theguardian.com
North West Shelf Gas Extension Threatens Ancient Australian Rock Art
Australia's approval of the North West Shelf gas project's extension to 2070 threatens the Murujuga rock art site in Western Australia, which contains petroglyphs up to 50,000 years old. A report details significant damage due to industrial pollution, prompting recommendations to halt further development and mitigate emissions to protect the ancient art.
- What are the immediate consequences of the Australian government's approval of the North West Shelf gas project extension on the Murujuga rock art?
- The Australian government approved an extension for the North West Shelf gas project until 2070, despite concerns about pollution impacting the nearby Murujuga rock art site. This decision followed a report detailing significant rock degradation due to industrial emissions, increasing the risk of irreversible damage to petroglyphs, some 50,000 years old. The International Council on Monuments and Sites recommends deferring the site's Unesco world heritage listing until pollution is mitigated.
- How do the findings of the Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program report connect to the broader issue of industrial impact on cultural heritage sites?
- Elevated porosity in Murujuga rocks, linked to industrial emissions, threatens the ancient petroglyphs. Research using weathered rock samples and simulations confirmed that industrial pollutants like sulfur and nitrogen dioxide cause significant manganese and clay degradation. This erosion compromises the rock varnish, which is crucial for the petroglyphs' integrity and forms at a rate of 1–10 microns per 1,000 years.
- What specific technological solutions can effectively address the ongoing degradation of the Murujuga rock art, and how can these be integrated into future industrial approvals?
- Continued industrial activity at Murujuga risks irreversible damage to the rock art. The report highlights that current emissions damage the art at least five times faster than a defunct power plant from the 1970s and 1980s. Mitigating this requires implementing selective catalytic reduction or replacing gas-burning processes with electricity, steps that should be mandated for the gas project extension.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article is framed to strongly emphasize the damage caused by industrial pollution to the Murujuga rock art. The headline and introduction immediately highlight the negative consequences, setting a negative tone for the whole piece. The inclusion of phrases like "Losing 50,000 years of culture" and "damage is ongoing" further reinforces this negative framing. While the article presents scientific findings, the selection and emphasis of these findings are clearly designed to support a particular narrative.
Language Bias
The article uses strong and emotive language, such as "rapid disintegration," "seriousness of the porosity," and "Losing 50,000 years of culture." These phrases are designed to evoke strong emotional responses from the reader. While the use of scientific evidence lends credibility, the highly charged language used alongside the evidence introduces a bias. More neutral language might include 'significant degradation,' 'substantial porosity,' and 'the potential loss of significant cultural heritage.'
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the negative impacts of industrial pollution on the Murujuga rock art, but it omits discussion of potential economic benefits or job creation associated with the North West Shelf gas project. It also doesn't explore alternative solutions or mitigation strategies beyond reducing pollution to zero, which might be unrealistic or economically challenging. The article presents the government's response as downplaying the issue, but does not directly quote the government's response or offer alternative interpretations of their statements.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by implying that the only options are either preserving the Murujuga rock art perfectly or allowing continued industrial pollution. It doesn't consider intermediate solutions, such as implementing stricter pollution controls or relocating some industrial activities. This simplification could lead readers to believe that there are only two extreme options and that compromise is impossible.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article details the negative impact of industrial pollution from the North West Shelf gas plant on the Murujuga rock art site, a location of significant cultural and historical importance. Acidic emissions are degrading the rock art, threatening its preservation and the cultural heritage it represents. This directly impacts the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as cultural heritage, key components of SDG 15.