Road pricing most effective in reducing vehicle emissions
Motor vehicles are a major source of air pollution in urban areas, and for decades municipal and regional governments have used various traffic management strategies in an effort to reduce vehicle emissions, alongside advancements like cleaner fuel and greener cars.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-10/uobc-rpm100517.php
Today’s Celebration
Armed Forces Day Egypt
National German-American Day United States of America
October Revolution War Syria
Physician Assistant Day United States of America
Remembrance Day Turkmenistan
World Habitat Day http://www.un.org/en/events/habitatday/
World Smile Day http://www.worldsmileday.com/
Mad Hatter Day https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/mad-hatter-day/
More about Oct 6 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_6
Climate Change
Soil Holds Potential to Slow Global Warming, Stanford Researchers Find
http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/52765
LNG surge fuels $211b mining, energy export record
http://www.afr.com/business/mining/lng-surge-fuels-211b-mining-energy-export-record-20171005-gyuxb5
Europe will benefit hugely from keeping global warming to 1.5°C
Andrew King
https://theconversation.com/europe-will-benefit-hugely-from-keeping-global-warming-to-1-5-c-85009
Finding hope amid the hopeless doom of climate change
Toni Hassan
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/finding-hope-amid-the-hopeless-doom-of-climate-change-20171005-gyupsn.html
National
Citizen science project watching out for wombats
Researchers dig into the data about where wombats are facing their biggest threats two years the launch of WomSAT, Australia’s first citizen science project tracking the native animal.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-05/womsat-wombat-project-records-thousands-of-sightings/9017990
Stunning new low for solar PV as even IEA hails “age of solar”
Saudi solar tender attracts stunning low bid of $US17.9/MWh, as even the conservative IEA hails a “new era of solar.” And while Australia currently enjoys an investment boom, a new report by Climate Council says “politics” is the only major barrier to a high penetration renewable grid.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/stunning-new-low-for-solar-pv-as-even-iea-hails-age-of-solar-43509/
Australia adds 97MW rooftop solar in September, set for record 1GW in 2017
http://reneweconomy.com.au/australia-adds-97mw-rooftop-solar-in-september-set-for-record-1gw-in-2017-2017/
Turnbull takes on Jones over gas bans
Malcolm Turnbull and his government are headed for a showdown with highly influential broadcaster Alan Jones over energy prices.
http://www.afr.com/news/politics/malcolm-turnbull-takes-on-alan-jones-over-energy-price-hypocrisy-20171004-gyukb3
India fuels $35b Aussie gas export boom
http://www.theage.com.au/business/energy/gas-export-earnings-to-hit-35-billion-but-coal-in-a-heap-20171005-gyuqej.html
Labor wants aluminium cladding ban
http://www.afr.com/real-estate/federal-labor-follows-senate-report-wants-ban-on-aluminium-composite-cladding-20171005-gyv4a6
Shorten ducks RET questions
Bill Shorten has dodged seven questions on Labor’s 50 per cent renewables target by 2030 pledge.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/bill-shorten-ducks-ret-questions-seven-times/news-story/d0b0ecf65cf285baa1399a56c4e09f3d
Renewed focus on BoM methods
The Bureau of Meterology has been asked to release data after a scientist questioned recorded temperatures.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/boms-hottest-september-day-reading-under-scrutiny/news-story/706763103c86f3c9e6a6f5d4cbf9e4b8
AGL Energy in the firing line again as ACCC widens crackdown on gas
Angela Macdonald-Smith
http://www.afr.com/opinion/agl-energy-again-in-firing-line-as-accc-widens-crackdown-on-gas-20171004-gyukps
The government’s new gas deal will ease the squeeze, but dodges the price issue
Samantha Hepburn
https://theconversation.com/the-governments-new-gas-deal-will-ease-the-squeeze-but-dodges-the-price-issue-85175
It’s our choice: renewable energy superpower or Asian Pacific rust belt
Pat Conroy
If we stop fighting change, Australia can be the land of endless energy powering generations of manufacturing industries
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/oct/05/its-our-choice-renewable-energy-superpower-or-asian-pacific-rust-belt
Cooperation on energy is still a political nightmare for Malcolm Turnbull
Jennifer Hewett
http://www.afr.com/opinion/columnists/cooperation-on-energy-is-still-a-political-nightmare-for-malcolm-turnbull-20171005-gyv3sk
AGL sending $2b of gas overseas while Aussies are ‘ripped off’
Sharri Markson
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/agl-sending-2b-of-gas-overseas-while-aussies-are-ripped-off/news-story/441d4bb737f63ef61df61bac51c12357
Gas profits at our expense
Telegraph editorial
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-gas-profits-at-our-expense/news-story/5c16985e129a7a0fe3b3e0876d5878c6
Victoria
Melbourne needs new roads, says expert
Driverless cars will change the way we use roads in the future but Melbourne still needs a replacement for the dumped East West Link, a transport expert says.
