Daily Links Jul 14

Turning the climate crisis into a TV love child of Jerry Springer and Judge Judy
Graham Readfearn
As a Trump appointee pushes for televised slanging match, a New York magazine cover story sparks a different debate – should we talk about how bad global warming could actually get?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2017/jul/13/turning-the-climate-crisis-into-a-tv-love-child-of-jerry-springer-and-judge-judy

Finkel: Let’s not be railroaded into a bad deal on clean energy
It is particularly important that State and Federal Energy Ministers, meeting tomorrow, do not lock in poor climate change and energy outcomes.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/finkel-lets-not-be-railroaded-into-a-bad-deal-on-clean-energy-77145/

Cutting Edge grid controls could kill need for coal
One of the fiercest defenders of brown coal generators now says they can be replaced with wide adoption of voltage regulation technologies that can make there grid more efficient.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/cutting-edge-grid-controls-kill-need-coal-48786/

Clean coal ‘key to target’
The Minerals Council of Australia has made a case for the construction of clean coal-fired power stations.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/clean-coalfired-power-stations-key-to-reaching-paris-agreement-goals/news-story/950e077fb6a5a95633b3525235845762

Activists ‘get $18m tax help’
The cost of tax-deductible donations to key environmental activist groups is $18m a year, new analysis says.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/nsw-minerals-council-activist-groups-like-greenpeace-get-18m-tax-break/news-story/2c6261e12998cbddae2c8938f9899ae2

Gas producers’ investment warning
Gas producers have warned that the reputation of Australia is falling so quickly it could become an investment pariah.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/gas-producers-warn-of-australia-becoming-investment-pariah/news-story/ebf9b28cf807ebef20914f07bd846f99

Gas network ‘fails’ local users
The International Energy Agency has called Australia’s gas network a ‘market failure’
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/iea-slams-australian-market-for-failing-domestic-users/news-story/8d6696eb27b1a4946526f8b65cb2589f

‘Sack Kelly for scaremongering’
Labor calls for Turnbull to sack his MP from heading his energy committee for saying ‘people will die’ because of renewables.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/renewable-energy-policies-will-kill-people-says-craig-kelly/news-story/686f72a50aa9e62778ef5a25dec3559a

High power bills? There’s an app for that
An app that could cut households’ power bills, or even allow them to turn a profit, by trading their electricity usage on the energy market could be available in Australia within months.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-13/household-electricity-trading-app-may-be-funded-by-government/8707010

Time to put the bite on sharks
HUNTING for great white sharks could start next year following a study to determine how many of the killer fish lurk in Australian waters.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/shark-cull-needed-now-say-surfers-as-government-considers-letting-the-hunters-loose/news-story/81992492919ed029a4f22db7a00186af

Josh Frydenberg, the minister who could make or break the government
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/everywhere-man-josh-frydenberg-the-minister-who-could-make-or-break-the-turnbull-government-20170713-gxaix5.html

Barnaby Joyce: I’ll support a clean energy target – if coal is included
Deputy PM tells Guardian the Nationals are waiting on cabinet: ‘You tell me where the line is, and I’ll tell you what our position is’
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/13/barnaby-joyce-ill-support-a-clean-energy-target-if-coal-is-included

Vehicle emissions standards: Why Australia needs them, and why they’re NOT a carbon tax
Scott Ferraro
Light vehicle emissions standards is good public policy that will deliver savings for motorists and cut Australia’s carbon emissions. No Elvis comeback required.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/vehicle-emissions-standards-why-australia-needs-them-and-why-theyre-not-a-carbon-tax-42159/

Are Australia’s native pigeons sitting ducks?
Andrew Peters
http://theconversation.com/are-australias-native-pigeons-sitting-ducks-79428

Why Australia needs to whip its coal dependence
Simon Black
In the same way people at the turn of the 20th Century wanted cars instead of horses, people today don’t want coal — they want renewables.
https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/why-australia-needs-to-whip-its-coal-dependence,10499

Renewables slaughter pensioners in their beds, sell kids into slavery and worse!
Bernard Keane
https://www.crikey.com.au/2017/07/13/renewables-slaughter-pensioners-in-their-beds-sell-kids-into-slavery/

