Daily Links May 3

Global warming of 1.5°C or 2°C: The lower limit would reduce flood hazards
A research group led by Goethe University Frankfurt has simulated the scenarios of limiting global warming to 2°C versus 1.5°C with global hydrological models. An important result: High flows and flood hazards will increase significantly over an average of 21 percent of global land area if the temperature rises by 2°C. But if the rise in global warming is limited to 1.5°C only 11 percent of global land area would be affected.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-05/guf-gwo050218.php

Key climate satellite to launch later this month
The mission will continue work monitoring ice melt, groundwater storage and deep ocean currents.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/key-climate-satellite-to-launch-later-this-month/

The people who’ll be most hurt by climate swings did the least to cause them, study says
Scientists just found another reason climate change is really unfair.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2018/05/02/scientists-just-showed-why-climate-change-is-enormously-unfair/

Liberal activists target Tony Abbott’s seat over climate change policy
Sydneysiders urged to join party in former PM’s seat to ‘shift the politics’ and speak up for the environment
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/may/03/environmentally-conscious-liberals-urged

Powering on: Five ways businesses can cut their electricity bills
Electricity price shocks are the main concern for Australian businesses, but energy analysts say there are five ways companies can drive down power costs.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/powering-on-five-ways-businesses-can-cut-their-electricity-bills-20180502-p4zcud.html

Images of the Day: Australia top solar postcodes, from the sky
A unique view – from the sky – of Australia’s accelerating uptake of renewable energy, and rooftop solar in particular.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/images-of-the-day-australia-top-solar-postcodes-from-the-sky-49982/

“No way” anyone will fund new coal plants under NEG, says Schott
“I can assure you that, unless there’s a change of technology, there would be absolutely no way that anybody would be financing a new coal-fired generation plant.”
https://reneweconomy.com.au/no-way-anyone-will-fund-new-coal-plants-neg-says-schott-43946/

Rio links coal exit to climate [$]
Rio Tinto chairman Simon Thompson has linked the miner’s exit from coal to environmental concerns.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/rio-tinto-chair-simon-thompson-links-coal-exit-to-climate-action/news-story/a64a03ea37a843cce3271e591de4997a

More electric cars hit the road [$]
Governments are running out of time to plan for the expected rapid uptake of electric cars, an infrastructure chief warns.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/budget-2018-crunch-time-for-transport-policy-as-electric-cars-hit-the-road/news-story/eb4e757af6845329c59d5a151124ee7a

Australia’s strategy for nature isn’t as bad as people think
Peter Bridgewater
The vision is simple and short, building on advances in understanding such as relational values and nature’s contributions to people.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/australia-s-strategy-for-nature-isn-t-as-bad-as-people-think-20180430-p4zce2.html

How even greenies like me vote against climate change action
Julien Vincent
The vast majority of Australians care about climate change and environmental protection. These issues have been prominent enough to influence the way millions of us have voted over the past decade. But while we rarely get to the ballot box, dozens of other important votes happen on climate change each and every year. These votes are made on behalf of you and me and, frustratingly, most oppose climate change action. Just ask your super fund.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/how-even-greenies-like-me-vote-against-climate-change-action-20180502-p4zczl.html

Rio Tinto’s climate change resolution marks a significant shift in investor culture
Anita Foerster and Jacqueline Peel, University of Melbourne
Rio Tinto’s AGM has adopted a breakthrough resolution on the mining giant’s climate stance.
https://theconversation.com/rio-tintos-climate-change-resolution-marks-a-significant-shift-in-investor-culture-95927

Is there a moral and economic imperative to vandalise share bikes? [$]
Bernard Keane
Dockless share bikes unfairly compete with other transport options by imposing costs on the community. It’s up to the community to correct that.
https://www.crikey.com.au/2018/05/02/is-there-a-moral-and-economic-imperative-to-vandalise-share-bikes/

Frydenberg digs in: 45% emissions target “reckless,” “extreme”
Sophie Vorrath
Frydenberg says Labor’s emissions reduction target of 45% is “recklessly high,” and at “extremes of the debate.” He must have missed Macron’s speech.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/frydenberg-digs-in-45-emissions-target-reckless-extreme-85897/

Gupta signs up solar farm to power Victoria steelworks
Sanjeev Gupta signs contract with Neoen to use new solar farm to power Laverton steel mill in Victoria and slash costs. Turnbull and Macron were on hand to witness signing, and the promise of a cheaper energy future via renewables.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/gupta-signs-up-solar-farm-to-power-victoria-steelworks-38761/

