Links
There are many worthwhile organizations with considerably more resources than this site, or have been operating for longer.
Links are provided to several in the different articles below. I would welcome any new leads - email
As noted, we are not "health experts" with the lastest Covid-19 Pandemic.
The articles below are in random order.
This website is not aligned with any political party and is not funded by any source.
We are concerned about several factors in the political sphere, briefly:
- Most "democratic" political parties seem more concerned with short-term vote-winning policies
- Most parties put forward "the economy" as their main platform - "jobs, jobs, jobs" without concern for the overall future sustainability of our planet.
- Very few people in politics are questioning the continued increase in world population as a driver of climate change.
- That current and future political leaders will need to have very strong leadership skills in order to work with other countries in the world for the long term benefit and sustainability of our planet.
- The recent "Wake Up Events" - drought, fires, floods and Covid-19 - in 2019-20 - have driven home the value of Community - local, regional, state-wide and country-wide. Current and future leaders need to grow and build our global community in order to tackle the looming reality of climate change which is happening faster than leaders want to accept.
Some groups (far from complete) are listed below
- Details
These links are primarily to organizations that have collated factual data that can be used as a reference.
Organizations include:
- NASA
- CSIRO
- UEA Climate Research Unit
- Australian Government Climate Change Research
- Climate Change in Australia
- Details
This website does not have the human resources to devote to all the issues facing the world or to keep up to date on the various movements and interest groups.
As a result, a selection of issues and groups in Australia are mentioned briefly.
In essence, the Wake-Up events from 2019 - in Australia at least - have resulted in the growing awareness of the values of Community, of dependence on others in the community (eg Firefighters, Health Workers to name just two). "We are all in this together", "Together we will get through" are phrases used in these "unprecedented" circumstances.
Covid-19 lockdowns have enabled many of us to develop more appreciation of others and the need for more inclusion and equality. Many have formulated what is acceptable Morals as well as recognizing unacceptable behaviour.
Social Media platforms play an increasing part of modern life and through these platforms there has been much good done to help communities and people to join social movements and groups.
A very incomplete list is started below:
- Details
In our view, sustainable development means that at some time in the not to distant future our only planet will be able to continue to exist in a more stable manner.
In our view this means that the world population should not go on increasing unless there is significant changes to our use of resources and we drastically reduce emmissions and deforestation.
What this implies is a new look at what our economies mean - rather than relying on new construction of housing and infrastructure to cater for increasing population and urbanization.
There is a huge challenge for our political leaders to create a global community and work towards a new normal to sustain our planet.
We all need to grasp the enormity of this challenge and be prepared to reduce the impacts of our aspirations and lifestyle.
Two starting links are:
- United Nations - Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG Knowledge Hub
- Details
Many more links to add (December 2020)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Link to Main International Site: https://www.who.int/
During the current Covid-19 Pandemic a lot of data is presented on cases, deaths and progress on vaccines on this WHO page https://covid19.who.int/
The Covid-19 Pandemic has also contributed to other health related issues such as mental stress, depression, increased domestic violence - particularly against women.
The term "shadow pandemic" has been used. For an insight, see: https://www.who.int/health-topics/violence-against-women#tab=tab_1
WHO, working with 194 Member States from 149 offices in 6 regions (2019), is committed to Goal 3 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which aims to "ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages".
- Details
Groups and websites dealing with the global use of energy and moves towards more sustainable choices.
IEEFA Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis
Link to website: https://ieefa.org/
The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) examines issues related to energy markets, trends and policies.
The Institute’s mission is to accelerate the transition to a diverse, sustainable and profitable energy economy.
- Details
A key factor in the crisis facing the world is ourselves - people, humans - and our desire to consume and aspire to enjoy a lifestyle that may/is not beneficial to a sustainable future.
Most countries seem focused on rebuilding "the economy" after any widespread natural disasters or the current Covid-19 Pandemic. It is our opinion that the approach may be flawed in that building the economy implies that there will be an increase in population that requires new infrastructure (transport, water, waste disposal, health facilities etc).
Overall trends are that the population continues to grow - at different rates for different regions or countries. It is also an ageing population that brings with it more demands on health systems (aged care) and family.
Lifestyle aspirations involve costs (housing, education, travel etc) and young families generally are forced to have both parents working. Early Child Care centres have sprung up to service this trend.
Some starting links dealing with these issues are listed below.
- Details
The very cute Koala is Australia's most lovable native animal and is known around the world. Koalas depend on a limited range of Eucalyptus trees for their food.
Not only has urban expansion destroyed an increasing amount of their natural habitat but the increased spread and intensity of bushfires due to climate change has decimated much of the population.
Three other unique animals also suffer the threats of change in their natural habitats. The cute - but not so cuddly - wombat lives in burrows and some may have escaped the bushfires.
The only two egg laying mammals - monotromes - are the curious platypus and our echidna have faced survival challenges. Platypus have burrows in banks of streams but these become threatened by extended droughts and floods. Echidnas can dig as well but are mainly above ground and under threat from fires.
A number of volunteer groups and "local heros" are concerned for these creatures and rely on donations for their work.
- Details
Most Bushfires in Australia are monitored using satellite detected "hotspots" coupled with on the ground information from different Fire Organizations.
MyFireWatch is an online map-based tool that provides important information about hotspots to emergency service managers and the general public.
Each State has its own Bushfire Authority (see below).
Weather alerts and forecasts allow short term ember attack areas, smoke danger and likely spread of fire to be estimated.
- Details
There are a large number of such groups and the list here hopefully will give the main ones - and be added to over time.
World Resources Institute (WRI)
Link: https://www.wri.org/
Has pages dealing with Climate, Energy, Food, Forests, Water, Cities and Ocean
United Nations Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Link: https://newsroom.unfccc.int/
United Nation - Climate Action
Link: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange
- Details
Read more: Links - Independent and NGO Groups for Action on Climate Change
There are many International, National, State and Local groups in Australia that care for our unique and disapperaring wildlife.
Some of these groups are:
- WIRES - Australian Wildlife Rescue
- Australian Wildlife Society
- International Fund for Animal Welfare
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy
- Wildlife Preservation Society (Queensland)
- Details
Read more: Links - Wildlife Caring and Protection (Australia)