Daily Links Jul 3

Climate change will worsen living standards in India
Changing rainfall patterns and rising temperatures will cost India 2.8% of its GDP and will drag down living standards of half its population by 2050, according to a World Bank study
https://indiaclimatedialogue.net/2018/06/29/climate-change-will-worsen-living-standards-in-india/

China’s emissions reversal cause for ‘cautious optimism’ says study
The decline in China’s carbon emissions is likely to be sustained if changes to the country’s industrial structure and energy efficiency continue, according to new research led by the University of East Anglia.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/uoea-cer062918.php

World’s first animals caused global warming
The evolution of Earth’s first animals more than 500 million years ago caused global warming, new research shows.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/uoe-wfa062918.php

Greenhouse gases were the main driver of climate change in the deep past
Greenhouse gases were the main driver of climate throughout the warmest period of the past 66 million years, providing insight into the drivers behind long-term climate change.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/pu-ggw062718.php

How climate change is spurring land conflict in Nigeria
Conflicts have claimed at least 86 lives.
http://time.com/5324712/climate-change-nigeria/

Climate change is making night-shining clouds more visible
Increased water vapor in Earth’s atmosphere due to human activities is making shimmering high-altitude clouds more visible, a new study finds. The results suggest these strange but increasingly common clouds seen only on summer nights are an indicator of human-caused climate change, according to the study’s authors.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/agu-cci070218.php

Republicans try to save their deteriorating party with another push for a carbon tax
Dana Nuccitelli
Like opposing civil rights and gay marriage, climate denial will drive voters away from the GOP
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/jul/02/republicans-try-to-save-their-deteriorating-party-with-another-push-for-a-carbon-tax

How researchers can help the world face up to its ‘wicked’ problems
Donna Mertens
We’re running out of time to deal with issues like climate change. Researchers must work at a local level to effect change.
https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2018/jul/02/how-researchers-can-help-the-world-face-up-to-its-wicked-problems

Genes behind koala’s ‘iron stomach’ mapped for the first time
An Australian-led project has sequenced the entire koala genome, revealing secrets about the iconic animal’s unique biology that could help guide conservation efforts and fight disease.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2018-07-03/genome-reveals-secrets-of-the-koalas-toxic-diet-and-disease/9924682

Elephant ivory and rhino horn still for sale, for now
Items made of elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn are regularly, and legally, sold in Australia, but the Government is considering a change to the laws.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-02/elephant-ivory-and-rhino-horn-still-for-sale,-for-now/9930690

Carbon climate diverts Yancoal to Hong Kong [$]
Local fund managers shunning coal investment has encouraged Yancoal Australia to seek a dual listing in Hong Kong to access a deeper pool of capital.
https://www.afr.com/business/mining/coal/carbon-climate-diverts-yancoal-to-hong-kong-20180702-h125bh

Libs come ‘full circle’ on climate: Abbott
Tony Abbott has warned his Liberal colleagues the “wheel has turned full circle” on climate policy and compared the current push for a national energy guarantee to the party’s destabilising 2009 debate over an emissions trading scheme.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/libs-come-full-circle-climate-abbott-193819078–spt.html

Businesses ‘don’t trust’ energy companies
Small businesses say they don’t trust energy companies as power prices continue to spike in most Australian states.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/businesses-dont-trust-energy-companies-140122173–spt.html

Resources minister lauds coal export stats
Coal will overtake iron ore as Australia’s biggest export earner for the first time in almost a decade.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/resources-minister-lauds-coal-export-stats/news-story/3e2e3da85820898744f0604248db6f24

Emission target $100m fine heavy: retailer
French retailer Engie has raised concerns about fines up to $100 million for companies that don’t comply with proposed emissions reduction targets.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/emission-target-100m-fine-heavy-retailer/news-story/c2dd47c3bda542e87f83af1bbf64a625

