Dangers Facing our Environment
The Environment is facing more problems now than it ever did in the millions of years that have gone before. It is essential that we act responsibly in our interactions with our surroundings and that we teach our children about the dangers facing our world and what they can do to make a difference.
In The Tralls of Nindarry, Mr Handley tries to take over the tralldoms so he can take control of the oilfields that exist there.
The possible impacts of drilling for oil have been widely discussed in scientific literature.
an intensification of the greenhouse effect
health issues for fauna and flora
air, water and soil pollution
acid rain
biodiversity loss
displacement of wildlife
destruction of habitat
oil spills
increased risk of fires
contamination of surface and ground water
increased human activity in undisturbed areas can lead to more poaching, litter and roadkill
facilitation of the spread of exotic species that replace native flora and fauna
increased dependence on fossil fuels* the construction of drilling facilities fragments public lands
In The Tralls of Mundi, Mr Handley dams the mighty River Maire for his opal mining venture.
The negative impacts of opal mining have been highlighted as:
soil compaction reducing water infiltration and drainage
danger of open mine shafts
clearing of native vegetation
loss of wildlife habitat
reduced air quality
accelerated soil erosion
disturbance of the natural landscapes
accumulation of waste rock
mass movement on steep slope
cave-ins
excess water usage
In The Tralls of Maruchus, Mr Handley starts up a fracking operation in the neighbouring tralldom.
The implications of fracking have been widely publicised.
over use of water
pollution of surface water
damage to wild landscapes
threat to wildlife.
contamination of groundwater.
methane pollution
impact on climate change.
air pollution
exposure to toxic chemicals.
blowouts due to gas explosion.
difficulty of sustainable waste disposal
fracking-induced earthquakes
fire burning on the surface of the Condamine River
In The Tralls of Colum, Mr Handley dumps tonnes of plastic waste offshore.
The negative impacts plastic has on the environment have been widely covered in wildlife documentaries
ingestion, suffocation and entanglement of hundreds of marine species. Marine creatures confuse plastic waste with prey and die of starvation because their stomachs are full of plastic
creation of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change
long lifecycle of plastic
difficulty of disposal
endocrine disruption properties which can cause cancers, birth defects, immune system suppression and developmental problems in children
degrading water quality with toxic compounds
harming human and animal health
blockage of storm drains and culverts which can impede the flow of water and worsen bank erosion
ruining the beauty of natural zones
In The Tralls of Nosa, Mr Handley introduces an invasive foreign species (Lantana) into the tralldom.
The suggested adverse impacts of introduced lantana are
the formation of dense thickets can smother and kill native vegetation and are impenetrable to animals, people and vehicles
the exclusion of native species of flora that leads to dominance of the understory and eventually the canopy
restricts movements of native fauna
poisonous for stock
restricts germination of native plants
extremely invasive
difficult to eradicate