Daily Links Jul 25

Climate change fuels ‘danger extremes’ as Europe burns
As death toll from Greece fires mounts, modelling predicts there will be 200,000 heat-related deaths per year by 2100.
https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/europe-burns-as-climate-change-fuels-forest-fire-danger-extremes-20180725-p4zteh.html

Research shows climate change affects recreational behavior
Research at the University of New Hampshire shows that as unfavorable water quality conditions in lakes continue to rise, anglers, boaters and beach goers are using various coping mechanisms that can alter their behavior, from switching to a different location or activity to simply abandoning the experience altogether.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/uonh-rsc072418.php

Kids suing governments over climate change keep winning
With every small but impressive step, a climate change lawsuit is changing the world.
https://qz.com/1334102/kids-around-the-world-are-suing-governments-over-climate-change-and-its-working/

Fighting climate change is not going to cost you anything
Ryan Cooper
We can have solar panels and butter.
https://www.ehn.org/fighting-climate-change-is-not-going-to-cost-you-anything-2589495131.html

First all-electric delivery van available to Aussie freight operators
The first fully electric, zero emission delivery van in Australia is now available to freight and taxi operators who want to not only reduce their fleet running costs but benefit from the gains of being an environmentally friendly operator.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/first-all-electric-delivery-van-available-to-aussie-freight-operators-70082/

Mark wants to know if his super is protected from climate change. So he’s taking his fund to court
Mark McVeigh is suing a $50 billion super fund, and if he wins, experts say it could force the industry to do more to protect people’s savings from the impacts of global warming.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-25/super-fund-rest-sued-for-not-doing-enough-on-climate-change/10029744

Renewables jobs at risk unless emissions reduction target ramped up
Analysis suggests 15,000 jobs at risk because of lack of new renewable projects under national energy guarantee
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jul/25/renewables-jobs-at-risk-unless-emissions-reduction-target-ramped-up

Power price warning to Labor states [$]
States have been warned that they will deny consumers lower power prices if they fail to support the national energy guarantee.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/warning-issued-to-labor-states/news-story/bcd6fbdeb5c2a67be555eac38e015c66

Murray-Darling Basin Authority had ‘a dishonest culture’, inquiry told
Former member of committee overseeing northern basin says agency was a ‘politically motivated organisation’
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jul/24/murray-darling-basin-authority-had-a-dishonest-culture-inquiry-told

Architects of energy policy tell states they can sign up even if they don’t agree with emissions targets
Board urges states and territories to end energy wars without giving ground on emissions
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jul/24/architects-of-energy-policy-tell-states-they-can-sign-up-without-endorsing-targets

Electricity plan would all but hit emissions goal before it starts
Government’s electricity plan projects an emissions goal that would be 97 per cent met before it begins, while power prices will resume rising by mid-2020s.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/climate-change/electricity-plan-would-all-but-hit-emissions-goal-before-it-starts-20180724-p4zt8o.html

Households could save extra $150 a year with energy guarantee [$]
According to a final design proposal, the Turnbull government’s National Energy Guarantee would save the average household $550 a year on electricity bills, which is $150 more than first estimated.
https://www.afr.com/news/energy-guarantee-to-save-households-extra-150-20180723-h131yk

Alinta’s warning to energy rivals [$]
Alinta Energy has signalled it is willing to undercut power prices offered by the nation’s big three retailers to gain market share.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/alinta-issues-price-warning-to-energy-rivals/news-story/0ad932b8818d31ebc0a4de2bfc96abfe

The circle of brunch life: Farmers putting your cafe waste to work
From the farm to the plate and back again — how farms and cafes are working together to ensure your flat white and poached eggs are feeding the worms that help to grow your veggies.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-25/farmers-putting-your-brunch-waste-to-work-growing-new-veggies/10029422

