Daily Links May 23

Smoke from Wildfires Can Have Lasting Climate Impact
Researchers have found that carbon particles released into the air from burning trees and other organic matter are much more likely than previously thought to travel to the upper levels of the atmosphere, where they can interfere with rays from the sun – sometimes cooling the air and at other times warming it.
http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/51310

Trump may ‘surprise’ on climate: Gore
A decade after he tried to get the world talking about climate change, former US Vice President Al Gore is back and has a message of hope.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/trump-may-surprise-on-climate-gore/news-story/7d0f5d144a4ebf2bb5afc4cc552f994e

Al Gore at Cannes: ‘Trump cannot stop the solutions to the climate crisis’
The former US vice-president and environmental activist said there was hope in the fight against climate change – but the world and the US had to act
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/may/22/al-gore-inconvenient-truth-sequel-trump-environment

China and India make big strides on climate change.
New York Times editorial
Progress by two of the world’s top greenhouse gas producers is a huge lesson for the United States.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-995200128361603241

The weather is now political
Astrida Neimanis, University of Sydney and Jennifer Hamilton, University of Sydney
Thinking about climate change as a process of ‘weathering’ reminds us of the profound and highly unequal consequences for all living things.
http://theconversation.com/the-weather-is-now-political-77791

Reading classic novels in an era of climate change
Philip Steer Massey University
There is a strange and troubled kind of intimacy between our own moment of climate change and 19th century Britain. It was there that a global, fossil fuel economy first took shape, through its coal-powered factories, railways, and steamships, which drove the emergence of modern consumer capitalism.
http://theconversation.com/reading-classic-novels-in-an-era-of-climate-change-75843

Urban island heat effect: Rising temperatures in Aussie cities could create death traps
SOME parts of Australia are very hot – unnaturally hot, in fact. They’re turning into death traps, and it’s our own fault.
http://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/climate-change/urban-island-heat-effect-rising-temperatures-in-aussie-cities-could-create-death-traps/news-story/0b035c4707ea8f81e32ee0df4fa546bf

Climate ‘shares’ proposal touted by water reform expert
Professor Mike Young, an Adelaide water reform expert who played a vocal role in the lead-up to the Murray Darling Basin Plan’s implementation, says a similar scheme should be used to address climate change.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-22/climate-shares-system-proposed-by-mike-young/8548076

Battery storage incentives on way
http://www.afr.com/news/politics/clean-energy-council-push-for-battery-incentives-for-households-20170522-gwa5ci

Price tag for $10b Melbourne to Brisbane rail project could be higher
http://www.afr.com/news/politics/price-tag-for-10b-melbourne-to-brisbane-rail-project-could-be-higher-20170522-gwagi2

Inland rail: investors uninterested
Private investors would be unlikely to fund the $8.3bn inland rail project because returns are too low
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/inland-rail-not-profitable-enough-for-private-capital-department-admits/news-story/4de20b6d0f4f199f0ba42df0473aeb44

Direct action fund would cost $23b if used to meet Paris targets
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/direct-action-fund-would-cost-taxpayers-23b-if-used-to-meet-paris-climate-targets-20170522-gwaiq3.html

‘Recycling in Australia is dead in the water’: three companies tackling our plastic addiction
Only a small proportion of plastics consumed in Australia is collected for recycling, but it’s what happens after that could make a difference
https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/may/22/recycling-in-australia-is-dead-in-the-water-three-companies-tackling-our-plastic-addiction

A short-lived gas shortfall: a review of AEMO’s warning of gas-supply ‘shortfalls’
Australian-German Climate & Energy College
http://apo.org.au/node/90361

Know your NEM: Renewables too late to save next summer’s prices
David Leitch
Futures pricing tells us that the 4GW of large scale renewables now being built will arrive too late to soften prices next summer, and the Portland bailout has likely added around $20 to pool prices.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/know-nem-renewables-late-save-next-summers-prices-93661/

The great divide over Australia’s energy future
Giles Parkinson
The energy rule-maker’s dystopian view of our immediate energy future underlines the growing divide on the future of renewables. There are those who see them as key to a smarter, cheaper, cleaner and more reliable grid. And other who simply believe it can’t be done.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/the-great-divide-over-australias-energy-future-52410/

