Daily Links Aug 25

New study finds that climate change costs will hit Trump country hardest
In the USA, the southeastern states are most vulnerable to the costly impacts from human-caused climate change
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2017/aug/24/new-study-finds-that-climate-change-costs-will-hit-trump-country-hardest

AEMC suggests new body to decide on battery storage standards
As industry rejects Standards Australia home battery ban proposal, AEMC calls for new body to govern standards for distributed energy market.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/aemc-suggests-new-body-to-decide-on-battery-storage-standards-57696/

Home battery market not booming yet – but consumer interest is
As Australian households flock to solar, interest in battery storage is starting to ramp up, as a way to minimise grid electricity consumption and to …
http://reneweconomy.com.au/home-battery-market-not-booming-yet-consumer-interest-98274/

Infigen eyes commercial and industrial sector for new renewables
Infigen Energy reports a jump in profit for FY2107, as the company continues its transformation into an “active energy markets participant.”
http://reneweconomy.com.au/infigen-eyes-commercial-and-industrial-sector-for-new-renewables-58573/

Mining execs call for action on gas
Top resources executives have warned that Australia is facing a ‘crisis point’ with the rising cost of energy.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/economics/mining-execs-call-for-action-on-gas-supply/news-story/fca6043c00d1f389fc7259dd0609eba5

Untruths fuel ‘gas price of desperation’
Alberto Calderon’s solution to Australia’s gas crisis is to let transparency and flexibility reign.
http://www.afr.com/business/untruths-fuel-gas-price-of-desperation-20170824-gy3g98

‘Tesla, solar a boon for airlines’
Malaysia Airlines chief executive Peter Bellew says solar power will start becoming ubiquitous.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/oil-demand-will-level-off-due-to-renewables/news-story/bf724238a21fe1eea60f821c3a840637

‘More transparency needed’: Bank questions secrecy of $5b loan scheme
A $5 billion infrastructure loan scheme derided as a secretive Turnbull government slush fund has attracted further criticism – this time from a major bank.
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4878378/more-transparency-needed-bank-questions-secrecy-of-5b-loan-scheme/?cs=4219

Solar power revolution ‘bypassing those who need it most’
The shift to rooftop solar energy may be helping millions of Australians bring down their power bills, but a new report warns poorer households are missing out because they cannot afford the technology.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-25/solar-power-revolution-bypassing-people-most-in-need-report-says/8840644

Coal in decline: Adani in question and Australia out of step
India and China are shifting away from coal imports and coal-fired power while a mega-mine is planned for Queensland. Where does this leave coal in Australia?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/aug/25/coal-in-decline-adani-in-question-and-australia-out-of-step

Transport in Australia: Wide open road from the past to the future
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/transport-in-australia-wide-open-road-from-the-past-to-the-future-20170823-gy2nox.html

Exotic invaders gain ground through inaction
Peter Hunt
WE MUST stop exotic grasses spreading before it’s too late
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/opinion/exotic-grasses-gain-ground-through-inaction/news-story/bc57c55c4da284e0316c4fc3abca70fd

Finkel’s Clean Energy Target plan ‘better than nothing’: economists poll
Bruce Mountain, Victoria University
A panel of leading economists has given its majority verdict on Alan Finkel’s proposed Clean Energy Target: it may not be the best possible emissions policy, but we should get on with it anyway.
https://theconversation.com/finkels-clean-energy-target-plan-better-than-nothing-economists-poll-82066

Getting serious on roads reform is one way our political leaders can get back on track
Michael de Percy, University of Canberra
Australians are crying out for political leadership. One way our leaders can redeem themselves is by getting to work on a complete shake-up of how we pay for and use transport infrastructure.
https://theconversation.com/getting-serious-on-roads-reform-is-one-way-our-political-leaders-can-get-back-on-track-82750

Liberal, Green and ALP politicians conspire to destroy the economy
Alan Moran
The absurdity of this was underlined by Anthony Pratt informing us, ‘Our cost of energy in America is 2½ times lower than Australia.’
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=19244

‘Separate target risks security’
Josh Frydenberg has accused Victoria of ‘Balkanising’ the national electricity market.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/victorias-separate-ret-risks-energy-security-says-frydenberg/news-story/a1b3709e42f8580623aca5d2ddb0d823

Lawyers urge halt of land titles registry sell-off
Lawyers have warned the Victorian government against going the way of other states by flogging off its land and titles registry to a private buyer. …
https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/wig-chamber/21742-lawyers-urge-halt-of-land-titles-registry-sell-off

