Daily Links Jul 18

“Direct air capture” of carbon dioxide won’t solve climate change
But it might fill in a few key pieces of the clean energy puzzle.
https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/6/14/17445622/direct-air-capture-air-to-fuels-carbon-dioxide-engineering

Can carbon farming reverse climate change?
Capturing the very gas that leads to global warming could not only lead to tasty veggies—it could potentially help cool a hotter world.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/can-carbon-farming-reverse-climate-change

What psychological science can offer to reducing climate change
The consequences of climate change are immense, and believed by many experts to be largely irreversible (and exponential), causing threats coming from heat waves, flooding, declines in agriculture, and decreasing biodiversity, to name a few. Given that climate change, at least in part, is rooted in human behavior, an obvious question to ask is: Can psychological science offer evidence-based solutions to climate change?
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/vua-wps071618.php

What are the hidden costs of climate change?
Emily Folk
Implementing measures to reduce the effects of climate change may cost money, but the results of global warming can be far more costly, particularly the rise in natural disasters.
https://theecologist.org/2018/jul/17/what-are-hidden-costs-climate-change

‘Mad marketing’: Coles Little Shop for children undercuts plastic bag ban, critics say
Promotion deemed commercial exploitation of children as well as environmentally damaging
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jul/18/mad-marketing-coles-little-shop-for-children-undercuts-plastic-bag-ban-critics-say

Coalition’s national energy guarantee described as having ‘no benefit’ to emissions
Former head of Clean Energy Finance Corporation says governments should not support NEG in current state
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jul/18/coalitions-national-energy-guarantee-described-as-having-no-benefit-to-emissions

NEG too costly: big energy users [$]
Australia’s largest industrial power consumers have warned the NEG will fail to ease surging electricity prices.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/neg-too-costly-say-big-industry-energy-users/news-story/21946f8487944a87b38298c463ede121

Existing coal ‘least cost path forward’: Zibelman [$]
Australian Energy Market Operator CEO Audrey Zibelman says Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg is correct to read her agency’s report as calling Australia’s coal-fired power stations to be used for as long as possible.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/market-will-decide-on-new-coal/news-story/a31fab8da5ca0636effc8c2ea592e7c0

Coal’s got to stay if consumers want affordable energy, market operator says
The nation’s energy operator warns that coal must be part of Australia’s energy mix for the next two decades, to ensure people’s power bills do not skyrocket further.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-17/coal-must-stay-for-20-years-to-keep-prices-down-aemo-report/10000894

Hopes rise for energy policy breakthrough [$]
The government’s prospects of getting its National Energy Guarantee approved by the party room have been bolstered.
https://www.afr.com/news/politics/hopes-rise-for-energy-policy-breakthrough-20180716-h12rpl

Power price hikes not inevitable, regulator insists
Regulator offers assurances that $27b plan ‘won’t necessarily’ increase energy costs.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/power-price-hikes-not-inevitable-regulator-insists-20180717-p4zs0w.html

Battery recycling could generate billion-dollar industry for Australia, push down prices
CSIRO report says Australia could lead world in re-use and recycling of lithium-ion batteries, generating potential billion-dollar industry, and helping to push down costs of EVs and battery storage.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/battery-recycling-generate-billion-dollar-industry-australia-push-prices-62944/

Probe into anti-coal body lifted [$]
The federal charity regulator has secretly dumped a 19-month investigation into 350.org.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/charity-watchdog-drops-probe-into-anticoal-political-campaign/news-story/54049ac189466d33dff481d8b478a4b2

PM, Shorten claim power backing [$]
Malcolm Turnbull said his plan to keep coal-fired power stations running longer had been vindicated by a new energy report.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/turnbull-and-shorten-claim-power-backing/news-story/b0d33f3e10f45654caef197027adf4f1

Integrated system plan for the National Electricity Market
Australian Energy Market Operator
This document outlines a cost-based, engineering optimisation plan by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), that forecasts the overall transmission system requirements for the National Electricity Market (NEM) over the next twenty years.
http://apo.org.au/node/182811

Australia’s miners are in a sweet spot. What could go wrong?
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Rio, BHP and Fortescue are all planning massive new mines, but their biggest customer is facing significant challenges.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/markets/australia-s-miners-are-in-a-sweet-spot-what-could-go-wrong-20180717-p4zrwn.html

AEMO’s new electricity plan is neither a death knell nor a shot in the arm for coal
Lucy Percival and Tony Wood
Australia’s transition to low-emissions energy will rely on what we have now (lots of coal) and what we’ll build in the future (lots of renewables), according to a new report.
https://theconversation.com/aemos-new-electricity-plan-is-neither-a-death-knell-nor-a-shot-in-the-arm-for-coal-100096

