Daily Links Oct 11

IMF tells rich nations that greater urgency needed on climate change
Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook also cautions global economic recovery may stall because of poor wages growth
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/oct/11/imf-tells-rich-nations-that-greater-urgency-needed-on-climate-change

Tony de Brum obituary
Climate change campaigner and Marshall Islands politician who was instrumental in securing the Paris agreement
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/10/tony-de-brum-obituary

Tony Abbott’s climate change speech ‘loopy’, says Labor
Tanya Plibersek says Abbott’s speech to climate sceptics in London was ‘actually just weird stuff’
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/oct/10/tony-abbotts-climate-change-speech-loopy-says-labor

Tony Abbott at the UK climate change deniers convention: Daring to be dumb
Steve Bishop
In delivering the Global Warming Policy Foundation’s annual lecture, Tony Abbott has once again shown himself to be a duplicitous fool.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/tony-abbott-at-the-uk-climate-change-deniers-convention-daring-to-be-dumb,10806

Tony Abbott’s climate change claims just don’t stack up
Andrew P Street
Tony Abbott seems to claim that climate change isn’t real but also is real and nothing to worry about
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-10/tony-abbott-climate-claims-dont-add-up/9034204

The real Tony Abbott emerges in incendiary climate change speech
Andrew Probyn
The former prime minister’s speech to the Global Warming Policy Foundation drenches the work of climate scientists with contemptuous spittle and strips away all his previous pretence.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-10/real-tony-abbott-emerges-in-london-climate-change-speech/9034684

More beach days: Why Abbott looks forward to climate change
Tony Wright
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/why-tony-abbott-looks-forward-to-global-warming-more-beach-days-20171010-gyxp0o.html

Tony Abbott dares us to reject evidence on climate, but reveals a coward
Graham Readfearn
The former Australian prime minister’s misleading speech to a London thinktank was full of climate denial mythology
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2017/oct/11/tony-abbott-dares-us-to-reject-evidence-on-climate-but-reveals-a-coward

Tony Abbott’s climate frolic is strange and sad – and all about politics
Katharine Murphy
The pitch behind the London speech was that a climate ruckus aids the Coalition. He should have been laughed out of the room
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/oct/10/tony-abbotts-climate-frolic-is-strange-and-sad-and-all-about-politics

The EPA’s smoke and mirrors on climate.
Richard L. Revesz, Jack Lienke New York Times
The Trump administration is using sleights of hand to justify rescinding one of the most significant climate rules of the Obama years.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/1195107355338417121

Defence base pollution could prompt third class action claim, lawyer warns
The Federal Government could soon face class action compensation claims in New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory over groundwater contamination at Army air bases.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-10/defence-base-pollution-concerns-could-prompt-third-class-action/9034232

Labor unlikely to compromise further on climate policy
http://www.afr.com/news/labor-unlikely-to-compromise-further-on-climate-policy-20171009-gyxjs8

AFR Energy Summit: The death of the Clean Energy Target
http://www.afr.com/video/business/energy/afr-energy-summit-the-death-of-the-clean-energy-target-20171009-4ywae

Government to blame for backdown on clean energy, Business Council says
With the Federal Government showing little support for the clean energy target, the Business Council’s president Grant King explains how policy inaction affects business certainty.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-10/business-council-slams-government-for-clean-energy-target/9033140

Labor states go it alone on CET
Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and the ACT will push ahead with the design of a clean energy target.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/labor-states-go-it-alone-on-energy-target/news-story/164390b6828b438440b080da413d84b3

Hanson’s plan to slug gas giants
Pauline Hanson has a plan to boost tax takings from Australia’s $170 billion LNG projects.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/hansons-plan-for-10pc-royalty-on-offshore-gas-production/news-story/ef860a06b96f2328df16664c3d78a044

AEMO: Shift to renewables is going to happen anyway
Audrey Zibelman, the head of the Australian Energy Market Operator, has made a call for some sort of policy certainty, and new market mechanisms, repeating her view that the shift to renewable energy is unstoppable, but needs to be managed.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/aemo-shift-to-renewables-is-going-to-happen-anyway-11392/

Pipelines next target in energy crisis blame game
http://www.theage.com.au/business/energy/pipelines-next-target-in-energy-crisis-blame-game-20171010-gyxylt.html

