Daily Links May 8

Humans didn’t exist the last time there was this much CO2 in the air
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere breached 410 parts per million for the first time in human history.
https://grist.org/article/humans-didnt-exist-the-last-time-there-was-this-much-co2-in-the-air/

The surprising link between climate change and human trafficking
As extreme weather conditions arrive, vulnerable people in migrating populations could find themselves at risk from sexual exploitation or forced labor.
http://therevelator.org/climate-change-human-trafficking/

Oil companies ask judge to kill NYC’s global warming lawsuit
Five of the world’s biggest oil companies asked a judge to throw out New York City’s lawsuit seeking to hold them responsible for costs related to the environmental changes caused by their products.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-04/oil-companies-ask-judge-to-kill-nyc-s-global-warming-lawsuit

How to fight climate change: Figure out who’s to blame, and sue them
It’s only possible with the new science of extreme weather attribution.
https://www.wired.com/story/climate-attribution-sue/

Is the revolving door syndrome harming Europe’s climate change fight?
Campaigners have sounded the alarm over climate change policy in Europe after uncovering evidence about the closeness of the relationship between governments and major energy companies.
http://www.euronews.com/2018/05/06/is-the-revolving-door-syndrome-harming-europe-s-climate-change-fight –

Severe weather ahead: She’s predicting the next climate crisis
Columbia University’s Lisa Goddard helps developing countries anticipate and prepare for the next weather emergency.
https://www.ozy.com/rising-stars/severe-weather-ahead-shes-predicting-the-next-climate-crisis/85664

‘It’s all about vested interests’: untangling conspiracy, conservatism and climate scepticism
Graham Readfearn
Study across 24 countries suggests the fossil fuel industry has reshaped conservative political values in the US and Australia
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2018/may/08/its-all-about-vested-interests-untangling-conspiracy-conservatism-and-climate-scepticism

Global warming will depress economic growth in Trump country
Dana Nuccitelli
It’s global warming that will hurt the economy in red states, not a carbon tax.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/may/07/global-warming-will-depress-economic-growth-in-trump-country

Australia has 20 days petrol left
The government has launched an urgent fuel security review as the country’s reserves run dangerously low.
http://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/government-launches-urgent-fuel-security-review-as-reserves-dip-below-50-days/news-story/90a4e47c776fb505b9e14408d243705d

Greens fight for basin amid budget furore
The Australian Greens will attempt to disallow government changes to the Murray Darling Basin Plan in the Senate.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/greens-fight-for-basin-amid-budget-furore/news-story/fd0ef772c3f29228234b17df95f3a98c

No change to direct action climate fund
The federal budget is expected to leave funding for the Abbott-era Emissions Reduction Fund unchanged.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/no-change-to-direct-action-climate-fund/news-story/52275cf2e7c85bd27808bebf384c5aaf

BHP bullish on iron ore, coal [$]
BHP marketing boss Arnoud Balhuizen says the short-term outlook for iron ore and coking coal is strong.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/bhp-bullish-on-iron-ore-coal/news-story/0bb38de9d185882742cacd28b3d91784

AMP forges new path by appointing climate denier as chairman
New chairman’s views on climate change and climate scientists is a bad sign on how AMP will handle climate risk.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/amp-forges-new-path-appointing-climate-denier-chairman-31232/

NatRoad makes Budget fuel tax credits plea
Changing the fuel tax credit scheme could make some businesses unsustainable, NatRoad says
https://www.fullyloaded.com.au/industry-news/1805/natroad-makes-fuel-credits-plea

Australia’s No. 1 tax dodger revealed [$]
Glencore is Australia’s largest coal miner and one of the world’s top miners and commodities traders with a colourful corporate history and a reputation for ruthlessness.
https://www.crikey.com.au/2018/05/07/australias-no-1-tax-dodger/

