Daily Links May 28

Favianna Rodriguez says climate change imagery lacks a human touch
The Oakland-based artist and activist is putting people and solutions at the center of her work.
https://grist.org/article/favianna-rodriguez-says-climate-change-imagery-lacks-a-human-touch/

At the frontline of research on the ozone layer and its role in Earth’s climate
An interview with Susan Solomon, who solved the mystery of the Antarctic ozone hole and has won one of the world’s biggest science prizes.
https://thebulletin.org/susan-solomon-frontline-research-ozone-layer-and-its-role-earths-climate11836

Government advisers call for emissions fund to end investment in ‘junk credits’
Revealed report finds tens of millions going into projects that don’t create new emissions reductions
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/28/government-advisers-call-for-emissions-fund-to-end-investment-in-junk-credits

From here to annihilation [$]
With much of Australia now a graveyard, an ambitious mammalian ark is being built across the continent. Will it work?
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/weekend-australian-magazine/will-feralproof-fences-save-our-wildlife/news-story/0dc3497989211e831af6c36c246bfc66

How climate change affects our winter tourism
Josh Worley
As an avid mountain climber, I have always been fascinated about the environment around me.
https://www.examiner.com.au/story/5425358/climb-every-mountain-try-every-ski-while-you-can/?cs=97

Snowy 2.0 doesn’t hold water [$]
Pauline Hanson
The Turnbull government has yet to make a feasible business case for spending $10.5 billion on its pet project.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/snowy-20-electricity-generation-scheme-just-doesnt-hold-water/news-story/e922a3f14c9ba2c8c883fb5de521289a

Bombardier calls for safe tram technology
Melbourne’s E-Class tram manufacturer is in talks with the Victorian government to introduce cutting-edge technology to the network as the number of tram collisions with pedestrians and cars reaches a five-year high.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/bombardier-calls-for-safe-tram-technology-20180525-p4zhmw.html

Fast-track rail link to combat ‘white flight’
A  fast-tracked train line between Parramatta and the Badgerys Creek airport would immensely boost the prospects of the southwestern suburbs around Fairfield highlighted by the “white flight” furore.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/projectsydney/call-to-put-fairfield-back-on-right-track-will-help-stop-white-flight/news-story/b3331c40972694a99119188a06231afa

‘Going to get worse’: red fire ants detected in Queensland’s Scenic Rim
Pests could cost the state in billions if the spread continues, Invasive Species Council warns
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/27/going-to-get-worse-red-fire-ants-detected-in-queenslands-scenic-rim

Qld submits more toll road complaints than rest of country combined
The LNP has called for an inquiry into Queensland’s toll road operators because drivers are “being taken for a ride”.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/queensland-submits-more-toll-road-complaints-than-rest-of-country-combined-20180527-p4zhrz.html

Reef charity’s record casts doubt on $444m grant
The Turnbull government’s record funding injection to a small reef charity has been described as “bizarre”.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/reef-charity-s-fundraising-record-casts-doubt-on-444-million-grant-20180524-p4zhdt.html

Rats force closure of islands in far north Queensland
Nearly a dozen islands off the far north Queensland coast will close to the public from today as an aerial baiting program targeting black rats gets underway.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-28/rats-force-closure-islands-far-north-queensland/9805014

BHP to keep lid on coal sales [$]
Queensland Treasurer Jackie Trad is threatening to reveal secret details around BHP’s controversial Singapore trading business
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/bhp-keen-to-keep-lid-on-royaltycutting-coal-sales-to-singapore/news-story/d95e21cfc385db260fee69f21f157a34

Coal giants accuse Aurizon [$]
Queensland’s big coal miners have accused railway owner Aurizon of trying to hurt their industry to boost profits
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/coal-giants-accuse-aurizon-of-railroad-robbery/news-story/b8092d314e3fa5515c02ea49211fece8

