Death of El Cid Spain
Independence Day Bahamas
Junkanoo Parade, West End Bahamas
National Diabetes Week https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/itsabouttime
Don’t Step On A Bee Day https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/dont-step-on-a-bee-day/
Teddy Bear Picnic Day https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/teddy-bear-picnic-day/
More about Jul 10 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_10
Climate Change
Trump on outer as G20 leaders reaffirm climate change fight
World powers line up against US President Donald Trump on climate change, reaffirming their support for international efforts to fight global warming.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-09/g-20-shut-trump-out-on-climate-strike-deal-on-trade/8691140
The G20’s new guidelines will help investors tackle climate change
Rosemary Sainty
https://theconversation.com/the-g20s-new-guidelines-will-help-investors-tackle-climate-change-80612
Macron enters US climate gap
Graham Lloyd
The implications of Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the Paris climate change agreement are becoming clearer.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/powering-australia/we-could-build-new-coalfired-power-station-if-needed-joyce/news-story/75792e8789d72c752df120f7954429cf
Michael Mann did not sabotage his law suit, but deniers are sabotaging the planet.
Greg Laden ScienceBlogs
It starts with a very simple question: Is global warming real and human caused? It ends with a very simple answer: Yes to both. But in the middle we have, like every other good story, sex, intrigue, and intriguing sex.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468994500
Science an exercise in doubt, but no doubting climate is changing
Canberra Times editorial
Scientists doubt their findings, challenge them until a theory can be proven.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/ct-editorial/science-an-exercise-in-doubt-but-no-doubting-climate-is-changing-20170706-gx629s.html
National
Onus on Australia to take diplomatic initiative in protecting Antarctica
Government needs to get on the front foot to ensure plans for Marine Protected Areas are not watered down by other parties
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/08/onus-on-australia-to-take-diplomatic-initiative-in-protecting-antarctica
Joyce urges coal power funding
Barnaby Joyce says the government should build a new coal-fired power station if the private sector fails to finance it.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/powering-australia/we-could-build-new-coalfired-power-station-if-needed-joyce/news-story/75792e8789d72c752df120f7954429cf
Aust on ‘wrong side’ of nuclear weapon ban
The Greens say Australia is on the wrong side of history after ignoring a historic United Nations vote to ban nuclear weapons.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/aust-on-wrong-side-of-nuclear-weapon-ban/news-story/be98118f29f512aad05aac1134546ad4
Ambitious clean energy target will mean lower electricity prices, modelling says
Energy analysis firm RepuTex finds clean energy target going beyond that advocated by Finkel Review would keep prices down for longer
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/10/ambitious-clean-energy-target-will-mean-lower-electricity-prices-modelling-says
Energy key rests with the states
Josh Frydenberg
They need to act if Australians are to ever get more affordable gas and electricity.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/power-to-ease-energy-crisis-rests-with-the-states/news-story/355b58edc761204e3afe9c026b34a510
G20 gives Turnbull climate cover
Jennifer Hewett
http://www.afr.com/opinion/columnists/g20-leaders-give-malcolm-turnbull-cover-on-climate-change-20170709-gx7lk9
We pay price for global warming folly
Andrew Bolt
SEE your electricity bill soar 20 per cent this month? That’s proof you’ve been conned by politicians flogging mad global warming schemes.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-bolt/blame-your-power-bill-spike-on-politicians-global-warming-con/news-story/f90f2bac8ff689a3fe1cb25678333257
Coal-fired investors risk being unplugged
Scott Phillips
Climate change might have become politicised – to say the least – but the changes to energy generation and storage are fast becoming almost completely economic – and that will have significant ramifications for the stock market.
http://www.theage.com.au/money/investing/motley-fool-coalfired-investors-risk-being-unplugged-20170709-gx7pwa.html
Australia is being gouged by gas industry
Age editorial
There is clearly a problem when the nation set to become the world’s biggest exporter of gas has a gas shortage.
