Latest news with #environmentalpreservation
ABC News
30-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
The ethics of how we defecate: It's time for an honest conversation about poo tubes - ABC Religion & Ethics
Recently, I found myself messing around with PVC pipe. I'm not particularly competent when it comes to do-it-yourself — wards of emergency departments are full of people like me — but I do my best, and try to learn. But this time, I wasn't trying to fix a downpipe or reroute some plumbing. I was making a poo tube. There are countless discussions about the ethics of what we eat, but the business of defecation has offered fewer opportunities for these kinds of debates. That's not surprising — we have established systems for disposal and, ultimately, few choices. However, there are certain contexts where consideration of these issues becomes surprisingly relevant. The Overland Track, situated in Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania. (mikulas1 / iStock / Getty Images) As with many parts of the natural world, few bushwalks in Tasmania of any length have anything resembling toilets. There are composting versions on a few popular walks, like the Overland Track; others, like the Western Arthurs, have large drums, cheerfully nicknamed 'sputniks', that are moved in and out by helicopter. That's a significant drain on resources, but it has helped preserve the landscape, as well as the rivers and lakes — down here, we have the tremendous privilege of being able to drink the majority of water in our parks without the hassle of treating it. Decades ago, walkers were encouraged to bash, burn and bury their rubbish. But those days are long gone. For many years, defecation has been the lone exception. I've always carried a small shovel and done my business by strolling 100 metres away from the local streams, digging the requisite 15 centimetres and burying everything out of sight, which is often a challenging practice when the ground is more a mat of roots than soil. But some walkers are careless. Rangers increasingly find toilet paper and waste dumped by the side of a trail. A recent piece of reporting quoted one ranger as saying that only 50 per cent of groups to certain remote regions were carrying a shovel. That's an astonishing figure — it's not quite leaving your sleeping bag at home, but it's close. Poo tubes are the norm in many other parts of the world, but in Australia, habits have been slow to change. But on a recent skyline traverse of the Hazards on Freycinet Peninsula, we decided to go 'Poo tube only' — the hard granite rock doesn't grip much soil, and it's challenging to find a place to dig. I felt a bit intimidated, but cycled into the local parks shop and bought the version they've been promoting: a smaller 'poo pot'. It looks like an empty tub of laundry powder with a wide lid. The idea is to defecate into a cornstarch bag, then pop it in the pot and carry it out, disposing of it somewhere more appropriate. The pot didn't get used in anger on that trip, a short overnighter — perhaps my guts were reluctant to take the plunge. But it did make an appearance on a longer walk to Mt Olympus, near Lake St Clair. I must admit to feeling nervous. Pooing into a bag sounded, well, disgusting. But in practice, it wasn't much different to using a hole. In fact, it was easier. We carried out our waste and paused at the compostable toilet at Echo Point to lighten our loads. I can see the tube getting a run on most trips; in certain conditions like deep snow, it's a far more practical solution. Mt Olympus in Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania. (TED MEAD / Stone / Getty Images) So it turns out I'm a convert — and that's why I've been making a stronger, longer PVC version that can be used for extended walks. Somehow it turned out fine. The tube is sitting out on my deck, where I showed it off proudly to befuddled family members. But on the next long trip I'll be strapping it to the bottom of my pack and letting it work its magic. I'd love to see this approach normalised. It can be hard to change behaviours — seasoned walkers have evolved certain ways of doing things, and those new to the bush might not be sure about the best approach to take. But it's worth bringing simple ethical considerations to bear. Environmentally, the way we manage our waste at all levels has relevance for the habitats around us. More indirectly, it could mean that managers of national parks can spend fewer resources on toileting and more on other pressing issues. And ultimately, it represents an easy change that allows us to help each other enjoy the natural environment, lessening the risk of illness or coming across a disgusting deposit by the side of a campsite. And while it requires extra effort to carry out your waste, I don't miss trying to find the perfect spot to dig a hole in all that mess of ground. Ben Walter is a Walkley award-winning essayist, and the author of the short story collection What Fear Was. A past fiction editor at Island, his writing has recently appeared in Poetry Ireland Review, The Cimarron Review (United States) and 3:AM Magazine (France).
