Daily Links Aug 18

Eleven articles with a national focus on energy policy and why we don’t have a good one, or a good PM either, and then talk of hothouse earth and the problems we have.

Post of the Day

World is finally waking up to climate change, says ‘hothouse Earth’ author

Report predicting spiralling global temperatures has been downloaded 270,000 times in just a few days

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/17/world-waking-up-to-reality-climate-change-hothouse-earth-author

 

Today’s Celebration

Bad Poetry Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/bad-poetry-day/

World Honey Bee Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-honey-bee-day/

Serendipity Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/serendipity-day/

Break The Monotony Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/break-the-monotony-day/

International Geocaching Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-geocaching-day/

More about Aug 18 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_18

 

Climate Change

World is finally waking up to climate change, says ‘hothouse Earth’ author

Report predicting spiralling global temperatures has been downloaded 270,000 times in just a few days

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/17/world-waking-up-to-reality-climate-change-hothouse-earth-author

 

Key factor may be missing from models that predict disease outbreaks from climate change

A new study suggests that computer models used to predict the spread of epidemics from climate change — such as crop blights or disease outbreaks — may not take into account an important factor in predicting their severity.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180816090430.htm

 

National

Barnaby Joyce accused of tilting Murray-Darling authority towards irrigators

Former farmers’ federation head says authority’s ‘direction changed’ when Joyce became agriculture minister.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/17/barnaby-joyce-accused-of-tilting-murray-darling-authority-towards-irrigators

 

The majority of people who see poaching in marine parks say nothing

Brock Bergseth, Georgina Gurney and Joshua Cinner

What would you do if you saw a fisher breaking the law? Would you report the offender to the police? Confront them? Or would you do nothing? These choices affect the future of marine protected areas.

https://theconversation.com/the-majority-of-people-who-see-poaching-in-marine-parks-say-nothing-101456

 

Malcolm Turnbull dumps plan to legislate Paris emissions targets

Malcolm Turnbull capitulates to rebels in the Coalition party room, dumping a plan to embed 26-28 per cent emissions reduction targets in Commonwealth legislation.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-17/turnbull-dumps-plan-to-legislate-paris-agreement-targets/10134284

 

Turnbull loyalists call out colleagues for ‘hyperventilating’ over energy policy

Christopher Pyne sounds warning shot to conservatives as Peter Dutton declines to publicly support the NEG.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/17/turnbull-loyalists-call-out-colleagues-for-hyperventilating-over-energy-policy

 

Big Stick for Big Power may not be ready for party room [$]

The plan aims to end the games power companies play around discounts that sees almost one in five households and small businesses in NSW and Queensland paying a ‘loyalty tax’.

https://www.afr.com/news/explained-the-big-stick-turnbull-is-waving-over-power-companies-20180817-h144at

 

Turnbull has his work cut out for him if he wants another rare moment of unity

Laura Tingle

It has been a week of victories and defeats all wrapped up in each other in federal politics, on race, and on the conjoined issues of energy and climate

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-18/federal-politics-week-victories-defeats-race-energy-climate/10133324

 

Drought, wind and heat: Bushfire season is starting earlier and lasting longer

Owen Price

Current dry conditions throughout much of Australia mean we’re looking at a torrid upcoming fire season, and it’s time for people to brace themselves and get prepared

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-17/drought-bushfire-seasons-starting-earlier-lasting-longer/10132570

 

Malcolm Turnbull’s NEG remains in snake-infested territory

Michelle Grattan

The Prime Minister is not “in crisis”, but things are quite a serious mess as those who hate him, plus others who don’t, sharpen their attack in another round of the climate wars.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-17/malcolm-turnbull-neg-remains-in-snake-infested-territory/10131124

 

The federal government is trembling on the brink of a violent upheaval

Peter Hartcher

There is little pleasure ahead for Turnbull as MPs wrestle to control energy policy.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/federal/little-pleasure-ahead-for-turnbull-as-mps-wrestle-to-control-energy-policy-20180817-p4zy70.html

 

After first skirmish in NEG war, omens are not good

Jack Waterford

The showdown in the government party room exposed the pro-coal, climate denying or otherwise NEG-ative feeling.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/after-first-skirmish-in-neg-war-omens-are-not-good-20180817-p4zy1z.html

 

The costs of climate change will hit everyone’s hip pocket

Bob Brown

Until Australia’s energy plan accounts for the cost of worse bushfires, for example, talk of prices going down are economically fraudulent.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/federal/the-costs-of-climate-change-will-hit-everyone-s-hip-pocket-20180816-p4zxu3.html

 

Transforming Australia’s energy system should not be beyond us

Tony Wood

It is an unprecedented economic, political, social and technical challenge, but there are grounds for optimism.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/federal/transforming-australia-s-energy-system-should-not-be-beyond-us-20180816-p4zxu5.html

 

It’s time for politicians to put the national interest ahead of energy ideology

Stephen Galilee

Some energy producing technologies are being been ruled out for ideological reasons, rather than be allowed to compete on their own merits.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/federal/it-s-time-for-politicians-to-put-the-national-interest-ahead-of-energy-ideology-20180816-p4zxu1.html

 

Power politics are playing out behind closed doors of Coalition

Sharri Markson

Party-room disquiet over the National Energy Guarantee is more than just agitation from the so-called ‘Abbott camp’ and the PM must watch the NEG is not his undoing.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/sharri-markson-power-politics-are-playing-out-behind-closed-doors-of-coalition/news-story/0cac7249189ecfb8cdc2a5c2c49cb3e6

