Dozens of scientists from over 20 countries explain how mining, logging and fossil fuels disrupt the water on Earth
Irena Creed, a Canadian biology professor and executive director of the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan, co-chaired a 19-member panel that compiled evidence showing how the health of the planet’s forests is intricately tied to the safeguarding of sustainable access to water.
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2018/07/12/news/dozens-scientists-over-20-countries-explain-how-mining-logging-and-fossil-fuels
Today’s Celebration
Bastille Day – France
Emmeline Pankhurst Day – United Kingdom
Fandoana Bathing Festival – Madagascar
Crown Princess’ Birthday – Sweden
National Day – Iraq, Martinique, Mayotte
Turkment Bakhsi Holiday – Turkmenistan
O – Bon / Festival of Souls (lunar date) – Shinto
Rath Yatra – Hinduism
Shark Awareness Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/shark-awareness-day/
More about Jul 14 –
National
Food forests take root in Australia, helping growers save water
Move over biodynamic and organic farming — there is a new technique on the block in which fruit and vegetable crops are grown in conjunction with trees.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2018-07-13/syntropic-farming-food-forests-take-root-in-australia/9986016
Canavan fires up at energy attack ads [$]
GetUp! and Greenpeace are treating the electricity system like a ‘Baskin-Robbins ice-cream store’, Matt Canavan claims.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/matt-canavan-fires-up-at-energy-attack-ads/news-story/d6b4922ccb36b0b6b68080fa59b71926
FactCheck: is Australia’s population the ‘highest growing in the world’?
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says Australia has ‘run away rates of immigration’.
https://theconversation.com/factcheck-is-australias-population-the-highest-growing-in-the-world-96523
Turnbull ticks off the energy boxes in his to-do list, but obstacles remain
Laura Tingle
There is a certain methodical, Excel-spreadsheet approach to Malcolm Turnbull’s prime ministerial style. Now, he’s ticking off the boxes on his big energy spreadsheet, but there are a few obstacles yet
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-14/turnbull-ticks-off-the-energy-boxes-laura-tingle/9992126
How naivety caused monumental power prices stuff-up
Ross Gittins
A plan by economic reformers has cost the greatest number of Australian households and businesses the greatest amount of money.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/the-economy/how-naivety-caused-monumental-power-prices-stuff-up-20180713-p4zrap.html
Evidence should lead planning, not a rush for higher density
Toni Hassan
We need to put people first if we’re to save and respect what we have. Energised voters would make the difference.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/sustainability/evidence-should-lead-planning-not-a-rush-for-higher-density-20180711-p4zqva.html
The energy cartels holding Australian gas prices ransom
Bruce Robertson
A policy for domestic gas reservation is long overdue in Australia. But do we lack the political will?
https://www.crikey.com.au/2018/07/13/the-energy-cartels-holding-australian-gas-prices-ransom/
Abbott’s confession is remarkable [$]
Bjorn Lomborg
The knowledge that the Paris Treaty should not have been signed is startling, but it’s time to face facts.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/abbott-is-right-paris-climate-treaty-fails-to-fight-global-warming/news-story/c983e326b92e5bd37962e3d7dc3e593b
A decrepit state of national affairs [$]
Chris Kenny
The ACCC report spells out what has gone wrong and why, and it’s time that mainstream politicians acknowledged it
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/tv-sideshow-a-distraction-from-failings-of-both-major-parties/news-story/1c4563541edefc84485b6aa5e20321d6
An energy wars game changer? [$]
Judith Sloan
The ACCC has given the government a blueprint to fix our energy mess. Now it must follow through.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/green-light-to-fix-our-energy-mess/news-story/41b84cefc24ff85a7218044ae53baf85
Bag ban is just a small fix for bigger problem [$]
Al McGlashan
I walked into my local supermarket this week to discover the plastic shopping bags are gone for good. Mind you I didn’t need to go to the checkout because I could hear all the commotion from unhappy customers down the aisle. The funny thing is that in the aisles I was surrounded by plastic
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/bag-ban-is-just-a-bandaid-fix-for-a-much-bigger-problem/news-story/9debbf706277ee0f60a30ae9bd53f705
Queensland
Koala population endangered by Gold Coast development
Sue Arnold
A major urban development on the Gold Coast is moving in on a natural koala habitat whose residents are under mortal threat, writes Sue Arnold
https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/koala-population-endangered-by-gold-coast-development,11688
