Latest news with #environmental threat
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Experts issue dire warning about disturbing plan proposed by White House: 'Difficult — if not impossible — to reverse'
Experts issue dire warning about disturbing plan proposed by White House: 'Difficult — if not impossible — to reverse' The National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska may sound like a high-security fuel depot, but it's actually a massive stretch of land home to millions of animals and a vital player in keeping the planet cool. And now, it's under serious threat. What's happening? On June 17, the Trump administration proposed opening nearly 82% of the NPR-A to oil and gas drilling. This includes areas specifically designated for their ecological and cultural significance. The plan would expand development from 11.7 million acres to 18.5 million, forever altering regions vital to the survival of Arctic caribou herds, nesting grounds for over 4.5 million shorebirds, and denning sites for polar bears and wolverines. "The decisions made today will shape the future of the Arctic," conservation biologist and molecular ecologist Mariah Meek warned in an article for The Conversation, calling the plan "difficult — if not impossible — to reverse." Why is this concerning? This part of Alaska is one of the last intact ecosystems in the United States, and disrupting it could cause ripple effects far beyond its borders. Drilling infrastructure such as roads and pipelines fragments habitats, alters water flows, and weakens the very permafrost that supports it. This means greater erosion and the release of large amounts of heat-trapping pollution locked in soil. And that's before factoring in the pollution added by the oil operations themselves. Even animals that survive the direct effects often suffer indirect ones. A study published in the journal Ecology and Evolution found caribou mothers avoid calving near roads, while research shared in the journal Nature described how industrial noise can stop birds from nesting. Similar concerns are playing out across the Arctic. Sea ice has plummeted to near-record lows, and heat advisories have even been issued in Alaska, a state once defined by its cold. What's being done to push back? The Biden administration supported scaled-back drilling in this region, such as with the Willow project, which was met with significant outcry. Public pressure and scientific reports helped reduce the scope of that plan. The same tactics can be used again. As an individual, the best thing you can do is stay informed through groups such as The Wilderness Society, which released a report outlining the reserve's ecological value. You can also contact your representatives to express concern about drilling expansion. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the the daily Crossword
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Aussies urged to dig up common invasive plant the become 'very difficult to remove'
Conservationists are sounding the alarm over a notorious weed polluting Australia's fragile ecosystems, warning that despite its popularity as a houseplant, it's actually a "serious environmental threat". This week, the Cassowary Coast Regional Council, in Far North Queensland, warned that mother-in-law's tongue continues to "invade" the area's rainforests, creek lines and coastal reserves. It reminded the public that it must not be "introduced, propagated or allowed to spread" within the region, due to its highly invasive nature, having been introduced to the country from South Africa decades ago. "It forms dense mats that smother native groundcovers and prevent natural regeneration," the council said online, adding that it had been declared a pest locally since 2022. "It thrives in disturbed areas, spreads through underground rhizomes (horizontal plant stems, like a hidden network of roots) and discarded garden waste. "It is very difficult to remove once established." Imogen Ebsworth, the Invasive Species Council Engagement Director, is all too familiar with the pest. Talking to Yahoo, she said the weed is "frustratingly" just another "example of a garden plant that's become highly invasive" and "yet is still legally sold". "We don't let pet shops sell cane toads, so why are we allowing nurseries to sell invasive plants? It fails the common-sense test," she said. "Queensland local councils are on the front line of tackling new invasive garden plants like mother-in-law's tongue, and say it's primarily being spread by the dumping of garden waste." Though people may think they've minimised the risk by ripping it up, Imogen said the weed can still propagate itself — so to fully stop its impact, it must be disposed of responsibly. "Carefully dig up as much of the roots as you can and collect up all fragments," she said. "Dispose of it in your general waste bin securely bagged up." Importantly, Imogen added, do not put it into green waste bins. "We are calling on Australia's governments to prioritise action on stronger national coordinated regulation to prevent garden plants from being sold and escaping into the bush," she said. "We've seen this story unfold far too many times. Ornamental plants that turn into unstoppable weeds, costing us billions in control efforts and wiping out native species in the process." In Australia, escaped garden plants are the primary source of new weeds, and a staggering three-quarters of all listed weeds started out as ornamentals. Some of the nation's most popular nurseries and retailers stock mother-in-law's tongue, including heavyweights like Ikea, Bunnings, Flower Power, Woolworths and countless boutique florists. But, they're doing so entirely in accordance with the law. Imogen said this is not a "rogue nursery or Bunnings" problem — it's a regulatory failure. "To date, self-regulation has failed," she said. "We are relying on everyday Australians to either have a botany degree or realise they need to research legally sold plants to find out if they are a weed. That's a system designed to fail. "More than 30,000 plant species have been imported into Australia for gardening, but fewer than a quarter have been assessed nationally for their weed risk. Some of our worst invasives — like lantana and blackberry — were once common garden plants. "We've spent decades relying mainly on self-regulation, which just doesn't work. You can still legally buy plants that are banned in neighbouring states or overseas." Unless governments act, Imogen warned, we'll keep selling the next lantana, the next gazania, "straight into our backyards and bushland". Aussies warned over garden pest that can 'never be fully removed' Property owners warned over harmful weed 'having a bumper season' Gardeners warned over beautiful plant that is 'extremely toxic' to pets Last year, former environment minister Tanya Plibersek secured national agreement to develop a Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) to tackle invasive garden plants. Now stepping into the role, Murray Watt has a "golden opportunity to show real leadership" to get on with the job and fix this broken system, she said. Cam Rist, Bunnings Director of Merchandise, previously told Yahoo the retailer closely follows all "relevant local biosecurity regulations" and "the advice of regulators about the plants we sell." "Like many nurseries and retailers, we sell a wide range of locally sourced plants across our stores, and we work hard to create an assortment that caters to customer preferences and demand," he said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
