Grand Duke’s Birthday Luxembourg
Independence Day (Jura only) Switzerland
Jonines (summer solstice) Night Lithuania
Ligo Day Latvia
Midsummer Party Denmark
Victory Day Estonia
Jonsok / Sankthansaften / Midsummer’s Eve Norway
International Widows Day http://www.un.org/en/events/widowsday/
Public Service Day https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/public-service-day/
Let It Go Day https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/let-it-go-day/
Take Your Dog to Work Day https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/take-your-dog-to-work-day/
More about Jun 23 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_23
Climate Change
Oil majors risk trillions in stranded projects in 2°C world
New report finds that $2.3 trillion worth of projects are inconsistent with goals and objectives of limiting global warming to 2°C.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/oil-majors-risk-trillions-stranded-projects-2%e2%81%b0c-world-77698/
To lead on climate, leave the ivy tower.
Ralien Bekkers, Hillary Aidun, Emily Wier, Geoffrey Supran
America’s top universities expend considerable efforts to lead in the rankings, but last week they fell short – missing a critical opportunity to show moral leadership on climate change
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2206158589390233873
Heatwave hits the northern hemisphere
Andrew P Street
A little bit of unseasonal warmth and the UK goes into meltdown! You know, like the Arctic!
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/view-from-the-street/heatwave-hits-the-northern-hemisphere-20170622-gww8wu.html
National
Matt Canavan calls for taxpayers to fund corporate gas exploration
Matt Canavan now wants public money for gas exploration in South East Australia as well as $1 billion taxpayer leg-up for Adani.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/matt-canavan-calls-for-taxpayers-to-fund-corporate-gas-exploration,10428
Biomass could be one solution to Australia’s energy problems: CEFC
As Australia hunts for solutions to its energy problems, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) want to put biomass back on the agenda.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-22/biomass-could-be-one-solution-to-australias-energy-problems/8642392
Power chief backs hydro plan
The new energy market chief wants more focus on pumped hydro, and more investment in power networks.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/australian-energy-market-operator-chief-backs-more-investigation-of-pumped-hydro/news-story/4a3ebbec3774d3d3a70104675dd54c70
Tariffs a boon for solar buyers
Homes with rooftop solar panels are set to share in the boom in wholesale energy costs.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/solar-panel-customers-to-reap-benefits-from-tariff-rises/news-story/49e9fc406a0fbba954e0bc98275cbbfe
Divide and Conquer
David Crosbie
With environmental charities in the firing line over DGR status the sector must stay strong and not become divided,
https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2017/06/divide-and-conquer/
Government action isn’t enough for climate change. The private sector can cut billions of tons of carbon
Michael Vandenbergh, Vanderbilt University and Jonathan M. Gilligan, Vanderbilt University
Without the private sector cutting carbon emissions – rather than just lobbying the government for action on climate – the world will never reach the temperature targets of the Paris Agreement.
https://theconversation.com/government-action-isnt-enough-for-climate-change-the-private-sector-can-cut-billions-of-tons-of-carbon-79728
The government’s new energy plans will leave investors less confident than ever
David Blowers
https://theconversation.com/the-governments-new-energy-plans-will-leave-investors-less-confident-than-ever-79840
Summer of electricity blackouts ahead
Angela MacDonald-Smith
http://www.afr.com/business/energy/electricity/drilling-down-another-nervy-summer-ahead-for-power-20170622-gww9eg
Why coal needs to stay in the energy mix
Stephen Galilee
If HELE power plants are good enough for so many other countries, many using our coal, why aren’t we doing it here
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/stephen-galilee-why-coal-needs-to-stay-in-the-energy-mix/news-story/deb1f6ce745ac0d71c75115164a4da58
Traffic congestion is a handbrake on economic growth
Anthony Albanese
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/traffic-congestion-is-a-handbrake-on-economic-growth-20170622-gwwexy.html
Arguments against renewable energy are rubbish
Harold Mitchell
http://www.theage.com.au/business/indigenous-australians-can-help-build-a-more-sustainable-future-20170622-gww3nj.html
Is it really so wrong to care for an introduced bird species?
