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Futuremakers Creating a sustainable way of life (Issue 15, July 2007)

Hi [firstname,fallback=there].
This is the latest edition of Futuremakers, WWF's regular email bulletin. In it you'll find links to the latest news from around the world, features about the state of the planet and, most importantly, ways that you can take action.
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Feature Story Desalination: option for a thirsty world?

Making drinking water out of sea water could lead to the destruction of prized coastal areas, according to a new global report by WWF.

The growing trend in some of the world's driest countries, like Australia, to build desalination plants as a solution to water shortages, comes under scrutiny in the report released in June.

Potential environmental impacts - like a build up of brine, increased greenhouse gas emissions, degradation of coastal areas, and reduced emphasis on conservation of rivers and wetlands - are identified by WWF as major problems resulting from desalination plants.

"Desalinating the sea is an expensive, energy-intensive and greenhouse gas emitting way to get water," says Jamie Pittock, Director of WWF's Global Freshwater Program.

"It may have a place in the world's future freshwater supplies but regions still have cheaper, better and complementary ways to supply water that are less risky to the environment."

» Read 'Desalination: option for a thirsty world?'

Coal power plant (c) WWF-Canon, Andrew KERR Coal-fired power stations will wreak havoc on Australia's carbon savings

In recent weeks, the QLD and NSW State governments announced their intention to a commission new coal-fired power stations in their respective states - to be implemented within the next five years. Emissions produced from these coal-fired powers stations will negate millions of dollars both State governments have spent on climate change projects in recent years. In QLD's case, as part of the State Government's //Climate Smart 2050// strategy, Premier Beattie promised that the proposed coal-fired power station would be 'clean coal ready', meaning it will capture and store its emissions from the onset. However clean coal technology will not be available until 2020 - 9 years after the plant starts operating - resulting in huge damage to the environment.

» Read 'Coal-fired power stations will wreak havoc on Australia's carbon savings'
Take Action!

This month's lead story focuses on desalination's impact on our environment. WWF's June report on the issue was met with significant support from people in areas where desalination plants are being implemented.

Many of you wrote in to express your disappointment and concern over the elected government's decision to progress local desalination plans without community consultation, against environmental groups' legitimate concerns, and governments' own coastal planning guidelines.

Individuals can take action to stop the construction of desalination plants in coastal communities. If you are concerned about desalination and the impact on the environment, take steps to write to your local MP or State premier, or to Environment Minister The Hon Malcolm Turnbull to ask that priority be given to safe alternatives to desalination. These include localised water collection such as rainwater tanks, water efficiency projects, demand management and leakage reduction.
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News Brief

News from WWF-Australia and around the world.
  • Encyclopedia of Life -- http://www.eol.orgLive Earth: Did the world listen? (Daily Telegraph)
    WWF was the global green partner for the Live Earth series of concerts and was astounded by the number of supporters who attended the Sydney event. Despite the huge international turnout, there was ongoing media debate following the concert questioning whether Live Earth fulfilled its mission to create an international movement to combat climate change. Like WWF's Earth Hour campaign, Live Earth was a success in that it got people thinking about climate change, inspiring them to make simple changes on a daily basis to reduce their emissions. »
  • Cantor's giant soft-shell turtle © David Emmett / CI CambodiaHoward says he'll come to the party on emissions trading (The West Australian)
    Prime Minister John Howard has moved to soften the blow of emissions trading on big polluters while continuing to delay setting a greenhouse target or a carbon price. He has released more detail about the national trading scheme for greenhouse gas emissions he plans to launch in 2011.»
  • The Gorgeted PufflegIce man's deep freeze (The Daily Telegraph)
    Bristish explorer Lewis Gordon Pugh, otherwise known as the human polar bear, took to the freezing waters of the Antarctic in just his Speedo swimming briefs, cap and goggles to highlight the devastating impact of climate change on the natural world.»
  • Swindle sheds light on Global Warming Business (Sydney Morning Herald)
    What was your take on ABC TV's recent viewing of The Great Global Warming Swindle? What more does business have to do? What are the biggest hurdles? WWF-Australia's CEO Greg Bourne joined the show's on-air discussion panel to debate the issue of global warming. »
  • Weeds not taken seriously (The Australian)
    Australia's Weed Co-operative Research Centre has revealed that Australians, conservationists and government aren't taking weeds seriously. Cane toads and foxes, climate change and land clearing have all grabbed public attention in recent months, however the volatile nature of weeds is something that's often overlooked. »
  • Scot school boy 'real wizard with two lizards' (Scotsman.com)
    Inspired by the late Aussie naturalist Steve Irwin, a scottish school boy has decided to do his bit for global biodiversity by attempting to breed a pair of rare iguanas in his family's garage. »

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