Regrow Qld 23 June Issue 24 Vol 2 (Subscriber)
FIXED: Data poverty, barbed wire and wildlife, Galapagos restoration, Tesla voice commands, Sad vegetable soup and Greg visits the Mt Larcom Show.
gladstoneconservationcouncil.com.au - 0412 502 798 - gladconscouncil@gmail.com
It’s winter, such as it is in Queensland. Southerners skip about in shorts and a T-shirt while we drag out doonas, fluffy slippers and hot water bottles. A perfect time for some gentle reading and reflection, so we have created a magazine with a positive vision for our future, every week. If you would like to help us out, $5 /month or $50 /year will be greatly appreciated. Donations are going to much needed equipment such as wildlife cameras and air monitors - and you’ll see the results here.
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{Anna}
Editorial
Anna Hitchcock
My friends,
I’ve had a trying week on the technology front. Last Sunday my modem died and the technicians were horrified to hear that it had been functioning for an unheard of six whole years!
I was of the opinion that items like this ought to function for a whole lot longer than that but I was clearly in the minority as my 20 year old son was eloquent in his appraisal of the age of said item, which I won’t repeat here.
I was astonished to discover just how reliant I am now on a wi-fi signal. From messaging friends, to my entertainment, to my work - it is all now reliant on that white box in the corner.
Mostly, this is a good thing, but I think we need to talk about data poverty. It’s not just those on low incomes - those in regional areas also suffer this issue.
Having access to data is now essential for accessing health needs (eg booking in a covid shot or a mammogram), social security benefits and work.
Barriers to people accessing the data they need include low income, not being able to get a data contract, lack of privacy and local infrastructure.
I’m aware that people living in large cities don’t understand why our zoom calls get scratchy when it rains. Why using a Gig of data per hour for said zoom call is impossible if you don’t have an unlimited data plan. Why calls drop out while driving in low signal areas.
We need to start advocating for our regions to be equipped with the services we need to function in the modern world.
Anna
REDUCING THE IMPACT OF BARBED WIRE ON WILDLIFE
Jeff Simmons
As an interested 75 year old I can recall many instances of wildlife entrapped by barbed wire. This would have led to a particularly slow and cruel death from exposure and dehydration. Most of these victims are relatively small animals such as gliders, possums, bats and occasionally birds.
I undertook fencing of a Reserve on behalf of the Capricorn Branch of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland. I chose not to follow Carol Booth’s method, but I did adopt the “Wildlife Friendly Fencing” concept. Because of the presence of horses on the adjacent land, I thought it was too dangerous to use plain high tensile wire as I believed it wouldn’t be very visible and would result in injuries if the horses attempted to gallop through. I knew if I used standard fencing materials there could be no recriminations on those grounds.
I adopted the wire configuration (from the top) of plain, barbed, plain, and barbed, instead of the usual arrangement of 4 barbed. So, I considered that I had reduced the risk of entanglement by 50% as there were only half the number of barbs. The materials I used were standard 8 gauge wire and standard “Iowa Pattern” barbed wire. Iowa pattern barbed wire has the barbs at 4” (100mm.) intervals. From observation I knew that animals once caught by one barbed wire, would in their struggles, inevitably become further trapped by an adjacent barb on the same wire, or an adjacent barbed wire. With the design I adopted, at least the adjacent wire would be benign.
This prompted me to consider the possibility of increasing the distance between the barbs. The existing close spacing of barbs is perfect for catching small Australian wildlife.
Another question arose, how far apart could the barbs be located to give effective stock control for beasts weighing 500-1000 kilograms? Surely, it isn’t essential that the barbs are placed so close together, when the size of the animal to be contained, is considered.
Logic would suggest that any significant increase in the spacing between barbs, would reduce the impact on wildlife. Starting points for gaining advice regarding barb spacing could be the “Cattlemens’Union” and the “United Graziers Association”. Although property owners may have become immured to animals dying such cruel deaths, I would expect that most would detest the necessity.
