Daily Links Jul 19

In India, summer heat may soon be literally unbearable
In cities that are already scorching hot, temperatures and humidity levels are rising to levels that the human body simply can’t tolerate, researchers warn.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/17/climate/india-heat-wave-summer.html

Warming rivers make marked contribution to global greenhouse gas levels
Warming streams and rivers could be disproportionately contributing to the amount of planet-warming greenhouse gases, according to a new study.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/uob-wrm071818.php

Study finds climate determines shapes of river basins
Short and squat, or long and thin? An MIT study finds climate determines a river basin’s shape.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/miot-sfc071818.php

Scientists lack vital knowledge on rapid Arctic climate change
Arctic climate change research relies on field measurements and samples that are too scarce, and patchy at best, according to a comprehensive review study from Lund University in Sweden. The researchers looked at thousands of scientific studies, and found that around 30% of cited studies were clustered around only two research stations in the vast Arctic region.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/lu-sl071818.php

Hundreds of Arctic glaciers shrinking, disappearing into ‘city of icebergs,’ study says
The Canadian Arctic is experiencing some of the fastest climate warming anywhere on Earth.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/canada-icebergs-shrinking-study-1.4749889

Atlantic circulation is not collapsing — but as it shifts gears, warming will reaccelerate
Data suggest that the recent, rapid slowdown of the Atlantic Ocean circulation is not a sign of imminent collapse, but a shift back toward a more sluggish phase. The slowdown implies that global air temperatures will increase more quickly in the coming decades.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/uow-aci071318.php

The unacceptable logic of the markets
India is the fourth worst-affected country despite it contributing only 5% in causing climate change, while it is over 20% for the US and the EU.
https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/the-unacceptable-logic-of-the-markets/1248668/

Chart of the day: Something has gone terribly wrong with electricity prices
Electricity prices are shooting off the charts, up more than four times the overall inflation rate over the past decade. But it wasn’t always that way.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-18/electricity-price-rises-chart-of-the-day/9985300

Clean coal institute chairman accused of bribe conspiracy while at Sinclair Knight Merz
Australian police allege Paul Dougas conspired to bribe officials in the Philippines, which he denies
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jul/18/clean-coal-institute-chairman-accused-of-bribe-conspiracy-while-at-sinclair-knight-merz

Risks seen rising for large-scale solar investment [$]
Investment in Australia’s fast-growing large-scale solar sector will only become riskier if the life of coal power stations is extended, one major global renewables investor says.
https://www.afr.com/business/energy/solar-energy/coal-plant-extension-to-inflate-risks-of-large-solar-investment-20180717-h12swj

Water entitlements: Federal Government offers 1.75 times market price for water savings [$]
Northern irrigators have warned the Federal Government’s offer to pay 1.75 times the going market rate for water entitlements amounts to a deliberate inflationary intervention in an already overheated water market.
https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/water/water-entitlements-federal-government-offers-175-times-market-price-for-water-savings/news-story/3123d5c55b724c129491244aaeb15deb

Social Sector on Notice to Prepare for Population Debate
Government celebrations about a superior vetting process thankfully driving down the migrant intake are disingenuous and instead represent a shame, a national peak body says.  
https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2018/07/social-sector-notice-prepare-population-debate/

Big power users eye NEG deal [$]
Big power users are close to winning a major concession on planned moves to force them to guarantee electricity supply.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/big-power-users-eye-national-energy-guarantee-deal/news-story/8447ec97c4c32a802dbb732b40ecdb98

Gliding mammals take the high road to safety
Highways are not great places for gliding mammals to cross, but the not-so-new concept of installing power poles as launching pads is paying off.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-19/gliding-mammals-use-fauna-power-poles-to-cross-road-study-finds/9991528

Labor backs unions against NEG [$]
Labor has endorsed the union movement’s decision to oppose Malcolm Turnbull’s signature energy policy.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/labor-backs-unions-in-energy-opposition/news-story/93d1debcc311df30d57ab8fdf98dd8e8

Tender will allow Coalition to dig its way out of coal hole
John Hewson
The divisions within the Coalition on energy won’t go away, even though they are costing it electoral support and may ultimately cost it government.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/federal/tender-will-allow-coalition-to-dig-its-way-out-of-coal-hole-20180718-p4zs5r.html

It’s not recycling, it’s collecting: how Australians were sucked into the crisis
Jeff Sparrow
Australians tried to do the right thing by recycling but then we discovered we’d been played for mugs
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2018/jul/19/its-not-recycling-its-collecting-how-australians-were-sucked-into-the-crisis

