News

Here is a selection of outside news that we think may be of interest to our readers. If you have a newsfeed you think would be relevant for this page please let us know. Don't forget we have our own news in the forum which is available as a newsfeed and is open for use by all members of the underwater community.

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Ella-Marie, 10, One Of The Youngest Qualified Scuba Divers In The World; 'I Never Get Scared'

Florida: Surfer Describes Being Bitten By Shark; 'You Don't Ever Think They're Real'

Study: Massive Peru Dolphin Die-off Not Linked To Seismic Surveys; 'Natural Causes'

Costa Rica Promises 'Fair Trial' For Sea Shepherd's Paul Watson

Researchers: Squid ink unchanged in 160 million years

Researchers track Atlantic bluefin tuna to learn migration, habitat secrets

Marine aquarium fish trade study reveals fewer fish, more species imported; 'delicate balance'

River Monsters: Star angler Jeremy Wade in Lake Champlain waters

Conduct of Rena captain and officer criticised at sentencing

Alien invaders: Scientists discover deep sea animals stowaway on submarines and reach new territory

Canada: Experts can't hook possible Frankenfish during pond fishing expedition

Researchers: Weather, 'climate change' to impact leatherback turtle survival; 'clear link'

New Zealand hopes to end whaling deadlock; 'political windows for us to re-engage constructively'

Fish Wars: Spanish police call for help in escalating dispute about fishing around Gibraltar

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Conservation groups support call for reform of NSW commercial fisheries

Conservation groups today welcomed the publication of an independent report into the New South Wales commercial fishing sector, but said that all stakeholders must be included in implementing reforms.

The Nature Conservation Council of NSW, the Australian Marine Conservation Society and WWF-Australia called on the NSW Minister for Primary Industries to implement a fundamental reform of fisheries management in the state, as recommended by the Independent Report into NSW Commercial Fisheries Policy, Management and Administration.

WWF’s marine spokesperson Michael Harte said the report’s proposals for reform would put the NSW fishing industry on the road to recovery, but only if fully implemented.

“Commercial fishermen have been doing it tough in NSW for far too long,� Dr Harte said.

“It’s hard for fishermen to be green when they’re in the red.

“The recommendations in today’s report reflect international best practice in the sustainable management of fisheries. These reforms are desperately needed if we are to have a sustainable and profitable commercial industry into the future.�

AMCS fisheries spokesperson Tooni Mahto said reforms were needed to make sure the marine ecosystem wasn’t forgotten.

“If we want fishing businesses to be both profitable and sustainable, we must make sure our marine environment remains healthy,� Ms Mahto said.

“The report tells us that we don’t even know what the health is of stocks of half the species caught commercially in NSW. No commercial fisherman can have a secure future while there is this much uncertainty.

“The NSW Government must complement management reforms with greater efforts to collect the data needed to manage our fisheries. Better data can also help target reforms and retirement of certain sectors in economic trouble or those with a large ecological footprint such as shark fisheries.�

NCCNSW’s Pepe Clarke called for broad representation on the proposed Ministerial Fisheries Advisory Council.

“For the public to have faith that reforms are being implemented transparently, it is vital that all stakeholders with relevant expertise, including conservationists, have representation on the Advisory Council,� Mr Clarke said.

“The Advisory Council must not simply be a closed shop for officials and representatives of the commercial fishing sector.�

Media contacts:
Pepe Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, CCNSW, 0402 325 471
Tooni Mahto, Fisheries Officer, AMCS, 0467 081 258
Daniel Rockett, Senior Media Officer, WWF-Australia, 0432 206 592

Bill to unleash clean energy investment in Australia … but amendments needed to make new corporation efficient

A bill introduced to federal parliament today would unleash clean energy investment in Australia, according to WWF-Australia.

However the conservation group said the Australian Government needed to commit during the passage of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation Bill 2012 to CEFC projects being additional to the current Renewable Energy Target.

WWF’s climate change spokesperson Kellie Caught said the bill would enable the carbon price revenue to be invested in renewable energy.

“The revenue raised from Australia’s top 500 polluters will be spent in delivering new renewable energy in Australia, creating new jobs and generating less carbon emissions. It’s very exciting for Australia’s future,� Ms Caught said.

“The Clean Energy Finance Corporation will go further than the RET scheme by helping commercialise a broader range of renewable technologies like big solar, which will help develop new industries and assist with energy security.

“This critical institution has the capacity to unleash Australia’s clean energy industry and put us on par with clean energy leaders like China, the United States and Germany.�

Ms Caught said that now the draft legislation has been introduced, the parliament has an opportunity make the Clean Energy Finance Corporation more effective by committing to make CEFC investments additional to the current Renewable Energy Target of 20 per cent.

“Energy companies are saying that the current market is already capable of delivering investment beyond the 20 per cent target, even in the absence of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation,� Ms Caught said.

“By making the CEFC investments additional, not only would we get a broader range of renewable technologies, but we would get more renewable energy in the electricity grid.

“In considering this bill, Members of Parliament should consider committing to establish an efficient corporation which unlocks a true boom in clean energy investment by targeting investments above and beyond those that will already be achieved under the renewable energy target.�


WWF-Australia contacts:

Kellie Caught
National Climate Change Manager
0406 383 277, kcaught@wwf.org.au

Daniel Rockett
Senior Media Officer
0432 206 592, drockett@wwf.org.au

New report calls for protection for over 40% of Antarctica’s Southern Ocean

Antarctic waters are some of the most intact environments left on earth yet they remain under threat and unprotected, a new report released globally overnight from the Antarctic Ocean Alliance states.

The report, 'Antarctic Ocean Legacy: A Vision for Circumpolar Protection’, says climate change, ocean acidification, pollution, and increased commercial activity from tourism and fishing are threatening to unravel this intricate ecosystem.

The AOA’s research has identified over 40 percent of the Southern Ocean that warrants increased protection in a network of Marine Protected Areas.

WWF‘s Antarctic and Southern Ocean spokesperson Dr Michael Harte said the conservation organisation fully supported the AOA’s call for increased protection.

