In 2006 the NSW, Victorian and Australian Governments attempted to privatise the cash strapped Snowy Hydro organisation. An extraordinary campaign of resistance was mounted with leading Sydney radio commentator Alan Jones very prominent. That well known poet "Anon" penned the following piece of dogrel.The Man From Snowy Hydro (With apologies to A.B. Paterson)There was movement … Continue reading Snowy Hydro
Month: June 2009
Global Warming Theology-Open Email to Senator Fielding
Dear Senator,I would like to congratulate you and encourage you on the stance you are taking on this subject. The arrogant dismissal of legitimate questioning of the science behind the conventional position has been appalling. It is my view that we humans are inclined to overstate our impacts and our level of control. I think … Continue reading Global Warming Theology-Open Email to Senator Fielding
A Favourite Quote
"This is my long-run forecast in brief:The material conditions of life will continue to get better for most people, in most countries, most of the time, indefinitely. Within a century or two, all nations and most of humanity will be at or above today's Western living standards.I also speculate, however, that many people will continue … Continue reading A Favourite Quote
Toorale Water is Different
At Senate Estimates on Thursday night, Penny Wong's officials said that the water saved at Toorale from the February flow comprised 5,900 megs from the Darling and 1,300 megs from the Warrego-a total of 7,200 megs.Bill Heffernan asked them where they gauged it and for the Warrego River was told at Ford's Bridge. With the … Continue reading Toorale Water is Different
Irrigation Facts
Thursday 28 May, 2009 - 21:27 by David BoydIrrigated agriculture contributes approximately 25 per cent of the gross value of Australian agricultural production, 3% of GDP, 22% of exports, but only uses 0.4 per cent of Australia’s farming area (Source: CSIRO, 2006)Australia utilises about 8% of its available water for industry, agriculture and support of … Continue reading Irrigation Facts
Infrastructure
"What a funny world!1) The central unique physical characteristic of Australia is massive rainfall variability.2) Consequently, 'available water' is largely a consequence of efficient storage.3) Huge rainfall is occurring in Northern NSW and South-east Queensland.4) We are in the midst of the biggest infrastructure spend in Australia's history.5) The planning does not include a single … Continue reading Infrastructure
Irrigation Misunderstandings
IrrigationWednesday 18 March, 2009 - 09:50 by David BoydThere seems to be a fundamental misunderstanding of the cause of our record low river flows, particularly in the Murray/Darling; and buying back water licenses simply won't fix it!Take a look at the Murray Darling Basin Authority website and the graph showing record low run-off into the … Continue reading Irrigation Misunderstandings
Irrigation-Letter In SMH
Letter in SMH 30.05.09Saturday 30 May, 2009 - 07:25 by David Boyd in IrrigationSolution flows from fewer licences and more damsMay 30, 2009There seems to be a fundamental misunderstanding of the cause of our record low river flows, particularly in the Murray-Darling, and buying back water licences won't fix it ("River rescue deal leaves NSW … Continue reading Irrigation-Letter In SMH
Climate Change-Ian Plimer
In his new book, Heaven and Earth: Climate change – the real science, Prof Plimer, from the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Adelaide, notes that climatic change is ‘the norm’, sea levels rise and fall all the time, and that climate cycles are driven by massive forces completely unrelated to … Continue reading Climate Change-Ian Plimer
Fun Facts of Carbon Dioxide
Carbon DioxideWednesday 07 May, 2008 - 10:49 by David Boyd FUN FACTS about CARBON DIOXIDEOf the 186 billion tons of CO2 that enter earth's atmosphere each year from all sources, only 6 billion tons are from human activity. Approximately 90 billion tons come from biologic activity in earth's oceans and another 90 billion tons from … Continue reading Fun Facts of Carbon Dioxide
David Boyd's Blog 