Daily Links May 9

Carbon satellite to serve as an important tool for politicians and climate change experts
A new satellite that measures and provides detailed carbon balance information is one of the most important new tools in carbon measurement since infrared light, believe researchers from the University of Copenhagen. The researchers expect the satellite to be a valuable tool for the UN’s work on climate change related to the Paris climate accord.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-05/fos–cst050818.php

The blockchain revolution comes to climate action
Blockchain can trace everything from green supply chains to emissions cuts, enable green energy trading and convert plastic waste into cash. A host of initiatives and start-ups are getting in on the technology.
http://www.dw.com/en/the-blockchain-revolution-comes-to-climate-action/a-43684311

The tiny country of Fiji has a big plan to fight climate change
“An effective response to climate change must involve every single person on Earth,” said Fiji’s chief negotiator, Luke Daunivalu.
https://grist.org/article/the-tiny-country-of-fiji-has-a-big-plan-to-fight-climate-change/

Real ambition on global warming: What it would look like
New scenarios show how to hit the most stringent Paris targets.
https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/5/7/17306008/global-warming-climate-change-scenarios-ambition

Beneath the waves, disaster is in the making [$]
Peter Boyer warns that global warming has already caused a crisis in our oceans and seas.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-beneath-the-waves-out-of-our-sight-disaster-is-in-the-making/news-story/292832befabd9421d089ebe9e95dea8b

How do we turn climate dialogue into action?
Mohamed Adow
Both storytelling and political will are needed to deliver on climate goals.
http://news.trust.org/item/20180508131542-8xvek

Hurricane Maria made me a climate change refugee
Agnes M. Torres Rivera
“What will happen to communities like mine when the next hurricane strikes?”
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/hurricane-maria-made-me-a-climate-change-refugee

Schott ‘entitled to opinion’ on coal [$]
Tensions within the Coalition over Australia’s future energy mix show little sign of subsiding.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/pm-silent-as-energy-tzar-kerry-schott-attacks-coal-power/news-story/27d30111418d629c80f076a9b5b76f37

Orica hails ACCC move on gas [$]
Orica CEO Alberto Calderon says the ACCC’s efforts to improve transparency in the gas market will help users secure better deals.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/orica-ceo-caldreron-acccs-gas-price-transparency-move-will-help-local-firms/news-story/71e7cecd31e34d912f6d55ea68fd3daa

Resources bull run ‘won’t last’ [$]
The federal government is expecting the prices for key commodities including iron ore and coal to ease back over the next few years from their recent highs.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/federal-budget/federal-budget-iron-re-coal-prices-forecast-to-ease/news-story/ba341eba92acf4b957af0680a1e1afff

Australia’s “hidden” carbon price – it’s trading at nearly $18
Reputex It’s time to take a closer look at current and forecast price for carbon offsets in the Australian market. The outcome may surprise.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/australias-hidden-carbon-price-trading-nearly-18-57648/

Populate or perish: how the Government’s surplus plan locks in high immigration
Michael Janda
The reliance on near-record levels of immigration to sustain the economy at a pace that can pay for tax cuts and a budget surplus is illustrative of the precarious nature of Treasury’s path to a meaningful 1 per cent of GDP surplus
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-09/budget-2018-australia-immigration-tax-cuts-surplus/9739822

Budget 2018: This budget is too good to be true
Ross Gittins
This budget is too good to be true. If you believe Malcolm Turnbull’s luck can turn on a sixpence, this is the budget for you. From now on, everything’s coming good.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/federal-budget-2018-this-budget-is-too-good-to-be-true-20180507-h0zq6y.html

Indigenous communities are reworking urban planning, but planners need to accept their history
Libby Porter, RMIT University; Louise Clare Johnson, Deakin University, and Sue Jackson, Griffith University
While planning policies and practices have contributed to marginalising Indigenous people, planners can now work with them to ensure they have their rightful say in shaping Australian communities.
https://theconversation.com/indigenous-communities-are-reworking-urban-planning-but-planners-need-to-accept-their-history-92351

Accord on Murray Darling water is a win for all [$]
David Littleproud
A breakthrough on water policy is a huge relief
https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/opinion/murray-darling-basin-accord-on-water-is-a-win-for-all/news-story/2dd3a0b44e1be1a7bad2b1784c9fc656

