Daily Links May 10

Climate justice from below for climate harms
The Bonn Climate Change Conference shows how top down processes will not bring about just solutions for the majority world
https://newint.org/features/web-exclusive/2018/05/09/justice-for-climate-harms

Climate geoengineering research should include developing countries
An appeal on projects that could mask global warming is published in Nature by scientists from 12 countries, including Brazilian Paulo Artaxo.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-05/fda-cgr050918.php

Oxfam calls for stronger aid to help poor countries adapt to climate change
Aid to low income countries to help them reduce their greenhouse gas emissions is lagging behind the targets set by the Paris Agreement.
http://www.climateactionprogramme.org/news/oxfam-calls-for-stronger-aid-to-help-poor-countries-adapt-to-climate-change

How govts, cities can control flooding
A new study by the United Nations is said to be timely as both the contribution to climate action by cities as well as urbanization are increasing world-wide.
https://independent.ng/how-govts-cities-can-control-flooding-un-report/

Despite Trump, more Republicans grasp that climate change is our fault
The less Republican leaders talk about climate change, the more their constituents’ opinion rebounds toward scientific consensus.
https://grist.org/article/despite-trump-more-republicans-grasp-that-climate-change-is-our-fault/

Poland Should Welcome Activists to U.N. Climate Talks
Katharina Rall
As this month’s climate talks in Germany come to an end, some participants are feeling a little queasy. Environmental activists and indigenous peoples worry about their ability to actively participate in the annual UN climate talks, in Katowice, Poland in December.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/05/09/poland-should-welcome-activists-un-climate-talks

The unintended consequences of climate litigation
Benjamin Zycher
The climate litigation is a blatant assault on the separation of powers.
http://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/386796-the-unintended-consequences-of-climate-litigation

Canadians end up the big losers in the apocalyptic climate change debate
Tim Harper
As a country we have often found accommodation on issues that strain the national fabric, but on carbon pricing we get only grenades and firewalls
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2018/05/08/canadians-end-up-the-big-losers-in-the-apocalyptic-climate-change-debate.html

Zibelman on changing energy market: “Get used to it”
Zibelman says critics need to get used to the fact that the energy market is changing, and it was underscored by AGL that said coal “is well and truly beaten out” by wind and solar.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/zibelman-changing-energy-market-get-used-56736/

Australia’s big business energy fantasy: Let’s frack like it’s America
Some of Australia’s biggest manufacturers have turned to wind and solar to lower energy costs, but the lobby groups just wants to frack, just like in America.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/australias-big-business-energy-fantasy-lets-frack-like-america-36958/

Australia could run out of fuel any day, so why aren’t we stocking up?
Samantha Hepburn
Australia depends heavily on imported fuel, but having become used to huge surpluses of coal, gas and uranium, energy security has never been a strong concern. Here’s why that’s a problem
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-09/australias-liquid-fuel-stockpile-perilously-low-energy-security/9742340

How we’re using fish ear bones as ‘time capsules’ of past river health
Morgan Disspain, Southern Cross University
As the health of the Murray Darling Basin is in decline, fish ear bones recovered from ancient Aboriginal camp sites can provide vital data about river health in the past.
https://theconversation.com/how-were-using-fish-ear-bones-as-time-capsules-of-past-river-health-95369

Why the need for speed? Transport spending priorities leave city residents worse off
Christopher Standen, University of Sydney
We spend on average about an hour a day travelling. Given this is unlikely to change, how can we make this time more productive and enjoyable?
https://theconversation.com/why-the-need-for-speed-transport-spending-priorities-leave-city-residents-worse-off-94166

Budget 2018 was old news for energy policy – the next big headlines won’t come until July
David Blowers, Grattan Institute
Scott Morrison’s budget speech held no surprises on energy, after months of debate over the National Energy Guarantee. The real news comes in July with the release of a crucial ACCC report on power prices.
https://theconversation.com/budget-2018-was-old-news-for-energy-policy-the-next-big-headlines-wont-come-until-july-96345

Budget 2018: when scientists make their case effectively, politicians listen
Alan Finkel, Office of the Chief Scientist
Many Budget 2018 measures appear to have origins in proposals advanced by the science community.
https://theconversation.com/budget-2018-when-scientists-make-their-case-effectively-politicians-listen-96124

Deal on Murray Darling Basin Plan could make history for Indigenous water rights
Sue Jackson, Griffith University
On Monday night the Labor Party agreed to a federal government policy package intended to ensure the survival of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
https://theconversation.com/deal-on-murray-darling-basin-plan-could-make-history-for-indigenous-water-rights-96264

Budget 2018: Climate change denial and conservation jobs slashed
 Sue Arnold
Climate change did not even rate a mention in Treasurer Scott Morrison’s 2018 Budget announcement last night.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/budget-2018-climate-change-denial-and-conservation-jobs-slashed,11477

