ALEX MILNE
& TARO KEEFE
Are you worried about the greenhouse gases which are emitted by our coal electricity generators? Does it concern you that every time you turn on a light or boil a kettle you are contributing to global warming? Fear not, the government has come up with a nice, environmentally sound alternative.
Never mind that expensive, complicated solar and wind power that greenies harp on about. The solution to our electricity needs is right under our noses: our native forests! Just chop 'em, chip 'em and burn 'em.
Woodchipping for paper was great while it lasted, but the rest of the world has got in on the act. China has massive eucalypt plantations just waiting for the chipper, and it is going to undercut us on the global market. This could leave our old-growth forests just sitting there, not making any money.
Sure, these forests are home to the long-footed potoroo, the barking owl and other species, but what have they ever done for the Australian economy? The kangaroo and koala have the cute little tourist icon bit sewn up. I mean, how many American or Japanese tourists come to this great country to see a hairy-nosed wombat?
Under this great capitalist system, a forest is a resource, something that makes money. If a resource is not making money (right now!) then it is under-exploited.
In a democratic country like ours, the government must occasionally pay lip-service to the mugs who voted them in. Howard and Co. promised us that a whopping 2% of our electricity must come from renewable sources, and forests are renewable, aren't they?
Never mind that when an old-growth forest is logged, an entirely different eco-system takes its place, resulting in the extinction of many species. But trees grow back, therefore forests are renewable and John Howard has kept his promise.
Never mind that the logging of water catchment areas can reduce water supply by up to 50%, and logging roads can deposit 45-60 tonnes per hectare of polluting sediment and run-off into streams and rivers every year. Just buy a water filter: you'll get clean water and boost the gross domestic product.
Never mind the wishes of the Australian people. A Morgan Poll commissioned by the Wilderness Society showed that 88% of Australians oppose the building of wood-fired generators, and only 1% of those surveyed said they would choose woodchips as their electricity source. The same poll showed that 92% of people do not consider native forests to be a renewable electricity source.
Australians can now choose their electricity supplier. The Nature Conservation Council has provided a run down on which is the best facilitator in each state and why, including their use of truly renewable energy. Making information public regarding the logging of areas with heritage, animal rights or water catchment values would recognise our democratic right to choose how our resources are utilised.
A group of concerned people have commenced cycling from Brisbane to Melbourne to create greater awareness of the need to protect old-growth forests. They will be arriving in Melbourne in late June. Contact Cycle for Old Growth Forests at <http://www.cycle.wild.net.au/cogf/>.
For more information on burning forests, go to <http://www.geco.org.au>, <http://www.burningforests.com> or <http://www.goolengook.forests.org.au>, or contact your nearest branch of Friends of the Earth or The Wilderness Society.
From Green Left Weekly, June 26, 2002.
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