Melissa H. Coleman's Blog, page 2
August 2, 2019
Plastic binge predicted to become as serious as Climate Change
It’s estimated there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050 and global annual consumption of plastic containers is set to top half a trillion by 2021.
You may ask why when recycling of plastic bottles through the Container Refund Scheme is capturing millions in Queensland alone, and trendy companies are recycling containers into T-shirts, shoes and other polyester items.
It’s because a report from Euromonitor International stated that globally we humans are purchasing a million plastic bottles every single minute.
That works out to be 20 000 bottles a second! Almost half a trillion bottles a year!
Don’t you think it’s time to invest in a water filter at home and a stainless steel water bottle for outings?
The amount of consumption far outstrips recycling efforts, and it seems a surge in usage reveals people think its alright to continue to purchase them.
In 2016 more than 480 billion plastic drinking bottles were sold throughout the world yet by 2021 (next year) this is expected to increase to 583.3 billion according to Euromonitor International’s estimates.
Most soft drink and water bottles are made from Polyethylene (PET) which is highly recyclable, however and that’s a big however, the efforts to collect and recycle the bottles are failing to keep up with human consumption.
Where does all this plastic end up? Only 7% is recycled so the rest end up in landfill and our oceans.
Experts warn that humans who eat seafood are ingesting tiny plastic particles
Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology
Nearly 18 tonne of marine plastic pollution was located on an uninhabited coral toll in the South Pacific ocean two years ago, now imagine the threat to the marine environment today.
How can you help avert this crisis? And if you negate the use of plastic containers completely, you’re actions could impact others, causing a domino effect.
It’s important to make known the catastrophe that lies ahead of us and give it the prominence it deserves. If you feel inclined please share this article on social media platforms to help inform readers of the threats to our environment, planet and species.
#environment#savetheenvironment#recycle#containersforchange#savetheocean
July 28, 2019
Eyes in the sky – weed spotting
Mount Isa Landcare had an eye in the sky for the very first time last weekend which helped map the location and extent of a Rubber Vine infestation at West Leichhardt Station.
This maiden voyage was a test and a very successful one as Landcare Mount Isa President Mark Van Ryt said they will definitely be using this technology again.
The bird’s-eye view of the infestation was the work of a Landcare member whose proficiency at driving the technology was well-advanced.
The Quadcopter-drone was used soon after the team of exterminators arrived at base camp, providing them with a clear picture of the weeds features.
Drones are one of the new tools being utilised in the fight to combat weed infestations by Landcare Groups Australia wide.
Mr Van Ryt said the drone proved to be very useful.
“It saved a lot of walking. We could see waterholes above and below the infestation.”
The innovative use of new technologies has the potential to change management practices in the future.
“Imagine when they have plant recognition technology to GPS each sighting and drones that actually deliver the herbicide,” Mr Van Ryt said.
[image error]The Landcare drone returning to base camp.
The patch of Rubber Vine located was considered compact, reaching about three hectare in area with quite a dense core.
The Landcare team also found a Rubber Vine core patch in the middle of a dry-bed river.
Mr Van Ryt said it’s wide sand areas adjacent to the patch would serve as excellent fire breaks.
“Once the thick core has been cleared we will continue to cut and spray the outliers and work our way in.”
“Over time this infestation should be quite easy to manage,” he said.
Rubber Vine is a weed of National Significance. The plant was introduced into Australia from Madagascar as an ornamental shrub around 1875 and was popular in north Queensland mining settlements due to its luxuriant growth even under harsh weather conditions.
West Leichhardt Station is situated just over 37km from Mount Isa and is a 310000 acre cattle station.
#landcare #landcaremountisa #rubbervine #weeds #westleichhardt
July 27, 2019
The effect illegally dumped waste has on our City, environment and society
Illegal dumping of garbage is fast becoming a major issue in Mount Isa after the State Government imposed Waste Levy was introduced at the beginning of July, and despite Mount Isa City Council pouring enormous resources into managing the waste at the upgraded Waste Management facility, it hasn’t deterred some people from finding their own dumping grounds and avoiding the fees.
Seeing huge piles of old house items, used products and general waste dumped at the end of dirt roads or at the bottom of foothills is an eyesore, in an otherwise beautiful place, but the trend is on the rise and increasingly becoming a problem.
