Daily Links Jul 4

143 million climate refugees by 2050
A World Bank report: Groundswell, warns of the worsening impact of climate change in three regions of the world.
https://therealnews.com/stories/143-million-climate-refugees-by-2050

Poor countries face $168 billion interest bill due to climate change
For every $10 climate-vulnerable countries paid in interest over the past decade, $1 was attributable to climate risks, study says.
http://news.trust.org//item/20180702163212-a2lph/

Initiative to guide climate disclosure, resiliency launched
“Climate-related risks and opportunities and the associated transition and regulatory changes are going to have a tremendous impact on businesses over the next decade,”
https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20180702/NEWS06/912322390/Initiative-climate-disclosure-resiliency-launched-Marsh-&McLennan-CDP-Worldwide

Recycling solar promises ‘green’ hydrogen breakthrough
Think solar power is the greenest your home can be? A new project harnessing the power of hydrogen may be even better for the environment.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-03/recycling-solar-promises-green-hydrogen-breakthrough/9934862

Coal veteran blasts green groups for own goal [$]
Coal industry leader Tony Haggarty has blasted energy policy in Australia as evidence emerges that opposition to new mines has forced countries like Japan to burn significantly more lower quality coal.
https://www.afr.com/business/coal-veteran-tony-haggarty-blasts-green-groups-for-own-goal-20180703-h126og

Coalition fiddles as renewables remake grid [$]
Solar and wind farms went ahead at a blistering pace in the first half of 2018, reshaping the grid even as the Turnbull government debated its National Energy Guarantee.
https://www.afr.com/news/coalition-fiddles-as-renewables-remake-grid-20180702-h124mh

‘Sabotage’: Regulator slammed for move to slash solar feed-in tariffs
The decision by an independent regulator to slash payments for households exporting surplus solar power from rooftop panels is appalling and illogical.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/climate-change/sabotage-regulator-slammed-for-move-to-slash-solar-feed-in-tariffs-20180703-p4zp7x.html

Electricity sector won’t bear brunt of Paris emissions reduction, energy analyst warns
RepuTex says the national energy guarantee leaves shortfall of close to 500m tonnes of carbon pollution
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jul/04/electricity-sector-wont-bear-brunt-of-paris-emissions-reduction-energy-analyst-warns

Tony Abbott urges withdrawal from Paris agreement, despite signing Australia up as PM
Former PM’s speech follows months of campaigning against national energy guarantee and Malcolm Turnbull
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jul/03/tony-abbott-urges-withdrawal-from-paris-agreement-despite-signing-australia-up-as-pm

Abbott says dump Paris, Nats issue demands [$]
The Nationals want at least three baseload power stations to support the PM’s national energy guarantee as Tony Abbott urges withdrawing from Paris deal.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/tony-abbott-calls-for-australia-to-pull-out-of-paris-climate-deal/news-story/9f82081b55b0e2940b7956f00d03463b

Get out of the realm of ideology: PM hits back at Tony Abbott [$]
Malcolm Turnbull has taken a veiled swipe at Tony Abbott on energy policy, declaring it is time to “get out of the realm of politics and ideology”, after his predecessor accused him of trying to repeat his failed 2009 attempt to secure a deal with Labor on an emissions trading scheme.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/michael-sukkar-not-as-pessimistic-as-tony-abbott-on-neg-consensus/news-story/411236b353b0d5a8febdecb818338911

How are Australians coping in this brave new plastic-bag-free world?
It’s been a few days since Coles axed single-use plastic shopping bags from its stores across the country, so we asked you how it was going.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-03/how-are-australians-coping-with-this-brave-new-plastic-bag-free/9935674

Is this the end of the yellow all-in-one recycling bin?
Commingled bins cause contamination. Is it time to go for separate bins for glass and paper?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/04/is-this-the-end-of-the-yellow-all-in-one-recycling-bin

