Indifference to the environment in Bangladesh
It is sad but not surprising news that the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2018 has ranked Bangladesh as the second worst country in the world in terms of handling environmental issues.
http://www.thedailystar.net/editorial/indifference-the-environment-1525594
Today’s Celebration
Democracy Day Rwanda
Data Privacy Day https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/data-privacy-day/
More about Jan 28 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_28
Climate Change
Here’s how much money the Mercer Family donated to climate misinformation groups in 2016
The Mercer family, among President Trump’s most powerful donors, in 2016 gave nearly $4 million to groups that challenge the scientific consensus on man-made climate change, tax filings reveal.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/zahrahirji/mercers-gop-climate-change-denial?utm_term=.jiMQQ74kBj#.dx2MMkXE1x
Other cities ignore Paris floods at their peril
Jeffrey H. Jackson
Paris and other cities will need to add resilience to the necessary features of urban development and prepare for the impact of climate change
https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/26/opinions/paris-flood-jeffrey-jackson-opinion/index.html
National
Curbs on fuel pollution ruled out in favour of cheaper options
Environment department says it will no longer consider changes that would provide greatest health benefit
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/26/curbs-on-fuel-pollution-ruled-out-in-favour-of-cheaper-options
Minerals Council one-third foreign owned
Mike Seccombe
A study of the Minerals Council’s membership reveals the extent of foreign ownership, unchecked by the government’s crackdown on political influence. By .
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2018/01/27/exclusive-minerals-council-one-third-foreign-owned/15169716005713
New South Wales
Plastic bag phase out begins, as study shows coral devastation
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/retailers-start-phasing-out-plastic-bags-as-study-shows-coral-devastation-20180126-h0onx9.html
A delay in banning plastic bags is hard to swallow for marine life
Sun Herald editorial
Behind the scenes at Taronga is something most visitors don’t see.
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/a-delay-in-banning-plastic-bags-is-hard-to-swallow-for-marine-life-20180126-h0p4pj.html
ACT
Bag ban could stand to be improved
Canberra Times editorial
Bag ban is useless if instead the plastic is going to landfill.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/ct-editorial/canberras-plastic-bag-ban-is-in-need-of-a-review-20180127-h0pa0w.html
Queensland
‘Selfie Generation’ want National Parks in their Instagram accounts, says Queensland Opposition
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/selfie-generation-want-national-parks-in-their-instagram-accounts-says-queensland-opposition/news-story/45f4d40047d65c1ccc59298cb20a7ecc
Tasmania
Tasmanian fire crews tackle small blazes ahead of total ban for south
Fire authorities in Tasmania are being kept on alert by several small blazes ahead of Sunday’s searing temperatures and total fire ban in the south.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-27/fires-serve-as-reminder-ahead-of-total-ban/9366964
Initiatives pledged to invest in the future of King Island
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/5193093/initiatives-pledged-to-invest-in-the-future-of-king-island/?cs=95
Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman to call March 3 election
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-28/tasmanian-election-will-take-place-on-march-3/9367876
Northern Territory
Scientists question NT fracking inquiry’s environmental findings
The risks from fracking are mostly low and “can be mitigated”, a report from the NT’s fracking inquiry finds, something scientists and stakeholders are labelling as too “optimistic”.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-27/scientists-question-nt-fracking-inquiry-environmental-findings/9345710
Sustainability
Indifference to the environment in Bangladesh
It is sad but not surprising news that the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2018 has ranked Bangladesh as the second worst country in the world in terms of handling environmental issues.
http://www.thedailystar.net/editorial/indifference-the-environment-1525594
Nature Conservation
Interior cancels decades-old protections for migratory birds
The rollback prompts broad opposition from former officials from both political parties.
http://www.hcn.org/articles/dc-dispatch-interior-cancels-decades-old-protections-for-migratory-birds
Maelor Himbury