Unfortunately there’s nothing we can do about the Levy being enforced, but there is other things we can do to take PRIDE in our city and look after it.
One way is to notify Mount Isa City Council by using a form to report illegal dumping.
Common illegally dumped items include:
household rubbish and garden waste household goods (such as whitegoods, TV’s, mattresses and furniture)building waste (construction and demolition materials) tyreschemical drums and paint tins
The Effects of Illegal Dumping on the Environment, Wildlife and Humans
Illegal dumping destroys the environment and harms plants and animals, and has a number of negative effects on society.
If garbage is dumped in an area accessible to the public such as walking trails, then people can be exposed to health and injury risks.
The aesthetics of dumped garbage can reduce tourism, especially when camping and outdoor activities are extremely common, which in turn could dramatically reduce community revenue.
In the wet season, the dumped waste can impede the natural run-off of water. This could cause water to build up in areas, and increase the risk of illness and health issues, not to mention contamination of rivers and lakes.
Illegal dumping can adversely affect many native species of plants and animals. If animals consume waste from illegal dump sites it can cause health complications and even death.
Toxins from waste can leach into the surrounding environment killing plants and destroying the food source of local animals.
If you suspect an area is being used for illegal dumping please let the Council know immediately.
#illegaldumping #wastelevy #savetheenvironment #enviornment #mountisa
July 25, 2019
Mulga transforms wall into a work of art
The Mount Isa Family Fun Park entrance has been transformed into a creative burst of colour by Sydney based ‘artrepreneur’, Mulga.
The once drab wall now represents the regions flora and fauna in a vibrant and uplifting testament to sustaining community spirit.
Larger than life orange, green, red and blue crocodiles, birds, kangaroos, emus and native flowers welcome families to the park, ensuring a fun day out.
Mulga whose real name is Joel Moore, arrived in Mount Isa on Tuesday, with his assistant, Kirk, after being commissioned by the Council, and on Thursday more than 35 students wielding paint brushes added their mark to the wall.
“It’s always nice to get students involved, they love it. They get a sense of ownership and get to miss out on doing Maths in class,” he joked.
“It’s a win win.”
The wallJoel explained how he received the nickname, Mulga.
“It was back in year five. I recited Banjo Pattison’s poem, Mulga Bill’s Bicycle, in front of the class, and the name Mulga stuck with me all these years,” he said.
Although Mulga studied art at school, he landed a job as a financial planner once graduating.
“I was tied to a desk, stuck in a job I didn’t feel any passion for,” he said.
Like most people he wanted to fill his working years with a job he connected with, but he didn’t think it was possible.
“During those years I couldn’t imagine quitting my day job and just being an artist, but it seems the impossible was possible and dreams can come true.”
His creative portfolio to date is impressive with over 56 shows, winner of AS Colours Little Help Project t-shirt design competition, achieving gold at the Illustrators Australia awards, and being a finalist and people’s choice winner at Hazelhurst’s Art on Paper.
His first solo art show was in 2012 after painting Dolphin Beard Donnie and his 3 dolphin friends at Bondi Beach.
Bring the Buzz Back
One thousand Australian Jelly Bush trees arrived at the Mount Isa airport this week in a united effort by the Council, community groups and local businesses to help save all bees.
Beekeeper Bluey the Bee Man said he is gravely concerned about the near non-existent bee population in Mount Isa.
“As a way to bring the buzz back, we are hosting a tree planting near Sunset Dog Park on Sunday,” Bluey said.
“These native trees will attract the bees back to the area within three to four years,” he said.
The official name of the trees is Leptospermum polygalifolium, Australian Jelly Bush (MANUKA style), and they’re five times stronger than New Zealand’s Manuka Honey trees, providing liquid gold in the form of nectar for bees.
“People power is what is required to make this planting a success,” Bluey said.
“So bring along a water bottle, shovel and a chair. We have a plant or two for everyone.”
Native bees perform about 80 percent of all pollination worldwide and rely on the nectar and pollen from flowers for their survival so by planting a pollinator friendly area, communities ensure bees have a source of food all year round.
Some of the Australian Jelly Bush trees that arrived on Thursday. Bluey said Jelly Bush trees are high in MGO/DHA which means the product has a medicinal quality.”