If by one means or another the optimum spacing for barbs can be established, then perhaps a concerted approach to the Australian manufacturer (Waratah) may be favourably received as there may be some materials & costs savings, and some kudos for conforming to a conservation ethic. There would need to be a unified, rock solid, agreement in the conservation camp before an approach was made to a manufacturer, as any divergence of opinion could doom the idea.
At the administrative or legislative level it may be possible to establish an Australian Design Rule or recognition as a preferred design from the Standards Association of Australia.
The first step is obviously to discover the greatest barb spacing that permits effective stock control. I will be interested to hear other views.
e-mail:- jeffsimmons2019@outlook.com
Jeff
NEWS
DiCaprio, conservationists launch $43M effort to restore Galápagos Islands
“A coalition of groups, including a newly formed organization backed by actor Leonardo DiCaprio, have mobilized $40 million for efforts to restore degraded habitats in the Galápagos Islands, an archipelago renowned for its endemic species and central role in scientists’ understanding of ecology and evolution.
The initiative involves more than 40 partners, ranging from local NGOs to governments to international organizations, leveraging decades of collective experience working across the archipelago. One of the groups leading the effort is Re:wild, an organization that was just formed between Global Wildlife Conservation and Leonardo DiCaprio, who is a founding board member of the new entity.
The Galápagos initiative is Re:wild’s first project under its new brand, but the group plans to scale up its existing global work, putting renewed emphasis on the concept of rewilding, or restoring species and ecosystems to previous levels of abundance and health”
Giant off-grid solar project to power three cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo
“An international consortium led by Powergrids plans to invest $100 million in three off-grid solar plants intended to power the cities of Gemena, Bumba, and Isiro, which are located in the country’s northern region and currently have no connection to the country’s power network.”
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2021/06/04/giant-off-grid-solar-plant-to-power-three-cities-in-dr-congo/
Romania commits to a coal phase out
“Without an official announcement from the country’s officials, Romania committed to phasing out coal by 2032 in a document it sent to the European Commission…
“Romania said it would roll out a hydrogen strategy and remove regulatory hurdles alongside a gradual replacement of the conventional electricity generation capacity, the report adds. One of the milestones is to reach a renewable energy share of 34% in consumption by 2030.
“…the government said it would introduce ecotaxes, discourage the registration of cars older than 15 years and boost scrapping schemes for polluting vehicles and tax incentives for zero emission vehicles.”
https://balkangreenenergynews.com/romania-tells-eu-it-would-close-all-coal-mines-by-2032/
Tesla Dream Car blog #5
Arthur Hunt
The charger for our new car has now been installed on the wall in the car port. After a lot of drilling through brick walls, the conduit and cabling to connect the charger to the meter box were completed by the electricians. We can now charge the car at 20 amps, compared to 8 amps delivered from a power point. We use the mobile phone app to set the charge level preferred, usually 80%, and this is easily achieved in a few hours overnight. We look forward to Ergon Energy adding the Tariff 33 connection which will reduce the cost of charging the car.
We have already received our first software upgrade by wifi. A message appeared on the phone app informing us that the upgrade was available. After it was accepted, it took about 25 minutes to download. This upgrade improved the cruise control and the ability to make phone calls via Bluetooth. Previously there was a problem if the driver approached the car while taking a phone call. The car audio system captured the call as soon as the phone came within Bluetooth range, which interrupted the call. Now the call is not transferred to the car audio until the phone user is sitting in the car.
We are still discovering the benefit of the 80-plus voice commands available. As we come home and approach the carport, it is very convenient to press the button on the right side of the steering wheel that activates this function and say “Fold mirrors”. The side mirrors then fold in to give better clearance. I have been waiting in vain for the car to respond with “Aye, aye, sir” or “Yes, Master”, so will settle for prompt action. (Perhaps I should be saying “Please” and “Thank you”?)
