Aniversario Puerto Maldonado Peru
Battle of Boyne/Orangemen`s Day United Kingdom
Battle of the Boyne Day Ireland
Independence Day Kiribati Sao Tome & Principe
Micronesian Day Micronesia
Orangemen’s Day Canada Ireland
Petrovdan (Orthodox) Bosnia-Herzegovina
Petrovdan Serbia
Simplicity Day https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/simplicity-day/
More about Jul 12 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_12
Climate Change
Warm Winter Events in Arctic Becoming More Frequent, Lasting Longer
Arctic winter warming events — winter days where temperatures peak above 14 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 10 degrees Celsius) — are a normal part of the climate over the ice-covered Arctic Ocean.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170711121504.htm
Does the European Public Understand the Impacts of Climate Change on the Ocean?
Although many are relatively well informed, an alarming number remain either uninformed or misinformed when it comes to the impacts of climate change on the ocean, a new in-depth study of the …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170711085519.htm
How denialists Kenny and Bolt royally screwed up reporting of climate paper
Tom Allen
Wrong again, fellas. Master’s student in sustainability Tom Allen helps Andrew Bolt and Chris Kenny understand basic climate science.
https://www.crikey.com.au/2017/07/11/how-andrew-bolt-and-chris-kenny-got-a-nature-geoscience-climate-paper-totally-wrong/
The power and peril of ‘climate disaster porn.’
Emily Atkin New Republic
Climate scientists say New York Magazine‘s cover story about global warming is unnecessarily apocalyptic. But can fear help the planet?
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468997514
Stop scaring people about climate change. It doesn’t work.
Eric Holthaus Grist
Heat death. The end of food. Unbreathable air. Perpetual war. If you’re trying to motivate people, scaring the shit out of them is a really bad strategy.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/2946413885455645816
Are we as doomed as that New York Magazine article says?
Robinson Meyer The Atlantic
Why it’s so hard to talk about the worst problem in the world
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2946413885455645818
National
AEMO cautious about over-loading storage on wind, solar farms
AEMO boss Audrey Zibelman cautious about level of storage required for new wind and solar farms, but keen to push forward with energy market reforms.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/aemo-cautious-about-over-loading-storage-on-wind-solar-farms-18966/
Oil, gas projects could be made redundant in carbon-constrained future
Serious concerns are being raised about how some of Australia’s biggest companies are planning for a clean energy future.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-11/financial-sector-must-factor-in-risks-of-fossil-fuel-investment/8696224
Most popular cars face the carbon axe
Australia’s SUV love affair may become history as the government considers carbon-emission rules so tough even Toyota Prius buyers would be …
http://www.afr.com/news/economy/monetary-policy/australias-most-popular-cars-face-the-carbon-axe-20170711-gx8qnh
Car carbon tax ‘would up prices’
The federal government has mooted a ‘car carbon tax’ on some of the nation’s most popular vehicles.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/mooted-car-carbon-tax-would-push-up-prices/news-story/85f5f50caa8e5eece51c8961e6d37f87
Energy economics group says export market for Australian coal will decline
Office of the chief economist projects market will grow by 8.7% by 2022, but Institute for Energy Economics says this is based on out of date analysis
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/12/energy-economics-group-says-export-market-for-australian-coal-will-decline
Battery storage just part of smart demand response to grid problems
Alan Pears
It is amazing how much is happening, even in Australia. There may yet be hope for Australia to become a low-carbon, successful 21st century economy!
http://reneweconomy.com.au/battery-storage-just-part-smart-demand-response-grid-problems-49045/
It’s time to take charge
Genevieve Barlow
ENERGY alternatives are a golden chance for regional towns to have power over their own futures
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/country-living/miranda/miranda-rural-areas-realising-its-time-to-take-charge/news-story/ac6076c322208c07841274e6cc785708
Victoria
Leadbeater’s possum zones costing Victorian loggers, report finds
Special buffer zones to protect Victoria’s endangered Leadbeater’s possum have helped reduce the risk of extinction but will cost the state’s timber industry nearly $15 million in lost revenue, a review finds.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-11/possum-zones-costing-victorias-timber-industry-report-finds/8698934
Council takes on farmer for clearing trees along fence line
A Victorian local council threatens a farmer with legal action for clearing vegetation along fence lines.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-07-11/farmer-faces-legal-action-for-clearing-trees-on-fence-line/8695730
Fire risk of solar power systems
Victoria’s Metropolitan Fire Brigade has responded to more than 40 fires caused by solar panels in the past five years.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/years-to-understand-fire-risk-of-solar-power-systems/news-story/bcb237fc4e13e3cf37e56cadfaf44430
Federal regional rail cash still ‘not enough’
A MASSIVE injection of federal funding into Victorian regional rail projects has still left the state short of receiving its fair share, the Opposition says.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/federal-regional-rail-cash-still-not-enough-opposition/news-story/530da2d88721cffb85950b05a9dd9d4a
Revamp of Melbourne’s historic Victoria Market gets green light
A plan to redevelop Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market is set to go ahead after the State Government placed height restrictions on a controversial proposed tower in the precinct.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-11/victoria-market-redevelopment-melbourne-approved/8696326
We asked readers if Melbourne was becoming less liveable. This is what they said
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/worlds-most-liveable-city-heres-what-our-readers-thought-about-melbournes-growing-pains-20170710-gx8hk2.html
Is Melbourne Metro being built too fast?