Grainne Cleary, Deakin University
We all know how vital it is for our native bird species to thrive. But what if the only birds that visit your garden are introduced “pest” species? Many people feel these birds deserve some love too.
https://theconversation.com/is-it-really-so-wrong-to-care-for-an-introduced-bird-species-78557
Victoria
Harsher penalties fired up for arsonists
ARSONISTS face tougher penalties for lighting blazes during total fire bans, as part of a number of recommendations put forward by a parliamentary inquiry.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/tougher-penalties-for-total-fire-ban-arsonists-recommended-in-parliamentary-inquiry/news-story/46269b13e1f8e499613e474bff4f5c22
Cracking up: Victoria on the road to ruin as maintenance shortfall grows
Next time you drive over a pothole on a main road and damage your wheel, consider sending the repair bill to Spring Street.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/cracking-up-victoria-on-the-road-to-ruin-as-maintenance-shortfall-grows-20170622-gww9bx.html
‘The dream of our ancestors’: Victorian bill gives Indigenous owners custodianship of Yarra
First legislation to go before state’s parliament with a dual Indigenous language title designed to give Wurundjeri people a voice in decisions around the river
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/22/the-dream-of-our-ancestors-victorian-bill-gives-indigenous-owners-custodianship-of-yarra
New South Wales
Power price control pledged
NSW Labor leader Luke Foley has promised to curb power price rises if his party wins the next state election.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/luke-foley-pledges-electricity-market-rules-to-control-prices/news-story/ce2cbcd21f5de855da7336f5a31d3b57
You could be paid cash to turn off power-guzzling appliances
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/households-to-be-offered-cash-to-turn-off-powerguzzling-appliances-under-proposed-plan-20170622-gwwiju.html
Luke Foley’s solar plan eclipsed by NSW government
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/nsw-opposition-leader-luke-foleys-solar-plan-eclipsed-by-nsw-government-20170622-gww38q.html
Radical plan to drop energy bills by 20 per cent is ‘jumping the gun’
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/expert-alarmed-at-nsw-state-oppositions-bold-plan-on-electricity-prices-20170622-gwwb3p.html
WestConnex is beeping highway robbery
Jess Miller
WESTCONNEX is a dud. Most people who use it will only save five minutes and it will cost them thousands of dollars in tolls
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/jess-miller-westconnex-is-beeping-highway-robbery/news-story/97114c7e8e9b4e817af4454c74e4001b
Green ideology drives us to ‘boiling frog moment’
Matthew Stevens
Whitehaven Coal chief executive Paul Flynn says AGL might be getting out of coal, but its still key to its profits.
http://www.afr.com/business/green-ideology-drives-us-to-boiling-frog-moment-20170622-gwwj8u
ACT
Australia’s iconic river red gum under “serious threat”
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/australian-national-university-and-csiro-study-finds-river-red-gum-under-threat-20170622-gwwnbi.html
Queensland
Spike in native animal injuries has RSPCA worried
A native animal hospital in south-east Queensland says it is treating more than double the number of animals it was four years ago.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-22/native-animal-hospital-in-brisbane-inundated-with-admissions/8641660
Dingo poo research debunks threatened wildlife killer theory
Scientists in far north Queensland call for a rethink of pest management policy after conducting research that suggests dingoes are not a danger to threatened species.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-22/researcher-calls-for-rethink-of-dingo-pest-status/8639586
Solar’s new sweet spot: Low cost, compact PV plants at $1/watt
New solar plant in Queensland will be built at less than half the cost modelled in the Finkel Review, and give a payback to investors in less than 5 years. Small is beautiful for large scale solar.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/solars-new-sweet-spot-low-cost-compact-pv-plants-1watt-65190/
Party’s great divide over Adani
FRESH divisions have emerged in the Labor Party over support for the Adani coal mine development, with one federal MP saying it was ‘not a positive thing’.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/fresh-divide-between-state-and-federal-labor-over-support-for-adani-coal-mine/news-story/5a19d01b69652cbbbf53e35f1865cf8e
Dredging gets big tick
GLOBAL ports industry powerbrokers have backed the development of Cairns’ Trinity Inlet to meet “crucial” environmental responsibilities while propelling the city’s economy forward.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/business/ports-bigwigs-back-cairns-dredging-project-to-overcome-environmental-challenges/news-story/7885aa6a0d9b459377baaff2b4885bea
Conservationists on crusade
Globetrotting conservationists Andy Ridley and Tammie Matson have been busy saving the world and its wildlife. Now they are in Cairns to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/lifestyle/earth-hours-andy-ridley-and-wildlife-warrior-tammie-matson-in-cairns-for-barrier-reef-campaign/news-story/28f57e99f6a295bd2533d69cedf94b4c
Drew Hutton, how he galvanised the Greens and his unlikely alliance with Alan Jones
