Daily Links May 25

The Conversation article ‘Managing demand can save two power stations’ worth of energy at peak times’ shows the silliness of concentrating on managing supply rather than managing demand. If you are a generator, your business is selling Megawatts rather than Negawatts. 

Today’s Celebration
Africa Day  (Anniversary of the Organization of African Unity) http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-25/what-does-africa-day-celebrate/8556114
Carpet Day      Turkmenistan
Escaldes-Engordany  Andorra
Independence Day   Jordan
Sucre Local Festival  Bolivia
Youth Day       Bosnia-Herzegovina
Day of Revolution   Argentina
Tap Dance Day     https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tap-dance-day/
Towel Day       https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/towel-day/
Geek Pride Day     https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/geek-pride-day/
Wine Day        https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/wine-day/
International Missing Children’s Day   http://www.helpbringthemhome.org.au/
World MS Day     http://www.worldmsday.org/
World Thyroid Day   http://www.thyroidfoundation.org.au/
Spinal Health Week   http://chiropractors.asn.au/education-a-events/spinal-health-week
Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories   http://www.un.org/en/events/nonselfgoverning/index.shtml
More about May 25     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_25

Climate Change
More people heading to court to spur action on climate change, study finds.
Governments around the world are increasingly being challenged in court to do more to combat the threat of climate change.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-1786170265303043988

8 in 10 people now see climate change as a “catastrophic risk.”
Nearly nine in 10 people say they are ready to make changes to their standard of living if it would prevent future climate catastrophe, an international survey on global threats found Wednesday
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-1786170265303043956

National
‘Nearly half’ of imported raw prawns were infected with white spot, senators hear
A senator describes the lack of white spot disease detection in imported prawns as “a catastrophic collapse” of biosecurity arrangements.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-05-24/white-spot-prawn-estimates-half-prawn-imports-infected/8554826

Our 23 million unused mobile phones are a recycling goldmine
Australia has more than 23 million unused mobile phones. Here’s why we should recycle them.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-24/war-on-waste-recycling-old-mobile-phones/8553796

Clean Energy Seed Fund raises $26m – a “vote of confidence” in sector
Clean Energy Innovation Fund completes $26m capital raising, easily surpassing its $20 million target with help from some big investors.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/clean-energy-seed-fund-raises-26m-vote-confidence-sector-96236/

Ausnet, and the case for a rethink on who pays for new grid connections
David Leitch
The results for Ausnet underline case for a rethink on who should pay for new grid connections. This would force a proper consideration of distributed generation at the time the network extension is built.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/ausnet-case-rethink-pays-new-grid-connections-42425/

How clean are Australia’s ‘clean coal’ power stations?
Simon Holmes à Court
What’s that you say? Australia has ‘clean coal power stations’? Well, it depends how you define ‘clean coal’.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/clean-australias-clean-coal-power-stations-14224/

Canberra should let states try to fail on transport and cities
Jacob Saulwick
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/canberra-should-let-states-try-to-fail-on-infrastructure-and-planning-20170524-gwc7i4.html

Managing demand can save two power stations’ worth of energy at peak times
Amandine Denis, Monash University
Better energy management could reduce peak demand by the equivalent of two Hazelwood power stations. It’s time to get serious about demand response solutions to our energy crisis.
http://theconversation.com/managing-demand-can-save-two-power-stations-worth-of-energy-at-peak-times-78173

Turnbull’s infrastructure plans built on shaky ground, but escape proper scrutiny
Bernard Keane
https://www.crikey.com.au/2017/05/24/turnbulls-infrastructure-plans-built-on-shaky-ground-but-escape-proper-scrutiny/

Victoria
Fox bounty scalped
THE number of scalps collected under Victoria’s fox bounty has gone to the dogs.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/fox-bounty-victoria-big-reduction-in-scalp-collection/news-story/740add753c5643a874fee59de2a69c2d

New South Wales
Consumer bills to jump as networks score court victory over regulator
Australian Energy Regulator loses costly Federal Court battle to control how much NSW network operators can charge for power.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/consumer-bills-to-jump-as-networks-score-court-victory-over-regulator-76095/

ACT
Algae levels drop but Captain Cook jet remains offline
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/algae-levels-drop-but-captain-cook-jet-remains-offline-for-final-upgrade-touches-20170524-gwbusf.html

Mother’s Day slaughter of kangaroos starts again
Maria Taylor
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/mothers-day-slaughter-of-kangaroos-starts-again-20170524-gwc3ff.html

Queensland
Financial assurance for Adani’s mine rehabilitation ‘at least $1.5b’
Adani will have to provide financial assurance of more than $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Carmichael mine proposed for central Queensland, according to a new report prepared by the Lock the Gate Alliance.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-24/adani-carmichael-mine-rehab-finance-assurance-at-least-$1.5b/8554018