“The world has an unprecedented opportunity to create a legacy for future generations through new Marine Protected Areas to Australia’s south,� Dr Harte said

“This report unveils a new vision for the creation of the world’s largest network of Marine Protected Areas and no-take marine reserves around the Antarctic.

“While Antarctic waters make up almost 10 percent of the world’s seas, less than one percent is fully protected.

Dr Harte said the AOA is campaigning for the regulatory body, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, to adopt its ambitious plan for marine protection.

“To achieve these critical, visionary goals, the world needs visionary leadership,� Dr Harte said.

“The CCAMLR needs to take bold action and adopt this plan to ensure this unique marine environment remains intact.�

Australia is a signatory to the CCAMLR, which has its headquarters in Hobart, Tasmania.

WWF is part of the Antarctic Ocean Alliance along with the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, Blue Marine Foundation, Greenpeace, International Program for the State of the Ocean, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and other environmental organizations.


WWF-Australia contacts:

Hamish Wyatt
Communications Officer
02 8202 1216, 0414 544 911, hwyatt@wwf.org.au

Tiger recovery efforts progressing, urgent action still needed to fight poaching

New Delhi, India – Tiger range countries in their first meeting to review efforts on doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022, reported significant progress, but recognized that urgent and elevated action is still needed to halt poaching.

“Steady progress is being made towards meeting the goal of doubling wild tiger numbers,� said Mike Baltzer, Leader of WWF’s Tigers Alive Initiative. “But tiger range governments must urgently and seriously step up action to eliminate poaching if they do not want their investments to go to waste.�

In November 2010 at the “Tiger Summit� in St. Petersburg hosted by the Government of Russia and the World Bank, the 13 Tiger Range Governments and partners committed to doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022 (TX2). They presented the Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP), which represents the plans towards meeting this goal.

The meeting in New Delhi, held from 15-17 May 2012, was the first time since the Tiger Summit that senior government officials from all 13 countries have met to review progress on implementation of the GTRP and plan the next steps.

Before the meeting, WWF released results of a preliminary assessment of 63 legally protected areas in seven tiger range countries that showed only 22, or 35%, maintain WWF’s minimum standards of protection. This indicated that tigers in most of the protected areas are still very vulnerable to poaching.

Poaching of tigers, to feed consumer demand for their body parts and products, is now the main factor reversing the gains made by governments, donors and other partners working towards the 2022 goal. Nearly all tiger range countries spoke of the poaching problem and efforts they are taking on the ground to tackle it. These include strengthening capacity and introducing new, innovative law enforcement monitoring tools, such as M-STrIPES and SMART, to better manage protected areas with tigers. They also considered new approaches to reduce consumer demand for tiger derivatives.

“We are pleased that the approaches we recommended on demand reduction are being considered to support implementation of the GTRP,� said Sabri Zain, Director of Advocacy and Campaigns, TRAFFIC International. “It is critical that we implement new approaches to changing consumer behaviour if we are to successfully stem out poaching in the long run and therefore in achieving TX2.�

During the meeting, TRAFFIC also presented new figures from its latest research into the rising number of tiger part seizures taking place in Asia. With 53 seizures occurring each year, levels remain high. The analysis also identified persistent tiger trade hot-spots such as Kathmandu, Hanoi and the Russia/Northeast China border. It is essential that a tiger trade monitoring system be established as information such as this can assist enforcement efforts in the field where it is most needed.

In a sign indicating tiger range countries are increasingly working together to save the tiger across their borders, the meeting witnessed the signing of a bilateral agreement on trans-border cooperation between India and Nepal and another between India and Russia.

''This gathering of tiger range states shows that the momentum to save tigers is indeed building, but the pressure on the species continues,� said Ravi Singh, Secretary-General and CEO, WWF-India. “Coordinated anti-poaching measures across tiger range states are called for. These need to be scaled up and implemented urgently to achieve zero poaching."

WWF is supporting tiger range countries in their enforcement efforts through both training and helping to develop computer-based, law enforcement monitoring systems. It has also identified three actions tiger range governments can take immediately to launch an elevated operation towards Zero Poaching. These include identifying and delineating the most important sites requiring good protection from poaching, and ensuring these sites have sufficient numbers of enforcement staff who are well trained to monitor and improve their effectiveness by using monitoring systems. WWF also suggests that the police and judiciary need to help to ensure strict punishment on poaching and to actively engage local communities living adjacent to important tiger conservation areas.


WWF-Australia media contact:
Daniel Rockett, Senior Media Officer, WWF-Australia, +61 (0)432 206 592

WWF International contacts:
Soh-Koon Chng, WWF Tigers Alive Initiative, +65 9772 2552, skchng@wwf.org.my
Aarti Khosla, WWF-India, +91-98111-99288, akhosla@wwfndia.net
Dilpreet B. Chhabra, TRAFFIC India, +91-98990-00472, dchhabra@wwfindia.net

Australians world’s seventh biggest polluters: global report

Australia’s carbon emissions are the top contributor to its new ranking as the world’s seventh biggest user and polluter of natural resources, according to a biennial report which measures the impact of human demands on nature.



WWF’s 2012 Living Planet Report, produced with the European Space Agency, the Zoological Society of London and the Global Footprint Network, reveals that humans are using 50 per cent more resources than the Earth can provide, and will need two planets by 2030 to support current rates of consumption and pollution.

Australian residents have the seventh largest environmental impact on the planet’s natural resources, after residents of Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Denmark, the USA and Belgium. Australia’s ranking has risen by one place since 2010.



If everyone on the planet lived like the average Australian, it would take 3.76 planets to support the world population.

The findings underscore the critical importance to Australia of staying the course on pricing carbon, in the face of short-sighted resistance.

"Australia has some of the world's best renewable energy resources and know-how to be able to significantly reduce our carbon footprint. The Carbon Price and Renewable Energy Target are key mechanisms that together will drive the shift from coal to renewables,� said WWF Australia’s Climate Change Manager Kellie Caught.

