Daily Links May 5

Global warming ‘hiatus’ doesn’t change long term climate predictions – study.
Detailed analysis rejects the view that the apparent slowing of a global rise in temperature from 1998-2012 is evidence against man-made climate change.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-995200128361636748

Believe You Can Stop Climate Change and You Will
 If we believe that we can personally help stop climate change with individual actions — such as turning the thermostat down — then we are more likely to make a difference, according to new …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170504121947.htm

Current climate change measurements mask trade-offs necessary for policy debates
Researchers argue in the May 5 issue of Science that because global warming potential calculates the warming effects of greenhouse gases over 100 years, they discount the effects of any greenhouse gas that disappears from the atmosphere after a decade or two. This masks the trade-offs between short- and long-term policies at the heart of today’s political and ethical debates.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-05/puww-ccc050317.php

Can art put us in touch with our feelings about climate change?
Joelle Gergis, University of Melbourne and Penny Whetton, University of Melbourne
A new art festival featuring climate-related works offers a new way to see an issue that is often framed in purely scientific terms.
http://theconversation.com/can-art-put-us-in-touch-with-our-feelings-about-climate-change-77084

Global warming scientists learn lessons from the pause that never was
Graham Readfearn
New study finds there never was an unexpected lull in climate change but says the science community needs to communicate better
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2017/may/04/global-warming-scientists-learn-lessons-from-the-pause-that-never-was

Business Supports Mandatory Sustainability Reporting – CSR Survey
More than half of the respondents to an annual study of corporate social responsibility practices say sustainability reporting should be mandatory – and for the first time Australian banks have fallen off the list of top 10 CSR companies.
https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2017/05/business-supports-mandatory-sustainability-reporting-csr-survey/

After the mining, what’s next for the landscape?
Many environmental groups are focused on closing down mines. But what are we to do with the land that’s left over?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-04/after-the-mining-whats-next-for-the-landscape/8489422

Cost of catastrophe
Climate change litigation is emerging as a significant risk for companies across all sectors of the economy.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/legal-affairs/companies-must-take-climate-change-litigation-risk-seriously/news-story/85838f96e57407a8d67c41c7dee40011

Prince Philip’s history with Australia
The then president of the Australian Conservation Foundation said he had learnt much of the problems of nature conservation during his visit.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/royal-family/prince-philips-history-with-australia/news-story/c0a6e2606645fa6f409e0c3f900d42b5

If renewables target is met this year, what’s next for wind and solar?
Giles Parkinson
Greens challenge Labor to get new modelling to justify its support for an emissions intensity scheme, as attention turns to what’s next for energy policy now that the renewable critics have egg on their face over predictions the RET could never be met.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/if-renewables-target-is-met-this-year-whats-next-for-wind-and-solar-65994/

‘Not going to stack up’: Gas crisis stays emissions intensity scheme
Laura Tingle
It may well be that the outcome is a complex range of policies, not a single price signal.
http://www.afr.com/opinion/not-going-to-stack-up-gas-crisis-stays-emissions-intensity-scheme-20170504-gvyizu

Melbourne City Council budget 2017: Spending rates bonanza replacing roads with parks and malls
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/melbourne-city-council-budget-2017-spending-rates-bonanza-replacing-roads-with-parks-and-malls-20170504-gvyl0u.html

Coal veterans nab Anglo mine
Malabar coal, backed by veteran industry winners, has bought the Hunter Valley’s Drayton coal project.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/coal-veterans-nab-anglo-mine/news-story/7e4fb16e8f00530cd98cf5937b62f8ef

New fears for horse studs
A heated battle between horse stud owners and coal mining interests in the NSW Hunter Valley looks set to be revived.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/new-fears-for-hunter-valley-horse-studs-as-drayton-south-mine-sold/news-story/bb94915fc146195ff23f8f236ca4e643

Sydney Airport reveals worst-kept secret over new airport
http://www.smh.com.au/business/aviation/sydney-airport-finally-turns-down-chance-to-build-new-airport-at-badgerys-creek-20170501-gvwunr.html

