Clausewitz

July 21, 2017

`In war, everything is simple, and everything simple is hard.’ This strategy gem from the Prussian staff officer and military thinker embodies his principle of decision making under pressure called `friction.’ The coinage reflected his fascination with contemporary 19th century physics, part and parcel of his attempt to discuss Napoleonic era military experience at the highest Hegelian dialectical philosophical level. Strategic principles are transferable from war to politics. So next time you are frustrated in a meeting with friends and comrades, heave a sigh and reflect that friction is a normal part of arriving at consensus.

FoE

Aboriginal inhabitants in Kakadu at least 70,000 years ago

July 21, 2017

A groundbreaking archaeological discovery in Australia’s north has extended the known length of time Aboriginal people have inhabited the continent to at least 65,000 years.
The findings on about 11,000 artefacts from Kakadu national park, published on Thursday in the journal Nature, prove Indigenous people have been in Australia for far longer than the much-contested estimates of between 47,000 and 60,000 years, the researchers said.

Some of the artefacts were potentially as old as 80,000 years.
The new research upends decades-old estimates about the human colonisation of the continent, their interaction with megafauna, and the dispersal of modern humans from Africa and across south Asia.

more details in the Guardian

FoE

Illegal and potentially toxic nanoparticles found in baby formula

July 21, 2017

JUL 02, 2017 Media Release

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Independent testing commissioned by Friends of the Earth has found nanoparticles in popular Australian infant formula products that are both illegal in Australia and potentially dangerous. Three of the seven samples tested contained nano-hydroxyapatite particles. Nano-hydroxyapatite has been found to cause cell death in the liver and kidneys of rats and is prohibited from use in infant formula in Australia in any form.

Friends of the Earth are calling for an immediate recall of all affected brands – and for our food regulator – Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) – to immediately commission testing of all infant formula to ascertain what other brands contain hydroxyapatite or other unapproved and potentially harmful nanoparticles.

Two of these samples, Nestlé NAN H.A. Gold 1 and Nature’s Way Kids Smart 1, were found to contain a needle like form of hydroxyapatite. The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has concluded that this form of nano-hydroxyapatite should not be permitted in oral products such as toothpaste and mouthwash because of its potential toxicity.

If it’s dangerous in toothpaste, it should certainly not be in infant formula.

Babies are particularly vulnerable to food safety risks since their immune systems are still developing. Often infant formula is the only food an infant receives. FSANZ needs to immediately recall these products.

TAKE ACTION: DEMAND AN URGENT RECALL!

Altogether 5 of the 7 samples were found to contain nanoparticles that are not approved for use in infant formula, and breach the Food Regulation Ministerial Council’s policy for ensuring the safety of infant formula. Furthermore, the test results confirm that the nano-hydroxyapatite was added to the formula intentionally.

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Friends of the Earth is not only concerned about the presence of nano-hydroxyapatite and nano-calcite in baby formula, but also about the performance of our food regulator FSANZ.

When testing commissioned by Friends of the Earth US last year revealed the presence of nano-hydroxyapatite, nano titanium and nano silica in infant formula, FoE Australia raised concerns that these products could be imported into Australia. In response FSANZ accused FoE of “causing unnecessary concern amongst caregivers” and yet did nothing to ensure that these ingredients are not being used in infant formula in Australia.

Simply claiming that everything is fine without testing, surveillance or monitoring is not good enough.

Two years ago we commissioned testing on food and found every sample contained significant levels of nanomaterials. This included foods most often eaten by children. FSANZ responded by doing nothing, claiming the foods were safe without even undertaking any testing.

It is clear that there is a systemic problem with FSANZ. The agency is deeply compromised by its close relations with big food multinationals. It consistently refuses to regulate, ignores legitimate health concerns and won’t act for the public good except in the most extreme cases. The agency needs to be fully investigated and overhauled.

TAKE ACTION: DEMAND AN URGENT RECALL!

Read our briefing on the test results.

(more…)

FoE

Marx’s Ecology

July 21, 2017

Book review: Marx’s Ecology: materialism & natureJohn Bellamy Foster, Monthly Review Press, New York 2000

This is the book for any `Greenie’ who wants to understand the ecological, political and socioeconomic implications of the far famed doyen of Socialist thought. As such it works both as an introduction to the German philosopher’s work and an application of it to the ecological dilemma facing our capitalist society.

Marx based his dynamic theory of historical relationships on ancient Graeco-roman Epicurean materialist thinking. This enabled him to focus on both socioeconomic questions and the human relationship with nature so disturbed by capitalist development.

Even in the 19th century of our present common historical era, Marx addressed ecological issues entailed by the relentless search for ever more profit, which subordinated even then natural imperatives to economic obsessions. In fact in his later years, having left his multivolume magnum opus Capital somewhat incomplete, he devoted himself to study of capitalist agriculture and the degrading effect he considered it to have on the soil.

Overall Marx thought that our era would end in Socialism or barbarism, namely the socioeconomic and ecological collapse we are in fact facing. Green approaches to the challenge of our times can only profit from measurement with the Marxist opus, because it is doubtful politically that mass insecurity will render the public susceptible to the Green message unless the social and economic concerns of the majority are adequately addressed.

Clean Futures

Film night: “Protecting Country” from uranium mining & nuclear waste dumps – Thurs 20 July

July 18, 2017

This Thursday night 20 July the film ‘ Protecting Country’ will be screened at the Joinery at 7.30pm, 111 Franklin St Adelaide

Come along and spread the word!

From the film makers:
Alexander Hayes & Magali McDuffie from Ngikalikarra Media are bringing the ‘Protecting Country’ 35 minute documentary film to the Joinery, 111 Franklin St, Adelaide SA 5000. The film features many well known Aboriginal Elders and leaders from South Australia who provide their account of how important it is for all Australian’s to protect country from past, present and planned uranium mining and nuclear dump activities.

Contributors featuring in this film include Karina Lester, Bruce Hammond, Regina McKenzie, Tauto Sansbury, Vince Coulthard, Sharpie Coulthard, Ty Butler, James Butler, Clarrie Coulthard, Stephen Atkinson and Steven Harrison.

fb event HERE.

*Gold Coin Donation*

Mining, Nuclear