Why Aussies fear speaking out against immigration [$]
A majority of Australian voters want immigration cut, but many fear the consequences of speaking out about it. Here’s why.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/report-finds-many-australians-are-scared-to-attack-mass-migration-because-they-risk-being-branded-racist/news-story/819836dc4116dd9d5507c660a3ad604c

Will Australia turn to EVs to address poor fuel security, or ignore them?
Giles Parkinson
Long-awaited review of precarious transport fuel security released by federal government – but are EVs being taken into account?
https://reneweconomy.com.au/will-australia-turn-to-evs-to-address-poor-fuel-security-or-ignore-them-53143/

A crisis too big to waste: China’s recycling ban calls for a long-term rethink in Australia
Monique Retamal et al
Sydney’s experience suggests that having separate bins for paper and bottles leads to better recycling. AAP Image/Tracy Nearmy
https://theconversation.com/a-crisis-too-big-to-waste-chinas-recycling-ban-calls-for-a-long-term-rethink-in-australia-95877

Peat fires in Victoria appear to be out after seven weeks
Peat fires that have been burning in south-west Victoria since mid-March are believed to be out, but authorities will continue to monitor the area for the next six months.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-07/peat-fires-south-west-victoria-appear-to-be-out/9734054

Commuters brace for the bus as ‘big program’ of rail works rolls out
Passengers using the Cranbourne-Pakenham and Frankston lines face major disruptions in coming weeks, as more level crossings are removed and rail infrastructure gets upgraded.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/commuters-brace-for-the-bus-as-big-program-of-rail-works-rolls-out-20180507-p4zdt7.html

Government finally buys into growing congestion problem
In the past 50 years, federal and state governments combined to build one new rail line in Victoria. That’s just doubled.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/turnbull-government-finally-buys-into-melbourne-s-congestion-problem-20180507-p4zdse.html

Trains or trams? Debate begins over transport mode from Caulfield to Rowville
The Turnbull government has given Victoria the biggest share of its infrastructure splurge. So what now for the planned connection from Caulfield to Rowville?
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/trains-or-trams-debate-begins-over-transport-mode-from-caulfield-to-rowville-20180507-p4zdvk.html

Road tolls or day passes a possibility for Great Ocean Road visitors
Victoria’s most popular coastal attraction could soon become more expensive for visitors, as local councils weigh up plans to make tourists pay.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/road-tolls-or-day-passes-a-possibility-for-great-ocean-road-visitors-20180507-p4zdwn.html

Why water costs more on the Gold Coast than in Sydney
In south east Queensland, the cost of accessing mains water is more than double the amount paid by people connected to Sydney Water.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-07/gold-coast-water-costs-double-sydney-water/9732794

Adani losses prompt mining company to shift away from imported coal
Results show Carmichael mine in Queensland no longer a viable proposition, analysts say
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/07/adani-coal-losses-prompt-mining-company-to-shift-from-imported-coal

Eastern Busway could see Brisbane Metro extend to Redlands: Schrinner
In 2007 the Bligh Government unveiled a $1.3 billion Eastern Busway project to get buses to the bay. Redland mayor Karen Williams says it’s time to move ahead.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/eastern-busway-could-see-brisbane-metro-extend-to-redlands-schrinner-20180502-p4zcvo.html

Brisbane Metro gets $300m federal funding boost
Graham Quirk admitted the $944m Brisbane Metro would have been temporarily shelved if the federal government had not committed $300m this year.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/brisbane-metro-gets-300-million-federal-funding-boost-20180507-p4zdtv.html

Cruise contract end could threaten Trinity Inlet dredging plan [$]
Dredging proponents want a guarantee P&O Cruises’ exit from home-porting in Cairns will not jeopardise the $120?million Trinity Inlet channel expansion project.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/cruise-contract-end-could-threaten-trinity-inlet-dredging-plan/news-story/a7761ef159064ae93f8f792fb992e840

Sunshine State’s solar capitals revealed [$]
It’s fitting that the Sunshine State is leading the country when it comes to embracing solar power, but as these images show, there are a few unlikely postcodes that made the nation’s top 10 list.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/solar-power-queensland-postcodes-top-nation-for-number-of-units-installed/news-story/e84130367a2e142ccc7f3931cda59758

