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Australian geophysicists have called a new government report claiming that Australia’s ecosystems are on the verge of collapse as a “political statement” that deliberately omitted data important to meet the climate change story. I called.
Environmental condition report Federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Priversek recently announced on July 19 that climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, pollution and resource extraction.
“Inadequate management of pressure continues to lead to species extinction and deterioration of ecosystem conditions, reducing the environmental capital on which current and future economies depend,” the report said.
“Even the best managers cannot stop the decline of the environment without addressing climate change and cumulative impacts.”
However, Peter Ridd, a former professor at James Cook University and a member of the Global Warming Policy Foundation, said the study was “not a scientific document” and “provided a lot of information that contradicts the story of their existence.” I’m excluding it. ” I’m saying “
before Facebook post Lid wrote on July 19th: “This latest report is just a political statement aimed at bullying the government. It seems that it was written when the coalition was still in power, but then Minister Susan Lay decided not to publish it. I decided.”
“There is a lot of skepticism about such reports because these reports are extremely overkill and unreliable.”
One example he emphasized is in the report Claim Australia’s coral reefs were “poor and declining.”
However, Lid later told the Epoch Times that the assessment ignored the latest data showing that coral reefs were actually enjoying “record high coral reefs.”
Healthy coral reef
according to Latest annual survey According to the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), the Great Barrier Reef’s hard coral cover will cover all three regions from 2020 to 21 (27% in the northern region, 26% in the central region and 39% in the southern region). Increased in. Coral reefs had medium or high coral covers.
Research further noted that coral reefs showed low coral morality and resilience even in the absence of major obstacles, although the bleaching phenomenon occurred due to thermal stress.
However, this data is not emphasized in government treatises on environmental conditions, but instead emphasizes the bleaching of large numbers of corals that have occurred since 2016 due to seawater warming.
In addition, a five-year study identified land reclamation as a “significant threat to Australia’s biodiversity.”
However, Lid said the finding “did not take into account that much of western Queensland was originally grasslands.”
“Originally, the Aboriginal people suffered a lot of burns,” he said, saying that the reduction of the fire regime since the settlement in Europe turned the area into a forest. “Therefore, many of these cleared areas were originally grasslands.”
Disregard positive
The report included some positive developments in Australia’s environment, but they were largely neglected and generally undermined their credibility, Lid said.
“They will give you a little bone here. But then they take everything back somewhere else.”
for example, CoastThe report referred to a case study that found that more than 97% of all aquatic species on the Great Barrier Reef were “less likely to experience the harmful effects of pesticides,” which was “spatial averaging.” He insisted that it was just a “risk taken”.
Similarly, the report acknowledges that the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef remains in good shape, but concludes that “the trend is unclear as ocean warming poses an increasing threat.” I attached it.
However, Lid said the study was very successful in terms of mentioning the impact of the population. But he said it does not reflect the fact that “Australia’s environment is far superior to most other parts of the globe.”
Science prejudice is possible
“Scientists were very good and were raised to believe that there was no prejudice,” said a scientific treatise confirming the negative effects of climate change, which makes it difficult to dispute, Lid said.
“In many areas of science, that’s absolutely true, but in environmental science, ideologies are creeping in and are excluded if you look at these things differently.”
“And most of the scientists involved in environmental science have a particular worldview, which may not represent other people, so at least the scientific institutions of environmental science have become completely unreliable. I fall into the situation. “
The former professor faced intense pressure in 2018 to question the credibility of the research being conducted by scientists studying the Great Barrier Reef. James Cook University admins will end Lid’s employment, claiming a breach of professional conduct.
Lid said: “Most people want to believe that the system hasn’t become unreliable because it’s too scary to think about.”
“The problem is that the media doesn’t have time to check,” he said. “After all, the proverbial man on the street must be able to trust the scientist, and unfortunately, I don’t think we can do it anymore.”
“That’s why I want quality assurance for this kind of report, and we can gain real trust at that moment.”
Minister of the Environment works to strengthen the power of the government
On 19 July, the Minister of the Environment, Priversek, will use the announcement of the report to implement the government’s goals on environmental policy, formed in response to the demand for a more comprehensive national approach to climate change. Launched a new Federal Environmental Protection Agency.
“A year of neglected or confidential warnings. Promises were made but never fulfilled. Dangerous behavior, damaging public confidence. Brutal money cuts. Deliberate negligence,” Priversek said of the previous administration. He rebuked him and told the National Press Club.
However, it is unclear how this new federal agency will work with existing state-based environmental protection agencies, or just more duplication of roles.
Meanwhile, Lid said the “disastrous situation” in the report could add to further restrictions on agriculture, mining and tourism.
“This is really a real problem for us, because all of our major industries here are subject to regulation,” he said.
Pribersk also warned that if Australia continues its current “orbit”, Australian landscapes, wildlife and plant life “may not be here for our children and grandchildren.”
But Lid said the emotion “only had a terrible psychological impact on the children.” [who will think] The world is nearing the end. “
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Nina Nguyen is a Sydney-based reporter. She covers Australian news with a focus on social, cultural and identity issues. She is fluent in Vietnamese. Contact her at [email protected].
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