climateXchange

The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists produces credible, accessible and clearly written papers on key environmental issues affecting Australia which, as a post-graduate student of environmental sustainability without a science undergraduate training, are characteristics I greatly value. Well written and informative papers are to be found at http://www.wentworthgroup.org/…..ent-papers addressing not simply the scientific, but also the economic, social and political dimensions of difficult issues. 

I got a lot out of reading two papers 'Can we secure our food whilst maintaining our environment?' by John Williams. This scientist is motivated by a personal link to the country not far from where we all live in Canberra. Moreover, he raises the fact that we all have the power to make responsible choices about what we eat in order to help determine a more sustainable way of food production, its impact on the land and on the people whose income is derived from its production. In particular, we really need to start considering the reality of paying more for food in order to internalise the costs to the environment of producing it. 

Another paper that is certainly worth a look is the paper, 'An analysis of the options for achieving a sustainable diversion limit in the Murray-Darling Basin'. This paper did not get a good reception from many of the parties working on this still divisive issue. However, the point should not be lost on us that Canberra lies in the Murrumbidgee catchment which is part of this system.

Others might find the website a useful resource, if not already aware of it