Daily Links Nov 10

Australia – global climate laggard. Doesn’t sound too good, does it? Our outrageous treatment of refugees, our indefensible deferral of an indigenous ‘treaty’, our silly response to marriage equality, our farcical NBN etc  are all national disgraces. Our paltry climate response is our global disgrace.

Top Post
On climate change, there aren’t ‘two sides.’ So why do some feel otherwise?
Katharine Hayhoe
The top predictor of what people think about climate change has little to do with scientific literacy – it’s about politics. Here’s how to change that.
http://www.macleans.ca/opinion/on-climate-change-there-arent-two-sides-so-why-do-some-feel-otherwise/

Today’s Celebration
Anniversary of 1st Call for Independence in Los Santos  Panama
Independence (Cry of)            Palau
Maputo City Day (Maputo only)          Mozambique
Militsiya (Police) Day            Russia
Potosi Local Festival            Bolivia
Marine Corps Birthday            United States of America
World Science Day for Peace and Development     http://www.un.org/en/events/scienceday/
International Week of Science and Peace       http://www.un.org/en/events/scienceday/week.shtml
More about Nov 10               https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_10

Climate Change
There will soon be floods of climate refugees: Will they get asylum?
New Zealand is considering creating a new visa for people fleeing environmental disasters brought on by climate change.
https://www.fastcompany.com/40491897/there-will-soon-be-floods-of-climate-refugees-will-they-get-asylum

Miami voters just sent their climate-change-denying governor a message
With Hurricane Irma still fresh in their minds, Miami residents on Tuesday voted yes on a big funding measure to protect their city from climate change.
https://news.vice.com/story/miami-voters-just-sent-their-climate-change-denying-governor-a-message

Atmospheric rivers could increase flood risk by 80 per cent
The global effect and impact of atmospheric rivers on rainfall, flooding and droughts has been estimated for the first time – revealing that in some regions the risks can be enhanced by up to 80 percent.
http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/53105

27 Ways Heatwaves Can Kill
A new systematic synthesis by researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa shows that there are at least 27 different physiological pathways in which a heatwave can kill a human being, and everyone is at risk.
http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/53096

It’s time to rethink the relationship between borders and climate change
Reece Jones
Climate-induced migration is now a reality. Opening borders and removing sovereignty from environmental decisions needs to be considered.
https://undark.org/article/borders-climate-change-displacement/

On climate change, there aren’t ‘two sides.’ So why do some feel otherwise?
Katharine Hayhoe
The top predictor of what people think about climate change has little to do with scientific literacy – it’s about politics. Here’s how to change that.
http://www.macleans.ca/opinion/on-climate-change-there-arent-two-sides-so-why-do-some-feel-otherwise/

Fighting the creeping catastrophe of climate change
Lourdes Tibig and Denise Margaret Matias
Governments must fulfill their commitment to act on climate change on all fronts, even as they continue to ramp up disaster risk reduction and mitigation efforts.
http://www.ipsnews.net/2017/11/fighting-creeping-catastrophe-climate-change/

National
Graphs of the Day: Australia the global climate laggard
If the Turnbull government was setting the standard for global climate action… we’d be going to hell in a handcart, says new report.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/graphs-of-the-day-australia-the-global-climate-laggard-62590/

Renewable energy for industry next big thing for Australia, says IEA
International Energy Agency says solar, hydro and and wind have enormous potential for use in industrial processes – particularly in places like Australia, where the cost will be $USUS30/MWh.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/renewable-energy-industry-next-big-thing-australia-says-iea-36173/

Australia adds 107MW rooftop solar in October as 2017 heads for record year
Commercial solar growth helps push Australia’s total PV installs to 107MW in October, almost guaranteeing 1GW record for 2017.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/australia-adds-107mw-rooftop-solar-october-2017-heads-record-year-78481/

‘Turning point’: Uranium shares spike as major player shutters mines
http://www.theage.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/uranium-shares-spike-as-canadian-giant-cameco-suspends-production-20171109-gzi4zc.html

Abbott’s ‘cap and trade’ carbon scheme kicks in
Carbon traders say at least six big emitters have blown their 2016-17 baselines and will need to buy credits to meet their mandates.
http://www.afr.com/news/carbon-trading-cranks-up-this-summer-as-big-emitters-blow-caps-20171108-gzhn5f

