The Fragmented Forests Project. Saving Earth's Treasures.

Founded in 2012, by conservation photographer Terry Asker, the Fragmented Forests Project is a global educational outreach campaign designed to showcase Earths most critically threatened and important forest ecosystems. The mission of the project is to support and strengthen all forest conservation movements within relevant countries and corresponding political systems, specific corporations, public and private educational systems and the general public. This is being accomplished by creating multimedia programs, presentations, lectures, and informational services that go beyond conventional educational formats and communicate the critical importance for all people to live sustainably and in balance with the natural world. Consumer education is an important activity of the project as consumers within North America are just now beginning to understand the critical role purchasing patterns play in global deforestation and how our actions can support and protect forests around the planet. The Fragmented Forests will motivate current and future action around this growing issue and further the understanding of the interdependence of systems within natural forest ecosystems by creating educational programs utilizing science, photography, and video to promote solutions that help conserve forest habitat. The time is at hand for humanity to immediately take

action in protecting our dying forests, their inhabitants, and the natural systems that sustain all life. By transforming business as usual, and creating a global marketplace that does not harm people and the rich web of biodiversity on earth, we can guarantee our children and all future generations will have a wonderful life to live upon our amazing planet

http://www.fragmentedforests.org/ho me/
There has been an acceleration in the number of coal seam gas and mining proposals approved in Australia. Since 2010, eight projects have been given the green light in Queensland alone. All projects have been through a state environmental approval process and some through the Commonwealth process as well. But now the application of science and a recent appeal have have found the process wanting. An expert scientific committee has been looking at how mines will affect Australias water resources, and their findings are not reassuring. Meanwhile, local communities are mounting appeals against approved mines and a recent court ruling found the community right: the mines impacts are indeed unacceptable.

An independentcommitteelooksat water impacts

The IndependentExpertScientific Committee (IESC) on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Developments provides expert scientific advice on proposals referred to it by federal, state and territory government regulators. The Australian Government can seek the committees advice on projects being assessed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. And the Queensland, New South Wales, South Australian and Victorian governments can seek the committees advice through a National Partnership Agreement. Most of the environmental impact assessments the expert committee has given

advice on were found to have major deficiencies. Most commonly, those assessments failed to take account of the cumulative impacts of projects on water, specifying volume and rates of discharge and recharge. Unless cumulative impacts are considered, there is no way to gauge a projects effects on ground and surface waters at regional and national scales. The table below shows that 14 of the 17 environmental assessments the expert committee reviewed were deficient because they did not take proper account of the cumulative impacts the project would have on water.

http://theconversation.com/coal-and-gasfail-the-test-when-it-comes-toenvironmental-impact-13746

Now eight-storey high wind turbines throw shimmering reflections across the eastern side, the scene of most unlikely drownings. Whether shrouded in fog or shining in sunlight, the 67 giant wind turbines today add a fresh layer of mystery to a dynamic landmark and ever-changing shrine. Bungendore resident Rosie Windsor, who moved to Lake Road 28 years ago from Sydney's north shore, describes her surroundings as paradise. ABC news producer Bill McLeod and his partner, book editor Pauline McGuire, bought their Lake Road home with water frontage about seven years ago. They rejoice in the ever-changing scenery throughout the day and night. McGuire says, ''I preferred the view before the wind turbines, but if you are going to have a major industries site, which is what a wind farm is, it's probably the best sort to have - that's how I feel about it. At times they can be beautiful, you know, in certain lights, the objects themselves are beautiful. I preferred the un-touched landscape.''

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/actnews/the-beauty-and-mystery-of-lakegeorge-2012061820iww.html#ixzz2b2zxI6gM