Remember, trees are people too [$]
Paul Williams
A vote for trees is a vote for the people most vulnerable to economic and environmental decline.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-treeclearing-must-be-kept-in-check-for-economical-health/news-story/4827527bac7717c301501d1a8513f92c

Labor unconvinced by $1.8 billion roads, rail funding pledge
The State Government says it expects $1.8 billion for SA roads and rail funding in tomorrow’s federal budget, but the Opposition has doubts about the commitment.
https://indaily.com.au/news/2018/05/07/labor-unconvinced-by-1-8-billion-roads-rail-funding-pledge/

China recycling ban to cost ratepayers nearly $9m [$]
China’s recycling ban will cost SA’s waste industry up to $8.8 million per year — and ratepayers are likely to pick up the bill, the Local Government Association of SA warns.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/china-recycling-ban-will-cost-sa-ratepayers-up-to-88m-lga-report/news-story/65f52976cb6b92c80f98a171334c912e

‘Cuts to Federal Environmental staff will see the extinction of Tasmanian species’
The proposed cuts of 30% of the Federal Department of the Environment will see the extinction of some Tasmanian species warned BirdLife Tasmania today.
http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/weblog/article/cuts-to-federal-environmental-staff-will-see-the-extinction-of-tasmanian-sp/

City lives defined by love of cars [$]
Bob Cotgrove explains how family, work and recreation changed for the better
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/city-lives-are-defined-by-the-love-of-cars/news-story/2331097d16505f2fb84be117dda53f92

IT manager allegedly wanted to ‘rape as much as I can’ from power utility, corruption hearing told
Horizon Power manager Paul Mitchell Thomas awarded consulting contracts worth more than $1 million to his business partner, including employing his wife as a contractor at the government-owned utility, WA’s corruption watchdog hears.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-07/ccc-corruption-probe-into-horizon-power-it-managers/9733972

Council considers use of ‘carcinogenic’ weed killer
Perth’s biggest council will consider lifting a restriction on the use of the controversial weed killer glyphosate, once described as “probably carcinogenic to humans”.
https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/stirling-council-to-consider-lifting-ban-on-controversial-weed-killer-glyphosate-ng-b88827994z

Vulnerable communities may be adversely affected by the transition to cleaner energy
Indiana University researchers have developed a method for identifying communities that may be negatively affected by clean energy policies that hasten the move from fossil fuels to more environmentally friendly solutions.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-05/iu-vcm050318.php

America’s buses need your love more than ever
It’s not the exciting new solution everyone wants, but what if the bus is the real future of urban transportation?
https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2018/05/love-the-bus-save-your-city/559262/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheAtlanticCities+%28CityLab%29&utm_content=FeedBurner

‘I knew that’s what caused my cancer’: Why baby powder could be a threat to women
Does talcum powder cause ovarian cancer? Thousands of women think so and have filed lawsuits against one of America’s most venerable companies.
https://www.postandcourier.com/health/i-knew-that-s-what-caused-my-cancer-why-baby/article_720c380a-471d-11e8-a268-274271071b0a.html

This amazing new milk is going to change everything
It doesn’t hurt cows, guzzle water, or ruin the soil.
https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2018/05/this-amazing-new-milk-is-going-to-change-everything/

Germany can push renewables, without blackouts, says Friends of Earth
Germany can hasten its closure of nuclear and the oldest coal-fired power plants without endangering its energy self-sufficiency, Friends of the Earth said. Otherwise, Berlin would miss its climate targets.
http://www.dw.com/en/germany-can-push-renewables-without-blackouts-says-friends-of-earth/a-43655098

Bacteria may be powerful weapon against antibiotic resistance
Some microbes are able to “eat” antibiotics, using them as a nutritious food to grow and multiply.
https://www.salon.com/2018/05/06/bacteria-may-be-powerful-weapon-against-antibiotic-resistance_partner/