West Gate Tunnel noise fears for residents
PEOPLE living near key construction sites for the West Gate Tunnel are likely to experience noise levels exceeding the project standard for up to four years while the toll road is built.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/residents-told-construction-noise-levels-for-west-gate-tunnel-project-to-exceed-standard-for-up-to-four-years-while-toll-road-is-built/news-story/81c6e378c69ab6782cf530e6e80bbb98

Weedy seadragon sex caught on film for first time
A former PE teacher upstages David Attenborough by filming the moment a female weedy seadragon transfers her eggs onto the male’s tail.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-24/weedy-seadragons-caught-on-film-having-sex-for-first-time/8834444

Industry fears 40 per cent renewable energy target will push up power prices
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/industry-fears-40-per-cent-renewable-energy-target-will-push-up-power-prices-20170824-gy3j81.html

Andrews‘ inflated power bills will punish the poor
Simon Breheny
THE public is too smart to believe the state government’s claim that renewable energy and lower prices go together
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/simon-breheny-daniel-andrews-inflated-power-bills-will-punish-the-poor/news-story/67cb16044d9542786309b9dfb646be99

MP tearful over father’s diagnosis as Queensland passes new black lung laws
After losing her grandfather to black lung, Labor MP Jo-Ann Miller breaks down in Queensland Parliament revealing her father has also been diagnosed with the disease, as new laws are passed.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-24/jo-ann-miller-breaks-down-as-black-lung-laws-pass/8837344

Joint venture to help relieve Queensland’s electricity bill
A new deal in Queensland aims to deliver an electricity discount of 25 per cent for two years to consumers in the state’s south-east.   …
https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/biglaw/21743-joint-venture-to-help-relieve-queensland-s-electricity-bill

Minister puts faith in ranger initiative
THE Turnbull Government will look at developing more indigenous ranger programs rather than introducing laws to prevent the unnecessary slaughter of dugongs and sea turtles.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/federal-government-to-look-at-more-indigenous-rangers-rather-than-ban-on-dugong-hunting/news-story/081e83a42c7a4a3d117d22a664f17b17

Croc cull bill vote delayed
A DECISION on whether culling of crocodiles will be allowed in Queensland is not likely to be made at least until early next year.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/katters-australia-partys-croc-cull-bill-not-likely-to-be-voted-upon-until-early-2018/news-story/e675809989efe1c5165923330ee9fc8b

Humpbacks could reach pre-whaling numbers by 2050
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/humpbacks-could-reach-pre-whaling-numbers-by-2050-20170824-p4yvj7.html

Where your bushfire ‘last resort’ area is
AREAS offering safety during times of extreme bushfires have been identified for people when no other option exists.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/law-order/list-of-last-resort-safety-refuges-during-sa-bushfires-released/news-story/0c746299ba720b553a1ec771d2451f70

Giant mine is ‘just tip of the jobs boom’
OZ Minerals’ go-ahead to build a $916 million copper mine in the state’s far north is a “stepping stone to bigger and better things” for decades to come, company chief Andrew Cole has vowed.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/oz-minerals-board-approves-development-of-sas-second-biggest-mine-carrapateena-posts-81m-h1-profit/news-story/dd0af5b848c679985ca849741ef5c0c0

Salmon surging as fish farm firms cash in
TASMANIA’S two largest salmon producers have each revealed record profits in a year marred with controversy.
http://www.themercury.com.au/business/salmon-surging-as-fish-farm-firms-huon-aquaculture-and-tassal-cash-in-with-record-profits/news-story/9a0da646c701b9845d0bd7902653af54

Plan for logging of special Tasmanian timber species polarises stakeholders
Tasmania’s special timbers industry is hopeful a new management plan will revitalise the sector, but environmentalists say the Government is allowing rainforests to be logged using untested harvesting methods.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-24/tasmanian-special-species-harvest-vica-bayley-v-andrew-denman/8840140

Hunters fume over magpie geese cuts
DAILY bag limits will drop drastically from seven to three during a truncated magpie goose hunting season, Environment Minister Lauren Moss has announced
http://www.ntnews.com.au/lifestyle/northern-territory-hunters-fume-over-new-magpie-goose-restrictions/news-story/9825b17a4ee34991d1f68084583ff4ff

Budget blowout dumps WA town with raw deal
A $1.9 million budget blowout means the WA town of Kukerin will go without a new sewerage system despite waiting for one for more than 20 years.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/budget-blowout-dumps-wa-town-with-raw-deal/news-story/0afacf8126a52dd6db9a5179c3f950a6

