For the first time in its history, Australia has banned the development of coal mines under environmental laws.
The government on Thursday rejected plans for a new mine about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the Great Barrier Reef. Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said the project posed an unacceptable risk to the world heritage site, which was already in a hurry.
The mine's owner, controversial Australian billionaire Clive Palmer, has yet to respond to the denial. His company, Central Queensland Coal, proposed to build an open pit mine about 700km northwest of Brisbane that would produce both thermal and coking coal and operate for about 20 years.
Ms Plibersek had suggested last year that the federal government could block the bombing. After opening it for public review, his department received more than 9,000 submissions in 10 days - many calling for the project to be stopped.
The Great Barrier Reef - the world's largest coral reef system - has experienced four major bleaching events in the past six years due to sea temperatures and its outlook is "very poor", authorities said. • Warning following record coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef
• The UN warns that the main climate change is disappearing
Last year, the Queensland state government also recommended the federal government reject the plan, citing "significant" environmental risks.
Department of Minister Plibersek admitted that the discovery of sediment and water flows from open mines can damage the water supply in the water area. "I have decided that the negative environmental impact is too great," the minister said in a video statement on Wednesday.
Although the state government has previously rejected plans, this is the first time the state environment minister has used his authority to do so. Australia's Labor government - elected in May - has come under pressure from some to block any future coal and gas mining projects.
This country cannot help stop extreme climate change - or keep global warming below 1.5C rise this century - if it allows new mines, conservationists like the party The politics of the Greens said. Australia is a major global supplier of fossil fuels. When exports are taken into account, the country accounts for 3.6% of global emissions, but has only 0.3% of the world's population. Although the new government has increased Australia's emissions reduction targets by 2030, it has also said it will support any new fossil fuel projects that make a business sense.
Coral has recovered from heavy rains and bleaching events to record levels across Australia's oceans, a study has found. The northern and central parts of the water have the largest coral cover since monitoring began 36 years ago.
But the coral cover in the southern part of the lake has decreased. The new coral is fast-moving, meaning that growth can be quickly reversed by climate change and other threats, officials said.
Every year, the Australian Institute of Marine Science (Aims) studies the health of the water, using air surveys and divers to slowly move the boat. After his fourth whitewash in six years in March, Aims was very concerned ahead of this year's study.
"In our 36 years of monitoring the state of the Great Barrier Reef, we have never seen a bleaching event this season," said Paul Hardisty. • Mass bleaching events hit the Great Barrier Reef
Bleaching occurs when corals are stressed by hot water that kills the algae that live there, giving them color and life.
Only two human washing events were recorded before 2016. This year's bleaching event was the first to occur during La Niña, a weather phenomenon that typically brings cooler water temperatures.
The new results show that water bodies can recover if conditions allow, Dr Hardisty says, but "very chaotic and severe" conditions are becoming more frequent and long-lasting. • Why is the Great Barrier Reef in trouble?
The crown that eats the coral has also damaged the water by catching stars and storms that cause destructive waves. Much of the new coral growth - a species called Acropora - is particularly exposed to threats from the water, Dr Mike Emslie of Aims said.
"It means that... future crises may reverse the observed recovery in the short term,” he said.
The Great Barrier Reef has been a World Heritage Site for 40 years because of its "great scientific and critical importance" as one of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, which oversees the reef, says the outlook for the landmark is "very poor" due to climate change.
UNESCO, the UN organization of science and culture, said that not enough is being done to protect the rain.
