2018-05-01
The Green Issue Editors
The South West of WA is recognized as one of the 'hotspots of climate change as particularly evidenced by its steadily declining rainfall over the last half century or so. Availability of fresh water is fundamental to our economic condition and general well-being, if not our very existence. However, we seem to be carrying on with our regular economic activities apparently oblivious to this ever-diminishing essential resource. And, in the words of Sunny Miller:
“There are many ways to get electrical energy; burn wood, coal, gas, nuclear power, hydro, etc. All these are alternatives.
But hey folks there ain't no alternative for water. Let's consider water a scarce resource. Don't squander water on things such as lawns, long showers or letting it run while brushing your teeth. Even if you are on a good 'hydrological' zone please consider not using a bore.
Like the nun who left the order, just drop the habit. Habits are fragile ‒ if you drop them they break.”
We begin our articles with a reminder, in verse, that we are more vulnerable to deficiencies of fresh water than most of the life around us, so we really should be careful. Then, data are presented on how climate change, particularly changes in temperature and rainfall, is affecting WA, even though governments continue to downplay this and refuse to take meaningful remedial action. We present an artists representation on the theme of water, at the iconic Mundaring Weir, for long a source of Goldfields water but now collecting ever less runoff. Then, the water theme is examined in relation to Greens policy, with an in-depth look at water pricing – for most of us it is simply too cheap, in relation to its true value to the community. A major threat to WAs fresh water supplies is fracking, now under temporary moratorium, but with approval becoming ever more likely, especially with the recent approval of fracking in the Northern Territory. It is not only our fresh water resources that are threatened but also the salty oceans all around us. With the assistance of scuba gear we take a look at how we are disrupting our ocean environment. And we also use water for evil purposes. By incarcerating hapless asylum seekers on islands across the ocean. Also, by sending sheep to the most horrible of fates on the other side of the Indian Ocean (to view this article click the second orange button at the bottom of this page).
And, we have our regular two-monthly updates from our MPs, for Senators Rachel Siewert and Jordon Steele-John and our Members of the WA Legislative Council Robin Chapple (Mining and Pastoral), Alison Xamon (North Metropolitan), Tim Clifford (East Metropolitan) and Diane Evers (South West).
Header photo: A waterfall in Tasmania. Viv Glance