“Just like the industrial revolution brought benefits to society, the carbon price will drive a new clean revolution that will have health and economic benefits but critically give our precious environment a fighting chance.�

The 2012 edition of the LPR highlights the crippling impact of carbon on the whole planet’s life support system. Carbon dioxide pollution currently accounts for over half of humanity’s Ecological Footprint.

The Ecological Footprint Index tracks the area of biologically productive land and water required to provide the renewable resources people use, and includes the space needed for infrastructure and vegetation to absorb carbon dioxide waste.

Australians require 6.68 global hectares¹ per person to support their consumption and pollution levels, representing a slight improvement on their 2010 rate of 6.8 global hectares per person.

Australia’s carbon footprint - the amount of forest land that could sequester carbon dioxide emissions - is the biggest factor in its huge ecological impact. Australians require 2.68 global hectares per person to absorb the carbon pollution they emit, ahead of the global average of 1.47 gha per capita.

The report also documents the changing state of biodiversity through the Living Planet Index. The latest index shows a 30 per cent decrease in abundance of populations of species since 1970, with the tropics hardest hit - showing a 60 per cent decline in less than 40 years. Tracked populations of freshwater tropical species have fallen by nearly 70 per cent.

The 2012 report offers 16 priority solutions to enable the world’s population to live within the means of one planet. They include measuring the value of natural capital, reducing consumption, and redirecting financial flows, for example by eliminating subsidies underpinning fossil fuel use.

“Rethinking business is vital for our future. Business needs nature. They have a bottom-line interest in ensuring that the resources they depend on are sustainable,� said Dermot O’Gorman, Chief Executive of WWF Australia.

“Australia’s population is growing and our resources are depleting. By 2050 the global population will be over 9 billion. If we rethink the way we manage our resources, we will have the capacity to provide food, water and energy for all.�


^{1. A global hectare – as opposed to a physical hectare - measures the amount of biologically productive land and water area required to produce the resources an individual, population or activity consumes and to absorb the waste it generates, given prevailing technology and resource management.}


WWF-Australia contacts:
Charlie Stevens, WWF-Australia Media Manager, 0424 649 689

Dilma silent as world calls for full veto of Forest Code reform

Gland, Switzerland â€“ Three of the world’s leading conservation and advocacy organizations have begun a mass mobilization of their 22 million supporters to call on Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to veto the Forest Code bill passed by the House of Deputies.

WWF, Greenpeace and Avaaz say the proposed changes to the Forest Code would threaten recent successes in reducing forest loss and compromise efforts to tackle corruption in the Amazon region.

Already more than 1.3 million people from around the world have signed Avaaz's petition calling on President Rousseff to veto the proposed Forest Code; this number is expected to rise dramatically in the next few days. Likewise, hundreds of thousands of WWF and Greenpeace supporters have echoed the call on social media channels such Twitter, using #SOSBrazil and #VetaTudoDilma, and by posting messages directly to the Facebook page of the president’s political party, Partidodos Trabalhadores.

The petition will be bolstered by a campaign by the three groups to have their millions of supporters deluge Brazilian embassies around the world with messages and calls showing global opposition to the bill.

President Rousseff has not given public reaction nor indicated whether she intends to fight the measure since it was passed on 25 April. The groups say that only a full veto will safeguard Brazil’s forests and the global climate. President Rousseff received the bill this week and has until 25 May to veto all or part of the bill, or to allow it to become law.

“Over the past decade, Brazil has achieved stunning progress in reducing deforestation in the Amazon. We recognize that President Rousseff is under massive political pressure from those who would burn the forest for short-term gain, but we urge her to stand firm for the protection of the forest resources that are so vital to the future of all Brazilians, and the world,� said Jim Leape, WWF International Director General.

Brazil’s Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA) has estimated that the new legislation could lead to the loss of up to 76.5 million hectares (190 million acres) of forest, which translates to 28 billion tonnes of added CO2 in the atmosphere. This would make it impossible for Brazil to reach its carbon reduction targets.

“Thousands of people from all over the world are sounding the alarm and calling Brazilian embassies to urge President Rousseff to save the Amazon. Nearly 80 per cent of Brazilians want this catastrophic bill scrapped, and so far over a million people across the world support them. President Rousseff has a choice – sign the Amazon’s death sentence or protect the planet’s lungs and emerge a public hero,� said Ricken Patel, Avaaz Executive Director.

“President Dilma Rousseff stands at a defining moment for her presidency. The choice is clear. She can ignore the Brazilian people and side with 'destruction as usual' as enshrined in the new Forest Code or exercise her veto and support the call for a new Zero Deforestation Law. We urge her to take the visionary path of a leader who understands that with power comes responsibility,� said Kumi Naidoo, Greenpeace International Executive Director.

The groups further criticize the bill’s amnesty provisions for past illegal forest clearance. The proposed amnesties would not only free environmental criminals from prosecution, but also forfeit an estimated US$4.8 billion in fines.

The groups are urging President Rousseff to listen to her own constituents – 94 per cent of whom say they are concerned about the environment, according to a recent survey conducted for the National Industry Confederation – and to the global movement that is calling for a veto.


Note to Editors: the petition can be found here:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/veto_dilma_global/?wwf

For further information:
In Switzerland: Gretchen Lyons, tel: +41 79 916 0136 email: glyons@wwfint.org
In Brazil: Regina Cavini tel: +55 61 8165 6812 email: reginacavini@wwf.org.br

Bandicoot in the city: The search is on for quendas in Perth suburbs

The Department of Environment and Conservation and WWF-Australia today launched a community survey to locate populations of the quenda, also known as the southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus fusciventer), living in the greater Perth region.

DEC Swan Region ecologist Geoff Barrett said quendas were living all around us in remnant bushland across suburban Perth, and called on residents to report sightings as part of the survey.

“Quendas have all but disappeared from other Australian cities, yet can still be seen throughout the Perth metropolitan area,� Dr Barrett said.

“Numbers have fallen significantly since the 1960s, but they can still be found throughout much of the south-west of Western Australia.

