rosetta moon

MEDIA RELEASE – October 31, 2008

Martin Ferguson, Minister for Resources and Energy and Tourism

CRUISE SHIP INDUSTRY EXPANSION GOOD NEWS FOR AUSTRALIAN TOURISM SECTOR

The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, welcomes the decision of P&O Cruises to double its fleet over the next two years and says the move demonstrates the growing strength and importance of Australia’s cruise sector. Minister Ferguson said:

“The cruise shipping industry plays an important role in broadening the tourism experiences offered to Australian travellers and it is very pleasing to see it growing so significantly.

“Interest in cruising is increasing and the continued expansion in the cruise ship industry adds to the resilience and responsiveness of Australia’s tourism industry. Moreover, this decision by P&O also confirms Australia’s position as a world-leading destination for travellers of all ages.

Martin may well make this claim as Tourism Minister but what does he have to say when the other phone rings? The Australian Transport Task rates Cruise Ships and Ferries as least efficient in the transport efficiency stakes, so why is such profound support for energy waste coming from a Cabinet Minister also charged with the responsibility of managing Australia’s energy future? If we are to see such continued policy perversity it would be timely to also see a media release countering all past concern and statements regarding climate change and Australia’s desire to contain carbon emissions.

Martin Ferguson, Minister for Resources and Energy (and Tourism) demonstrates the perverse nature of his own tasks, throwing support behind an Industry that is a major contributor to green house emissions and pollution. What does this say about this governments commitment to Climate Change Reform and Emissions Trading, and does this re-define the role of Energy Minister as sales agent and bidder for the oil industry? While trains and buses, strategic fuel policy and urban planning are the actual rhealm of energy reform, stated support for extravagant use and waste of energy could send an alarming message to Australians otherwise concerned about this country’s global energy footprint and the hollow rhetoric we are seeing by yet another government.

Josh Briggs writes on the issues stemming from the industry:

A floating resort packed with thousands of tourists and staff is bound to run into some trouble. The cruise industry has drawn the ire of many public health and environmental critics, not to mention law enforcement and legislators. Let’s start with the environmental criticism first.

As you may expect, cruise ships generate several forms of pollution as they lumber through the seas.

• Black water: Wastewater comprising human waste.
• Gray water: Wastewater that comes from showers, dishwashers, sinks and other cleaning activities onboard a ship.
• Bilge water: Water from the ship’s bilge tank that contains engine oil and sludge.
• Solid waste: Trash consisting of plastic and metal containers, usually ends up as incinerated ashes.
• Hazardous waste: Cleaning chemicals, paints, solvents and dry cleaning chemicals that find their way into the gray water source or the bilge tank.

An average cruise ship creates an estimated 90,000 gallons to 255,000 gallons (340,687 liters to 965,280 liters) of gray water, 30,000 gallons (113,562 liters) of black water and 37,000 gallons (140,060 liters) of bilge water daily [source: Herz]. Loose environmental requirements allow cruise ships to dump everything overboard except untreated and solid waste. Bilge water, gray water, as well as treated sewage and incinerated solid waste can be, and regularly is, dumped directly into the sea, so long as it is not within 3 miles (4.8 km) of the shore. [source: Herz, IICRC]

The Oceana resources highlight risks, not necessarily addressed by governments:

Cruise ships and other large marine vessels have diesel engines that are major sources of air pollution. One cruise ship discharges 1/5 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides, 1.3 tons of sulfur oxides (the equivalent of a large cement plant), 253 pounds of carbon dioxide, 100 pounds of volatile organic compounds, and 75 pounds of particulate matter. This is equivalent to the output of 12,000 automobiles. It is especially hazardous to persons with asthma and respiratory illnesses. However, emissions from cruise ship diesel engines are unregulated, except in Alaska. California enacted a law in September, 2004 that prohibits incineration by cruise ships within three miles of shore.

From these angles at least a proposal to double what is an energy intense and polluting industry, posing conundrums for Australia. Demonstration that mixed Ministerial folio’s can create mixed up results without continuity of policy between departments and no evidence within reality that past proclamations of intent regarding policy are being addressed at all; questions for concerned members of the constituency, and questions as to the current function, rigor and health of our parliamentary democracy.

Further Information:

Overview of Cruise Ship Facts, Criminal History, Regulatory Status and Threats to the Environment

Study: CO₂ Output from Shipping On Same Order as That of Aviation, Could Double by 2050

Cruise Ships Worse For Environment Than Planes

Coral Reef and Cruise Ship = Conservation?

OCEANA – Cruise Ship Pollution

Sailing Smokestacks

Solutions:

Waste No Waste – Waste to Energy by Onboard Gasification Becomes Reality

Some people say the United States has covertly prepared a new currency for an expanded zone of influence, including the US, Canada and Mexico. The chosen currency has already been prepared and maybe China took an advance payment to take the edge of the US debts racked up on account. This will spell the end of the US dollar and the beginning of a new stage of the new world order – and Obama incidentally will be charged with the job of introducing this unannounced change upon the American people. Was this the real reason behind the mass $700 billion bailout plan which seems to have been of little consequence? Are the citizens of the US being sold a pup within the pretence of democracy? No one knows for certain but we are in for some radical news from the US whether of not Obama wins, this game plan has been in the melting pot for some time.

Its always a tantalising fine line between fact and conspiracy but if we look at the replica amero coins prepared earlier, we see that the purpose was to highlight the issue and alert affected citizens of the effect of non legislated change upon their lives, not unlike the underhanded introduction of federal reserve banking and fractional lending, illegally smudged through the congress in 1913. Should the same pattern of monetary system re-design be effected as this research suggests, people in the US will once again find their privacy and their lives increasingly under the watchful eye of the new round of Big Brothers in Washington and Great Britain.