MGO stands for Methylglyoxyl and is predominantly found in Manuka honey and is the main chemical responsible for the antibacterial activity of the honey. DHA or Dihydroxyacetone is a precursor chemical of MGO and is found in the nectar of the native Jelly Bush trees.
Bluey began his quest, reaching out to communities in the Mount Isa region to be part of the solution.
“I’ve been travelling to local shows and also teaching young ones the importance of bees and what they do for humankind.”
“It is important to educate everyone about the importance of bees,” he said.
The official location of the tree planting is just up from the Dog Park in front of Reece Plumbing on Commercial Rd.
June 15, 2019
Mysterious microbes with a cool name may hold the key to mitigating Climate Change
According to scientific research microbes live deep inside earth’s crust in a labyrinth of tunnels and shafts making one of the biggest biomes on the planet.
Despite extreme heat, darkness, limited nutrition and intense pressure, scientists estimate the Earth’s subsurface is teeming with more than 40 billion tonnes of micro-organisms.
This treasure trove of life lives as deep as five kilometres inside the Earth’s biosphere along with an abundance of water and nutrients like iron, phosphorus and nitrogen.
However without a sun, these slow-moving metabolically active-microbes have to find a way to make energy.
Enter the Sage of microbes, the Chemolithoautotroph, the guru of the underground world.
These microbes of the biome use elements like sulphur, iron, manganese, nitrogen, carbon – just like plants do – but Chemolithoautotrophs also use pure electrons to make food.
And just as plants have a waste product (which is oxygen), so do Chemolithoautotrophs.
The waste product they make is in the form of minerals, like rust, pyrite, carbonates, essentially rocks.
Two years ago a team of scientists visited Costa Rica’s subduction zone.
This a an area where the ocean floor sinks beneath the continent and volcanoes tower above the surface.
They wanted to find out if microbes can affect the cycle of carbon moving from Earth’s surface into the deep interior. The interior is made up of a series of layers that sit below the surface crust.
The Scientists found that tonnes of carbon dioxide escapes from oceanic plates but the carbon was not being released out into the atmosphere.
This is the first evidence that subterranean life plays a role in removing carbon from subduction zones and it was due to the Chemolithoautotrophs.
The microbe converts carbon dioxide into solid carbonate minerals.
This find led one of the top Microbiologist Scientist Karen Lloyd to ask could these Chemolithoautotrophs help with our carbon problem.
Lloyd is one of a thousand scientist on a ten-year quest to understand the quantities, movements, forms, and origins of carbon inside Earth.
You can follow Deep Carbon Observatory on social media or via their website.
#carbon #deepcarbonobservatory #betterearth
Sustainability – It’s Our Future
Young People in Queensland Outraged as the State Government agrees to Adani’s Coal Mine
Young people across Queensland who care about their future are outraged that the State Government approved Adani’s Carmichael Coal Mine.
The Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) want to stop the mine going ahead, and hold Australian leaders accountable.
AYCC Campaign Director Olivia Hill said Adani want to drain billions of litres of Queensland’s water which is a huge slap in the face to communities already suffering through drought and water shortages.
“The Queensland Government has caved in to Adani’s bullying tactics. This billionaire company wants to get rich quick off their climate-wrecking coal mine and leave everyone else to pick up the pieces when they’ve trashed Queensland’s environment and our climate,” Ms Hill said.
“Adani have been prosecuted multiple times for illegally starting work and exceeding pollution limits, and have a track record of alleged corruption and workers’ rights abuses. We can’t trust Adani to look out for our communities or the environment.”
Ms Hill said we need our leaders to be looking out for our future and thinking about the long-term, sustainable industries we can build, instead of letting companies like Adani trash our environment for generations for the sake of short-term profits.
“If Adani think that they’ll be able to start work on this mine without a fight, they’ve got another thing coming,” she said.
Sustainability – It’s Our Future
#environment #Adanimining #mining #AYCC #sustainability #ourfuture
March 11, 2019
Drum Roll Please!
I’m pleased to announce I have partnered with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation to fundraise on their behalf.
ILF are a national book industry charity which aims to reduce the disadvantage experienced by children in remote Indigenous communities across Australia by lifting literacy levels and instilling a lifelong love of reading.
ILF gift new culturally appropriate books to communities that need them and have supplied more than 350,000 books to over 280 remote communities since 2004.
Book Buzz is an early literacy program designed to encourage reading in children under five and inspire their families and carers to get involved.
