<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/rainforest-reserves-unravelling-approach-to-protecting-nature-opens-a-big-anti-renewables-can-of-worms/>
"Rainforest Reserves Australia has been called out for using artificial
intelligence (AI) and fabricating citations in their submission to the Inquiry
on Misinformation and Disinformation currently before the Senate.
The inquiry is looking into how social media, AI and false or misleading claims
are being used to skew people’s views on important issues like climate change
and renewable energy.
In the context of a rapidly changing media landscape where people are less
likely to buy a newspaper and increasingly getting their news from social
media, including AI-generated content, this conversation is important.
Our submission to the Inquiry highlighted the need for regional communities to
have Local Energy Hubs, specialised resources to support communities to
navigate high volumes of information and connect more people to the decisions
being made about renewables in their local area.
We agree with Rainforest Reserves Australia’s call for better siting of
renewable energy projects. But we are deeply concerned with the use of false
and misleading information in submissions and in their inaccurate map of
renewable energy released recently, which has been widely cited by federal
politicians and national media outlets.
At RE-Alliance, we work with rural and regional communities across the country
navigating the shift to renewable energy. Hands down one of the biggest
concerns we hear about renewables is the impact they have on the environment.
We hear everything from genuine concerns about unnecessary impacts on important
habitats, through to blatant untruths. We’re also seeing those genuine concerns
of nature impacts being increasingly leveraged by people with other agendas,
whether that’s fossil-fuel backed politicians or media outlets looking for a
story.
It’s important to be honest about the fact that – just like any large-scale
infrastructure – wind, solar, battery and transmission projects all have
environmental impacts.
And just like any large-scale infrastructure, renewables need to be guided by
strong environmental laws that provide clarity to the private sector about what
environmental impacts can be mitigated and offset, and what is non-negotiable.
We are working closely with the conservation sector in calling on the
government to strengthen our environmental frameworks.
Having conversations about the real impacts of renewables on the environment
can be tricky. There’s a few reasons for this: firstly, there are uncomfortable
conversations about real impacts to be had.
Second, we know environmental critiques of renewables are often weaponised and
exaggerated to slow action on climate. Finally, making our energy systems
better for the environment and communities by guiding its placement and
influencing its design is a new way of working and we are learning on the job
together.
We commend organisations like the Australian Conservation Foundation, WWF
Australia, and the Queensland Conservation Council who are working hard to push
the government into strengthening environmental protections and helping the
renewables industry to become ‘nature positive’ (reversing biodiversity loss
and restoring nature)."
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
