Janet CollinsEnvironmental Hazard: We Are ALL at Risk!
January 9th 2007 05:45
We are faced with many problems, fears and issues of ethical contention now that were simply unimaginable just 5 years ago. In September 2001, a single incident changed the foreseeable future dramatically. The world is now afraid – but has that overshadowed a far more lethal killer?
Aeon Flux presents us with a world that destroyed itself. Through the rise of the free market, Capitalism and Industrialism, our world has undeniably favoured progression to ecological sustainability. Now, the results are dire. The film builds its opening sequence on an apocalyptic prediction: a virus will destroy 99% of the world’s population. We would be forced to rebuild. It seems ridiculous, doesn’t it? But what if something foreign entered the blood stream through the water supply? Would it be enough to kill?
Welcome to Melbourne 2007. Blue-green algae is spreading rapidly from more temperate climate change. When water in dams, lakes and rivers is not circulated, the algae has time to breed – and bacteria breeds in warm places.
Sadly, the Victorian State Government will only release critical environmental information on such issues on request. It can be difficult to manage a state – but why have road tolls and water concerns taken priority to health risks?
It seems the world we have created is almost beyond repair – certainly as we in danger of overfishing our oceanic environment, wasting our water, scorching the planet and now, being negligent with known dangers. Should the algae pollute our drinking water, it would need to be quarantined and an alternative source found (probably shipped in bottles from Queensland). It could cause skin irritations, vomiting and other stomach infections and in extreme cases, cause hospitalisation or death.
Sadly, if this can happen here, it can happen anywhere and by 2011, any number of diseases could fulfil the Aeon Flux prophecy.
Aeon Flux presents us with a world that destroyed itself. Through the rise of the free market, Capitalism and Industrialism, our world has undeniably favoured progression to ecological sustainability. Now, the results are dire. The film builds its opening sequence on an apocalyptic prediction: a virus will destroy 99% of the world’s population. We would be forced to rebuild. It seems ridiculous, doesn’t it? But what if something foreign entered the blood stream through the water supply? Would it be enough to kill?
A blue-green Algal Bloom - Coming to a city near you
Sadly, the Victorian State Government will only release critical environmental information on such issues on request. It can be difficult to manage a state – but why have road tolls and water concerns taken priority to health risks?
It seems the world we have created is almost beyond repair – certainly as we in danger of overfishing our oceanic environment, wasting our water, scorching the planet and now, being negligent with known dangers. Should the algae pollute our drinking water, it would need to be quarantined and an alternative source found (probably shipped in bottles from Queensland). It could cause skin irritations, vomiting and other stomach infections and in extreme cases, cause hospitalisation or death.
Sadly, if this can happen here, it can happen anywhere and by 2011, any number of diseases could fulfil the Aeon Flux prophecy.
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Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Great post.
Just about every lake or river I hear of is in terms of 'how much blue-green algae' it has. Even the beach at St Kilda has problems with it.
Doesn't say good things about our water supply. It would be so easy for our water supply to become contaminated. Hopefully it never happens!
I could be depressed about it....but I'm not. I've been trying to get on this site all day....and our internet finally let me. Yayy!
So that's something good.
: )
Kylie
Comment by AnthonyB
I hope our water stays fresh too. I drink plenty of it - maybe that's why we have water restrictions? sorry - and I certainly don't want bowel cancer or whatever else that green slime will give me.
I think tomorrow I'll abandon the depressing stuff and come up with good news. But the bad stuff sells so well.. I think that's my first year journalism speaking.
Stay clean and keep away from contamination. I don't want to lose readers.
Thanks,
- Anthony
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
Ash
Comment by Nina
Comment by David my David
Love your posts, man ...
One of the most bizzare experiences of my life in relation to the environment?
I took this Priest to Sydney in my ute.
There was someone on the streets collecting money to save the environment. I had my hand in my pocket ready to just give him some coin.
The Priest I was with? He was from South America.
I was a bit scandalised at his reply to this charity worker at the time, but I think I've got my head around what he was getting at now.
He said, 'I really don't care about the environment ... each human soul is so precious .. I don't care if every tree on the planet dies. If I could save one human soul by cutting down every tree in the world, I would. And guess what? God would regenerate them.'
Never forgotten that ...
I think a lot of people have forgotten about how precious human life is ...
But that's just my personal opinion ...
And what do I know?
David ...
Comment by AnthonyB
The bad news is that most major damns are hot spots or breeding grounds for algae, which spread quickly but it's been identified early, so prevention should still be in reach. Much easier than looking for a cure.
Thanks for your comments, Ash!
It's okay, Nina. I didn't really like the taste of Townsville water. Maybe that was just Townsville... I don't know. But we need water from somewhere ! we'll trade you Fed Square and half of Southern Cross on Spencer Street ( what a ridiculous name, I hate it ! ) for some drinking water.. Fair ?
Thanks, NIna !!
Comment by AnthonyB
As always, a very worthwhile comment David. I love hearing your little anecdotes. They contribute a wealth of information and something far more valuable - perspective.
Nature can always regenerate, but at some point the madness has to stop. Eventually everyone will realise the worth of preserving natural resources for future generations
Thank you so much David !
