Daily Links Nov 7

G7 on Health, Science Suggests Global Action to Reduce the Impact of Climate on Health
Decisions that will be taken at the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Health that will be open by Minister Beatrice Lorenzin tomorrow in Milan have followed an intense dialogue with the international scientific community on the most efficient strategies to be adopted to deal with the impact of climate changes on health on a global scale in the near future.
http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/53049

Climate change likely to be more deadly in poor African settlements
Conditions in crowded urban settlements in Africa make the effects of climate change worse, pushing temperatures to levels dangerous for children and the elderly in those areas, according to a new study led by a Johns Hopkins University scientist.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/jhu-ccl110317.php

HSBC pledges $100 billion of finance by 2025 to combat climate change
HSBC has pledged to provide $100 billion in financing and investment by 2025 to help combat climate change, the bank said on Monday.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climatechange-hsbc-bank-plc/hsbc-pledges-100-billion-of-finance-by-2025-to-combat-climate-change-idUSKBN1D612M

Bonn climate talks will aim to meet goals laid out in Paris, says UN
Delegates ‘do not have the luxury of lots of philosophical discussions’ but must focus on advancing the pledges set out in the Paris agreement
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/06/bonn-climate-talks-will-aim-to-meet-goals-laid-out-in-paris-says-un

Bonn climate talks must go further than Paris pledges to succeed
Hosts Fiji will be aiming to build transparency and constructive dialogue – and this will be crucial to successfully ratcheting up the tough climate targets sidestepped at Paris
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/06/bonn-climate-talks-must-go-further-than-paris-pledges-to-succeed

2017 set to be one of top three hottest years on record
Data so far this year points to 2017 continuing a long-term trend of record breaking temperatures around the world, says World Meteorological Organization
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/06/2017-set-to-be-one-of-top-three-hottest-years-on-record

How India’s battle with climate change could determine all of our fates
India’s population and emissions are rising fast, and its ability to tackle poverty without massive fossil fuel use will decide the fate of the planet
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/06/how-indias-battle-with-climate-change-could-determine-all-of-our-fates

Fiji calls for urgent climate action
Fiji has launched the UN’s climate change conference with a plea for the world to do more to protect its most vulnerable people.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/climate-deal-irreversible-conference/news-story/4707b27a1b36b89909abc77f767d2ae6

The climate risks we face
The further we push the climate system, the greater the risks of potentially unforeseen and catastrophic changes.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/06/opinion/climate-report-global-warming.html

Seven ways you can help mitigate climate change
There are things the public and private sectors, civil society and all of us can do to reduce our impact on climate change and be prepared for its impacts.
http://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/read/223065/

Five things that should happen at the Bonn climate talks but probably won’t
Matthew Paterson, University of Manchester and Marc Hudson, University of Manchester
And one thing that probably will, but won’t make much difference.
http://theconversation.com/five-things-that-should-happen-at-the-bonn-climate-talks-but-probably-wont-86560

Liberal stalwart unloads on ‘immoral’ climate stance
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/former-clean-energy-finance-chief-oliver-yates-slams-turnbull-governments-immoral-climate-policies-20171106-gzfobv.html

Know your NEM: NEG’s windfall for big three power utilities
David Leitch
The proposed NEG is already delivering big gains for the big three gentailers, as Adani emerges as major Queensland issue, and REC prices fall.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/know-nem-negs-windfall-big-three-power-utilities-56448/

Summer could be wet thanks to a La Nina expected to hit Victoria
A LA Nina weather event may be on its way to Victoria and the eastern states by the end of the year, raising the possibility of a wetter-than-average summer.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/summer-could-be-wet-thanks-to-a-la-nina-expected-to-hit-victoria/news-story/2ff20da0f76448a6c78e6ca783ae53d5

Cat curfew and fines should be introduced across Victoria
Wendy Tuohy
Monash Council’s great move to introduce a cat curfewcould be brought in across Victoria and have hefty fines attached for repeated noncompliance.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/wendy-tuohy/wendy-tuohy-cat-curfew-and-fines-should-be-introduced-across-victoria/news-story/50332944cec8a929bc3d05193f70b520

China wind giant buys 100MW wind project in NSW
Beijing Jingneng Clean Energy adds Biala wind farm, approved for development in NSW Southern Tablelands, to growing Australian portfolio.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/china-wind-giant-buys-100mw-wind-project-nsw-77316/