Bad news for coal-huggers: Renewables at 50% by 2030
Giles Parkinson
King coal to rule? Murdoch media should read the AEMO report again – it suggests that even under Coalition and state policies renewables will be around 50% by 2030. And that’s without being serious about climate change.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/bad-news-for-coal-huggers-renewables-at-50-by-2030-2030/

Revealed: The three types of fare evaders [$]
Public transport fare evaders fall into three distinct categories, a worldwide study by Monash University researchers has found. And the cost is ultimately paid by all passengers.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/public-transport-fare-evaders-fall-into-three-categories-monash-university-research-finds/news-story/8bdf9a01604ac309052391b275917aad

Driverless Metro train passes first test [$]
Australia’s first ever driverless metro passenger train has crossed a landmark bridge in Sydney’s north west with Transport Minister Andrew Constance comparing the moment to the “first car being on the Harbour Bridge.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/driverless-metro-passenger-train-passes-first-test/news-story/04a7731529c01a7bd0f8f4b75ae0a14b

Part of popular Brisbane bikeway closed for 12 months
The design plans for the new section of the bikeway had sparked concerns from the council and cycling groups, with a feasibility study since announced.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/part-of-popular-brisbane-bikeway-closed-for-12-months-20180716-p4zrpn.html

Sea Shepherd joins Queensland shark net debate
Australian environmental group Sea Shepherd has joined the calls for the Queensland government to rethink its shark net program.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/sea-shepherd-joins-queensland-shark-net-debate-20180717-p4zs1p.html

Spray-on umbrellas, cloud brightening floated in ‘out there’ Great Barrier Reef fixes
A floating film 50,000 times thinner than a hair and churning seawater are some of the ideas put forward to repair the Great Barrier Reef at an Australian-first conference.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-18/out-of-the-box-ideas-needed-to-fix-great-barrier-reef/10005174

Seeding clouds a new fix for Reef [$]
A plan to seed clouds above the Great Barrier Reef to prevent coral bleaching could cost $50 million a year, but a scientist says this would be a “drop in the ocean” for reef managers.
https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/cloud-seeding-cost-a-drop-in-the-ocean-for-great-barrier-reef-protection/news-story/008c8dd0b5b5968d8cadd14bfaf828d9

Scientists try to breed heat-resistant corals to help save reef [$]
Scientists are investigating ways to fast-forward the evolution of corals on the Great Barrier Reef as part of a suite of radical ideas under review to help protect the natural wonder from global warming.
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/scientists-try-to-breed-heatresistant-corals-to-help-save-reef/news-story/b12741fd7bd6a0fa39e36809bfa84c26

Tiffany & Co. donates $1.4 million to Great Barrier Reef conservation [$]
The Tiffany & Co. Foundation has put up $1.4 million to protect and restore the global treasure of the Great Barrier Reef.
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/tiffany-co-donates-14-million-to-great-barrier-reef-conservation/news-story/151ec141890dc40b1c093436d6a74312

Hydrogen power plant pilot first highlights resurgence of chemical element
A pilot project in central Queensland, set for 2019, is the first of its kind in the state and one of several hydrogen power projects in the pipeline across Australia.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-18/hydrogen-power-pilot-concept-gladstone-refinery/10003812

Adani project ‘almost locked in’ [$]
The son of Adani’s boss has expressed confidence it will secure the final funding needed for its vast coal project in Queensland.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/adani-coal-project-almost-locked-in/news-story/c53e86d4e3f8224c2f5b34e83ae38370

Rail funding puts Adani mine on track [$]
Adani has cleared the final hurdle for its controversial mega coalmine in Queensland, with funding secured for a vital rail link.
https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/adani-ready-to-go-rail-line-is-last-piece-in-puzzle/news-story/6bf863d5b4135758e88ddb77a735883b

Ergon takes steps to manage booming rooftop solar uptake
Regional Queensland network operator rolls out technology to allow more rooftop solar power to be exported to the grid, without disrupting supply.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/ergon-takes-steps-manage-booming-rooftop-solar-uptake-44132/

Darling irrigators concerned by basin plan
South Australia’s Royal Commission into the Murray-Darling Basin Plan have raised concerns about the plan’s impacts on the Darling River.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/darling-irrigators-concerned-by-basin-plan/news-story/07ccf51ae02cd113d7f93d7813d78e14

Straw No More in Adelaide as Mayor backs War On Waste
A ban on distributing most single-use plastic straws at Adelaide parklands, city square and council-managed events could be in place as soon as next year — if Adelaide’s Mayor has his way.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-18/straw-no-more-in-adelaide-as-mayor-pursues-ban-war-on-waste/10004744