‘Greens or jobs, you choose’
Resources Minister Matt Canavan has demanded Labor ‘pick a side’ over the $16.5bn Adani coalmine.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/canavan-tells-shorten-he-has-to-choose-between-greens-and-workers-over-adani/news-story/7f449da4adac795506fab4f5ef06172f

Rio hits out at power firms
Rio Tinto CEO Jean Sebastien Jacques has blamed its closure of its smelter in Queensland on soaring power prices.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/rio-tinto-blasts-queensland-power-companies-for-gaming-price/news-story/e8b2f1cde8b19a28ca10f456b19f384f

Adani starting post in sight
THE Adani megamine is expected to be signed and sealed within a fortnight and the first of up to 600 workers will start to fill its Townsville office next month.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/native-title-amendments-the-final-hurdle-for-adani-megamine/news-story/b975997a071fd53d53c02ad5758d1c22

Govt considers action against Adani
ADANI is facing a new investigation by the Queensland Government into its operations after water released at its Abbot Point facility was found to contain eight times the permitted level of sediment.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/adani-coal-port-under-investigation-from-queensland-government-for-sediment-runoff/news-story/b51d7e9667c5dd7f08b4f4ff8027b736

Westpac’s Adani decision finds public support, despite Canavan’s disapproval
Survey shows 41% of people support bank’s decision to rule out funding Adani’s Queensland mine, with only 14% against, as the resources minister vows to switch banks
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/05/westpacs-adani-decision-finds-public-support-despite-canavans-disapproval

Hands off herbivores to help Barrier Reef
REEF officials may consider adding parrot fish and other seaweed grazing fish to the ‘no-take’ list to help the Great Barrier Reef recover from coral bleaching.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/reef-officials-ask-fishers-to-no-longer-target-herbivorous-fish/news-story/6ebade446b0c6aa7d0d1c4d0d7e6e816

Adani admits overseas steel cheaper
http://www.afr.com/news/politics/adani-admits-overseas-steel-cheaper-but-still-prepared-to-buy-local-20170503-gvyfc9

Whyalla diver torn over steelworks’ $74 million lifeline
Whyalla diver and former steelworks employee Tony Bramley is unusually placed within his community, and can see a debate on a Queensland coal mine proposal from both sides of the fence.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-04/whyalla-at-heart-of-environment-employment-dilemma/8497912

Adani deal with SA steelworks won’t secure taxpayer loan, Government says
A $74 million deal between Adani and a troubled South Australian steelworks will have no influence over whether the Indian conglomerate is awarded a taxpayer-funded loan for a railway, the Federal Government says.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-04/adani-told-arrium-deal-will-not-sway-decision-on-government-loan/8497342

Arrium deal ‘no saviour’ for Whyalla steelworks
A PROMISE to source $74 million worth of steel from Arrium has been welcomed by the State Government, but Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis warns it won’t be the “saviour” of the Whyalla steelworks.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/jobs/adanis-deal-to-buy-74-million-in-steel-from-arrium-no-saviour-for-whyalla-says-sa-treasurer/news-story/e89ffd0e26a4662b174e1ff281358aff

Santos shareholders hold gas giant to account over export controls at AGM
Embattled South Australian oil and gas company Santos fends off shareholder questions at its AGM about its response to new government export controls.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-04/santos-shareholders-question-export-restrictions-at-agm/8496278

Caring for country and telling its stories
Billy Griffiths, University of Sydney
Feral cats and pigs, mission grass and climate change – in western Arnhem Land, Indigenous rangers are battling many environmental threats. Through painting and performance, they are also telling ‘healthy country’ stories.
http://theconversation.com/friday-essay-caring-for-country-and-telling-its-stories-75844

Indonesia launches $2.6 billion lawsuit over WA oil spill
http://www.theage.com.au/business/energy/indonesia-launches-26-billion-lawsuit-over-wa-oil-spill-20170504-gvyqp3.html