Watchdog urges cut in WA wastewater charge
WA’s economic watchdog is at odds with the State Government after calling for cuts to water bills that would cost the State’s debt-ridden Budget more than $1 billion.
https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/watchdog-urges-cut-in-wa-wastewater-charge-ng-b88577805z

Threats made to Golden Bay worksite before machinery set alight
It has been revealed threats were made to the Golden Bay worksite before machinery was set alight in an arson attack on Wednesday night.
https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/threats-made-to-golden-bay-worksite-before-machinery-set-alight-ng-b88578862z

West Aussies turn to solar as single parents, seniors hit hardest in bill rise
Single parents and seniors living alone are being hit hardest by WA’s rising energy costs, a report shows, with more than 10 per cent of some households’ incomes going on gas and electricity bills.
https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/west-aussies-turn-to-solar-as-single-parents-seniors-hit-hardest-in-bill-rise-ng-b88578238z

Nannup timber mill workers get the chop after major restructure
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/nannup-timber-mill-workers-out-of-a-job-after-major-restructure-20170824-gy37md.html

These 3 companies owe Indonesia millions of dollars for damaging the environment. Why haven’t they paid?
The Indonesian government is struggling to collect fines from companies found guilty of damaging the environment.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000469005436

EU tackles dirty business of recycling ships.
The Commission hopes a list of environmentally friendly yards will persuade shipowners to stop beaching vessels in South Asia.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000469005460

How does clean coal work?
Capturing carbon dioxide and sending it below the Earth’s surface, explained.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000469005451

Federal electricity study hints at future support for coal.
The Trump administration on Wednesday released a major report urging actions to protect the “reliability and resilience” of the nation’s electric grid, a move that could lay the groundwork for future support of America’s ailing coal and nuclear industries.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-3246038150322304040

Group of nine states announces aggressive plan to cut emissions.
After more than a year of negotiations, states in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a market-based effort considered a model for curbing emissions, agreed to reduce power plant emissions by another 30 percent from 2020 to 2030
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-3246038150322304046

Worldwide 100 percent renewable energy possible by 2050, claims detailed new plan.
A detailed roadmap for 139 countries outlines a path to a future powered entirely by wind, water and solar energy.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/2460133000469005435

Illegal dumping during road construction in Ethiopia affects child mortality
The research shows that an additional road built within five kilometres increases the probability that a mother experiences an infant death by three percentage points from 8.5 per cent to 11.5 per cent The research team also found that children under the age of five living near a recently built road have a lower level of haemoglobin in the blood and are more likely to suffer from severe anaemia.
http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/52257

Manganese in underground drinking water is cause for concern
UCR study on US Glacial Aquifer and 3 Asian countries suggests public health officials should monitor manganese as a possible public health threat
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-08/uoc–miu082417.php

More solar power thanks to titanium
Modification of a hematite photoanode by a conformal titanium dioxide interlayer for effective charge collection
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-08/w-msp082417.php

Researchers report breakthrough in magnesium batteries
Nanostructured cathode, understanding of new electrolyte lead to greater efficiency
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-08/uoh-rrb082417.php

No batteries required: Energy-harvesting yarns generate electricity
An international research team led by scientists at The University of Texas at Dallas and Hanyang University in South Korea has developed high-tech yarns that generate electricity when they are stretched or twisted.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-08/uota-nbr081717.php

Outperforming Nature’s Water Filtration Ability With Nanotubes
 At just the right size, carbon nanotubes can filter water with better efficiency than biological proteins, a new …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170824141241.htm

New Green Solvent Could Help Clean Our Air
Researchers have patented an eco-friendly liquid mixture that could help trap harmful pollutants from the air. The non-flammable solvent contains urea and choline salt, a common ingredient in chicken …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170824101812.htm

Explainer: Smartphones linked to brain cancer? Not so, say experts
Brain cancer, plane crashes and exploding petrol pumps have all been attributed to mobile phone use, but what does the evidence say?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-08-24/smartphone-myths-facts-evidence-about-cancer-planes-and-petrol/8834112

What hope is there for humanity? The answer must be: none
Julian Cribb
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/what-hope-is-there-for-humanity-the-answer-must-be-none-20170822-gy1b1i.html

Potential Impacts of Planned Andean Dams Outweigh Benefits, Scientists Say
Scientists used historical data and models to predict the impacts of six planned or potential Andean dams on the Amazon river system.
http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/52262

Three more rangers killed in a deadly month around the world for wildlife defenders
Wildlife protection has become an increasingly dangerous business as rangers face armed gunmen and poachers
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/aug/23/rangers-killed-deadly-month-wildlife-defenders