“Quendas are native mammals about the size of a rabbit with brown to yellow-brown fur, a long pointed nose, very short ears and a short tail. They prefer to live near waterways where dense low vegetation persists.�

WWF-Australia species conservation manager Katherine Howard said quendas were under threat from habitat loss, vehicle strike and predation from cats, dogs and foxes.

“We want to find out where quendas are currently living so we can compare this with previous surveys and work out if their numbers are changing.� Ms Howard said.

“We’re keen to hear from people right across the south-west if they have seen quendas in their local area. While all sightings are useful to us, we are particularly interested in records from around the Perth region.

“Residents are being asked to provide location details with their sighting reports (GPS, Google map or street location), the date on which the animals were seen and an estimate of how many were present. We are also interested in noting family groups with young quendas. A photo to confirm the sighting would be ideal.�


Residents can forward details of any sightings to:
• DEC Swan Region Ecologist Geoff Barrett at geoff.barrett@dec.wa.gov.au or phone (08) 9423 2907; or
• WWF-Australia Species Conservation Manager Katherine Howard at khoward@wwf.org.au or phone (08) 9442 1203.

Future budgets must address species loss

In a tough budget, WWF has welcomed ongoing funding for key environmental programs but warned that Australian species would continue to go extinct without increased investment in future budgets.

Australia has a terrible record of extinction, with at least 27 mammals and 23 birds lost. To halt extinctions future budgets would need to go beyond the current 0.5% expenditure to the environment.

WWF-Australia Director of Conservation Dr Gilly Llewellyn said she was disappointed the government had delayed by one year the promised increase in overseas development aid, and failed to implement rumoured cuts to diesel fuel rebate and accelerated depreciation.

“Failure to keep the promise to increase overseas development aid means that critical assistance for struggling communities to adapt to climate change and foster ecosystem resilience will not be forthcoming,� Dr Llewellyn said.

“The Government could have cut inefficient expensive fossil fuel subsidies and reinvested this money to assist our neighbours to adapt to and mitigate climate change.

“The Government has missed an opportunity to show real leadership at the upcoming UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio, where on the agenda is calls to remove environmentally harmful subsidies.�

WWF welcomed new money to implement reforms to the Environmental Protection Act but remain concerned about the ‘cutting green tape’ rhetoric and warned state and federal governments not to confuse streamlining with delivering more effective regulation.

“It will be critical that there is sufficient funding to the Great Barrier Reef strategic assessment given the multiple proposals for major infrastructure developments for the coastline, which could have a devastating impact on the World Heritage Area if not managed correctly,� Dr Llewellyn said.

“We are also pleased there is ongoing budget for the continuing marine bioregional planning process but we remain concerned that this may not cover management costs. We are keen to see the process for allowing the dignified exit of the few who may be affected by the implementation of new marine reserves.�

WWF-Australia contacts:
Charlie Stevens, WWF-Australia Media Manager, 0424 649 689

Countdown starts for presidential veto on Brazil Forest Code

Brasilia, Brazil: Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has until May 25 to decide whether to veto a draft rewrite of Brazil’s Forest Code that will wind back protections against deforestation in the Amazon and other areas and offer wide ranging amnesties for illegal deforestation.

The 15 working day period for a complete or partial veto on the Forest Code submitted by the Brazilian Congress commenced last Monday (May 7), when the bill was officially handed to the president. In absence of a veto, the new law would be sanctioned automatically once the deadline has passed.

“While big landowners will make a mint through unprecedented natural destruction, the costs, caused for example by increasing floods and landslides, will be delegated to the general public. That’s a serious attack on all Braziliansâ€�, said Maria Cecília Wey de Brito, CEO from WWF-Brazil.

Along with a broad alliance of more than 200 institutions from the Brazilian civil society and international NGOs Avaaz and Greenpeace, WWF is strongly urging President Rousseff to veto the entire draft, recalling her promise from last elections not to approve any bill that includes an amnesty and favours forest deforestation.

Should Ms Rousseff veto the law – as a whole or parts of it – the Congress will have up to 30 days to consider the veto. The Congress can still overthrow the president’s decision during a joint session of the federal Senate and House of Deputies. This requires the absolute majority of votes from both houses.

The draft includes an amnesty for illegal deforestation committed prior to July 2008. According to a study by the Brazilian Institute of Applied Research in Economics (Ipea), that would release landowners from the obligation of restoring an area of 135 million hectares with just one condition: Landowners need to state that deforestation had occurred before July 2008.

Areas that have (officially) been cleared after July 2008 still need to be restored, but under the terms of the law, up to 50 per cent of this restoration may comprise commercial plantations of, for instance, eucalyptus or pine trees. WWF is also concerned by the largely weakened protection for fragile habitats like rivers, slopes and mountain tops.

The need to restore vegetation on the banks of rivers that are less than 10 meters wide – which accounts for 90 percent of Brazilian rivers – will be cut by half. Furthermore the draft allows agricultural activities like exotic tree plantations for charcoal or pulp production on lands having over 45° gradient.

Extensive cattle ranching will be allowed on slopes, on the edges of plateaus, on mountain tops as well as in areas which are above 1,800 meters high. All those risk areas will be open to exploitation, which will make them and people living around them even more vulnerable to landslides and floods.


For further information:
In Switzerland: Gretchen Lyons, tel: +41 79 916 0136 email: glyons@wwfint.org
In Brazil: Regina Cavini tel: +55 61 8165 6812 email: reginacavini@wwf.org.br

Carbon farmers and wildlife benefit from Biodiversity Fund

WWF-Australia strongly welcomed today’s announcement that revenue from the carbon price will soon begin flowing to support biodiversity protection and landscape restoration projects across Australia.

The conservation organisation said the first round of recipients of the federal government’s Biodiversity Fund provided practical examples of how land managers could help reduce carbon pollution, while at the same time protecting Australian wildlife.

“The land sector accounts for close to a quarter of Australia’s annual carbon emissions, but also holds the potential to deliver significant reductions through the protection and restoration of our carbon sinks,� said Darren Grover, WWF-Australia’s National Manager- Species, Terrestrial and Indigenous Partnerships.

