Acid bath: The new threat to lakes and rivers
Freshwater acidification was supposed to be a thing of the past, but it’s back and it could be even worse this time. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide is the cause.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23831750-300-acid-bath-the-new-threat-to-lakes-and-rivers/
Today’s Celebration
Children’s Day – Mexico
King’s Birthday – Sweden
Koninginnedag (Queen’s Day) – Netherlands
Liberation Day – Vietnam
May Day Eve – Finland
Queen Beatrix’s Birthday – Curacao
Queen’s Birthday – Sint Maarten / St. Martin
Queen’s Day – Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, St. Eustatius
Rincon’s Day – Bonaire
Walpurgis Night – Sweden
Walpurgisnacht (Witches Night) – Germany
Beltane (Northern Hemisphere) – Paganism
Mange les Morts – Voudon
Samhain (Southern Hemisphere) – Paganism
International Jazz Day – http://jazzday.com/
Email Debt Forgiveness Day – http://gimletmedia.com/2016/03/23/it-almost-time-for-the-second-email-debt-forgiveness-day/
Honesty Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/honesty-day/
More about Apr 30 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_30
Climate Change
The case for climate reparations
Who should pay the costs for climate-change-related disasters?
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2018-3-may-june/feature/the-case-for-climate-reparations
National
Solar powered clean drinking water maker trialled
A solar-powered device that creates clean drinking water from the air is being trialled in Australia.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/small-business/solar-powered-clean-drinking-water-maker-trialled-20180427-p4zc4i.html
Victoria
$2.2 billion roads upgrade to target congestion in Melbourne’s growing suburbs
The Victorian Government announces a project to upgrade 13 arterial roads in Melbourne to cut congestion, while the Opposition labels the move a cynical “cash splash” for votes seven months before a state election.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-29/melbourne-suburbs-target-of-$2.2bn-roads-upgrade-package/9708260
Queensland
Great Barrier Reef to get $500m to breed more resilient coral, reduce pollution
The Federal Government says it will deliver a $500 million funding package to protect the reef from climate change and pollution, claiming it to be single largest investment for reef conservation and management in Australia’s history.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-29/great-barrier-reef-$500m-package-to-preserve-area/9708230
South Australia
Ruthless energy retailers make life even harder for battlers
Energy companies are ignoring their duty to offer payment programs to struggling households and are instead cutting families’ power at alarming rates.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/energy-retailers-not-offering-payment-programs-to-struggling-households-as-number-of-power-disconnections-grow/news-story/ea4356565ce4b4638537fe8306aae61c
Tasmania
‘No signs of disease’ in Tasmanian devils trapped in south-west
Tasmanian devils with no signs of the Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) were found in the state’s remote south-west coast.
https://www.examiner.com.au/story/5369454/no-signs-of-disease-in-tasmanian-devils-trapped-in-south-west/?cs=95
Casting a fly in the ointment [$]
Daniel Hackett says the term wilderness fails to recognise Tassie’s cultural history and he prefers the phrase “wild places”
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/casting-a-fly-in-the-ointment/news-story/1683039dd6772b631a415c208377fc18
Western Australia
Shark patrols to continue after surge in sightings
Aerial patrols of West Australian beaches are being extended beyond April for the first time as whale strandings and a bumper salmon run contribute to a surge in shark sightings.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/patrols-extended-shark-sightings-surge-102629668.html
Bushfire which threatened homes in Balingup under control
A bushfire which had threatened lives and homes near Balingup on Sunday afternoon has been brought under control by firefighters.
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/bushfire-which-threatened-homes-in-balingup-under-control-20180429-p4zcc3.html
Sustainability
Russia: Floating nuclear plant towed to sea for fueling trip
A floating nuclear power plant built in Russia has embarked on its first sea voyage so its reactors can be loaded with fuel.
https://apnews.com/faed63f51f454097a26576e6ffd58004
Big Oil back to raking in billions
The world’s largest oil companies this week posted some of their best earnings in more than three years as they control costs and ride rising oil prices that are now closing in on $70 a barrel
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Big-Oil-back-to-raking-in-billions-12870028.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sendto_newslettertest&stream=top-stories
Coal ash raising concerns over health risks in Puerto Rico
Residents of Guayama, home to Puerto Rico’s only coal-burning power plant, have been diagnosed with cancer, heart and respiratory diseases that they fear are related to coal ash exposure.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/coal-ash-raising-concerns-over-health-risks-in-puerto-rico?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
N Korea to close nuke test site in May
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has told South Korean President Moon Jae-in he will shut his country’s nuclear test site next month, Seoul says.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/north-korean-media-hails-summit-with-south/news-story/a887ff9b498569283daaf2496d342d96
With flying cars coming, should we really be building new roads?
Frank O’Shea
The Government’s pledged billions for new roads. Instead, they should consider flying cars for future infrastructure
https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/north-east-link-should-we-keep-building-roads,11443
Good news and reasons for hope
Bjorn Lomborg
We’re tempted to fear the worst, but the world’s big problems are being overcome.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/its-not-all-bad-news-indeed-the-news-gets-even-better/news-story/464f73d7d5eb423f96b6eb504a10d53d
Cycling is eco-friendly, inexpensive and good for you so get on your bike
Anne Savage
Avoid congestion, reduce emissions, save money – there are plenty of reasons to cycle. Each of us has a choice. You can join the drive, or enjoy the ride
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/cycling-is-ecofriendly-inexpensive-and-good-for-you-so-get-on-your-bike/news-story/2e01c4492c1a7e3169bba63a0a373a20
Nature Conservation
Acid bath: The new threat to lakes and rivers
Freshwater acidification was supposed to be a thing of the past, but it’s back and it could be even worse this time. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide is the cause.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23831750-300-acid-bath-the-new-threat-to-lakes-and-rivers/
Maelor Himbury