ABC News
24-06-2025
- ABC News
Striking a delicate balance in the Cook Islands, the tourism dollar vs environmental sustainability
White sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and the tranquil sound of the ocean — the Pacific is widely marketed as a paradisiacal escape. Every year, more than a million tourists choose to holiday in the region, generating substantial revenue. However, behind the idyllic imagery, a significant challenge is emerging: how to balance economic gain with environmental and social preservation. In the Cook Islands, a nation that has experienced record tourism numbers, the tension between profit and preservation has become particularly evident. The country is striving to implement a more sustainable tourism model, a shift that is proving to be a complex undertaking. "When tourism is 70 per cent of your economy and GDP, it affects every man, woman and child," said Karla Eggleton, CEO of Cook Islands Tourism. The cost of unchecked growth The Cook Islands, an archipelago of 15 islands, boasts pristine oceans, beaches, and a rich cultural heritage. Upon achieving self-governance in 1965, the nation's leaders identified tourism as a primary economic driver. "In 1965, when we gained self-governing status, there was an aspiration for tourism to lead our economy and lead our destiny," said Eggleton. This aspiration has largely been realised. Tourism now contributes approximately 70 per cent of the Cook Islands' GDP, forming the backbone of its economy. However, this growth has introduced challenges to the local environment and way of life. Muri Beach borders Muri Lagoon. ( American: Creativecommons, Wikimedia ) The Muri Lagoon, a significant natural and cultural site, serves as a case study. Jacqueline Evans, a Cook Islands conservationist, notes the lagoon's historical importance to the local community, encompassing traditional activities and social gatherings. It's also a popular tourist destination, with numerous villas and guesthouses along its shore. By the early 2000s, changes in the lagoon became apparent. "In 2003 there was a complaint about an irritation experienced by people initially swimming in the lagoon," Evans said, a reference to stinging eyes and subsequent medical visits. Investigations, supported by the New Zealand government, eventually pointed to a potential toxic algal bloom. This phenomenon, resulting from excessive nutrients in the water, leads to rapid algae growth. As the algae die and decompose, bacteria consume oxygen, potentially causing fish die-offs and hindering the growth of other marine organisms, including coral larvae. Evans's thesis, focusing on political ecology and environmental impacts in the Cook Islands, used Muri as a case study. Her research in the early 2000s quantified the correlation between increasing accommodation density along Muri Beach and the lagoon's deterioration. "I could show how the lagoon was beginning to deteriorate correlated with the growth in accommodation development along the coastline," Evans said. Jacqueline Evans grew up in Aotearoa New Zealand and moved to the Cook Islands, where her mother was from, as a teenager. ( Image: Goldman Environmental Prize ) The algal bloom persisted for about a decade, intensifying to the point where the Cook Islands government declared it a national disaster in 2015. "Finally, there's some recognition of this issue," Evans recalled thinking at the time. The issue stemmed from inadequate waste management. As tourism and development expanded, the prevalent use of septic tanks struggled to cope with increased volumes of wastewater, leading to nutrient leaching into the lagoon. The government's declaration initiated frameworks for a waste system redesign. Despite these efforts, tourism has continued to grow in the ensuing decade, placing further strain on the country's resources. Evans's observations indicate broader impacts beyond the Muri Lagoon. "There have been a number of impacts I've noticed in the last 10 years or more, where, you know, we're actually starting to experience reduction in water access, access to beaches, even food," she said. One change was in airport parking accessibility for locals. In 2019, the Cook Islands recorded its highest visitor numbers, exceeding 170,000 tourists. This surge further highlighted the strain on infrastructure and local resources. "The sentiment that we could see and hear from our communities was that it was enough, that it was being our infrastructure and our way of life was being stretched," Eggleton said. Evans' findings found broader impacts beyond the Muri Lagoon. ( Image: Goldman Environmental Prize ) A strategic shift The COVID-19 pandemic, which led to border closures, provided an unexpected "reset moment." "There was a lot of sentiment, particularly in the social media space from visitors and communities about how lovely it is to have their island back," Eggleton said. The earlier "growth at any cost" sentiment has shifted. Eggleton said that in the last five to 10 years, there's a recognition that such a model is unsustainable and jeopardises the very qualities that make the destination desirable, such as pristine beaches. The Cook Islands is now guided by cultural philosophies like Kia Orana and Mana Tiaki. Kia Orana emphasises respect for others and the environment, while Mana Tiaki embodies the role of guardianship. A third value promotes sustainability for future generations. In October 2022, Cook Islands Tourism launched its first sustainable tourism development plan, aligning with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation's regional focus. This plan involves redefining quality assurance standards for accommodation, now including environmental management, waste management, and recycling practices. "We are looking at redefining what growth means… driving for quality visitors rather than quantity visitors," Eggleton said, which suggested a focus on increasing average length of stay and developing tourism