Daily Links May 3

This drone once fought wars. Now it’s fighting climate change.
As the ArcticShark flies through the air at a modest 75 miles per hour, it will measure the size of atmospheric particles, levels of infrared radiation, humidity, wind direction, and more
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-995200128361640500

Can the US weaken its target? The answer may hinge on a word.
The future of U.S. participation in the Paris Agreement may hinge on how the Trump White House reads a single sentence.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-995200128361642165

Antarctic Peninsula Ice More Stable Than Thought
Glacier flow at the southern Antarctic Peninsula has increased since the 1990s, but a new study has found the change to be only a third of what was …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170502084037.htm

Next decade critical for climate targets.
European researchers stress urgency of tackling global warming to meet climate targets, and say the goal of a less than 2°C rise may be unrealistic.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-995200128361642138

NASA to measure greenhouse gases over the mid-Atlantic region in may
In May, a team of Goddard scientists will begin measuring greenhouse gases over the Mid-Atlantic region — an area chosen in part because it encompasses a range of vegetation, climate, and soil types that would influence the exchange of carbon dioxide and methane between the Earth and the atmosphere.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-05/nsfc-ntm050217.php

Climate instability over the past 720,000 years
Ice core analysis from Dome Fuji, Antarctica and climate simulation
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-05/rooi-cio050117.php

Conservatives’ new climate argument fails.
Faye Flam Bloomberg View
It goes like this: Science couldn’t predict the outcome of the last election, or the bumps in the economy, so why should we believe scientists when they try to predict the future of Earth’s climate?
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-995200128361642142

Answering your climate questions.
Bret Stephens New York Times
My first column, “Climate of Complete Certainty,” was published last week, and drew more than 1,800 comments on the column and on Facebook. I’m answering some of them here, edited lightly for length and clarity.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-995200128361641167

Effective climate change action needs technology and policy.
Sue Palminteri Mongabay
Technology can help us to achieve a healthy global climate only if government policy, corporate action, and individual behavior and practice support it
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-995200128361642152

Global warming activism is bad for the environment
Seath Holswich
Just because you are sharing the facts, doesn’t mean you are creating a convincing argument that will lead to positive action.
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=19003

Climate contrarians want to endanger the EPA climate endangerment finding
Dana Nuccitelli
A terrible new white paper tries to make the case that carbon pollution isn’t dangerous
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2017/may/02/climate-contrarians-want-to-endanger-the-epa-climate-endangerment-finding

AGL kills idea of gas as transition fuel: wind, solar + storage cheaper
Company once known as Australia Gas Light says energy transition will skip ‘baseload gas’ and instead be about shift from ‘big coal’ to ‘big renewables’.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/agl-kills-idea-of-gas-as-transition-fuel-wind-solar-storage-cheaper-63013/

Fiji asks Turnbull to lobby Trump to stay with Paris climate deal
Fiji, host of this year’s climate talks, has asked Malcolm Turnbull to urge Trump to stay with the Paris climate deal. “Climate change is not a hoax, it is frighteningly real,” Fiji PM says.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/fiji-asks-turnbull-to-lobby-trump-to-stay-with-paris-climate-deal-96273/

Five-fold increase in clean energy investment
http://www.afr.com/news/politics/fivefold-increase-in-clean-energy-investment-bodes-will-for-2020-target-20170502-gvwze0

Solar panel and battery revolution: how will your state measure up?
A new roadmap for Australia’s electricity networks outlines a national plan to keep the lights on, make sure bills are affordable, and decarbonise our electricity industry by mid-century.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/solar-panel-battery-revolution-will-state-measure-65842/

Gene-editing technology could control mosquitos, cane toads
The power of gene-editing technology is tipped to revolutionise science and the Australian Academy of Science has today released a report calling for a national discussion around how to best manage it.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-02/aus-science-academy-calls-for-discussion-on-gene-editing/8487842

‘Fracking to fix energy crisis’
Boral chief executive Mike Kane says Australia needs to allow fracking to increase gas ­supply.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/lifting-restriction-on-fracking-will-fix-gas-crisis-boral-chief/news-story/3b09013131dd56ab43a7059b6d749165

Chevron slams $340m tax ruling
Chevron’s global CFO has lashed out a $340m tax ruling by the Federal Court, noting it deviates from global practice.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/chevron-slams-federal-court-tax-ruling-mulls-high-court-challenge/news-story/ee968802b89b64b59be2428182b98cc3