Sapphire wind farm turns on for ACT’s 100% renewables target
Sapphire wind farms turns on 100MW of capacity to help meet ACT 100% renewables target, with more wind and solar to come.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/sapphire-wind-farm-turns-acts-100-renewables-target-70111/

Labor MP pressured to cross the floor on tree clearing
The government’s vegetation management laws, which is says are necessary to protect the environment, are expected to pass this week.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/queensland/labor-mp-pressured-to-cross-the-floor-on-tree-clearing-20180502-p4zcy2.html

‘Trust us’: Changes to Murray-Darling plan may face legal challenges
A bid to cut environmental flows in the $13 billion Murray-Darling Basin plan by about one-fifth will likely face legal challenges should it pass the Senate, according to The Australia Institute and the barrister leading South Australia’s Royal Commission to examine the river system.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/conservation/trust-us-changes-to-murray-darling-plan-may-face-legal-challenges-20180502-p4zcvt.html

Hurdle for wallabies [$]
Conservationists have accused wildlife authorities of dragging the chain in deciding whether a northern beaches wallaby relocation project should go ahead.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/wildlife-authorities-accused-of-delaying-decision-to-relocate-150-wallabies-away-from-trinity-beach/news-story/c7d24458eb66a85f2986d3e9e9494b5f

New trap targets toxic cane toads [$]
Innovative new trap using light and sound to trap toxic amphibians was developed using cane toad research findings from James Cook University studies.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/toadinator-trap-targets-cane-toad-menace-with-light-and-sound/news-story/fca5d492d6e33358fbf31b9af782673a

‘Against closing the gap’ [$]
A former Labor MP says the Palaszczuk government is “talking black but acting green” on tree-clearing laws.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/queenslands-treeclearing-law-faces-legal-threat-from-indigenous-group/news-story/945d6755a20200da5da1bd62c935d666

$500 million for the Great Barrier Reef is welcome, but we need a sea change in tactics too
Jon Brodie, James Cook University
The new funding is focused on measures that are already in the foreground.
  https://theconversation.com/500-million-for-the-great-barrier-reef-is-welcome-but-we-need-a-sea-change-in-tactics-too-95875

Malcolm Turnbull’s $390m Sunshine Coast rail cash splash won’t help commuters [$]
John McCarthy
If the Turnbull Government thinks throwing $390 million at the Sunshine Coast rail project is going to be a winner for commuters it’s really not thinking clearly.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-malcolm-turnbulls-390m-sunshine-coast-rail-cash-splash-wont-help-commuters/news-story/2897b57b0afdb3b30a9e176f32abb2b0

Energy storage company 1414 launches IPO, plans 250MWh module
South Australian energy storage company 1414 degrees launches bid to go public
https://reneweconomy.com.au/energy-storage-company-1414-launches-ipo-plans-250mwh-module-71784/

Gorgeous Murray bird on brink of extinction [$]
A “gorgeous” South Australian bird, the fairy tern, is starving and on the brink of extinction, birdlovers say.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/murray-river-bird-the-fairy-tern-on-brink-of-extinction/news-story/593e3f1ff5305bb0fa001a83d06a5074

Weather warning as burn-off gets out of control [$]
Strong winds are predicted to strike overnight into Thursday, ahead of heavy rain for the next two days — as a burn-off near Port Lincoln gets out of control.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/sa-weather-rain-wind-and-thunderstorms-bound-for-state/news-story/5d1c3c70c55295f6b45d11f93474debf

Turning trash into treasure [$]
Kara Jung
In light of the China ban on recyclables, it is time for South Australia to start seeking solutions that will reduce our waste and ensure the stuff we do produce is recycled.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/city/time-for-sa-to-turn-its-trash-into-treasure/news-story/1b2d8c00b1fbc8a005c542ff93ef3592

Fear of being hit keeping cyclists off our roads [$]
Tasmanian cyclists want the existing network of bike paths to be expanded to encourage more riders to use bicycles for transport without fear of being hit by vehicles.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/fear-of-being-hit-is-keeping-cyclists-off-our-roads-says-bicycle-network-tasmania/news-story/696ebd2c8e96ae5a779cd4dc3eca3775

Israel’s claims ‘Iran lied’ effectively rejected as IAEA releases statement
The world’s nuclear watchdog effectively rejects Israel’s claims Iran lied about its nuclear activities, referencing a report showing, “no credible indications of activities in Iran relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device after 2009”.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-02/iaea-europe-diplomat-on-israel-claims-about-iran-nuclear-program/9719390

