Great southern drought: Australian farmers crippled, climate action stalled
Amidst the worst drought in living memory, the world’s driest continent is also heating up due to climate change. Critics say too little is being done to prevent increasing temperatures and decreasing rainfall.
https://www.dw.com/en/great-southern-drought-australian-farmers-crippled-climate-action-stalled/a-45015773
Today’s Celebration
Heroes’ Day Zimbabwe
Independence Day Chad
King Hussein Accession Jordan
Montserrat Annual Pilgrimage Montserrat
Son and Daughter Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/son-and-daughter-day/
Middle Child’s Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/middle-childs-day/
National Science Week – http://www.scienceweek.net.au/
More about Aug 11 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August _11
Climate Change
Sea level rise ‘overblown,’ solar energy ‘dumb,’ conference of climate change deniers, Trump officials hear
White House officials attended a conservative energy conference in New Orleans where speakers called UN climate reports fake science and said pumping carbon dioxide into the air makes the planet greener.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/climate-change-conference-new-orleans-1.4779156
Will climate change lead to water wars?
The Kyrgyz soldier stepped quietly out of the dark green bushes and swung his Kalashnikov rifle in the direction of our car.
http://nautil.us/issue/63/horizons/when-climate-change-starts-wars-rp
Scientists hot under the collar [$]
Graham Lloyd
Hothouse Earth is a call to arms on climate change but geologists have their doubts.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/will-steffens-paper-gets-scientists-hot-under-the-collar/news-story/847c5ceb549032ba648239d58f387f4a
Hothouse Earth: With the world facing a climate change tipping point, how should Christians respond?
Ruth Valerio
In the UK we’ve been facing our longest heatwave for five years, with temperatures regularly hitting 33 degrees Celsius and water companies issuing water warnings and urging people to use water carefully. With the worst wildfires ever in California, wildfires in Greece and Portugal, and deadly heat in Japan, this will be a summer to remember.
https://www.christiantoday.com/article/hothouse-earth-with-the-world-facing-a-climate-change-tipping-point-how-should-christians-respond/130170.htm
National
‘It’s a disgrace’: drought-stricken farmers call for access to recycled water
Australia wastes the majority of its recycled water that could be used on food crops — and farmers and local councils say it is a disgrace and want it made available for agriculture.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2018-08-11/farmers-angry-about-loss-of-recycled-water/10106064
The electric truck dream is far from a reality [$]
It’s impossible for the long haul freight industry to get the 26-28 per cent cut in 2030 emissions the government signed up to at the 2015 Paris climate talks.
https://www.afr.com/news/truck-emissions-electric-technology-is-just-not-there-yet-20180809-h13qr4
Smart meter mayhem sparks eight-month wait for connection [$]
A bungled federal reform to rules governing the connection of electricity “smart meters” has left one AGL customer still waiting eight months after the installation of their $5500 home solar power system.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/smart-meter-mayhem-sparks-eightmonth-wait-for-connection/news-story/c7cc58fba4e370724b3d87ef3ac6757c
NEG survives after Canberra and states agree to keep talking
States agree to let energy guarantee go out for consultation, provided Josh Frydenberg gets party room agreement on emissions reductions
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/10/neg-survives-after-canberra-and-states-agree-to-keep-talking
Frydenberg to push on with energy guarantee without states’ sign-off
Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg will take the Commonwealth legislation supporting the scheme to his Coalition party room.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/climate-change/frydenberg-to-push-on-with-energy-guarantee-without-states-sign-off-20180810-p4zwnb.html
Great southern drought: Australian farmers crippled, climate action stalled
Amidst the worst drought in living memory, the world’s driest continent is also heating up due to climate change. Critics say too little is being done to prevent increasing temperatures and decreasing rainfall.