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/10/05/melbourne-needs-new-roads-says-expert
East West Link must be built: Top expert
ONE of Australia’s top transport experts says the axed East West Link between the Eastern Freeway and CityLink in Parkville must be built.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/melbourne-seriously-needs-major-road-projects-sir-rod-eddington/news-story/4d122f07aec0cf832fcb567566737330
Andrews quiet on power station’s future
DANIEL Andrews has refused to deny that his renewable energy target might force Yallourn coal-fired power station out of the market earlier than expected.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/andrews-doesnt-deny-vret-could-force-latrobe-valley-plant-out-early/news-story/3ea05a8708b915ca575b521b433ff4ff
Minister backs massive roo cull
PLANS to cull about 400 trapped kangaroos in Epping were today defended by the state government, but campaigners fighting to save the animals say welfare cancers are just an excuse to kill them.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/epping-mass-kangaroo-cull-backed-by-state-government/news-story/20745b79fb15214b75258be1bc195c84
Quoll patrol on the ready
PEOPLE of the Yarra Valley take note — you are being put on quoll patrol.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/spottedtailed-quoll-sightings-in-yarra-ranges-prompt-appeal/news-story/6f33502e603dda95e62ce28426e24c60
East West — get on with it
Herald Sun editorial
PREMIER Daniel Andrews needs to drop his blind political intransigence and just build the crucial East West Link for the sake of the state.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/east-west-get-on-with-it/news-story/f751a7f8580d9ac116381f5e51d15f84
New South Wales
Australia’s first solar farm co-located with wind park begins production
Gullen Range solar farm is the first to be paired with a wind farm, but is just one of a number of wind-solar hybrids planned
http://reneweconomy.com.au/australias-first-solar-farm-co-located-with-wind-park-begins-production-87343/
Giant stick insects found on Lord Howe Island a genetic match for ‘extinct’ phasmids
Scientists confirm creatures discovered on Ball’s Pyramid in 2001 are the same species rats were believed to have killed off a century earlier
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/05/giant-stick-insects-found-on-lord-howe-island-a-genetic-match-for-extinct-phasmids
Turnbull renews pressure on NSW premier to approve Narrabri gas project
PM says controversial Santos project would lower domestic gas prices but Gladys Berejiklian says it is still going through state planning approvals
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/oct/05/malcolm-turnbull-renews-pressure-on-nsw-premier-to-approve-narrabri-gas-project
Hundreds of millions of dollars stripped from transport operations
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/hundreds-of-millions-of-dollars-stripped-from-spending-on-nsw-transport-operations-20171004-gyulmx.html
Law Society backs down in same-sex marriage row
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/law-society-backs-down-in-samesex-marriage-row-20171005-gyv09f.html
ACT
Impact plans second solar investment fund as Williamsdale opens
Impact officially opens Williamsdale solar farm in ACT, and puts together portfolio of solar assets in NSW, Victoria and Queensland for a second solar investment
http://reneweconomy.com.au/impact-plans-second-solar-investment-fund-as-williamsdale-opens-40825/
Government unveils 36,000 new solar panels
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/government-unveils-36000-new-solar-panels-at-williamsdale-20171004-gyu8z8.html
Queensland
Carmichael mine FIFO workforce to come from Townsville, Rockhampton
Adani says it will split its fly-in fly-out workforce for the multi-billion-dollar Carmichael coal mine project in Queensland’s Galilee Basin between Townsville and Rockhampton.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-05/adani-carmichael-mine-fifo-workforce-townsville-rockhampton/9017610
Don’t pick winners with Adani loan: Anglo boss
http://www.afr.com/business/mining/dont-pick-winners-with-adani-loan-says-anglo-american-chief-mark-cutifani-20171004-gyuh6w
Adani a step closer to mega-mine
http://www.afr.com/news/politics/adani-a-step-closer-to-165b-carmichael-megamine-20171004-gyumml
A ‘betrayal’ tale of two cities
ONE of two Queensland cities to share in Adani’s multimillion-dollar FIFO plans has been accused by a third community of deceiving and dudding it.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/gladstone-accuses-joint-adani-fifo-hub-rockhampton-of-jobs-betrayal/news-story/386b241dd5299acb0719c7d0cf063257
Alarming’ rise in Queensland tree clearing as 400,000 hectares stripped
Deputy premier brands Australia ‘deforestation hotspot’ after a 45% jump in her state’s reef catchment clearing
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/05/alarming-rise-in-queensland-tree-clearing-as-400000-hectares-stripped
For the love of Queensland, this land clearing has got to stop
Lyndon Schneiders
My heart belongs to Queensland but it has been broken by the latest land clearing data. We stopped it once, we must again
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/oct/06/for-the-love-of-queensland-this-land-clearing-has-got-to-stop
South Australia
Samsung chosen for new 30MW battery storage facility in S.A.