Politicians: please ease off on ‘announceables’ until after the electricity market review
David Blowers, Grattan Institute and Kate Griffiths, Grattan Institute
The energy security crisis has politicians leaping to unveil various schemes. But we don’t need piecemeal action – the Finkel review, due in June, aims to create a coherent new energy blueprint.
http://theconversation.com/politicians-please-ease-off-on-announceables-until-after-the-electricity-market-review-77863

#ClimateFail: Turnbull Government abandons any pretence of climate policy
Sue Arnold
Strategies, plans, reviews, meetings of ministers and promises substitute for any action at a time when climate change is wreaking havoc.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/climatefail-turnbull-government-abandons-any-pretence-of-climate-policy,10322

Australian farmers are adapting to climate change
Neal Hughes
2016-17 has been a great year for Australian farmers, with record production, exports and profits. These records have been driven largely by good weather, in particular a wet winter in 2016, which led to exceptional yields for major crops.
http://theconversation.com/australian-farmers-are-adapting-to-climate-change-76939

Green left puts policy first
Judith Sloan
I don’t know why any company, large or small, local or foreign, would want to invest in Australia.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/judith-sloan/opposition-to-the-adani-coal-mine-truly-outstanding-and-depressing/news-story/1c8b51e7d1a3696bae6742e05c892f5c

Why Melbourne is in grip of mouse plague
A MOUSE plague has come to Melbourne with huge numbers migrating from the state’s west to the city and suburbs. Here’s why.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/why-melbourne-is-in-the-grip-of-a-mouse-plague/news-story/6beb6be7b5c91df5d9e845b62e495e01

Fears of a price hike
THE Victorian Government will skim an extra $45 million off urban and rural water corporations’ revenue in 2018-19 in the wake of a major review of water prices.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/water/victorian-water-price-hike-fears/news-story/f8f231b053fd3c7ecd18631739c780cd

How a two-metre sea level rise would flood Melbourne
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/how-a-possible-twometre-sea-level-rise-would-flood-thousands-of-melbourne-homes-20170522-gwagl1.html

Tram collisions keep rising, report shows after Parkville ‘black spot’ crash
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/tram-collisions-keep-rising-report-shows-after-parkville-black-spot-crash-20170522-gwallf.html

A fantasy cycling map for inner Melbourne
Alan Davies
Here’s master mapmaker Adam Mattinson’s vision of what a high quality cycling network could look like in an Australian city. At present, unfortunately, it’s sheer fantasy
https://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2017/05/22/fantasy-cycling-map-inner-melbourne/

The ‘logical’ plan for WestConnex’s link to Sydney Airport
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/logical-for-westconnex-link-to-sydney-airport-to-be-built-last-says-top-bureaucrat-20170522-gwa0f5.html

‘The great unknown’: New climate change data lifts the sea-level threat
The giant ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland are melting faster than scientists previously estimated, raising the prospect of faster sea level rise placing at risk low-lying areas of Sydney and similar exposed cities around the world.
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/the-great-unknown-new-climate-change-data-lifts-the-sealevel-threat-20170522-gwa963.html

CSG’s last stand? In Narrabri everyone has a stake in the farming v mining fight
In the first of a series of investigations into issues facing regional Australia, we report on how locals in a north-western New South Wales town are bracing to learn the fate of the state’s last coal seam gas project
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/23/csg-last-stand-narrabri-farming-mining-fight

State environmental planning policy (vegetation) – explanation of intended effect 10 May 2017
Department of Planning and Environment (NSW)
http://apo.org.au/node/90396

Baby dugongs’ return shows seagrass recovering from cyclone
An increase in the number of baby dugongs on the Great Barrier Reef suggests seagrass ecosystems are recovering well after recent flood and cyclone events.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-22/baby-dugongs-return-shows-seagrass-recovering-from-cyclone/8548052

Katters fall foul of next ’Croc Hunter’
FIRST they fell foul of Terri Irwin, now Katter party MPs with crocs in their sights must deal with the Queenslander who’s following in the footsteps of Steve Irwin.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/confidential/outback-wrangler-matt-wright-challenges-katters-on-croc-plans/news-story/2e66a3477881c83f7dcdec6cd5d99755