Critical decade 2017: accelerating climate action
Climate Council
Australia’s critical window of opportunity to tackle climate change is closing, with a this report revealing Australia is falling behind the rest of the world and failing to tackle climate change, as pollution levels continue to rise.
http://apo.org.au/node/118526

Why is Australia so slow at adopting electric cars?
Graciela Metternicht and Danielle Drozdzewski
In the race to adopt electric vehicles, Australia is sputtering along in the slow lane. Rather than growing, Australian sales of electric cars are actually in decline. Here’s why.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-09/why-is-australia-so-slow-at-adopting-electric-cars/9135798

Energy incumbents are going on a ‘gorging spree’
Marc Hudson
Big fossil-fuel-based utilities are overcharging their customers, going on a “’gorging spree” while they still can.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/energy-incumbents-are-going-on-a-gorging-spree-66777/

Are renewables and batteries part of the power generation & storage solution?
Geoff Carmody
How efficient are different types of batteries/energy sources? A key metric is ‘energy density’.
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=19400

Let’s give Turnbull’s NEG some positive energy
Chris Dunstan
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/lets-not-rush-to-write-off-governments-national-energy-guarantee-neg-20171107-gzgx95.html

Victoria
Financial close for Swan Hill Solar Farm project
The construction of one of Victoria’s first large-scale solar PV farms is a step closer to getting underway. …
https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/biglaw/22229-financial-close-for-swan-hill-solar-farm-project

Timber looks to plantations
Victoria should prepare to transition from native logging to plantation timber, a parliamentary inquiry into VicForests has recommended.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/vicforests-inquiry-timber-industry-transition-urged/news-story/d27ace648af02cac8ba90814a9bdd870

Greens launch Great Forest National Park campaign
Victorian politicians could be forced to vote on a proposal that would end native logging, when the Greens introduce a bill to establish the Great Forest National Park next year.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/greens-launch-great-forest-national-park-campaign/news-story/722f9e75768c4292efe968c4137debcd

Renewables cut costs, risk
Victorian farm and food enterprises are switching to renewable energy to tackle big power price increases and provide backup in case the grid fails.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/power-prices-renewables-cut-costs-risk/news-story/e75f9c4619c71c98368688b6ee851a48

Victorian opposition raises questions about renewable energy advocate Simon Corbell’s appointment
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/victorian-opposition-raises-questions-about-renewable-energy-advocate-simon-corbells-appointment/news-story/d175afc69ed8dc75bb85445a7e033783

New South Wales
‘Greed trumps nature’: Leaked report points to big offset savings for developers
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/greed-trumps-nature-leaked-report-points-to-big-offset-savings-for-developers-20171108-gzhnln.html

‘Mockery’: Frydenberg extends shark net waiver for two years
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/mockery-josh-frydenberg-extends-nsw-shark-net-waiver-for-two-years-20171109-gzi4tw.html

Santos backs Narrabri gas
Santos has declared the controversial $3.6 billion Narrabri coal-seam gas project is one of its top growth options.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/santos-returns-narrabri-gas-to-core-status/news-story/6c6433788c8de5dd2be58880a201a8cc

WestConnex: why its bureacratic brazenness is just a cliche
Sean Nicholls
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/bureacratic-brazenness-shows-westconnex-consultation-just-a-cliche-20171109-gzhrrh.html

Queensland
Public opinion behind Adani loan backflip, Queensland Treasurer admits
Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt admits public opinion swayed Labor’s mid-campaign backflip on Adani’s Commonwealth loan.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-09/public-opinion-poll-behind-adani-loan-backflip-curtis-pitt/9134584

Great Barrier Reef ad campaign is LNP ‘greenwashing’ – Labor
LNP leader Tim Nicholls says the advertising plan is to ‘overcome misleading green activist scare campaigns’
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/09/great-barrier-reef-ad-campaign-is-lnp-greenwashing-labor

Queensland Election 2017: Anti-Adani activists to target LNP voters
THE Stop Adani Alliance has switched its attention to the LNP and Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/state-election-2017/queensland-election-2017-antiadani-activists-to-target-lnp-voters/news-story/df0d683b6c050422d45467099126ea56