Australia sees the light on energy policy
Age editorial
We have increasing reason to be confident there is cheap, clean, reliable light at the end of this tiresome tunnel.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/australia-sees-the-light-on-energy-policy-20180718-p4zs8c.html

ACCC power pricing report: COALition’s excuse for more coal
Graeme McLeay
Pro-coal Coalition MPs have managed to interpret the ACCC report on power prices as justification for new coal-fired power stations.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/accc-power-pricing-report-coalitions-excuse-for-more-coal,11701

We’re mining fresh seams of stupidity [$]
Andrew Bolt.
The government has finally worked out the damage its global warming policies are causing and now it seems to want to simultaneously close and keep coal-fired power stations. We’ve hit peak stupidity
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-bolt/andrew-bolt-were-mining-fresh-seams-of-stupidity/news-story/6837a79694a7d63d780b32393ddf9b87

The case for introducing rhinos to Australia
Bill Laurance
Australia could sustain wild rhinos, but should it try?
https://theconversation.com/the-case-for-introducing-rhinos-to-australia-99585

Transurban toll charge overhaul to save drivers dollars [$]
Motorists in Melbourne are set to save on trips, with Transurban to slash a range of its unpopular charges.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/transurban-toll-charges-overhaul-to-save-motorists-dollars/news-story/37706fcb44049abcd2ec724f8da9ebfa

MCG patrons, chances are your half-eaten footy pie ends up next door
You might be surprised to learn that much of the waste created at the MCG ends up in the heritage-listed Yarra Park outside, but don’t worry, that’s a good thing.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-19/war-on-waste-mcg-turns-waste-into-compost-and-plastic-bollards/10007374

Victorians could be paid to power down on hottest days this summer
Victorian households and businesses could be given financial incentives to cut their electricity consumption during heatwaves next summer, as part of a strategy to avoid a repeat of this year’s  damaging Australia Day weekend blackouts.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/victorians-could-be-paid-to-power-down-on-hottest-days-this-summer-20180718-p4zs8s.html

Food for thought: challenges and opportunities for farming in Melbourne’s foodbowl
Rachel Carey, Jennifer Sheridan, Kirsten Larsen
This report identifies the policy challenges that need to be addressed to strengthen Melbourne’s foodbowl and the opportunities that could be leveraged, focusing on three key policy issues: protecting farmland, strengthening the viability of farming and increasing water access.
http://apo.org.au/node/183016

Don’t blame victims, media for gang crisis
Rita Panahi
Denying there’s a crime problem in parts of Melbourne’s South Sudanese community is self-defeating but blaming owners of trashed homes or the media is irresponsible.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/rita-panahi/rita-panahi-denial-will-not-solve-the-problem-of-gang-crime/news-story/ace424fa5e3299da0ee559540c018ce2

Council wants statewide cat cap to curtail numbers and ‘put dogs on level playing field’
A local council on the south-west fringe of Sydney is lobbying the State Government to limit the number of cats non-breeders can own in New South Wales.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-19/council-calls-for-cat-cap-to-limit-numbers-in-nsw/10009746

Lead poisoning at shooting range ’13 times’ over acceptable levels, left worker with disabilities
An indoor shooting range north of Brisbane is fined $77,000 after an employee suffered lead poisoning from exposure to ammunition, with a blood test revealing the man had almost 13 times the acceptable high-end range.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-18/shooting-range-fined-77k-over-staff-lead-poisoning-ammunition/10006726

Adani says it still needs a loan for rail line if coalmine is to go ahead
Major hurdles to Carmichael mine remain despite comments by Karan Adani that the company has ‘completed financing’
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/18/adani-says-it-still-needs-a-loan-for-rail-line-if-coalmine-is-to-go-ahead

Visitors emphasise need to preserve environment [$]
In the vexed debate around dredging it can be easy to lose sight of the end game — getting more tourists into port.
https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/trinity-inlet-dredging-debate-no-environment-no-tourists/news-story/4981526447033d66a8463feaee2c65fd

Searching for wind for the future
The first quantification of wind energy in Saudi Arabia points to high wind power potential for many decades to come.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/kauo-sfw071818.php

‘Cooler’ in mix for reef [$]
A water mixing device designed to cool down seawater in order to prevent coral bleaching is set to be installed off Cairns in December.
https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/turbine-set-to-be-installed-at-moore-reef-in-december-under-reef-haven-project/news-story/8d83be9a4fb47f9c9aab7f2afdfc8ad5