No time for light bulb moments
Graham Richardson
How our energy is generated is the big issue, but the PM has more on his mind.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/graham-richardson/liberals-internal-battles-leave-little-time-for-resolving-energy-crisis/news-story/b523dccc4c6581bef145d13b7b38eedd

Energy fix needs hard heads
Australian editorial
Security and affordability must come first in consideration.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/editorials/energy-fix-demands-hard-heads-and-leadership/news-story/ccad7bdb06e81331769ec31c5db42625

Ash falls on city as a blaze engulfs recycling plant
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/coolaroo-recycling-plant-skm-recycling-engulfed-by-flames-for-second-time-20170712-gxa7y9.html

Spike in blazes at recycling plants has industry concerned
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/spike-in-blazes-at-recycling-plants-has-industry-concerned-20170713-gxar0x.html

Gore bans photos during eco speech
AUDIENCE members have been stopped from taking pictures during Al Gore’s eco speech in Melbourne today, as Victoria joins other states in signing a climate leadership declaration.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/former-us-vice-president-al-gore-speaks-at-melbourne-summit/news-story/79ca33f6272b50278f5fbde55f0b001f

DELWP ‘spill and fill’ row looms
UP TO 300 staff responsible for managing Victoria’s public land could be forced to reapply for their jobs in a “spill and fill” process, according to the union that represents them.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/delwp-forest-fire-and-regions-group-spill-and-fill-row-looms/news-story/ac7483120d12a7d447c45ff78baf7de4

Why our train network melted down yet again
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/why-melbournes-trains-melted-down-yet-again-20170713-gxatxp.html

Al Gore ignores tough reality
Herald Sun editorial
AL GORE was in Melbourne today, to talk up renewable energy, when an inconvenient truth emerged — Mr Gore peddled his views despite the existence of some inconvenient facts.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-al-gore-ignores-tough-reality-of-inconvenient-facts/news-story/d23be60c72d4dc02b714135709c65bd0

Artificial intelligence the smart way to boost NSW fishing
Al McGlashan says building homes for fish has been a huge success off Sydney and now more man-made reefs are to be created along NSW’s coast.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/biggest-artificial-reef-yet-for-port-hacking-as-fishing-scheme-expanded-along-nsw-coast/news-story/13a5ac63522cefc829e7ea916d92a073

Cabinet told benefits from a Wollongong-to-Sydney rail upgrade would exceed costs
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/benefits-from-a-wollongongtosydney-rail-upgrade-would-exceed-costs-cabinet-told-20170713-gxalvh.html

Queensland’s door would be open to Elon Musk: Trad
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queenslands-door-would-be-open-to-elon-musk-trad-20170713-gxaty0.html

‘Barry White’ mating calls could sound end of cane toad populations, study finds
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/barry-white-mating-calls-could-sound-end-of-cane-toad-populations-study-finds-20170713-gxan8a.html

Stop trying to save the planet, Matthew Canavan tells Queensland government
Federal minister attracts ridicule after he says state should ‘concentrate on saving jobs today’ instead of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/13/stop-trying-to-save-the-planet-matthew-canavan-tells-queensland-government

Renewable energy target not a priority for Queensland
Mike O’Connor
OUR Deputy Premier joined a gabfest with Al Gore this week. Remember him? He’s the climate change alarmist who warned us a decade ago the world’s ice caps would be gone by now.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-renewable-energy-target-not-a-priority-for-queensland/news-story/1d2538b7b1dd775455a7f7ab47562f3d

Biggest battery rates, if it works
Moody’s says the construction of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery in SA will be ‘credit positive’ for the state.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/biggest-battery-rates-for-moodys-but-only-if-it-works/news-story/cf3151f5bb93857e36fee71d5174c8af

Council eyes taxing wind farms to save rates
A REGIONAL council has a bold vision on how to lower rates for its residents, by cashing-in on the clean energy in its area.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/wattle-range-council-wants-to-charge-rates-on-wind-turbines-in-its-area-passing-savings-to-ratepayers/news-story/d9bf470fd0c7ab915c3fb1d8a311c425

State’s power play over Finkel’s energy pricing
SOUTH Australia will declare war on the Federal Government if it refuses to adopt the chief scientist’s proposed clean energy target.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/tom-koutsantonis-to-rally-states-to-push-forward-with-dr-alan-finkels-clean-energy-target/news-story/1b6084558a15505e466cdb76cbb893df

