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KELVIN THOMSON JOINS POPULATION ROLL OF HONOUR |
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Written by Sandra Kanck
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Tuesday, 18 August 2009 23:35 |
Sustainable Population Australia
MEDIA RELEASE 18th August, 2009
KELVIN THOMSON JOINS POPULATION ROLL OF HONOUR
Kelvin Thomson's brilliant speech on population in Federal Parliament last night allows him to be placed on an Australian honour roll of politicians who understand the detrimental impacts of population growth, according to Sustainable Population Australia Inc (SPA).
SPA's national president, Sandra Kanck, says this honour roll also includes former Queensland Sustainability Minister Andrew McNamara as well as two South Australian politicians: independent Member for Fisher, Bob Such, and the Liberal Member for Mackillop, Mitch Williams.
“But they are so few. The great majority of other MPs, state and federal, are ignoring the elephant in the room when it comes to this vital issue.
"This small number of courageous people recognise that continued population growth exacerbates manifold problems," says Ms Kanck. "Kelvin Thomson eloquently spelt out what they were: global warming; food crisis; water shortages; housing unaffordability; overcrowded cities; traffic congestion, species extinctions; fisheries collapse; increasing prices; waste; and terrorism and war."
Ms Kanck says SPA wholeheartedly supports Mr Thomson's call to stabilise world population, as well as Australia's.
"He rightly said 'especially' here in dry, arid Australia," says Ms Kanck. "Under climate change, the southern half of the continent is getting even drier and more arid. Our carrying capacity is diminishing by the month. This is not a continent that can sustain further population growth."
Further comment: Sandra Kanck 08 8336 4114
Kelvin Thomson is the Labor Member for the seat of Wills. His speech can be found at http://www.kelvinthomson.com.au/speechesdocs/090817%20PopulationHansard.pdf and is reported in full in this website at PARLIAMENTARY SPEECH 17/08/09.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 18 August 2009 23:53 )
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Population Quotes
This century has witnessed dramatic changes in two key factors that define the physical reality of our relationship to the earth: a sudden and startling surge in human population… and a sudden acceleration of the scientific and technological revolution… From the beginning of humanity’s appearance on the Earth to 1945, it took more than ten thousand generations to reach a world population of 2 billion people. Now, in the course of one human lifetime – mine – the world population will increase from 2 to more than 9 billion, and it is already more than halfway there. Global warming, ozone depletion, the loss of living species, deforestation – they all have a common cause: the new relationship between human civilization and the earth’s natural balance. - Al Gore, Former US Vice-President - "Earth in the Balance: Forging a New Common Purpose" (2007)
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - MELBOURNE 2010
DATE- MARCH 20th 2010 at 2.00 p.m.
VENUE
University of Melbourne
Trinity College Royal Parade Parkville
Evan Burge Building
Buzzard lecture Theatre
Enter Gate A (next to Janet Clarke Hall)
Guest speaker:
Dr Bob Birrell, Reader in Sociology at Monash University.
Full Details
Media Release - SEQ Water Strategy - 10 Feb.
South East Queensland Water Strategy reveals SEQ population growth is unsustainable
High energy consuming desalination plants underpinning future water security for South East Queensland shows that the region’s population growth is unsustainable, say environmentalists.
“Detailed planning for desalination facilities at Lytton and Marcoola will commence in 2010, however, a desalination plant at Lytton shows a total disregard for the Moreton Bay Marine Park and its internationally listed values,” said Mr Simon Baltais, Vice President of the South East Queensland Branch of Sustainable Population Australia. Read On. ..
Discover biodiversity - every day
Biodiversity is the backbone of all life on earth, and its conservation lies at the very core of IUCN’s work. ‘Species of the Day’ has been launched as part of IUCN’s involvement in the International Year of Biodiversity.
With mounting scientific evidence of a serious extinction crisis, it’s time to take action. “The latest analysis of the IUCN Red List shows the 2010 target to reduce biodiversity loss will not be met,” says Jane Smart, Director of IUCN’s Biodiversity Conservation Group. “It’s time for governments to get serious about saving species and make sure it’s high on their agendas for next year, as we’re rapidly running out of time.”
Each day of 2010 will see a different species featured on the IUCN website, with information on the threats it faces. The 365 species selected represent the entire range of taxonomic groups and cover all regions. We have started by featuring some better known species, including the Polar Bear and will move on to cover plants, fungi, invertebrates and more. Both charismatic and obscure species will be featured, providing an insight into the astonishing level of biodiversity that exists.
If you would like to access the archived list of species go to www.iucnredlist.org/species-of-the-day/archives
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