Power ‘hermits’ cut off from grid
A lack of innovation by energy retailers is shutting most home battery systems off from the grid, says Reposit Power.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/staid-retailers-keeping-batterypowered-energy-hermits-off-grid/news-story/85a4c5c8acfe2b7a5018e08476fadd11

Gas crisis: deflating the myths
Shell has contradicted the widely-accepted narrative that LNG exporters have created an east coast gas shortage.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/stephen-bartholomeusz/shell-chief-punctures-myths-surrounding-gas-exporters/news-story/5cf7a87823d4d1ddbc5cc8227ff06e00

‘Scale back our Paris commitment’
Two of Australia’s most respected economic reformers have urged the government to scale back its commitment to the Paris emissions agreement.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/scale-back-paris-emissions-commitment-banks-hilmer/news-story/a43dc185e0dd3cfe23a746e614308e21

Construction industry loophole leaves home buyers facing higher energy bills
Saskia Pickles, Curtin University
The law says that newly built houses should have a six-star energy rating, to help residents afford their heating and cooling bills. But some builders seem to be findings ways around this requirement.
https://theconversation.com/construction-industry-loophole-leaves-home-buyers-facing-higher-energy-bills-82378

Despite the charged atmosphere, Frydenberg and Finkel have the same goal for electricity
Tony Wood, Grattan Institute
https://theconversation.com/despite-the-charged-atmosphere-frydenberg-and-finkel-have-the-same-goal-for-electricity-85454

Government’s energy plan still under wraps while Abbott shouts his from afar
Michelle Grattan
https://theconversation.com/governments-energy-plan-still-under-wraps-while-abbott-shouts-his-from-afar-85496

Ghost of Abbott haunts Clean Energy Target retreat
Bernard Keane
https://www.crikey.com.au/2017/10/10/ghost-of-abbott-haunts-clean-energy-target-retreat/

Trump’s climate revolt hits Australia
John Kehoe
The climate change sceptical US President has helped change the conversation in Australia.
http://www.afr.com/news/policy/climate/donald-trumps-climate-revolt-hits-australia-20171010-gyyb25

We’re in a dark state of confusion
Dennis Atkins
WITHOUT a national energy policy, consumers’ bills will keep going up, they’ll be told to raise the temperature on their aircon and will be left worrying if the lights will stay on through a predicted hot summer.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-energy-crisis-cant-be-solved-with-the-coalition-divided-on-solutions/news-story/da4fa546c8088557977999edb0bb23cb

Energy policy stability was always remote
Jennifer Hewett
http://www.afr.com/opinion/columnists/energy-policy-stability-was-always-remote-20171010-gyxrnd

Once bitten: Malcolm Turnbull is cornered on climate change
Mark Kenny
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/once-bitten-twice-shy-why-malcolm-turnbull-is-cornered-on-climate-change-20171009-gyxbd1.html

CET fail will hurt customers
Michael Smith
http://www.afr.com/brand/chanticleer/clean-energy-target-crucial-for-investment-20171009-gyxlz7

Why we need a Clean Energy Target
Mark Collette
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/why-we-need-a-clean-energy-target-20171010-gyy57m.html

I’m a conservative in the energy business and here’s why coal is dead
Huon Hoogesteger
Energy prices aren’t high because of ‘wishful thinking’ and ‘green religion’ – they’re high because of too little thinking and the wrong kind of religion.
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=19342

Policy will be a mess until Turnbull sacrifices Coalition’s climate goat
Giles Parkinson
Is this really what Malcolm Turnbull signed up for? Short of sacrificing this particular climate goat, he will be obliged to defend the indefensible, the outright rejection of climate science. And Australia will remain a laughing stock.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/policy-will-be-a-mess-until-turnbull-sacrifices-coalitions-climate-goat-68496/

Time to adopt a Clean Energy Target
SMH editorial
If we can’t have leadership on the issue of energy now, then when can we?
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/smh-editorial/time-to-adopt-a-clean-energy-target-20171010-gyxzkq.html

Spare us the journey, PM
Simon Benson
Malcolm Turnbull is taking a tortured path to get to to a cogent and coherent energy policy.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/opinion/energy-policy-pm-will-get-there-in-the-end-but-spare-us-the-journey/news-story/060134666f938fdec9562c853c22afff