Sea in city a ‘wild claim’
CAIRNS’ Mayor says he will not lose any sleep over new online maps that suggest the city’s airport and CBD will be underwater by the end of the century at the current rate of sea level rise.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/new-map-predicts-cairns-airport-to-be-underwater-by-2100/news-story/96e64580a2650c25ad2357a3b18b7f1a

Adani rail line to Abbot Point not a priority, says Infrastructure Australia
Agency says it has not received a submission on the rail line from Queensland government and has not conducted any cost-benefit analysis
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/22/adani-rail-line-to-abbot-point-not-a-priority-says-infrastructure-australia

Adani indefinitely postpones final decision on Carmichael coal mine
Indian mining giant Adani defers its final investment decision on the Carmichael coal mine until the Queensland Government gives “clarity” over lower or deferred royalties.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-22/adani-indefinitely-postpones-final-carmichael-coal-mine-decision/8548164

Risky business: health, climate and economic risks of the Carmichael coalmine
Climate Council
http://apo.org.au/node/90366

False fight begun by left
Dennis Shanahan
Another contrived hurdle for Adani’s $16bn Carmichael mine has created yet another delay for a final decision.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/dennis-shanahan/adani-mine-resistance-false-fight-started-by-grandstanding-lefties/news-story/39608d20bd4a910999f10ca136754dfa

Will the real Premier please stand up?
Matt Canavan
THE Adani megamine promises a jobs boom for north Queensland, but in affluent inner Brisbane the powerful local MP is less than enthusiastic.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-queenslanders-deserve-jobs-to-flow-from-adani-megamine/news-story/fe9fd280be8a831ebfd577b773c50d98

Cross River Fail: Why it needs to be railroaded
Steve Abson
IF THE Sydney Harbour Bridge or London Underground had to make the same business case as Brisbane’s Cross River Rail, they might never have been built.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-queensland-must-start-cross-river-rail-with-or-without-commonwealth/news-story/c031fd533c37b2580577928ffd263f52

Energy loan scheme proves popular
ENERGY Minister Matthew Groom says the people have spoken on the Government’s energy efficiency loans scheme, with a massive influx of applications from households and businesses.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/politics/energy-minister-matthew-groom-says-the-energy-efficiency-loans-scheme-has-had-a-huge-response/news-story/840037223c6acdf43f04b8d320689411

Hydro may join wombat mange fight
HYDRO Tasmania has reacted to the plight of sick wombats near its Musselroe wind farm and has started talks with Tasmania’s volunteer wombat army about treating infected animals on its property.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/hydro-tasmania-talking-to-wombat-warriors-about-treating-sick-animals-at-musselroe-wind-farm/news-story/dd3eaee20f44782aed1dc4fa2bd21c5f

Anglers angry over lakes vandalism
Fly fishing guide Ken Orr said the community was “dead tired” of picking up other people’s rubbish.
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4677541/anglers-angry-over-lakes-vandalism-photos/?cs=5312

City inundation predicted
How rising sea levels driven by climate change will affect Launceston.
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4677479/city-inundation-predicted/?cs=5312

Don’t get in our way: Barnett
TASMANIA’S Resources Minister has urged the Legislative Council, particularly Labor MLCs, not to get in the way of the Liberals’ promise to “unlock” more forests for logging.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/politics/resources-minister-guy-barnett-has-urged-legislative-council-not-to-block-liberals-promise-to-unlock-more-forests/news-story/c403a739d3a85782d26e234140859ed1

‘The lakes’ should be enjoyed, not destroyed
Melissa Mobbs
Angry anglers have spoken out this week about “inconsiderate people” dumping their rubbish near lakes in the Central …
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4678929/the-lakes-should-be-enjoyed-not-destroyed/?cs=97

How Tesla became the world’s top owner of solar assets
After a record-breaking year for the solar market, the total global installed base of operational PV systems surpassed 300 gigawatts.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/tesla-became-worlds-top-owner-solar-assets-43299/

Endocrine disrupting chemicals: Is your home making you sick?
Many suspected EDCs are already in your home — but how much risk do they really pose? At what exposure level do they become unsafe? Unfortunately the answer is not straightforward, with a range of opinions held by scientists, industry and regulators
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-995200128361602263