“The Australian landscape is crying out for new sources of funding to achieve lasting conservation benefits, rather than short-term fixes, and so we are very pleased to see these projects receive the support they need.�

WWF-Australia is particularly pleased to note successfully funded projects such as the Yintjingga Aboriginal Corporation’s project to enhance biodiversity values across Traditional Lands on the east coast of Cape York Peninsula, the Save the Black Cockatoo Trust Fund’s habitat reforestation and biodiversity restoration project in south western WA.

The Biodiversity Fund has been established to use a portion of revenue from the carbon price to support initiatives that store carbon in the landscape, while at the same time helping to restore or manage Australia’s biodiversity. The Fund will invest $946 million over six years, beginning in 2012.

WWF said terrestrial carbon storage was a critical part of Australia’s response to climate change, but warned any scaling back the carbon price would leave farmers and land managers vulnerable to the budget cycle.

“If the carbon price is repealed the Government would have to find these funds though annual federal budgets rather than from the guaranteed revenue raised by putting a price on the top 500 polluting companies,� Mr Grover said.

WWF-Australia contacts:
Charlie Stevens, WWF-Australia Media Office, 0424 649 689

South Korea climate bill shows Australia not alone

WWF today welcomed news that South Korea, Australia’s third largest export market, has passed legislation to begin an emissions trading scheme from 2015, and calls on Australian leaders to get on with the job of transforming Australia’s clean economy.

“South Korea’s decision to make large companies start paying for the carbon pollution they release into the atmosphere is yet another important sign of global progress to tackle climate change,� said WWF-Australia Climate Change Manager Kellie Caught.

“With carbon pricing laws currently in place in 31 European countries, plus New Zealand and South Korea, and schemes being implemented regionally in the US, Canada and China, it is no longer tenable to claim Australia is acting alone.

“What is particularly impressive about this move by South Korea is that it was done with bipartisan support, in the face of stiff opposition from big polluting industries.�

South Korea’s ETS is broadly similar to Australia’s carbon price mechanism, creating an opportunity to link the two country’s schemes at some point in the future.

“Despite being a highly industrialised country, South Korea clearly sees future competitive advantage in clean energy and low pollution technologies,� Ms Caught said.

The ETS is part of a much larger “Green Growth� agenda being pursued by the South Korean Government, which has seen over $83 billion allocated to initiatives to drive investment in clean technologies.

In 2011 South Korea received over $22 billion worth of Australian exports, third only to China and Japan.

Contrary to popular belief that global action has stalled, the last two years have seen steady progress in the world’s major economies. Highlights include:

• China has announced plans to begin trialling emissions trading in key regions and its legislature has passed an ambitious Five Year Plan that will see the emissions intensity of China’s economy reduced by 17% by 2015
• The US is making good on its pledge to reduce emissions by 17% below 2005 levels, with series of key EPA regulations, including a proposal to ban new conventional coal fired power stations
• California has passed laws establishing an emissions trading scheme, which will begin in 2012
• Last month, Mexico’s parliament unanimously passed a national climate change law, including a legally binding target to reduce Mexico’s emissions by 50% by 2050.

“WWF calls on all sides of Australian politics and our industry leaders to lift their gaze above the quagmire of the current national political debate and get on with the job of transforming Australia’s economy into a clean energy powerhouse that can remain competitive as the rest of the world moves.�

WWF-Australia contacts:
Charlie Stevens, WWF-Australia Media Office, 0424 649 689

WWF calls for 'green tape' auction ceasefire

The ‘green tape’ cutting auction being conducted by both sides of politics is endangering Australia’s natural environment, WWF-Australia warned today.

WWF-Australia Director of Conservation Gilly Llewellyn said Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard should consider the risks to the environment before making promises to weaken Australia’s environmental protections.

“Two years ago today, the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 workers and injuring 16. It caused the biggest oil spill in US history, with significant environmental impact. The explosion was found to be a result of systemic failures in industry practices and government policies,� Dr Llewellyn said.

“In Australia in 2009, we had Montara, the worst blow-out in Australian oil and gas industry history. This shone a spotlight on the risks that result from designating authority for oversight of complex industrial activities to state and territories, with the Northern Territory Government found to be asleep at the wheel and admitting to a ‘tick and flick’ culture when it came to approvals.

“And now, today of all days – the anniversary of the Gulf of Mexico disaster, Tony Abbott is announcing that he will allow state governments to be ‘one-stop-shops’ for development approvals.

“The Business Council of Australia, the Gillard Government, and now Tony Abbott, all appear to have selective amnesia when it comes to the risks to workers lives and the environment that result from taking short cuts in regulatory oversight.

“What is needed is better, smarter and more effective regulation, not simply less regulation.�

Dr Llewellyn said use of Strategic Environmental Assessments as a broad early screening tool before major projects come to a landing on a preferred location is one example of a better way to do business, but they must be done with extreme caution in places like the Great Barrier Reef.

“Clear ‘no-go’ areas that contain critical habitat for species like turtles and dolphins, must be identified and declared off-limits to industrial activities, and firm caps must be set on the cumulative impact of damaging activities such as dredging,� Dr Llewellyn said.


WWF is a science-based conservation organisation and is politically non-partisan.

WWF-Australia contacts:
Daniel Rockett, Media Officer, 0432 206 592

Camden Sound protection a great step forward for the Kimberley

WWF-Australia today applauded the leadership of the Barnett Government in announcing the long-awaited Camden Sound Marine Park in the Kimberley.

WWF spokesperson Paul Gamblin said whilst further protection was still needed, the decision was an important step forward in protecting the Kimberley against pressures from incompatible development.

“This is what the Kimberley deserves. Anyone who appreciates places like Montgomery Reef and the incredible wildlife it sustains will know this is an historic decision,� Mr Gamblin said.

“This marine park will set a new standard for joint management by Aboriginal communities, meaning jobs for rangers and real influence. WWF strongly endorses this approach and is committed to making future park design even more collaborative.