Australia needs tighter ivory sale laws to protect elephants, parliamentary committee hears
Parliament looking at whether Australia’s regulations allow poached ivory and horns to be passed off as antiques
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/03/australia-needs-tighter-ivory-sale-laws-to-protect-elephants-parliamentary-committee-hears

We need to find a new way to pay for roads: Infrastructure Australia chair
Governments have been asked to scrap vehicle registration fees and the fuel excise and look into “user-pays” models, for example, a congestion tax.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/we-need-to-find-a-new-way-to-pay-for-roads-infrastructure-australia-chair-20180703-p4zp9e.html

Supermarkets make millions after plastic bag ban [$]
Supermarkets are set to make a massive profit on the heavy duty reusable bags they are selling to customers for 15c. And on top of that, they are already saving $170 million a year by not giving away free plastic bags.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/supermarkets-set-to-make-71-million-from-selling-heavy-duty-bags-after-banning-plastic-bags/news-story/d74929e8b7f05c400e97b247846ed0e0

As power prices soar, we need a concerted effort to tackle energy poverty
Nicola Willand, Ralph Horne and Trivess Moore
Energy justice is a social issue, and by leaving it up to vulnerable people to sort it out for themselves, we as a society risk making it even worse.
http://theconversation.com/as-power-prices-soar-we-need-a-concerted-effort-to-tackle-energy-poverty-98764

Coal Will Rise Again, Claims Perplexingly Ambitious Australian Article
Jonathan Moylan
There’s life in the carbon-polluting coal industry yet, claims The Australian newspaper. Greenpeace’s Jonathan Moylan is not so sure, about the claims or the agenda of the paper.
https://newmatilda.com/2018/07/03/coal-will-rise-claims-perplexingly-ambitious-australian-article/

Reliable and affordable power [$]
Australian editorial
The Nationals’ energy proposal could be a game changer.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/editorials/reliable-and-affordable-power-must-be-the-priority/news-story/2e1c2e55a3f60b8a72b3dff5144e54a4

Turnbull’s fine line on climate: Capitulation or denial?
Giles Parkinson
Abbott finally kills off idea that the NEG can be a political compromise. The choice for Malcolm Turnbull is reduced to capitulation or denial.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/turnbulls-fine-line-climate-capitulation-denial-62241/

Know your NEM: NEG supporters talk their book, ignore climate
David Leitch
If the NEG had a jointly agreed emissions reduction target it would provide certainty. But it doesn’t.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/know-nem-neg-supporters-talk-book-ignore-climate-35453/

Why our carbon emission policies don’t work on air travel
Francis Markham,  Arianne C. Reis, James Higham and Martin Young
If Australia is to meet its climate targets, radical measures could be required to reduce emissions in sectors such as aviation.
http://theconversation.com/why-our-carbon-emission-policies-dont-work-on-air-travel-99019

Paris deal is now passe [$]
Tony Abbott
Three of the big four emitters are bound by no agreed target — so why should we?
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/knowing-what-we-do-now-the-paris-climate-deal-is-passe/news-story/df5a7b79373ae3bc49e7e4ed5dc07b49

Coalition to free land for Melbourne homes
Victorians could see 290,000 homes built in Melbourne’s outer suburbs with a coalition government promising to release land and streamline processes.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/07/04/04/07/coalition-to-free-land-for-melbourne-homes

Big NSW-Victoria transmission investments ‘justifiable’ [$]
AEMO’s Victorian Annual Planning Report says the “gross market benefit” of eliminating limitations on the export of electricity from Victoria to NSW could be as much as $495 million under a “fast change scenario”
https://www.afr.com/news/big-investments-in-nswvictoria-transmission-justifiable–aemo-20180703-h1278t

Park plan for dingoes [$]
Central Victoria’s Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal community wants to reintroduce the dingo to six parks and reserves over which it holds native title rights.
https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/victoria/proposal-to-put-dingoes-in-central-victorian-state-parks-and-reserves/news-story/42ae9cf0f07fa0746d83351c6dbf1340