The chemicals in firefighting foam aren’t the new asbestos
Ian Musgrave, University of Adelaide
https://theconversation.com/the-chemicals-in-firefighting-foam-arent-the-new-asbestos-85461

‘Horror, humour and hope’ getting ICAN’s message through nuclear disarmament circus
Sally Whyte
https://www.crikey.com.au/2017/10/10/humour-horror-and-hope-getting-icans-message-through-nuclear-disarmament-circus/

It’s The Habitat Destruction, Stupid
Suzanne Millthorpe
The Federal Government’s Threatened Species Commissioner, Gregory Andrews, told ABC Radio last Friday that wide-scale destruction of habitat isn’t a ‘key’ threat to our wildlife.…
https://newmatilda.com/2017/10/10/its-the-habitat-destruction-stupid/

Why the PM won’t congratulate our first Nobel peace laureate
Sue Wareham
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/malcolm-turnbull-wont-congratulate-australias-first-nobel-peace-laureate-because-he-supports-nukes-20171010-gyxwdg.html

Coalition’s gas switch
CONVENTIONAL onshore gas could be extracted in Victoria as early as the beginning of 2020 under a new proposal by the Coalition Opposition.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/victorian-coalitions-conventional-onshore-gas-plan-switch/news-story/c238535aaaf3b9c0333b8f4f97aaf031

Victorian Coalition gas exploration position could be a hard sell
Kath Sullivan
IT’S been branded far from perfect by the gas industry, was announced without consulting Victorian farmers and parts of it could be unconstitutional.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/opinion/victorian-coalition-gas-exploration-position-could-be-a-hard-sell/news-story/88112987f00831bbebdd1934259f3a4e

Competitive tendering hasn’t delivered for public transport, so why reward poor performance?
Janet Stanley, University of Melbourne
No matter whether competitive tendering or negotiation is used, operators that do not meet clear and transparent service benchmarks should be shown the door.
https://theconversation.com/competitive-tendering-hasnt-delivered-for-public-transport-so-why-reward-poor-performance-85378

‘Coal miners and footy players don’t talk about this stuff, but they should’
A recent spike in suicides of young men has brought the New South Wales town of Lithgow together, but a looming battle over the Springvale coal mine has thrown the future of this tight-knit community into doubt.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-10/lithgow-suicide-crisis-in-shadow-of-springvale/9031072

Premier faces challenge from allies on gas stance
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/premier-gladys-berejiklian-faces-challenge-from-own-base-on-gas-stance-20171009-gyx5zs.html

‘Get yourself a friend’: Government defends bill to weaken water protection
The Berejiklian government has defended moves to rush through legislation to keep open a coal mine in Sydney’s catchment despite impacts on water quality, with one minister declaring, “if you want a friend, get yourself a piece of coal”.
http://www.theage.com.au/environment/get-yourself-a-friend-government-defends-bill-to-weaken-water-protection-20171010-gyxxhw.html

Springvale Mine closure would not affect power prices, analysts say
Closing a coal mine west of Sydney will not result in increased energy prices, according to expert assessments obtained by the ABC, contradicting the New South Wales Government’s predictions it will.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-10/springvale-mine-closure-will-not-compromise-energy-prices/9032978

Liddell extension would push up power prices, analysts’ report says
The Coalition’s other major energy policy of expanding the Snowy hydro scheme would only partially offset the increases, Reputex says
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/oct/11/liddell-extension-would-push-up-power-prices-analysts-report-says

Garden Island: Visionary plans will transform Sydney Harbour
THIS could be the stunning new look of Sydney Harbour if plans to open up Garden Island come to fruition.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/projectsydney/garden-island-visionary-plans-will-transform-sydney-harbour/news-story/33c5fb29f15b6807444ce649e59d9f99

Taxpayers foot $12 million bill for train-replacement buses
http://www.smh.com.au/queensland/taxpayers-foot-12-million-bill-for-train-replacement-buses-20171009-p4ywdj.html

Incitec jobs hinge on gas deal
The clock is ticking on Incitec Pivot’s ‘mission to save Gibson Island’ and up to 1500 Queensland jobs.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/incitec-pivot-fertiliser-plant-jobs-hinge-on-gas-deal/news-story/e558c5516d21337ab90600c5400c2a70

