Daily Links Sep 8

Melting permafrost in the Arctic is unlocking diseases and warping the landscape.
The consequences of climate change can be weird and apocalyptic.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-4057999804430504501

How do you shift Republicans on climate? Be nice.
Hundreds of advocates from around the country are pressing their Republican lawmakers to take action on climate change through a rarely deployed, yet highly effective, tactic. They’re asking nicely
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-6766923627212640034

UCI, JPL Investigators Find Direct Evidence of Sea Level ‘Fingerprints’
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory have reported the first observation of sea level “fingerprints,” tell-tale differences in sea level rise around the world in response to changes in continental water and ice sheet mass.
http://www.enn.com/sci-tech/article/52415

First measurements of iodine in the Arctic reveal questions about air pollution
New measurements of molecular iodine in the Arctic show that even a tiny amount of the element can deplete ozone in the lower atmosphere.
http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/52405

Study demonstrates courts’ critical, underappreciated role in climate policy
Researchers at the George Washington University (GW) have identified that the number of federal and state climate lawsuits has been growing since 2006 in the most extensive study to date on the nature and impact of judicial resolutions of legal actions related to climate change.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-09/gwu-sdc083117.php

Extreme weather has limited effect on attitudes toward climate policies
People who recently experienced severe weather events such as floods, storms and drought are more likely to support policies to adapt to the effects of climate change, according to a new study co-authored by an Indiana University researcher.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-09/iu-ewh090717.php

New research disputes claims that climate change helped spark the Syrian civil war
A new study, published today in the journal Political Geography, shows that there is no sound evidence that global climate change was a factor in causing the Syrian civil war.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-09/uos-nrd090717.php

Record drop in electricity emissions cancelled out by rises in other sectors
Australia’s overall greenhouse gas emissions last financial year were the highest since 2011, despite the closure of the Hazelwood coal-fired power plant
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/08/record-drop-in-electricity-emissions-cancelled-out-by-rises-in-other-sectors

What can urban households do to help protect vulnerable native animals?
Backyard gardens and keeping pets under control are important ways to help protect vulnerable native species, a conservation organisation says.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-07/backyard-gardens-can-help-threatened-species-survive/8878292

ACCC accuses JJ Richards over rubbish contracts with small businesses
The contracts offered to small businesses by big waste management firm JJ Richards will become a test case for new ACCC powers.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-07/accc-takes-action-against-waste-contractor-jj-richards/8881560

Biggest threat to Australia’s energy supply – fossil fuel ideologues
As AEMO works to shore up Australia’s grid, fossil fuel proponents are barracking for “a giant blackout on a super hot day this coming summer.”
http://reneweconomy.com.au/biggest-threat-to-australias-energy-supply-fossil-fuel-ideologues-63140/

‘Grand bargain’: Turnbull puts all coal options on the table
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/turnbull-puts-all-options-on-the-table-to-keep-agls-liddell-coalfired-power-station-going-20170906-gyc19q.html

Shorten’s power play debunked
Bill Shorten’s claim that the electricity crisis has been driven by privatisation has been dismissed by energy experts.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/bill-shortens-power-play-debunked/news-story/f90c6ebc0260ffec8dfa833b07a40b19

Gore grad now AGL point man
AGL’s head of government relations is a graduate of Al Gore’s climate change leadership program.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/gore-climate-graduate-and-agent-of-change-now-agls-point-man/news-story/b617c1187ded24b4adf1874f1deca398

Insurers may not cover cladding risks
It’s the start of a shakeout in the high-rise sector that could lead to revaluations of apartment stock across the country.
http://www.afr.com/real-estate/noncompliant-cladding-your-building-may-struggle-to-get-insurance-20170907-gycoe0

The Liberal Party’s 30 years of tussles over climate change policy
Marc Hudson, University of Manchester.
The Liberal Party’s tussles over climate and energy policy – as distinct from denying the science itself – go back some 30 years.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/the-liberal-partys-30-years-of-policy-tussles-over-climate-change,10691

