Jennifer Marohasy

a forum for the discussion of issues concerning the natural environment

Archives for January 2009

New Jungles

By

By one estimate, for every acre of rain forest cut down each year, more than 50 acres of new forest are growing in the tropics on land that was once farmed, logged or ravaged by natural disaster.  Read more here in the New York Times.  This good news was reported eight years ago by Marc Morano, Read more here. 
And also here.

No Balance in Environmental Reporting at The New York Times: John Coleman

By

AT his popular New York Times blog, environmental journalist Andrew Revkin asks the question “Can a scientists be a Citizen, Too?”  But what Mr Revkin is really asking is: should scientists become involved in advocacy?

Mr Revkin provides the case of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies Chief, James Hansen, as a specific example and suggests that because the issue of global warming has such “big consequences for society” Dr Hansen is almost obliged to become involved in politics.

I disagree.  

In the following note, Mr Coleman goes on to explain that reporting on global warming at Mr Revkin’s newspaper, The New York Times, is unfortunately more advocacy than journalism.  

“DID advocacy Journalism first get out of hand during the civil rights movement or the Vietnam war?  It seems to me it began to sweep the newspapers and TV in the 1960’s and hasn’t been arrested since.  I have little expectation that in the difficult times reform will take hold, but I will here and now hope for it.

[Read more…] about No Balance in Environmental Reporting at The New York Times: John Coleman

A Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo and Two Messages for Australian Readers

By

THIS beautiful bird, a Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo, has been sitting in a tree outside my study perhaps wondering when I am going to refill the bird-feeder with some bird seed.   The few times I have walked outside this afternoon the bird has squarked, perhaps asking me to “fill it!”

Meanwhile I have been posting a couple of messages at the ‘Community Home’ page.

I am now asking you, particularly if you live in the vicinity of Mittagong to have a look here, and if you are a member of the Australian Environment Foundation to have a look here.

Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos, Cacatua galerita, are very common where I live in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney.   It is not uncommon for a flock of perhaps 20 birds to strut about on my back lawn late in the afternoon before perching in a very tall nearby pine tree where they sleep at night.

————–

Update,  January 31

OK.  In response to requests from Janama and Bernard and the Bird, I’ve filled it!