<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/im-an-illawarra-based-marine-ecologist-i-want-an-honest-discussion-about-offshore-wind/>
"My name is Phebe, and I’m a 26-year-old woman based in Port Kembla. The
Illawarra coastline is fundamental to my identity. It is the place I call home,
the place I learned to swim and the place I was first captivated by the
undersea world, which inspired my career as a marine ecologist.
As a marine ecologist, I work with marine and coastal systems. This requires
bigger picture thinking, whereby all components of a system are considered and
accounted for, from human activity to plants and animals as well as their
interactions with the physical environment. This “systems perspective” is
useful for determining how one change in a system may impact other parts of a
system.
On June 15, the minister for climate and energy declared a 1,022 km² area 20km
off the Illawarra coast for offshore renewable energy. The proposed offshore
wind projects have provoked considerable debate in communities like Wollongong
and Shellharbour.
However, it is my view that hyper fixation on provocative arguments grounded in
emotion rather than fact has tarnished the integrity of community forums.
Platforms designed to educate and consult communities have instead been used to
rally, slander, and misinform.
The solution is to think bigger! Using a systems approach to consider the
proposed Illawarra offshore wind projects may help unify thinking and support
sustainable development in the region.
Below, I borrow from the disciplines of ecology, physics, engineering,
psychology, and social science to synthesise key considerations for system
components and discuss their implications for the Illawarra and the planet."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