- Anthony
Comment by Francis
Passionate Apathy
Fortunately, photosynthetic bacteria needs warmth and sunlight to thrive, so the monster isn't unstoppable. Hopefully our leaders will recall the devastation this algae caused a couple billion or so years back, when it started releasing free oxygen into a world that hadn't yet evolved to handle it.
Algae blooms aren't usually permanent things- mother Nature is one sadistic bitch and virtually everything that lives has something that wants to eat it. Nature will balance itself- up to a point. Experimenting to find out just where that point of no return is shouldn't be carried out on my favorite planet.
David:
I wonder if your priest friend ever gave a single thought to where his oh-so-precious humans would get the air and food they need without the environment he seems willing and eager to flush?
Even God needs several years or even decades to replace a tree. Humans generally need a fresh breath of air every few seconds. I'm guessing your priest wasn't a Jesuit, because his math sucks.
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
What an anazing response you've had to your post and some of those comments would be, i think, entirely unexpected.
You've handled it very well and have a unique way of expresing yourself, accompanied by a considerable amount of skill.
Keep up with your many interests,
katyzzz
Comment by Nina
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
In Canada, our Great Lakes were getting choked by it, and now they're sparkling clean. Reason? Zebra mussels.
Of course, now the zebra mussels are an infestation and are choking the Great Lakes, so we need something to kill the mussels. And then something to kill the killers.
And so on.
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
indeed, really scary stuff - whilst I agree that every human soul is precious, what happens when each is forced to kill for a drink and some food? By 2050 the population will have doubled what it is now, to 12 billion. I daresay the blue-green algae will have too, less water and more people... what does that add up to?
Anthony, do you think we [the people] are truly helpless in this mess, or can we each do something to take less in our daily consumption of non-sustainable products ...(?)
Great minds think alike - I was just reading something about blue-green algae yesterday and a possible cure and was formulating an idea for a post on it... *lol* would you mind if I feature a post on my findings?
There is some wonderful free technology already known and available, which can turn this planet around within a decade; problem is, that the oil moguls have most of the patents in locked safes, waiting for the oil to run out. [Google people like Tesla for starters on free energy]. Including a cure for this algae, I heard its caused from all the detergents and tissue paper that doesn't quite break down...?
But that's all good anyway, because we'll be going nuclear [desalination] and we'll be drinking recycled sewerage like the Fremen in Dune. What won't be, is cutting down every tree, because I'm not sure the earth can breathe then? I'm investigating the possibility at the moment too. What if every tree were cut down ... would we all asphyxiate?
lots of questions, just as many, if not more answers... just gotta find them... [try here]
loved this post! [modyfied, sorry]
Lilla
Comment by AnthonyB
That's very interesting. I remember learning something about photo something or other in year 8 science - not that I cared at the time. Who knew this information would be so vital, it could save our lives. I think Cibby is right though. We use zebra mussels and then very small bombs to destroy them. Hopefully, our destructive technology will balance mother nature - by force.
Thank you very much Katyzzz,
Yes, I have had a variety of comments. Strange, but very interesting. Everyone seems to have a different take on nature and human intervention. Thank you for your compliments though ! I appreciate your visits immensely.
We have a great deal to learn from you Canadians, Cib. I imagine an alien invasion would be worse than algae in water - as they may spike our water supply with some kind of super disease... Hmm.. scary thoughts. Maybe the zebra mussels will eat them too..
Thanks Cib !!
- Anthony
Comment by AnthonyB
Fed Square, Spencer St. and Evanescence's final concert for all the water in Queensland. This is not negotiable. Take it or leave it. Melbourne thanks the Queensland people graciously.
Thanks for commenting !!
Dear Lilla,
You pose some very interesting questions. The most obvious move to prevention would be to conduct a nation-wide rain dance. Should that fail, we may need to attempt living off chocolate milk and the condensation in our air supply. Hopefully, we do not exhaust that particular natural resource.
I am completely against logging trees. They are wonderful creatures that supply us with lovely oxygen. I love oxygen. I believe by murdering evil people we will able to free space up for good people - then the algae may not spread so quickly. Who knows - we may end up recycling everything and all will be good.
- Thanks for everything Lilla. Yes please do create a post on the subject. The more information on the environment the better.
Thanks for posting, all !
- Anthony
- Anthony
Comment by Nina
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Don't laugh but I bought a tribal rainstick and learnt how to do rain dances ... I was thinking if anyone else was interested? ... many people are and already do these dances and this summer is wetter than usual, don't know if it's more rain or all the sweat from the efforts that have evaporated. *lol* Some say praying for rain may help too?
*cough* Haivng said that, we also bought a rain tank and recently I read this great article about a really neat idea of a weathers futures market ...*lol* some good idea's here.
There are global raindances in progress around the planet amongst the indigenous cultures, but scientifically, the problem is that CO2 doesn't allow the water droplet to form and offers mother nature alternatives to forming it. That's why the clouds gather and disperse without producing rain. Cloud seeding removes the options and allows her to do her work.
as I said, a great post, and I'm totally off the point again too, aren't I, sorry... blue green algae scares me lots becuase it is like the menacing weed in War Of the Worlds ... and it seems so unstoppable, unless you introduce predators like Cib said, then it's dog eat dog and eventually we'll have dinosaurs crawling out of the water like in 'Evolution " *cringe*
L