across all islands in a community-driven manner. The transition, while deemed positive, has been slower than desired, partly due to the post-COVID recovery phase. "Since we have now, three years on, really gotten to the point where we identified that recovery is now over, resilience is now our focus," Eggleton said, noting growing active support for sustainable endeavours. Community efforts and regulatory challenges Louisa Castledine, Managing Director at Ocean Toa Cook Islands, represents a grassroots tourism provider integrating sustainability into her business. Her company, founded in 2022, offers turtle-swimming experiences and contributes a portion of every customer's fee to conservation and local education programs. "Strategically for us, we cap our numbers at eight… A portion of every tour gets invested in those spaces," Castledine said. Her programs also involve local children in educational swims with turtles and rays, integrating the experience into their curriculum. Louisa Castledine says there's a critical need for a balanced approach between tourism and conservation. ( Supplied ) Castledine acknowledged the increased education around conservation and regenerative practices, including the destination stewardship plan, but observed a slow response from the government regarding regulation and legislation. "My business has been actually petitioning government, as well as our National Environmental Service and our Marine Resources Organisation, to implement regulations in the number of turtle tour operators that can function in that space," she said, advocating for controls given the "explosion" of turtle tour businesses in the last four years. While an informal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was implemented by Cook Islands Tourism, signed by eight operators, some have opted not to comply. The MoU suggests guidelines such as a maximum of four guests per qualified lifeguard and no weekend operations to allow the environment to rest. Castledine expresses frustration with the pace of governmental response. "If I'm being completely transparent, I would say that the response has been extremely slow," she said. She attributed delays to overlapping jurisdictions of multiple ministries, limited budgets and conflicting priorities. Despite the challenges, Castledine believes there is a critical need for a balanced approach. "For me, one of the key charms and beauties of Cook Islands is that we are so untouched. And sometimes when you have an increased volume of visitors, your hand almost gets forced into development," she said, a recognition of the financial reliance on tourism while advocating for conscious consumption by visitors. Balancing economy and environment Across the Pacific, similar dilemmas exist. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 1.8 million tourists visited the region, generating $US2.4 billion in revenue. As tourism rebounds, managing its growth while preserving communities and the environment remains a concern. The South Pacific Regional Organisation's 2021 sustainable policy framework, involving 20 Pacific countries, aims to address this, though implementation varies across nations. View of Muri Beach. ( Flickr: Gemma Longman ) Tourism built the modern Cook Islands, and remains its primary economic driver. However, the experience of Muri Lagoon underscores that without robust protections, the environmental foundations of paradise can erode. Sustainability, in this context, is not merely a promotional term but a prerequisite for long-term economic and environmental viability. While governmental strategies and grassroots efforts are under way, the shift is gradual. As visitor numbers continue to climb, the critical question remains: can the Cook Islands maintain its identity as paradise?
CBS News
12-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Miami Tropical Botanic Garden founder secures funding to save it from developers
The founder of the Miami Tropical Botanic Garden has secured funding to buy the land his garden sits on, successfully fending off developers and preserving a rare green space in the heart of Little Haiti. Developers back off as green space is preserved Casey Zap, who started the lush three-acre garden, was leasing the land and faced losing it last year as developers eyed it for potential high-rise or retail development. Now, with private investors stepping in, the land will remain in the community - a victory for environmental preservation and local education. "Even when we thought we might lose the property, we just kept planting," Zap said. CBS News Miami first covered Zap's efforts in May 2024, when he was racing to raise $4 million to purchase the property. At one point, a developer nearly closed a deal, but Zap said it fell through, giving him a second chance. He then took out a $300,000 loan to place a deposit on the land. Personal stakes, community mission "I had to pay interest on it too," Zap said. "But I honestly don't have a wife and children. This is my passion." That deposit bought him time to secure investors who could help buy the land outright in cash. Now, Zap says, the garden's future is secure and it will serve as a resource for the neighborhood. "This is a prime area for an educational center. All these are very rare tropical plants," he said. Ashley Toussaint, vice chair of the Little Haiti Revitalization Trust, said protecting this rare urban green space is a win for the entire community. "There's so much development coming to Little Haiti, both known and unknown," Toussaint said. "It's good to know that this will be protected." Plans for resilience and education Zap has big plans for the space, including using it to help manage stormwater in flood-prone Miami. "By being the green infrastructure that Miami needs desperately, we will be able to take on this enormous amount of stormwater flooding," he said. Though the deal isn't finalized yet, Zap said the closing is expected by the end of the year.
