Daily Links Jun 22

Conflict, climate change choke efforts to cure poverty, inequality – UN
Climate change and conflict are forcing growing numbers of people to go hungry, flee their homes and lose critical access to water.
http://news.trust.org/item/20180620184315-641ec/

The refugees the world barely pays attention to
They’re known as ‘climate refugees.’ But there’s not even an international definition for them, let alone recognition or protection.
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2018/06/20/621782275/the-refugees-that-the-world-barely-pays-attention-to

Liberals and Nationals stare down renewable energy transition naysayers
MPs including deputy PM warn it would be a mistake to give in to conservatives
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jun/21/coalition-ministers-stare-down-naysayers-on-transition-to-renewable-energy

Australia’s population still growing strongly despite a slowdown in migration
Australia maintains its position as having one of the fastest population growth rates among developed economies.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-21/australias-population-still-growing-strongly/9895206

‘No gas supply shortage forecast,’ energy operator says
A commitment from producers commitment to increase domestic gas supplies after government threats to curtail exports will stave off gas shortages until at least 2030, a new report shows.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/no-gas-supply-shortage-forecast-energy-operator-says-20180621-p4zmz8.html

Nats want energy price cap [$]
Coalition MPs are urging Malcolm Turnbull to intervene in the energy market.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/nats-want-wholesale-price-cap-as-part-of-national-energy-guarantee/news-story/3945d451b589b4bab2153fd76d839102

‘Not seeing slow death of coal’
Coal prices will stay stronger for longer as regulation and a reluctance to fund new mines squeezes supply, say investors.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/coal-prices-tipped-to-remain-stronger-for-longer-amid-policy-squeeze/news-story/a6fe35681d4c302331c69732b2619b39

Pro-coal MPs’ ‘fact sheets’ [$]
Monash Forum MPs are keeping the heat on the government by outlining the new coal-fired power stations across the globe.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/monash-forum-mps-release-coal-fact-sheets/news-story/75206ac5a00610c4637eba2f43d4f7ec

Australian electric vehicle market study
Australian Renewable Energy Agency
This report forecasts growth of the consumer market and uptake for electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia, and also includes modelling on the need for future charging infrastructure.
http://apo.org.au/node/179316

Dodgy decisions follow when experts are ignored
David M Watson
Essential services that nourish and sustain us are being undermined by governments ignoring independent advice.
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/dodgy-decisions-follow-when-experts-are-ignored-20180612-p4zl2h.html

Lowy Institute Poll shows Australians’ support for climate action at its highest level in a decade
Matt McDonald, The University of Queensland
The latest annual survey from the Lowy Institute shows that 59% of Australians support strong climate action, and 84% want the government to embrace renewable energy even if it’s more expensive.
http://theconversation.com/lowy-institute-poll-shows-australians-support-for-climate-action-at-its-highest-level-in-a-decade-98625

Join the dots: Industry must push for higher NEG targets
Andrew Stock
NEG’s low-ball target for electricity means burden falls on other sectors, and makes no economic or engineering sense.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/join-the-dots-industry-must-push-for-higher-neg-targets-53886/

Melbourne car users could see ‘major changes’ in CBD parking
The removal of parking spaces in Melbourne’s CBD should be accelerated, according to a discussion paper that warns “major changes to the priority given to cars” are needed to maintain a liveable city.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-21/melbourne-city-council-considers-sweeping-changes-to-push-cars/9892998

‘Expect an EPA that can stop polluters and enforce the law’
Community groups and individuals will be able to ‘sue’ polluters in the courts under changes to environment laws.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/individuals-would-get-right-to-take-polluters-to-court-under-new-epa-laws-20180621-p4zmxi.html

Victoria’s gas supply guaranteed … for now []$]
The state government has been warned it must find new gas resources or face the prospect of crippling shortages as early as 2030.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/doubts-over-victorias-shortterm-gas-supply-allayed-but-shortages-may-become-critical-by-2030/news-story/924f2593267067558fd1ed80c6102308

Elevated bikeway could solve choke point at Queen’s Wharf development
Queensland’s first elevated CBD cycleway could be on its way in a redesign to tackle concerns about safety issues and conflict with pedestrians.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/elevated-bikeway-could-solve-choke-point-at-queen-s-wharf-development-20180621-p4zmwj.html