ILF Community Literacy Projects have published 88 books written by community, some in their first language, with the support from many of Australia’s renowned authors and illustrators.
[image error]
Only 34% of Indigenous Year 5 students in very remote areas are at or above national minimum reading standards, compared to 95% for non-Indigenous students in major cities, according to the 2017 National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).
And that’s where we all come in. Your donation will help provide books and literacy programs to remote communities where they are needed most.
$50 will put 5 books into the hands of Indigenous children in remote communities.
Throughout the year I will be donating a percentage from the sale of my novel The Halfling and the merchandise. Keep an eye on my FaceBook page for upcoming events. HINT: The first one is next month.
“Can you imagine not being able to read a newspaper, a road sign or directions on a bottle of medication? Sadly, this is a reality faced by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in remote communities today.”
Karen Williams, Executive Director
[image error]Reading in community
How to find ILF on Facebook: @IndigenousLiteracyFoundation
Twitter: @IndigenousLF
Instagram: @indigenousliteracyfoundation
YouTube: @IndigenousLiteracy
Celebrating Women in 2019
Over the weekend many people, woman and men, celebrated International Women’s Day.
It’s held to recognise how far women have come towards gender equality
We’ve come a long way since 1911 when women couldn’t vote, faced employment restrictions and workplace conditions.
Now in 2019 we’re running corporations, leading countries and have rights our grandmothers could only have dreamed about.
Where I live the Mining Industry plays a big role, so large in fact that it is right out our back door.
Mount Isa’s history began in 1923 with the discovery of lead, and over the past 96 years it has transformed into a community with one of the most productive mines in the world.
I wondered how far women had come in this male dominated industry because mine workers are known for their tough hard-working qualities.
Just as the Police force is still very male orientated.
[image error]The Woman of the Year winner speech
From all my research, the most interesting piece of information I found was about an Aboriginal women, who in 1910, along with her husband found the first samples of gold near a town Cape York Peninsula.
Her name was Kitty Pluto and although she was not explicitly mentioned as a miner or prospector, she was involved in the industry.
Kitty continued to prospect and made significant finds and is the only woman credited with discovering a goldfield in Australia.
Today women are being employed across the mining industry as truck drivers, engineers, geologists and more even though it is the most male-dominated industry in Australia.
It’s true we still have a way to go but we are doing better than many other countries around the world and as we continue to tackle the big issues and achieve wins, let’s celebrate who we are and how far we have come.
This year I attended the Zonta International Women’s Day dinner held at Buchanan Park in Mount Isa to celebrate resilience and strength of women in the Outback.
I had the opportunity to present both the awards and speak about the nominees.
[image error]My husband and I at the awards
The two woman who won were inspirational community members who aspire to goals that create balance and equality. However there were many deserving women nominated and I believe they should be congratulated too.
Special guest speakers Bronwyn Blake, the editor of the well-known book titled Gulf Women and Cath Walker from the Royal Flying Doctors Service delivered extraordinary talks about their individual journeys.
Storytellers Polly Kim, Tess Arnold, Kylie Camp and Sue Clarke shared their remarkable stories of surviving and thriving in the remote Gulf country.
The women spoke about how they coped with almost everything life and the environment threw at them including floods, drought, sickness and emergencies.
It was a pleasure to be part of such an amazing night and to listen to and met these truly passionate women.
February 9, 2019
Peeling The Onion
I started to peel the onion
the layers fell away
tears stung my eyes
I couldn’t keep them at bay
The first layer fell to the floor
The realisation
I don’t need people
to make me happy
Anymore
Sniffing, I peeled another
Like taking a bitter bite
Revealing my thoughts and beliefs
The root cause of all my plights
The layer tumbled to the bench
Knowledge, I’m not a victim
It doesn’t just happen
Instead,
it was my decision
Again I peeled a layer
with jealousy and anger
The sour taste of lemon
Believing there’s no heaven
I sat curing in negative emotions
Learning to let it go
I reached for the onion once more
The final layer to help me grow
With that, I let go of judgment
And the pain fell away
Now floating in Amrita
The sweet nectar of the day
My spiritual journey
Still far from complete
Gives me courage, I entreat
For every wish I wish is worthy
And every day is filled with mercy
COPYRIGHT MELISSA H NORTH 2019
[image error]Port Villa 2018