Lunar right go crazy over “genocidal” wind turbines and solar power
Giles Parkinson
In Australia, as in the US, the right-wing still doesn’t understand the significance of “clean”, and don’t accept renewables could be cheaper, smarter and more reliable than coal, gas and nuclear plants. And they’re not giving up without a fight, confected moral outrage, and lies.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/lunar-right-go-crazy-over-genocidal-wind-turbines-and-solar-power-89735/

Are Australian cities dense enough?
Alan Davies
The extensive suburbs in the middle rings of Australia’s east coast capitals explain why the “missing middle” is so much less dense than in comparable Canadian cities
https://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2017/05/02/are-our-cities-dense-enough/

Who is the voice of Australia’s oil and gas industry propaganda?
Norm Sanders
Dr Norm Sanders analyses a recent edition of The Australian newspaper dedicated almost exclusively to fossil fuel industry propaganda. 
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/who-is-the-voice-of-australias-oil-and-gas-industry-propaganda,10256

Turnbull gas plan unfair, says Santos
Matthew Stevens
Santos chief Kevin Gallagher is not happy with the way his company is being blamed for the gas crisis.
http://www.afr.com/business/turnbull-gas-plan-unfair-says-santos-20170502-gvxbtq

Santos investors put to the climate change test
Julien Vincent
http://www.theage.com.au/business/energy/will-santos-investors-put-their-money-where-their-mouths-are-20170502-gvwxtt.html

Melbourne commute: What difference will the budget make?
Roads, public transport and cycling infrastructure are all responsibilities of the states, so what does Tuesday’s Victorian budget mean for your commute to work?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-03/2017-victorian-budget-mean-for-your-commute-to-work-melbourne/8473092

Study to probe state’s gas potential
GAS will be the focus a more than $40 million study commissioned by the Victorian Government.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/victorian-budget-2017-study-to-probe-states-gas-potential/news-story/bd3d618c235440475208c635d2e5eb3d

“They’ll cover all of Australia”: Victoria’s $20 million war chest to fight alien ant invasion
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/victorian-state-budget-victorias-20-million-war-chest-to-fight-alien-ant-invasion-20170502-gvxeuq.html

Why the Kings’ power bills are ‘only going to get better’
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smart/sweet-spot-battery-demand-tsunami-tipped-as-consumers-seek-power-price-relief-20170502-gvx8iu.html

NSW environmental authorities warn ACT on risks of Foy’s plastics to fuel plant
The NSW Environmental Protection Authority has urged the ACT government to take a “precautionary approach” to Foy’s proposal for a plastics to fuel factory at Hume, saying it would be very difficult for the company to exclude dangerous contaminants.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/nsw-environmental-authorities-warn-act-on-risks-of-foys-plastics-to-fuel-plant-20170428-gvv0w5.html

Hydro electricity versus coal-fired power set to be Qld election issue
Rival plans to provide to power north Queensland will be a key issue at the next state election, with voters set to choose between hydro electricity and a coal-fired plan.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-02/hydro-electricity-vs-coal-fired-power-north-qld-state-election/8490232

Meeting of great minds
A SUGAR cane-destroying disease will be one of the big issues tackled by cutting-edge scientists at a conference in the Far North this week.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/cuttingedge-scientists-meet-in-cairns-to-discuss-sugar-cane-research-and-technology/news-story/799868fd3d6d8741243466b8de413678

Power Alert plugs into savings
A NEW online tool aims to drive down electricity costs for time-poor Far North business owners crumbling under the weight of hefty power bills.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/business/cairnsbased-company-looks-to-help-slash-power-bills-for-battling-business-owners/news-story/7ea24c5799b8ca8b773a4ae9bd362cef

Adani ban ‘to protect bank’
Westpac’s ban on funding new coal projects is to protect its financial link with the Port of Newcastle, critics say.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/adani-ban-to-protect-westpacs-port-interest/news-story/b47f08e188de07ad6397eec9607495fd

Canavan’s call to boycott Westpac a colossally stupid salvo in the new Truth Wars
Michael Bradley
Matt Canavan says Queenslanders should boycott Westpac since the bank is not going to lend money to the colossally wasteful Adani coal mine and becomes sucked into the Nationals Irony Generator.
https://www.crikey.com.au/2017/05/02/matt-canavans-call-to-boycott-westpac-for-adani-coal-mine/

Adani’s telling meltdown over Westpac’s new climate policy
Bob Burton
The angry denunciation of Westpac’s new climate policy – which rules out funding for new mines in the Galilee Basin – serves only to underscore how crucial support from at least one major Australian bank was to Adani’s push to win finance for its beleaguered Carmichael coal project.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/adanis-telling-meltdown-westpacs-new-climate-policy-14504/