Public feels heat over energy policy impasse
Courier Mail editorial
THE Palaszczuk Government’s plan to ration power during heatwaves is a classic example of the ridiculous extremes in the energy debate in Australia. The losers? You, of course.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-palaszczuk-governments-power-rationing-plan-symbolic-of-australias-bad-energy-policy/news-story/9a268e6d80a52c7e223ac14aba3d9e2b

The Great Barrier Reef can repair itself, with a little help from science
Ken Anthony, Australian Institute of Marine Science; Britta Schaffelke, Australian Institute of Marine Science; Line K Bay, Australian Institute of Marine Science, and Madeleine van Oppen, Australian Institute of Marine Science
https://theconversation.com/the-great-barrier-reef-can-repair-itself-with-a-little-help-from-science-85182

Adani’s Coal Mine Is A Symptom Of The Crisis In Australian Politics
Ben Eltham
Let us assume for a moment that the Carmichael coal mine in Queensland does go ahead. Leaving aside the huge hurdle of finance, the mine has cleared all necessary approvals.
What does that say about the health of Australia’s democracy?
https://newmatilda.com/2017/10/10/adanis-coal-mine-is-a-symptom-of-the-crisis-in-australian-politics/

Cool cash for turning down the aircon
South Australian households will be asked if they want to turn their airconditioner down in exchange for discounts on their power bills as part of a pilot project to prevent blackouts.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/arena-projects-to-prevent-blackouts-deliver-200mw-of-capacity-to-the-grid/news-story/c9c3c7932d1d8797076d423d83786d09

Deal ‘risks future’ for forestry
THE future of South East’s timber supply may be at risk under an agreement penned by the State Government for the controversial sale of the state’s forests, it can be revealed.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/details-of-the-state-governments-sale-of-forestrysas-harvesting-rights-to-onefortyone-plantation-revealed-in-new-document/news-story/745081b19733f729bd09bec0a658e810

Power politics all about the hip pocket
Daniel Wills 
POWER politics are complex, but Opposition Leader Steven Marshall now has one thing Labor doesn’t — a firm dollar figure he claims will be slashed from your bill
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/daniel-wills-power-politics-all-about-hip-pocket-believe-it-or-not-steven-marshall-says-he-can-save-you-302/news-story/68cf947b9295fb85815682c63bb40742

Interconnector step in the right direction
Nathan Vass
Steven Marshall’s plan to build another electricity interconnector is a sensible step in the right direction to easing power bill pain
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/nathan-vass-steven-marshalls-plan-to-build-another-electricity-interconnector-sensible-step-in-right-direction/news-story/03219cd9ad41ba2638eb9865a033d256

Farmer in PFAS-affected area told he can eat mangoes ‘but not too many’
An NT mango farmer is one of hundreds of Australians seeking compensation from the Defence Department after learning chemical contamination in his water supply was dozens of times over the deemed safe limit for drinking water.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-10/pfas-contamination-katherine-mango-farmer-seeks-compensation/9032150

Gold miner looking to convert to gas
CONVERTING to gas for its Tanami Desert operations will be the next major task for gold miner Newmont
http://www.ntnews.com.au/business/gold-miner-looking-to-convert-to-gas/news-story/e9b5b3862fdd871a07d3bbef8eabb6b1

Pilbara port’s Turnbull cash loan draws environmentalists’ ire
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/pilbara-ports-turnbull-cash-loan-draws-environmentalists-ire-20171010-gyxnx9.html

South West old growth forests ‘redefined’ to allow more logging
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/south-west-old-growth-forests-redefined-to-allow-more-logging-20171009-gyx6fq.html

There’s enough wind energy over the oceans to power human civilization, scientists say.
Wind energy over the open oceans could provide tremendous amounts of power, if we find a way to capture it.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1195107355338417103

Seeking a hockey stick growth curve? EU looks to batteries.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/1195107355338417123

Activated Carbon Could Stop Dioxin Health Risk
New research from Michigan State University has shown for the first time that activated carbon – a substance widely used in water purification – can help eliminate the health risks associated with soils, sediments and surface water polluted by highly toxic dioxins.
http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/52790

This new charging system lets electric cars pay for themselves by selling energy back to the grid.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/1195107355338417111