WestConnex chief says reintroduction of M4 toll is ‘exciting’
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/westconnex-chief-dennis-cliche-says-reintroduction-of-m4-toll-is-exciting-20171106-gzfx6l.html

Inner-west traffic predicted to worsen by up to 300pc
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/innerwest-traffic-to-worsen-up-to-300-per-cent-due-to-westconnex-study-shows-20171106-gzfu2g.html

Sydney running out of space to bury its dead
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/wentworth-courier/grave-concern-sydney-is-running-out-of-space-to-bury-its-dead/news-story/dd361ce7ae6133c152502f97d004de68

Council approves 350MW PV farm, stage 1 of massive solar and storage hub
First phase of 1GW+ solar and battery storage hub in Gympie approved for development by local council.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/council-approves-350mw-pv-farm-stage-1-of-massive-solar-and-storage-hub-36191/

Cats, foxes pose bigger risk to native wildlife than climate change in the outback
A study has found feral animals in the Simpson Desert pose a bigger risk to wildlife than climate change.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-06/feral-pests-bigger-problem-than-climate-change/9112482

Moss in $2bn battery plant push
A group backed by Bill Moss is planning a $US1.6 billion ($2bn) lithium-ion battery plant in Townsville.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/mossbacked-imperium3-to-set-up-battery-plant-in-townsville/news-story/f56909f56ae91df7c44a5e55a3c722b4

Green leaning will kill mine, jobs
Nick Cater
Queensland runs the risk of missing out on a big opportunity.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/nick-cater/palaszczuks-green-leaning-will-kill-mine-and-jobs/news-story/34a3f8ed0c0e496e17ff0bc7aa1c1375

Honest Annastacia doesn’t add up on Adani
Jennifer Hewett
The Queensland Premier’s explanation for vetoing any loan for the Adani coal project is more than curious. It doesn’t pass the pub test. So what’s the real reason?
http://www.afr.com/opinion/columnists/annastacia-palaszczuks-adani-loan-veto-doesnt-pass-the-pub-test-20171106-gzfqum

Adani backflip a gift for LNP
Campbell Newman
The issue of the mega-coalmine has now taken centre stage in the Queensland election campaign.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/queensland-election-2017-palaszczuks-adani-backflip-a-gift-for-lnp/news-story/97fd37cfedcde3339eb4083a73259dce

Why Adani may still get its government loan
Brendan Gogarty, University of Tasmania
http://theconversation.com/why-adani-may-still-get-its-government-loan-86926

Qld Galaxy: 52-48 to Labor but One Nation up. Why Labor’s Adani support a vote loser
Adrian Beaumont
https://theconversation.com/qld-galaxy-52-48-to-labor-but-one-nation-up-why-labors-adani-support-a-vote-loser-86767

The Adani election
Everald Compton
The biggest concern is the Great Barrier Reef and the threat to its existence is the hottest issue of them all, particularly among voters under 35.
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=19396

Queensland election 2017 opinion: How Adani blew up in Premier’s face
Paul Williams
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/state-election-2017/queensland-election-2017-opinion-how-adani-blew-up-in-premiers-face/news-story/8399f369dc746dd92c63a2bfdcc38668

Queensland election 2017 opinion: ‘Decision’ does women no favours
Kylie Lang
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/state-election-2017/queensland-election-2017-opinion-not-what-we-meant-by-decisive/news-story/89329eefdfe768b4a9409222c41180d7

Tassie tops fishing fees
Tasmania’s recreational fishers could pay up to $100 more than other Australian states for their fishing licences.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/tassie-tops-fishing-fees/news-story/83828b516e470bb506e8c77f41759842

TasWater takeover is going down the drain
THE chances of the State Government achieving its proposed TasWater takeover are fading fast, with the Bill set to fail if just three independents vote against it in the Legislative Council.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/politics/taswater-takeover-looks-less-likely-after-pembroke-byelection-result/news-story/60f4110882e393b7aa8b20f325e5788d

More pressure to kill MinRes bid for Yilgan mine
Fifty scientists and academics have signed a letter urging the State Government to block an iron ore mine expansion that would affect the Helena Aurora Range north of Southern Cross.
https://thewest.com.au/business/mining/more-pressure-to-kill-minres-bid-for-yilgan-mine-ng-b88651775z

Higher Air Pollution in Cities Tied to Higher Mortality
New research presented today at APHA’s 2017 Annual Meeting and Expo examined the burden of air pollution and its association with mortality in Chinese cities.
http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/53056