About the Creator
Florence
M
y life is better than my daydreams
Memory of Trees
In a remote valley untouched by time, the ancient forest of Eldara ood tall and proud. Its trees were titans, their canopies forming a verdant tapestry that whispered secrets of centuries past. This forest was not just a collection of trees but a living, breathing entity, a repository of countless memories and stories. For generations, the village of Elmsworth nestled at its edge, its inhabitants living in symbiosis with the forest, their lives intertwined with its fate.Among the towering oaks and whispering pines, the Heart Tree stood as the mightiest of all. This colossal oak, with its gnarled roots and sprawling branches, was revered by the villagers. It was said that the Heart Tree held the essence of the forest, its roots entwining with the very heartbeat of the earth. The elders believed that as long as the Heart Tree stood, Eldara would thrive, sheltering the village and nurturing their spirits.Lila, a young woman with a deep connection to the forest, had grown up hearing these tales. Her grandmother, Elara, the village's storyteller, had instilled in her a profound reverence for the forest. Lila spent her childhood wandering its sun-dappled paths, listening to the rustle of leaves and the songs of birds, feeling the pulse of life that resonated within each tree. The forest was her sanctuary, a place where she felt a profound sense of belonging.But as Lila grew, the world beyond Elmsworth began to change. The whispers of industrial progress reached even their secluded valley, bringing with them the threat of logging companies eager to exploit Eldara's ancient bounty. The villagers watched with growing dread as surveyors marked the trees, their fluorescent ribbons cutting through the natural harmony like a garish scar.The day the logging trucks arrived, the sky was heavy with an oppressive silence. Lila stood at the forest's edge, her heart breaking at the sight of men with chainsaws, their faces indifferent to the destruction they were about to unleash. The roar of the engines echoed through the trees, a sound so foreign and violent it felt like a physical wound.The trees, too, felt the impending doom. The Heart Tree, ancient and wise, sensed the sorrow and fear of its kin. The forest had witnessed countless seasons, but never had it faced such a grave threat. The trees communicated through their roots, a network of silent whispers, each one bracing for the inevitable.Lila couldn't bear to watch the Heart Tree fall. She fled into the depths of the forest, seeking solace among its remaining shadows. There, she found herself drawn to a small clearing where her grandmother had often taken her. It was a place of serenity, where the forest's magic felt strongest. Kneeling on the soft moss, she wept, her tears mingling with the earth.As dusk fell, Lila felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. She turned to see an old man with kind, weathered eyes. He introduced himself as Rowan, one of the forest's guardians, a group of people who had long protected Eldara's secrets. Rowan's presence was comforting, his voice a soothing balm to her raw emotions."Lila," he said softly, "the forest has always known you. It feels your pain as its own. The Heart Tree is not just a legend; it is the lifeblood of this place. We must protect it, for without it, the forest will die."Determined, Lila and Rowan returned to the village, rallying the remaining villagers to join their cause. They formed a human barrier around the Heart Tree, their united front a powerful statement against the encroaching destruction. For days, they stood their ground, enduring the threats and insults of the loggers.The trees, in their silent strength, drew upon the resolve of the humans. The Heart Tree, feeling the unity and determination of the people, sent out calming pulses through its roots, bolstering their spirits. The villagers' love for the forest became a tangible force, a barrier that even the most hardened loggers could not ignore.Carter, the foreman of the logging crew, was a gruff man driven by deadlines and quotas. Yet, as he observed the villagers' unwavering resolve, he began to question his mission. One night, unable to sleep, he wandered into the forest. Standing before the Heart Tree, he felt a strange sense of awe. The tree's grandeur and the villagers' devotion stirred something deep within him, a long-buried respect for the natural world.The next morning, Carter approached Lila with a look of weary resignation. "I didn't come here to make enemies," he said. "I have a job to do, but I can see this forest means something to you that money can't buy. I'll talk to the company, see if we can find another way."The relief was palpable, but the battle was far from over. The village and the forest guardians had to work tirelessly to secure legal protection for Eldara. It was a long, arduous process, filled with bureaucratic hurdles and endless negotiations. But their love for the forest gave them strength, and slowly, their efforts began to bear fruit.One crisp autumn