Anti-nuke campaign group wins 2017 Nobel Peace Prize
An international group that was launched in Melbourne in 2007 to abolish nuclear weapons is honoured for its work to draw attention to the “catastrophic humanitarian consequences” they have when used.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-06/anti-nuclear-campaign-wins-nobel-peace-prize/9024908
Today’s Celebration
Goodwill Day Namibia
Merchant Holiday Antigua & Barbuda
Our Lady of the Rosary Spain
Virgen del Rosario Spain
World Cerebral Palsy Day http://en.worldcpday.org/
Odd Socks Day http://www.oddsocksday.org.au/
More about Oct 7 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_7
National
How endangered species could be a cash cow for conservation efforts
Australia should consider ‘leasing’ its rare and endangered wildlife to raise cash for biodiversity conservation, similar to what China already does with the giant panda, according to Australia’s retiring Threatened Species commissioner.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-06/leasing-endangered-animals-could-help-biodiversity-crisis/9022554
Energy prices top risk for Australian business: survey
http://www.theage.com.au/business/energy/energy-prices-top-risk-for-australian-business-says-global-survey-20171005-gyv5co.html
How we ended up with the world’s highest power bills
http://www.theage.com.au/business/energy/australias-energy-trainwreck-how-we-ended-up-with-the-worlds-highest-power-bills-20171005-gyvdci.html
Wind so cheap it works without the RET
http://www.afr.com/news/you-could-soon-build-a-wind-farm-without-subsidy-20170928-gyqieu
Dehydration, death and power cuts: What 50C days would look like
Liz Hanna, Australian National University
New research predicts Sydney and Melbourne will face 50C days by the middle of the century. But what would they look like?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-06/50-degree-days-what-would-sydney-and-melbourne-look-like/9024914
Australia needs electric vehicles more than any other nation
Behyad Jafari
We’re the world’s great electric vehicle laggard, but thanks to our poor fuel security we need to catch up
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-06/australia-needs-electric-vehicles-more-than-any-other-nation/9022252
The new nationalisation
Guy Rundle
“Tony Abbott has suggested that the military be sent in to operate gas production in Victoria and New South Wales …”
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2017/10/07/the-new-nationalisation/15072948005314
Time to stop the mining madness across the nation
Elizabeth Farrelly
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/in-the-adani-debate-one-side-of-the-brain-is-outshouting-the-other-20171005-gyuzxo.html
Renewable aid can’t be justified
Judith Sloan
The waste of taxpayer money has gone on long enough; we must stop this nonsense.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/taxpayer-support-for-renewable-energy-simply-cannot-be-justified/news-story/1197160afff32ccfb1bf55ea3912982
Victoria
Anti-nuke campaign group wins 2017 Nobel Peace Prize
An international group that was launched in Melbourne in 2007 to abolish nuclear weapons is honoured for its work to draw attention to the “catastrophic humanitarian consequences” they have when used.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-06/anti-nuclear-campaign-wins-nobel-peace-prize/9024908
The mystery of the disappearing rabbits, dead or alive, at Neds Corner
Vanishing, but no doubt dead, rabbits a mystery on Victoria’s largest nature reserve.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-10-06/mystery-of-the-disappearing-rabbits-at-neds-corner/9015848
Dan’s greedy tax grab
Herald Sun editorial
THE Andrews Government is ignoring the significant pressure it is putting on consumer energy prices in its shameless tax grab.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/dans-greedy-tax-grab/news-story/8dab430b90118f02839b5b2742126e98
New South Wales
Electricians stop work at Opera House over asbestos
http://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace-relations/electrical-workers-stop-work-at-opera-house-again-over-asbestos-concerns-20171006-gyvwum.html
ACT
Learn how to build your home with natural materials
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/natural-building-roundhouse-working-bee-in-canberra-showcases-natural-materials-20171005-gyuph0.html
Big change to Canberra bus routes
Damien Haas
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/big-change-to-canberra-bus-routes-prepares-us-for-even-bigger-change-light-rail-20171006-gyvwlw.html
Williamsdale solar plant a renewable energy milestone
The ACT will soon overtake South Australia with renewable electricity generation projected to rise to 29 per cent in 2016-2017, 49 per cent in 2017-2018, 97 per cent in 2019-2020 and 100 per cent in 2020-2021.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/ct-editorial/williamsdale-solar-plant-a-renewable-energy-milestone-for-act-20171006-gyvz5e.html
Queensland
Are you eligible for one of Adani’s locals-only jobs?