Changing cities’ food systems to help reduce carbon emissions
Many US cities and states are looking for ways to slash greenhouse gas emissions, including cap-and-trade programs, building-efficiency regulations, and boosting public transit and renewable energy sources. Now scientists report in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology additional measures cities could take to further cut their carbon footprint: by tackling emissions related to food consumption and waste.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-05/acs-ccf042718.php

Flaw Found in Water Treatment Method: Process May Generate Harmful Chemicals
Some potentially toxic chemicals in water may be created, ironically, during the water treatment process …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180502115956.htm

The war on coal is making the world’s top mine owners a lot richer
The world’s war on coal is making its biggest producers a lot richer, at least for now.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-01/war-on-coal-is-making-the-world-s-top-mine-owners-a-lot-richer

New battery could serve the grid
Manganese-hydrogen design boasts high capacity, long life, and the promise of low cost.
https://cen.acs.org/articles/96/web/2018/05/New-battery-serve-grid.html

Energy Recovery of Urban Waste
Researchers have proposed a system which is capable of converting waste in a more controlled manner, and, basically, in two stages: first, the solid is converted to gas in reducing conditions (that …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180502104050.htm

Energy recovery of urban waste
Researchers from the University of Seville have proposed a system which is capable of converting waste in a more controlled manner, and, basically, in two stages: first, the solid is converted to gas in reducing conditions (that is, with the presence of little oxygen), and then the generated gas is burnt very efficiently in specifically optimized equipment.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-05/uos-ero050218.php

The case for hope: Educating as if survival matters
The world is facing ever-more-dire warnings from scientists about the faltering health of the environment and the negative consequences for humans, habitats, and the creatures with whom we share the Earth. Still, a new article in the journal BioScience suggests there’s reason for hope. It boils down to what we teach today’s young people.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-05/cu-tcf050218.php

E-waste linked to decreased fertility hormones in Nigerian men
Nigerian men who work with electronic waste have much lower levels of crucial fertility hormones than men unexposed to the waste, according to a new study.
http://www.ehn.org/nigeria-electronic-waste-decreases-male-hormones-2564994277.html

With 250 babies born each minute, how many people can the Earth sustain?
UN data suggests that the world’s population will hit 11 billion by 2100, with the fastest rises being recorded in Africa and Asia.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/apr/23/population-how-many-people-can-the-earth-sustain-lucy-lamble

Ready for a little spring shopping? Consult these tips for making better, more sustainable choices
Discussions about sustainable fashion can get overwhelming fast.
https://www.vogue.com/article/the-realreal-sustainability-discussion-stella-mccartney

Recycle the Weetabix! What I learned from a month on the app that tackles food waste
Sam Wolfson
We waste £13bn worth of food each year in the UK, with 71% of that being wasted at home. At the same time, use of food banks has boomed. Is Olio the answer?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/02/recycle-the-weetabix-what-i-learned-from-a-month-on-the-app-that-tackles-food-waste

ExxonMobil’s project in PNG is economic parasitism
Scott Ludlam
PNG was lulled with wildly unrealistic modelling. It would be dangerous to conclude that this couldn’t happen to us
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/02/exxonmobils-project-in-png-is-economic-parasitism

Everglades under threat as Florida’s mangroves face death by rising sea level
The ‘river of grass’ wilderness and coastal communities are in peril, with the buffer coastal ecosystems on a ‘death march’ inland
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/02/mangroves-everglades-florida-rising-sea-level

‘Staggering’ clean-up of river polluted by metal mine
A pilot scheme which detoxified water from an old metal mine could help wildlife around the world.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-43961898

Survival and Restoration of China’s Native Forests Imperiled by Proliferating Tree Plantations
China’s reforestation efforts have led to an increase in tree cover by 32 percent but the increase mostly comes from people …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180502153256.htm

River dolphins are declining steeply in the Amazon basin
Populations of freshwater dolphins in the Amazon basin are in steep decline, dropping by half about every decade at current rates, according to a study published May 2, 2018, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Vera da Silva from Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, and colleagues.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-05/p-rda042618.php

Rethinking the Umbrella Species Concept
According to the ‘umbrella species’ concept, preserving and managing habitat for a single high-profile species also benefits a whole suite of other species that share its habitat — but how …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180502094647.htm

The Trump administration is being sued over a very weird bird
Oil and gas companies are destroying sage-grouse habitat—with Ryan Zinke’s blessing.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/05/the-trump-administration-is-being-sued-over-a-very-weird-bird/