Alan Davies
The Sunday Age reckons the Andrews Government has cynically chosen to use a truck-intensive tunnelling method so it can get the Melbourne Metro rail project finished faster
https://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2017/07/11/melbourne-metro-built-fast/
New South Wales
Why driverless cars could increase Sydney’s congestion
Elliot Fishman
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/driverless-cars-could-make-congestion-on-your-daily-commute-worse-20170710-gx81hm.html
Queensland
Queensland commits to zero net emissions by 2050
Queensland becomes latest states to commit to target of zero net emissions by 2050, putting further pressure on federal government’s unambitious climate goals.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/queensland-commits-zero-net-emissions-2050/
Tequila plant to fire up clean energy industry
Far north Queensland could soon be home to the world’s largest crop of the plant used to make tequila, but rather than putting fire in bellies, it will be used to help fuel a green energy initiative.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-07-11/tequila-plant-to-fire-up-clean-energy-industry-queensland/8697562
Class action begins against Defence over toxic firefighting foam use
About 450 residents are seeking up to $200 million in damages from the Defence Department over the contamination of soil and water by toxic firefighting foam used at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre in south-east Queensland.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-11/oakey-firefighting-foam-class-action-army-base-qld-darling-downs/8696152
Push for new coal-fired power station in Queensland ‘nonsense’ – state minister
Idea championed by federal Nationals ‘one of the most irresponsible policy propositions I’ve heard’, Mark Bailey says
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/11/push-for-new-coal-fired-power-station-in-queensland-nonsense-state-minister
Premier’s blind eye to profiteering
Queensland has no plans to take any action against taxpayer-owned power generator CS Energy to limit profiteering.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/carbonfocused-palaszczuk-turns-blind-eye-to-power-company-profiteering/news-story/b11c1b003e06190c375ad70689cbb5b1
Hostile crowd turns on Palaszczuk
A HOSTILE crowd has clashed with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Cairns over the Adani coal mine.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/crowd-turns-on-premier-annastacia-palaszczuk-at-cairns-meeting/news-story/b31167a74059cc3b0b4d5cf06b91d472
Premier meets with community groups
THE spectre of Adani has hung over Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s town hall meeting at Brother’s Leagues Club tonight with a vocal crowd of anti-coal campaigners bringing the event to a temporary halt.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/premier-annastacia-palaszczuk-meets-with-cairns-community/news-story/535cec45172012bdd8b81e545d454e69
Dumping sites chosen for Cairns dredging project
DREDGE spoil will be dumped on land at Portsmith and the Barron Delta as part of the $120 million Cairns Shipping Development Project.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/cairns-dredge-spoil-dumping-grounds-revealed-as-revised-draft-eis-opens-for-public-feedback/news-story/973ff56c20f5885a29e1213b5f4ebac2
Sustainable yacht visits Cairns
A YACHT run entirely on sustainable resources has docked in Cairns this week but not without its share of troubles halfway across the Pacific Ocean.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/lifestyle/visit-sustainable-yacht-ya-while-its-docked-in-marlin-marina-this-week/news-story/7073055ebfabbef8e74622eb92db226b
Government inaction leading to increased pollution on Barrier Reef, says WWF
Huge spike in Queensland land clearing destroys ecological communities and habitat of threatened species, according to analysis
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/12/exclusive-government-inaction-leading-to-increased-pollution-on-barrier-reef-says-wwf
Cost to save Great Barrier Reef
Graham Lloyd
Australians on average were willing to spend $1.30 a week or $67.70 a year to save the Great Barrier Reef.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/renewable-rentseekers-will-cost-more-than-130/news-story/b5dd28299f13f99ba75b6a8d276842ed
South Australia
South Australia machine turns waste plastic into energy
South Australia company develops systems to use anaerobic digestion technology to turn waste plastics into energy and fertiliser.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/south-australia-machine-turns-waste-plastic-into-energy-15734/
Shorten eyes 3700 jobs from irrigation scheme
FEDERAL Labor Leader Bill Shorten has promised $46 million for an Adelaide project that could create 3,700 jobs
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/opposition-leader-bill-shorten-pledges-46m-in-adelaide-irrigation-scheme-that-could-create-3700-jobs/news-story/c5a65b844758e7f6b18ced5b21a48222
Questions remain over giant battery
Dean Jaensch
THERE are some facts yet to emerge, issues to be discussed and questions to be answered over South Australia’s giant battery
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/dean-jaensch-facts-yet-to-emerge-issues-to-be-discussed-and-questions-to-be-answered-over-south-australias-giant-battery/news-story/5153335be0526a980381bf405a71c102
Tesla shows us how to think big on renewables, but there’s a long road ahead
Sam Hardy
Elon Musk’s company has rightly been praised for its proposed giant battery in South Australia, although some components will prove controversial
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/11/tesla-renewables-environmental-risks-elon-musk-battery-south-australia
Tasmania
Anger at Bruny Island upgrade work
UPGRADES to a popular Bruny Island tourist attraction are causing havoc for residents and tourists.