Cash, not climate, real concern
Dennis Shanahan
Westpac’s announcement that it would refuse to finance the Adani mine appears to be ‘virtue signalling’.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/dennis-shanahan/westpacs-dirty-big-secret-cash-not-climate-is-the-real-concern/news-story/6121c525df0eeae372e0adb9114d5adc

Discovery of Tasmanian tiger photo renews interest in thylacine
A previously unseen photograph of a Tasmanian tiger mother with three pups has social media excited, while an amateur researcher bids for a clearer picture of thylacine hair.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-02/new-photo-and-hairs-from-tasmanian-tiger-sparks-interest/8488970

Tassal salmon plan for Okehampton Bay unites traditional foes
An unlikely alliance of hunters, fishers and environmentalists forms to oppose a salmon farming giant’s plan to farm fish in a Tasmanian waterway.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-02/hunters-conservatives-greenies-unite-against-tassal-okehampton/8488894

So how does Aurora add up the bits to make up your electricity bill?
The State Government is moving to cap prices in Tasmania for a year to insulate households and small businesses from price hikes. So what does it all mean?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-02/how-are-tasmanian-power-prices-calculated-aurora-energy/8487186

Increase in outback camels being flown to Middle East for genetic breeding program
More than 100 Australian camels will be flown to the Middle East for breeding this year, following a successful test run last year.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-05-02/outback-camels-flights-middle-east-exported-for-breeding/8485948

Record $1.75bn spend on infrastructure post-Inpex
THE Gunner Government is banking on a record $1.75 billion infrastructure spend to tide over the Territory’s construction industry as it stares down the Inpex cliff
http://www.ntnews.com.au/business/record-175bn-spend-on-infrastructure-postinpex/news-story/ffde02728d682c6b2ec941efae82dc2b

Green light for $800m gas project
THE green light has been given for the 622km $800 million Northern Gas Pipeline with a licence being issued for its construction
http://www.ntnews.com.au/business/green-light-for-800m-gas-project/news-story/22ba62d5a20f1ae0aae673ab9c664746

Ban the plastic bag bid already under way
A growing number of councils are taking steps to ban plastic bags ahead of a push flagged by the State Government.
https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/ban-the-plastic-bag-bid-already-under-way-ng-b88462648z

Moving away from the pro-growth economy.
With support and guidance from multiple experts, the MAHB has compiled a list of resources and organizations relevant to the discussions of why a new economic system is needed, what might the system look like, and how do we make the necessary transition.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-995200128361642127

Solar Cells With Nanostripes
Solar cells based on perovskites reach high efficiencies: they convert more than 20 percent of the incident light directly into usable power. On their search for underlying …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170502084632.htm

Zero waste isn’t just for hippies anymore.
Sound like hippy-dippy, tree-hugging nonsense? You’re wrong. The zero-waste movement has teeth, and it’s coming to a city near you
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-995200128361640016

Not even the Himalayas are immune to traffic smog
University of Cincinnati geologists found high sulfur pollution along the Manali-Leh Highway, suggesting a link to diesel pollution
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-05/uoc-net050217.php

Photoluminescent display absorbs, converts light into energy
By replacing the phosphor screen in a laser phosphor display (LPD) with a luminescent solar concentrator (LSC), one can harvest energy from ambient light as well as display high-resolution images.
http://www.enn.com/energy/article/51150

Where oil rigs go to die
When a drilling platform is scheduled for destruction, it must go on a thousand-mile final journey to the breaker’s yard. As one rig proved when it crashed on to the rocks of a remote Scottish island, this is always a risky business
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/may/02/where-oil-rigs-go-to-die

The nuclear option: What a war with North Korea would look like
Analysts paint a picture of potential catastrophe – chemical weapons launched across borders, an artillery bombardment on Seoul, nuclear strikes on major global cities and the most pressing real-world test for America’s missile defence system.
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/05/01/nuclear-option-what-war-north-korea-would-look?cid=trending

Plastic oceans and our health: What we can do
Ruby the Climate Kid
Ruby the Climate Kid inspires us to wake up to the scientifically proven devastating effects of plastic on our oceans and our health.
https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/plastic-oceans-and-our-health-what-we-can-do,10255

Plastic bottles are a recycling disaster. Coca-Cola should have known better
Bart Elmore
The drinks company junked its re-use system. Now the oceans are full of rubbish, will it clean up its act?
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/02/plastic-bottles-coca-cola-recycling-coke

Seals are deafened in noisy shipping lanes, say scientists
Urbanisation of marine environment impacts on seal hearing and is comparable to noise pollution of inner cities
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/02/seals-deafened-noisy-shipping-lanes-say-scientists