Queensland Election 2017: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk contradicts herself on Adani loan again
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has again contradicted herself over her veto of Adani’s $1 billion loan, saying the Federal Government can still pay for it, if it wants to.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/state-election-2017/queensland-election-2017-premier-annastacia-palaszczuk-contradicts-herself-on-adani-loan-again/news-story/1fa558a7123428b49f9809e72c685f59

‘Christmas could come twice’ for scientists studying coral spawning
The coral colonies of the Great Barrier Reef simultaneously mate and give birth in what is expected to be the first of two spawning events of the year.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-10/researchers-race-to-capture-coral-spawn-to-boost-reef-resilience/9135164

Nicholls courts the cuddly vote with wildlife pledge
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland-election-2017/nicholls-courts-the-cuddly-vote-with-wildlife-pledge-20171109-p4ywx1.html

Why the Adani project should be rejected
John Hewson
Adani was always going to be a significant issue in the forthcoming Queensland state election. It is a divisive issue and one where the major players have sought to play excessive, short-term, politics in recent years.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/why-the-adani-project-should-be-rejected-20171109-gzhsfh.html

South Australia
DP Energy trumps Gupta with 1.1GW of wind, solar and storage
Irish company DP Energy unveils major expansion of its Port Augusta hybrid renewable energy park, adding another 300MW of solar and 400MW of battery storage, as South Australia continues to hurtle towards near 100 per cent renewable energy.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/dp-energy-trumps-gupta-with-1-1gw-of-wind-solar-and-storage-78205/

Koutsantonis slams NEG, says it is an attack on renewables
SA energy minister Tom Koutsantonis says he cannot support NEG, says it’s an attack on renewables, designed to keep alive dirty coal.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/koutsantonis-slams-neg-says-it-is-an-attack-on-renewables-71267/

SA national parks entry rules overhauled after thieves stole money from ‘honesty system’ cashbox
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/sa-national-parks-entry-rules-overhauled-after-thieves-stole-money-from-honesty-system-cashbox/news-story/d51e683dc3fab3763e103355db6ffce6

Tasmania
Salmon farm bid passes test
Huon Aquaculture’s plans for a future comprising land-based and sea-cage salmon farming moved a step closer yesterday.
http://www.themercury.com.au/business/landbased-salmon-farm-bid-passes-test/news-story/5244e1aba17b3ff6180366060df49994

Let’s learn from mistake
Mercury editorial
Sometimes we all make mistakes. And it appears the Department of State Growth might be guilty of one with the new carpark at the Bruny Island Neck.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-lets-learn-from-mistake/news-story/5282c6704e96f6d588c6b027c7143ee7

Northern Territory
20 of NT’s endangered mala set to be relocated in Central Australia
A historic and culturally significant event involving the Territory’s endangered mala is set to occur in Central Australia this week.
http://www.ntnews.com.au/lifestyle/20-of-nts-endangered-mala-set-to-be-relocated-in-central-australia/news-story/93bb3c5ba63882f1f4ca20398dc28450

Some remote Australian communities have drinking water for only nine hours a day
Cara Beal, Griffith University
https://theconversation.com/some-remote-australian-communities-have-drinking-water-for-only-nine-hours-a-day-86933

Western Australia
‘It’s weird’: Biologist discovers new spider species in Albany
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/its-weird-biologist-discovers-new-spider-species-in-albany-20171109-gzie0j.html

Updated bin system encourages organic waste
Seven thousand homes in Melville are trialling an updated three-bin system which takes organic waste from both the garden and the kitchen.
https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/new-bin-system-encourages-more-organic-waste-ng-b88655867z

Sustainability
Mapping how to feed 9 billion humans, while avoiding environmental calamity
On Tuesday The Leonardo Dicaprio Foundation unveiled an ambitious plan to protect and connect 50 percent of the world’s land area as part of a broader effort to curb global warming, stave off the global extinction crisis, and ensure food availability for the planet’s growing human population.
https://news.mongabay.com/2017/11/mapping-how-to-feed-9-billion-humans-while-avoiding-environmental-calamity/

Confronting the environmental cost of marijuana
When thinking about agriculture’s environmental footprint, the usual suspects jump to mind: corn and cotton and soy, vast resource-intensive commodity crops. Marijuana isn’t high on the list. Yet perhaps it should be.
http://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2017/11/the-environmental-cost-of-marijuana/