Giles Parkinson Samsung batteries to be used in new 30MW battery storage project next to create reenables-based micro-grid in South Australia.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/samsung-chosen-new-30mw-battery-storage-facility-s-18684/
Tasmania
Hobart harbour oil spill results in record fine for fishing company
Fishing company Australian Longline, whose ship spilt diesel fuel into the River Derwent at the Hobart wharf, creating a 400-metre slick in an area inhabited by the endangered spotted handfish and Derwent sea star, is fined $40,000.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-05/tas-fishing-boat-gets-record-fine-for-oil-pollution-at-hobart/9018530
Hints of reduced power prices
Energy Minister Guy Barnett says he is conducting a major review into power prices.
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4969591/hints-of-reduced-power-prices/?cs=95
Huon hits out over fish waste plan
Huon Aquaculture executive director Frances Bender says she is concerned Tassal is sacrificing Macquarie Harbour and the salmon industry’s reputation.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/huon-aquaculture-concerned-over-tassal-proposal-to-dispose-of-effluent-in-macquarie-harbour/news-story/66e2e4908211a17b3bd13775716d3643
Mountain vision long overdue
Jason Turvey
Community consultation should be the key to any decisions about development on Mt Wellington
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-mountain-vision-long-overdue/news-story/71f8d1fdeab4b9283249d06810ab0af0
Warnings that TasWater takeover backtracks on reform
Miles Hampton
Legislation fails to protect long-term interest of consumers
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-warnings-that-taswater-takeover-backtracks-on-reform/news-story/60169fbd51415b844b803ecbfb44f3e2
Northern Territory
Energy crisis has reached peak weirdness
Matthew Stevens
A former Santos chairman is promoting a coal-to-gas project in the southern reaches of the NT to solve east coast supply shortages.
http://www.afr.com/business/energy-crisis-has-reached-peak-weirdness-20171005-gyv39n
Western Australia
Perth council to allow meat, dairy and pet poo in green waste bins in home compost pickup trial
A select group of residents will soon be able to throw meat, dairy products, coffee grounds and dog poo into their green waste bins in a move to decrease landfill use and yield better compost.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-05/green-bin-organic-waste-trial-perth-council/9018878
Sustainability
TransCanada kills controversial Energy East Pipeline project.
TransCanada Corp. has pulled the plug on its controversial $15.7-billion Energy East Pipeline proposal, after slowing oil sands growth and heightened environmental scrutiny raised doubts about the viability of the project.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1251925125133578169
Why factory farming is not just cruel – but also a threat to all life on the planet.
It’s time the world woke up to the real impact of modern, industrial farming, says Philip Lymbery, author of Farmageddon and the Deadzone.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1195107355338416703
Monsanto accused of influencing research on safety of glyphosate.
French daily Le Monde looks at the communications strategy of agrochemical giant Monsanto, and reveals that the firm tried to influence research on the safety of glyphosate, the main component of its herbicide
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1251925125133577034
IEA: Renewable electricity set to grow 40% globally by 2022
The world’s renewable electricity capacity is set to rise sharply over the next five years, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says, expanding 43% on today’s levels.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/iea-renewable-electricity-set-grow-40-globally-2022/
48 environmental rules on the way out under Trump.
