LOOK AFTER OUR AQUIFERS
STYGOFAUNA has been discovered in the South East.
These micro fauna keep aquifers from stagnating and help keep water potable. This is achieved by burrowing behaviour that maintains flow paths which keeps groundwater moving. This, in turn, increases their ability to process contaminants.
Food and water security are making headlines more and more, as the rainfall patterns change due to global warming and altered sea temperatures.
The SE and southern Vic are just a few of the areas in Australia that have remained reliable for food, when other areas of Australia have been at the brunt of drought or floods.
So far our aquifers have been managed with caution and relative care to help us remain viable and profitable.
The conventional wells being drilled very deep in the SE of SA are, in my opinion, a serious threat to the systems that keep our aquifer water usable.
Adelaide has large areas where bore water is contaminated and unusable for growing backyard vegetables. Imagine the food crisis SA and Vic would face if the same thing happened in the SE, on top of the cost of water for irrigating from the River Murray.
I don't believe the fossil fuel companies have given much consideration to the impacts even of water table levels on stygofauna.
Heather Heggie,
Naracoorte.
CLIMATE POLICY COSTS LABOR
MANY factors are claimed for successfully returning Prime Minister Scott Morrison to govern Australia for the next three years.
One of the main reasons must be the community rejection of the ALP policy on climate change.
In a post-election report, Ian Plimer reminds us that climate has been fluctuating for thousands of years and that humans have successfully adapted to the changes.
Naturally occurring carbon dioxide is the food of life. Carbon dioxide exists in a very small proportion of total gases and of that small amount, only 3 per cent is derived from human activity.
Professor Plimer claims if this minority gas was ever halved, all life would end.
Why would a government support exporting coal to the rest of the world while condemning its use at home?
The Coalition needs to back away from commitments like the Paris Agreement and restore cheaper electricity for business and domestic advantage.
Ken Grundy,
Naracoorte.
FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH
MUCH needs to be done to address the crisis of mental health in this country.
With almost half of all Australians affected by mental illness during their lives, the ripple effect is felt by loved ones, families and the broader community.
The symptoms of mental illness are not always visible and many people suffer in isolation. Thankfully, there are thousands of Australians striving to make a difference in this field, from advocacy, education and awareness through to prevention, treatment and searching for much-needed cures.
The Australian Mental Health Prize acknowledges those who are doing innovative work in this area. Acknowledging those who work or volunteer in the industry is an important part of the process to destigmatise mental illness.
Nominations are open and we are eager for nominees from across the country. Please consider those in your local community who deserve to be recognised. Nomination forms can be obtained from australianmentalhealthprize.org.au
Entries close on August 30.
For those who are living with the burden of mental illness every day, thank you for your support.