https://www.dw.com/en/great-southern-drought-australian-farmers-crippled-climate-action-stalled/a-45015773
The climate wars aren’t over, but Labor holds the trump card
Laura Tingle
If you feel confused about just where everyone stands on the National Energy Guarantee as the week ends, you are not the only one
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-11/national-energy-guarantee-where-everybody-stands/10107052
The NEG is about more than power prices and coal plants
Helen Szoke
The proposed National Energy Guarantee will fall well short of demonstrating Australia’s commitment to tackling climate change — and well short of the ambitious strides being taken by our Pacific neighbours.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-10/australia-neg-failure-climate-change-pacific-countries-fiji/10093652
With Abbott and the Greens on the same side, a golden moment in politics beckons
Andrew Probyn
Carbon crusader Tony Abbott will sit alongside Greens MP Adam Bandt to vote against the National Energy Guarantee. Here’s why.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-10/national-energy-guarantee-may-survive-amid-climate-politics-war/10104846
Frydenberg pushing forward on small wins [$]
Phillip Coorey
Like a rugby forward trying to shove a rolling maul across the try line, Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg was celebrating a small gain on Friday – forward motion.
https://www.afr.com/news/josh-frydenbergs-rolling-maul-still-on-its-feet-20180809-h13s53
Politics wins as PM’s flagship energy policy teeters
David Crowe
Malcolm Turnbull has been denied a deal with the states on his energy plan and the effect is brutal and immediate.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/politics-wins-as-turnbull-s-flagship-energy-policy-teeters-20180810-p4zwrq.html
A pause in the climate wars is better than nothing
Chris Dunstan
The NEG does not provide a comprehensive resolution to our energy and climate deadlock. But it could signal an end to the extreme adversarial, winner-take-all approach.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/a-pause-in-the-climate-wars-is-better-than-nothing-20180809-p4zwl3.html
Electricity prices are falling – and will keep doing so – whether or not energy deal is inked
Peter Hannam & Cole Latimer
Power prices are on the way down – and that’s with or without the National Energy Guarantee getting up.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/electricity-prices-are-falling-and-will-keep-doing-so-whether-or-not-energy-deal-is-inked-20180809-p4zwjr.html
‘Bizarrely distorted to green Left‘ [$]
Chris Kenny
In our national debate, there is more discussion about higher targets than there is about the futility of the Paris commitment
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/paris-emissions-target-is-driving-us-to-futile-slefharm/news-story/69c09d8760fc20ce78c0559e7537a796
A universal truth on renewables [$]
Judith Sloan
Malcolm Turnbull understands neither the economics nor the engineering. Consumers worldwide are paying a heavy price.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/its-a-universal-truth-renewables-mean-higher-costs/news-story/c2c3d834d2127034e3c4c85452dd6384
Victoria
Seeking right route for transport’s future
Age editorial
Only about 13 per cent of Melburnians use public transport to commute to work. There is room to expand that hugely, to great benefit economically and socially.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/seeking-right-route-for-transport-s-future-20180810-p4zws7.html
New South Wales
Drought to blame for pipes spurting water down Sydney streets
Recently had a long wait to get a leak fixed and had to stand by watching water just flow down the drains? Sydney Water is urging patience and explains how drought-parched soil is causing an influx of pipe cracks.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-10/sydney-water-pipes-cracking-under-pressure-of-drought/10089808
Famed environmental scientist Mary White allegedly murdered by daughter
Barbara Eckersley, 67, has been charged with the murder of her mother, a celebrated environmentalist and palaeobotanist
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/10/famed-environmental-scientist-mary-white-allegedly-murdered-by-daughter
Queensland
1967: The year the reef was nearly bulldozed
This is a story about the dawn of Great Barrier Reef conservation, and how a few important players raised hell and had the ear of a prime minister.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2018-08-11/great-barrier-reef-conservation-harold-holt-and-bingil-bay/10057716
Adani knew of Abbot Point pollution risk before spill, conservationists say
It and the Queensland government were aware polluted water could spill during 2017 cyclone, says Mackay Conservation Group
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/aug/10/adani-knew-of-abbot-point-pollution-risk-before-cyclone-spill-conservationists
Reef Foundation passes cabinet, parliament tests, Malcolm Turnbull says
Malcolm Turnbull says his government’s controversial $444 million grant to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation passed the “cabinet and parliament test” but failed to weigh in on whether it passed the pub test, amid declarations from Labor the gift was a “rotting fish”.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/reef-foundation-donation-not-a-captains-pick-christopher-pyne-says/news-story/a1008be3cfd090c4ecd9b47ac4abf9e3
Reef won’t be saved by fools – or knaves, or shortcuts
Jack Waterford
Can you smell that? It’s the smell of political dumbness and incompetence among those in Cabinet on their Great Barrier Reef rescue mission.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/reef-won-t-be-saved-by-fools-or-knaves-or-shortcuts-20180810-p4zwo2.html
Coming to grief on the reef
Australian editorial
Two worthy causes — protection of the Great Barrier Reef and business leveraging of public money for the environment — have been overshadowed by poor process, and that is a pity.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/editorials/coming-to-grief-on-the-reef/news-story/7f637cb5476d0edd625f2d760bba7ca4
South Australia
SA Government and Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commissioner at odds over legal stoush
Public servants will not be compelled to give evidence about the Murray-Darling Basin according to South Australia’s Attorney-General. But the government-appointed commissioner has other ideas.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-10/murray-darling-royal-commissioner-denies-state-government-claims/10105448
River Murray royal commissioner demands apology from Chapman
The State Government’s relationship with its royal commissioner into the River Murray is in tatters today with inquiry boss Bret Walker demanding an apology from Deputy Premier Vickie Chapman over a statement he says is “wrong, discourteous and inappropriate”.
