Crazy Ideas
I was recently out in the countryside hoping to get a bit
of fresh air, to blow the pollution of city living out of
my system. However it was not to be. Vic Parks had chosen
that period to carryout fuel reduction burns in a large
number of areas across the state. The experts say that
this is necessary so that any bush fires that occur in the
summer period will be able to be controlled more easily.
This is a noble aim - large bushfires are bad news in
Australia. However the problem is that while the
controlled burn is going on the smoke in the air is very
thick and very unpleasant. I am sure it must cause
breathing problems for those susceptible. Has there been
studies on the health effect on the personnel involved in
the burn off, they must be breathing in large amounts of
smoke over periods of days and weeks. It also can't be
good for carbon release into the atmosphere. Has anyone
done the studies about how it affects the flora and fauna
- how quickly do the little animals come back to the area
and how many are killed by the process.
Here is my crazy idea. Instead of burning the undergrowth
in situ why not slash/mow and vacuum the floor. I realise
that this will not be possible for all areas due to
terrain but maybe for a proportion. Specialised equipment
would be necessary (taking out the Victa would probably
not work). Failure to get all material should not be an
issue, and may be a benefit to the flora and fauna in the
area, the aim is to lessen the fuel load so any natural
fires that do occur are more easily controlled. Material
collected could than be burnt in efficient furnaces and
used for the production of electricity. Crazy eh!
|