Voters sceptical energy plan will bring down bills, Guardian Essential poll finds
Only 15% of those surveyed think the national energy guarantee will help reduce prices
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jul/03/voters-sceptical-energy-plan-will-bring-down-bills-guardian-essential-poll-finds

Gas price to stay high but takeover target pool shrinking
Australia’s energy sector is in the midst of an enormous transition that is driving acquisitions but while the market expects more takeovers ahead, one major gas company believes the price peak may have passed.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/companies/gas-price-to-stay-high-but-takeover-target-pool-shrinking-20180627-p4zo0s.html

EU bid to guard climate and animals in Australian trade deal [$]
Trade Minister Steven Ciobo has distanced Australia from an EU push to favour ­climate-friendly goods and the promotion of “EU standards on animal welfare” in the new European trade deal.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/eu-bid-to-guard-climate-and-animals-in-australian-trade-deal/news-story/e4f6bc06baeef55108e6871147db3153

The big problem with plastic bags ban [$]
Ninety per cent of global plastic waste that enters the ocean comes from just 10 river systems in Asia and Africa, raising doubts about the overall impact of Australia’s plastic shopping bag bans. Do you agree with the ban?
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/around-90-per-cent-of-plastic-waste-that-enters-the-ocean-comes-from-asia-and-africa/news-story/1980f9a1f4439b02e664c88bd1358588

Mostly working: Australia’s wholesale electricity market
Grattan Institute
High electricity prices are here to stay, according to this Grattan Institute report, that calls on politicians to tell Australians the truth about the future of energy costs.
http://apo.org.au/node/180661

The COALition’s coal infection: Is it contagious?
Graeme McLeay
When a number of apparently sane people suggest building more coal-fired power stations, we must consider what is causing the psychosis.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/the-coalitions-coal-infection-is-it-contagious,11653

Fiona, get a grip on the facts[$]
Judith Sloan
NFF boss is onside with Frydenberg’s NEG but what about the interests of farmers?
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/judith-sloan/youre-fashionable-fiona-but-get-a-grip-on-the-facts/news-story/8addda430aaad6ec4eb7379159182179

Solar debate: It’s time we were given control [$]
Tim Williams and Lisa McLean
While Canberra continues to debate the merits of local solar and batteries and what future we can or can’t have, Australian people and businesses are taking the lead. They are voting with their feet, writes .
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/solar-debate-its-time-we-were-given-control/news-story/916df7653526868c966747dd0d6026ac

New city design rules to target bad – and good – building plans
Melbourne City Council wants the planning minister to give planners powers to discourage developers turning streets into unpleasant places.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/new-city-design-rules-to-target-bad-and-good-building-plans-20180630-p4zopf.html

Don’t stuff up CBD design rules shake-up
Age editorial
There is often a tension between developers’ understandable desire to maximise profit and the need to protect the interests of clients and the community.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/don-t-stuff-up-cbd-design-rules-shake-up-20180702-p4zp1q.html

Bin the bag: time for shameful lack of action by Berejiklian to end
SMH editorial
Prohibit, forbid, proscribe, outlaw, make illegal, impose a moratorium or injunction. Perhaps this handy list of synonyms might help the NSW government, which has become the only legislature in Australia not to have introduced, or drafted, laws to ban the single use of plastic bags.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/bin-the-bag-time-for-shameful-lack-of-action-by-berejiklian-to-end-20180627-p4zo0d.html

West Metro deserves bipartisan support
SMH editorial
The Coalition should put election politics aside and fast track a new rail line from the CBD to Parramatta.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/west-metro-deserves-bipartisan-support-20180702-p4zozw.html

LNP to debate abortion, protecting Christmas and Adani’s rail line
LNP members are set to vote on a range of issues at the upcoming state convention, which will also feature an address by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/lnp-to-debate-abortion-protecting-christmas-and-adani-s-rail-line-20180701-p4zotj.html

