Jennifer Marohasy

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On the Anniversary of Charles Darwin: Some Consequences to Ponder

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THIS year is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of of his major work “The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection”. 

Mr Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection is generally acknowledged in the western English-speaking world as superior to any other explanation for the diversity of life on earth.

Over the last 150 years there have, however, emerged many rival doctrines that are fundamentally incompatible, most recently environmentalism. 

In the following essay written to acknowledge this anniversary year, scientist Vincent Gray, outlines how the work of various influential scholars including Julian Huxley, Ernest Mayr and Richard Dawkins would have benefited from a better understanding of Darwin’s theory of evolution.   Dr Gray concludes with an explanation of why the continued survival of the human race is by no means certain and what the international community needs to learn from the work of Charles Darwin.

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Unethical Forest Protestors in Tasmania: A Note from Alan Ashbarry

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IN a rare display of sympathy and understanding for forest contractors, ABC journalist Tom Tilley has put the hard word on protestors in the Upper Florentine Valley, accusing them of perhaps even being “unethical”.  

You can play the interview at the ABC Triple J website  while watching a slide show. [1]
  

The issue is ongoing conflict at a blockade in the Florentine Valley along a road that was constructed in the mid 1960’s. Until recently a protest camp has blocked the path of a new spur road to access forest harvesting areas.  The timber of the Florentine Valley, together with the Styx Valley, was granted to a consortium of media companies in the late 1930’s to create a newsprint pulp and paper mill and jobs at the end of the last world recession.

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HundredsThousands Protest Global Warming

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IT was predicted to be the largest demonstration yet against coal and climate change, 10,000 activists to descend on a coal-fired power plant in Washington DC.

According to the Capitol Climate Action website, they are there now, as I write, “courageous activists have occupied three of five gates at the Capitol Power Plant. The march of thousands is continuing to circle the plant. The situation is peaceful, non-violent, and of course inspiring…

“The atmosphere is charged with hope and excitement. People are bundled up in their warmest coats and staying active by chanting. I hear ‘Coal can never be clean.’ There’s a prayer vigil in the south section of the park.”

There may have been even more people including celebrities from New York at the rally, if it wasn’t for the unseasonal cold weather and large snowfalls delaying flights into Washington.

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Shark Numbers and Shark Attacks

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THERE have been three shark attacks in Sydney waters over the last three weeks, but there is no agreement as to whether shark numbers are on the increase – or not.

According to NSW Deputy Premier, Carmel Tebbuts, there is no evidence of increased shark numbers in NSW but Ms Tebbuts does admit cleaner waterways around Sydney (via SMH).

According to the Department of Primary Industries chief scientist, Steve Kennelly, because waters are cleaner there are more sharks.  Hang on! This is not what the Deputy Premier said.

Professor Kennelly explained we are seeing a healthy ecosystem, “to the point where we’re getting whales underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge and … lots of good bait fish coming in, tailor, king fish and so on and sharks feed on those things (via ABC).

Professor Kennelly did not mention that there have also been bans on commercial fishing in Sydney Harbour since a dioxin scare in January 2006 – this would also probably mean more fish.  

According to Professor Kennelly not even new bans on hunting sharks (due to new fishing quotas) will impact on the risk of shark attacks (also via ABC Online).  

Let’s summarize, sharks eat fish, so if there are more fish you might expect more sharks, add to this, new bans on hunting sharks, so again expect more sharks.   More sharks might increase the risk of shark attacks.   “Nah”, suggest some bureaucrats and politicians!

Wouldn’t it be better if government admitted that policies intended to increase the numbers of fish and sharks, are having an effect, and so the risk of shark attack could increase – and then explain how to mitigate like not swimming at dawn or dusk.