There are very few switches and controls in the car as many features are controlled from the video display. The few manual controls have more than one function. The voice command button also rotates to adjust the cruise control. The speed can be adjusted up or down by rotating the wheel. The set distance from the car ahead can be adjusted by pushing this control left or right.
We’re looking forward to sharing the vehicle with our friends.
If you plan to order a Tesla, you are welcome to use our referral link so we will both get some free charging at a Tesla supercharger: https://ts.la/arthur62474
More in a fortnight.
Arthur Hunt
Eco Friendly Living:
Sad Vegetable Soup
Astute readers will notice a reflection of yours truly in my kettle, which I have been forced into using as my electric one was lent out and I forgot to retrieve it. It’s way slower and is using more gas than I would like.
To get to the point - the above is a photograph of my highly technical ‘sad vegetable soup’. Perfect for winter days and for those who are keen to not have too much food waste in their lives.
Recipe:
1 qty limp green vegetables from your fridge. I tend to use Bok Choy as a base, and this version has onion, celery, zucchini and snow peas as well. Any green or cabbage type vegetable will work.
1 birds eye chili - fresh or dry, chopped (omit for small children and those who don’t like heat in their food). These tiny hot chilis grow on fencelines all through suburbia up here - I guarantee a friend has one at the moment. Wear gloves while harvesting.
Oil
Garlic
That 1/2 a carton of chicken stock left over from making pumpkin soup
Chop up the sad vegetables into small pieces
Fry the sad vegetables in garlic and oil until even more limp. I cook them until the cabbage has softened, but be careful not to burn as this will ruin the flavour. Low heat and slow cooking is the key here - not like a TV kitchen stirfry.
Once the vegetables are softened, add the chicken stock and some water and a little salt to taste. I like a strong soup so I tend to use the liquid stock straight out of the carton, but depending on the brand and how much you have available you will need to adjust this.
Simmer on low heat for ten minutes or until you get bored.
If you like noodles in your soup, I recommend cooking them separately.
Serve in deep bowls.
Opinion:
Greg Bray
Showing The Way
Folks, last weekend I made my annual pilgrimage to the annual Mt. Larcom Show; twice, which made up for missing last years’ Covid cancelled event.
But let’s not talk about that, except to say, a lot of people had the same idea, so parking was ‘an adventure’.
Now, this particular show’s attraction is it’s a traditional, old fashioned show, where the locals (and a few blow-ins) show their best livestock, produce, art and craft, handiwork, skills, and battered cowboy hats ‘n boots to a gawping crowd for a couple of days.
You know it’s a good show when the sideshow alley is actually a sideshow.
For us townies, it’s also quite fascinating to view the impressive produce (particularly the giant pumpkins) plus all the different breeds, and sizes, of the various animals on display, and stepping into their droppings.
I’m also a big fan of the displays of yesteryear, the old steam engines, tractors, V8 utes, log chop competitions, camp cooking, gymkhana events, pony traps and even an old fashioned pig race.
Yesirree, nothing says ol’ fashion show like betting on racing pigs!
But it was only as I made my way home, suffering from my annual bout of ‘Dagwood Dog Regret’, did it occur to me what was missing: the displays of new, emerging, future and innovative technologies.
Usually, these events are also a showcase for businesses to parade their latest wares, machinery, fertilisers, harvesters, quad bikes, 4WD’s and ATV’s. Sadly, none of these things were being exhibited.
Nor were there any displays featuring solar panels, windmills, electric vehicles or other new-fangled gizmo’s and gew-gaws being hawked by smiling salespeople.
Talk about an opportunity lost!
Particularly as our current Prime Minister appears so keen on promoting new energy know-how to end our reliance on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions; just as long as he doesn’t have to actually do anything.
Happily, if I’ve learned anything from my attendance at the yearly show (apart from staying away from Dagwood Dogs), it’s that Australian farmers have always been a very inventive bunch, and it won’t be long before they’re proudly showing us the way forward.
Greg Bray