Daily Links Jul 7

2 new studies undermine climate denial arguments.
Two new studies published this month are helping resolve lingering differences between what climate models have predicted and what actual measurements have recorded.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-2621786372544280930

Scientists are starting to clear up one of the biggest controversies in climate science.
A study, out Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, joins a growing body of literature that suggests the models are on track after all.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-2621786372544280941

Why carbon pricing is losing popularity.
Ask people if they’re in favor of a recession to lower emissions and you’ll get very different answers than if you ask whether they favor a carbon tax to fight man-made climate change.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468992526

Climate change could see Africa’s Sahel turn lush and green in our lifetimes.
The abrupt transition to a tropical climate would bring its own challenges for Sahel societies.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-2621786372544280933

Delhi could become as hot as Sharjah by 2100.
The average summer highs in major Indian cities could rise by 3-5 °Celcius by end of the century, leading to the Indian peninsula witnessing extreme heat waves associated with the arid climate of the Middle-East , estimates new research.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-2621786372544280920

A landmark climate lawsuit against Trump is scheduled for trial next year. Here’s what to expect.
The case is set for trial in February 2018, and there’s not much left that can derail it.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/2460133000468992515

This is how climate change will shift the world’s cities.
To illustrate just how hot cities’ future could be and the choices they face, Climate Central created an interactive in partnership with the World Meteorological Organization.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/2460133000468992498

Why the climate is more sensitive to carbon dioxide than weather records suggest
Andrew Glikson
One of the key questions about climate change is the strength of the greenhouse effect. In scientific terms this is described as ‘climate sensitivity’. It’s defined as the amount Earth’s average temperature will ultimately rise in response to a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
http://theconversation.com/why-the-climate-is-more-sensitive-to-carbon-dioxide-than-weather-records-suggest-80463

Don’t worry about the huge Antarctic iceberg – worry about the glaciers behind it
Chen Zhao et al
Icebergs breaking off Antarctica, even massive ones, do not typically concern glaciologists. But the impending birth of a new massive iceberg could be more than business as usual for the frozen continent.
http://theconversation.com/dont-worry-about-the-huge-antarctic-iceberg-worry-about-the-glaciers-behind-it-80314

A new approach to emissions trading in a post-Paris climate
Suzi Kerr
Despite the US withdrawal from the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, other countries, including New Zealand, remain committed to cutting their greenhouse gas emissions.
http://theconversation.com/a-new-approach-to-emissions-trading-in-a-post-paris-climate-78746

One-quarter of Australian homes now have solar
Roy Morgan research shows almost one in four Australian households own solar panels – almost one-third in South Australia.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/one-quarter-of-australian-homes-now-have-solar-70886/

Energy consumers paying more than they think, and what regulator admits
New data shows that energy consumers are paying more than they think in their bills, and more than what the regulator admits.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/energy-consumers-paying-more-than-they-think-and-what-regulator-admits-96026/

Energy Locals calls out ‘gen-tailers’ for driving up prices, hurting customers
Energy Locals becomes second market player in week to hit out at fossil fuel generators for ‘deliberately’ driving up electricity bills.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/energy-locals-calls-out-gen-tailers-for-driving-up-prices-hurting-customers-84198/

Third of seabirds found dead on NZ and Australian shores had eaten plastic.
More than a third of seabirds found dead on New Zealand and Australia’s beaches have plastic in their stomachs.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-2621786372544280918

Lithium firms ride battery boom
Australian developers of lithium and cobalt deposits are enjoying a “second commodity boom” thanks to the battery storage boom.
http://www.afr.com/news/lithium-firms-ride-battery-boom-20170706-gx5xuo

Consumers question value for money on energy bills
Electricity is rated behind banking, mobile phone and internet services in terms of value for money, a national survey of energy consumers finds, as households face double-digit price rises.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-07/energy-price-rises-not-justified-consumers-believe/8685718

Act now on high-speed rail or pay heavy price later
http://www.theage.com.au/national/act-now-on-highspeed-rail-or-pay-heavy-price-later-infrastructure-australia-20170706-gx63fz.html

Pacific Bauxite accused of tricking Solomon Islanders over mining rights
The Australian mining company denies any impropriety and says landowners are keen to find out if there are mineral resources on their land
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/07/pacific-bauxite-accused-of-tricking-solomon-islanders-over-mining-rights