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-age-editorial/australia-is-being-gouged-by-the-gas-industry–reform-is-crucial-20170709-gx7l8c.html
Victoria
Garrett faces Brunswick backlash over forest logging
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/garrett-faces-brunswick-backlash-over-native-forest-logging-20170708-gx7anw.html
How Melbourne’s trees keep the city cool
http://www.theage.com.au/environment/a-warming-melbourne-may-need-to-consider-a-sydney-treechange-20170708-gx7bdz.html
Cow dung and daisies: Melbourne’s south-east dreams of a new airport (again)
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/cow-dung-and-daisies-melbournes-southeast-dreams-of-a-new-airport-again-20170706-gx600z.html
New South Wales
Why privatisation won’t make Sydney’s buses run on time
The Liberals cite complaints over delays as a reason to hand over services to private operators – as if they can part traffic in the manner of Moses
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/09/privatisation-wont-make-sydneys-buses-run-on-time-and-expect-new-problems
Fears of overcrowding in Western Sydney high-rise explosion
A senior NSW local government figure warns of severe overcrowding under plans to house more than 100,000 people along the Sydney Metro rail corridor, with Campsie and Marrickville set to be among the most cramped suburbs.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-09/fears-of-overcrowding-in-western-sydney-population-explosion/8682400
How Transport for NSW pushed past probity problems – and cost taxpayers millions
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/how-transport-for-nsw-pushed-past-probity-problems–and-cost-taxpayers-millions-20170708-gx7azo.html
NSW transport minister questions wisdom of building ‘four and five lane highways’
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/nsw-transport-minister-questions-wisdom-of-building-four-and-five-lane-highways-20170709-gx7mec.html
Queensland
Researchers track vulnerable dolphin species off Brisbane
A team of researchers is snapping photos in Moreton Bay of one of Australia’s little-known mammals, the humpback dolphin, in order to find out more about the animal amid a $1.3 billion harbour development proposal.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-09/researchers-track-humpback-dolphins-moreton-bay-qld/8654834
Power ‘game’ ramped prices
Wholesale electricity prices in Queensland have been the most expensive in the National Energy Market for most of this year.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/powering-australia/queenslands-power-play-is-gaming-the-energy-market/news-story/63d9264c69b51b102490bb4e926bedc2
Slow start planned for Adani’s mega-mine, leaked document shows
The plan of operations submitted to the Queensland Government last month by Adani for its Carmichael coal mine project reveals that although the “official start” has been declared, there’s not a lot of activity planned.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-10/adani-queensland-coal-mine-plan-raises-doubts-on-viability/8691020
Recycling scheme could impact on ratepayers, council says
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/recycling-scheme-could-impact-on-ratepayers-council-says-20170706-gx5soy.html
South Australia
‘Gattaca’ technology used in DNA hunt for ‘extinct’ Adelaide Hills platypus
Cutting-edge DNA technology is being used in an Australian-first to test for wild platypus in the Adelaide Hills, a technique that could also be used to confirm — or debunk — Australian folklore such as the Thylacine in remote Tasmania.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-09/dna-testing-used-in-platypus-hunt-in-adelaide-hills/8690596
Battery ‘to unlock investment’
The ‘world’s largest lithium ion battery’ will unlock more investment in renewable energy, says SA Premier Jay Weatherill.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/battery-to-unlock-more-investment/news-story/0c67347361dbb1f0bc0160789dc648fd
Premier: Why be negative over battery plan?
PREMIER Jay Weatherill has shut down negativity from opponents of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery, as a new war of words erupts with federal leaders.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/jay-weatherill-shuts-down-federal-negativity-of-plans-for-tesla-to-build-worlds-largest-lithiumion-battery/news-story/1846c8fe4bec1dcaf4a030e00cff51ce
Lyon vows bigger battery plan than Tesla
Tesla founder Elon Musk’s plan for a giant battery for South Australia is billed as the world’s biggest, but it may not even be the biggest in the state.
http://www.afr.com/news/lyon-group-vows-bigger-battery-plan-than-elon-musks-tesla-deal-in-sa-20170707-gx749f
Elon Musk’s big battery brings reality crashing into a post-truth world
Tim Hollo
For months, politicians and fossil fuel industry have lied about the viability of renewables. Now Tesla’s big battery in South Australia will prove them wrong
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/07/elon-musks-big-battery-brings-reality-crashing-into-a-post-truth-world
Left brigade charges with Great White Hope
Tim Blair
PEOPLE are falling over themselves to fawn over magic man Elon Musk’s battery absurdity but he’s just the latest saviour to get the green light from eco worriers
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/tim-blair-left-brigade-charges-on-with-great-white-hope-elon-musk/news-story/509975f3237c643f5b79bc83517ac4d3
Tasmania
The fascination with Tasmania’s flesh-eating plants
They might strike fear into small insects all over the state, but these native carnivores attract plenty of interest from plant collectors around the globe.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-09/flesh-eating-fascination-tasmanian-native-carnivorous-plants/8677232
Bike group focus on gridlock cycle
THERE is a way out of gridlock, along a future path where cars do not reign supreme.