Indian mining giant Adani is promising to hire thousands of Townsville and Rockhampton residents to work on its massive Galilee Basin coal mine, but who exactly will qualify?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-06/are-you-eligible-for-an-adani-locals-only-job/9020712
Majority of Australians oppose Adani mine
A majority of Australians oppose the Adani coal mine going ahead and want Queensland to veto a Commonwealth loan for a rail line to the site, polling shows
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/majority-of-australians-oppose-adani-mine/news-story/cce5b5e1649a101c7593e5b54f388c1e
Big Dry all over again for southeast
SOUTHEAST Queensland is on the brink of drought as the region’s water supply drops to its lowest level since 2010.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brisbane-weather-southeast-queensland-on-brink-of-drought/news-story/db22176fa3b5eba4c00a3bd30832f4e9
Clean-up success in Trinity Inlet
A safety and environmental nightmare that has tarnished a crucial Cairns waterway for decades is finally being cleaned up.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/lifestyle/boating-and-fishing/major-progress-in-cleaning-up-derelict-boats-in-trinity-inlet/news-story/ebc3696bf80253be221b9e09619628ee
South Australia
Contamination found in Thebarton homes
GROUNDWATER contamination has leached into five households in Thebarton with the EPA now offering ventilation and extraction systems to affected residents.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/trichloroethene-contamination-found-within-five-homes-in-thebarton/news-story/f3b1519487d2569fe5b0af7e50a33d2c
Leigh Creek gas injunction flagged
Indigenous groups in the Leigh Creek area are considering lodging a court injunction to block the “dirty, filthy business” of underground coal gasification going ahead in the area.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/concerned-indigenous-groups-have-raised-the-possibility-of-lodging-an-injunction-against-plans-to-flare-gas-at-leigh-creek/news-story/737cfc9012b454973f631eafcb33bf73
Future of food is Interstellar
Food production and processing is currently embarking on its biggest change since the industrial revolution.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/food-production-is-rapidly-embracing-automation-what-role-can-south-australia-play-in-this-farming-revolution/news-story/03defbe85fdae9958172105b7b571aa9
Tasmania
Tasmanian high school switches to solar after winning $133,000 prize
A Tasmanian high school is aiming to be a renewable energy hub after winning a $133,000 international competition.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-06/tas-huonville-high-school-getting-124-new-generation-solar-pane/9022964
Fish farm waste concerns rise
THE Tasmanian Abalone Council is questioning what impact a proposal to release at least six million litres of effluent from Tassal’s Macquarie Harbour pens near Hells Gates would have on nearby abalone habitat.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/tasmanian-abalone-council-questions-tassal-macquarie-harbour-proposal/news-story/f4bbfb3811e19675b2ef578c65487bf4
Northern Territory
Fracking report pushed back to November
THE draft final report of the independent Scientific Inquiry into fracking has been delayed until November with the public submission date closing Monday
http://www.ntnews.com.au/business/fracking-report-pushed-back-to-november/news-story/850023bafcacc57656609a224ddda40a
Western Australia
Explainer: why is Western Australia fighting with miners over gold royalties?
The Western Australian government is trying to improve its budget position but businesses claim increasing royalties will deter investment.
https://theconversation.com/explainer-why-is-western-australia-fighting-with-miners-over-gold-royalties-85250
First electric car supercharger in WA sparks into life near Bunbury
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/first-electric-car-supercharger-in-wa-sparks-into-life-near-bunbury-20171006-gyvyt6.html
Prescribed burns leave parts of Perth blanketed in smoke
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/prescribed-burns-leave-parts-of-perth-blanketed-in-smoke-20171006-gyvxr7.html
Federal agency slammed over ‘polluting’ project in WA’s Kimberley
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/federal-agency-slammed-for-promoting-polluting-project-in-was-kimberley-20171005-gyv77z.html
Sustainability
Trump administration will propose repealing Obama’s key effort to combat climate change.
The 43-page proposal, expected to be made public in the coming days, argues that the Obama administration overstepped its legal authority in implementing the Clean Power Plan.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1251925125133578962
Wood pellet demand, opposition growing.
Wood pellets are often marketed as an energy source that’s a better alternative to fossil fuels, but environmental groups worry about ties between the industry and loss of biodiversity, deforestation, faulty trade policies and climate change.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1251925125133578963
EU rules out tax on plastic products to reduce waste
EU opts for public awareness campaign on the impacts of plastics on the environment saying a tax would not be sustainable
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/06/eu-rules-out-tax-on-plastic-products-to-reduce-waste
Public funding and radon poisoning, what’s the link?
Jessica Morgan MAHB
It has only been a short while since the news of drastic budget trimming on various EPA projects by President Donald Trump’s government came out; however, it is already obvious that it will have a long-term effect on the environment
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1251925125133578967
Nature Conservation
Britain’s wildlife needs urgent new protections ahead of Brexit, say MPs
EU laws that have protected hundreds of conservation sites and the species that live in them for decades could be watered down or lost with the EU withdrawal bill
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/06/britains-wildlife-needs-urgent-new-protections-ahead-of-brexit-say-mps
Maelor Himbury