Past Programs
Environmental Management - 2005
Native Vegetation Act
19/11/2005
A disaster for already struggling farmers – or a win for our dwindling biodiversity? Both have been said about the brand new Native Vegetation Act, which the NSW government announced this week will finally come into force in December. The new laws are intended to slow down the clearing of native vegetation. They provide for compensation for farmers, who can also win clearing rights by planting in other parts of their property.
But farmers groups complain that the laws are too bureaucratic and prescriptive, and will prevent them cutting down even one tree or clearing away invasive weeds.
Wild Olives
09/07/2005
We go on a trip into the countryside with some very enthusiastic olive pickers. Every year a group of friends gather together and drive out of Adelaide to the Barossa Valley, to take advantage of the abundant crop of wild olives that grow there. Freelance producer Annie Hastwell went along.
Geraldine Doogue talks to Michael Burr about the controversial subject of feral olives. Ferals of all sorts often get bad press, and the olive is no different. But there are people who think of the wild olive in Australia is a huge culinary and economic opportunity, and Michael Burr is one of them. He has written two volumes about Australian olives.
Environment in NT Election
18/06/2005
For the first time ever, the environment has featured in a Northern Territory election, with both major parties preparing environment policies. The key issues of difference are the moritorium on landclearing in the Daly River and the development of the Koongarra Uranium Mine in Kakadu. We speak with Peter Robertson, from the Environment Centre NT, and Stephen Dunham from the CLP (Country Liberal Party).
Natural Advantage
18/06/2005
The Natural Advantage of Nations: Business Opportunities, Innovation and Governance in the 21st Century is an outstanding book about developing a sustainable economy and society. Packed full of international and local innovations and solutions, it has contributions from more than 50 authorities in the field. The book was put together by The Natural Edge Project, a think tank of young Australian engineers and scientists. We speak with the book's co-editor, Michael Smith.
20 Years of Environmental Defence
14/05/2005
In 1985 Australia's first public interest environmental law centre started in Sydney with one part time lawyer. Today there are nine Environmental Defenders Offices around the country. Saturday Breakfast looks at how environmental law has evolved and the role the EDO's have to play in protecting the environment.
Climate Change
09/04/2005
Pew Centre on Climate Change was invited by the federal government to host a discussion on climate change this week.
The Pew Centre is a US based independent think tank, and the forum is part of a broader initiative to develop a global approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions once the Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012.
The meeting shared ideas developed through the dialogue process over the last year. Feedback from Australia and New Zealand will be incorporated into the final report, due out in September.
Climate Change Debate
09/04/2005
There were four international conferences on climate change in Australia, and the representatives of two of them argued about the science, and whether the Kyoto protocol is the best way to tackle climate change.
CCA Timber Banned
19/03/2005
From indoor air quality we now move to chemicals outside, where treated pine in children's play equipment, garden furniture and decking, will be banned in Australia from April next year. A report released this week by the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority found that chemicals in the wood are linked to childhood cancers.