Another problem with China’s coal: Mercury in rice
Mercury pollution is a problem usually associated with fish consumption. But some people in China, the world’s largest mercury emitter, are exposed to more methylmercury from rice than they are from fish. In a recent study, we explored the extent of this problem and which direction it could go in the future.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2018/05/06/another-problem-with-chinas-coal-mercury-in-rice.html

UK’s aging nuclear reactors have ‘reached threshold limit’
Nuclear plant operator EDF Energy is hoping to restart a reactor it had to close because of new cracks. Experts have warned against extending the lives of old reactors, saying operators are “gambling with public safety.”
http://www.dw.com/en/uks-aging-nuclear-reactors-have-reached-threshold-limit/a-43675247

Once in shadows, solar energy has sunnier outlook
Once an energy source spurned because of high cost, solar has become more affordable and is gaining momentum.
https://observer-reporter.com/business/once-in-shadows-solar-energy-has-sunnier-outlook/article_08883152-4413-11e8-a8c8-73f801473406.html

Children living in green neighbourhoods are less likely to develop asthma
Jeroen Douwes, Massey University and Geoffrey H. Donovan, United States Forest Service
New research shows that children who live in greener neighbourhoods are less likely to develop asthma, and that the more diverse the plant life is, the more they are protected.
https://theconversation.com/children-living-in-green-neighbourhoods-are-less-likely-to-develop-asthma-96190

Tweet all about it – people in parks feel more positive
Kwan Hui Lim, University of Melbourne; Dave Kendal, University of Tasmania, and Kate Lee, University of Melbourne
The positive mood of tweets varies with time of day and season, but it’s consistently higher in parks than in built-up areas, where people are more likely to express anger and fears.
https://theconversation.com/tweet-all-about-it-people-in-parks-feel-more-positive-95290

The carbon footprint of tourism revealed (it’s bigger than we thought)
Dr Arunima Malik, University of Sydney and Dr Ya-Yen Sun, The University of Queensland
For the first time research has quantified the global carbon footprint of tourists. It’s big – and getting bigger.
https://theconversation.com/the-carbon-footprint-of-tourism-revealed-its-bigger-than-we-thought-96200

Jeff VanderMeer on ‘Annihilation,’ climate change, and environmentalism
Jeff VanderMeer discusses how writing fiction about environmental crises may jolt readers out of complacency.
https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/559790/jeff-vandermeer/

Banning hybrid cars is a good start, but we must do more if we’re serious about cutting emissions
James Beard
To clear our air, meet our international responsibilities and seize the economic benefits of clean vehicles, we need to end petrol and diesel vehicle sales, including hybrids, way before 2040.
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/hybrid-cars-ban-carbon-emissions-uk-environment-a8338611.html

Making progress toward cleaner air
Jerry Ortiz y Pino
We have a clear win-win opportunity for New Mexican communities that experience the highest levels of air pollution, illness and asthma rates — if only we would listen to the communities themselves.
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/making-progress-toward-cleaner-air/article_7794bb3c-c94c-5380-9d75-f7619ddcf9ef.html

How mine dumps in South Africa affect the health of communities living nearby
Toby Murphy
People living close to mine dumps are more inclined to show symptoms of asthma.
https://theconversation.com/how-mine-dumps-in-south-africa-affect-the-health-of-communities-living-nearby-77113

Climate change could destroy the ocean’s most pristine areas
“Marine protected areas” have been an environmental success story. But a new study finds that most won’t withstand global warming.
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/05/conservation-projects-cant-stop-climate-change/559757/

Genetics Help Make a Weed a Weed
New research finds that the success of weedy and invasive plants like the Jerusalem artichoke lies in …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180507111807.htm

How Land Use and Climate Change Are Driving Species Distribution Shifts
Climate change is altering where species live all over the planet. With global warming, species are moving towards the poles and up elevation where temperature is lower. However, along with global ….
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180507084823.htm