In the absence of John we watched a video detailing Singapore's problems with Climate Change and their efforts to overcome it. It is interesting to note that Singapore is an Island with no discernible natural resources. It has always relied on Trade. Any increase in sea levels will have a detrimental effect. They are not only taking measures to block off any ocean rise but they are also taking action to reduce their carbon footprint by stated amounts. This is in contrast to other governments who are loath to put any figure on what percentage difference they might be trying to make by 2030.
We also watched a video where Tim Flannery advocated a massive increase in seaweed growth. Increasing massively the size of Seaweed growing in the oceans will tie up large amounts of CO2 and should be easy to do. This might be an easy measure, but of course it will cost money.
After the break Bev led us through Peter Maddock’s detailed report 'Another Successful Swanpool Environmental Film Festival' on the BSFG website. The program this year looked at the ‘big picture’, particularly power structures and economic theory. A session, ‘Finding the Money’, introduced a new economic theory, ‘Monetary Monetary Theory’. More locally, Bertram Lobert spoke about Save our Strathbogie Forest group’s concern that ‘Planned Burns are not Making Us Safe’ and their efforts to make changes through the courts. We also previewed a film shown at the festival ‘The New Corporation – the unfortunately necessary Sequel’, which is currently available on SBS On Demand.
Neville Gibb