Australian paleo: What’s it like to eat native animals?
Jillian Garvey, La Trobe University
If Australians are to eat healthy, unprocessed meats while making sustainable choices, native animals would be an obvious choice
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-06/australian-paleo-diet-what-is-it-like-to-eat-native-animals/8683740

Don’t pick this piece of Finkel
Graham Richardson
Turnbull should ignore clean energy target and fire up government role in power from coal
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/graham-richardson/labor-gains-unless-turnbull-rejects-finkels-clean-energy-target/news-story/3a7525aa6ea9b132a32cf52ee7fc1f08

Energy prices are only going one way
Jennifer Hewett
http://www.afr.com/opinion/columnists/as-energy-prices-soar-josh-frydenberg-tries-to-thread-the-eye-of-the-conservative-needle-20170706-gx63fs

We can lead on urban change
Brendan Gleeson
NEXT Tuesday evening some of Melbourne’s famous landmarks will be bathed in emerald light to welcome some of the world’s experts in ecocities
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/melbourne-can-lead-world-on-urban-change-with-chance-to-showcase-our-commitment-to-a-green-future/news-story/44f31b974ae641baeb6fee128bcbcddf

State’s timber bailout has bad whiff of pork
Age editorial
How can anyone assess this use of scarce public funds? The government has a duty of full disclosure to the community.
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-age-editorial/victorian-governments-timber-mill-bailout-has-bad-whiff-of-pork-20170706-gx66n7.html

Impending traffic chaos? Beware the problematic West Gate Tunnel forecasts
Nathan Pittman et al
http://theconversation.com/impending-traffic-chaos-beware-the-problematic-west-gate-tunnel-forecasts-79331

Reef relief for tourism operators
GREAT Barrier Reef tourism operators hope UNESCO’s decision not to list the living wonder “in danger” will reverse a drop in visitor numbers.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/tourism-operators-breathe-sigh-of-relief-as-great-barrier-reef-avoids-in-danger-listing/news-story/3c9b39ce2465bbe96d489532725851cf

Premier wants power station scrapped
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has renewed her call for the Federal Government to scrap its plans for a new coal-fired power station in North Queensland, arguing it will hurt the Great Barrier Reef.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/great-barrier-reef-not-endangered-unesco/news-story/3a34e9895a1509840191b2e49bc181ae

France to ban sales of petrol and diesel cars by 2040.
France will end sales of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040 as part of an ambitious plan to meet its targets under the Paris climate accord, Emmanuel Macron’s government has announced
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-2621786372544279959

New material may help cut battery costs for electric cars, cellphones
In the battle of the batteries, lithium-ion technology is the reigning champion, powering that cellphone in your pocket as well as an increasing number of electric vehicles on the road.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-07/uota-nmm070617.php

Three Gorges Dam alters downstream schistosomiasis rates
The Three Gorges Dam is a massive hydroelectric dam that spans the Yangtze River in central China and became fully operational in 2010. Ecological changes caused by the dam have altered the distribution of snails — including those that carry the Schistosoma parasites — researchers now report in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-07/p-tgd062817.php

Climate Change Threatens Domestic Bee Species
There are around 550 different bee species in Germany. Most of them are solitary bees. They don’t live in large beehives like the honeybee, but each female bee often builds …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170706072059.htm

‘Weedy’ fish species to take over our future oceans
University of Adelaide researchers have for the first time demonstrated that the ocean acidification expected in the future will reduce fish diversity significantly, with small ‘weedy’ species dominating marine environments.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-07/uoa-fs070517.php

Changes in conservation planning can benefit vulnerable mammals
Right now, a prairie dog in Colorado is busy increasing soil carbon retention, increasing water infiltration, and clipping vegetation that will help maintain local grasslands and provide nutritious forage for large herbivores like cattle and bison. And, somewhere in Mexico, a pollinating bat is ensuring agave plants make good tequila.
http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/51744

Hong Kong authorities seize ‘record’ ivory haul
World’s ‘largest ever’ seizure of 7.2 tonnes of ivory has street value of £7m, officials say
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/06/hong-kong-authorities-seize-record-ivory-haul