Mine power delivers a boost of positivity [$]
Courier Mail editorial
Adani is close to securing the funds it needs to develop the Carmichael coalmine, and this is a good thing for the Queensland economy.
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-mine-power-delivers-a-boost-of-positivity/news-story/15ef679cdc6cec554aea4eb1e77862ad

Govt to work with SACOSS to assess electricity concessions
Energy Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan says the State Government will assess concession schemes in place for electricity consumers as part of its plan to reduce the cost of power for South Australians.
https://indaily.com.au/news/2018/07/18/govt-to-work-with-sacoss-to-assess-electricity-concessions/

Gupta’s grand solar plans in South Australia get network tick
AEMO says two South Australian regions could add 2GW of renewables without any transmission upgrades, and suggests Roxby Downs could emerge as major solar energy region.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/guptas-grand-solar-plans-south-australia-get-network-tick-48266/

We can learn from the growth of eastern cities [$]
Stacey Lee
Australia’s eastern capitals have grown on the backs of their booming populations. The time has come for us to grow — but by learning from their mistakes.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/stacey-lee-we-can-learn-from-the-mistakes-of-our-eastern-counterparts-and-now-is-the-time-to-do-it/news-story/aa2cc0a9a5a4b96fbebb060fa1899b7e

Parasites detected in islands’ water supply by resident’s test finally raises flag
A serious parasite detected in the drinking water of three Torres Strait islands prompts governments to act, but only after a resident commissions their own test.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-19/cryptosporidium-parasites-detected-in-torres-strait-water/10002514

In the Sahel, solar power can help ward off extremism – official
Access to clean energy enables people to cope better with climate change – a root cause of insecurity in the region.
http://news.trust.org/item/20180717191258-tammz/

Asthma deaths rise 25% amid growing air pollution crisis
Doctors urge ministers to act as 1,320 killed by asthma in England and Wales last year
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/18/asthma-deaths-rise-25-amid-growing-air-pollution-crisis

Solar thermal energy will help China cut costs of climate action
A new study investigates the best combination of renewables for providing the lowest cost to power system operators in two of China’s provinces best suited to scale up renewable energy.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/s-ste071818.php

Our phones and gadgets are now endangering the planet
John Harris
The energy used in our digital consumption is set to have a bigger impact on global warming than the entire aviation industry.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/17/internet-climate-carbon-footprint-data-centres

Vatican’s former legal chief says canon law should include care of creation
The Vatican’s former top advisor on canon law has made a public call to insert legal obligations for the care of creation into the Church’s universal canon law –  making it a legal duty for Catholics not only “not to harm” the environment, but to improve it.
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2018/07/18/vaticans-former-legal-chief-says-canon-law-should-include-care-of-creation/

After a 400-year absence, a rare ibis returns to European skies
A German group is reintroducing these birds in Europe, where they once thrived, and is using ultralight aircraft to lead them on migrations south toward the Mediterranean.
https://e360.yale.edu/features/after-a-400-year-absence-waldrapp-rare-ibis-returns-to-european-skies

New report spotlights financiers of palm oil giant clearing Liberia’s forests
An Indonesian-owned plantation company operating in Liberia has come under renewed scrutiny for allegedly clearing hundreds of hectares of protected forestland, including chimpanzee habitat, wetlands and river buffer zones.
https://news.mongabay.com/2018/07/new-report-spotlights-financiers-of-palm-oil-giant-clearing-liberias-forests/

Global study of world’s beaches shows threat to protected areas
A first-of-its-kind survey of the world’s sandy shorelines with satellite data found that they have increased slightly on a global scale over the past three decades but decreased in protected marine areas, where many beaches are eroding.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/nsfc-gso071818.php

Plastic poses biggest threat to seabirds in New Zealand waters, where more breed than elsewhere
Stephanie B. Borrelle
New Zealand is home to more seabirds than any other country, and many species are already under pressure from climate change and over-fishing. Plastic pollution could push some closer to the brink.
https://theconversation.com/plastic-poses-biggest-threat-to-seabirds-in-new-zealand-waters-where-more-breed-than-elsewhere-99435

Now more than ever, scientists need to communicate better. Here’s how
Randy Olson
Sharing research effectively boils down to one simple concept: Tell a good story.
https://ensia.com/voices/science-communication/