http://www.themercury.com.au/lifestyle/bicycle-network-tasmania-lobbying-for-safe-paths-to-reduce-traffic-congestion-in-hobart/news-story/1e4bcb938d4fceca1085783dbc930f71
Audit on thicker plastic bag use
TASMANIA’S plastic bag ban is being audited in response to concerns retailers are giving away thicker single use plastic bags that, while not technically in breach of the ban, may not fit the intention.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/concerns-about-single-use-bags-prompt-review-into-use-of-thicker-bags-at-retailers/news-story/8439ed65472ac35e66de62d57b5ac178
Planning reform will rout NIMBYs
Greg Barns
There has been bipartisan political support in Tasmania for more than a decade for a statewide land use regulatory regime.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/land-use-regulation-reform-a-step-in-the-right-direction-but-must-have-a-limited-reach/news-story/f5841b0f2c54f066dc0e5abe77af6269
Rank politics before common sense
Lyndon Schneiders
IS there is anyone left in Tasmania who doesn’t believe that the Government is putting rank politics before common sense when it comes to vexed issue of forestry?
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/vision-and-leadership-lacking-from-government-in-forest-industry-transition/news-story/266d4bcee8e7510fa52ea965019af361
Setting record straight on salmon
Allan McCallum and Mark Ryan
TASMANIAN salmon producers are held in the highest esteem by our global peers, adopting world’s best practice farming techniques and a dedication to science, innovation and quality that is second to none.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/tassal-chief-and-ceo-proud-of-tasmanian-salmon-farming-techniques-and-sustainability/news-story/6efe22f025b3472361044e3f2db05da3
Fish farming jobs a priority
Mercury editorial
LAST month, the State Government announced a ban on the expansion of fish farming into the Mercury Passage beyond Okehampton Bay on the state’s East Coast.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/new-draft-legislation-shows-jobs-are-the-priority-as-government-looks-at-protecting-the-fish-farming-industry/news-story/f6b5a9c13597d8e2f04c0cecc80b4917
A few small steps add up to real change for our world
Karrinjeet Singh-Mahil
Why have we invested in solar? It’s simple: our two young daughters.
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4776227/a-few-small-steps-add-up-to-real-change-for-our-world/?cs=97
Northern Territory
Don’t dump that fish
BILLABONGS, lakes and other freshwater environments across the Top End provide perfect habitat for native fish such as barramundi, saratoga, rainbowfish and tarpon, but these habitats can also be suitable for non-native tropical fish
http://www.ntnews.com.au/lifestyle/fishing/dont-dump-that-fish/news-story/948fed1b635e26f92c76059bfbc629b0
Western Australia
Calls for WA abalone fishing laws to further tighten
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/calls-for-wa-abalone-fishing-restrictions-to-tighten-further-20170707-gx71zs.html
Sustainability
Electric car revolution: calculating the cost of green motoring
More battery-powered vehicles would mean cleaner air and quieter streets – but also a drain on the National Grid and less fuel duty to the Treasury
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/08/electric-car-revolution-calculating-the-cost-of-green-motoring
Plastic free July: cutting down single use plastics is easier than it seems
Plastic seems inescapable but there are easy ways like quitting junk food, carrying your own cutlery and using up leftovers that will make a difference
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2017/jul/07/plastic-free-july-cutting-down-single-use-plastics-is-easier-than-it-seems
China just built a 250-acre solar farm shaped like a giant panda.
Most solar farms align their solar arrays in rows and columns to form a grid. A new solar power plant in Datong, China, however, decided to have a little fun with its design.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468994492
Campaigns urging us to ‘care more’ about food waste miss the point
Bethaney Turner, University of Canberra
New research shows most people try to shop and cook carefully – the real problem with food waste is infrastructure.
https://theconversation.com/campaigns-urging-us-to-care-more-about-food-waste-miss-the-point-80197
Nature Conservation
Tanzania dam plans at World Heritage site
THE United Nations has called it one of Africa’s biggest remaining wilderness areas
http://www.ntnews.com.au/lifestyle/fishing/tanzania-dam-plans-at-world-heritage-site/news-story/8d5362fd538fc55a4c3b29ff53c647ac
Maelor Himbury