Fertilizer destroys plant microbiome’s ability to protect against disease
Healthy microbiomes on plant leaves protect against pathogens, though not on fertilized plants
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180726162736.htm
Today’s Celebration
Aymaraes – Peru
Father’s Day – Dominican Republic
Olavsoka Day (National Day) – Faroe Islands
St. Olav’s Day – Norway
Maitresse Silverine – Voudon
National Tree Day – http://treeday.planetark.org/about/
National Missing Persons Week – http://www.missingpersons.gov.au/awareness/campaigns.aspx
Donate Life Week – http://www.donatelife.gov.au/
More about Jul 29 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_29
National
It’s a greener and cheaper material. So why isn’t more of it used?
Australia produces millions of tonnes of construction and demolition waste each year and much of it now creates an environmentally friendly material to build roads, despite some early hurdles.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-28/construction-waste-recycled-as-road-base-in-wa-trial/10044394
Can science save Australia’s quoll from a deadly diet?
Targeted genetics will help a threatened species spurn a poisonous toad meal
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/28/australia-northern-quoll-endangered-cane-toad
E-bikes saving Aussies up to $200 a week
Electric bikes are a genuine commuting option for many, an international transport and traffic conference has been told.
https://thewest.com.au/news/transport/electronic-bicycles-saving-australians-up-to-200-a-week-in-trials-says-rac-ng-b88873933z
Victoria
Threatened gliders are ‘gonna die’ in VicForests’ logging experiment, expert says
A government-owned company is experimenting with how it logs and burns the habitat of a threatened glider to see how the native animal survives as part of a research project that’s been compared to Japan’s “scientific whaling”.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-29/vicforests-says-experiment-very-likely-to-kill-greater-glider/10025588
New South Wales
Excitement and hope as critically endangered birds are seen on the coast
Regent honeyeaters and swift parrots have been seen in coastal areas of northern NSW, with bird experts saying the species are travelling further due to dry conditions and habitat loss west of the Dividing Range.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-28/honeyeaters-affected-by-drought/10029290
Santos response on endangered species not good enough, conservationists say
Oil company criticised for its findings on animals and plants at planned Narrabri coal seam gas project
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/29/santos-response-on-endangered-species-not-good-enough-conservationists-say
Bushfire smoke tanks Sydney’s air quality
Smoke from a large uncontrolled bushfire in the Holsworthy military reserve has led to Sydney’s official air quality forecast dropping to poor.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/bushfire-smoke-tanks-sydneys-air-quality-173103967–spt.html
South Australia
Reaction to nuke dump that’s splitting Outback town [$]
The debate on the location of a national nuclear waste repository has reached flashpoint, with a ballot only weeks away to determine its future.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/nuclear-waste-in-hawker-cultural-genocide-or-economic-opportunity/news-story/c84eae4d0ab135913e28bb2c668ced86
Push for Tonsley to become nation’s electric vehicle hub [$]
Tonsley will be the epicentre for Australia’s electric and autonomous vehicle rollout under a new Flinders University-led plan.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/proposal-to-senate-inquiry-for-tonsley-to-become-australia-ev-and-av-hub/news-story/b8e09bdc5a639632308d7b7c31c61dcb
Sustainability
Your old plastic bottle … reborn as a towel, bag or swimsuit
As technology finds innovative ways to recycle, waste products are being used in an unlikely range of goods in high street stores.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/28/plastic-bottles-recycling-technology-towels-john-lewis-breakthrough
Our plastic footprint: reuse to take the pressure off recycling
Lucy Siegle
Recycling should be the last option. Instead we should record, reduce, replace, refuse, refill, rethink – and reuse.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/28/our-plastic-footprint-reuse-to-take-the-pressure-off-recycling
Nature Conservation
Study shows ocean acidification is having major impact on marine life
Carbon dioxide emissions are killing off coral reefs and kelp forests as heat waves and ocean acidification damage marine ecosystems, scientists have warned.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/uop-sso072518.php
Fertilizer destroys plant microbiome’s ability to protect against disease
Healthy microbiomes on plant leaves protect against pathogens, though not on fertilized plants
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180726162736.htm
Can Pollution Alter Wildlife Behavior?
Scientists have developed new scientific tests to better understand the effects of pollution on …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180728083542.htm
Maelor Himbury