Daily Links Jun 21

Exxon, BP and Shell back carbon tax proposal to curb emissions
Oil giants among numerous firms to support conservative group’s plan
But Greenpeace says: ‘A PR exercise is no cure for decades of deception’
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/20/exxon-bp-shell-oil-climate-change

A huge part of Antarctica is melting and scientists say that’s bad news.
Antarctica is experiencing weird weather, and the changes have some scientists worried about the future
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/3941518157565125028

Heatwaves to soar above the hot air of climate politics.
Nature editorial
Future generations will fear, rather than fend for, the global environment
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468979045

Turnbull caves in, declares support for new “clean coal” generator
Turnbull caves in to fossil fuel lobby push for more “continuous power” and asks AEMO to assess needs of the grid. “It would be good to have a state of the art clean coal plant in Australia,” he said.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/turnbull-caves-in-declares-support-for-new-clean-coal-generator-26871/

EV charging and industrial solar thermal among ATC17 semi-finalists
Australian Technologies Competition shortlists 32 of Australia’s “most exciting” tech companies, including an EV charging outfit, a solar thermal solutions company, and an energy monitoring specialist.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/ev-charging-and-industrial-solar-thermal-among-atc17-semi-finalists-61224/

Snowy Hydro pumped over scheme
Malcolm Turnbull’s planned Snowy Mountains-pumped hydro project is standing up economically under the latest studies.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/snowy-hydro-pumped-at-potential-of-malcolm-turnbulls-scheme/news-story/e7d3a89f47c3f9bb0caae5b98ffc74e0

Energy majors’ appeals shut off
Electricity network operators have hit out at federal government plans to remove their appeal rights.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/appeal-red-light-for-power-networks/news-story/94521c728fb609968b74bf272e78ef3a

Australia warned it has radically underestimated climate change security threat
Senate inquiry starts as report into political, military and humanitarian risks of climate change across Asia Pacific released
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/21/australia-warned-it-has-radically-underestimated-climate-change-security-threat

Ten years ago Turnbull called out Peter Garrett on climate. What went wrong?
Graham Readfearn
After a decade of policy backflips and uncertainty, we are now being sold ‘technology neutral’ energy policy. But we need it to be discriminatory – and favour clean power
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2017/jun/21/ten-years-ago-turnbull-called-out-peter-garrett-on-climate-what-went-wrong

What are the prospects for dockless bike share in Australia?
Alan Davies
Dockless bike share faces a much bigger challenge in Australia than in countries like China, especially given new entrant oBike has to make it work commercially
https://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2017/06/20/prospects-dockless-bikeshare-australia/

Land clearing on the rise as legal ‘thinning’ proves far from clear-cut
April Reside et al
https://theconversation.com/land-clearing-on-the-rise-as-legal-thinning-proves-far-from-clear-cut-79419

Rewriting the rules on energy
Graham Lloyd
Malcolm Turnbull has turned to market intervention on gas but the government need to find an enduring solution.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/energy-policy-turnbull-government-must-rediscover-market-forces/news-story/6ae3b6cb67465311f794eed0d14d079d

The Levellers
Tom Quirk
The Blueprint target of 42% renewables destroys the opportunity to build baseload coal burning power stations independent of the choice of technologies.
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=19107

Skyrocketing electricity costs fuel network provider profits
Mark Zanker
Competition in electricity pricing has led to skyrocketing profitability for network service providers at the expense of the public go
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/skyrocketing-electricity-costs-fuel-network-provider-profits,10411

Victoria’s paddock trees doomed
TENS of thousands of paddock trees will die out and disappear from Victoria’s rural landscape over the next generation, killed off by unworkable native vegetation laws.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/native-vegetation-laws-killing-the-iconic-paddock-tree/news-story/66c7a1d8dfd747e6722b174e4d788654

West Gate Tunnel will bring 7000 more trucks to Brooklyn
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/yarravilles-gain-may-be-brooklyns-pain-as-bans-push-7000-trucks-further-west-20170620-gwuvly.html

Native vegetation: Get to the root of problem
Weekly Times editorial
HOW much more evidence do we need to prove Victoria’s native vegetation regulations are failing farmers and our native vegetation?
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/opinion/native-vegetation-get-to-the-root-of-problem/news-story/1dcdb527543f8970392d81172f679bc7

Victorian Liberal Party goes the full Trump on climate and energy
Mark Wakeham
Australians are used to seeing politics switch to vaudeville when it comes to climate policy. This year we’ve been treated to a new farce.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/victorian-liberal-party-goes-the-full-trump-on-climate-and-energy-32379/

