Fighter Frankie Package- Interning Channel Nine

 

Royal Show- Interning Channel Nine

 

News Package For Reptile Story

 [Notes: Footage of a large snake on a tree, close up]

It is quite known that many of our Australian wildlife is extinct, however our reptilian wildlife hasn’t been given as much protection.

 

[Notes:Footage of blue tongue lizard, close up]

With low rainfall and habitat loss, there isn’t much hope for these guys to survive within the wild. 

 

[Notes: Footage of zoom call with zoology student]

‘’Without reptiles this will lead in an out break of rodents.’’ ‘’This will bring diseases we arent used to.’’

 

[Notes: Graphic of percentages]

According to the government environmental website, ‘reptile endemisms have jumped from 89 to 93 % up to 90% of these were unique to Australia. 

 

[Notes: Reporter PTC, mid shot]

There has been little to no conservation help for reptiles as most of them are still very unknown. Reptiles are very important to Australia's ecosystems and need more protection,  they help keep unwanted insects at bay as well as other little non native and even poisonous critters.

 

[Notes: Josh Cox interviewed in reptile encounters]

‘’Reptile encounters quote’’

 

[Notes: Crocodile close up]

According to new research from CSIRO 20 terrestrial snakes and lizards are at great risk of extinction in the next two decades if there is no change in the way we look after our homes.

 

[Notes: Lizard, close up]

By identifying the great risk on our incredible Australian reptiles, hopefully we can reverse their endangerment. 

How Climate Change Impacted the NSW/QLD Floods

 Climate change is happening now, evidently from the 2022 flooding in NSW and QLD.

 

 

 

Photo: Flooding in Ballina, in the Northern Rivers of NSW. Photograph: Natalie Grono/The Guardian

 

‘’Climate change has happened, it is happening and it will continue to happen. it's not something for us to fear in the future it's already happening.’’

 

 

 

While we all know somewhat what climate change is and how it affects us and our beautiful blue home, we need to know about how it affects extreme weather patterns.

 

For those who don’t, Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle.

 

 

It is increasingly clear that climate change “has detectably influenced” several of the water-related variables that contribute to floods, such as rainfall and snowmelt.

 

I interviewed Jemma Roberts from NSW who experienced the flooding first hand  ‘’We almost had to get evacuated.’’ She said.

 

Jemma and her family were one of the lucky ones that didn’t have to evacuate their home, as over half of the state's residents had to.

 

At least 18 people have died from the flooding and tens of thousands were forced to leave their homes within the affected parts of Queensland and New South Wales.

 

 

Volunteers in tinnies and on jet-skis were going rooftop to rooftop, ferrying residents to higher ground. In some cases they had to cut people out from inside roof spaces. 

 

 

‘’I don’t know if this is affected by climate change… I really don’t know much about it, I just know what I experienced.’’

 

The floods caused a great impact on families, they dealt with losing their homes and businesses, while some believe it was just an unexplained natural disaster, others believe this was caused by our changing climate.

 

Jennie Mortenson an environmental researcher from Adelaide, is one of those people.

 

‘’ ‘’The flooding is likely worsened by climate change. Flooding has been there historically as a regular pattern, but I believe that flooding is more frequent and more severe with climate change.’’ She said. 

 

Prof Melodie Mcgeoch from Latrobe University who specialises in climate change and environmental patterns agrees strongly as well with the evidence shown. 

 

‘’I don’t feel, I'm pretty convinced from the data that has been shown.’’ She said.

 

The reason climate change is something of importance and needs attention is what it means for us as life on Earth.

 

Climate change can affect our health, ability to grow food, housing, safety and work. Some of us are already more vulnerable to climate impacts, such as people living in small island nations and other developing countries. 

 

For those of us that already struggle with breathing, Prof Mcgeoch warns of a continued struggle.

‘’Asthama storm events will occur more frequently,’’ Mcgeoch said.

 

One of the major effects of climate change that we've already seen is sea levels rising. Which is an issue for people that live close to the water, which eventually will have to move to inner land due to the risk of flooding.

 

‘’Coastal areas will be affected by sea level rising if they haven’t already,’’ Mcgeoch said.

 

Not only is and will climate change affect us as humans, but it also has fatal repercussions on our beloved wildlife.

 

 ‘’Climate changes can impact breeding, survival, and a whole host of things, which with the fragmented environment that a lot of animals are surviving in, could be quite catastrophic, if you don't think the extinction rate is bad enough already.’’ Mortenson Said.

 

According to Professor Mcgeoch, animals have three options in relation to our changing climate.

 

‘’(Animals) Have three options, one is they can move if they can if they can't move because of humans they can adapt. The third option is they can do nothing and die. Species can climb to upwards climates, however, species that live on top of mountains have a high chance of extinction.’’

 

In relation to the NSW and QLD flooding, evidently, this is a response to climate change as they're becoming more regular and extreme. Which as stated will affect not only the people living there but the environment and the animals that live there.

 

This flooding was a major disaster for Australian history, a once in one-hundred-year flooding that now we should expect more frequently.

 

‘’More regular and extreme weather events..’’ Said Mcgeoch. 

 

 

According to the climate council, The intense rainfall and floods devastating communities in Queensland and New South Wales is taking place in an atmosphere made warmer and wetter by climate change, which is driven by the burning of coal, oil, and gas. 

 

‘’There is no doubt that in the last 70 to 100 years, there has been a large shift in the climate in Australia.’’ Said Mcgeoch.

 

 

The bigger question now for Australians is can we stop climate change, or is it too late or anything to be done.

 

‘’I will say that I don't think it is hopeless to stop climate change. We may not see a reversal of what we have done, but there is so much more that can be done, and we can halt its progress, and the earth, where life is, is ready to bounce back when we as humanity make changes to allow for that.’’ Mortenson said.

