Daily Links Aug 1

Current heat waves are linked to climate change, scientists confirm
Climate change has made the extremely high temperatures in Europe more than twice as likely to occur, a new analysis has revealed. How do scientists calculate the link between extreme weather events and climate change?
https://www.dw.com/en/current-heat-waves-are-linked-to-climate-change-scientists-confirm/a-44878983

Ever-Increasing CO2 Levels Could Take Us Back to the Tropical Climate of Paleogene Period
A new study has warned that unless we mitigate current levels of carbon dioxide emissions, Western Europe and New Zealand could revert to the hot tropical climate of the early Paleogene period.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180730120332.htm

Climate change: We’re not literally doomed, but…
Kate Marvel
…there’s space for action between “everything is fine” and “the apocalypse is upon us.”
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/hot-planet/climate-change-were-not-literally-doomed-but/

Army on standby to deliver stock supplies to drought-ravaged farms
Soldiers could soon be deployed to help drought-stricken farmers as the crisis worsens across New South Wales, Queensland and parts of Victoria.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-31/army-on-standby-to-deliver-stock-supplies-to-farms/10058510

‘Nutcase stuff’: Barnaby Joyce threatens to oppose national energy guarantee
Former deputy PM says if emissions target is placed on agriculture, he will vote against energy policy
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jul/31/nutcase-stuff-barnaby-joyce-threatens-to-oppose-national-energy-guarantee

Butler lambasts “pathetic” emissions target, “silly” pursuit of coal
Labor’s Mark Butler has lambasts “pathetic” emissions target in National Energy Guarantee and “silly” pursuit of coal, as Greens and Victoria warn of no approval for NEG at CoAG meeting until after it is endorsed by Coalition party room.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/butler-lambasts-pathetic-emissions-target-silly-pursuit-of-coal-76649/

AEMO’s Zibelman admits “hiccup” in new solar and wind connections
AEMO’s Audrey Zibelman concedes there is a “hiccup” in connection of new solar and wind projects to the grid, caused by overwhelming volume, and as the speed of new projects overtakes the ability of the grid to adapt.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/aemos-zibelman-admits-hiccup-in-new-solar-and-wind-connections-53241/

Labor renews energy guarantee fight but backs policy ‘Abbott-proofing’
Winning seats in the weekend’s byelection has renewed Labor’s willingness to fight the federal government’s national energy reform over weak emission reduction targets.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/the-economy/labor-renews-energy-guarantee-fight-but-backs-policy-abbott-proofing-20180731-p4zuoe.html

Government aviation body downplayed its role in toxic contamination
Airservices Australia’s internal briefing documents show the government agency knew it had contaminated airports across the country yet chose to publicly downplay its responsibility, the ABC can reveal.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-01/government-aviation-agency-downplayed-toxic-foam-responsibility/10058314

No renewables bias: energy chief [$]
The operator of Australia’s national electricity grid has rejected claims it favours renewables over fossil fuel generation.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/aemo-chief-rejects-claims-of-renewables-bias-in-energy-model/news-story/0c029289cc597b6a2e4b71d1ac448df8

Big deals power green investment [$]
Green power investment will be increasingly backed by long-term contracts with big users as government subsidies decline.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/big-corporate-contracts-to-power-green-investment-macquarie/news-story/1b1e1341746f4241307ae1634fb0cad3

Review of the national greenhouse and energy reporting legislation: a consultation paper
Climate Change Authority
This review will focus on the three key aspects of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting legislation: emissions and energy reporting, the safeguard mechanism and the auditing framework. The review will consider if each of the individual elements is achieving its objectives, is fit for purpose and if any improvements can be made.
http://apo.org.au/node/184441

As a doctor, I’m terrified by the lack of a plan to protect us from climate change
David Shearman
The UK has a new plan to protect its citizens from heat, flood and fire from climate change. Australia has no such plan, nor any leadership when it comes to mitigating threats to our shared life-support systems — stable climate, water, biodiversity and productive land.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-01/climate-change-adaptation-where-is-australias-plan/10051392