Barnaby Joyce’s bizarre call to arms against “green peril”
Sophie Vorrath
Joyce says Australia under attack from “green peril”, that will only become apparent to all when the power goes out, leaving people stuck in a lift, busting for a pee. Oh, and he doesn’t think India will want Australia’s thermal coal. Say, what?
http://reneweconomy.com.au/barnaby-joyces-bizarre-call-to-arms-against-green-peril-35063/

Energy Efficiency market – commercial lighting takes centre stage
Marco Stella
Whatever the recent VEEC market volatility may imply, it seems clear that the intent exists within government to bring about change, the question now remains what will the end result be?
http://reneweconomy.com.au/energy-efficiency-market-commercial-lighting-takes-centre-stage-94423/

Turnbull’s rush for an energy ‘announceable’ sows confusion
Michelle Grattan
It has all looked pretty messy. Turnbull should have been more precise in his remarks to parliament, or waited to make them until the position was clearer.
https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-turnbulls-rush-for-an-energy-announceable-sows-confusion-83672

Wind fail: blow me down
Graham Lloyd
Reliable power is the first casualty in the rush to boost renewables.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/wind-fail-blow-me-down/news-story/8059f81a834c57e52857214e2314b679

Blackout Bill may give PM boost
Graham Richardson
Turnbull should push his advantage against Labor’s absurd renewables fixation.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/graham-richardson/blackout-bill-shorten-could-give-turnbull-the-energy-boost-he-needs/news-story/609e7c4bc5a0a95044eae37c1072b9a4

Shorten plays fake blame game
Australian editorial
Privatisation of power assets has not caused soaring prices.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/editorials/shorten-plays-fake-blame-game/news-story/d877e6829eca41216de6126b91decfd3

Energy debate puts PM in his happy place
Laura Tingle
http://www.afr.com/news/politics/energy-debate-puts-malcolm-turnbull-in-his-happy-place-20170907-gycn3z

Coal power subsidies? No thanks
Angela Macdonald-Smith
http://www.afr.com/business/energy/electricity/coal-power-subsidies-no-thanks–just-policy-please-20170906-gyceir

Coal-powered AGL boss Andy Vesey finds it’s easy being green
Colin Kruger
http://www.theage.com.au/business/cbd/coalpowered-agl-boss-andy-vesey-finds-its-easy-being-green-20170906-gybtqi.html

Time to ‘shirtfront’ the CEOs about our power bills
John Hewson
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/john-hewson-why-voters-need-to-ask-questions-about-their-power-bills-20170907-gych2k.html

Power play as we’re held to ransom
Sharri Markson
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/sharri-markson-power-play-as-were-held-to-ransom/news-story/25d93f989abeea3d64655d2d9361e176

The day the right didn’t like market forces, when coal-fired power was on the line
Bernard Keane
Let free markets and private capital operate unencumbered by regulation, the right demands. Until, um, free markets produce results they have an ideological problem with.
https://www.crikey.com.au/2017/09/07/agl-boycott-reveals-bernardi-and-leyonhjelms-hypocrisy/

We shouldn’t HAVE to shop around for utilities
Terry Sweetman
THE government has washed its hands of responsibility for ensuring utility companies give us the best deal
http://www.couriermail.com.au/rendezview/we-shouldnt-have-to-shop-around-for-utilities/news-story/6db1229dd808894e57344e6155390d43

Energy pricing and supply is the crisis of our time
Canberra Times editorial
Our resources boom ran for decades. In a well managed economy it should have provided the funds to future proof energy.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/ct-editorial/if-power-prices-are-hurting-a-canberrans-the-rest-of-the-country-is-in-trouble-20170907-gycx68.html