Big power players will be able to dance around ACCC proposals
Giles Parkinson
Don’t get too excited about the ACCC proposals on energy prices – the big players will be able to dance around them, precisely because of the huge power and protections offered them by the industry regulators, particularly around competition.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/big-power-players-will-be-able-to-dance-around-accc-proposals-41726/

“Clean” King Coal – the emperor with no clothes
Andrew Stock
Any claim that new “clean coal” power stations should be built and heavily subsidised by the taxpayer in a bid to deliver cheap reliable power should stand for what it is – a naked claim befitting an old emperor with no clothes.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/clean-king-coal-emperor-no-clothes-80190/

The free lunch you will pay for [$]
Terry McCrann
Bluescope’s former CEO Paul O’Malleys wanted coal-fired power but now his successor has signed up for sunshine energy.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/terry-mccrann/terry-mccrann-we-all-will-pay-for-the-solar-power-bluescope-has-signed-up-for/news-story/4c68dde2b2ccc693239dc8b07809681d

Coal comfort on power costs [$]
Telegraph editorial
The “status quo is not an option”, according to power price modelling by the Energy Security Board. They sure got that right.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/daily-telegraph-editorial-coal-comfort-on-power-costs/news-story/9ec0b259e44d3c10a384f3dc6e786a21

How to turn the waste crisis into a design opportunity
Tom Lee et al
You might know expanded polystyrene as packing foam, but it’s a nightmare to recycle. Why not just turn it into something useful (or beautiful) instead?
https://theconversation.com/how-to-turn-the-waste-crisis-into-a-design-opportunity-98932

Victoria urged to reject Canberra’s energy blueprint as deadline looms
States are being urged by the Turnbull government’s Energy Security Board to sign onto its National Energy Guarantee and end 15 years of costly instability on climate policy.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/victoria-urged-to-reject-canberra-s-energy-blueprint-as-deadline-looms-20180724-p4ztd9.html

Greens’ grab at power poses risks [$]
A Greens grab for the balance of power at the November 24 State Election risks rural communities losing access to water, timber and intensive farming practices.
https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/politics/victorian-election-water-timber-and-farming-at-risk-as-greens-make-play-for-power/news-story/1da42d8e74cf70983fba56487e7f7a32

Re-wilding the bush builds animal and human bonds [$]
If you’re lucky, wander the remote desert bush region of north west Victoria long enough and you may come across a peculiar site.
https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/country-living/the-secrets-of-the-little-desert-are-revealed-at-conservation-volunteers-nhill-lodge/news-story/926fd108e9a7a20df81ff035e25763c9

Money for jams: Melbourne sees light on traffic congestion
Age editorial
Congestion in the capital has become the greatest constraint on Victoria’s economy.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/money-for-jams-melbourne-sees-light-on-traffic-congestion-20180724-p4ztcd.html

I’ll do all I can to keep us moving on nicely [$]
Jeff Kennett
The Victorian Opposition announced on Tuesday that if it wins the next election, it will appoint me Commissioner of Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria. Why me and why would I accept such a role.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/jeff-kennett-ill-do-all-i-can-to-keep-us-moving-on-nicely/news-story/67c4b1ccb11128ea8bc9be3bdf15c873

Beryl solar farm to power NSW trains, may add battery storage
It has been revealed that output from the newly-sold Beryl solar project west of Gulgong  will be used to power the NSW government’s new north-west rail line in Sydney, and may add battery storage as an extra revenue source.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/beryl-solar-farm-power-nsw-trains-may-add-battery-storage-25337/

NSW to fall short on renewables [$]
NSW is set to fall just short of the original 20 per cent renewable energy target, trailing other east coast states in the electricity market.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/nsw-looks-to-fall-short-of-its-renewable-energy-target/news-story/922be773dc8ed48e4b1b945def377fe8

NSW Government warning after children’s lead poisoning linked to eyeliner
The New South Wales Government issues a public health warning over an imported eyeliner that contains dangerously high levels of lead and other hazardous metals.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-24/poisonous-eyeliner-linked-to-sick-children-in-western-sydney/10028522

