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On Borrowed Time: Australia's Environmental Crisis and What We Must Do about It
138 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
14 people want to read
About the author
David B. Lindenmayer
50 books7 followersDavid Lindenmayer is a Professor at The Australian National University. He has worked on the conservation of forests and their wildlife for more than 35 years. He has published 45 books and over 1100 scientific papers, and has broad interests in conservation biology, landscape ecology, vertebrate ecology, forest ecology and woodland conservation. He has received numerous awards and is a member of the Australian Academy of Science and an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 22, 2011
"biodiversity loss is the most significant environmental problem facing australia"
It is often the case that researchers come to see their area of interest as the most important area for further research and funding, but in this case, I think there is a reasonable argument. At the very least, extinction is permanent, whereas other problems (water and pollution) may have remediation options to rear the damage. However, some arguments seemed weakened by the authors zeal for his subject: if Australian grain production feeds many millions ouside of the country, should this not be counted on the ledger of other's environmental deficit (also). Despite the passion, I felt there was sufficient substance to the arguments to make them credible.
(in response to climate change) "we must......develop risk spreading strategies to deal with massive uncertainty"
This is something I have felt for a while, I think, and should it isn't on top of the authors list, I was pleased to see it there. Elsewhere in the book, land management and woodland reforestation issues were addressed as clear biodiversity priorities, which if adopted would have the benefit of carbon sequestration. Compared with the dubious benefits of a carbon tax, these measures would have environmental benefits regardless of the impact on carbon dioxide. My feeling is that there are four levels of risk-reward, a tax being in the lowest.
Anyway....this is certainly readable, the first chapter especially (Australia's ecosystems are amazing). The second sobering, the third confronting (but short), whilst the fourth labours a little but is worth the effort. A worthwhile read for anyone who grew up enjoying the Aussie bush ( and there aren't many of us who didn't!)
It is often the case that researchers come to see their area of interest as the most important area for further research and funding, but in this case, I think there is a reasonable argument. At the very least, extinction is permanent, whereas other problems (water and pollution) may have remediation options to rear the damage. However, some arguments seemed weakened by the authors zeal for his subject: if Australian grain production feeds many millions ouside of the country, should this not be counted on the ledger of other's environmental deficit (also). Despite the passion, I felt there was sufficient substance to the arguments to make them credible.
(in response to climate change) "we must......develop risk spreading strategies to deal with massive uncertainty"
This is something I have felt for a while, I think, and should it isn't on top of the authors list, I was pleased to see it there. Elsewhere in the book, land management and woodland reforestation issues were addressed as clear biodiversity priorities, which if adopted would have the benefit of carbon sequestration. Compared with the dubious benefits of a carbon tax, these measures would have environmental benefits regardless of the impact on carbon dioxide. My feeling is that there are four levels of risk-reward, a tax being in the lowest.
Anyway....this is certainly readable, the first chapter especially (Australia's ecosystems are amazing). The second sobering, the third confronting (but short), whilst the fourth labours a little but is worth the effort. A worthwhile read for anyone who grew up enjoying the Aussie bush ( and there aren't many of us who didn't!)
Displaying 1 of 1 review