General News
21 August, 2026
Barry's Corner: Positive Power
We face many decisions every day and some of them can be life threatening and disrupting for our way of life: car accidents; animals that turn on us; work place challenges.
There is a great variety of possibilities for causing us to be on the lookout all the time.
But I feel for those who live in earthquake zones, tsunamis, snowy mountains with such sharp ridges and peaks that make it impossible to walk or climb.
People have lived and survived for multiple generations and think nothing of the annual landslide season.
In Australia there are no savage beasts or stalking wildlife trying to eat us as a meal.
There are other species such as some poisonous snakes, bitey spiders and to the north big reptiles like crocodiles and ferocious ants.
We really have nothing much to worry about compared with some other communities where there is concern about rising sea levels that is consuming arable lands.
However there needs to be better understanding of the forces causing the sea levels to rise and deforestation.
So, actions can be taken sooner rather later.
The discussion about too much clearing goes on and on.
The mechanism to monitor the loss of our biodiversity is out weighing the ability to look after it and is failing the country.
Some monitoring organizations are toothless and lack the power to challenge any demand to look after the piece of district that is more than ”just a few trees” and therefore of no consequence.
A national survey on frog numbers is happening right now as citizen scientists identify and list new finds and what sort of numbers are around. Surprising there has been new recordings and most surprising is the interesting species of known frogs to be found at new sites.
There are some gaping holes in the map but we know a lot more than we once did.
Likewise, the pressure on other species such as birds is immense with loss of vegetation and habitat.
Reptiles are taking a beating through losing food source and shelter.
There is a serious reduction in goanna populations when they could be working and knocking off rabbits and corellas.
There is no doubt we face a serious challenge as a community but actions can be taken and positives are possible.
It is not all about wildlife as humans the challenges are enormous but the humans have ability to understand and make changes to our future.