Ending the energy wars [$]
Jennifer Hewett
Josh Frydenberg is about to confront a potentially combustible finale to his strenuous efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in the long-running energy wars.
https://www.afr.com/opinion/columnists/trying-for-a-ceasefire-in-the-energy-wars-20180731-h13dya

Politics are polluting the NEG and we all stand to lose
Peter McIntyre
A viable solution for Australia’s energy sector has to happen as a matter of urgency.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/politics-are-polluting-the-neg-and-we-all-stand-to-lose-20180730-p4zuev.html

A growing concern
Tristan Prasser
Big Australia may be where we are heading, but without a plan or a vision of what that actually entails and how to get there, the quality of life for Australians and future generations will be eroded.
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=19866

Congestion pledge: Off-peak toll discounts for trucks
The state Coalition has released its plan to get heavy vehicles off major highways during peak hour.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/coalition-proposes-more-off-peak-toll-discounts-for-trucks-20180730-p4zugi.html

Victorian minister plays hardball with Turnbull on the NEG
Michelle Grattan
“We won’t support a scheme that leaves the states in the dark and leaves us all hostage to the extremists in Turnbull’s party room,” D’Ambrosio will say
https://theconversation.com/victorian-minister-plays-hardball-with-turnbull-on-the-neg-100775

Don’t forget the ‘big picture’ says man who could kill energy plan
When ministers meet next week to unpick the knots in Australia’s latest energy plan, the ACT’s Shane Rattenbury will be thinking past the political tangle before him.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/federal/don-t-forget-the-big-picture-says-man-who-could-kill-energy-plan-20180731-p4zun6.html

Adani lodges slimmed-down plan to expand Abbot Point coal terminal
Company says revamped plans would still allow Carmichael coalmine to go ahead but delay ‘significant capital expense’
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/aug/01/adani-lodges-slimmed-down-plan-to-expand-abbot-point-coal-terminal

Queensland backs Victoria’s concerns over blank cheque on energy guarantee
Both states say they are being asked to approve a policy that could later be amended by the federal LNP party room
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/01/queensland-backs-victorias-concerns-over-blank-cheque-on-energy-guarantee

Geoengineering the Great Barrier Reef needs strong rules
Kerryn Brent et al
Can geoengineering buy the coral reefs more time?
https://theconversation.com/geoengineering-the-great-barrier-reef-needs-strong-rules-100674

Stanley Wharf being assessed as potential fish farming base
The Port of Stanley is being considered as a potential land base for fish farm expansion in north-west Tasmania, with Petuna Aquaculture and TasPorts announcing a joint assessment of the site.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-01/stanley-wharf-assessed-as-suitable-base-for-fish-farming/10057488

Northern Territory reveals $446m plan to save Kakadu town of Jabiru
Plan includes education precinct, glamping facilities and expanded lake offering ‘croc-free’ activities
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jul/31/northern-territory-reveals-446m-plan-to-save-kakadu-town-of-jabiru

Twiggy Forrest joins fight to save our oceans with $100 million pledge and joins the Save the Marine Parks campaign
‘Twiggy’ will spend $100 million to build an ocean research facility in Exmouth and has joined the fight against the controversial federal marine parks plans.
https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/twiggy-forrest-joins-fight-to-save-our-oceans-with-100-million-pledge-20180730-p4zui7.html

1 in 8 children in India has neurodevelopmental disability, report estimates
Nearly one in eight Indian children ages 2 through 9 might have a neurodevelopmental disorder, a new report by the INCLEN Trust International estimates.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/30/health/india-neurodevelopmental-disabilities-children-study-intl/index.html

Energy-intensive Bitcoin transactions pose a growing environmental threat
A study published in Energy Research & Social Science warns that failure to lower the energy use by Bitcoin and similar Blockchain designs may prevent nations from reaching their climate change mitigation obligations under the Paris Agreement.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/e-ebt073118.php