EU fails to agree on glyphosate license renewal
The European Commission has again hit a wall in renewing the approval for the weedkiller glyphosate. The vote comes after 18 months of agonizing over the controversial herbicide.
http://www.dw.com/en/eu-fails-to-agree-on-glyphosate-license-renewal/a-41308770

Behind the nuclear curtain: Fukushima explored six years on
Documentary makers entered the no-go zone to capture eerie images of the abandoned city of Fukushima, six years after its nuclear plant melted down.
https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/filmmakers-document-fukushima-six-years-after-nucl/3260895/

Europe calls for cutting car emissions by a third. Not enough, critics say
The proposals by the European Commission, the European Union’s executive arm, drew immediate complaints that officials had buckled to pressure from Germany.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/08/business/energy-environment/eu-cars-emissions.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness-energy-environment

Breeding highly productive corn has reduced its ability to adapt
Stuck where they are, plants have to adapt to their environments, responding to stresses like drought or pests by changing how they grow.
http://www.enn.com/agriculture/article/53109

China’s Sulfur Dioxide Emissions Declined Significantly While India’s Grew Over Last Decade
Sulfur dioxide is an air pollutant that causes acid rain, haze and many health-related problems. It is produced predominantly when coal is burned to generate electricity.
http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/53107

Study helps make microgrids a more reliable power source
New framework guarantees stability of microgrids that supply local power in developing countries.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/miot-shm110917.php

JinkoSolar claims record 23.5% efficiency for PERC solar cell
Jinko sets new efficiency record for PERC solar cell and sees big future in “half cell” modules.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/jinkosolar-claims-record-23-5-efficiency-perc-solar-cell-55972/

Trump to world: Fossil fuels are good for you
Emily Atkin
No longer content to just deny climate change, the administration is now making the moral case for burning oil and coal.
https://newrepublic.com/article/145667/trump-world-fossil-fuels-good

Outrage will prevent a windfarm over the Bullecourt dead – but it’s missing elsewhere
Paul Daley
Where is the anger at Indigenous remains in museums after modern infrastructure disturbed traditional burial sites?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/postcolonial-blog/2017/nov/10/outrage-will-prevent-a-windfarm-over-the-bullecourt-dead-but-its-missing-elsewhere

Sharing economy sounds caring, but let’s put it to the ethical city test
Ralph Horne, RMIT University
In cities dominated by globalised market forces, how can we achieve social equity and justice? For any sharing economy idea, we need to ask what will it do to fix the big problems confronting us all.
https://theconversation.com/sharing-economy-sounds-caring-but-lets-put-it-to-the-ethical-city-test-87165

Nature Conservation
Polluted groundwater eroding Hawaii coral reefs, study shows
Local land-based pollution makes coral reefs more vulnerable to ocean acidification and could trigger coastal coral reef ecosystem collapses sooner than projected, according to new research.
http://lahainanews.com/page/content.detail/id/564354/Polluted–groundwater-eroding-Hawaii-coral-reefs–study-shows.html?nav=19

Professor says protected waters an opportunity for Indigenous empowerment
The author of a new study on marine protected areas worldwide says urgent action is needed in Canada to make sure Indigenous rights are included in the creation and management of ocean conservation measures.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1518740-professor-says-protected-waters-an-opportunity-for-indigenous-empowerment

New technology to detect sea pollution
A new technology aimed at detecting the levels of pollution in the sea and its potential impact on aquatic life and the surrounding ecosystem was deployed in the waters of the Gulf of Paria last month.
http://newsday.co.tt/2017/11/08/new-technology-to-detect-sea-pollution/

Urban Refuge: How Cities Can Help Rebuild Declining Bee Populations
http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/53098

The evidence points in one direction – we must ban neonicotinoids
Michael Gove
With more and more evidence emerging that these pesticides harm bees and other insects, it would be irresponsible not to restrict their use
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/09/the-evidence-points-in-one-direction-we-must-ban-neonicotinoids

Unless we regain our historic awe of the deep ocean, it will be plundered
Laurence Publicover, Katharine Hendry
It seems almost inevitable that deep sea mining will open a new and substantial chapter of humanity’s relationship with the oceans.
https://theconversation.com/unless-we-regain-our-historic-awe-of-the-deep-ocean-it-will-be-plundered-84734

Maelor Himbury