Author: NCWQ Content Manager

NCWQ November Environment Report By Pat Pepper, NCWQ Environmental Adviser. Renewable technology is continually improving and there have been several developments to complement renewable energy sources. The major objection to solar and wind energy has been that they are intermittent energy sources requiring to be backed up by dispatchable power. With an abundance of natural resources to make clean energy, Australia should be in a good position to satisfy local energy needs and export hydrogen to other countries to help satisfy their needs.

NCWQ July Environment Report By Pat Pepper, NCWQ Environmental Adviser. Researchers at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) have shown that without major disturbances from cyclones, coral bleaching and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, coral reefs can recover as measured by hard coral cover.  But that the composition of coral species can change.  However, if the frequency and severity of disturbances increases, as expected from climate change, recovery could be more difficult.