Are electric vehicles pushing oil demand over a cliff?
With China now planning to phase out gas-powered cars, automakers are talking about an all-electric future. It could mean a big drop in emissions.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/1195107355338417099

Rural Rwanda is home to a pioneering new solar power idea.
A group of London graduates have, apparently against the odds, helped thousands of people in Africa access energy from the sun. Could their idea teach power providers in the West a thing or two?
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/1195107355338417092

Could Hydrogen be the fuel of the future?
http://www.theage.com.au/business/energy/hydrogen-touted-as-fuel-of-the-future-20171010-gyxs81.html

UBC researchers take the ‘stink’ out of wastewater treatment
A foul smell and safety concerns can leave many residents turning their nose at the idea of a wastewater treatment plant in their neighbourhood.
But researchers from UBC’s Okanagan campus have developed a new way of making wastewater treatment dramatically safer and better smelling by using common and inexpensive chemicals.
http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/52803

Little growth observed in India’s methane emissions
Methane is the second most powerful greenhouse gas and concentrations are rising in the atmosphere. Because of its potency and quick decay in the atmosphere, countries have recognised that reduction of methane emissions are a means toward mitigating global warming.
http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/52801

When Shipping Petroleum, Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Costs More Than Accidents
While the policy debate surrounding crude oil transportation costs has emphasized accidents and spills, a new study by Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh researchers indicates the debate is overlooking a far more serious external cost—air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/52809

Conservationists’ Eco-Footprints Suggest Education Alone Won’t Change Behaviour
Conservationists work to save the planet, and few are as knowledgeable when it comes to the environmental pressures of the Anthropocene.
http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/52794

Reporting on the world’s most controversial farm chemical.
Veteran journalist Carey Gillam’s new book sheds light on the ongoing battle over glyphosate, the nation’s most commonly used herbicide.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1251925125133584067

Green gentrification can limit the favourable effects of green areas on health
The creation of parks and green areas in urban centres have positive effects on the health of residents. However, a new article published by the research group at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) and the Municipal Institute for Medical Institute of the Hospital del Mar (IMIM) suggests that more socially disadvantaged neighbours could be pushed aside when it comes to the health effects of “ecologisation” and may not benefit equally from these positive effects on health.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-10/uadb-ggc100917.php

Coffee shops not doing enough to combat huge increase in wasted cups
Just 1% of the 2.5bn disposable cups thrown away each year in the UK are recycled, committee of MPs is told
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/10/coffee-shops-not-doing-enough-to-combat-huge-increase-in-wasted-cups

Why we must talk about population
Erik Assadourian Resilience.org
Reading David Roberts’ recent explanation of why he never writes on overpopulation, I felt compelled to reply.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1195107355338417112

Congestion charging: are these criticisms fatal?
Alan Davies
There are a number of key criticisms of congestion charging; they carry weight and must be addressed in implementation, but no, they’re not fatal flaws
https://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2017/10/10/congestion-charging-criticisms-fatal/

Global data shows 2017 is shaping as the best year ever
Matt Wade
Amid mass shootings, super storms and talk of nuclear conflict, here’s some good news.
Barring a global catastrophe, 2017 is shaping as best year ever for the world’s average person.
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/global-data-shows-2017-is-shaping-as-the-best-year-ever-20171010-gyxyv3.html

Clear Lakes Disguise Impaired Water Quality
Look at a hundred lakes in the agricultural heartland of the United States and you will likely see green lakes surrounded by green fields. The nitrogen and phosphorus in agricultural fertilizers that help crops grow also fuel the growth of algae and cyanobacteria that in excess can turn lakes the color of pea soup.
http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/52792

Illegal Use of Natural Resources in the Protected Brazilian Amazon Mapped
New research uses law enforcement data collected from 2010 to 2015 to understand the geographical distribution of the illegal use of natural resources across the region’s …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171010085538.htm

Forest grazing counteracts the effectiveness of trees to reduce flood risk
Planting trees can reduce flood risk, but a high intensity forest land use, such as grazing, can counteract the positive effect of the trees, a recently published study suggests
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-10/lu-fgc101017.php

Pest resistance to biotech crops surging
A new global assessment helps scientists explain why cases of pest resistance to genetically engineered crops increased by more than fivefold in the past decade, yet some pests remain suppressed
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-10/uoa-prt100517.php