With time runningout, we mustconfront the factthat climate changehas become the mosturgent issueconfronting the

world and we must act now.We have only a short time in which

to do something substantial andpractical, to recognise that existingpolitical and corporate attitudes andprocesses need to change.

Scientists increasingly are warningof unprecedented environmental,social and economic risks fromgrowing pressures on limitedresources such as food and water.

Even if it were possible to limitglobal warming to less than 2C abovepre-industrial levels, sea rises alonecould destroy major cities. Possibletemperature rises above 4C thiscentury would have a catastrophicimpact on humanity.

The recent move by the new FederalGovernment’s emissions reductionfund to seek submissions and theGovernment’s intention to issue aWhite Paper on the development ofnorthern Australia are to beapplauded, but more research on awide range of issues is necessary.

The carbon emitted by extensivewildfires prevalent in much ofnorthern and inland Australia getlittle attention.

More than 20 million hectares burneach year, emitting 5-50 tonnes ofcarbon per hectare. By reducingwildfires and returning carbon to thesoil, emissions could be reduced by upto three billion tonnes a year.

The concept of what to do isrelatively new but is becomingincreasingly obvious. Through theeffective use of water, much of which islost through evaporation or run-off innorthern and central Australia,irrigated grasslands and cropping canreplace vegetation subject to wildfires.

Recent research by FutureDirections International and the Soilsfor Life program show innovativecapture and use of our water resourcescould regenerate up to 300 millionhectares in northern and inlandAustralia.

The research shows that improvedmanagement of our resources couldlead to a significant reduction in firerisk, carbon footprint and a trebling ofthe cattle industry to up to 100 millionhead which, with the periodicproduction of grains, could providefood for up to a billion people a year.

Grasslands could be controlledthrough animal grazing and theopportunistic growth of crops,resulting in increased food productionfor export and local consumption aswell as reduced carbon emissions.

Regeneration would enhance theinfiltration and retention of rainfall,resulting in a more fertile landscape,with the potential for not onlyincreased food production but betterlong-term environmental outcomes,including feral animal control andimproved remote communityopportunity and health.

Soils and bio-systems in northernAustralia are in decline, leading to lostarable land and fibre production withconsequent social, economic andenvironmental problems.

We need policies and actions thatreinforce the resilience of naturalbio-systems. To do this, we must drawcarbon from the air into soils torestore their structure, hydrology andability to sustain green plant growth.

Our research shows we also need tomake more permanent surface wateravailable across about 300 millionhectares of inland and northernAustralia, especially during dryperiods. Without enough water, stocknumbers will not be adequate toreduce the fuels and fire risks toprotect natural bio-systems.

The proposed major publicinvestment in new dams for northernAustralia does not have the means todistribute.

It would be best to have the waterwhere and when it is most needed.

Our research envisages having up to200,000 big water tanks acrossnorthern and inland Australia to berecharged from surface flows in thewet and from natural surface “in soilreservoirs” that will be restored viathe regeneration of native pasturesthrough better grazing management.

This additional “in soil” watershould be more than enough to supplythe water needed to recharge the tanksand extend the longevity of activegreen growth and productivity ofregenerated pastures.

A co-ordinated national policyinvolving input from farmers, local,State and Federal authorities, science,indigenous communities, commercialinterests and markets will be needed torealise the immense opportunities.

Above all, we need a clear nationalstrategy that has popular support andwith all parties determined to achievean agreed outcome.

Incentives to attract investors and aregulatory regime that emphasises apositive outcome based on practical,scientific and economically basedmodels will be essential.

The knowledge on how we could goabout this innovative regenerationcould also be made available to othercountries.Maj-Gen. Michael Jeffery, a formergovernor-general, is chairman of the WAresearch institute Future DirectionsInternational and the national Soils for Lifeprogram.

Water can give redcentre greener future■ Michael Jeffrey

Above all, we need a clear nationalstrategy that haspopular support.

Signed Alston prints are available from Press Photos. Phone 9482 2378.

Established 1833Thursday, January 2, 201420

OPINION thewest.com.auEmail opinion@wanews.com.au

EDITORIAL

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has sethimself a noble challenge of steeringAustralia towards a referendum onrecognising Aboriginal people in theConstitution.

At first blush, Mr Abbott’s New Year’s Dayvow could be seen as lip service to a complexissue. We are a nation still coming to gripswith our history and still grappling with ourindigenous people’s modern experience.

There is no doubt there are racist elementsin Australian society and to think that areferendum will put paid to such unsavourysentiments is foolish and naive.

But it could, at the least, be another step onthe journey towards being a nation thatunderstands its past and rests morecomfortably with its future.

The history of modern indigenous politics isspecked with events of lasting symbolism.

In 1967, indigenous Australians wereincluded in population figures whichdetermined the distribution of seats inParliament, the very foundation of ourdemocracy.

When then Prime Minister Gough Whitlampoured sand into the hands of Aboriginalleader Vincent Lingiari in 1975, he created apowerful image of the land rights movement.

In 1992, the High Court’s Mabo decisionrejected the doctrine of terra nullius andrecognised that native title existed inAustralia before European inhabitation.

And in February 2008, just months afterbeing elected, then prime minister KevinRudd offered an apology to indigenous peoplefor their grief, suffering and loss under thegovernment policy of forced removal ofAboriginal children from their parents.

As members of the Stolen Generationlistened at a special ceremony in Canberraand on television at remote communities, MrRudd said he was dealing with “thisunfinished business of the nation”.

These moments, as historic and moving asthey were, are simply steps on the road toreconciliation and recognition of the nation’shistory. There is still “unfinished business”.

Now, Mr Abbott has a chance to add to thishistory by leading the nation towardsconstitutional change.

His announcement may surprise detractorswho see him as a hardline conservativelacking compassion. They may suspect helacks the political will to convert his wordsinto real action.

Indeed, Mr Abbott’s goal to “complete ourConstitution rather than change it” will notcome easily. This will only be possible if thenation engages in an honest, maturediscussion of the issue.

It is incumbent on him and other politicalfigures, including indigenous leaders, to bringthe disparate views of Australians together toform question which can be put to areferendum. History tells us such questionsare not easily resolved in the affirmative.

Part of Mr Abbott’s challenge is to propose achange which not only captures the spirit ofreconciliation and recognition but is alsoacceptable to the electorate. Should he do so,the nation will take yet another step towardsrecognising our past and concentrating on abetter future for all Australians.

Australia mustseize chance toheal, unite andmove ahead