The world of plastics, in numbers
Eric Beckman
In 2015, over 320 million tons of polymers, excluding fibers, were manufactured across the globe.
https://theconversation.com/the-world-of-plastics-in-numbers-100291
Today’s Celebration
Arequipa Week – Peru
Defense Forces Day – Zimbabwe
Queen’s Birthday – Thailand
International Youth Day – http://www.un.org/en/events/youthday/
World Elephant Day – http://worldelephantday.org/
OCD and Anxiety Disorders Week – http://www.arcvic.org.au/
More about Aug 12 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August _12
Climate Change
Heatwave-related deaths influenced by prior acclimatisation to warmth
Quick quiz: which city is more likely to suffer heatwave-related mortality, Melbourne or Sydney?
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/climate-change/heatwave-related-deaths-influenced-by-prior-acclimatisation-to-warmth-20180811-p4zwwa.html
National
PM must get real about energy crisis [$]
Piers Akerman
The Paris commitment condemns Australia to higher electricity prices and the National Energy Guarantee condemns Australia to less reliable power. Malcolm Turnbull should put a stop to it.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/piers-akerman-pm-must-ditch-paris-accord-and-get-real-about-energy-crisis/news-story/02b11b186e85e8bd390ea3d03eb5d5c3
Coles ‘bagflip’ fiasco highlights the need for legislation
Ella Plumanns Pouton
Affordability is a large concern for many consumers and will outrank environmental standards in more instances than not.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/coles-bagflip-fiasco-highlights-the-need-for-legislation-20180810-p4zwnl.html
Figs, ferns and featherwoods: learn all about Australia’s native trees and plants
Molly Glassey and Madeleine De Gabriele
A newsletter for all you floraphiles out there.
https://theconversation.com/figs-ferns-and-featherwoods-learn-all-about-australias-native-trees-and-plants-91306
Victoria
The power of rubbish: Paper plant’s bid to burn litter for electricity
Kerbside rubbish from Melbourne’s south-east suburbs would be used to power the country’s biggest paper mill under an ambitious plan that has locals concerned about their health.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-12/australian-paper-to-burn-rubbish-for-power/10093676
Turning concrete common areas into apartment block oases
Apartment residents secure $100,000 to transform their stark, concrete outdoor areas into green havens to combat the effects of climate change.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-11/urban-forest-fund-helps-green-melbourne-private-spaces/10030356
New South Wales
Almost 18 months on from the Carwoola bushfire and landowners are still facing big bills
It has been almost 18 months since a raging fire ripped through more than 3000 hectares of land and destroyed 11 homes in Carwoola.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/nsw/almost-18-months-on-from-the-carwoola-bushfire-and-landowners-are-still-facing-big-bills-20180801-p4zuyr.html
Sydney beyond 2020; time for imaginative solutions
SMH editorial
As Australia passes the 25 million population mark, Sydney has to make even more room.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-beyond-2020-time-for-imaginative-solutions-20180810-p4zwum.html
ACT
Does Canberra need a green roofs and walls policy?
Canberra is transitioning to a higher density city with rooftop gardens and better building sustainability.
https://www.allhomes.com.au/news/does-canberra-need-a-green-roofs-and-walls-policy-20180810-h13so0-757543/
Queensland
PM’s reef plunge rips up grant rules
Canberra Times editorial
The process couldn’t have been more flimsy and unaccountable without being negligent. The government looks duplicitous or incompetent – or both.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/environment/climate-change/pm-s-reef-plunge-rips-up-grant-rules-20180811-p4zwyx.html
South Australia
SA Premier pledges $14m boost to accelerate interconnector project
The South Australian Government announces it will spend $14 million in an attempt to accelerate a project to build a new interconnector with NSW, with Premier Steven Marshall claiming the “early works package” could bring the process forward by up to 12 months.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-11/state-government-boost-for-sa-interconnector/10109486
Tasmania
Fears salmon move to Norfolk Bay will affect red handfish habitat
A Tasmanian environment group says the critically endangered red handfish could be at risk from a plan to move Atlantic salmon close to their only known habitat.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-11/fears-salmon-move-will-affect–red-handfish-habitat/10106684
Greens Beach Solarhome to open doors to the public
On a stormy day in Greens Beach, when the power was out across the town, the residents of the Greens Beach Solarhome were none the wiser.
