Daily Links Feb 23

Climate change’s impact on Europe: all 571 cities are destined for worse heat waves, droughts, or floods
Climate change is certain to change Europe, from the UK to the Ukraine, and Iceland to Portugal.
https://qz.com/1212443/climate-changes-impact-on-europe-all-571-cities-are-destined-for-worse-heat-waves-droughts-or-floods/

What are the birds telling us about climate change?
Reading the signs from our friends up in the sky
https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2018-02-23/what-are-the-birds-telling-us-about-climate-change/

East Coast shatters temperature records, offering preview to a warming world
Summer-like temps in February, extreme rainfall, a snow drought. This is happening more often—and in line with what scientists warn to expect with climate change.
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/21022018/february-record-high-temperature-east-coast-arctic-climate-change-nws

Weather should remain predictable despite climate change
Simulations of jet stream behavior in a warming climate suggest ranges of forecasts in the mid-century will be similar to those in present day, MU study finds
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uom-wsr022218.php

How to debunk a climate change skeptic
Is there anything more frustrating than a climate change denier?
https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2018/02/how-to-debunk-a-climate-change-skeptic/

Environmental activists are suing governments over climate change – and winning
These cases are part of a global trend toward litigation over climate change.
https://futurism.com/environmental-activists-are-suing-governments-over-climate-change-and-winning/

‘You shouldn’t have to depend on charity’: The struggle to cope with soaring power bills
Electricity is something that virtually every Australian household relies on. But the sharp increase in quarterly bills over the past decade means the essential resource is increasingly unaffordable, and low-income households are being disproportionately affected.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-22/electricity-increasingly-unaffordable-without-solar-power/9475028

Let’s end the propaganda war on coal
John Iser
Impervious to the loud rumblings about coal’s terminal decline and the need to leave it in the ground, the Minerals Council of Australiacontinues to be a passionate enthusiast.
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=19585

Will the NEG make the energy transition easier or harder?
David Leitch
The ESB needs to go back to the drawing board and have another go at its National Energy Guarantee. They doesn’t understand what a bad solution they have proposed.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/will-neg-make-energy-transition-easier-harder-51924/

Australian cities are crying out for better planning, but the research funding is missing
Dorina Pojani et al
Given the challenges Australian cities face, the need for urban planning based on solid research is greater than ever. Sadly, when it comes to research funding, planning is at the back of the queue.
https://theconversation.com/australian-cities-are-crying-out-for-better-planning-but-the-research-funding-is-missing-91651

Solar subsidy not so sunny
David Leyonhjelm
Even if there was once some justification for subsidising the cost of solar panels, that is certainly no longer the case.
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=19582

What’s the “optimal” immigration intake for Australia?
Leith van Onselen
“Dr Demography”, the ANU’s Dr Liz Allen, was at it again yesterday, claiming that Australia’s “optimal” immigration intake is between 160,000 and 210,000, after which Australia will suffer from diminishing returns.
https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2018/02/whats-optimal-immigration-intake-australia/

Searching for smart tax implementation? Look a little closer to home
Glenn Dyer
The government of Singapore has revealed a new plan to boost GST and implement a carbon tax to offset predicted budget strain — foresight the Turnbull government could use.
https://www.crikey.com.au/2018/02/22/searching-for-smart-tax-implementation/

Labor’s $40m promise for Melbourne tram route
Bill Shorten will today pledge $40 million for an extension to the number 11 tram to providing better public transport services to Melbourne’s booming northern suburbs.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/batman-byelection-labor-pledges-40-million-boost-for-tram-route/news-story/e028a9f3887942db67b37155b97dffa1

Clear detail lacking on state’s big projects
A Parliamentary report has whacked the Andrews Government for a lack of clear detail on major projects, including the West Gate Tunnel.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/andrews-government-urged-to-release-west-gate-tunnel-details-to-build-public-confidence/news-story/47a27152ca5d38e16750e55952252f97

Recycling help but waste still bound for landfill
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/13m-package-to-tackle-recycling-crisis-wont-stop-waste-going-into-landfill-or-stockpile/news-story/3ed2c63b800024646090af60527fd3f4

Adani to ‘stand or fall on merits’
Anthony Albanese has hit out at suggestions that governments should change environmental regulations to stop Adani.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/albanese-says-labor-shouldnt-change-regulations-to-stop-adani/news-story/4acfc585db56a4960334110f9252be94

Miner blasted by road users isolated for months by earthquake-like crack
A central Queensland community is angered at Anglo American’s slow response to fix a key road closed by a mining explosion.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-22/road-users-isolated-for-months-by-earthquake-like-crack/9473066

Sun Metals, MSF Sugar sign up to Queensland “virtual power plant”
The Queensland government has recruited two big name industrials to its newly established “virtual power plant”, a name it has given to a statewide network that sources electricity from large energy users to bolster supply during peak demand in the state’s north.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/sun-metals-msf-sugar-sign-queensland-virtual-power-plant-37218/

Controversial plan to pay for roads
Motorists should be slugged charges based on when, where, how far they drive and even their car’s impact on the environment, according to a landmark report.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/report-calls-for-car-registration-to-be-scrapped-in-favour-of-userpays-system-for-motorists/news-story/336d72f4f18f778b08c773d42e163fd0

Brisbane’s population set to boom
Brisbane will be home to more than four million people in 30 years, making it the size that Melbourne is today, with an infrastructure chief saying the growth will mean we’ll have to make some big decisions.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brisbane-population-to-top-four-million-in-30-years/news-story/1c987340dd4080aadc4d9c1e02c6c72d