Inside Levi’s ambitious plan to cut its carbon footprint
In an unprecedented and impressive move, by 2025, the company plans to cut emissions in its supply chain by 40%.
https://www.fastcompany.com/90207956/inside-levis-ambitious-plan-to-cut-its-carbon-footprint

Bracelets fund ocean cleanup, 1 million pounds and counting
Buy a bracelet, save the ocean. A company called 4Ocean has pulled more than 1 million pounds of trash from the sea by selling bracelets made from recycled materials.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffkart/2018/07/30/bracelets-fund-ocean-cleanup-1-million-pounds-and-counting/#35e039cf60ce

If Germany can’t quit coal, can anyone else?
Germany’s last black-coal mine will close next month. But that doesn’t mean the country has weaned itself off the emissions-spewing stuff.
https://www.wired.com/story/if-germany-cant-quit-coal-can-anyone-else/

3D printing the next generation of batteries
3D printing can be used to manufacture porous electrodes for lithium-ion batteries–but because of the nature of the manufacturing process, the design of these 3D printed electrodes is limited to just a few possible architectures. Until now, the internal geometry that produced the best porous electrodes through additive manufacturing was what’s known as an interdigitated geometry–metal prongs interlocked like the fingers of two clasped hands, with the lithium shuttling between the two sides.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/coec-3pt073018.php

Electric cars: a long way to go
John Armitt and Odd A Jakobsen respond to Adam Vaughan’s piece about electric cars
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/31/electric-cars-a-long-way-to-go

What’s wrong with big solar in cities? Nothing, if it’s done right
Jason Byrne
Residents near big solar projects are often concerned they cause glare and noise.
https://theconversation.com/whats-wrong-with-big-solar-in-cities-nothing-if-its-done-right-99020

Poachers kill rhino in Kenyan park
Poachers have killed a rhino in Kenya’s Lake Nakuru national park just weeks after 10 rhinos died in a botched relocation by conservation officers.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/poachers-kill-rhino-in-kenyan-park/news-story/868e357fd1d44dade2fceb56690288be

Tracking the shift of tropical forests from carbon sink to source
Scientists seeking the tools necessary to tackle climate change need to better understand both the current interplay between carbon and tropical forests and how those forests will respond as temperatures warm.
https://news.mongabay.com/2018/07/tracking-the-shift-of-tropical-forests-from-carbon-sink-to-source/

Do Bacteria Ever Go Extinct? New Research Says Yes, Bigtime
Bacteria go extinct at substantial rates, although appear to avoid the mass extinctions that have hit larger forms of life on Earth, according to new research.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180730120340.htm

Brazil: Many alarmed over boost to pesticide use in agriculture
Families slam commission recommendation on easing restrictions on deadly pesticides that are contaminating the environment and causing sky-high cancer rates and other health crises.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/brazil-alarmed-boost-pesticide-agriculture-180730164415602.html

Only 13 percent of the world’s oceans are still wild
Reaching the deepest depths of all the world’s oceans seems unfathomable. But new research suggests we’re getting close, and that’s not a good thing.
https://www.popsci.com/marine-wilderness-13-percent

Can seagrass help fight ocean acidification?
Seagrass meadows could play a limited, localized role in alleviating ocean acidification in coastal ecosystems, according to new work led by Carnegie’s David Koweek and including Carnegie’s Ken Caldeira.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/cifs-csh073118.php

River complexity maintains regional population stability
An international group of researchers has demonstrated that branching complexity of rivers affects regional population stability and persistence in nature, contrary to current theories which suggest the importance of an ecosystem’s size.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180731092026.htm

Timor-Leste a mecca for whales, but they face threats
Johnny Langenheim
One third of all cetacean species are found in the waters off Timor-Leste, but measures are needed to protect them
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2018/jul/31/timor-leste-a-mecca-for-whales-but-they-face-threats