STOP Our Government is largely preoccupied with gift giving as a way of getting environmental outcomes - perhaps because planning is too hard .Its not right and not sustainable -The fact that planning is far more effective seems to elude many of our leaders
Melbourne is what it one of the most liveable cities in the world - because of planning and planning its environment.

Phil Dayof BRISBANE is right on the ball .Planning IS at the crossroads and no half measures will save it . Integration is essential , but , as he indicates, the current plethora of practice routines will kill the patient.The currents TALK intergration but don't PRACTICE it.
And he's right to call a halt - the patient (our environments and sound planning )is too important to lose.
Todays SIR HUMFREY AWARD - that which pleases both but my department best

You won't get resolution by asking those increasing numbers of bodies blessed with a ticket to ride.
Call for true sustainability and efficiency by those who know the territory and tread less heavily over it.

Bottled WATER -another costly distraction? What can we do to properly tap community interest in sustainability; and avoid yet another costly cul de sac
In 2004, U.S. consumers spent $5.2 billion purchasing bottled water while the government only invested 5 percent of that amount to purchase critical watersheds, parks, and wildlife refuges-systems vital to clean water and healthy environments.

Don't know about you, but its very disheartening to see commmunities spending their resources on things that they don't really need . Scarce cash resources that could have clearly changed their/others own local eco balance situation long term . If we as practical scientists are failing to get communities to drive sound environmental choices, maybe we should be more open to outside help ?
While i am very sceptical about the markets role maybe we need them to sell something other than what's currently on offer! Tap into the feel better factor?

The book Investing in Nature suggests dedicated business-people-turned-environmental-entrepreneurs can provide some more " politically attractive" land conservation deals and other market-based strategies.
I rather think the hard choices are still hard and tough planning is still the key . What about you? maybe we can use both . Either way I think we should stick with each doing what we are best at doing .Investors( an example) Planners see Invest in Nature

COLLAPSE - Jarod Diamonds book

COLLAPSE - What can we learn from Jarod Diamonds' book ? Glass half full or Glass half empty? This work is very significant because it builds on geomorphic and historical stories of other civilizations . Observation can be the great key to understanding and anticipating the future. The difficult part can be applying the truth to ourselves!

Jarod pushes the reader to stand back and look closely at our owh civilization . While I, as a applied geomorphologist enjoyed the substance and the speculation ( there has to be lots of both) the push is cast too tightly within some simple post modern myths about what motivates people. Fear yes, but know what to fear!
The big question for all us who share jarod's sound concerns, is in what way we can establish protection against pushing our cultures to the edge . For a glass half full view of conservation imperatives that cuts at ground level tune into the land. ?