Daily Links Jun 29

Overlooked water loss in plants could throw off climate models.
Errors could cause researchers to overestimate the rate of photosynthesis when water is scarce.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468986940

Turning the climate tide by 2020
The world needs high-speed climate action for an immediate bending-down of the global greenhouse-gas emissions curve, leading experts caution. Aggressive reduction of fossil-fuel usage is the key to averting devastating heat extremes and unmanageable sea level rise, the authors argue in a comment published in the renowned scientific journal Nature this week. In the run-up to the G20 summit of the planet’s leading economies, the article sets six milestones for a clean industrial revolution
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-06/pifc-ttc062817.php

Climate change impacts Antarctic biodiversity habitat
Ice-free areas of Antarctica – home to more than 99 per cent of the continent’s terrestrial plants and animals – could expand by more than 17,000km2 by the end of this century, a study published today in Nature reveals.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-06/uoq-cci062817.php

Climate scientists just debunked deniers’ favorite argument
And in the process, illustrated the difference between skepticism and denial
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2017/jun/28/climate-scientists-just-debunked-deniers-favorite-argument

Can we restore our climate? Science and faith say yes.
Ian Mevorach
As a person of faith, this vision of climate restoration sounds like an opportunity to fulfill the biblical ideal of humanity as stewards of creation.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468986932

It’s time to stop ignoring conflict in efforts to build resilience.
Zoe Tabary Reuters
Many climate change adaptation and development efforts work in unstable countries – and that reality needs to be taken into account
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2206158589390242270

Solar pioneer David Mills’ life in the burbs – with PV, two EVs, and battery storage
Solar pioneer David Mills says if he can do it, almost anyone can. And by doing ‘it’, he means powering his house and his two electric vehicles largely through rooftop solar, and storing excess output in battery storage
http://reneweconomy.com.au/solar-pioneer-david-mills-life-in-the-burbs-with-pv-two-evs-and-battery-storage-97246/

Downer unfazed by coal activists
Downer EDI chief executive Grant Fenn says the company won’t be put off its mining business by ‘green activism’
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/downer-undeterred-by-environmental-activists/news-story/36c8fa145660b5dcf83d4747785211e6

Explorers unearth new confidence
Confidence is returning to the resources exploration sector as demand signals improve.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/explorers-unearth-new-confidence-as-spending-raisings-rise/news-story/cebabd6f4b8036e0cd2219b6fc59aa66

‘Eventually people will give up their cars’: Transurban
http://www.afr.com/business/transport/ridesharing-to-be-transformed-by-driverless-cars-20170628-gx09kn

Abbott urges nuclear sub option
Tony Abbott will today call for the government to formally investigate the possibility of acquiring nuclear submarines
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/abbott-urges-government-investigates-nuclear-submarines-option/news-story/a2aa837b755a8c14f6a81333fdd2c125

Snowy 2.0 to fend off Tony
Malcolm Turnbull has talked up the creation of 5000 jobs through the $2bn expansion of the Snowy Hydro.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/turnbull-uses-snowy-20-to-fend-off-latest-abbott-power-play/news-story/3d612c31b0c378c383d1ce8ecc908162

Australia will ‘rise to the challenge’ of sustainable energy
A global firm has responded to the recommendations of the Finkel review into Australia’s electricity market. …
https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/biglaw/21378-australia-will-rise-to-the-challenge-of-sustainable-energy

Farm chemical recall farce
AGRICULTURE chemical companies can choose to keep recalls a secret from farmers under Federal Government rules.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/chemical-crop-contamination-farm-chemical-recall-farce/news-story/67fa8040fabaeeae2d3dd3744a7628a9

Love of the land starts in a backyard
GALENA Debney is one of hundreds of Australians who have set up sanctuaries on their own land to protect wildlife and their habitat
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/country-living/wildlife-land-trust-love-of-the-land-starts-in-a-backyard/news-story/d66ed07df12cbb28b87402428a66b035

The Murray-Darling Basin: Water, markets and money
Mark Zanker
If the Department of Agriculture paid 2500% above the average price for water, there appears to be one clear loser — the Australian taxpayer.
https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/the-murray-darling-basin-water-markets-and-money,10448

Victoria rides with PM on airport rail
VICTORIA is willing to work with Malcolm Turnbull to build the long-awaited airport rail link, with Acting Premier James Merlino saying it is being analysed in a “partnership” with the Commonwealth.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/future-melbourne/state-government-to-partner-with-commonwealth-for-melbourne-airport-rail-link/news-story/f1aceb5e5ebe94c16532f527267aab6c

Inside Melbourne’s secret suburban hydro power system
http://www.theage.com.au/business/inside-melbournes-secret-suburban-hydro-power-system-20170626-gwyv5e.html

Suburban sprawl or regional sprawl?
Alan Davies
It’s probably a political winner, but it’s not obvious the Victorian Opposition’s new regional sprawl policy is preferable to suburban sprawl or redevelopment of established metro suburbs
https://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2017/06/28/suburban-sprawl-regiona-sprawl/

‘Carmageddon’: Traffic surge forecast for CBD bypass
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/government-modelling-forecasts-surge-in-traffic-for-congested-sydney-cbd-bypass-20170626-gwytm3.html

Fight against nuclear dump far from over
Karina Lester 
ABORIGINAL people have suffered enough from nuclear tests in South Australia and do not want a nuclear waste dump
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/karina-lester-aboriginal-people-do-not-want-a-nuclear-waste-dump-in-south-australia/news-story/b180d3850f4285c208a334957ef5d6f0