morning, a declaration came from the government: Eldara was to be preserved as a protected sanctuary. The news spread like wildfire, and the village erupted in joyous celebration. Lila stood beneath the Heart Tree, her heart swelling with gratitude and relief. The forest, their beloved Eldara, was safe.Years passed, and the village thrived, now more connected to their forest than ever before. Lila took over her grandmother's role as the storyteller, weaving tales of the Heart Tree and the forest's ancient magic for the next generation. The trees stood tall, their leaves whispering songs of resilience and hope.Lila, now an elder herself, would often sit beneath the Heart Tree, feeling its strength and wisdom. She would tell the children of Elmsworth about the day they stood together to protect the forest, how the trees and the people had become one in their fight for survival.The forest had not only survived but flourished. Wildlife returned in abundance, and the villagers, respecting their ancient pact, tended to the forest with reverence. Eldara became a symbol of resilience and harmony, a testament to what could be achieved when humanity and nature worked together.The Heart Tree, with its sprawling branches and deep roots, continued to stand as a beacon of hope. It had witnessed the best and worst of humanity, but it had also seen the power of love and unity. As Lila sat beneath its boughs, she felt the presence of her ancestors, their spirits intertwined with the forest. She knew that as long as they remembered and cherished Eldara, its memory would live on, growing stronger with each passing season.In the heart of the forest, time continued to flow, and the trees, silent witnesses to history, stood as guardians of the valley's soul. Their stories, woven into the fabric of life, reminded all who listened that some things—like love, memory, and the earth itself—are worth fighting for.On a crisp spring morning, as the first light of dawn filtered through the leaves, Lila walked the familiar paths of Eldara. The forest was alive with the sounds of birds and the rustle of new leaves. Each step she took felt like a heartbeat, a connection to the land she loved so deeply. She made her way to the Heart Tree, its branches heavy with the promise of new growth.Sitting beneath the ancient oak, she closed her eyes and let the memories wash over her. She could still hear her grandmother's voice, telling stories of the forest's magic, and feel the strength of the villagers as they stood united. The forest had given them so much, and they had given it their hearts in return.As she sat there, she felt a familiar presence beside her. Opening her eyes, she saw Rowan, now even older but still vibrant with the forest's energy. He smiled at her, his eyes twinkling with shared memories."Lila, the forest is thriving because of you and the village," he said softly. "The Heart Tree is strong, and so are you. The bond between the people and the trees has never been stronger."Lila nodded, feeling a deep sense of peace. "We did it together, Rowan. The forest and the village, we're one and the same."As the sun rose higher, casting golden light through the leaves, Lila and Rowan sat in silence, their hearts full of gratitude. The forest, with its ancient wisdom, continued to stand as a testament to the power of unity and love. Eldara was not just a place; it was a living, breathing memory, a sanctuary where the past and the present intertwined.And so, the memory of the trees lived on, in the hearts of the people and the whispers of the forest. The tale of Eldara, of love and resilience, was passed down through generations, a story that would never be forgotten. The forest and the village, bound together by a promise of protection and respect, flourished side by side, their fates forever intertwined.
By William Okwuosa4 days ago in Earth
The Last Living Thing on Earth
Life on Earth is not going to last forever. The Sun will eventually die in about 5 billion years, wiping out everything here. But before that happens, life will probably be gone. In the past, things like volcanoes, asteroids, and extreme climate change have almost wiped out all life. And there could be even worse things coming, like a nearby supernova or nuclear war. That wouldn't be great for life on Earth. So, what would be the last living thing? Scientists have thought about this a lot, and despite what some may think, it definitely won't be cockroaches.
By Kathy Houston4 days ago in Earth
Broken Hearts Fall Silent
Attraction can sometimes be a deceptive guide, leading us through a mirage of charm only to leave us stranded in a harsh reality. It's a cruel twist of fate when the dream we chase turns into a nightmare we cannot escape. The realization that we've been deceived by our own feelings is a bitter pill to swallow, leaving us to pick up the pieces of our broken illusions. Yet, it's often through these painful experiences that we grow stronger and learn to see beyond the veil of mere appearances.
By Mercedes Chavez4 days ago in Confessions
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.