‘People are trying’: Brisbane embraces coffee cup war on waste [$]
Coffee drinkers in Brisbane are leading the way nationally in reducing the amount of waste ending up in landfill, according to a sustainability organisation.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-02/brisbane-leads-the-way-for-reusable-coffee-cups/9930662

Firefighters responding to fire at OneSteel recycling facility in Port Adelaide [$]
Firefighters are responding to a “significant” fire at the OneSteel recycling facility in Port Adelaide.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/firefighters-responding-to-fire-at-onesteel-recycling-facility-in-port-adelaide/news-story/dec1a96e9e8abd72cf2ebe4efc2b77d9

Will Antarctic icebergs solve fresh water crisis in UAE?
The UAE Iceberg Project is an economically, technically and commercially feasible idea now.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/abu-dhabi/will-antarctic-icebergs-solve-fresh-water-crisis-in-uae-123

More Hanford nuclear waste tanks at risk of leaking radioactive waste
Problems have been found in the condition of more of the Hanford nuclear reservation’s double-shell tanks holding radioactive waste, putting them at risk of leaks. Corrosion has caused thinning of the tank shells.
https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/hanford/article214069424.html

How nuclear explosions were used to save the environment
It seems strange to us now to think of nuclear bombs as just another tool for engineers to shape our environment.
http://nautil.us/blog/-how-nuclear-explosions-were-used-to-save-the-environment

Artificial Intelligence Accurately Predicts Distribution of Radioactive Fallout
Researchers have created a machine-learning-based tool that can predict where radioactive emissions from nuclear power plants will disperse
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180702094020.htm

The vanishing nuclear industry
Could nuclear power make a significant contribution to decarbonizing the US energy system over the next three or four decades? That is the question asked by four current and former researchers from Carnegie Mellon University. Their answer: probably not.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/coec-tvn062918.php

What happens when you give up plastic, and is it a lifestyle option for the lucky few?
Stephanie Convery
Reducing plastics when shopping for food, toiletries and travel products should be easy – so why is it so difficult?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/02/the-politics-of-quitting-plastic-is-it-only-a-lifestyle-option-for-the-lucky-few

A unique nature insurance policy aims to preserve Mexico’s Great Mayan Reef
Part of the Mesoamerican Reef has just come off the list of endangered UNESCO heritage. In Mexico, mass tourism is to fund a first-of-its-kind insurance plan to restore its reefs after hurricanes. But challenges remain.
https://www.dw.com/en/a-unique-nature-insurance-policy-aims-to-preserve-mexicos-great-mayan-reef/a-43910752

Loss of lemurs might endanger many of Madagascar’s largest tree species
Widespread logging and hunting have endangered virtually all of Madagascar’s 100-plus species of iconic lemurs, and a new study by Rice University ecologists illustrates how saving the animals may also be key to saving the island’s largest trees.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/ru-lol070218.php

Is it time yet? Climate change disturbs breeding and nesting season in birds
Shifting seasons and unseasonal monsoon conditions have been affecting cues for the Sarus crane’s nesting season, a trend seen among other birds too.
https://india.mongabay.com/2018/07/02/is-it-time-yet-climate-change-disturbs-breeding-and-nesting-season-in-birds/

New Zealand the most perilous place for seabirds due to plastic pollution
‘Seabird capital of the world’ is home to dozens of endemic species, which are particularly vulnerable to plastics.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/02/new-zealand-the-most-perilous-place-for-seabirds-due-to-plastic-pollution

How mangroves help keep the planet cool
In a new global framework, scientists have developed a more accurate assessment of how mangroves store carbon in their soil. The researchers found that previous studies have underestimated the blue carbon levels in mangroves by up to 50 percent in some regions and overestimated levels by up to 86 percent in others. This study published recently in Nature Climate Change will help countries develop and evaluate their carbon footprint and blue carbon inventory that potentially can be used in the global marketplace.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/lsu-hmh070218.php