The list shows dozens of environmental policies that the Trump administration has targeted, often in an effort to ease burdens on the fossil fuel industry.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1195107355338417020
Industry lawsuits try to paint environmental activism as illegal racket.
Logging and pipeline companies are using a new legal tactic to seek damages from Greenpeace and other groups. The long-shot cases are having a chilling effect.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1195107355338417017
An overlooked ecosystem: garbage dumps.
Ecosystem is not a word that comes readily to mind when contemplating a garbage dump.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1251925125133577033
How the benzene tree polluted the world.
The organic compounds that enabled industrialization have unintended, long-lasting consequences for the planet’s life.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1195107355338417015
Time to shine: Solar power is fastest-growing source of new energy.
Solar power was the fastest-growing source of new energy worldwide last year, outstripping the growth in all other forms of power generation for the first time and leading experts to hail a “new era”.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1251925125133577017
Paper-based supercapacitor uses metal nanoparticles to boost energy density
Using a simple layer-by-layer coating technique, researchers from the U.S. and Korea have developed a paper-based flexible supercapacitor that could be used to help power wearable device
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-10/giot-psu100517.php
Indian growth spurs coal demand
India could need a billion tonnes of steel a year by 2035, according to Australia’s Office of the Chief Economist.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/indian-growth-to-spur-demand-for-coal-oce/news-story/9bc1a1a9d4288ffda4a1b2c774cdb628
New ‘molecular trap’ cleans more radioactive waste from nuclear fuel rods
A new method for capturing radioactive waste from nuclear power plants is cheaper and more effective than current methods, a potential boon for the energy industry, according to new research published in the journal Nature Communications.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-10/wfu-nt100517.php
Air Pollution Exposure on Home-to-School Routes Reduces the Growth of Working Memory
A new study has demonstrated that exposure to air pollution on the way to school can have damaging effects on children’s cognitive development.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171005125019.htm
Neonicotinoid pesticides found in honey from every continent
The evidence has been mounting for years that the world’s most widely used pesticides, neonicotinoids, harm bees and other pollinating insects. Now it seems the problem isn’t limited to Europe and North America, where the alarm was first sounded. It’s everywhere.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2149597-neonicotinoid-pesticides-found-in-honey-from-every-continent/
Road pricing most effective in reducing vehicle emissions
Motor vehicles are a major source of air pollution in urban areas, and for decades municipal and regional governments have used various traffic management strategies in an effort to reduce vehicle emissions, alongside advancements like cleaner fuel and greener cars.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-10/uobc-rpm100517.php
Rick Perry’s plan to subsidize coal and nuclear plants is bonkers.
David Roberts Vox
By keeping uncompetitive plants open, it would blow up energy markets.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/1195107355338417031
US plan to defibrillate failing coal plants is part of a global trend
Bob Burton
Rick Perry’s plan to require increased payments to some coal plants is part of a global trend as the coal lobby desperately tries to rescue failing coal plants.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/us-plan-defibrillate-failing-coal-plants-part-global-trend-38594/
In energy and transportation, stick it to the orthodoxy!
Michael Liebreich
At most, the current orthodoxy – despite its renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy efficiency – will result in flat or gently declining emissions. It’s time to stick it up the orthodoxy!
http://reneweconomy.com.au/energy-transportation-stick-orthodoxy-81526/
Jobs, tax and politics: three ways electric vehicles will change our world
Hussein Dia, Swinburne University of Technology
Governments racing to grab a lead in the global quest to position their countries for the car industry of the future.
http://theconversation.com/jobs-tax-and-politics-three-ways-electric-vehicles-will-change-our-world-84910
Nature Conservation
CRISPR: Can gene-editing help nature cope with climate change?
The new technology may have missed out on this year’s Nobel prize, but its potential to shape the planet is growing by the day.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1251925125133577683
Butterflywatch: could be worse – verdict for the 2017 season
A wet July and August in Britain put a dampener on our midsummer butterflies
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/05/butterflywatch-could-be-worse-verdict-for-the-2017-season
Maelor Himbury