ALP seeks truce over Adani
Annastacia Palaszczuk is desperately seeking consensus on a redrawn royalties deal for Adani and other new miners.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/labor-seeks-cabinet-truce-over-adani-royalties-deal/news-story/57925eba0076f08993773e575c13a368

State’s own battle of North and South
BOTH the Labor Government and Queensland itself are divided over the contentious Adani megamine, as Cabinet meets to thrash out a compromise.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/adani-megamine-cabinet-thrashes-out-deal-as-queensland-divided/news-story/66383b081985d1d76aa15b54bd92e6a4

Beattie: Adani royalty deal a ‘no brainer’
It may be causing strife in Parliament but former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie doesn’t see any issue with the Adani coal mine royalty deal.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/adani-says-carmichael-megamine-viable-without-royalties-holiday/news-story/c40786658dc12c935777729349addd26

Queensland cabinet kept in the dark on Adani deal
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queensland-cabinet-kept-in-the-dark-on-adani-deal-20170524-gwce2u.html

Adani does not need Australian banks’ money: Ex-Rio Tinto CEO
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/adani-does-not-need-australian-banks-money-exrio-tinto-ceo-20170524-gwcc2n.html

Huge sum cut in city power use
A NEW report shows the Cairns Regional Council has cut its energy costs by a staggering amount.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/cairns-regional-council-slashes-energy-costs-in-new-report/news-story/0f2c6f503fa32437600b31f7296a3ea7

Queries on coral kill data
THE authority that manages the Great Barrier Reef cannot confirm whether a reports that half of the natural wonder’s corals are dead are indeed true.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/have-half-of-the-great-barrier-reefs-corals-died-from-bleaching/news-story/4de20adab294c67947b3ad3c4ca5340f

Great Barrier Reef 2050 plan no longer achievable due to climate change, experts say
Environmental lawyers say advice means reef might finally be listed as a ‘world heritage site in danger’
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/25/great-barrier-reef-2050-plan-no-longer-achievable-due-to-climate-change-experts-say

Adani brings to light government antics we rarely see
Madonna King
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/that-thinking-feeling/adani-brings-to-light-government-antics-we-rarely-see-20170524-gwckz9.html

South Australia
Coalition seeks applications for solar thermal funds by end of year
Coalition seeks feedback on Port Augusta solar tower funding, but already appears to have agreed to equity funds rather than loan.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/coalition-seeks-applications-for-solar-thermal-funds-by-end-of-year-37323/

Warning on surge in water bills
HOMES across the state could be slugged with higher water bills if SA Water loses subsidy funding to charge country and city users the same rate.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/water-bills-may-be-about-to-surge-if-sa-water-loses-subsidy-funding/news-story/b3e445606bc6db794276eee48f0bf125

Tasmania
Macquarie Harbour report outlines decline at second Tassal lease
A new report into the health of Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s west coast finds a second lease operated by Tassal had caused an environmental decline earlier this year.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-24/macquarie-harbour-report-outlines-decline-at-second-tassal-lease/8552058

Tassal flags ‘worst case’ harbour exit
TASSAL has twice warned Tasmania’s environment watchdog it could pull its operations out of Macquarie Harbour, documents reveal.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/tassal-flags-worst-case-macquarie-harbour-exit/news-story/d3a196408651f4e05d4462ee16ef5b8d

Creating a city on a human scale
Damon Thomas
Improving access for pedestrians is part of transforming the city of Hobart into a healthier and more livable city.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-creating-a-city-on-a-human-scale/news-story/4abd7d5f58b8240be296807ce077ab5e
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-creating-a-city-on-a-human-scale/news-story/4abd7d5f58b8240be296807ce077ab5e

Northern Territory
Mutitjulu ‘needs own rangers’, as program hangs in limbo
Plans remain in limbo for the future of a new Aboriginal ranger service at Mutitjulu, at the base of Uluru.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-24/mutitjulu-need-their-own-rangers,-as-program-hangs-in-limbo/8554330

NT plastic bag ban failing, environmental groups say
Northern Territory environmental groups claim an almost six-year ban on single-use plastic bags has had no effect.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-24/war-on-waste-nt-plastic-bag-ban-fails-say-environment-groups/8553614

‘Probable’ night parrot found in Central Australia thanks to audio recordings
Central Australian birdwatchers say they have detected the elusive night parrot in the red centre, recording audio of the bird for the first time in almost a century.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-24/night-parrot-possibly-found-in-central-australia/8553916

Western Australia
Buried audit shows WA species plunging into extinction
Five endangered West Australian species have become extinct in the wild, three threatened ecological communities have been destroyed and the fate of at least 41 other species is unknown after no monitoring was done for more than a decade, shows a costly state government audit that was promptly buried without any trends being made public.
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/buried-audit-shows-wa-species-plunging-into-extinction-20170523-gwbgvq.html

Rottnest Island left to rot by tourists
Big underwater clean up collects almost one tonne of rubbish
https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/rottnest-island-left-to-rot-by-tourists-bc-5446257738001