Two thirds of Canada’s electricity now comes from renewable energy.
Canada substantially boosted its renewable electricity capacity over the past decade, and has now emerged as the second largest producer of hydroelectricty in the world, a new report said
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-995200128361636731

US wind energy installations surge: A new turbine rises every 2.4 hours.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-995200128361636722

First EPA-Approved Outdoor Field Trial for Genetically Engineered Algae
Scientists have successfully completed the first outdoor field trial sanctioned by the US Environmental Protection Agency for genetically engineered algae. The researchers tested a genetically …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170504083048.htm

Policies to Curb Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Could Yield Major Health Benefits
A commitment to reducing global emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) such as methane and black carbon could slow global warming while boosting public health and agricultural yields, aligning the Paris Climate Agreement with global sustainable development goals, a new analysis by an international research panel shows.
http://www.enn.com/health/article/51178

Edible insects could cut harmful emissions
Eating insects instead of beef could help tackle climate change by reducing emissions linked to livestock production, research suggests.
http://www.enn.com/agriculture/article/51174

Pedalling a cure for so many ills
Rod Chester
Rod Chester says there is a healthy case for taking up two-wheeled transport
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-pedalling-a-cure-for-so-many-ills/news-story/93deaf0cbd47c880495318c76a8ce676

Sustainable shopping: here’s how to find coffee that doesn’t cost the Earth
Aaron Gove, Curtin University
Your cup of coffee might cost the world more than you think, but a little knowledge goes a long way if you want to make an eco-friendly choice.
http://theconversation.com/sustainable-shopping-heres-how-to-find-coffee-that-doesnt-cost-the-earth-75284

Higher-density cities need greening to stay healthy and liveable
Melanie Davern, RMIT University; Alison Farrar, University of Melbourne; Dave Kendal, University of Melbourne, and Lucy Gunn, University of Melbourne
Greening cities that are becoming denser is a major challenge. City-dwellers’ health benefits from both well-designed green spaces and urban density, so we must manage the tensions between them.
http://theconversation.com/higher-density-cities-need-greening-to-stay-healthy-and-liveable-75840

Ignoring environment, culture could keep people in poverty.
Agricultural development programs should consider more than just economic growth when trying to move people out of the poverty trap, and consider the links between social and ecological systems, said a paper published on Wednesday
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-995200128361635428

Environmental groups sue Trump administration over offshore drilling.
The suit alleges the move violates the president’s legal authority, threatens a multitude of wildlife and could harm the fishing and tourism industries.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-995200128361636718

In controversial move, Brazil may outsource Amazon deforestation monitoring.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-995200128361636225

Decades of data on world’s oceans reveal a troubling oxygen decline
A new analysis of decades of data on oceans across the globe has revealed that the amount of dissolved oxygen contained in the water – an important measure of ocean health – has been declining for more than 20 years.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-05/giot-dod050417.php

Trees or shrubs? Study disputes success of China’s $100 billion forest effort.
A new study suggests that some official estimates of a nationwide campaign to plant new forests overstated its successes, and mistook shrubs for forests.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-995200128361636707

Scientists use satellites to count endangered birds from space
Albatrosses, one of the most iconic but also one of the most threatened groups of birds on the planet, are difficult to study in part because they breed on some of the world’s remotest and most inaccessible islands. Scientists have now shown that the highest resolution satellite imagery is capable of “seeing” these birds from space, allowing researchers to count their numbers on remote islands directly from satellite images without ever having to go there.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-05/w-sus050217.php

Greater efforts are needed to promote biopesticides
There are a number of environmental and economic reasons to promote the development and use of biological compounds as pesticides. A new analysis finds that there are fewer biopesticides registered in the European Union (EU) compared with the United States, India, Brazil, and China.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-05/w-gea050217.php

Noise pollution is drowning out nature even in protected areas – study
Human noises are often 10 times that of background levels, impairing our enjoyment of natural parks and impacting animal behaviour, scientists have found
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/04/noise-pollution-is-drowning-out-nature-even-in-protected-areas-study