‘Nobody’s being anti-salmon’
SALMON farmer Tassal has offered Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie a tour of the company’s operations after she accused the company of not playing by the rules.
http://www.themercury.com.au/business/top-tasmanian-chefs-say-they-support-states-salmon-industry-and-want-it-to-have-a-sustainable-future/news-story/31d52b2daafa13a978694a0336581f09

It’s time to hunt NT crocs: Hanson
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says southern politicians should get out of the way of crocodile hunting in the Northern Territory
http://www.ntnews.com.au/lifestyle/its-time-to-hunt-nt-crocs-hanson/news-story/391bcad1add3d5ea3ad274f121119d34

The Poisoned Chalice: Breakthrough WA Study Shines A Light On Global Water Contamination
Jeff McMullen
When deep-well bore water arrived in Australian bush communities people thought the big thirst was over.
https://newmatilda.com/2017/06/28/the-poisoned-chalice-breakthrough-wa-study-shines-a-light-on-global-water-contamination/

Perry’s claims about reliability of renewables immediately debunked by regulator
US energy secretary says “baseload” coal is critical to functioning of the grid. Energy regulator says that is “absolutely not” the case.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/perrys-claims-about-reliability-of-renewables-immediately-debunked-by-regulator-51360/

Reform to “anti-Demand Management” regulations would cut power costs
New study finds smarter electricity network regulation would improve reliability, reduce emissions and cut power bills for energy users.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/reform-anti-demand-management-regulations-cut-power-costs-24762/

Ciel & Terre starts construction on world’s largest floating PV plant
The French floating PV specialist is building a 70 MW solar facility in China’s Anhui province.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/ciel-terre-starts-construction-worlds-largest-floating-pv-plant-53094/

Modified maize that kills with RNA is given go-ahead in the US
Monanto’s SmartStax Pro, which kills a specific insect pest using RNA interference, has been approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23531323-600-modified-maize-that-kills-with-rna-is-given-goahead-in-the-us/

UK risks becoming ‘dumping ground’ for plastic after Brexit.
The UK risks becoming the “dirty man of Europe” after Brexit with no plan to deal with the millions of plastic bottles dumped by consumers every week, according to politicians and leading environmental campaigners.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-2621786372544289017

Plague is found in New Mexico. Again.
Two people were found to have plague this week. What does the disease look like in the modern world, and why does it keep happening in New Mexico?
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468986448

Biofuel from waste
Zeolite catalysts pave the road to decentral chemical processes
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-06/tuom-bfw062817.php

Paving the way for hydrogen fuel cells
The hype around hydrogen fuel cells has died down, but scientists have continued to pursue new technologies that could enable such devices to gain a firmer foothold. Now one team has developed an electrocatalyst to replace the currently dominant, but expensive, one of choice — platinum — that could help boost the fledgling fuel-cell industry.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-06/acs-ptw062317.php

Cheap, energy-efficient and clean reaction to make chemical feedstock
Combining experimental and computer chemistry, scientists find the conditions to break carbon-hydrogen bonds at low temperature with cheap titanium in place of rare metals
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-06/ifbs-cea062817.php

Nuclear ship proceeds despite protests
A ship laden with highly radioactive waste has continued its travels in Germany despite being halted by protests
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/nuclear-ship-proceeds-despite-protests/news-story/baef982d1bccf91bafd6fe21e909e660

‘Baseload’: An outdated term that should not be confused with “reliability”
Giles Parkinson
Why baseload should not be confused with ‘reliability’ – and why building new coal fired generators – as proposed by conservatives in US and Australia – may make the grid less reliable, and more expensive.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/baseload-an-outdated-term-that-should-not-be-confused-with-reliability-34961/

Solar and wind tipping points: One down and one to go
Seb Henbest
There is no question now that solar and wind will dominate the future of electricity. The question is how fast.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/solar-and-wind-tipping-points-one-down-and-one-to-go-59083/

Climate change is an energy problem, so let’s talk honestly about nuclear
David Robert Grimes
Fear of nuclear energy runs deep but it may be the most efficient and clean energy source we have, albeit with complications
https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2017/jun/28/climate-change-energy-problem-lets-talk-honestly-about-nuclear

Trump administration to propose repealing rule giving EPA broad authority over water pollution.
President Trump’s administration will revoke a rule that gives the Environmental Protection Agency broad authority over regulating the pollution of wetlands and tributaries that run into the nation’s largest rivers, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said Tuesday.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2206158589390242263

Construction on wetlands ramps up water stress in Zimbabwe.
A growing number of newcomers to Harare find themselves in a bind. They need somewhere to live, and developers are all too ready to sell them land in wetland areas. But as construction covers more wetlands, water sources are drying up.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468986452

The winners and losers of Antarctica’s great thaw
Jasmine Lee, The University of Queensland; Justine Shaw, The University of Queensland, and Richard Fuller, The University of Queensland
Climate change is set to expand Antarctica’s ice-free area, potentially helping native species to flourish but also paving the way for invasive species to gain a foothold.
http://theconversation.com/the-winners-and-losers-of-antarcticas-great-thaw-80140

The Value of Nature
Money may not grow on trees, but trees themselves and all that they provide have a dollar value nonetheless, say authors of a new ..
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170628131352.htm

Choose your battles.
Trent Loos Dodge City High Plains Journal
Unless you live in a cave, you know weed resistance to glyphosate is a serious issue, particularly in soybean production.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468986440

Maelor Himbury