South Australia
SA man being investigated for recycling refund fraud
South Australia’s Environment Protection Authority is investigating another case of interstate cans and bottles being brought into the state to take advantage of the 10-cent recycling refund.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-13/epa-seizes-cans-and-bottles-in-willaston/9990908
Tesla big battery powerless to stop S.A. price gouging
Tesla says unprecedented chaos in South Australia’s electricity market on Monday highlights need for quick shift to 5-minute settlement. Coalition predictably blames renewables, while ACCC waves its hands and says price gouging is perfectly legal.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/tesla-big-battery-powerless-to-stop-s-a-price-gouging-14476/
Back our power plant: Alinta [$]
Alinta Energy will talk to the federal government about underwriting generation from a proposed 300 megawatt plant.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/back-our-power-plant-alinta-tells-canberra/news-story/2e51bd2d6b0fd6da7a4aa0111856eff4
Tasmania
Tasmania’s new electricity smart metering rollout
Don Maisch
Why opting out may be your wisest, and healthiest choice
http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/weblog/article/tasmanias-new-electricity-smart-metering-rollout-/
Sustainability
Down to Earth: The emerging field of planetary health
Planetary health explores how human-caused perturbations of natural systems influence human health.
https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/ehp2374/
Spain nears 50% renewables for first half 2018, led by wind power
Wind, hydro and solar combined to supply 45.8% of Spain’s electricity demand in first six months of 2018.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/spain-nears-50-renewables-first-half-2018-led-wind-power-83475/
Meanwhile, California slashes emissions to below 1990 levels
California’s greenhouse gas emissions have fallen to 1990 levels, well ahead of the state’s 2020 target date.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/meanwhile-california-slashes-emissions-1990-levels-68512/
New Zealand’s zero carbon bill: much ado about methane
Robert McLachlan
New Zealand is considering whether or not agricultural greenhouse gases should be considered as part of the country’s transition to a low-emission economy.
https://theconversation.com/new-zealands-zero-carbon-bill-much-ado-about-methane-99842
Green Finance Is Flowing, From Paris To The Pacific
Richie Merzian
Private and public investment in a safe climate future is growing, despite the best and worst efforts of some of the world’s leading polluters
https://newmatilda.com/2018/07/14/green-finance-flowing-paris-pacific/
Nature Conservation
‘I saw it myself’: CEO denies killing blue whale, says it was a hybrid
The boss of the Icelandic company accused of slaughtering a blue whale this week claims it was a hybrid and therefore not a protected species.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2018-07-13/blue-whale-ceo-denies-killing-says-it-was-hybrid/9991876
Future oceans could be farmed by fish
More carbon dioxide in the ocean means more fertiliser for the damselfish, a species of fish growing its own food.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-13/climate-change-would-be-good-news-for-underwater-species/9987754
Dozens of scientists from over 20 countries explain how mining, logging and fossil fuels disrupt the water on Earth
Irena Creed, a Canadian biology professor and executive director of the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan, co-chaired a 19-member panel that compiled evidence showing how the health of the planet’s forests is intricately tied to the safeguarding of sustainable access to water.
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2018/07/12/news/dozens-scientists-over-20-countries-explain-how-mining-logging-and-fossil-fuels
Extractive industries threaten a million square kilometers of intact tropical forests around the globe
According to a recent report, mining companies currently have claims on 11 percent of all intact rainforests left in the world while oil and gas cover another 8 percent.
https://news.mongabay.com/2018/07/extractive-industries-threaten-a-million-square-kilometers-of-intact-tropical-forests-around-the-globe/
‘Safe’ levels of pesticide still hamper bees’ memory and ability to learn
Scientists analyzed data from more than 100 experiments detailed in 23 studies
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/safe-levels-pesticide-still-hamper-bees-memory-and-ability-learn-180969612/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=socialmedia
Trump just remade ocean policy—here’s what that means
Among other things, the new order erases requirements to include indigenous voices in decision making.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/07/news-ocean-policy-indigenous-sustainability-fisheries-industry-economy-marine/
Maelor Himbury