Barbara Fraser
It is with great sadness that we at Eastsider News acknowledge the death of Barbara Fraser on 26 May, 2025. Barbara was a strong and much respected supporter of Eastsider News from our very beginning in September 2020.
We will miss Barbara’s letters, reviews and articles. They were always topical, informative, incisive and well written. Her particular interest was the environment and sustainability and the need for our governments and communities to respond to the horrendous challenge of climate change.
Barbara was a true teacher who was driven by a desire to ensure the community and our decision makers acted from a basis of knowledge. She brought her intellect and passion to the discussion along with her considerable writing skills.
Early on, Barbara told us about her great grandfather James Service, Premier of Victoria in 1883, an advocate of a simpler version of Federation but died before it was achieved. Service was described as a principled man with boundless energy and independent minded. We believe he would have been proud of his great granddaughter, Barbara who demonstrated these same characteristics throughout her life.
A life well lived. Thank you Barbara.
Below are some of Barbara’s contributions to Eastsider News. They are arranged from the earliest to the latest.
Dr Karl’s Little Book of Climate Change Science
Barbara Fraser
My purpose in writing about Karl Kruszenlicki and his book Dr Karl’s Little Book of Climate Change Science (2021) is to highlight both to the public. This is important reading for everyone from at least secondary school up. It is short, scientific but easy to understand, well illustrated, and even occasional fun. Last year it cost me $14.99.
Some readers may have also watched Julia Zemiro’s interesting interview of Karl (Home Delivery, ABC, 17 January). His parents were Polish and he was born in Sweden in 1948. He was their only child and they migrated to Australia in the early 1950s. They influenced him to want to make the world a better place. He loved learning, became an engineer, then in his thirties he became a medical doctor as well. He married Mary who also became a doctor and they had three children.Finally, in his forties he decided that his greatest contribution would be in the media as a science educator and he has thrived at that.
His approach with climate “denialists” is worth noting. He listens carefully to them, then explains the relevant science. And he stays optimistic! Interestingly, he usually wears unique, colourful eye-popping shirts which are specially made for him by Mary.
Dr Karl is an inspiring person and his climate change book reflects that. It is extremely important that everyone understands the world climate crisis and does their very best to help make the huge changes needed from this year on.
Eastsider News February 2022
Dear Editor,
The Morrison government is stubbornly fixated on fossil fuels and ignoring the climate science which demands real emergency decarbonising. On this ground alone, Australians should end this government by voting for genuine climate-acting candidates. At this critically important point in human history, a crescendo is building for new government leadership for a healthier, less costly, fairer future.
Barbara Fraser
Eastsider News April 2022
Dear Editor
Many Australians were ecstatic at Labor’s win for change and a better future especially for correcting climate change and the lack of integrity.
It has been a long struggle for the planet’s climate. The main climate science commenced in the early 1820s and progressed through just over two centuries until now. Stars included James Hansen, the UN and IPCC, Al Gore, Greta Thunberg, and David Attenborough.
It is now imperative for the world to act on the science with strong, fast targets and reforms to achieve them. Now that Labor is elected, they must build our unity on that science and help other countries to do the same.
Barbara Fraser
Eastsider News June 2022
Climate Crisis realities
Barbara Fraser
At a recent Climate Council webinar (Climate Leadership: COP27 and International Action, 15 November 2022), Professor David Karoly gave an overview on current climate crisis in which he set out some stark and troubling statistics.
Extremes in weather will increase until the world takes urgent emissions reduction. Warming should start falling in 2100 but the sea level will continue rising for the next 300 years, especially in the Pacific.
In Australia, specific emissions reduction measures include ending our fossil fuel mining and exports; sticking to the Paris 1.5 limit via our 70 percent emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2040; and helping the world extract carbon from the atmosphere.
Australia, along with countries such as the US can become a renewable energy superpower. Let’s see what our government decides to undertake next, and what COP27 achieves re international climate aid from rich to poor countries.
Eastsider News December 2022
Book review: Amy’s Balancing Act by Bjorn Sturmburg
Barbara Fraser
Amy’s Balancing Act – An inspiring tale about clean energy, by Bjorn Sturmberg, illustrations by Laura Stitzel, NSW, Little Steps Publishing, 2022
Dr Bjorn Sturmberg is an expert on clean energy at ANU. He wanted to write a book which explains clean energy and climate in a simple way to primary school children, their parents, grandparents and anyone else interested.