https://indaily.com.au/news/2018/08/10/river-murray-royal-commissioner-demands-apology-from-chapman/
Tasmania
Mount Wellington Cableway Company seeking legal advice over council snub
Hobart aldermen are accused of “undeniable bias” after the council’s Parks and Recreation Committee knocked back the Mount Wellington Cableway Company’s application to perform a flora and fauna study.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-10/mount-wellington-cableway-company-hits-back-at-council-snub/10106428
Battery of the Nation set for review
Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation proposal and increased interconnection will be part of a priority review under the National Energy Guarantee process.
https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/battery-of-the-nation-proposal-set-for-review/news-story/4666e3866196b96e89bfd607213090d2
Kunanyi … Little Signposts
Kevin Kiernan
Little signposts, on the hillside … Little sign post, looking very tacky
http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/weblog/article/kunanyi-…-little-signposts-/
Northern Territory
Authorities say Borroloola drinking water is safe — but many residents don’t trust them
Indigenous residents living in the Northern Territory mining town of Borroloola said they do not believe assurances from the Health Department that water they were warned not to drink in April is now safe.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-10/indigenous-protest-lead-contamination-water-borroloola/10103122
Revealed: Major consequences of savage cop cuts [$]
Confidential NT Police documents from its in-house razor gang show the potential ‘major’ consequences of some of the force’s efforts to meet government-imposed budget cuts
https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/secret-documents-show-how-far-nt-police-are-going-to-save-millions-of-dollars-and-meet-budget-cuts/news-story/e9de2ad3482d486d5c433482768a3f4c
Sustainability
A toxic substance has been found in crayons again
A recent detection of asbestos highlights the challenge of keeping products for kids safe online.
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/08/asbestos-crayons-kids-safety/567131/
New Zealand will ban plastic bags for good
“We need to be far smarter in the way we manage waste and this is a good start.”
https://mashable.com/2018/08/09/new-zealand-plastic-bag-ban/#l0WBnSlViqq0
The past and future of Buckminster Fuller’s energy slaves
Pete Myers
Economists like to point to ingenuity, capital and labor as the drivers of economic growth.
https://www.ehn.org/commentary-the-past-and-future-of-buckminster-fullers-energy-slaves-2594474398.html
Nature Conservation
Harry visits Botswana for Rhino update
The Duke of Sussex has returned to his beloved Botswana to catch up on the work of a rhino charity he supports.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/harry-visits-botswana-for-rhino-update/news-story/ac44ce6bac9312782237e410be4a0759
Researchers discover 2 new non-native species in Great Lakes
The arrival and staying power of two new exotic species in western Lake Erie remains a mystery to scientists who say it is the farthest north either has been tracked in the Western Hemisphere.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-non-native-species-great-lakes-20180808-story.html #
Now for something completely different …
Homo erectus were too short-sighted and lazy to survive, research finds
The ‘why bother?’ approach of an early species of human in Saudi Arabia meant they did not know what to do when their environment changed, ANU research finds. [Mabe they survived and became politicians.]
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-10/homo-erectus-too-lazy-to-survive-anu-research-finds/10104878
Maelor Himbury