Plea for roo cull as road risks jump
KANGAROOS are causing serious dangers for motorists according to new figures, but despite the new evidence one region is repeatedly ignored when it comes to a cull of its population.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/raa-stats-show-rising-animal-collisions-prompting-call-for-roo-cull-in-south-australias-south-east/news-story/beca1e830434ed7fa8aace4165c3565f

Battery deal needs to be dissected
Matthew Warren 
HOW about we take a good hard look at the Tesla deal and what it means for South Australian consumers, electricity prices and reliability,
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/matthew-warren-south-australias-battery-deal-with-tesla-motors-elon-musk-needs-to-be-dissected/news-story/efc1c9c528e52f96ff3976b08aaca56c

Concern for Bruny penguins
THE penguin colony at the Bruny Island Neck could suffer devastating long-term damage
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/birdlife-tasmania-warns-of-penguin-colony-damage-at-the-neck/news-story/b0176abfa21643b25afff1607d323333

Bicheno shock hot spot for plastic pollution
  BICHENO on Tasmania’s East Coast has been identified as a marine microplastic black spot in new national research.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/imas-study-of-se-australian-coast-finds-highest-concentration-of-microplastic-pollution-in-bicheno/news-story/67680208062d7a1cbf96ebbaad5d0f33

Guerrilla gardeners fight hopelessness in Greece.
As Greece flounders under debt and austerity, green-fingered activists are overtaking unused spaces to feed those in need – and build a more sustainable future
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2946413885455650288

Green groups call for overhaul of repeal bill to safeguard environment after Brexit.
Environmental campaigners with 8 million members between them are putting forward key amendments to the repeal bill to be published on Thursday to tackle the threat of Brexit leaving huge gaps in environmental protection in the UK
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2946413885455648350

Study suggests route to improving rechargeable lithium batteries
Smooth surfaces may prevent harmful deposits from working their way into a solid electrolyte.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-07/miot-ssr071317.php

Want to fight climate change? Have fewer children.
The greatest impact individuals can have in fighting climate change is to have one fewer child, according to a new study that identifies the most effective ways people can cut their carbon emissions.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/2946413885455648355

Why a single nuke’s impact shouldn’t only be measured in megatons
Study: Even ‘limited’ nuclear strike could cause widespread drought, famine
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-07/uon-was071217.php

How people can best make the transition to cool future cities
Abby Mellick Lopes
http://theconversation.com/how-people-can-best-make-the-transition-to-cool-future-cities-80683

Hilariously, the world is going to end much sooner than we thought
First Dog on the Moon
The other night I tried out some of my new material about how the world might end at a comedy event especially for cynical people
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/13/hilariously-the-world-is-going-to-end-much-sooner-than-we-thought

Paris dreams as India stays real
Gary Johns
Fossil fuels are the future for any country trying to meet significant demand.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/gary-johns/paris-climate-dreams-as-india-stays-real/news-story/704cee8bc63956081f9a9b8a15c84bd7

Want real power? Stay out of politics
Rachel Corbett
POLITICS is paralysed. If you want to effect real change, do it from the outside. Just look at Al Gore and Elon Musk.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/rendezview/al-gores-movie-is-a-casebook-for-real-power-existing-outside-politics/news-story/c3ee18d93a4fd27cd50f28fa92f7d4c8

Toxic Mercury Is Accumulating in the Arctic Tundra, Study Finds
Vast amounts of toxic mercury are accumulating in the Arctic tundra, threatening the health and well-being of people, wildlife and waterways, according to a scientist …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170712200217.htm

Why Japan’s coastal zones might be disappearing due to climate change
Projections of future beach loss in Japan due to sea-level rise and uncertainties in projected beach loss
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-07/ws-wjc071317.php

Publish and don’t perish – how to keep rare species’ data away from poachers
Andrew Lowe, University of Adelaide; Anita Smyth, University of Adelaide; Ben Sparrow, University of Adelaide, and Glenda Wardle, University of Sydney
With the right approach to data security, scientists’ discoveries of the locations of rare and sought-after species needn’t leave a trail for poachers to follow.
http://theconversation.com/publish-and-dont-perish-how-to-keep-rare-species-data-away-from-poachers-80239