Daily Links Sep 15

Covering climate change, with urgency and creativity.
A look at news outlets bringing innovation, urgency and new audiences to stories on climate change.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-6766923627212628519

Cost of not adapting to climate change would be at least five times higher
A study on damage to coastal considered only real estate loss. If nothing is done, researchers say, losses might be up to ten times higher if the predicament includes the spreading of flood- and global warming -related diseases.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-09/fda-con091417.php

President Trump visits Florida for the third time in three weeks
BOTH Hurricane Irma and Harvey broke historic weather records.
But US President Donald Trump has ruled out any link between climate change and the intense hurricanes that hit Florida and Texas while talking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his return from storm-stricken areas.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/technology/hurricane-irma-president-donald-trump-to-make-third-florida-visit-in-three-weeks/news-story/bbaa4d95878776f36cb682d6b4bc9e4f

The US, climate change and the farmers of Nepal.
Gregory Reck, Dinesh Paudel Al Jazeera
As climate change makes their lives increasingly precarious, Nepalis reflect on the US withdrawal from the Paris Accord
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-4057999804430504348

Two years on from his axing as PM, ‘resilient’ Abbott rails against renewables
Two years after he lost the prime ministership, Tony Abbott says he is “determined to look forward, not back”. He’s again campaigning on energy costs, denouncing renewables and arguing for coal.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-14/tony-abbott-campaigning-on-coal-rails-against-renewables/8946878

Tony Abbott calls for end to all energy subsidies, including on coal
Former PM says he wants to see market-driven energy prices which would mean coal wouldn’t need any subsidies because it’s cheap
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/sep/14/tony-abbott-calls-for-end-to-all-energy-subsidies-including-on-coal

Work with us on energy, not against us: business
http://www.afr.com/news/politics/work-with-us-on-energy-not-against-us-warns-business-20170913-gyh121

No RET changes in overhaul
The government is aiming to exclude the renewable ­energy target from its looming overhaul of the nation’s power supply.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/no-changes-to-ret-in-looming-power-supply-overhaul/news-story/8606b86fc5bdc8343adc47c979f525fa

Massive jump in solar energy roll-out means scarcity fears unfounded: council
Official estimates of the risk of an electricity shortfall this summer are exaggerated because much more solar energy – as much as six times current large-scale capacity – is ready to be built, the Australian Solar Council says.
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/massive-jump-in-solar-energy-rollout-means-scarcity-fears-unfounded-council-20170914-gyhd8k.html

AGL the last to quit coal
Origin Energy and EnergyAustralia plan to close coal-fired generation assets years before the 2050 date set by AGL.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/agl-will-be-the-last-to-exit-coalfired-power/news-story/855df7d91490772d421a0574288c7bfa

South32 backs a carbon price
Mining company South32 has come out in support of carbon pricing as a way to move to a low carbon economy.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/south32-backs-carbon-pricing-mechanism/news-story/500a48816230bcc490590501c2c87b7a

King Coal is wearing big boots in the Turnbull government
Michelle Grattan
https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-king-coal-is-wearing-big-boots-in-the-turnbull-government-84088

Wind farms a symbol of voters’ hip-pocket anger
Ed Gannon
THE development of wind farms continues but many rural voters aren’t happy and are waiting for a chance to vent their anger
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/ed-gannon-wind-farms-a-symbol-of-voters-hippocket-anger/news-story/cf877c674f45fb213fb727d94c5c160f

The current energy debate is farcical. What does this government stand for?
John Hewson
Neither the government nor the opposition has yet produced a deliverable energy policy. Consumers know they’re being ripped off and Turnbull will pay
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/sep/14/the-current-energy-debate-is-farcical-what-does-this-government-stand-for

Back to the future? Old climate and energy battlelines re-emerge
Mark Kenny
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/environment-and-energy-debate-back-to-the-future-as-old-battlelines-reemerge-20170913-gygu2p.html