Mandatory state policies work best to curb power plant emissions, study finds
US state policies aimed at mitigating power plant emissions vary widely in effectiveness
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/ehs-msp110617.php

Simple green synthesis is a breath of fresh air
Nanoparticles of controllable composition and size have great potential in electrical, optical and chemical devices, but they must be created in a safe and cost-effective way. Kazuhiro Takanabe and coworkers from KAUST now report a simple method for synthesizing metal-sulfide nanoparticles at low temperature without using environmentally harmful solvents.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/kauo-sgs110617.php

Germany’s solar, wind generation hits high in October
PV and wind power systems generated 15 billion kWh of electricity in Germany in October, with renewables accounting for 44.1% of demand
http://reneweconomy.com.au/germanys-solar-wind-generation-hits-high-october-24053/

How to resolve the planet’s ‘biggest health threat’
When a group of researchers studying connections between public health and climate change in Canada tried to look into the impact of fracking on Indigenous communities, they made a startling discovery.
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2017/11/03/news/how-resolve-planets-biggest-health-threat

Only 36pc of population has access to safe drinking water
Only 36 percent of the Pakistani population on average, including 41% in urban areas and 32% rural areas, has access to safe drinking water in the country, a report by the World Health Organisation revealed.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/166322-only-36-pakistanis-have-access-to-safe-drinking-water-who-report

The misguided notion of peak oil demand
Amy Harder
The new conventional wisdom suggests the world is approaching peak oil demand. That’s a misleading term for a more stubborn dependency.
https://www.axios.com/the-misguided-notion-of-peak-oil-demand-2505973547.html

Why hydroelectric utilities are endangered by soaring solar and wind
A California phenomenon called the ‘duck curve’ successfully predicted an electricity surplus as solar and wind energy flooded the grid. This may be bad news for Western hydroelectric dams that are unable to adapt.
https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/11/06/why-hydroelectric-utilities-are-endangered-by-soaring-solar-and-wind

The soil champion who might hold the key to a hopeful climate future
In his new book, David Montgomery goes deep on the economic and climate-saving potential of healthy soil around the world.
https://civileats.com/2017/11/06/the-soil-champion-who-might-hold-the-key-to-a-hopeful-climate-future/

Put down the bug spray and embrace the creepy crawlies
Lizzy Lowe Macquarie University, Cameron Webb University of Sydney and Kate Umbers Western Sydney University
The weather is getting warmer, and gardens are coming alive with insects, but here are five good reasons to avoid pesticides.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-06/spraying-bugs-pesticides-this-summer/9122196

How regenerative food and farming can reverse rural poverty and forced migration in the Americas
Ronnie Cummins
“Regenerative food and farming is the new gold standard for climate and environmentally friendly agriculture and land use across the world.”
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/05/how-regenerative-food-and-farming-can-reverse-rural-poverty-and-forced-migration

Sustainable shopping: how to rock white sneakers without eco-guilt
Lisa Heinze
https://theconversation.com/sustainable-shopping-how-to-rock-white-sneakers-without-eco-guilt-85989

My vision for a pollution-free planet
Erik Solheim
The rapidly falling cost of energy from renewable sources, such as wind and solar power, means that the countries leading the shift away from fossil fuels will reap the greatest benefits to their economies, as well as their environments.
http://www.ipsnews.net/2017/11/my-vision-for-a-pollution-free-planet/

Acoustic Monitoring Provides Holistic Picture of Biodiversity
Ecologists are using a network of ‘outdoor recording studios’ to better monitor the subtropical Japanese island of ..
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171106100150.htm

Saving Seagrasses From Dredging – New Research Finds Solutions
Timing of dredging is the key to helping preserve one of the world’s most productive and important ecosystems – seagrass meadows.
http://www.enn.com/agriculture/article/53051

Early bloomers: Statistical tool reveals climate change impacts on plants
USU scientist Will Pearse discusses statistical ‘trick’ that extracts meaningful measures of phenological change from disparate sources
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/usu-ebs110217.php

Red squirrels successfully reintroduced to north-west Scottish Highlands
New population naturally expanded since reintroduction to north-west Scotland in 2016
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/06/red-squirrels-successfully-established-in-scottish-highlands

The rivers taking plastic to the oceans
Just 10 river systems transport more than 90% of all plastic waste to the world’s seas, new research shows.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/nov/05/terrawatch-the-rivers-taking-plastic-to-the-oceans