The population debate we have to have
Age editorial
Melbourne’s traffic congestion is arguably the greatest brake on prosperity, because of the distorted structure of the state’s economic growth.
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-age-editorial/the-population-debate-we-have-to-have-in-victoria-20170620-gwutsj.html

NSW budget 2017-18: Coal rebound tipped to bolster coffers for years
NSW’s addiction to coal royalties shows no sign of easing after a surge in coal prices lifted expected royalties for the state by $839 million over …
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/nsw-budget-201718-coal-rebound-tipped-to-bolster-coffers-for-years-20170620-gwuq5p.html

Belectric completes second solar farm, plans two more
Germany solar and storage developer Belectric says it plans to complete two more solar farms in Australia by the end of the year, after finishing a 4.77MW solar plant at Goondiwindi , Queensland, using a new, low cost installation system.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/belectric-completes-second-solar-farm-plans-two-more-65632/

Rio Tinto project will create 1000 jobs
MORE than 1000 jobs will be up for grabs during the construction of a massive new mine north of Cairns that has just received a $100 million boost.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/business/rio-tinto-awards-100-million-contract-as-construction-of-jobcreating-fnq-project-ramps-up/news-story/62a49cc5b8fc3b1d94363d415e433296

Government reef confusion
The state’s environment minister has been left red-faced after flying to the wrong part of the Great Barrier Reef for a funding announcement.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/environment-minister-steven-miles-in-cairns-but-should-have-been-in-bundaberg/news-story/1e9b7843735388aa6b207f2e171ba3b7

Why sugar is suddenly good for sharks
A MAJOR international company that does amazing things with Queensland’s humble sugarcane is setting up in the Sunshine State and, while it’s good for local jobs, it’s even better news for sharks.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/queensland-sugarcane-to-be-used-in-cosmetics-by-american-company-setting-up-in-the-sunshine-state/news-story/0400a5fcf135763a5971195cfed5ea0c

Rising power bills force Qld families to switch to candles, cold water: welfare expert
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/rising-power-bills-force-qld-families-to-switch-to-candles-cold-water-welfare-expert-20170620-gwulcd.html

Queensland government considering electric vehicle charging rollout
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queensland-government-considering-electric-vehicle-charging-rollout-20170619-gwtt4l.html

Queensland pays price of policy power plays
Courier Mail editorial
AUSTRALIANS want to have their cake and eat it when it comes to electricity prices and emissions targets, and it’s left political parties cherrypicking from both and failing to guarantee either.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-queensland-pays-the-price-of-policy-power-plays/news-story/e45adb3a73005dca0304ef435bc854a9

Time running out for Tasmanian gas supply deal, Minister warns
Tasmania’s Energy Minister warns time is running out for the two parties negotiating a gas supply contract, saying they may face arbitration.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-20/time-running-out-for-tasmanian-gas-supply-deal/8635984

Tasmanian Energy Security Taskforce final report considered by government
The Tasmanian government is now considering whether it will implement the final recommendations from a taskforce examining the 2016 energy crisis.
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4742528/government-to-consider-final-energy-security-taskforce-report/?cs=5312

Tasmania ahead of tourism pack
Tasmania has enjoyed the largest growth in spending by Australian and international tourists over the past three years with a 54 per cent increase and the largest growth in the last 12 months with a 7 per cent increase.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/tourism-spending-growth-in-tassie-is-tops-in-nation/news-story/ff8ed2d2b4b475b547994fb4bae59419

State bundle of energy, says Groom
A LITTLE over a year since the end of the energy crisis, Tasmania’s Energy Minister has provided an economic forum with a rosy picture of the state’s energy sector.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/politics/minister-matthew-groom-tells-ceda-he-is-proud-of-the-way-tasmania-has-rebounded-from-the-energy-crisis/news-story/cbafe9cc768fd12e41b3e75d83486640

A shameless grab for our business
Tony Foster
The State Government wants to take over TasWater but has a spotty record at running businesses.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-a-shameless-grab-for-a-business-that-was-built-by-councils/news-story/c4c83e839d819c1b897cf54e95f03310

Charlie McKillop discusses developing the north
Charlie McKillop explores the issues and opportunities of developing northern Australia
http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-06-20/charlie-mckillop-discusses-developing-the-north/8633568

Farm leases ‘should transfer to native title holders’
FARM leases should be transferred to native title holders who could then lease them back with specific conditions, the head of the Northern Land Council say
http://www.ntnews.com.au/business/farm-leases-should-be-transferred-to-native-title-holders-says-nlc-head-joe-morrison/news-story/6332ebfb147977f7ff919a640da9ce5f

