Daily Links Nov 4

The Earth’s ozone hole is shrinking, and is the smallest its been since 1988
A rare bit of good news about the environment.
http://www.ehn.org/the-earths-ozone-hole-is-shrinking-and-is-the-smallest-its-been-since-1988-the-washington-post-2505829415.html

COP 23: A clean energy tipping point is coming—sooner the better
Prospects for change have never been better, but we still need deliberate action to realize them.
https://qz.com/1119155/the-clean-energy-revolution-tipping-point-is-coming-the-sooner-the-better/

Bonn voyage: climate diplomats head into another round of talks
Marc Hudson University of Manchester
At the Bonn talks, Australia will cop (sorry) some flak for its lack of reductions ambition, and action.
https://theconversation.com/bonn-voyage-climate-diplomats-head-into-another-round-of-talks-86184

A contested finding in a major new climate-change report
Robinson Meyer
A new study in ‘The Lancet’ makes the case that global warming is already ailing public health worldwide, but experts disagree on its methodology.
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/11/the-lancet-climate-change-economics/544559/

Ag to bear emissions brunt
Agriculture could be expected to make a bigger contribution to reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions than other industries, the federal agriculture secretary has conceded.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/agriculture-to-bear-brunt-of-emissions-reductions/news-story/64aca5a4c86fffa52f9b6569051cc8f7

Frydenberg caught between cruel history and an uncertain fate
Tony Wright
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/josh-frydenberg-caught-between-monstrous-history-and-an-uncertain-fate-20171103-gzef2d.html

Forget turning straw into gold, farmers can turn trash into energy
Bernadette McCabe, University of Southern Queensland and Craig Baillie, University of Southern Queensland
https://theconversation.com/forget-turning-straw-into-gold-farmers-can-turn-trash-into-energy-86616

Is your company disclosing its climate risk?
David Leitch
Investors and activists have new ammunition to encourage public company disclosures on climate change risks and opportunities. They should use them.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/company-disclosing-climate-risk-80279/

Rooftop solar installer caught out for fraudulent STC creation
The Clean Energy Regulator’s crack-down on Australia’s rooftop solar industry continues, with action taken this week against an installer for the “fraudulent creation” of small-scale technology certificates (STCs) for jobs carried out in Victoria
http://reneweconomy.com.au/rooftop-solar-installer-caught-out-for-fraudulent-stc-creation-20277/

Turnbull’s plan for Sydney is a race to blandsville
Elizabeth Farrelly
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/turnbulls-plan-for-sydney-is-yet-more-blandification-20171102-gzdtn6.html

Is Lucy Turnbull planning to stuff Sydney? A tale of three cities
Don Owers
Greater Sydney Council boss Lucy Turnbull’s plan for Sydney sounds like a rejected plot from the TV show Utopia, except it could be far more damaging.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/is-lucy-turnbull-planning-to-stuff-sydney-a-tale-of-three-cities,10890

Should Canberra start recycling graves?
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/should-canberra-start-recycling-graves-20171030-gzb1sv.html

LNP to block Premier’s moves to veto Adani NAIF loan
Tim Nicholls says the Premier should pass the almost $1 billion Adani loan if the NAIF approves it, after it emerged her partner worked on the application.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/lnp-to-block-premier-s-moves-to-veto-adani-naif-loan-20171103-p4ywsv.html

The senate plot to expose Palaszczuk
Queensland’s Premier may have torpedoed the Adani mine but her shock veto move raises more questions than it answers.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/queensland-election/queensland-election-annastacia-palaszczuk-pulls-pin-on-adani-coalmine-loan/news-story/83c6dfd005e4cdf37339c45c1be945bf

Coal-fired plant ‘deal-breaker’ for One Nation
One Nation’s Steve Dickson said taxpayer money for a new coal-fired power station in North Queensland would be a “deal-breaker” in negotiations with the major parties.
http://www.afr.com/news/politics/one-nation-taxpayer-funding-for-new-coalfired-power-station-a-dealbreaker-20171103-gze4w0

No back down on Nullinga study
Treasurer Curtis Pitt has refused to reveal when a Nullinga Dam business study would be released as irrigators strengthen their case for improved water security.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/treasurer-curtis-pitt-vows-to-update-nullinga-dam-study-no-hollow-promises/news-story/bc021c9a18a2bacdfdee72f0c754a0f4