Baited eagle fatalities soaring [$]
The death toll of 137 poisoned wedge-tailed eagles is likely to be closer to 400, following revelations those involved in killing the birds had been baiting them for the past 2½ years.
https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/victoria/gippsland-baited-eagle-fatalities-soaring/news-story/40c7b8d80f32ebc79deaef0b6db1a0f0

Complaints about our public transport system surge [$]
Do you find yourself getting increasingly fed-up with Melbourne’s public transport system? You’re not alone, with the number of complaints to Victoria’s public transport watchdog surging. See what issues are upsetting commuters the most.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/victorian-public-transport-complaints-surge-ombudsman-figures-show/news-story/9910368fd95c8c7d356d34c239489143

East West Link ‘will have to be built’ [$]
The controversial East West Link is back on the agenda, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg among transport priorities we need to cater for a population explosion ahead, a key report has found.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/victorian-chamber-of-commerce-release-transport-report-detailing-priorities-for-state/news-story/04b28d032edac5fb7424f7dde7afdcb2

Seasonal watering plan 2018–19
Victorian Environmental Water Holder
This seasonal watering plan is based on proposals developed by catchment management authorities and Melbourne Water, drawing from scientific river and wetland studies and community engagement.
http://apo.org.au/node/180901

Power grab: Rich lister eyes partner’s share in coal power station
Rich lister Trevor St Baker is looking to buy 100 per cent of Delta Electricity’s NSW coal-fired power station as his joint-venture partner billionaire Brian Flannery looks to exit.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/companies/power-grab-rich-lister-eyes-partner-s-share-in-coal-power-station-20180703-p4zp7r.html

Public transport group suggests taking cuttings of Charles Weston trees
Trees planted by Canberra’s first afforestation officer could live on through cuttings after they are cut down for the second stage of light rail, a parliamentary inquiry has heard.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/act/public-transport-group-suggests-taking-cuttings-of-charles-weston-trees-20180628-p4zoew.html

Cancer care relies on nuclear medicine made in this concrete bunker
There’s a particle accelerator living deep within the winding corridors of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital which is switched on daily to make radiopharmaceuticals for lifesaving treatments.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-03/nuclear-medicine-concrete-bunker-central-to-states-cancer-care/9920624

Targeted cull backing [$]
A scientist believes culling of crocodiles in the Far North should be allowed, but only under strict measures.
https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/scientist-supports-targeted-culling-of-crocodiles-in-far-north-queensland/news-story/57de1a32353eb54a291b80d85802b72a

Aurizon needs to back up coal export losses claim says Treasurer Jackie Trad [$]
Doubts have been raised over the claims by Aurizon that millions of tonnes of coal exports have been lost because of its dispute with the Queensland Competition Authority.
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/aurizon-needs-to-back-up-coal-export-losses-claim-says-treasurer-jackie-trad/news-story/0a342fb152f07ecd73a67b9cfd778c63

Our new southern National Park is closer to being realised [$]
Tim Lloyd
BY taking on the Glenthorne Farm property, 208ha of agricultural land in prime southern suburban Adelaide, the State Government is laying the foundations for a National Park to rival Belair National Park.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/tim-lloyd-our-new-southern-national-park-is-closer-to-being-realised/news-story/0fd8351e41e48036faf076b51d99d581

Farmers swap plastic for paper at Harvest Market in Tasmania
An award-winning farmers’ market in Tasmania swaps plastic for paper and recycled bottles in the war on waste.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2018-07-04/tas-farmers-market-goes-plastic-free-in-war-on-waste/9934202

The Greens have had a good idea on energy in Tasmania [$]
Nick Cater
A peculiar thing happened in Tasmania before the last state election. The Greens presented a policy that made sense, promising to turn renewable energy into a Tasmanian export industry within three years.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/nick-cater/the-greens-have-had-a-good-idea-on-energy-in-tasmania/news-story/4797000ddf4f150978a2b328337c54f8

Stored gas brings hope of lower prices
A new gas storage facility in the Pilbara should ensure WA is protected from prices increases caused by supply disruptions in the eastern states.
https://thewest.com.au/business/oil-gas/pilbara-gas-storage-plant-could-reign-in-wa-energy-costs-ng-b88885535z

