSW Rural Fire Service).
Land & water
What does patriarchy and gender justice have to do with saving the forests?
In compiling this edition, Chain Reaction asked activists to share their experiences of gender (in)justice and dismantling the patriarchy within the broader environment and social justice movement. Chris Schuringa shares their experiences in this Chain Reaction #140 article.
Land & water
Gender Injustice and Environmental Injustice are Intersectional
In compiling this edition, Chain Reaction asked activists to share their experiences of gender (in)justice and dismantling the patriarchy within the broader environment and social justice movement. Alana Mountain shares her experiences in this Chain Reaction #140 article.
Land & water
India: Indigenous peoples demand ‘water, forests, land’ before coal
In Australia, the Wangan and Jagalingou’s “Standing Our Ground” movement on their traditional lands in central Queensland, against Adani’s Carmichael coal mine, is completing its third month. This assertion of sovereignty and culture comes after more than a decade of resistance to the contentious project.
Land & water
Reflections on gender (in)justice
In compiling this edition, Chain Reaction asked activists to share their experiences of gender (in)justice and dismantling the patriarchy within the broader environment and social justice movement. Sarah Day shares her experiences in this Chain Reaction #140 article. Trigger Warnings: Sexual harassment, sexual abuse, systemic misogyny.
Land & water
Court injunction stops illegal logging on Gunnai Country
Illegal logging has been halted in an important area of forest home to critically endangered Masked Owl, and Yellow-bellied Gliders. Conservation groups sounded the alarm over illegal logging in the Colquhoun State Forest on Gunnai Kurnai Country in December last year when citizen scientists found a high density of Yellow-bellied Gliders.
Land & water
Roundup and glyphosate given tick of approval for use in World Heritage area
A weedkiller banned overseas has been given the tick of approval by a state authority to be used across the World Heritage-listed wet tropics area in Far North Queensland.
Land & water
Rinehart's Roadblock in Ecuador
Gina Rinehart's Ecuadorian subsidiary, Hanrine, continues to face ongoing problems in Ecuador. Reports from that country have revealed that a local judge has recently ruled that a 40 day blockade of the main road into the northern Ecuadorian town of Buenos Aires, by Hanrine workers, is violating the rights of local residents.
The Buenos Aires blockade site in early June 2021
Land & water
Uranium in Australian Drinking Water Snapshot
Thousands of remote residents exposed to levels of uranium above guideline levels
The recently published WA Auditor Report “Delivering Essential Services to Remote Aboriginal Communities” has raised more concerns regarding water quality in remote Aboriginal communities in three regions of Western Australia: The Goldfields, the Pilbara and Kimberleys.
Land & water
Make a submisssion: Victorian inquiry into the health impacts of air pollution
The Victorian Parliament is currently conducting an Inquiry into the Health Impacts of Air Pollution, and they're taking public submissions now. The more submissions they receive, the more likely the Victorian Government will take action to reduce pollution and protect health!