“This park sets a blueprint for protection for the rest of the Kimberley coast. There is so much more that needs to be done and this park is a great start.

“The marine park can be even better if it protects areas along the coast like the mouth of the majestic Prince Regent River which is vital habitat for the snubfin dolphin. We look forward to working with Traditional Owners, fishers and government to improve protection there.

“WWF expects much of the community will see this new park as a common sense approach to the Kimberley rather than opening it up to up old-fashioned, destructive activities.

The Kimberley region has some of the largest intact natural areas left on the planet - comparable with areas such as the Amazon rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

The coastal waters of the Kimberley also provide critical habitats for the newly identified snubfin dolphin, and six of the world's seven species of marine turtles are found there. Very little of the Kimberley is protected.

“Before today’s announcement, there were no state waters along the Kimberley coast that were protected,� Mr Gamblin said.

“There is much more to be done but we acknowledge the Barnett government for following through on this part of their election commitment for the Kimberley, that WWF helped negotiate.�

WWF-Australia contacts:
Daniel Rockett, Media Officer, 0432 206 592

NSW State Government’s call to scrap Renewable Energy Targets misguided

The NSW Government’s call for the closure of the Renewable Energy Target to minimise electricity prices in NSW is a misguided and dangerous move according to WWF.

WWF-Australia’s Climate Change Policy Manager, Will McGoldrick, said claims that the Renewable Energy Target was behind rising electricity prices didn’t stack up.

"The NSW Government appears to be ignoring the advice from its own independent regulator, which found that the cost of the Renewable Energy Target will not contribute to electricity price rises this coming year," McGoldrick said.

McGoldrick said the State Government’s call also threatened renewable energy investments and future jobs in the area.

"The Renewable Energy Target is crucial to unlocking Australia's world-class renewable energy resources and is already driving billions of dollars of investment and supporting thousands of new jobs in regional areas," he said.

Chris Hartcher, the New South Wales Minister for Resources and Energy, said in a statement today that “the combined impact of the carbon tax and the RET are expected to add very significantly to NSW household and business electricity bills in the coming year.�

However, the NSW Government's own figures show that the biggest driver of electricity prices has not been the RET but the tens of billions of dollars being spent to upgrade and expand Australia's electricity network, which has added over $6.50 per week to the average Sydneysider's electricity bill over the period 2009-2012.

“By contrast, the Renewable Energy Target is costing the average Sydney household about $1.20 per week, which is a small price to pay to unlock the state's renewable energy resources, cut pollution and support local jobs and industries.�

Considering the negligible effect on price increases and the opportunities for future job creation in renewable industries, McGoldrick suggests that “scrapping the Renewable Energy Target would see Australia forego its rightful place in the booming global clean energy market, which Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimates was worth over $260 billion in 2011."

The secret life of skinks revealed

The secret life of WA’s rare western spiny-tailed skink will be revealed for the first time after a family of the threatened reptiles was microchipped on a farm in the state’s Wheatbelt.

The world-first microchipping program will shed light on the unknown behaviours of these threatened reptiles and provide important information that will help prevent the species from becoming extinct.

WWF-Australia spokesperson Phil Lewis said the endangered skinks were discovered living on a wheat and sheep farm near the town of Wyalkatchem, before they were microchipped and relocated to a safer location.

“These rare skinks were living in a woodpile that was to be removed to make way for a sheep yard when they were discovered,� Mr Lewis said.

“Past landclearing has reduced the skinks’ natural woodland habitat to islands of bushland surrounded by working farms, which means they are forced to find other habitats such as woodpiles or sheets of tin.�

Western spiny-tailed skinks are no longer than 20 centimetres when fully grown and can live for decades. But pressure by livestock, which eat and trample their shelter, and predation from foxes and cats means many do not make it this far.

The relocation and microchipping team consisted of representatives from WWF-Australia, the WA Department of Environment and Conservation, Wheatbelt NRM, Greening Australia WA, Balcatta Veterinary Hospital, local Noongar trainees, and the landholder.

WWF Australia has previously worked with the landholder to record populations of western spiny-tailed skinks elsewhere on the property and to help with some fencing and restoration revegetation.

“The team was very pleased with the result. We carefully captured ten skinks in all, including three adults and seven juveniles,� Mr Lewis said.

“We then took the skinks to a sheltered area to be microchipped, weighed and measured before they were introduced to their new home in a sheltered spot in some nearby bush.

“Hopefully we’ll now be able to shed some more light on how these threatened skinks live, which we can use to preserve their last remaining populations.�

The species is currently listed by the Australian Government as endangered. The Western Australian Government lists the skink as rare, or likely to become extinct.

WWF-Australia contacts:
Charlie Stevens, National Media Manager, 0424 649 689

Newman Cabinet must tackle Reef threats

WWF-Australia today said Queensland’s newly sworn-in Newman Cabinet must resolve the ongoing threats to the Great Barrier Reef.

The group said it was keen to assist the new Government to cut Reef pollution, end poor fishing practices, save turtles with more rangers, create stronger safeguards on coastal management, and maintain existing protections and agency budgets.

WWF spokesperson Nick Heath said the group welcomed the appointment of Andrew Powell as Environment Minister as a signal that the Newman Government would not neglect this important area.

“As shadow Minister, Andrew Powell was prepared to roll up his sleeves and sit down with the environment movement so that the policies of the future government would be well informed,� Mr Heath said.

“We applaud the appointment of Mr Powell as Minister. He has a proven track record when it comes to always being prepared to take all views on board in formulating well thought out policies.�

Mr Heath said WWF was also looking forward to working with new Ministers John McVeigh, Andrew Cripps, Steve Dickson and Jack Dempsey, and the group would be seeking meetings with all five Ministers and the Premier in the near future.

Strong commitments to the environment made by the LNP in the lead up to the election include:

• Maintaining the annual $35 million budget out to 2020 for reducing Reef pollution.
• Commitment to meet targets for reducing Reef pollution through fast tracking best practice in the beef and sugar industries.
• Investing $10 million to restore sustainability to commercial and recreational fisheries – including voluntary buy-back of fishing licences to help protect dugongs, turtles and dolphins.
• Employing 40 additional Traditional Owner rangers, with one key focus being the conservation of turtle and dugongs on the Great Barrier Reef.
• Maintaining the current level of statutory protection of both vegetation and wetlands in Reef catchments.
• Providing $37.7 million for protected area acquisition.

