Daily Links Mar 17

It’s 50 years since climate change was first seen. Now time is running out
Richard Wiles
Making up for years of delay and denial will not be easy, nor will it be cheap. Climate polluters must be held accountable.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/mar/15/50-years-climate-change-denial

Emperor with no clothes: NEG could kill investment in storage
If the NEG could get one thing right, you might think it would be a signal for new investment in “dispatchable” capacity. But Tesla and Genex, the leading developers of battery storage and pumped hydro projects, say it could do the opposite.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/emperor-with-no-clothes-neg-could-kill-investment-in-storage-77824/

Journey to zero emissions electricity: BAU could deliver more than NEG
Gordon Weiss
First of three-part series examining the evolution of Australia’s electricity system to 2050, and the role of policy-makers along the way.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/journey-zero-emissions-electricity-bau-deliver-neg-61521/

Three reasons why coal power won’t make a comeback in Australia
Sophie Vorrath
Despite what the Turnbull government says, coal has no place in Australia’s future energy mix – for three basic reasons.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/three-reasons-coal-power-wont-make-comeback-australia-36692/

No longer ‘alternative’, mainstream renewables are pushing prices down
Simon Holmes à Court
While the government insists that renewables have made our grid unreliable, lights have stayed on and prices are dropping
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/mar/16/no-longer-alternative-mainstream-renewables-are-pushing-prices-down

Energy sector must use new tech to ensure the vulnerable aren’t left behind
Dev Tayal
With the arrival of energy optimisation technologies, governments and industry must find a way to deliver efficient energy to everyone
https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2018/mar/16/energy-sector-must-use-new-tech-to-ensure-the-vulnerable-arent-left-behind

Labor’s left swing against Adani helps shore up poll lead
Max Larkin
By distancing Labor from Adani, Bill Shorten isn’t just making a move for Batman, but for Labor electorates all over the country
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/labors-left-swing-against-adani-helps-shore-up-poll-lead,11301

Yes, it’s OK to feed wild birds in your garden – as long as it’s the right food
Darryl Jones, Griffith University
Feeding wild birds is discouraged in Australia despite its popularity in other countries. But many Australians still put food out for the birds, and that’s not a problem if it’s the right food.
https://theconversation.com/yes-its-okay-to-feed-wild-birds-in-your-garden-as-long-as-its-the-right-food-92919

Power costs add to hip-pocket pain [$]
Recent price rises have added up to $465 to an average Victorian household’s annual electricity and gas bills, St Vincent de Paul analysis reveals.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/power-price-rises-add-465-to-hippocket-pain/news-story/4e580f7c1c780630555c06f0994b16fc

Queensland’s new land clearing bill will help turn the tide, despite its flaws
Anita J Cosgrove et al
https://theconversation.com/queenslands-new-land-clearing-bill-will-help-turn-the-tide-despite-its-flaws-93370

Batman and Labor on Adani
Karen Middleton
As today’s Batman byelection brings Labor’s coal policy into relief, Adani finds it still has not got approval for its Carmichael mine.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2018/03/17/batman-and-labor-adani/15212052005957

‘Robin Hood’ charge to target water guzzlers
A proposed a shake-up of water charges would force the heaviest users to pay more while sparing low and moderate consumers.
https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/wa-water-shake-up-to-target-biggest-users-ng-b88772978z

Gas vs. Electric: How far can a car go with different fuel sources?
A typical car can travel 30 miles on just one gallon of gasoline. How do electric vehicles stack up?
https://www.wired.com/story/how-far-can-a-car-go-using-different-fuel-sources/

Which items can’t be recycled?
Many people think items such as plastic bags and coffee cups can be recycled when they can’t. Here are the do’s and don’ts
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/16/which-items-cant-be-recycled-plastic-bags-coffee-cups

Glyphosate linked to shorter pregnancies in Indiana women
Women with high levels of glyphosate—the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer—were more likely to have a shorter pregnancy, according to a new study.
http://www.ehn.org/glyphosate-linked-to-shorter-pregnancies-in-indiana-women-2548295803.html

Aust backs ‘smart cities’ for SE Asia
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will announce a $30 million investment to support “smart cities” in Southeast Asia at the ASEAN summit.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/03/17/03/39/aust-backs-smart-cities-for-se-asia

Five years after zero-deforestation vow, little sign of progress from Indonesian pulp giant
Local and international watchdogs have criticized Asia Pulp and Paper for what they deem a failure to live up to its flagship zero-deforestation policy.
https://news.mongabay.com/2018/03/five-years-after-zero-deforestation-vow-little-sign-of-progress-from-indonesian-pulp-giant/

New oil threat looms over England’s national park land, campaigners warn
More than 71,000 hectares of protected countryside in the south-east face risk of drilling
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/mar/15/new-oil-threat-looms-over-englands-national-park-land-campaigners-warn

The wildlife photographer saving our ‘great apes’ [$]
They’re our closest animal relatives, sharing an incredible 98 per cent of the same DNA, but they’re suffering as a result of human activity with almost half of all primate species are under threat of extinction.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/photos/the-wildlife-photographer-saving-our-great-apes/image-gallery/61755c807cd226942476c82ff50d3fb1

The ‘lovably weird’ creature facing extinction
Jeremy Hance
The first time I met one of the world’s smallest rhinos he rubbed his horn against my shirt like a cat. I’ve been in love ever since.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/the-lovably-weird-creature-facing-extinction-20180316-p4z4pi.html