Daily Links Nov 14

Are international pledges bold enough to stop global warming?
The countries signed onto the Paris Agreement have made pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The promises are at the core of the accord, but can they prevent devastating climate change?
http://www.dw.com/en/are-international-pledges-bold-enough-to-stop-global-warming/a-41343653

Want to understand climate change in Myanmar? Talk to kids
Children can play an important role in talking about climate change in their communities.
http://news.trust.org/item/20171113122441-iunb6

Seeking to slow climate change, lawsuits look to the constitution
Climate activists will argue in an Oslo court this week that Norway’s plans for Arctic oil exploration are unconstitutional, in an emerging branch of law where plaintiffs are trying to enlist a nation’s founding principles to limit warming.
https://in.reuters.com/article/us-climatechange-accord-lawsuit/seeking-to-slow-climate-change-lawsuits-look-to-the-constitution-idINKBN1DD1C7

From the Everglades to Kilimanjaro, climate change is destroying world wonders
Number of natural world heritage sites at serious risk from global warming has doubled in three years, says the IUCN, including the Great Barrier Reef and spectacular karst caves in Europe
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/13/from-the-everglades-to-kilimanjaro-climate-change-is-destroying-world-wonders

Scientists to brief UNFCCC’s Patricia Espinosa on climate tipping points
‘Collision course’ with Earth’s climatic tipping points avoidable but political will to act missing, warn scientists
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/fe-etb111017.php

Solomon Islands churches preach climate action
“The churches are taking (climate change) on; they are accepting it”
http://news.trust.org/item/20171113024339-re83d/

When Continents Break It Gets Warm on Earth
The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere determines whether the Earth is in greenhouse or ice age state. Before humans began to have an impact on the …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171113123725.htm

Cities hope new emissions push will spur climate ambition, finance
Mayors from 25 cities around the world, representing 150 million citizens, pledged on Sunday to cut their carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, while boosting efforts to become more resilient to extreme weather and other pressures linked to climate change.
https://in.reuters.com/article/climatechange-emissions-cities/cities-hope-new-emissions-push-will-spur-climate-ambition-finance-idINL8N1NI0Y0

Designing the climate observing system of the future
A targeted expansion of climate observing systems could help scientists answer knotty questions about climate while delivering trillions of dollars in benefits, according to a new paper published today in the online journal Earth’s Future.
http://www.enn.com/sci-tech/article/53126

Experts warn of a ‘new era of mega-catastrophies’ driven by climate change
Already among the warmest three years on record, 2017 has set another record: the most natural disasters in the United States costing more than $1 billion in the shortest time span.
http://gazette.com/experts-warn-of-a-new-era-of-mega-catastrophies-driven-by-climate-change/article/1615140

Africa needs practical solutions, not promises to tackle climate change
Kaddu Sebunya
Kenya is smarting from drought and related cattle and wildlife conflicts.
http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/opinion/Africa-solutions-tackle-climate-change/440808-4183274-w8oi4j/index.html

That day we cleared up the climate change conspiracy
Paul Hampton
The denier would have me believe that climate change is a vast global conspiracy. Just what the scientists are conspiring against is as obscure as a sunset in, well, China.
http://www.sunherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/paul-hampton/article184041061.html

World action as US stands alone
Peter Boyer
Another year, another global climate summit. But this year’s event in Bonn, Germany, marks a new phase in the battle to contain climate change.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-world-action-as-us-stands-alone/news-story/e0171aed63a4308a7f9ec385ddd2641a

Some Australian street trees are about to disappear, climate research warns
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/5053867/some-australian-street-trees-are-about-to-disappear-climate-research-warns/?cs=7

Businesses face electricity contract renewal ‘cliff’
http://www.theage.com.au/business/energy/businesses-face-electricity-contract-renewal-cliff-20171113-gzk9xn.html

Federal and State governments fiddle while koalas burn
Sue Arnold
The mainstream media continue to look the other way as governments sign off on developments that will see koalas wiped out.
https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/federal-and-state-governments-fiddle-while-koalas-burn,10921

Rent-seekers think Libs wrong
Nick Cater
Energy policy has been placed on a more level playing field to limit costly subsidies.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/nick-cater/rentseekers-think-liberals-wrong-well-thats-good/news-story/85f515332c4a6c278a294613792cf8c9

