Why poison is a growing threat to Africa’s wildlife
Deadly chemicals, including pesticides, are now a weapon of choice for those who see lions, elephants, and other wild animals as threats to livestock and property.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/08/poisoning-africa-kenya-maasai-pesticides-lions-poachers-conservationists/
Today’s Celebration
Independence Day – Central African Republic
Lao Issara, Day of the Free Laos – Laos
Revolution Anniversary – Congo (Republic of)
Women’s Day – Tunisia
O – Bon / Festival of Souls (solar date) – Shinto
International Lefthanders Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lefthanders-day/
More about – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August _13
Climate Change
Where there’s fire, Trump blows smoke
The president, either willfully ignorant or playing to his base, tweets nonsense about the California wildfires and refuses to acknowledge the role of climate change in the disaster.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/opinion/environment/california-wildfires-trump-zinke-climate-change.html
National
Bemis and Amcor form $25bn global packaging business
MinterEllison has advised Bemis Company, Inc. (Bemis) on its US$5.26 billion cross-border merger with Amcor Limited (Amcor), one of the largest transa…
https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/biglaw/23809-bemis-and-amcor-form-25-billion-global-packaging-business
Scientists race to bank seeds before rainforests die
Preserving seeds for the future is part of a massive insurance policy being undertaken by the Australian PlantBank to ensure plants, including those from rainforests like the native macadamia, survive after their habitat is destroyed.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/conservation/scientists-race-to-bank-seeds-before-rainforests-die-20180809-p4zwl6.html
Bid to end Murray Royal Commission standoff [$]
Centre Alliance is threatening to try to block legislation if the Federal Government does not step in on the Murray-Darling Royal Commission.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/centre-alliance-to-try-to-break-impasse-over-murray-darling-royal-commission/news-story/2b776f7bb9e313b98b5927f682d5add2
Paris deal’s ‘irreparable damage’ [$]
The Paris climate agreement targets will cause “irreparable economic damage”, says the Institute of Public Affairs.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/paris-deal-spells-irreparable-damage-ipa-report/news-story/a991c82bde1a2e394b8882f390012336
Turnbull’s energy policy hangs in the balance as euthanasia debate given precedence
Senate to debate private member’s bill to repeal 1997 ban on territories having authority to legalise voluntary euthanasia
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/13/turnbulls-energy-policy-hangs-in-the-balance-as-euthanasia-debate-given-precedence
Govt to bankroll new coal plants: paper
The federal government plans to underwrite billions in investment in coal and gas power stations to persuade MPs to back its National Energy Guarantee.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/govt-bankroll-coal-plants-paper-191911480–spt.html
‘Vital to keep coal plants going’ [$]
Tomago Aluminium CEO Matt Howell says allowing coal-fired power plants to close ‘is too big a risk’.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/energy-debate-tomago-aluminium-ceo-says-its-vital-to-keep-coal-plants-going/news-story/3407f7be71dedee94a6496df260ffe80
NEG will fail to lift investor confidence: analysts
Global industrial analysis firm IBISWorld believes even if the National Energy Guarantee gets approval it will fail to lift energy investor confidence.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/the-economy/neg-will-fail-to-lift-investor-confidence-analysts-20180812-p4zx0n.html
Turnbull will get NEG backing [$]
Jennifer Hewett
Despite constant jibes from Labor about the obvious tensions on show, the Coalition party room is expected to back the National Energy Guarantee on Tuesday.
https://www.afr.com/opinion/columnists/coalition-party-room-is-expected-to-back-the-neg-20180812-h13v6x
Consumers aren’t the big winners out of National Energy Guarantee
Nicky Ison
One of the reasons for rising electricity prices is lack of competition. Why would the big three energy companies want anything to change?
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/federal/consumers-aren-t-the-big-winners-out-of-national-energy-guarantee-20180811-p4zwyv.html
Finding solutions is hard but it can be done
Greg Jericho
The calls to cut migration gives politicians an easy pass. We shouldn’t let them get away with it
https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2018/aug/12/blaming-a-rising-population-is-easy-finding-solutions-is-hard-but-it-can-be-done
Our Future: It’s time to get our heads out of the coal pit
Karen Jarling
So while us farmers experience the battlefront of climate change, our federal government constantly fails to tackle the cause of the issue: burning fossil fuels. Instead, they preside over rising emissions and are infatuated with building the world’s largest thermal coal mine.
https://www.examiner.com.au/story/5579213/its-time-to-get-our-heads-out-of-the-coal-pit/
Liberal MPs need to reject Turnbull’s ‘stupid’ scheme [$]
Andrew Bolt
Dear Liberals, no one buys that spin. We know your National Energy Guarantee scheme has targets for cutting emissions but none for cutting prices.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-bolt/liberals-mp-need-to-reject-turnbulls-stupid-scheme-writes-andrew-bolt/news-story/636cc6bc58ce775a46640dbaf99f56f9
Turnbull needs a stronger message to gain traction [$]
Australian editorial
Before domestic and commercial power bills escalate further and cost jobs or Australians face blackouts over a long, hot summer, the governments of NSW, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia should listen to voters and open up gas development.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/editorials/turnbull-needs-a-stronger-message-to-gain-traction/news-story/54812ed198b89dcbbb7a37f560263ab3
From solastalgia to speciestalgia: Essential Australian eco-terms
Dan Bloom
As our world continues to change and various species disappear, our vocabulary adapts to these changes.