Farming the world: China’s epic race to avoid a food crisis.
China’s 1.4 billion people are building up an appetite that is changing the way the world grows and sells food.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-995200128361603249

Which glass can and can’t be recycled?
Glass is commonly thought of as a product that can always be recycled, but did you know there are a few glass items we shouldn’t put in the recycle bin?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-22/can-all-glass-really-be-recycled-war-on-waste/8541048

Grandparenting rule in plan change will reward polluters.
Freshwater and the environment is at the forefront of conversations around New Zealand and will certainly become an election issue.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-995200128361603250

India launches massive push for clean power, lighting, and cars.
While President Trump wants to revive America’s coal industry, India is embracing renewables, LED lighting, electric cars, and more.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-995200128361602757

Japan thinks hydrogen will rule. Does anyone else?
Some automakers are betting that hydrogen will take off as pressure for cleaner vehicles mounts. And Japan is planning to lead by example
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-995200128361603267

Research suggests eating beans instead of beef would sharply reduce greenhouse gasses
A team of researchers from four American universities says the key to reducing harmful greenhouse gases (GHG) in the short term is more likely to be found on the dinner plate than at the gas pump.
http://www.enn.com/climate/article/51314

High levels of prenatal air pollution exposure and stress increase childhood asthma risk
A new study has found that children, especially boys, whose mothers were exposed to higher levels of outdoor particulate air pollution at the same time that they were very stressed were most likely to develop asthma by age six.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-05/ats-hlo051517.php

Charging ahead: Welsh battery scheme may aid growth of green energy.
Nestling alongside rows of conifers and wind turbines in a Welsh valley, a pioneering project will materialise this summer that could prove a blueprint for unlocking Britain’s renewable energy potential.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-995200128361603260

Reduced US air pollution will boost rainfall in Africa’s Sahel, says study
New research highlights wider benefits of clean air policies
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-05/teia-rua052217.php

Feeding a hot, hungry planet.
Lisa Palmer Scientific American
It’s time to move beyond the simple story by bringing together the science on environmental dynamics and global change with food systems institutions and agricultural sciences.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-995200128361601765

UBS: Electric vehicles to reach cost parity with petrol cars by 2018
Steve Hanley
UBS says the total cost of consumer EV ownership can reach parity with combustion engines from 2018.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/ubs-electric-vehicles-to-reach-cost-parity-with-petrol-cars-by-2018-2018/

Asbestos: Out of sight but not out of mind in Asia
Melody Kemp
Discredited in the West, the asbestos industry is fighting back in the developing world.
https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/asbestos-out-of-sight-but-not-out-of-mind-in-asia,10318

Environmentalism used to be about defending the wild – not any more
Mark Boyle
We’re domesticating areas instead of protecting them. Living without technology I’ve found my place in the natural world – and this path could be our salvation
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/22/life-without-technology-environmentalism-defending-wild-sustainability

Scientists skeptical over quick fix to ocean plastics problem.
Even the project’s creator admits it’s ‘guess work.’
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-995200128361602438

Upgrade on Svalbard Global Seed Vault to prevent permafrost melt from harming seeds
The Norwegian Government will redesign parts of the Global Seed Vault, after a record warm summer caused permafrost to melt and flood the entrance.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-05-22/svalbard-seed-vault-declares-seeds-safe-from-climate-change/8547320

Why did this once thriving lake disappear?
Previously known for having vast blue-green waters, Lake Atescatempa is now little more than a few puddles of mud.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-995200128361603247

Pet fish pose potential lake problems.
From thousands of goldfish to varieties such as carp, the Great Lakes are full of invasive and non-invasive species — especially those apparently put there by pet owners who think there is no harm in freeing them into the state’s streams, rivers or lakes.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-995200128361601779

The coral reefs you never heard of, in the path of Trump’s drilling plan.
Flower Garden Banks sanctuary is home to 180 species and miles of colorful corals in the Gulf of Mexico. An expansion plan, 10 years in the making, is now at risk
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-995200128361602756

Human-induced deforestation is causing an increase in malaria cases
Nearly 130 million hectares of forest–an area almost equivalent in size to South Africa–have been lost since 1990, according to a recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-05/lu-hdi052217.php