Greens launch 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

The bold new plans for Melbourne’s controversial skyrail
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/life-under-the-viaduct-melbournes-southeast-skyrail-will-get-a-green-up-20171113-gzk4dl.html

Look no hands: Driverless cars coming to the state’s roads
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/humanless-cars-to-hit-victorias-public-streets-in-victorian-government-proposal-20171113-gzkjiq.html

Calls for more regularly graffiti cleans on Melbourne’s train network
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/metro-does-monthly-clean-of-graffitiriddled-rail-corridor-but-should-it-be-more-often/news-story/4db375b7f4abd7edb86d62ac44c2cae8

Melbourne suburbs bucking the high population growth trend
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/the-melbourne-suburbs-bucking-the-high-population-growth-trend/news-story/1690700d4d08109d4163f30abfdee6f2

Remarks by WestConnex chief Dennis Cliche ‘undermined NSW Chief Scientist’
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/remarks-by-westconnex-chief-dennis-cliche-undermined-nsw-chief-scientist-20171112-gzjpff.html

Queensland election 2017: Coal station plan fires up
A new coal-fired power station will be built in the north Queensland mining community of Collinsville under a Liberal National Party state government.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/state-election-2017/queensland-election-2017-coal-station-plan-fires-up/news-story/4202e0082d1f201f64f98336163259f2

Queensland Election 2017: Greens candidate promises Labor support in return for death of Adani mine
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/state-election-2017/queensland-election-2017-greens-candidate-promises-labor-support-in-return-for-death-of-adani-mine/news-story/70f0d2ca9cb20985eaf90c2f989417fd

Queensland Rail trains on track for legal disaster
Queensland Rail Rail was warned by its lawyers that its troubled $4.4 billion NGR train fleet could expose taxpayers to massive legal claims of discrimination if they were used before serious problems were fixed.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-rail-trains-on-track-for-legal-disaster/news-story/eba2c304a167cb9bfb8489f0ca0bbf2d

Queensland election 2017: LNP promises to build bridges for Brisbane River
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/state-election-2017/queensland-election-2017-lnp-promises-to-build-bridges-for-brisbane-river/news-story/4ba474ae82b48d222f645f933b689261

Battery plant plan sparks jobs hope
The Palaszczuk government has committed up to $3.1m for a study into a proposed $2bn lithium-ion battery factory in Townsville.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/31m-battery-factory-pledge-fires-hopes-for-jobs-in-townsville/news-story/ba4a01f0e4af912cb2f340dd754c874e

Live sex show returns to Great Barrier Reef for repeat performance next month
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/live-sex-show-returns-to-great-barrier-reef-for-repeat-performance-next-month/news-story/464bd7eb4f815f06e0d8bab720209201

Cairns recycles almost a tonne of batteries ahead of Recycling Week
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns-recycles-almost-a-tonne-of-batteries-ahead-of-recycling-week/news-story/f8b1725520053999e5ff29e241e8aee6

Killing Queensland coal?
Geoff Carmody
While governments stress the subsidy blade of the scissors, the fossil fuel penalty blade is powerful at cutting fossil fuel energy supply too.
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=19409

Know your NEM: Queensland poll – what are the odds?
David Leitch
Queensland energy politics has something for everyone – including a new coal plant – but bookmakers are backing the state Labor.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/know-your-nem-queensland-poll-what-are-the-odds-27609/

Cabinet poised to buy diesel turbines in first stop to state-owned power generator
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/cabinet-poised-to-buy-diesel-turbines-in-first-stop-to-stateowned-power-generator/news-story/756e1abe55af4c3e419a6340c1e9df9d

Ancient life form discovered in remote Tasmanian valley
A team of Tasmanian researchers has uncovered rare, living stromatolites deep within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/uot-alf111217.php

Tasmania ‘should buy gas pipeline’, Grange Resources says
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/5053452/tasmania-should-buy-gas-pipeline-grange-resources-says/?cs=95

Bonnie’s urgent plea for swift parrots
THE endangered swift parrot has gained support from a Tasmanian star, with actor Bonnie Sveen pushing for better protection of the species’ habitat across the state.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/bonnie-sveen-delivers-urgent-plea-to-protect-swift-parrot-habitat/news-story/4bf0a6aad32daddaa63938ee7d8cf6d5

China is building 30 “sponge cities” to soften the blow of climate change
The country has already invested $12 billion in infrastructure that alleviates flooding.
https://futurism.com/china-sponge-cities-climate-change/