Land-clearing laws cripple growth, says Rinehart [$]
Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has savaged Queensland’s new land-clearing laws as another symptom of a regulatory environment crippling growth and stifling the state’s chance at prosperity.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/landclearing-laws-crippling-growth-in-queensland-says-rinehart/news-story/9770a20de6d8bc6570fde1c8a1195f69

Dispute sparks threat to major coal exports [$]
The consul general of one of Queensland’s major coal buyers has expressed official concern to the Palaszczuk Government about the reliability of the state to supply billions of dollars worth of coal to its steel mills.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/dispute-sparks-threat-to-major-coal-exports/news-story/c3466678c84c03eac73bf2432c63a626

Private investors to unlock SA’s national parks [$]
Private investors and the State Government are in talks to develop business opportunities to increase tourism in the state’s national parks.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/developers-show-interest-in-developing-tourism-opportunities-in-sas-national-parks/news-story/2a05bdc41b5967fa870ed356ac9c61c6

Mechanics of pesticide-Parkinson’s link revealed
Even very low levels of exposure to some common agricultural chemicals can boost the risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to new research.
https://cosmosmagazine.com/biology/mechanics-of-pesticide-parkinson-s-link-revealed

Offshore wind energy is finally taking off in the US
It’s all happening.
https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/5/25/17393156/offshore-wind-us-massachusetts-rhode-island-zinke

This robot could help pollinate crops if we kill all the bees
If the trajectory of our pollinator population continues, we might need the BrambleBee soon.
https://www.fastcompany.com/40577825/this-robot-could-help-pollinate-crops-if-we-kill-all-the-bees

Why Millennials should be optimistic
Tom Switzer
Cheer up. Earlier doom-mongering predictions about population growth have not been fulfilled.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/why-millennials-should-be-optimistic-20180527-p4zhso.html

Time for California to deliver on the human right to water
Leo Heller
California has an opportunity to be a clean drinking water leader, as it is a leader on the climate front, says Leo Heller, the United Nations special rapporteur, on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation.
https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/05/25/time-for-california-to-deliver-on-the-human-right-to-water

Plain sailing: how traditional methods could deliver zero-emission shipping
Christiaan De Beukelaer, University of Melbourne
On May 10, the 43.5-metre schooner Avontuur arrived in the port of Hamburg. This traditional sailing vessel, built in 1920, transported some 70 tonnes of coffee, cacao and rum across the Atlantic. The shipping company Timbercoast, which owns and operates Avontuur, says it aims to prove that sailing ships can offer an environmentally sustainable alternative to the heavily polluting shipping industry, despite being widely seen as a technology of yesteryear.
https://theconversation.com/plain-sailing-how-traditional-methods-could-deliver-zero-emission-shipping-97180

Rare birds ‘at risk of poisoning from eating lead shot’
Warning by expert panel says up to 400,000 wildfowl a year may suffer lead poisoning
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/27/rare-birds-risk-lead-poisoning-from-shot

The 22 best US national parks to escape the crowds, chosen by experts
Park visitation is at a record high – good for tourism, not so good for peace and quiet. From Acadia to Zion, Bryce Canyon to Yosemite, leading writers and environmentalists share their alternatives to the most popular spots
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/25/best-us-national-parks-escape-crowds

England may get more national parks after protected areas review
Michael Gove says move prompted by rising population and decline in certain habitats
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/27/england-may-get-more-national-parks-after-protected-areas-review

New Zealand’s hoki fishery under scrutiny after claims of fish dumping, misreporting
Elisabeth Slooten; Bruce Robertson; Glenn Simmons; Graeme Bremner, and Nigel Haworth
Leaked reports reveal that some of New Zealand’s largest fishing companies have been under-reporting their catch of the commercially valuable hoki by hundreds of tonnes.
https://theconversation.com/new-zealands-hoki-fishery-under-scrutiny-after-claims-of-fish-dumping-misreporting-97167