The remarkable assumptions that will shape Australia’s future grid
Giles Parkinson
AEMO’s modelling of the future grid influenced by more dramatic falls in solar and battery storage costs, big uptake of rooftop solar, electric vehicles, batteries and virtual power plants – and a question-mark over coal.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/the-remarkable-assumptions-that-will-shape-australias-future-grid-30552/

Berejiklian handed meagre offerings from federal budget for trains, roads
The federal government’s infrastructure spend in NSW includes funding for a regional bridge, a Pacific Highway bypass and the duplication of a 3-kilometre rail line, totalling just $1.5 billion.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/federal-budget-2018-nsw-vying-for-share-of-1-billion-urban-congestion-fund-20180507-h0zq1l.html

Federal Budget 2018: GST top up part of $3.2b WA spend
There were no surprises for Western Australia in the federal budget with the Turnbull government revealing its billion-dollar bonanza on roads, rail and hospitals ahead of time.
https://thewest.com.au/politics/budget/federal-budget-2018-gst-top-up-part-of-3b-wa-spend-ng-b88830153z

New home buyers in WA offered “game-changing” solar PPA
Buyers of new-build houses and apartments at a property development in Perth’s northern suburbs are being offered an innovative solar power purchase agreement that promises to cut their daytime power costs by 40 per cent.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/new-home-buyers-in-wa-offered-game-changing-solar-ppa-12434/

My boyfriend only wants one kid because of climate change. Is he being ridiculous?
In a relationship — particularly one that you expect to be lifelong — you need to be able to talk about the absolute scariest things.
https://grist.org/article/my-boyfriend-only-wants-one-kid-because-of-climate-change-is-he-being-ridiculous/

Coffee cup that ‘actually gets recycled’
A recyclable coffee cup could help replace the 2.5 billion disposable cups binned each year.
http://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-suffolk-44010327/the-coffee-cup-which-can-be-recycled-in-existing-systems

Indonesian study into health risks of microplastics
Scientists in Indonesia launch the largest ever study into the health impacts of tiny plastic particles.
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43913597

Farm runoff in U.S. waters has hit crisis levels. Are farmers ready to change?
Some farmers and lawmakers across rural America are getting serious about preventing nitrogen and phosphorous pollution. Will it be enough to avert a catastrophe in our rivers and oceans?
https://civileats.com/2018/05/08/farm-runoff-in-us-waters-has-hit-crisis-levels-are-farmers-ready-to-change/

Report: China now has 9 times as many solar jobs as the US
Trump’s policies will only make it worse.
https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2018/05/report-china-now-has-9-times-as-many-solar-jobs-as-the-us/

Majority of voters oppose Trump offshore drilling plan: Poll
More than half of voters oppose proposed plans by the Trump administration to expand oil and gas drilling off coastal states, according to a poll out Tuesday.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/386695-60-percent-of-voters-oppose-the-trump-administrations-offshore

Weedkiller products more toxic than their active ingredient, tests show
US government researchers have uncovered evidence that some popular weedkilling products, like Monsanto’s widely-used Roundup, are potentially more toxic to human cells than their active ingredient is by itself.
https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/08/weedkiller-tests-monsanto-health-dangers-active-ingredient

Four regions in Peru exposed to mercury contamination
A recent publication confirmed that inhabitants of the indigenous Nahua population, located in the Santa Rosa de Serjali community in the Ucayali Region of Peru, have high levels of mercury in their blood.
https://news.mongabay.com/2018/05/four-regions-in-peru-exposed-to-mercury-contamination/

What is the true cost of eating meat?
Bibi van der Zee
As concerns over the huge impact on the environment, human health and animal welfare grow, what future is there for the meat industry?
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/may/07/true-cost-of-eating-meat-environment-health-animal-welfare

How to make millions while saving a forest
Tribes and Native-owned corporations are making huge profits by conserving their forests for carbon offset programs—an effort that could revolutionize conservation.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2302446/native-foresters-getting-paid-keep-trees-standing

Pleistocene climates help scientists pick out targets for conservation in Brazil’s forests
A team of researchers has pinpointed new areas for conservation in the rainforests of the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest by looking back in time to find the spots that have had the most stable climates.
https://news.mongabay.com/2018/05/pleistocene-climates-help-scientists-pick-out-targets-for-conservation-in-brazils-forests/