Daniel Carr is the owner of Designs Computed, LLC. He is the author of the VS3D Virtual Sculptor software which he uses to sculpt designs digitally. Digital designs are converted to physical form using a Computer Numeric Control (CNC) milling/engraving machine. Daniel Carr is also the designer of the actual New York and Rhode Island state quarters for the US Mint. His original design was also adapted for use on the actual Maine state quarter. He prefaced the sale of the fake Amero coins with this interesting statement.

I have received numerous inquiries as to my personal stand on the North American Union (NAU) issue. My goal with these coins is not to endorse a Union of North America or a common “Amero” currency. I fully support the United States Constitution, and I would not welcome (in any form) a diminishment of its provisions. I expect that these coins will help make more people aware of the issue and the possible ramifications. I leave it up to others to decide if they are in favor of, or against a North American Union. And I encourage citizens to voice their approval or disapproval of government plans that impact them.
A currency union, similar to the European Union “Euro” has been proposed for North America. The name of the new currency is the “Amero”. The Wikipedia encyclopedia article has additional details about the “Amero“. This has been the source for many conspiracy theories tied in with other proposals such as the “Canamex Corridor“. These private-issue fantasy pattern coins will be struck as an annual series (until such time as it is no longer legal to do so), starting in the latter part of 2007. Final mintages will be determined by sales. The 2008 issues will be available for ordering during 2008, and none will ever be minted after the end of the year. Some 2008 Amero issues may be withdrawn before the end of the year, and new issues will added later in the year.

And here is an Amero coin that was prepared earlier:

Eric McCrea’s “Micro-National & Fantasy Coin Listings” includes considerable additional information.

For your further study and contemplation:

Our $700 Billion gift to China

Image above sourced from the Jeff Rense website

People are saying that the government does’nt have a grip on the economy and the other important issues we face. But there should be no surprise about the present financial crisis or how we came to be part of it . No surprises that over such a brief period global changes swept in by successive governments of whatever creed.

Where are we now compared to when? Many Australians exhibit a pattern of dependance, on this system of exchange based primarily on debt, growth and the dippy business cycles often described today as ‘the global economy’. We are told that we must be part of this for our success and prosperity but not told exactly why… now many people are saying this level of debt is unwise and especially not conducive to living prosperous and healthy lives.

So its no surprise that governments across the globe have connected through history and these financial networks of federal reserve banks, lessoning the leverage and autonomy of hitherto free and sovereign nations, combining our fate with theirs if the governors so decide. We are told that more regulations of this type will again fix the problem and protect people but people are now saying they have heard all that before. Many people are saying our politicians could be acting for local and national interest and its understandable why more people are saying this. Some are even saying that countries such as Australia should exercise complete control over a debt free currency, so it can be used conveniently and non inflationary as a means of exchange between productive and otherwise desirable entities within the nation.

Here is a brief review of Australia’s Gobble-isation (how we got gobbled up by the world)

Howard 74 – Campbell Enquiry -Banking De-regulation tick.

Hawke 80’s – Trade De-regulations begin tick.

Keating 90’s – Asian integration and banking freedom tick.

Howard 97 – End Game Plan, Free Trade Agreements, RBA changes, APRA appears, global bank rush, non banks and the resources explosion coupled with mass consumerism, imports and a licence to be in debt…heavy debt…tick.

Kevin 07 – More of the same. Global financial co-operation and the transaction of lending without prudential regulation or knowledge,
inheritance of heavily indebted population, gross dependance on imports, continued damage to natural infrastructure through unbridled global access to water, soil and resource assets with very little economic accounting or regulation. Words and slogans but little substance to stated intent to transform the energy intensity and waste of the Australian economy, business environment and the emerged political structures underlying them continually prove themselves not to be acting in the public interest nevertheless governed and suggested by entities outside of the elected and popular nature of the pretended democratic system…tick

If the Australian economy and political structures made sense now or were in reform, this could be of little consequence. But they dont. Energy reform has not occurred and international consortium hold more sway in cabinet than any punter in the street or politician. Public relations now is the norm for such government as we witnessed with Howard and his big ticket green house reforms and major deals to create jobs and eliminate world poverty. The same can be said of the key cabinet folios of energy and resources, water and climate change and environment. All well flushed with grandeur but short on substance, action and micro-economic reform – the easy wins and indications of a reformist government.

In all his tomes the ‘hand picked’ Greenhouse advisor forgot to spell out the details of his own investment folio and then made only fleeting reference to the stupidity of Australian agriculture without spelling out actual reality or a plan worthy of the harsh reality and incessant hammering this land has taken from global growth and non-interventionist governments glossing over these finer details in favour of the bottom line. People are saying that we have had too many consultants reports and studies already, and its now time for sincerity and action…..more and more people are saying that.

The Australian population is largely in debt and still dependant upon the poor system which has been put in place at great expense. It might be time for Australians to ask for transparent and diligent government to put this country and its people first.

Thats what people are saying…

Further fun and information:

Clarke and Dawe on the RBA…this is good

Image by : N.C. Wyeth 1882-1945

Kevin Rudd’s plan to rescue capitalism: essay

This literary jaunt of the PM is rather obamaresque and interesting given that several long term macro economic policy areas such as ‘energy’ and ‘fuel’ have been shyed away from ( Fuelwatch was the canary in the coal mine in terms of this reality).  This is also a government that has enabled the continuance of several old school projects damaging to natural infrastructure ( Gunns Pulp Mill, Brumby water plan, Roxby water rort and so forth) . The PM appears to be attempting to ‘get with the times’, but the attempt is looking feable and political in the context of his enmeshment with the Greenhouse Mafia, which wrapped itself tightly around the Keating and Howard governments.