http://www.themercury.com.au/lifestyle/residents-and-tourism-operators-express-anger-at-bruny-island-upgrade-work/news-story/66c75bb76a2fcbb112e1c7fddcb45227
C-Cell almost ready but needs clients
Southern Waste Solutions chief executive Christine Bell said progress had stalled on construction of Tasmania’s first hazardous waste dump because of rain, but it was only a small delay.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/ccell-almost-ready-but-needs-clients/news-story/429fbc9e5cbf72fe35df00825da86a29
DNA sampling could determine if Tasmanian tigers exist, researcher says
Modern forensic science could be used to solve one of our much-loved mysteries — is the thylacine actually extinct?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-11/dna-may-hold-key-to-thylacine-existence-lab-tech-says/8697100
Northern Territory
Australia’s first battery ‘gigafactory’ considered for Darwin
An Australian company announces a bold plan to build Australia’s first “gigafactory” in Darwin, producing custom-made lithium-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-11/australias-first-gigafactory-considered-for-darwin/8696198
NT-east coast gas pipeline work starts today
WORK on the $800 million gas pipeline to bring Northern Territory gas to the east coast will start with an official sod-turning today
http://www.ntnews.com.au/business/work-on-800-million-northern-territory-gas-pipeline-to-east-coast-to-start-today/news-story/f29ea6c9ee517706010f3f73646f769d
Western Australia
Are Perth people water guzzlers or just misunderstood?
A study concludes Perth residents use twice as much water per capita as those in Melbourne and Brisbane, but the water authority disputes that.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-11/perth-water-guzzling-is-it-misunderstood/8697898
Sustainability
Game changer: Cheap renewables are causing rethink on markets
Fossil fuels once had little to fear from renewable energy, but that’s no longer the case.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/game-changer-cheap-renewables-causing-rethink-markets-94799/
How is pollution connected to race and inequality?
The Trump administration has proposed cutting the EPA’s budget by 30 percent. What does that mean for polluted communities in the U.S.?
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468997533
Invisibility cloak makes solar panels work more efficiently
A new material that hides the metal grid on top of solar panels make them 9 per cent more efficient in lab tests
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2140108-invisibility-cloak-makes-solar-panels-work-more-efficiently/
IEA warns fall in global energy investment may lead to shortages
The International Energy Agency’s second annual IEA benchmark analysis of energy investment found that while the world spent $US1.7 trillion ($2.2 trillion) on fossil-fuel exploration, new power plants and upgrades to electricity grids last year, global energy investment was down 12 per cent from a year earlier and 17 per cent lower than 2014.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/iea-warns-fall-in-global-energy-investment-may-lead-to-shortages/news-story/7e94f47b6b7c9a0defd589d2a959cedd
Mexico’s methane emissions threaten the environment.
Mexico is in transition towards commercial exploitation of its shale gas, which is being included in two auctions of 24 hydrocarbon blocks, at a time when the country is having difficulty preventing and reducing industrial methane emissions.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/2946413885455645806
Just 100 companies responsible for 71% of global emissions, study says.
Just 100 companies have been the source of more than 70% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions since 1988, according to a new report
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/2946413885455645800
Is a car maker about to save the planet?
Zoe Williams The Guardian
Volvo’s move to electric demonstrates the role ethical business can play in shaping our society for the better.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/2946413885455645801
Nature Conservation
How many countries does it take to save a fish?
All of them—which makes conservation difficult when your neighbors keep poaching.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2946413885455647117
It’s a mistake to focus just on animal extinctions.
Population declines tell a much scarier story.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2946413885455645819
Marine Vessels are Unsuspecting Hosts of Invasive Species
Invasive ascidians — sac-like marine invertebrate filter feeders — are nuisance organisms that present a global threat. They contribute to biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and impairment of ecosystem services around the world.
http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/51793
How to plant a tree in the desert.
A Dutch engineer has developed a cheap and easy way to restore vegetation to barren landscapes, and a for-profit business to go with it.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2946413885455647118
Now for something completely different …
A new system to estimate the duration of a walk in the countryside
The method offers a result that is closer to times taken by walking enthusiasts than the estimations made by the most commonly used current calculation systems
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-07/uos-ans071117.php
Maelor Himbury