“The new Government has made a number of strong Reef protection election commitments and WWF looks forward to helping them realise these commitments over coming years,� Mr Heath said.

WWF is a science-based conservation organisation and is politically non-partisan.


WWF-Australia contacts:
Daniel Rockett, Media Officer, 0432 206 592

Winners announced for the WWF Earth Hour Awards

Tonight as Australians prepared to celebrate Earth Hour from Tasmania to the Top End, seven winners of the WWF Earth Hour Awards were recognised for their efforts to go ‘beyond the hour’ at an awards ceremony at the Sydney Opera House.

The Earth Hour Awards recognise Australians who are working towards a more sustainable future, and were presented by WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman and the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore. The awards ceremony was attended by a number of prominent Australians and included speeches from Peter Garret, MP, and Todd Sampson, co-founder of Earth Hour and CEO of Leo Burnett.

“We received over 100 entries this year and the quality was astounding. That made it a tough judging process but ultimately it was fantastic to see so many people, young and old, working towards a better future for our planet,� said Mr O’Gorman.

Award winners included a small sustainable tourism business, EC3 Global, which assists travel and tourism businesses to measure and improve their environmental footprint, and Beaconsfield State School in Queensland, where students are working to protect nesting sites for marine turtles.

The Young Panda Award went to the 16 year old Wadlow twins from Castle Hill in NSW, who have established a website called Planet Patrol as a source of environmental information for kids.

The Creative Arts Award was presented to Ghost Nets Australia, which holds workshops in Indigenous communities across Queensland and the Northern Territory on how to make art out of marine debris that would otherwise threaten marine wildlife.

The Education Award went to Beaconsfield State School for their turtle conservation work, and the Sustainable Small Business award was given to EC3 Global.

The Futuremakers Award went to Dr Robert Dane of Castlecrag, NSW, for his cutting edge solar powered ferries with wind veins - the inspiration for which came from beetles' wings.

And a new category for the year, the Eco-Blogger Award, went to Speak Your Mind, a blog providing information on international climate change negotiations and run by a small team of passionate twenty-somethings from across four different continents.

All finalists were eligible for the People’s Choice Award, which people voted for online over the month leading up to Earth Hour. This year the award was taken home by the young Wadlow Twins, who were recognised for their conservation work and for their efforts to encourage teenagers to take action for the planet.

The awards ceremony was held immediately before Earth Hour with winners later joining VIP guests to watch Sydney go dark for the sixth year running. A giant candle lit display illuminated the base of the Opera House while music was performed by Matt McHugh of The Beautiful Girls and Natalie Pa’apa’a from Blue King Brown.

“The WWF Earth Awards recognise the inspiring environmental contributions of these remarkable Australians,� said Dermot O’Gorman. “When you consider the profound challenges the planet is facing it can occasionally seem overwhelming but here we have individuals taking action every day of the year to ensure a better future for our planet.

“Of the hundreds of millions of people who participated in Earth Hour this year there must be countless stories like the ones celebrated through these awards, and that is something that really gives me hope for the future of our planet.�

Sponsors for this year’s WWF Earth Hour Awards include City of Sydney, Origin Energy and the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage.

For images and footage of Earth Hour around the world, please visit: http://www.earthhour.org/media-centre/images

Images and video available upon request

WWF-Australia contacts:

Hamish Wyatt
Communications Officer, WWF-Australia
(m) +61 (0)414 544 911
(p) +61 2 8202 1216
hwyatt@wwf.org.au

Jaya Myler
Communications and Marketing Manager, WWF-Australia
(m)+61 (0)410 221 410
(p) +61 (0)2 8202 1242
jmyler@wwf.org.au

For Earth Hour information or to register for Earth Hour Unplugged, visit www.earthhour.org.au

Record participation for Earth Hour 2012

With one day to go until the biggest ever Earth Hour, a record 147 countries and territories are preparing to send a united message that now is the time to take action for the planet.

Hundreds of landmarks across more than 5,000 cities and towns will go dark at 8:30PM on Saturday local time, with Libya, Algeria, Bhutan and French Guinea among those participating for the first time.

Earth Hour began in 2007 as a one-city initiative in Sydney, Australia and has since grown to be the world’s largest voluntary action for the environment.

In Australia, cities across the country will go dark with 151 towns and cities signed up including, for the first time, the Torres Straight Islands, Christmas Island, and the Territories of Cocos Keeling Isles. The Prime Minister Julia Gillard has also lent her support to Earth Hour this year, saying “what began in Sydney as a simple idea to raise awareness of climate change – has become a global success.�

A number of other prominent Australians are also supporting Earth Hour this year including Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Isabel Lucas, Peter Garrett MP, Bill Granger, Miranda Kerr, Missy Higgins, Bindi Irwin, Laura Andon and Lizzy Lovette.

Around the world prominent supporters for this year’s Earth Hour include cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Greenpeace International Executive Director Kumi Naidoo, former Vice President Al Gore, The Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, the President of Fiji Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, and astronaut André Kuipers who will take part in Earth Hour from the International Space Station.

In Australia, the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge will be the first to go dark while the Opera House hosts an awards ceremony for the winners of the 2012 WWF Earth Hour Awards.
The WWF Earth Hour Awards celebrate Australians going ‘beyond the hour’ for our planet. Finalists include school children rehabilitating creek ecosystems and protecting turtle habitats, an internationally-successful business aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of the tourism sector and an exciting arts project highlighting marine conservation issues.

Buildings and venues around Sydney Harbour will switch off including the monumental production of La Traviata, which is being held on a purpose build stage over the water. Thousands of spectators of the opera will participate in the hour as the production’s immense chandelier dims and then fades for the event.