Turnbull’s election budget dumps on climate and renewables
Giles Parkinson
Turnbull government finds $15 billion in short term tax handouts, and $140 billion in long term tax promises for the better off – but nothing on climate and renewables. Meanwhile, Australia misses out on global renewable jobs boom.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/turnbulls-election-budget-dumps-on-climate-and-renewables-79759/

Where to find platypus in the wild around Brisbane
Kedron Brook’s home to a lot of things — ducks, turtles, eels, fish, and unfortunately the odd dumped shopping trolley —but could this highly urbanised water way be home to some platypuses?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-10/where-to-find-platypus-in-wild-around-brisbane/9706976

Early election will kill Adani megamine [$]
John McCarthy
If the Turnbull Government does what it is expected to do and goes to the polls early it could spell the end to the tortured struggle of the Adani project
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-early-federal-election-will-kill-the-adani-megamine/news-story/f7a4f4803d16ae9a578074dc5310b2d1

Single operator to control bus services across central Adelaide
A single company will operate the bus network across central Adelaide after Torrens Transit acquired the company that runs services to the inner northern and southern suburbs, as well as O-Bahn buses.
https://indaily.com.au/news/2018/05/09/single-operator-to-control-bus-services-across-adelaide/
 
When will SA see budget’s infrastructure millions?
The state and federal governments can’t say when South Australia will see its promised $1.8 billion share of federal infrastructure funding, set aside for road and rail projects including the South Road upgrade.
https://indaily.com.au/news/2018/05/09/budget-confirms-sas-infrastructure-millions-but-labor-questions-timing/

SolarReserve may add 70MW solar farm to Port Augusta solar tower
SolarReserve may add up to 70MW of solar PV to world-leading solar tower and storage project to boost output at peak times and reduce purchases from grid.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/solarreserve-may-add-70mw-solar-farm-port-augusta-solar-tower-46154/

South Australia solar market slump blamed on Liberals policy void
South Australia rooftop solar market falls sharply in April, confirming reports from solar retailers who blame uncertainty caused by policy cloud of new Liberal government.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/south-australia-solar-market-slump-blamed-on-liberals-policy-void-23947/

Life returns to Lake Eyre [$]
This spectacular series of NASA Earth Observatory images show water flowing back into the Lake Eyre Basin after March storms.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/life-returns-to-lake-eyre-as-seen-from-space-in-nasa-earth-observatory-images/news-story/d10931284fdc44167d3e01623c561009

Roadkill risk grows on Tasmanian roads [$]
Analysis of Tasmanian crash statistics involving wildlife have highlighted the state’s top roadkill hotspots — and the marsupials most at risk.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/roadkill-risk-grows-on-tasmanian-roads-as-winter-approaches-says-car-insurer-aami/news-story/9788416ced5592b3f2f36eff499a6678

Power disconnected to WA homes, businesses over unpaid bills
A home or business had its power cut for non-payment of bills every half an hour on average last year, figures reveal.
https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/power-disconnected-to-wa-homes-businesses-over-unpaid-bills-ng-b88830373z

Microwaved plastic increases lithium-sulfur battery lifespan
Purdue engineers have figured out a way to tackle plastic landfills while also improving batteries — by putting ink-free plastic soaked in sulfur-containing solvent into a microwave, and then into batteries as a carbon scaffold.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-05/pu-mpi050918.php

India’s pollution levels are some of the highest in the world. Here’s why.
Most of the country is often breathing a toxic combination of pollutants, ranging from dust to smoke from cooking fuel.
https://www.vox.com/2018/5/8/17316978/india-pollution-levels-air-delhi

Renewable energy now employs 10.3 million people globally
The renewable energy industry employs 10.3 million people worldwide, according to new data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
https://e360.yale.edu/digest/renewable-energy-now-employs-10-3-million-people-globally

Study: Money trumps morals for getting customers to save energy
A University of Chicago study compared dynamic pricing to text messages that encouraged energy conservation.
https://energynews.us/2018/05/08/midwest/study-money-trumps-morals-for-getting-customers-to-save-energy/

Climate change may even threaten one of the world’s most resilient lizards
Bahamian anole lizards are popular exotic pets and are found throughout the Western Hemisphere, suggesting that they are extremely adaptable creatures. A new study suggests that their adaptability may not extend to the temperature changes predicted by climate change models.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-05/stri-ccm050918.php

For lemurs, size of forest fragments may be more important than degree of isolation
Occurrence probability of three lemur species in tropical dry forest increases with fragment size but can increase or decrease with fragment isolation depending on the species, according to a study published May 9, 2018 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Travis Steffens and Shawn Lehman from University of Toronto, Canada.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-05/p-fls050218.php

Study finds marine protected areas help coral reefs
New research finds the best way to measure the effectiveness of coral reef conservation is by using a suite of metrics, including the number of fish, amount of seaweed and the number of baby corals, rather than just one indicator of reef health.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-05/uom-sfm050418.php