Land clearing on Qld estimates agenda
Queensland government ministers will again be quizzed during budget estimates hearings on Wednesday, with questions on power prices and land clearing expected.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/07/25/03/32/land-clearing-on-qld-estimates-agenda

Farmers pray El Nino prediction is wrong [$]
Already smashed by drought, Queensland’s agriculture sector is facing another huge financial gamble after the Bureau of Meteorology predicted the return of the El Nino cycle in the coming months.
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/a-dry-spring-would-be-heartbreaking-for-queensland-farmers/news-story/5dcc9e90ee277d7cd3ba953770d446b6

River experts’ evidence is damning [$]
Advertiser editorial
A procession of experts has paraded through the Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission, and their messages are starting to sound depressingly familiar.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/the-advertiser-editorial-july-25-2018-river-experts-evidence-is-damning/news-story/e24909cd940e0fa3d4ab22fd7029c696

Packed meeting gives thumbs down to Dover woodchip facility
Jenny Weber
The first and definitive motion of the night, moved by Dover resident Jen Hadaway, saw an overwhelming majority of ratepayers vote ‘No’ to the woodchip facility.
http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/weblog/article/packed-meeting-gives-thumbs-down-to-dover-woodchip-facility/

About 20 per cent of the material placed in recycling bins cannot be reused.
The State Government’s top recycling adviser has lamented the process of “wish-cycling”, where householders mistakenly believe common items of rubbish can be reused.
https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/wish-cycling-clogs-up-recycling-waste-stream-ng-b88905777z

We can feed the world if we change our ways
Current crop yields could provide nutritious food for the projected 2050 global population, but only if we make radical changes to our dietary choices, a new study shows.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180723143040.htm

Material formed from crab shells and trees could replace flexible plastic packaging
Researchers have created a material derived from crab shells and tree fibers that has the potential to replace the flexible plastic packaging used to keep food fresh.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180723082134.htm

Meet the man with a nuclear reactor in his basement
In the basement of a house on a quiet residential street in a suburb just outside of Seattle resides the ultimate home science experiment — a nuclear fusion reactor.
https://www.opb.org/news/article/nuclear-reactor-basement-science-high-school-students-nasa/

Mexican scientists link breast cancer to environmental factors
Chemical compounds like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalates can affect the immune system and cause breast cancer, a researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) said on Monday.
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2461584&CategoryId=13936

Malawi turns to solar irrigation to counter harsh droughts
With frequent droughts threatening the future of Malawi’s farming industry, local farmers in the country’s Zomba district have created sustainable solutions: solar-powered pumps and water storage dams.
https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2018/0723/Malawi-turns-to-solar-irrigation-to-counter-harsh-droughts

Five new startups to give oceans a hand with plastics, bycatch, energy
A global alliance is supporting a handful of startups aimed at ocean health, including one that makes edible cups and straws.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffkart/2018/07/23/five-new-startups-to-give-oceans-a-hand-with-plastics-bycatch-energy/#20cecb4057af

States boost renewable energy and development when utilities adopt renewable standards
States that require utilities to increase renewable energy see expansion of renewable energy facilities and generation — including wind and other renewable sources, but especially solar — according to new research from Indiana University and two other institutions.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/iu-sbr072018.php

Earth’s resources consumed in ever greater destructive volumes
Earth Overshoot Day falls on 1 August this year – marking the point at which consumption exceeds the capacity of nature to regenerate.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/23/earths-resources-consumed-in-ever-greater-destructive-volumes

Record 207 environmental activists killed last year
More than 200 environmental activists were murdered last year as government-sponsored killings linked to lucrative projects by vast agriculture multinationals soared, a global rights watchdog warned on Tuesday.
https://www.afp.com/en/news/23/record-207-environmental-activists-killed-last-year-doc-17w0491