Hutton cited health issues when he announced his decision to quit as president of the anti-mining group Lock the Gate
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/23/drew-hutton-how-he-galvanised-the-greens-and-his-unlikely-alliance-with-alan-jones
South Australia
Kimba votes yes to radioactive waste dump in Eyre Peninsula
RESIDENTS of Kimba have voted in favour of building a radioactive waste dump in their Eyre Peninsula district.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/kimba-votes-yes-to-radioactive-waste-dump-in-eyre-peninsula/news-story/96ca27ddaa0f67519b60a366584156bc
Why we said yes to nuke dump
The thought of having a nuclear waste dump in your backyard would be a step too far for many. But not for these residents.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/kimba-votes-to-investigate-nuclear-waste-facility-on-eyre-peninsula/news-story/dab04e32a1be76f1e48ecb2f26fe37ae
Dirty diesel stays backstage
The South Australian government says the next stage of its renewables push is fully funded and on target for summer.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/sa-budget-dirty-diesel-stays-backstage-for-treasurers-energy-show/news-story/ce146ac30302992f633273063d57ca54
Tasmania
Defeat for Tasmanian Government’s plan to recommence logging
The Tasmanian Government’s horror week in the upper house continues, with MLCs swinging the axe on its contentious forestry legislation.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-22/logging-plan-defeat-for-tasmanian-government-in-upper-house/8641876
Northern Territory
Vector/LG Chem win 5MW battery storage tender for Alice Springs
Vector wins tender with LG Chem battery storage, which allow significant increase in solar capacity in Alice Springs and a payback in 4 years.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/vectorlg-chem-win-5mw-battery-storage-tender-for-alice-springs-12134/
Western Australia
WA Government’s power price rise a ‘penalty’ on solar panels
Treasurer Ben Wyatt’s decision to increase power prices by 10.9 per cent — or $169 a year — from next month was a “penalty” on households with solar panels, energy experts said yesterday.
https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/power-surge-to-hit-solar-homes-ng-b88515496z
Gas giant exploits price rise
Alinta has used the announcement that electricity prices would increase to argue gas would now be a cheaper energy source.
https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/gas-giant-exploits-price-rise-ng-b88515635z
Sustainability
Govt plans to burn millions of waste tyres every year.
The NZ government plans to burn millions of tyres each year as a heat source to make cement, in a bid to deal with the “long-standing” problem of waste tyres.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2206158589390233885
Urban farming won’t save us from climate change.
Community gardens serve many purposes. A new study says that slowing climate change in colder climates such as the Northeast’s isn’t one of them.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2206158589390233896
How much do ultra-supercritical coal plants really reduce air pollution?
It’s not the difference in coal technology that matters most in reducing emissions, but regulation.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/how-much-do-ultra-supercritical-coal-plants-really-reduce-air-pollution-70678/
China province powered by renewable energy only for 7 days
State Grid Corporation of China is conducting a trial to supply all of Qinghai Province with hydro, wind and solar only for 7 consecutive days
http://reneweconomy.com.au/china-province-powered-by-renewable-energy-only-for-7-days-10181/
Nature Conservation
The precarious state of Earth’s national animal symbols.
“What does it mean for a country’s national identity,” write ecologists Neil Hammerschlag and Austin Gallagher, “if the symbol chosen to represent its people becomes extinct because of human threats?”
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468979903
Norway issues $1bn threat to Brazil over rising Amazon destruction
Deforestation in the Amazon is increasing amid cuts to protection, putting Norway’s financial aid in jeopardy, says minister
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/22/norway-issues-1bn-threat-brazil-rising-amazon-destruction
Yellowstone grizzlies can be hunted after endangered protections lifted
Jurisdiction over estimated 700 bears will pass to Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, which will allow limited hunts as long as total number stays above 600
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/22/yellowstone-grizzly-bears-endagered-species-protections-lifted
Tories aim to block full EU ban on bee-harming pesticides
Move to block EU ban comes despite environment secretary Michael Gove saying, ‘I don’t want to water down’ EU protections
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/22/tories-aim-block-full-eu-ban-bee-harming-pesticides
Shrinking whales finding may lead to early warning system for other species
Research showing whales were shrinking in size ahead of a global population collapse last century may help scientists set up a means to detect a similar imminent crash in other species.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-23/whales-shrinking-before-population-collapse-researchers-find/8643616
Maelor Himbury