https://www.examiner.com.au/news/local-news/5574427/worlds-only-fully-off-grid-solarhome-located-at-greens-beach-open-to-public/
Talks begin on river ferry plan [$]
Consultation on a proposed ferry service for the River Derwent will start later this month.
https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/metro-tasmania-to-start-consultation-on-river-derwent-ferry-proposal/news-story/88fd13357bd09099005dad9bdbe31761
Northern Territory
EPA recommends McArthur River Mine expansion, despite history of environmental incidents
The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority’s recommendation that Glencore should be allowed to expand its McArthur River zinc and lead mine in the Gulf of Carpentaria has infuriated Indigenous and green groups.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-11/mcarthur-mine-river-expansion-recommend-epa-glencore-environment/10108052
‘Concerning’ bushfire breakout near Darwin
Residents in the Greater Darwin area are being advised to use their fire action plans as two separate bushfires have broken out in the Top End
https://www.news.com.au/national/northern-territory/concerning-bushfire-breakout-near-darwin-ntpfes-urges-caution/news-story/3b16cc135d4e27d0a86eb7d698fcc951
Western Australia
Prime Minister recommits funding for Perth Freight Link
But the McGowan Government says the door remains firmly shut on the issue.
https://thewest.com.au/politics/liberal/prime-minister-malcolm-turnbull-pledges-12-billion-for-perth-freight-link-ng-b88925522z
Sustainability
Cancer Council concerned Monsanto concealing Roundup cancer links
The Cancer Council is urging global chemical giant Monsanto to come clean on any potential links to cancer with one of its popular weed killers following a major lawsuit in the US.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-11/cancer-council-monsanto-should-come-clean/10109760
French park uses birds for litter patrol
A theme park in France is deploying six rooks to collect rubbish and keep the grounds tidy in return for foody treats.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/french-park-uses-birds-for-litter-patrol/news-story/342f1a3d1130e90a40065c466af52924
Monsanto ordered to pay $289 million to man who claims Roundup weed killer caused cancer
A US jury orders Agribusiness giant Monsanto to pay compensatory damages to a former school groundskeeper dying of cancer, saying the company’s popular Roundup weed killer contributed to his disease.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-11/monsanto-ordered-to-pay-289-million-to-school-groundskeeper/10109352
Meet the researchers designing the death of plastic
“It was a phenomenal feeling,” said the scientist who made plastic simply disappear.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/world/north-america/researchers-holy-grail-of-plastic-that-self-destructs-within-minutes-20180810-p4zwpx.html
Soft drinks and cancer – the link is there
It’s time to fizz out the soft drinks – just one a day could increase your risk of cancer and chronic disease.
https://www.cancervic.org.au/about/stories/soft-drink-increase-cancer-risk.html
Environmental concerns stronger among younger religious Americans
Younger generations of religious Americans tend to closely harbor concerns for the environment via stewardship more so than older parishioners, according to a study by a University of Kansas researcher.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/uok-ecs081018.php
The nature of happiness? Trees, of course
Amelia Lester
I have a proposal for the rest of us to enjoy some R&R that doesn’t involve hopping on a plane or even constantly reapplying sunscreen. It’s called forest bathing, and it’s the latest happiness cure to come out of Japan.
https://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/foreign-correspondence-the-nature-of-happiness-trees-of-course-20180808-p4zw5h.html
The world of plastics, in numbers
Eric Beckman
In 2015, over 320 million tons of polymers, excluding fibers, were manufactured across the globe.
https://theconversation.com/the-world-of-plastics-in-numbers-100291
Nature Conservation
Fresh insight into invasive plant that blights UK rivers
New research into the behaviour of an invasive plant seen on riverbanks across the UK could help improve the management of the problem, experts have found.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/uos-fii081018.php
Now for something completely different …
Hawaii prepares to host one of the world’s most extreme pools
One thing’s for sure – you’d never forget your first time in a pool like this.
https://www.allhomes.com.au/news/thrilling-or-terrifying-hawaiis-anaha-building-to-host-one-of-the-worlds-most-extreme-pools-20180810-h11l32-757534/
Maelor Himbury