Trust neither the generators nor the Prime Minister
Peter Martin
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/electric-lies-trust-neither-the-generators-nor-the-prime-minister-20170912-gyg95o.html

Nation is at a tipping point
Innes Willox
Energy is one of the greatest public policy failures created by all sides of politics but it should not have been a surprise.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/energy-summit-should-be-first-step-in-solving-power-crisis/news-story/ae37595bbbc33f538da8a0d8cfc30a47

Time to plug the Gaia gasbags
The Mocker
When will self-righteous commentators like Peter FitzSimons and Jane Caro belatedly admit their Greens-driven renewables obsession has been a costly debacle?
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/its-time-to-plug-the-gaia-gasbags/news-story/56163660bb2ef6a8d63bf1e54151694d

Summer of Dan set to be a scorcher
Matt Johnston.
DANIEL Andrews will feel the heat if the weather works against him to give us blackouts and bushfires this summer
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/matt-johnston-summer-of-daniel-andrews-set-to-be-a-scorcher/news-story/6b96696938a56128c25625e3499adb7f

Al McGlashan finds Southern bluefin tuna fishing off Sydney and they are closer in to shore than he’s ever seen them
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/swimming-with-jumbo-tuna-in-crystal-clear-water-off-sydney/news-story/8b8f28470ceec1c16805845b8a1cec5d

Energy chaos in Australia: closing the Liddell Power Station
Binoy Kampmark
A country with such abundant resources is incapable it seems, of handling matters of reliable supply, either in terms of affordability, or in terms of delivery.
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=19287

Fire and wind wreak havoc across southeast
A WILD start to bushfire season has brought parts of southeast Queensland to a standstill, with train lines and roads shut and wind gusts of almost 80km/h.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/wild-winds-and-bushfires-bring-parts-of-southeast-queensland-to-standstill-cutting-roads-and-train-lines/news-story/fd7bd5cbc23929d3c40a215d6b75df19

Extreme Queensland conditions inflame fire risk
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/extreme-queensland-conditions-inflame-fire-risk-20170914-p4yvxa.html

LNP holds residents to ransom on road plans
THE LNP says it will look at alternative routes for the M1 to Brisbane, Bruce Highway, Centenary Highway and Ipswich Motorway, but there’s only one way affected residents will find out about the plans.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/tim-nicholls-wont-commit-on-route-of-pacific-motorway-duplication-unless-lnp-wins-election/news-story/5ca6f2231f2aff2e21f97d5c76335c6e

It’s time for the Premier to ‘fess up
Des Houghton
We have huge reserves of coal and gas yet Queenslanders continue to pay more for electricity. It’s time for Annastacia Palaszczuk to say who she supports most — greenie zealots or working families left to pay the bills.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-has-greatest-reserves-of-coal-and-gas-yet-suffer-high-electricity-prices/news-story/889508c32fa68e2995fce66ea0d15317

Cable car law step flawed, council says
A KEY reason given by the State Government for its legislation paving the way for a cable car on kunanyi/Mt Wellington has no weight, the Hobart City Council says.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/hobart-city-council-legal-advice-casts-doubt-on-rationale-for-cable-car-legislation/news-story/a8b363de1b50f064f2c8ac388b011bd0

Barnett under fire over plantations sale
RESOURCES Minister Guy Barnett has faced a barrage of questions in Parliament after announcing the sale of 29,000ha of hardwood forest plantations for $60 million.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/politics/sustainable-timber-tasmania-plantations-sold-for-60-million/news-story/5b8008e978e4d09bdbdd847e818e9fc5

Ancient cultural trek up and walking
TASMANIA has another high-end walk on the wild side to tempt tourists.
http://www.themercury.com.au/lifestyle/bookings-open-for-tasmanias-fourday-wukalina-walk-through-mt-william-national-park/news-story/413fd8f1a536c173c7612f91a47879c5

Small but perfectly formed
Kylie Bell
The environmentally friendly future of housing is here
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-small-but-perfectly-formed/news-story/1fd0182f2467fb783e5a68ff4f733ac7