Coal-linked government fund pumps $500m into QLD renewable project
Genex Power’s Queensland-based Kidston pumped hydro storage and solar project has received more than $500 million from a government infrastructure fund that has previously drawn flak as a facility to prop up coal projects.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/coal-linked-government-fund-pumps-500m-into-qld-renewable-project-20180620-p4zmo0.html

Plastic bag ban? What ban? [$]
The plastic bag ban has Queenslanders fired up, with many questioning whether a ban has happened at all.
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/shoppers-hit-out-at-woolworths-plastic-bag-ban/news-story/5fb988bab1b81e43c7eb558e224d8360

Water wars: A new front in the fight against Adani
In April Adani applied to the federal Department of Environment and Energy to expand a dam by 450% and build a pipeline for its Carmichael coalmine, without an assessment under national environment laws.
https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/water-wars-new-front-fight-against-adani

South-East Queensland is droughtier and floodier than we thought
Jack Coates-Marnane et al
We rely on climate data to help us make important decisions for our future, such as building infrastructure. But what if a region’s climate has long been more volatile than we realised?
http://theconversation.com/south-east-queensland-is-droughtier-and-floodier-than-we-thought-97860

Parkland proposals get green light [$]
Two contentious proposals for Adelaide’s parklands have gotten the green light to proceed to their next steps.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/city/adelaide-park-lands-authority-give-green-light-to-two-contentious-proposals/news-story/0a4b22d9b402b34ba97aa0bc284dfa37

Cradle Mountain Gateway Precinct receives parliamentary committee approval
The parliamentary Public Works committee has given the government the green light to invest $17.4 million in the Cradle Mountain Gateway Precinct.
https://www.examiner.com.au/story/5481758/cradle-mountain-precinct-gets-approval/?cs=95

Tasmanian container deposit scheme support builds
There is growing support for a container deposit scheme in Tasmania.
https://www.examiner.com.au/story/5480424/support-grows-for-container-deposit-scheme-in-tasmania/?cs=95

Tassal’s 500 tonne plastic deal [$]
Tasmanian-based fish farmer Tassal will recycle about 500 tonnes a year of plastics used in its operations after striking a deal with a recycling company.
https://www.themercury.com.au/business/tassal-does-deal-to-recycle-500-tonnes-of-plastic-each-year/news-story/d7d7c2c97e99d70261843cbf9134ba42

A Tourism Apocalypse
John Powell
What a delightful scene for tourists wishing to visit the epic sites located on the Great Western Tiers – NOT!
http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/weblog/article/a-tourism-apocalypse/

Millions of British children breathing toxic air, Unicef warns
More than 4.5m affected, says UN group, while tests suggest children’s shorter height increases exposure on busy roads
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/21/millions-of-british-children-breathing-toxic-air-unicef-warns

India energy minister flags massive 100GW solar tender
India’s energy minister flags massive solar tender of 100GW – by far the biggest in the world.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/india-energy-minister-flags-massive-100gw-solar-tender-76760/

Fracking may alter fat cells: Study
Chemicals released by fracking may increase the size and amount of fat cells, even at low concentrations often released into the environment, according to a new study released today.
http://www.ehn.org/fracking-may-alter-fat-cells-study-2579824513.html

The natural gas industry has a leak problem
Emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, are 60 percent higher than US government estimates. That’s bad news for climate change.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/climate/methane-leaks.html?smid=tw-nytclimate&smtyp=cur

Threshold for harmful chemicals in drinking water lower than thought: Study
The study caused a controversy after reports the government delayed its release.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/threshold-harmful-chemicals-drinking-water-lower-thought-study/story?id=56029597

Trump’s lasting damage to the environment
A new report concludes that the damage already done by the Trump administration to the environment, and the US agency that regulates it, will result in 80,000 deaths each decade.
http://www.dw.com/en/trumps-lasting-damage-to-the-environment/a-44315788

Some rare good climate news: The fossil fuel industry is weaker than ever
Bill McKibben
From Wall Street to the pope, many increasingly see fossil fuels as anything but a sure bet. That gives us reason to hope.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/21/climate-change-fossil-fuel-industry-never-been-weaker