Much of the book is about energetic Amy who delivers the mail in an imaginary place named Energia; and how she had to change from the old to the new way of delivery. She represents Australian Energy, her old horse Clyde represents fossil fuels, and I’m leaving you to work out who the other delightful characters stand for. Of course, the story ends with everyone happy!
The book cost me about $30 and is worth it. It is clever, important and bound to delight and inform young and old. As a great-grandmother and retired professional educator, I am suggesting a primary teacher could help their class present it as a play with everyone involved.
Congratulations and many thanks to Dr Sturmberg.
Eastsider News February 2023
Film Review: Blueback – a new film by Tim Winton
Barbara Fraser
Tim Winton’s new ocean film Blueback is the story of mother Dora and her young daughter Abby as they fight passionately for protection from development for the ocean near Ningaloo Reef, WA. It is also beautiful undersea photography of the amazing sea-life including the huge friendly grouper nicknamed Blueback.
Both mother and daughter are excellent swimmers as they ‘free dive’, holding their breath for up to seven minutes, before surfacing for air. One memorable scene shows 15 year old Abby herding Blueback into his hiding place cavern so the spearfishing men can’t find and kill him.
The 100 minutes film also has several side-stories. It is suitable for families with children aged from about 8 years old. My family, friends, and I found it thought-provoking, moving and inspiring.
Eastsider News May 2024
Ningaloo/Nyinggulu: a beautiful film worth watching
Barbara Fraser
The 3-part ABC documentary series Ningaloo/Nyinggulu explores a stunning marine treasure off the Western Australian coast under threat from human activity. Nyinggulu is the name given by First Nations people. The rest of us know it as Ningaloo.
The film is narrated and written by Australian author Tim Winton and directed by Peter Rees. It gives a fascinating glimpse of the reef which has World Heritage status and protection. Also covered are the Cape Range and Exmouth Gulf which should have protection but lacks it.
The documentary is a powerful reminder of the need to value the natural world for its wonder, beauty and vital contribution. The Gulf is huge, full of marine life and one of the world’s last wild places, but its fate may now hang in the balance.
Winton urges everyone to protect such areas from mining and over-fishing so each wild place can flourish, enjoying its own being and benefiting us. The film is now available on ABC iview.
Eastsider News June 2023
Humanity’s Moment- A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope
Barbara Fraser
All living beings are now entering the new epoch of the Anthropocene, which is replacing the generally benign 11700-year Holocene. This means that the planet’s natural systems are being dominated by humankind’s burning of fossil fuels (causing deadly emissions), plus land clearing (removing carbon-absorbing plants). Now it is up to us all to reverse those two main causes to mostly renewable energy, and restoration of nature.
Easier said than done, of course. But humans should stay focused on coping fast, for decades, with all the terrible consequences of high heat and costs; and look forward to a healthier, safer future with benefits for all.
One of the most helpful recent books for understanding the whole problem is Joelle Gergis’ Humanity’s Moment- A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope (2022). Best to read and discuss it with a few other people. Try to think and feel hopeful with Gergis that, if humans can cooperate fast enough with climate action, this may well result in eventually being ‘humanity’s finest moment’ (p.281). Just imagine, how exciting and wonderful that would be.
Eastsider News August 2023
Climate Changers (2023): a film review
Barbara Fraser
Climate Changers, the documentary film by scientist Tim Flannery, screened on 17 September in 20 cinemas across Australia. It opens with Flannery enjoying the beautiful environment of the Hawkesbury River in NSW. But he mourns the disappearance of wildlife such as wallabies.
He is searching for effective climate change leaders with positive views and solutions. He interviews many including his partner, Malcolm Turnbull, Matt Kean, Al Gore, Barack Obama, Saul Griffith, Andrew Forrest, and leaders from West Papua, Solomons, Torres Straits. Plus others whom he meets when in Glasgow at the COP26 in 2021. Interestingly, he praised the Papuan leadership as best.
Saul Griffiths, engineer and entrepreneur, is also on the lively Panel of four which follows the film. They are Flannery, Kavita Naidu from Fiji, and moderator Yael Stone. Griffith is outstanding. He said that no country is undertaking the massive, wartime effort needed for climate action; and he urged Australia to rapidly lead the world on that, starting at COP28 in Dubai in November. Naidu emphasised the environmental aspect of the Yes vote on the Indigenous Voice.