Why is this woman smiling?
Mike O’Connor
Labor might demonise coal, but the rivers of royalties will help our Treasurer deliver a Christmas-in-June Budget
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-state-and-federal-labor-torn-between-coals-and-polls-when-it-comes-to-adani/news-story/d3c8c5058cd7b5c0dfe64efc55243796

Germany’s sonnen to manufacture solar batteries in Adelaide
Germany’s sonnen to build battery storage manufacturing plant in Adelaide, creating more than 400 jobs and planning 50,000 storage units.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/germanys-sonnen-to-manufacture-solar-batteries-in-adelaide-36003/

Weatherill: Why state election will be referendum on renewables
Jay Weatherill goes all-in for renewable energy, saying the state election is an effective referendum on the technology and a loss will be used to stop renewable developments in other states. Plus: His comments on AEMO, Tesla, the Coalition and Nick Xenophon.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/weatherill-why-state-election-will-be-referendum-on-renewables-47132/

Tesla battery ‘taking straw off camel’s back’ for South Australia energy demand
Expert finds pattern of battery charging up overnight to hit grid at peak times
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/feb/23/tesla-battery-taking-straw-off-camels-back-for-sa-energy-demand

Jay’s solar plan lacks detail — experts
Solar industry experts have welcomed a State Government pledge to provide homeowners interest-free loans to install solar panels or home batteries but say the proposal lacks detail and should be extended to include businesses.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sa-election-2018/sa-election-2018-solar-industry-welcomes-premiers-latest-100m-plan-but-say-it-lacks-detail/news-story/21ef6c633feb08d1e35c61059085a3df

Off the green and into the blue
A staggering number of golf balls wind up in the ocean. What happens to them?
https://www.hakaimagazine.com/features/off-the-green-and-into-the-blue/

Stunning new research finds fracking a major source of carbon pollution in Pennsylvania
Methane leaks in the state’s oil and gas industry equal 11 coal-fired power plants.
https://thinkprogress.org/stunning-new-research-finds-fracking-a-major-source-of-carbon-pollution-in-pennsylvania-9d2bdb63f2ec/

African nations urged to avoid hydropower reliance
African nations need to diversify energy supply, particularly countries reliant on hydropower, industry experts said at an energy conference in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-energy-africa-drought/african-nations-urged-to-avoid-hydropower-reliance-idUSKCN1G51VM

Amid a flood of plastic, big companies try to clean up image
Where consumers’ attention goes, so does that of companies.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/amid-flood-plastic-big-companies-opportunity-53244302

Blue-sky thinking: How China’s crackdown on pollution is paying off
Clear skies above Beijing again – but some fear the problem is just being pushed elsewhere
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/22/blue-sky-thinking-how-chinas-crackdown-on-pollution-is-paying-off

Environmentalists lost big on LNG exports. Now what?
After years of fever-pitched opposition to liquefied natural gas exports, the Sierra Club quietly pulled its last LNG lawsuit from federal court last month.
https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060074305

Air pollution: UK government loses third court case as plans ruled ‘unlawful’
High court says approach to tackling pollution in 45 local authority areas is ‘not sufficient’ and orders urgent changes
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/21/high-court-rules-uk-air-pollution-plans-unlawful

Lawsuits: Widespread radioactive contamination in north county
The lawsuits seek relocation and financial awards for thousands of people in north St Louis County.
http://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/lawsuits-widespread-radioactive-contamination-in-north-county/63-521781927

Watchdogs find radioactive contamination in cars Hanford had declared clean
New test results by an independent laboratory raise questions about the accuracy of monitoring for airborne contamination at Hanford.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/watchdogs-find-radioactive-contamination-in-cars-hanford-had-declared-clean/

Waste, pesticides and climate change pose alarming threat to food security, Dubai event hears
The first Food Security Forum hears supplies have not kept up with growing populations and economic development
https://www.thenational.ae/uae/government/waste-pesticides-and-climate-change-pose-alarming-threat-to-food-security-dubai-event-hears-1.706867

Can the Games be green?
How sustainable are the Olympics?
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/21/climate/olympics-environment.html

To slow climate change, the US needs to address nuclear power’s dismal economics
Tim Profeta
Nuclear power provides 60 percent of US carbon-free electricity generation, but existing plants are aging and only one is under construction. Should government intervene to keep nuclear energy in the mix?
https://theconversation.com/to-slow-climate-change-the-us-needs-to-address-nuclear-powers-dismal-economics-90003

This Mediterranean energy patch is hot – alas, in more ways than one
Keith Johnson
With a spate of new deals and discoveries in recent days, optimism is raging about the potential energy bounty lying underneath the eastern Mediterranean Sea. But energy development could as easily become a casualty as the cure for the region’s tortured geopolitics.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/this-mediterranean-energy-patch-is-hot-alas-in-more-ways-than-one-20180222-p4z1cz.html

An amazingly crappy story
Geoff Hill has been on a quest to figure out what to do about the fact that each year U.S. national parks get over 300 million visitors, and at some point most of them have to take a dump.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2282711/amazingly-crappy-story

Drier conditions could doom Rocky Mountain spruce and fir trees
Drier summers and a decline in average snowpack over the past 40 years have severely hampered the establishment of spruce and fir trees Colorado’s Front Range
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uoca-dcc022218.php

Half of world’s oceans now fished industrially, maps reveal
Data gathered from more than 70,000 vessels shows commercial fishing now covers a greater surface area than agriculture
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/22/half-of-worlds-oceans-now-fished-industrially-maps-reveal