Solar and battery “hydrogen hub” planned for W.A. micro-grid
ARENA backs “green hydrogen” project in W.A. that will combine solar and battery storage and an electrolyser for a micro-grid trial.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/solar-battery-hydrogen-hub-planned-w-micro-grid-61787/

Jet engines could give a jumbo boost to wind farms [$]
Wake turbulence is the bane of air travel but one company believes it can revolutionise renewable ­energy — by turning wind turbines when the wind is not blowing.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/jet-engines-could-give-a-jumbo-boost-to-wind-farms/news-story/f4e5e74697fc602db68d49238604229e

Solar is saving low-income households money in Colorado. It could be a national model.
The state’s energy assistance programs are solving two challenges at once: help people save money on electricity bills while expanding renewable energy.
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/02072018/colorado-rooftop-solar-panels-clean-energy-utility-bill-savings-low-income-households-weatherization

As Americans age, their support for environmentalism declines
It’s not easy staying green.
https://psmag.com/environment/its-not-easy-staying-green

Renewables hit record of 41.5% in Germany in first half of 2018
The production of renewable energy in Germany dashes to a new record output, providing more than 40 percent of the country’s power supply in the first half of 2018.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/renewables-hit-record-41-5-germany-first-half-2018/

How bad is football for the environment?
In which we discover the most environmentally-friendly way to watch the World Cup.
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/zm8p9x/how-bad-is-football-for-the-environment

Pesticides are good for profits, not for people
Georgina Downs
It’s time to clean up agriculture and adopt a non-chemical farming policy
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/03/pesticides-are-good-for-profits-not-for-people

How lake trout have led to collapse of Yellowstone’s iconic birds
An invasive fish set off a biological domino effect that has already affected bears and elk. Now it threatens trumpeter swans and other birds.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/07/yellowstone-lake-trout-trumpeter-swan-avian-collapse-animals/

The biggest source of ocean plastic may not be what you think
Though there is a Plastic Bag Forest on the East Coast trail, bags aren’t the province’s biggest concern for ocean plastics.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/ocean-plastic-newfoundland-1.4724682

The budget crunch at America’s National Parks
With increased attendance and crumbling infrastructure, national parks need money. But President Trump wants to cut even more of their funding.
https://therevelator.org/budget-crunch-national-parks/

U.N. decade of ecological restoration would mobilize cost-effective action
If the proposed U.N. decade from 2020 to 2030 is implemented, it will likely lead to an increase in much needed funds to develop projects that could restore ecosystems, reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss.
https://news.globallandscapesforum.org/27992/u-n-decade-of-ecological-restoration-would-mobilize-cost-effective-action-says-el-salvador-environment-minister-lina-pohl/

Arctic whales threatened by collisions and noise pollution as ships begin crossing melting sea ice
‘Even the North Pole may be passable within a matter of decades. It raises questions of how to allow economic development while also protecting Arctic marine species.
https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/whales-arctic-shipping-pollution-ice-melt-global-warming-climate-change-nasa-a8426861.html

Two deaths, no births for Southern Resident orcas over the past year
The biggest challenges for whales is the buildup of toxic chemicals in their bodies and the shrinking runs of Chinook salmon, their primary prey.
https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/two-deaths-no-births-for-southern-resident-orcas-over-the-past-year/281-569845397

Hawaii is banning sunscreens that kill coral reefs
Common sunscreen chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate have been found to increase coral bleaching.
https://www.vox.com/2018/7/2/17525496/hawaii-banning-sunscreen

What’s worse than palm oil for the environment? Other vegetable oils, IUCN study finds
Banning palm oil in favor of other vegetable oils deemed less destructive to the environment could lead to greater biodiversity losses, a new report says.
https://news.mongabay.com/2018/07/whats-worse-than-palm-oil-for-the-environment-other-vegetable-oils-iucn-study-finds/