Swelter and cut your bill this summer
VICTORIANS will be paid to turn down their airconditioners during extreme heat or times of peak power demand this summer in an effort to avoid large-scale blackouts.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/victorians-will-be-paid-to-cut-energy-extreme-during-heat-peak-demand-this-summer/news-story/497a7193b66c2726604decb7432891ec

Why do Victoria’s Aboriginal people want a treaty and what difference will it make?
It’s been more than a year since talks began between the Victorian Government and the state’s Aboriginal people about a treaty. So where are they at and where to from here?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-08/treaty-what-is-it-and-why-victoria-working-on/8779050

West Gate Tunnel toll road report to stay under wraps
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/west-gate-tunnel-toll-road-report-to-stay-under-wraps-after-committee-backs-off-20170907-gycvpv.html

The summer of switch-offs
Herald Sun editorial
VICTORIANS face a real chance of power outages this summer as the Andrews Government forges ahead with a 40 per cent renewable energy target by 2025.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-daniel-andrews-summer-power-threat/news-story/13adc03fc17da73d9c42e77ef5f5eb45

NSW safe from summer blackouts: premier
Premier Gladys Berejiklian says NSW has resilient energy resources that ensure it won’t experience the same blackouts South Australia did last summer.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/nsw-safe-from-summer-blackouts-premier/news-story/9b9c82d1f2e066494c25f09fa44ee49f

Premier to ‘consider her options’ over incinerator
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/premier-to-consider-her-options-over-controversial-incinerator-20170907-gycvmr.html

Mismanagement alleged against only company interested in Liddell power station
Environmental law group has accused Delta Electricity of underreporting emissions at its Vales Point power station and breaching licence conditions
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/sep/08/mismanagement-alleged-against-only-company-interested-in-liddell-power-station

‘Mammoth’ woes for power station at centre of political fight
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/liddell-power-plant-operating-below-40-per-cent-capacity-faces-mammoth-woes-20170907-gycij7.html

Private equity sees light on solar
Reductions in the cost of renewable energy projects have attracted more investors, say two law firm partners.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/legal-affairs/white-case-partners-clark-quinn-say-renewables-on-the-rise/news-story/a66915fdf6eceb48ea00caf1bb643ccd

ANZ turns a coal shoulder
The ANZ Bank said it was unlikely to finance any transaction on the Liddell coal-fired power station in NSW.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/financial-services/anz-turns-a-coal-shoulder-on-liddell-power-station/news-story/f19d2accaf15ae70815bc111d26a8248

AGL bought Liddell for nothing – what will it cost Turnbull?
Giles Parkinson
Liddell was bought for nothing and for good reason – “it’s clapped out”. Turnbull’s intervention raises probity issues and could have as devastating an impact on new technology as canning of the carbon price and the attempt to kill the RET.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/agl-bought-liddell-for-nothing-what-will-it-cost-turnbull-14579/

The true cost of keeping the Liddell power plant open
Frank Jotzo, Australian National University and Zeba Anjum, Australian National University
https://theconversation.com/the-true-cost-of-keeping-the-liddell-power-plant-open-83634

We just can’t chill out on power risk
Telegraph editorial
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-we-just-cant-chill-out-on-power-risk/news-story/866c60784ebc0f5fcdc933580f00cf5f

Rescue plan underway for tiny native bird after bushfires destroy habitat
A rescue plan is underway to try to save one of Australia’s smallest native birds, the Mallee emu wren, in the eastern parts of South Australia.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-07/rescue-plan-for-native-bird-after-bushfires-destroyed-habitat/8881712

Orange-bellied parrot breeding program to be trialled at Adelaide Zoo
Experts say only a couple of dozen of the small migratory birds are left in the wild and a few hundred in captivity, prompting new breeding programs to bolster numbers
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-07/adelaide-zoo-to-help-save-endangered-orange-bellied-parrots/8881522

