When I first heard this story I thought it was a spoof. But no.
The Northern Territory Government is funding a university study to measure the impact of Australia’s wild camel population on climate change.
Charles Darwin University has been funded for the year-long study to monitor the impact of the wild camel herd on the carbon cycle.
It is estimated that more than one million camels are roaming the country’s arid regions.
The study will monitor carbon emissions and sequestration, in particular, looking at camel flatulence and the greenhouse gas effect created by decomposing carcasses.
The university says Indigenous people in remote communities will be involved in the project on Aboriginal land.
It is expected to shed light on the environmental impact of techniques for camel management, like animal culling.
The roots of this story go back to Pew Environment Group and Christine Milne. Note that the article was listed under “Odd Spot” back then.
Jeesuz lord. They’re now going around measuring camel farts? These people need to be in mental asylums.
And from the intellectual lioness, Christine Milne on the ball when it comes to farting:
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Gab, could you do me a favor and not mention this idiot. I know you’re new and all so you don’t realize just how pissed off I become whenever i see that numskull’s name mentioned 🙂
Christine (new technology) milne,, lol..
I bet they end up killing these animals all in the cause of climate change.
Freaking moronic arse-holes.
The real meaningful reductions in emissions will only take place when they stop this flatulent idiot from talking and eating.
Her departure from the senate would increase the IQ of that place by at least 20 points.
Do they think the carcasses increase biomass and spread nutrients to arid regions, thereby actually allowing more sequestration?
Can’t help but mention Milne, JC. She’s such a mental desert. And provides for much jocularity.
Gab:
I’m kidding of course. I love making fun of the moron.
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On the camel issue…
Who the hell would do these studies? Seriously, are there actually public servants that would have meetings to talk about camel farts and run studies.
Fair dinkum , how the hell can any normally adjusted person attend a camel fart meeting?
This is no longer normal. Normal human beings don’t have meetings about camel farts.
I can see the sign for the meeting room…
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Hillarious JC. (Just don’t let Steve know I said that else I’ll get another lecture from him re positive comments).
Sinclair, I don’t see the problem with that study. It seems to me that it’s basically a study looking at invasive species that’s dressed up to get funding (not that I know anything about it, but the carbon cycle of camels may, for example, tell you a lot about what and how much they are eating etc.). I would presume that knowing what camels do to the environment is far more important than innumerable other grants I could point my finger at.
Conrad – I agree with your assessment on the real objective of the study. But why not just say so?
‘What are the environmental consequences of shooting camels from helicopters and leaving the bodies to rot instead of spending time and money disposing of the bodies?’
Unless the camels are feasting on an undiscovered and tasty seam of coal, I can’t really see how they can raise atmospheric CO2 levels.
Actually Milne is the Einstein of that think tank.
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/razor-wire-is-only-part-of-the-problem-20101005-16632.html
I find Darwin-based aerodynamics and logistics research to be much more interesting.
Definitely a candidate for next year’s IgNobel prize. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/oct/01/ig-nobel-awards-mould-bats