Queensland election 2017: LNP to announce $500m duplication of M1 on Gold Coast
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/state-election-2017/queensland-election-2017-lnp-to-announce-250m-duplication-of-m1-on-gold-coast/news-story/10e50e81423df424a4b75e4d31b30e57

Tahune Airwalk sold for less than $1m
Tasmanians are unlikely to know how much the Tahune Airwalk sale fetched.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/forestry-tasmania-sold-tahune-airwalk-for-less-than-1-million/news-story/b2b8d91f0e0e787bc16fd6e0dd3b426d

Guard dogs needed for penguins
A TASMANIAN Senator has called for “penguin-protection dogs” to be trained in the wake of another 13 deaths at Low Head.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/senator-peter-whishwilson-calls-for-guard-dogs-to-be-used-to-protect-birds-from-rogue-pets/news-story/8895131b64a7aa03f0c993b5cdd714c5

Tasmania has chance to learn from the decision at Uluru
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/5033476/tasmania-has-chance-to-learn-from-the-decision-at-uluru/?cs=97

NT was dead right on euthanasia move
MattCunningham
The Territory’s move 20 years ago to legalise euthanasia should be hailed by southern states as well ahead of its time
http://www.ntnews.com.au/lifestyle/nt-was-dead-right-on-euthanasia-move/news-story/e833c600ea91fa7720310a15e1a1633f

‘Time is ticking’: Musk in ‘eighth hell’ as Model 3 problems burn other projects
There will be no new model 3 Teslas in 2017.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/innovation/time-is-ticking-musk-in-eighth-hell-as-model-3-problems-burn-other-projects-20171102-gzdzvn.html

Solar greenhouses generate electricity and grow healthy crops
Magenta panes also help plants save water
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/uoc–sgg110317.php

Science Confirms You Should Stop and Smell the Roses
There’s truth to the idea that spending time outdoors is a direct line to happiness, say researchers. In fact, if people simply take time to notice the nature around them, it will increase their general happiness and well-being, suggests the new research.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171103085258.htm

Coal – the killer investment without a future
Assets that kill don’t make for good investments
http://news.trust.org/item/20171103115249-7put1

As it looks to go green, China keeps a tight lid on dissent
Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed to clean up the nation’s air and water and create an “ecological civilization.” Yet even as it carries out major environmental reforms, China’s government is making sure activist green movements stay under its control.
http://e360.yale.edu/features/as-it-looks-to-go-green-china-keeps-a-tight-lid-on-dissent

Madagascar environmental activist convicted, sentenced — and paroled
This follows a recent pattern in the country in which activists are often given suspended sentences, seemingly as a way of keeping them quiet.
https://news.mongabay.com/2017/11/madagascar-environmental-activist-convicted-sentenced-and-paroled/

What should the Greens be on about?
Sylvia Hale
Do we assume that capitalism will ultimately come up with a solution, or is capitalism itself the problem?
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=19392

An urgent need to transform world’s energy systems
António Guterres
Modern energy services are integral to poverty reduction, food security, public health and quality education for all.
http://www.ipsnews.net/2017/11/urgent-need-transform-worlds-energy-systems/

Protecting the Wild: Baylor Professor Helps to Minimize Recreation Disturbance to Wildlife
Nature and outdoor enthusiasts seek to enjoy recreational activities such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and camping. However, sometimes appreciating nature’s beauty comes at a cost to wildlife.
http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/53036

Professor Provides Fisheries a Solution to Overharvesting
Consumer demand and inadequate scientific information has led to overharvesting, reducing fish species and fish stocks around the world.
http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/53032

Urban-Based Evolution: Species Are Rapidly Adapting to City Habitats
Cities around the globe are fueling evolution among microbes, plants, and animals, driving physical mutations and altering gene flow, according to a new analysis in the journal Science. The projected spread of urbanization in coming decades will continue to reshape and create new species in unexpected ways, the study found.
http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/53034

New species of frizzy-haired orangutan discovered
The bearded and frizzy-haired Tapanuli orangutan is the latest addition to our great ape family tree, but it might not be around for too long.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-11-03/new-species-orangutan-discovered-indonesia-sumatra-endangered/9099082