How a solar farm in southeast England could bring a new dawn for renewables
Alistair Buckley
The largest solar power plant ever proposed in the UK will be reviewed by the secretary of state within the next six months. Cleve Hill solar farm will occupy the north coast of Kent and, if built, provide up to 350MW (megawatts) of generating capacity.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/how-a-solar-farm-in-southeast-england-could-bring-a-new-dawn-for-renewables-73432/

Build an ark? Biologists discuss conservation prioritization
International team tests phylogenetic gambit as means to preserve functional diversity
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180723071606.htm

Study finds elephants plant trees, play big role in forest structure
Elephants play a disproportionally large role in spreading the seeds of a particular tree in Thailand, according to a recent study. Its findings indicate that a forest’s composition is likely to change as certain kinds of animals disappear.
https://news.mongabay.com/2018/07/study-finds-elephants-plant-trees-play-big-role-in-forest-structure/

Colombia pledges to produce deforestation-free chocolate
The government of Colombia along with the National Cocoa Federation and one of the country’s largest chocolate producers has committed to ending deforestation in its cocoa supply chain by 2020.
https://news.mongabay.com/2018/07/colombia-pledges-to-produce-deforestation-free-chocolate/

Warming alters predator-prey interactions in the Arctic
Under warming conditions, arctic wolf spiders’ tastes in prey might be changing, according to new research by Washington University in St. Louis — initiating a new cascade of food web interactions that could potentially alleviate some impacts of global warming.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/wuis-wap071818.php

Trump’s border wall could cause great ecological damage, scientists warn US government
Thousands of scientists have backed research which shows that a continuous US-Mexico border wall could have devastating environmental consequences to the migratory and endangered species living across the region.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2018-07-25/donald-trump-border-wall-mexico-environment/10025590

Ai Weiwei calls attention to plight of Myanmar’s ‘jobless’ elephants
Ai Weiwei visits elephant camps in Myanmar, where efforts to reduce logging have created new dangers for more than 1,000 “jobless” timber elephants.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-24/ai-weiwei-visits-jobless-timber-elephants-in-myanmar/10028794

Trump administration officials dismissed benefits of national monuments
Accidentally released documents show officials instead emphasized the value of logging and drilling.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/trump-administration-officials-dismissed-benefits-of-national-monuments/2018/07/23/5b8b1666-8b9a-11e8-a345-a1bf7847b375_story.html?utm_term=.2d4eddd81298

Study shows EU pesticide ban failing to protect suburban bees
Bees living in suburban habitats are still being exposed to significant levels of pesticides despite the EU ban on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides on flowering crops, new research shows.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180724105930.htm

Rivers in the sky: How deforestation is affecting global water cycles
A growing body of evidence indicates that the continuing destruction of tropical forests is disrupting the movement of water in the atmosphere, causing major shifts in precipitation that could lead to drought in key agricultural areas.
https://e360.yale.edu/features/how-deforestation-affecting-global-water-cycles-climate-change

Is the Great Indian Bustard about to go extinct?
Only one male has turned up at the great Indian bustards’ breeding grounds in Gujarat this year — and he’s too young to breed.
https://therevelator.org/great-indian-bustard-extinct/

Acidity in seas to reach levels not seen in 14 million years
The world’s oceans will be more acidic by the end of this century than at any time in the past 14 million years due to the impact of human-induced climate change, according to earth scientists.
https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/acidity-in-seas-to-reach-levels-not-seen-in-14-million-years-1-4772919

Wave after wave of garbage hits the Dominican Republic
The Caribbean nation is known for sapphire seas and ivory beaches, but it is grappling with sludgy trash washing up on some famous shores.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/23/world/americas/dominican-republic-garbage.html?module=WatchingPortal&region=c-column-middle-span-region&pgType=Homepage&action=click&mediaId=thumb_square&state=standard&contentPlacement=8&version=internal&contentCollection=www.nytimes.com&contentId=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2018%2F07%2F23%2Fworld%2Famericas%2Fdominican-republic-garbage.html&eventName=Watching-article-click