Sustainability
Do you know how many times you need to use your green bags?
Which type of bag should you use to take your groceries home if you’re trying to have as little an impact as possible on the environment?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-24/war-on-waste-what-bags-to-use/8528350

What plastics can you recycle?
Every plastic is fully recyclable, but not all can go into your household recycle bin.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-24/what-plastics-can-i-recycle-war-on-waste/8548658

EU declared Monsanto weedkiller safe after intervention from controversial US official.
The European Food Safety Authority dismissed a study linking a Monsanto weedkiller to cancer after counsel from a US Environmental Protection Agency officer allegedly linked to the company.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468969744

Plastic trash rides ocean currents to the Arctic.
Scientists track tiny pieces of trash at the top of the world.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-1786170265303043952

Natural Gas Facilities With No Carbon Dioxide Emissions
How can we burn natural gas without releasing carbon dioxide (CO2) into the air? This feat is achieved using a special combustion method: chemical looping combustion (CLC). …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170524084648.htm

Nanoalloys Ten Times as Effective as Pure Platinum in Fuel Cells
A new type of nanocatalyst can result in the long-awaited commercial breakthrough for fuel cell cars. Research results show that it is possible to significantly reduce the ..
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170524084507.htm

What’s in Trump’s 2018 budget request for science?
A numbers breakdown of President Donald Trump’s full 2018 budget request to Congress and what it means for science
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-1786170265303042642

This refugee camp in the Jordanian desert now has its own solar farm.
The 35,000 person Azraq camp was spending huge amounts of its aid funding on electric bills and only had sporadic power. With a new two-megawatt solar plant, the camp’s residents have all the power they need.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-995200128361599039

Renewable energy powers jobs for almost 10 million people.
Renewable energy employed 9.8 million people last year, up 1.1 percent from 2015, led by solar photovoltaic at 3.09 million jobs, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency’s annual report on the industry.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-1786170265303043944

Fuel from the Air Technology Provides a Path to New Business for OPEC Countries
Pioneering technology makes OPEC countries prime regions to produce synthetic fuels. This could be a key asset in phasing out fossil fuels after the Paris Agreement, while also keeping some of the …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170524084604.htm

Atlas of the human planet 2017 — how exposed are we to natural hazards?
One out of 3 people in the world is exposed to earthquakes, a number which almost doubled in the past 40 years; around 1 billion in 155 countries are exposed to floods according to the Atlas
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-05/ecjr-aot052417.php

Printed, flexible and rechargeable battery can power wearable sensors
Nanoengineers at the University of California San Diego have developed the first printed battery that is flexible, stretchable and rechargeable.
http://www.enn.com/energy/article/51341

Stunning new lows in solar and battery storage costs
New Arizona contract reveals record low price for large scale solar in US, and stunning reduction in cost of battery storage. The new combined solar and storage deal of below 4.5c/kWh cuts previous prices by more than 60% – far cheaper than a peaking gas plant.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/stunning-new-lows-in-solar-and-battery-storage-costs-13929/

Fig leaves are out. What to wear to be kind to the planet?
Finding environmentally friendly apparel can be a challenge. Here’s a guide to smarter choices in fabrics and clothing.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-1786170265303042637

Pope asks Trump to be peacemaker
The Pope has urged Donald Trump to become a force for peace, while also giving him a copy of his 2015 encyclical letter on the need to protect the environment.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/pope-asks-trump-to-be-peacemaker/news-story/a35ad1ce6741a6e329d1ae4307bf2cd0

How food could prevent a climate disaster.
Anna Lappé Civil Eats
To address climate change, we must talk about food.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-1786170265303043955

Nature Conservation
Effective Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems
Despite having increased human wellbeing in the past, intense modifications by multiple and interacting pressures have degraded ecosystems and the sustainability of their goods and services.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170524140328.htm

Border walls may pose big challenges to biodiversity — but smaller ones to humans
Walls that impede animal movement may produce dramatic effects on populations
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-05/aiob-bwm051717.php

Going with the flow: The forces that affect species’ movements in a changing climate
A new study published in Scientific Reports provides novel insight into how species’ distributions change from the interaction between climate change and ocean currents.
http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/51336

Speed dating and porn key to panda survival
Chinese scientists have developed a successful panda breeding program and it involves showing the animals exactly how to do it.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-24/pandas-shown-breeding-animals-in-research-program/8551190

East Africa’s drought threatens iconic wildebeest migration
Fewer rains and dried-out riverbeds could mean more conflict with humans and livestock, and have a devastating impact on Africa’s wildlife
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2132469-east-africas-drought-threatens-iconic-wildebeest-migration/

Now for something completely different …
App lets stadium crowds display giant messages with their phones
The new app from IBM will let crowds automatically coordinates mass displays at big sporting events or protests using their smartphone cameras
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2132381-app-lets-stadium-crowds-display-giant-messages-with-their-phones/

Maelor Himbury