Schwarzenegger: Let’s slap a public health warning on fossil fuels
Arnold Schwarzenegger, former California governor and Hollywood actor and film producer, issued a challenge on Sunday to governments to start labelling fossil fuels with a public health warning that their use could cause illness and death.
https://www.reuters.com/article/climatechange-health-fossilfuels/schwarzenegger-lets-slap-a-public-health-warning-on-fossil-fuels-idUSL8N1NI0PM

Fossil fuel burning set to hit record high in 2017, scientists warn
The rise would end three years of flat carbon emissions – a ‘huge leap backward’ say some scientists, while others say the longer term trend is more hopeful
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/13/fossil-fuel-burning-set-to-hit-record-high-in-2017-scientists-warn

100% global renewable electricity more cost-effective than current system
Making a global transition to 100% renewable electricity grid has long been a dream of many, and new research shows it is a viable reality.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/100-global-renewable-electricity-cost-effective-current-system-25046/

Down the river: The allure and perils of hydropower
Damming rivers may seem like a clean and easy solution for Albania and other energy-hungry countries. But the devil is in the details.
https://undark.org/article/hydropower-dams-albania-vjosa/

How endocrine disrupting chemicals affect fertility
Our daily coffee habit could be making us infertile, according to new research.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/special-features/news-in-education/vce/how-your-daily-coffee-habit-could-be-making-you-infertile/news-story/4f11c35a9cf52a2b43218c4e99d378e8

Norfolk nuclear test veterans claim radiation caused family deformities
When Robert Fleming watched one of the world’s most powerful weapons detonate 60 years ago, little did he know of the lasting impact it would have on future generations.
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/nuclear-test-veteran-from-norfolk-claims-radiation-caused-family-deformities-1-5276518

The Suburbs tapping in to geothermal power
From Austin to Atlanta, planned communities are tapping into geothermal power—and it has applications for denser urban neighborhoods, too.
https://www.citylab.com/environment/2017/11/geothermal-suburbs/545354/

15,000 Scientists in 184 Countries Warn About Negative Global Environmental Trends
Human well-being will be severely jeopardized by negative trends in some types of environmental harm, such as a changing climate, deforestation, loss of access to fresh water, species extinctions and human population growth, scientists warn in today’s issue of BioScience, an international journal.
http://www.enn.com/climate/article/53135

Combating Trump administration threat to environmental justice data: A progress report
The Environmental Data and Governance Initiative (EDGI) was formed in November 2016 to respond to the threat posed by the new Trump Administration to environmental data, environmental policies, and federal environmental agencies.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/mali-cta111317.php

Urgent protection for the environment needed to safeguard human health
We need to pay more attention to the health of the planet to save lives, and improve global health, now and in the future, Dr Samuel Myers will say at The Academy of Medical Sciences & The Lancet International Health Lecture1 today
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/aoms-upf111017.php

Cups, lingerie and home-made pads: what are the reusable options for managing your period?
Lauren Rosewarne
https://theconversation.com/cups-lingerie-and-home-made-pads-what-are-the-reusable-options-for-managing-your-period-86838

Wind farm researchers found to have no human ethics approval
Simon Chapman
A new research paper into the health impacts of wind farms has raised serious concerns over academic credibility.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/wind-farm-researchers-found-no-human-ethics-approval-55852/

It’s true, wind turbines are monstrous. But I have learned to love them
Alice O’Keeffe
At first I resented the way the turbines changed the view. But now they look like part of a brighter future
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/11/brighton-rampion-wind-farm-turbines-renewables

California birds nesting a week earlier than they did a century ago
Earlier breeding allows birds to raise young at cooler temperatures, avoiding warming climes
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/uoc–cbn110917.php

How to manage forest pests in the Anthropocene? Bring theory
Eight tactics for pest control in an era of human-induced change
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/dc-htm110917.php

Urbanization may have a positive effect on the soils
Soil scientist from RUDN University (Russia) and his colleagues modeled how the expansion of the boundaries of the city of Moscow would affect the rural landscape in the next 30 years. Scientists came to an unexpected conclusion: urbanization can have a positive impact on the stocks of organic carbon in the soil.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/ru-umh111317.php

Officials urged to clean up remote Hong Kong islands and waters before marine park designation
Green group’s visit to littered South Soko Island three months after large-scale collision of two vessels prompts call for stepped-up efforts
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2119577/officials-urged-clean-remote-hong-kong-islands-and