 

According to the Australian climate council, there are 5 easy ways for us everyday citizens to help reverse climate change to stop these weather events from occurring.

 

Try to swap your car out and use public transport, walk or bike. Eat less red meat during your week and swap it out for more vegetarian alternatives and save your leftovers. Moving your funds to a more alternative bank and be more efficient with energy use.

70% of global agricultural emissions come directly from livestock farming and

Australia’s big four banks are still investing heavily in the fossil fuel sector. Australians waste a staggering amount of food, throwing out 1 in every 5 bags of groceries. We are responsible for a massive 7 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year.

 

 ‘’Throwing our hands up the air in defeat will never give us the answers we're looking for, but the human mind, when pressed, has come up with creative solutions a thousand times. We now need to come up with the creative solutions on how to bring humanity together to confront the challenges of climate change.’’ Said Mortenson.

What It Means To Be A Modern Day Witch

 What It Means To Be A Modern Day Witch

Source: Creativecomms @Kim, from Rome

 

‘’I draw sigils on my skin with perfume oils and burn herbs for what I want to bring in for that day…’’

 

When most of us hear the word ‘’Witch’’ we think of flying brooms, cauldrons and ugly green faces. 

 

However, this is just the stereotypical Grimm’s brother tale, in fact, a modern-day witch is just an average person.

 

There are many ways to practice witchcraft, which don’t revolve around potions with rat toenails and a magic wand. It’s much more ethical than that.

 

Depending on the type of witch, most witches use tools such as tarot cards and crystals to practice their craft, whereas others make spell jars for abundance with a mixture of herbs and other natural earth elements.

 

I interviewed Hope Bilkey, who practices spirituality, and her preferred method is ‘’I use oracle cards, crystals and the power of manifestation.’’ She said.

According to Hope witchcraft is rather easy and beneficial to incorporate into day-to-day life. It creates room for more positivity and gives you a moment of mindfulness throughout the business of the day.

 

‘’I incorporate it in my life by practising affirmations and trying to put out what I would want to receive.’’ She said.

 

To understand witchcraft itself it is important to note the history of witches, especially regarding the Salem Witch Trials. 

 

 Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693.

 

‘’The Salem Witch Trials was a horrific genocide because men feared powerful women!’’ Hope Said.

 

Although most of the women weren’t actually witches and were wrongly accused, it is important to know.

 

Salem has used the town since to embrace witch culture and have many stores selling divination and spiritual tools.

 

When looking at witchcraft has often been associated with satanism and to worship the devil.

 

I interviewed Elizabeth Keogh who also practices witchcraft and is a firm believer that spirituality is in no way associated with anything evil nor negative.

 

‘’If you choose to associate yourself with the devil then yes, but if not then no.’’ She said.

 

Witches do consider witchcraft to be a form of religion and in ‘Wiccan’ culture, they worship what is known as deities. However, not all witches do this.

 

A deity or a god is a supernatural being who is considered divine or sacred. Commonly known gods for example are Zeus and Aphrodite.

 

‘’I have deities wanting to work with me, but I haven’t done so yet so no.’’ Elizabeth said.

 

Witches do create spell jars, but they don’t contain toad skin and the hair of an enemy. Most commonly they will contain things such as dried flowers and herbs, as well as notes of affirmations and candle wax coloured with intention (pink for love)

 

‘’Spell jars (also known as "witch bottles") are spiritual tools that can help people identify—and pursue—their innermost desires.’’ Says Sarah Regan, a spiritual blogger.

 

I think the purpose of witchcraft is to bring happiness and manifest goodwill into one’s life, which is the opposite of the typical stereotype.

 

So, in order to become a witch? Do you need to be able to move objects with your mind or have an acceptance letter to a witchcraft school given to you by an owl?

 

Well according to Hope, she says that anyone can be a witch. ‘’I don’t believe there are any requirements to be a witch, but it’s preferred if you’re doing it for the greater good and not to interfere with anyone’s life in a negative way.’’ 

 

Just like any other religion witchcraft is a way of life, not just a label. Witches believe in what they’re doing and feel that it is their purpose.

 

‘’You don’t tell people how to do their craft, it’s a way of life not a label or personality trait … you do what you feel.’’ Said Elizabeth.

 

There has been an uprise in ‘’modern witches’’ throughout recent years and the #witch on Tiktok has trended numerous times since 2020. Which is now obvious why, it is a harmless way of life that brings happiness.

 

Whether you believe in it or not, one thing that is undeniable is that it is not a negative practice and anyone from anywhere can practice witchcraft.

a snippet of my creative writing☁️

 The light hadn't even officially turned green when my foot stepped on the gas hard, as I attempted to navigate around the busy city streets.

clutch, gas, shift

I hated driving a manual car, especially when I could barely work it out.

Neutral to first or first to second?

My car bucked wildly twice before it lurched forward at the intersection. My heart felt like it was about to rip out of my chest and plop onto the floor. 

Once the bucking calmed down I was back at speed. A lot of speed.

I was running super late to the band I worked for first concert of their tour.

The traffic was insane for this late at night, but I was in the heart of the city. Everyone was going out for the night and I was stuck in it.

'Fuck!' I shouted, snapping out of my thoughts and slamming my foot on the pedal so hard my heel snapped right off. 

I groaned looking down at yet another pair of decent heels I had broken. 

Once the light turned green again I sped off, lighting myself a cigarette as I drove to calm my nerves.

Indulgence (Poetry)

 I suffer as much as I yearn,

I crave and I wonder.

Is the line of thoughts,

The good,

The bad,

So different?