Why fewer people are visiting the Botanic Gardens
VISITORS to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens have hit a four-year low. But while attendances are down, more people are finding a different way to enjoy this jewel of the city.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/adelaide-botanic-garden-visitor-numbers-drop-but-social-media-traffic-is-blooming/news-story/dedd75644bbe63f68afe051af0862fea

Demolition casts cloud over future
Explosive charges were used yesterday to bring down key parts of the Northern Power station in Port Augusta.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/demolition-casts-a-dust-cloud-over-states-energy-future/news-story/0d04200e2bce7ebb6dfb38af55245367

Planting seeds of conservation at Tasmania’s botanical gardens
From banksias to grasses, sub-Antarctic cushion plants to tiny orchids, hundreds of rare and threatened plants are grown, cared for and on display at Tassie’s Botanical Gardens.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-07/protecting-threatened-plants-at-the-tasmanian-botanical-gardens/8881220

TasWater move: ‘Householders will pay’
Households can expect hefty rate rises if the State Government’s planned takeover of TasWater goes ahead, Brighton Mayor Tony Foster says.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/brighton-mayor-warns-rates-around-tassie-would-rise-about-10-if-taswater-takeover-goes-ahead/news-story/78352076ee8438db2646dd10cc7cc854

Public health warning for toxic shellfish on East Coast
Director of Public Health re-issues warning after high levels of toxins detected in shellfish.
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4909567/public-health-warning-for-toxic-shellfish-on-east-coast/?cs=95

Protecting state’s species worth fighting for
We can all do our bit to help preserve our environment.
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4908343/protecting-states-species-worth-fighting-for/?cs=97

Baby devils set to raise awareness for all threatened species
Meet the newest arrivals at Tasmania Zoo.
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4909823/baby-devils-set-to-raise-awareness-for-all-threatened-species-photos-videos/?cs=95

WA State Budget 2017: McGowan injects more than $4 billion to solve transport, congestion woes
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/wa-state-budget-2017-mcgowan-injects-more-than-4-billion-to-solve-transport-congestion-woes-20170907-gycyp1.html

Tune in, turn on, save water: What psychedelics could teach the Anthropocene.
It may come as no surprise that people who’ve taken psychedelic drugs tend to feel a certain connection with nature.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-6766923627212640007

Dominica’s geothermal dream about to become reality.
The tiny Caribbean island of Dominica has moved one step closer to its dream of constructing a geothermal plant, a project that is expected to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-6766923627212640020

New Acid-Free Magnet Recycling Process Created
A new rare-earth magnet recycling process dissolves magnets in an acid-free solution and recovers high purity rare earth …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170907132528.htm

Researchers develop cheaper, faster test for E. coli in drinking water
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have invented a fast, affordable way for developing communities to test their drinking water for potentially deadly E. coli.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-09/uow-rdc090117.php

Unprecedented levels of nitrogen could pose risks to Earth’s environment
Human production of fixed nitrogen, used mostly to fertilize crops, now accounts for about half of the total fixed nitrogen added to the Earth both on land and in the oceans.
http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/52407

Birds are on the move in the face of climate change
Research on birds in northern Europe reveals that there is an ongoing considerable species turnover due to climate change and due to land use and other direct human influences.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-09/w-bao090117.php

240-year-old nautical maps show coral loss is much worse than we knew.
Half of the coral reefs recorded in the 1770s have disappeared.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-4057999804430504525

Increasing Effective Decision-Making for Coastal Marine Ecosystems
Marine restoration, rather than protection, might be the most cost-effective solution for coastal marine ecosystems suffering from human activities, a new study has found
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170907102341.htm

Wildfire and Invasive Species Drives Increasing Size and Cost of Public Land Restoration Efforts in US
An examination of long-term data for lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management finds that land treatments in the southwestern United States are increasingly large, expensive and related to fire and invasive species control.
http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/52402

How we cope with the end of nature.
Stephen Marche Nautilus
As our environment crumbles, we seek solace in animatronic moose
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/-6766923627212640012