We must act to protect our forests before it’s too late
Sigmund Jorgensen
We must protect our forests and push forward to create of a Great Forest National Park for Victoria.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/we-must-act-to-protect-our-forests-before-its-too-late-20180112-h0h5xx.html
Today’s Celebration
Ratification Day United States of America
Maghi Sikhism
Pongal / Makar Sankranti Hinduism
New Year Russian Orthodox
Undies Run for Bowel Cancer http://www.undiesrun.com.au/
Tamworth Country Music Festival (TCMF) http://www.tcmf.com.au/
Organize Your Home Day https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/organize-your-home-day/
International Kite Day https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-kite-day/
More about Jan 14 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_14
National
Honey, I found lead in the bees
Researchers use bees to monitor pollution for the first time in Australia and find significant lead levels in the insects depending on location — a reminder that whatever we pollute the world with will end up back in our systems.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-13/lead-found-in-sydney-and-broken-hill-bees/9325712
Victoria
We must act to protect our forests before it’s too late
Sigmund Jorgensen
We must protect our forests and push forward to create of a Great Forest National Park for Victoria.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/we-must-act-to-protect-our-forests-before-its-too-late-20180112-h0h5xx.html
ACT
Tips for bushwalking around Canberra this summer
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/its-ours-to-enjoy-act-parks-tips-for-bushwalking-outside-canberra-20180112-h0hk8y.html
Queensland
Queensland’s most generous philanthropists of 2017
FLIGHT Centre founder Graham “Skroo” Turner and wife Jude head a list of Queensland’s most generous philanthropists of 2017. The couple donated or pledged more than $20 million last year, including $18.5 million from their Turner Family Foundation, for a joint venture with the University of Queensland to open a conservation centre to breed, rehabilitate and release local rare and endangered native wildlife in the Scenic Rim.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queenslands-most-generous-philanthropists-of-2017/news-story/9d91f07b3bb5854499684089dab4099e
Tesla battery possible for new Tablelands wind farm
The largest grid-scale battery in the world could be built by Tesla at the site of a proposed Far Northern wind farm.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/tesla-battery-possible-for-new-tablelands-wind-farm/news-story/34bc66083588d0c410a2609b2d4fd402
Cassowary Coast’s Cr Glenn Raleight wants ban on sunscreen
A Cassowary Coast councillor is leading the charge to make tour operators stock coral-friendly sunscreen which is safe for use on the Great Barrier Reef.
Sound science shows Great Barrier Reef needs our help
Geoff Edwards
The most concerning aspect of the article by Graham Young in last weeks Sunday Mail casting doubt on the reliability of scientific research is that politicians and commentators may seize upon it as justification for disregarding scientific advice, particularly warnings of environmental distress.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-sound-science-shows-great-barrier-reef-needs-our-help/news-story/978ffe1b41c20b86fabb66a9528d05ff
South Australia
Beach Energy has discovered a new gas field in the south east of SA
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/beach-energy-has-discovered-a-new-gas-field-in-the-south-east-of-sa/news-story/bcfc82071a6fa9d2369ea1138f19c975
Sustainability
Uranium miners pushed hard for a comeback. They got their wish.
Hundreds of mining claims fall neatly outside the new boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument, and a Navajo town scarred by uranium is bracing for new woes.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/13/climate/trump-uranium-bears-ears.html
‘Clean energy is a fundamental civil right’: Major campaign to expand access to solar for MLK Day
The NAACP is launching a major environmental justice campaign on Jan. 13 to mark the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.
https://www.ecowatch.com/clean-energy-naacp-2524858478.html
Being a tree hugger helped me overcome terrible sadness
Kerry Parnell
IT turns out we owe an apology to Prince Charles. As one of the most famous tree huggers in the world HRH was famously derided in the past for his habit of talking to plants, passion for the environment and early adoption of organic farming.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/rendezview/being-a-tree-hugger-helped-me-overcome-terrible-sadness/news-story/b93e47ad316b48a1e76835d211ffbd30
Nature Conservation
World’s biggest wildlife reserve planned for Antarctica in global campaign
Vast 1.8m sq km fishing-free zone would protect species, such as penguins, leopard seals and whales, and help mitigate the effects of climate change
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/13/worlds-biggest-wildlife-reserve-planned-for-antarctica-in-global-campaign
Maelor Himbury