Lower the drawbridge! WA prepares for wind and solar boom
Six months after the Liberal government lost power in Western Australia, it looks like a three year investment drought is about to be broken, with more than 1,000MW of wind and solar projects queuing up for connection approvals and finance in the state’s south west corner.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/lower-the-drawbridge-wa-prepares-for-wind-and-solar-boom-48290/

Pipeline plan to solve gas crisis
The Bowen Basin is being touted as the solution to the east coast gas dilemma under a new plan for a gas pipeline.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/apa-pipeline-plan-to-solve-gas-crisis/news-story/4f5b31a6908583f56f81e092de390236

Trees are worth keeping not cutting
David Allan-Petale
Trees give us beautiful views, a home to wildlife and remind us that nature is eternally there, no matter how much concrete and colorbond we slap over the top of it.
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/trees-are-worth-keeping-not-cutting-20170620-gwuqjz.html

The unsustainable whiteness of green.
Environmental organizations aren’t diverse enough to build an effective movement – at a time when activism matters more than ever.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468979053

India needs solar for more than lighting
India could help launch new businesses and increase time spent working or studying if communities had power for more than just a few hours, a study finds.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/breaking-news/india-needs-solar-for-more-than-lighting/news-story/176ec5300f97106ed5942aad63b7d5ea

Indonesian coal mining firm gets its license reinstated despite a history of violations.
Officials have revoked more than 2,100 problematic mining license across Indonesia. A court in South Sumatra just reinstated one of them.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/3941518157565125048

Watching Cities Grow
Three million measurement points in one square kilometer: a world record has now been set in information retrieval from satellite data. Thanks to new algorithms, the researchers succeeded in making …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170620093156.htm

Corn Better Used as Food Than Biofuel, Study Finds
Corn is grown not only for food, it is also an important renewable energy source. Renewable biofuels can come with hidden economic and environmental issues, and the question …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170620142918.htm

Buyer beware: Antimicrobial products can do more harm than good
A consensus statement published today in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Environmental Health Perspectives concludes that common antimicrobial products do not provide health benefits and cause health and environmental harm.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-06/gspi-bba061917.php

Simple Tactic Results in Dramatic Water Conservation, Study Shows
Rain or shine has new meaning thanks to an innovative, inexpensive and simple tactic that will really change how people think about watering their lawns.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170620093146.htm

Fattened, genetically engineered algae might be the next great oil source.
The future of fuel is green, slimy, and reeks of fish.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/3941518157565125043

Can the US grid work with 100% renewables? There’s a scientific fight brewing.
A battle royale between competing visions for the future of energy blew open on the pages of a venerable science journal.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/3941518157565125024

Solar heating could cover over 80 percent of domestic heating requirements in Nordic countries
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-06/au-shc062017.php

New Asian lender should unlock clean billions, and not for coal
Jay Vontobel
Scarce public finance should invest in generation assets of the future, not relics of the past at risk of being stranded.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/new-asian-lender-unlock-clean-billions-not-coal-20771/

Chemicals aren’t people. They shouldn’t be presumed innocent.
Lynda Collins, Dayna Scott, David Boyd National Observer
The burden of proof should fall on those who seek to profit from the manufacture or use of the chemical.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/3941518157565125042

How vanity could save the planet.
Matthew Hutson The Atlantic
Worrying about social status is a surprisingly good motivator for people to go green.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/3941518157565125045

Factcheck: Right wing columnists blame Grenfell Tower fire on ‘green targets’
Leo Hickman
Were green targets to blame for the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy? Murdoch columnists in Australia say so, but here’s a debunk to this ugly nonsense.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/factcheck-right-wing-columnists-blame-grenfell-tower-fire-on-green-targets-40553/

Consumer power won’t save the world, democratic power can
Caitlin Fitzsimmons
It’s time we stop pretending that conscious consumerism can save the world.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/consumer-power-wont-save-the-world-democratic-power-can-20170620-gwuqg9.html

Worst global coral bleaching event eases, as experts await next one
US researchers believe worst event on record is ending but fear coral won’t recover in time before oceans warm again
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/20/worst-global-coral-bleaching-event-eases-as-experts-await-next-one

Why the world’s rivers are losing sediment and why it matters.
Vast amounts of river-borne sediment are trapped behind the world’s large dams, depriving areas downstream of material that is badly needed to build up the marshes and wetlands that act as a buffer against rising seas.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468979047

International action a must to stop irreversible harm of Amazon dams, say experts.
A new study finds that 428 existing, under construction, and planned Amazon basin and Andes headwaters dams could disturb ecosystems on an enormous scale.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/3941518157565125834

How a math formula could decide fate of endangered US species.
The Trump administration is considering a proposal that could effectively let some plants and animals become extinct so cash-strapped agencies can use more of their funds to save others
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/3941518157565125019