Architects a must for new city buildings? [$]
Every development in Adelaide’s CBD would be required to have a qualified architect involved throughout the whole process, under a new Australia-first proposal.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/city/adelaide-cbd-developments-must-involve-qualified-architects-under-new-proposal/news-story/e005fec82bde33b24c26602947a6d274

Turnbull lauds state’s power surge
Tasmania’s proven ability to provide renewable energy across Bass Strait will help ensure the lights stay on in mainland cities for decades to come, the Prime Minister says.
https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/pm-malcolm-turnbull-lauds-tasmanias-power-surge/news-story/5792f3759728f6eaf589b20fc84fc23c

It’s time to look north in terms of population policy [$]
NT News editorial
Population growth, or in the Territory’s case a lack of, is an issue that urgently needs addressing
https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/opinion/its-time-to-look-north-in-terms-of-population-policy/news-story/2b479881d6522966c019e050b1920c43

Meet the woman who lives a ‘waste-free’ life
A Perth woman who makes her own food, cleaning products and personal care items from scratch says she is living the ultimate ‘waste-free’ life.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/meet-woman-lives-waste-free-life-110452658.html

Google boils down water data for new U.N. environment site
Google will produce geospatial maps to show where water has disappeared due to climate change and urbanisation.
http://news.trust.org/item/20180717052627-mic4u/

‘Everything we’ve heard about global urbanization turns out to be wrong’: Researchers
Widely accepted numbers on how much of the world’s population lives in cities are incorrect, with major implications for development aid and the provision of public services for billions of people, researchers say.
http://news.trust.org//item/20180712130016-lwnc2/

Tomorrow’s Togo: A world leader in e-waste?
The tiny West African nation is emerging as an unlikely leader in turning e-waste into low-cost computers, printers and robots.
https://www.ozy.com/fast-forward/tomorrows-togo-a-world-leader-in-e-waste/87203

Feds say high-risk radioactive Hanford tunnel needs filling now
The Department of Energy (DOE) wants to start stabilizing a Hanford nuclear reservation radioactive waste storage tunnel before a public comment period to allow grouting of the PUREX tunnel before winter.
https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/hanford/article214973345.html

Plutonium is missing, but the government says nothing
Losses of civilian nuclear material are usually disclosed, but when the government loses nuclear bomb ingredients it stays mum.
https://www.publicintegrity.org/2018/07/16/21834/plutonium-missing-government-says-nothing

AI could help us protect the environment — or destroy it
With environmental concerns ever more at the forefront, experts are turning to AI to find sustainable solutions. But the technology also presents risks.
https://www.dw.com/en/ai-could-help-us-protect-the-environment-or-destroy-it/a-44694471

When corporations take credit for green deeds their lobbying may tell another story
Tom Lyon  and Magali (Maggie) Delmas
Today most large companies like Exxon Mobil, Ford and GM issue slick reports extolling their efforts to conserve resources, use renewable energy or fund clean water supplies in developing countries. This emphasis on efforts to curb environmental harm while benefiting society is called corporate sustainability.
https://theconversation.com/when-corporations-take-credit-for-green-deeds-their-lobbying-may-tell-another-story-98988

Expanding ‘dead zone’ in Arabian Sea raises climate change fears
In the waters of the Arabian Sea, a vast “dead zone” the size of Scotland is expanding and scientists say climate change may be to blame.
https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/news/world/expanding-dead-zone-in-arabian-sea-raises-climate-change-fears/articleshow/65023068.cms

‘Single-minded determination’: China’s global infrastructure spree rings alarm bells
Regional leaders have been quick to seize on opportunities offered by Beijing, but environmental experts warn that many of these projects could cause irreversible environmental damage in highly biodiverse areas.
https://news.mongabay.com/2018/07/single-minded-determination-chinas-global-infrastructure-spree-rings-alarm-bells/

Pay more attention to forests to avert global water crisis, researchers urge
Australia’s Murray Darling basin covers more than a million square kilometers, 14 percent of the country’s landmass. It’s the site of tens of thousands of wetlands, but increasing demand for water has stretched its resources to the limit.
https://news.mongabay.com/2018/07/pay-more-attention-to-forests-to-avert-global-water-crisis-researchers-urge/

5,000 Percent Increase in Native Trees on Rat-Free Palmyra Atoll
New research demonstrates dramatic positive benefits for native trees following rat removal at Palmyra Atoll, a magnificent National Wildlife Refuge and natural research …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180717142535.htm

Bold initiative aims to protect coral reefs in the Dominican Republic
Coral reefs of the northern Caribbean have undergone widespread change over the past century, driven by coastal development, pollution, over-fishing, the introduction of invasive species, and increasing ocean temperatures.
https://news.mongabay.com/2018/07/bold-initiative-aims-to-protect-coral-reefs-in-the-dominican-republic/