Flannery concluded that every person must help with averting the energy-climate danger. Flannery himself is so committed and sincere, a great example of just what one person can do about the deadly global climate emergency.
Eastsider News October 2023
Dear Editor
A Reflection on the Global Climate Emergency
By the time your readers read this, they may have been studying reports about COP28, plus watching David Attenborough’s latest fabulous film Planet Earth, series three. If not, please catch the repeats because both are very important for how the world must urgently tackle the climate emergency, plus cherish our environment.
I am sure many of us still stand with our climate scientist Joelle Gergis who hopes humanity will achieve our finest moment by soon agreeing with genuine decarbonising and the challenging transition to clean energy. I am adding the much longed for hope for ending deadly destructive wars with permanent peace. Let’s all do our utmost to help make these two deeply interconnected hopes come true. We absolutely do need everyone’s agreement and determination.
Of course, as a former university lecturer, I am also recommending a brief reading: Rudyard Kipling’s poem which begins ‘If you can keep your head …’. Although written long ago as advice to his son, it has some wise, apt counsel for us today.
Barbara Fraser,
Eastsider News December 2023
Book review: Rethinking Our World: an invitation to rescue our future
Barbara Fraser
The very title of German social scientist Maja Gopel’s new book is delightful and appealing, Rethinking Our World: an invitation to rescue our future (2023). Her basic aim is for ‘a sustainable future for us all’ (p. 10).
Maya Gopel is concerned about the increasing human population and our over-consumption of the planet’s resources. But she leaves the solution to that for us to ponder. She also urges natural environmental actions such as pollination by bees and not by humans and machines. We need clean energy and not the fossil fuel emissions in our atmosphere where they wreck our climate. Her book is easy to read and should lead to keen discussions with family and/or friends.
The world’s climate emergency is worsening. Top climate scientist James Hansen reports that the 1.5° Paris agreed limit has been reached. He is becoming exasperated especially with the denials and persistence of the fossil fuel industry and calls them fools.
This year our federal government must develop the most effective policies for the climate transition. We need the public to know and understand the problem and solutions. Reading, discussion and caring will help.
Eastsider News March 2024
How to Fix a Broken Planet – Advice for Surviving the 21st Century
Julian Cribb, Cambridge University Press, January 2023
Review by Barbara Fraser
Our highly honoured science writer and grandparent Julian Cribb has written a comprehensive short book, How to Fix a Broken Planet- Advice for Surviving the 21st Century (2023). He commences with a horrifying scene in ancient South Africa, then he details its scientific basis and proof.
Cribb then lists each of ten major catastrophic dangers facing our planet. Each is presented with its scientific basis, then global solutions, plus ways in which individuals can help. The ten are based on these global concerns: nuclear weapons, climate crisis, waste, pandemics, environment, food, overpopulation, technology, disinformation, a new currency.
His action plan, titled Earth System Treaty, needs to be discussed and approved by our government. Then it should be made legal, and sent to the UN for sharing and consideration for agreement by the world’s countries.
Cribb concludes his passionate work by commenting that if humanity can do all this, ‘It will be the greatest thing our species has ever done’ (p.x). Tragically, he is correct because the world is in a terrible mess, it is our combined fault, and we must fix it fast.
Eastsider News July 2024
Dear Editor
Royce Kurmelovs’ new book titled Slick: Australia’s toxic relationship with Big Oil (2024) is worrying and thought-provoking. He shows how the carbon industry has been successful by using lobbyists and pressure especially with politicians.
But to many others that is a challenge to use even better tactics of reality, truth and education to help MPs and public understand the deadly climate crisis. And above all, to press for speedy actions and solutions including decarbonising, renewable energy, and afforestation. Our federal government must now lead loudly and clearly for climate.
Barbara Fraser, Burwood
Eastsider News September 2024
Dear Editor
Time to come together
Rather than disagreeing and fighting one another re the world’s climate, Homo Sapiens (wise humans) should and must agree, and take urgent climate actions to ensure a liveable future for every form of life. After all, science states that billions of years ago, all species (plants, animals and humans) evolved from the same two cells.
So, let’s remember that astounding fact, and let’s get together again in 2025. In fact, this must be an essential part of Australia’s coming federal election.
Barbara Fraser PhD, Burwood
Eastsider News February 2025