“Seeing Earth Hour grow from one city, Sydney in 2007 to 147 countries and territories in 2012 is truly inspiring,� said Dermot O’Gorman, CEO of WWF-Australia. “Our planet is facing unprecedented environmental challenges. One person can make a difference. Hundreds of millions of people uniting to show their support for the environment and making a commitment to action in their daily lives, can achieve real change.�

Across the country, Australians will host Earth Hour Unplugged events, getting off the grid and connecting with friends, family and their local communities. More than 140 different community events will be held in cities and towns across Australia from Tasmania to the Top End. These events will celebrate commitments to a more sustainable future with acoustic entertainment and sustainably-sourced food while raising funds for WWF-Australia’s vital conservation work.

Asia will also be participating in the hour on huge scale. This year the Great Wall of China, the Bird’s Nest in Beijing, the Tokyo Tower, Taipei 101 and the Lumbini Sacred Garden in Nepal are taking part in the largest voluntary action for the planet in history.

Other landmarks switching off include Orchard Road Singapore, Gateway of India, The Burj Khalifa, The Libyan Museum, Table Mountain, National Library of Belarus, Dubrovnik city walls, Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Brandenburg Gate, Allianz Arena, Tower of Pisa, The Cupola of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, The UK Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Christ the Redeemer Statue, CN Tower, Las Vegas Strip, Times Square, Empire State Building, The UN Headquarters and more.

Images and video available upon request

WWF-Australia contacts:

Hamish Wyatt, 0414 544 911, 02 8202 1216, hwyatt@wwf.org.au
Linsey Brown, 0425 514 005, lbrown@wwf.org.au

For Earth Hour information or to register for Earth Hour Unplugged, visit www.earthhour.org.au

Prime Minister joins other world leaders to support Earth Hour

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has joined other world leaders to support Earth Hour 2012, as the planet prepares for the world’s largest voluntary action for the environment this Saturday night.

“What began in Sydney as a simple idea to raise awareness of climate change – to switch off the lights for an hour – has become a global success,� Prime Minister Julia Gillard said in a statement.

“In 2011, Australia put a carbon price into law – and in 2012 Australia begins building our clean energy future. In 2011 Australia chose action and everyone taking part in Earth Hour this year has played a part in that.�

This is the second year the Prime Minister has added her support to Earth Hour. Last year she described the event as “a special symbol of determination of so many people to make a difference.�

Prime Minister Gillard joins a raft of world leaders that have voiced support for Earth Hour this year including UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The UN chief called on people, organisations and businesses to switch off in solidarity with the 20 per cent of men, women and children who don’t have access to electricity.

“Turning off our lights is a symbol of our commitment to sustainable energy for all,� Mr. Ban said. “We need to fuel our future with clean, efficient and affordable energy. By acting together today, we can power a brighter tomorrow.�

The Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has urged all World Heritage sites to switch off their lights for Earth Hour.

“This year, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, I appeal to all involved with World Heritage sites around the globe to join the Earth Hour initiative and switch off their lights in the evening of 31 March,� said Bokova. “With this simple gesture, iconic sites and local communities can show their leadership and commitment for a sustainable planet.�

“Our planet is facing immense and profound challenges that can sometimes seem overwhelming,� said Dermot O’Gorman, CEO of WWF-Australia, the charity behind Earth Hour. “Hundreds of millions of people uniting across the planet, as part of a global demonstration of support for environmental action, making a commitment to living more sustainably, fills me with hope for our planet’s future.�

Australia will be among the first countries to switch off this Saturday at 8:30pm. In the city where it all started, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House - the first landmarks to ever go dark for the lights out event - will switch off for the sixth year straight, before Earth Hour takes place across Asia, the Middle East, and on to Africa, Europe and the Americas.


Images and video available upon request

WWF-Australia contacts:

Hamish Wyatt, 0414 544 911, 02 8202 1216, hwyatt@wwf.org.au
Linsey Brown, 0425 514 005, lbrown@wwf.org.au

For Earth Hour information or to register for Earth Hour Unplugged, visit www.earthhour.org.au

States risk jobs by failing to act on climate change

State government plans to scrap clean energy investment schemes and oppose the national carbon price will threaten jobs and contribute to the vulnerability of communities to climate change impacts, WWF said today.

Renewable energy is on track to become the third largest global industry but states failing to invest in clean energy schemes will be left behind, with ramifications for jobs and economic prosperity, the conservation group said.

In the last two days, the Queensland Government has declared it will scrap eight carbon reduction schemes, while the Victorian Government reportedly said it will shelve its 2020 target of reducing emissions by 20 per cent, as well as its election promise of introducing emissions performance standards for power stations.

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman was also reported as saying he would team up with governments in Victoria and New South Wales to oppose the carbon price.

“State governments should be racing to attract investment in clean energy and innovation but instead they are risking billions of dollars of investments and thousands of jobs by failing to support what will soon be the world’s third largest industry,� Climate Change National Manager Kellie Caught said.

“We are appealing to State governments to support the carbon price and investments in renewable energy as two critical mechanisms needed to tackle one of the greatest threats to our way of life, and to remain competitive in a clean energy economy.�

World leading scientists and science institutions warn that runaway climate change could wipe out between 20 and 30 per cent of species, leave millions of people homeless from sea level rises, result in the death of hundreds and thousands of people from disease and natural disasters, and reduce agricultural production.

“The impacts of climate change on our environment, economy and lives, are already being felt. If we don’t act now to reduce our carbon emissions the costs will be enormous,� Ms Caught said.

“Governments and business around the world have accepted that we need to act now to protect their citizens and businesses from dangerous climate change and are investing in transitioning to a clean economy.

“State governments that oppose effective action on climate change are putting workers at a strong disadvantage as the rest of the world moves fast to develop clean energy industries. They are also putting communities and the environment at greater risk of climate related upheavals by not supporting effective action.

“Surely governments have a responsibility to their constituents to put the long-term interest of their state and the nation over the vested interests of a few.�


WWF-Australia contacts:
Charlie Stevens
WWF-Australia Media Manager
0424 649 689
cstevens@wwf.org.au