Genetically Modified Food - the Greenpeace view

Genetically Modified (GM) Food - The perspective from Greenpeace - this short animation contains some of the accepted information on this issue but should be seen as one view on the debate as some explantations are contestable.

Genetically Modified Crops - The Upside Debate

Maize harvested

Any discussion involved genetically modified (GM) foods plus GM crops immediately triggers regular and consistent controversy with steadfast opposition from both environmentalists and some in the agriculture sector. However not all of the negative reaction is warranted and in a number of cases, the evidence against GM crops is flawed. In September 2012, the University of Caen, France reported that rats fed GM maize with an inbuilt resistence to the herbicide, glyphosate, were more susceptible to cancer. However subsequent analysis of the study has found that many of the control mice fed non GM maize also developed cancer. This month, the European Food Safety Authority concluded that the Caen study was of "insufficient scientific quality to be considered valid for risk assessment.."

An alternative set of data from the US National Agricultural Statistics Service has found that between 1996 and 2010, use of herbicides and insecticides with GM crops apparently declined by 9.1 % globally compared with non-GM crops. This is due to the fact that some GM crops have been engineered to be partly pest resistant and hence require less pesticides. Other GM crops produce sufficient pest resistant chemicals to not require spraying at all. This is a debate however which remains inconclusive and will continue for many years to come.

Asteroid collisions - size doesn't matter after all

The idea that asteroid collisions with Earth pose any more a direct threat than science fiction films from Hollywood would portray ('Deep Impact' ) is a common belief not readily shared by many astronomers. This conventional and common understanding is grounded in a perception of a giant asteroid hurtling to earth in an event similar to the extinction of the dinosaurs. In reality, much smaller and more readily Near Earth Objects (NEO) which traverse similar orbits can, in fact, do extraordinary damage without actually striking the planet.

This was demonstrated all too effectively by the Tunguska event where a very powerful explosion occurred near the Podkamennaya Tunguska River in what is now Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, in the early morning on June 30,1908. It is estimated the asteroid,measuring 70 meters in diameter entered Earth's atmosphere travelling at a speed of approx 33,500 miles per hour and during its rapid descent, the space object heated the air surrounding it to 44,500 degrees Fahrenheit. At 7:17 a.m. (local Siberia time), at a height of about 28,000 feet, the combination of pressure and heat caused the asteroid to fragment and explode, producing a fireball and releasing energy equivalent to about 185 Hiroshima atomic bombs (NASA). 2,000 square kilometers of forest was destroyed. The above ground explosion is in fact referred to as an ‘air burst’ and constitutes the more likely threat to the Earth from asteroids. The Tunguska asteroid is now considered to have been much smaller than first estimates and was probably 30-50 meters in diameter. Measurement of sizes of asteroids suggests that even relatively small objects with the correct mass, trajectory and speed would be able to create a downward directed blast from an air burst with devastating results.The images in this post show the effects of the 1908 blast, many years after it occurred.

Festival of Dangerous Ideas - All Women Hate Each Other

The Festival of Dangerous Ideas at the Sydney Opera House held over the October long weekend again brought a range of interesting, if slightly askew topics to be discussed, debated and questioned by panels of recognised public commentators and advocates. One of the larger events held in the Concert Hall of the SOH was the topic of "All Women Hate Each Other" with panellists Eva Cox, Germaine Greer, Tara Moss and Danielle Miller. Although the panel were not in  agreement with the premise of the topic they managed to deliver many insightful, frequently amusing observations on corporate power and culture, the structure of society, men's relationships with women, body image, feminism, Julia Gillard's size and dress sense, UK journalist Samantha Brick's story about being beautiful, women in film, and how males oppress females. Not surprising the two most experienced women on the panel, Eva Cox and Germaine Greer, made the most telling and often amusing contributions to the debate again underscoring their formidable life experience and public contribution to the wider society over many decades. Eva Cox is now 74 and Germaine Greer, 73 and their experience spans the period of the 1960s to the present day which was clearly on display at the Festival. 

Energy from the oceans - wave power

Renewable energy drawn from the world's oceans offers another potential alternative to reduce reliance on coal fired generators and fossil fuels. Estimates from the International Energy Agency, the IPCC and various research studies suggest that 10% to 15% of energy can be produced from wave energy converters. The short news segment showing Pelamis wave energy converters in Portugal provides an indication of how this may operate:

 

Performance Review - Cirque du Soleil - 'Ovo'

Cirque du Soleil have again demonstrated how they are masters of circus performing arts with their latest performances of 'OVO' in Sydney Australia. Ovo meaning egg in Portugese is an insight into the world of insects which are represented in various guises such as grasshoppers, lady beatles, flies, fleas, spiders etc amongst the myriad of brightly coloured performers under Le Grand Chapiteau. With precision and awe-inspiring skills, acrobats, trapeze artists and jugglers again defy the laws of physics and gravity with sheer physical prowess and confidence. 

The lightening and stage atmosphere is complimented with a tailored music score from Cirque du soleil's musicians to match the tempo of the performances. Ovo is Cirque du Soleil's 25th show and adds to an impressive repertoire. Perhaps the only weakness with OVO compared to other Cirque du Soleil shows (such as Quidam and Varekai) is the lack of a linear storyline for the audience to travel along. Without a central storyline the show lacks a focus and narrative leaving a collection of impressive individual acts but without any reference point. Nonetheless the show remains an impressive feat in itself and entertainment at best-in-class.

Coal seam gas mining - the unmentioned risks

Coal seam gas mining water pond

When the risks of coal seam gas (CSG) mining are cited, often inadequately, the focus quite correctly is on the use of fracking chemicals and the potential impact on hydrology and water aquifers. However there are other chemical risks, usually ignored, but which are also potentially high level and exceptionally toxic. These are the naturally occurring toxic substances in the geologic strata. Researchers from the University of NSW have pointed out that simply banning fracking chemicals is inadequate  as CSG activities could mobilise a range of other substances and compounds such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) together with chromium, strontium, lead, iron, zinc arsenic, fluoride and selenium, plus potentially promoting bacterial growth. As highlighted in this publicly released research, naturally occurring substances in coal seams include trace elements such as mercury, arsenic, lead and in some location, radioisotopes such as radium, thorium and uranium in small non detectable deposits.

Through CSG mining, these elements can be released into the water system and travel into drinking aquifers and the wider water catchment systems on which both animals and people rely. This is situation which is barely covered in risk and mine management plans showing another large gap in the control of this mining process.