WA school tap water yet to be tested after lead contamination fears
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/wa-school-tap-water-yet-to-be-tested-after-lead-contamination-fears-20170914-gyh9tw.html

The new economy of excrement.
Entrepreneurs are finding profits turning human waste into fertiliser, fuel and even food.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-6766923627212628502

With designer bacteria, crops could one day fertilize themselves.
Relying on fossil fuels to grow food was never exactly sustainable. But as the world thinks about what it will take to feed 9 billion people in a rapidly changing climate, it’s become unconscionable
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-4057999804430504329

Nuclear waste: Where to store it for eternity?
Nuclear power stations have been churning out radioactive waste for decades. At least 10 new reactors came online last year – making the question of long-term storage all the more pressing. There’s no solution in sight.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-4057999804430504333

Sand? Mine!
Our insatiable need for concrete has led to destructive mining around the world. How can we do it better?
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-4057999804430504328

Ethanol to Gasoline Switch Raises Nanoparticles in Air
Using ethanol instead of gasoline as a car fuel can reduce emissions of ultrafine particles by a third, which benefits human health and the environment, according to a new study.
http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/52503

Water Conservation Can Have Unintended Consequences
Conventional wisdom dictates water conservation can only benefit communities affected by drought. But researchers at the University of California, Riverside have deduced that indoor residential conservation can have unintended consequences in places where systems of wastewater reuse have already been implemented, diminishing both the quantity and quality of influent available for treatment.
http://www.enn.com/sci-tech/article/52501

UK cities expected to get millions of pounds for green energy projects.
Ministers are thought to be planning to offer £3m for initiatives such as solar panels on social housing.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-6766923627212628534

Geothermal energy: Why hasn’t it caught on yet?
Despite being one of the lowest-cost and most reliable renewable energy sources, harnessing heat from the Earth almost doesn’t happen outside Iceland. But leaders meeting in Italy this week are trying to change that.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-4057999804430504334

Hydrogen power moves a step closer
Physicists are developing methods of creating renewable fuel from water using quantum technology.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-09/lu-hpm091417.php

This is just the start of the solar age – seven graphs show why
Giles Parkinson
Striking new report by one of world’s biggest independent energy consultants shows dramatic decline in coal and oil industry and a peak in global energy demand. Solar dominates, and has only just begun its path to becoming biggest source of energy.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/this-is-just-the-start-of-the-solar-age-seven-graphs-show-why-45124/

Even when it’s sitting in storage, coal threatens human health.
Akshaya Jha
Coal stockpiles emit fine particulate pollution in several ways.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-4057999804430504352

Canada’s threatened species declining despite federal protection.
From woodland caribou to St. Lawrence beluga whales, Canada’s threatened and endangered species keep declining despite federal legislation designed to protect them and help their populations recover, a new report by WWF-Canada shows.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-4057999804430504331

Corporations have legal personhood, but rivers don’t? That could change.
Indian Country could finally see an end to nonconsented infrastructure projects if they follow New Zealand’s Maori in achieving legal protection for natural entities.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-4057999804430504320

Scientists: Future of oldest tree species on Earth in peril.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/-6766923627212628520

Once-Abundant Ash Tree and Antelope Species Face Extinction — IUCN Red List
North America’s most widespread and valuable ash tree species are on the brink of extinction due to an invasive beetle decimating their populations, while the loss of wilderness areas and poaching are contributing to the declining numbers of five African antelope species, according to the latest update of The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/52499

World’s oldest panda in captivity dies aged 37
China is mourning the death of the world’s oldest panda, Basi, which at 37 had already lived more than 17 years longer than most pandas in the wild.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-14/china-mourns-death-of-oldest-panda/8947310

These are the best wildlife photographs in the world right now
A playful bear cub attempts to wrestle its mother, a bedraggled eagle stares into the distance, and two seals frolic in crystal blue waters underneath Antarctic ice — the Natural History Museum announces its finalists for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-14/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-finalists-announced/8944056