https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/from-solastalgia-to-speciestalgia-essential-australian-eco-terms,11777
Victoria
Melbourne to reap benefits of compost facility
King & Wood Mallesons has advised the Clean Energy Finance Corporation on the building of a new state-of-the-art composting facility in Melbourne….
https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/biglaw/23802-melbourne-to-reap-benefits-of-compost-facility
Werribee landfill set for major expansion
One of Melbourne’s biggest rubbish tips is to get bigger as a growing population puts pressure on waste management systems.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/werribee-landfill-set-for-major-expansion-20180812-p4zx1c.html
Greens propose Melbourne Metro 2 rail link [$]
The Greens will pledge their support for Melbourne Metro 2, a rail project proposed to link Mernda and Werribee, with a tunnel between Clifton Hill and Newport.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/greens-propose-new-melbourne-metro-rail-link-between-mernda-werribee-and-clifton-hill-newport/news-story/ebc2f1676a8017f359dd4e5b78d260dd
Why on earth would Victoria veto lower power prices?
The AFR View
Why does Victoria get an effective veto on the most credible national policy for ending the decade-long climate energy wars?
https://www.afr.com/opinion/editorials/why-on-earth-would-victoria-veto-lower-power-prices-20180812-h13vbp
Queensland
Josh Frydenberg says $444m reef grant ‘not unusual’ as Labor demands answers
Environment minister declines to clarify whether giving money to Great Barrier Reef Foundation was his idea
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/12/josh-frydenberg-says-444m-reef-grant-not-unusual-as-labor-demands-answers
Reef foundation backs audit of $443m grant [$]
The recipient of a controversial $443 million grant to help protect the Great Barrier Reef has promised all federal MPs full transparency on how the money is spent.
https://www.afr.com/news/reef-foundation-promises-full-transparency-welcomes-scrutiny-over-443m-grant-20180811-h13upr
Horror weekend of bushfires [$]
Fires have ripped through farmland west of Brisbane, blackening hectares of land and ruining what little stock feed there was left.
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mutdapilly-ballandean-residents-urged-to-prepare-to-leave/news-story/1d22d3228889fb0f808b232638c91d2f
Tony Burke talks to IA: Labor to keep up pressure over Reefgate
If the Prime Minister and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation thought the heat would go out of #Reefgate over the weekend, they are in for a shock.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/exclusive-tony-burke-talks-to-ia-labor-to-keep-up-pressure-over-reefgate,11778
South Australia
What it was like living at an atomic testing site
Maralinga holds a unique place in Australia’s history, but for some of its former caretakers it represents a much-loved way of life.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-12/what-it-is-like-living-maralinga-atomic-testing-site/10111212
Tasmania
Senator joins call for population probe [$]
Senator says the infrastructure and social challenges associated with Hobart’s growth show sensible targets need to be set and planned for.
https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/tasmanian-senator-joins-call-for-probe-into-population-policy/news-story/160a8d637198b33367eebeeffdc8ceec
Northern Territory
Recycling thieves threaten social enterprise for the disabled
People with intellectual disabilities rely on donated recyclable goods to make a living, but when their employer discovered people were stealing their rubbish he felt powerless to act.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-12/cash-for-containers-scheme-threatened-by-rubbish-theft/10088302
Western Australia
Penguin Island’s penguins in battle for survival against climate change, human threats
They’re small, cute and lure about 130,000 visitors to their island every year, but the little penguin population that gives WA’s Penguin Island its name is in danger on several fronts.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-12/penguin-island-penguins-in-danger-from-changing-weather/10096012
Warning issued for remote WA bushfire
A watch and act warning has been issued for a fire in Western Australia’s East Kimberly region.
https://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/warning-issued-for-remote-wa-bushfire/news-story/337536a1f6e4739a534f2612e7ebb0bf
Sustainability
Burying ‘One Child’ limits, China pushes women to have more babies
Worried that an aging population imperils the economy, Beijing is scrambling to stimulate a baby boom after decades of harsh restrictions on births.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/11/world/asia/china-one-child-policy-birthrate.html
Electric cars are next target in Trump’s war on environment
Hidden in the Trump’s proposed rollback of auto mileage and emissions standards is an end run to thwart to California’s electric vehicle requirements.
https://www.ehn.org/opinion-electric-cars-are-next-target-in-trumps-war-on-environment-times-of-san-diego-2594846205.html
One man’s suffering has exposed Monsanto’s secrets to the world
Carey Gillam
Company’s own records revealed damning truth of glyphosate-based herbicides’ link to cancer.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/aug/11/one-mans-suffering-exposed-monsantos-secrets-to-the-world?CMP=share_btn_tw
Nature Conservation
Why poison is a growing threat to Africa’s wildlife
Deadly chemicals, including pesticides, are now a weapon of choice for those who see lions, elephants, and other wild animals as threats to livestock and property.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/08/poisoning-africa-kenya-maasai-pesticides-lions-poachers-conservationists/
On World Elephant Day, conservationists warn against shrinking pachyderm population
On the World Elephant Day—the celebration of mystical and mythological ‘gaja’, India”s national heritage—animal conservationists and rights activists have expressed concerns about loss of their habitats and corridors, leading to a rise in number of human-elephant conflicts.
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/on-world-elephant-day-conservationists-warn-against-shrinking-pachyderm-population/636174.html
Meet Iceland’s whaling magnate. He makes no apologies
Kristjan Loftsson’s company is the last one in the world still hunting fin whales. His credo: “If it’s sustainable, you hunt.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/10/climate/iceland-whaling.html
Maelor Himbury