 

New South Wales

Sydney ‘not ready’ to talk about removing shark nets, Minister says

Sun and sand is a way of life in the Harbour City, but NSW Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair says its residents are “not ready” to talk about removing shark nets, despite the concept being scrapped in other parts of the state.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-17/sydney-not-ready-to-talk-about-removing-shark-nets-says-minister/10131340

 

Native, domestic animals in a life or death tussle for food during drought

Wildlife carers are having to keep the release of rehabilitated kangaroos secret to avoid the animals being shot, as tensions rise between primary producers and native animals.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-17/climate-pressure-brings-native-and-domestic-animals-needs-into/10126216

 

NSW Minister Ray Williams accused of political interference over illegal dam

Mr Williams wrote six letters to the Water Minister and demanded his constituent be given a free water licence.

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/nsw-minister-ray-williams-accused-of-political-interference-over-illegal-dam-20180817-p4zy59.html

 

ACT

Parliament House architect says tram should be wire-free to Adelaide Ave

The National Capital Authority says it is still waiting for detailed plans on stage 2 of the project.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/act/parliament-house-architect-says-tram-should-be-wire-free-to-adelaide-ave-20180817-p4zy4m.html

 

Queensland

My beloved Reef: Four tales of love, loss and hope

As this year’s Science Week focuses on the Great Barrier Reef, we hear from four Australians why they love the reef — what fears they hold for it and their hopes for the future.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2018-08-18/my-beloved-great-barrier-reef/9748398

 

The Great Barrier Reef’s annual business ‘love-in’ [$]

It’s the elite club which costs members $20,000 a year, but it’s all meant to be about saving the Great Barrier Reef.

https://www.afr.com/news/politics/great-barrier-reef-foundation-chairmans-panel-getaway-about-opening-wallets-20180817-h143i5

 

Indigenous challenge to Adani mine agreement dismissed by Federal Court

The Federal Court has upheld an Indigenous Land Use Agreement over the Adani mine site in central Queensland, paving the way for the State Government to extinguish native title over the site.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-17/adani-federal-court-traditional-owners-native-title/10131920

 

Great Barrier Reef grant risked delaying action, government was warned

Giving $444m dollars to small foundation could delay on-ground work, documents reveal

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/18/great-barrier-reef-grant-risked-delaying-action-government-was-warned

 

Evacuation warning downgraded for bushfire north-west of Brisbane

The fire service has downgraded its evacuation warning, despite a bushfire continuing to burn north-west of Brisbane.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/residents-prepare-to-evacuate-as-bushfire-burns-north-west-of-brisbane-20180817-p4zy6s.html

 

“No need for new coal:” Sun Metals formally opens solar farm in “George” town

Premier Palaszczuk officially opens Sun Metals solar farm, the first large-scale solar farm built directly by major energy user.

https://reneweconomy.com.au/no-need-for-new-coal-sun-metals-formally-opens-solar-farm-in-george-town-26798/

 

Accounting trick frames reef grant [$]

Mike Seccombe

The government’s surprise $444 million grant to a private foundation is allegedly being used to fudge its commitment to UNESCO on Barrier Reef protection.

https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2018/08/18/accounting-trick-frames-reef-grant/15345144006727

 

The Great Barrier Reef has been bleaching for at least 400 years, but it’s getting worse

Nicholas Kamenos and Sebastian Hennige

Scientists have used ‘tree rings’ in coral to identify centuries of stress.

https://theconversation.com/the-great-barrier-reef-has-been-bleaching-for-at-least-400-years-but-its-getting-worse-101691

 

South Australia

Mega lawsuit clouds weedkiller’s future [$]

South Australian councils and State Government agencies could be open to legal claims from the fallout over a landmark US court ruling involving Australia’s most popular herbicide, a national law firm is warning.

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/law-firm-maurice-blackburn-warns-us-ruling-over-weedkiller-roundup-could-have-implications-for-sa/news-story/534ee6a9b4d10861f26d785f36892f04

 

Federal government ‘colludes’ to nobble Walker inquiry [$]

The South Australian government’s refusal to extend the royal commission into the Murray–Darling finds it accused of collusion with the federal government.

https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2018/08/18/federal-government-colludes-nobble-walker-inquiry/15345144006726


Tasmania

How you can help save our endangered species [$]

Tasmanian conservationists and scientists are calling for public submissions for the Senate inquiry into threatened animal species to make it worthwhile.

https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/public-urged-to-have-their-say-in-senates-threatened-species-inquiry/news-story/4b41f1bbb8508b5982733b63cd4b4875

 

Reverse Alchemy … STT turns forest gold into more chips and debt

Ted Mead

Even after the 2017 fire sale of the state’s hardwood plantations, it is without doubt that STT will incur a net debt again over the past financial year.

http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/weblog/article/reverse-alchemy-…-stt-turns-forest-gold-into-more-chips-and-debt/

 

Reviewed! Eroding the Edges of Nature

Geoff Holloway

“… But tourism can be a double-edged sword. The quest for money that might be earned from tourism has the same potential to result in excess and over-reach as can occur in any other form of commercial enterprise.”

http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/weblog/article/reviewed-eroding-the-edges-of-nature/

 

Did you know … ?

Rob Walls

How many people know that in mid-summer the very first light of each new day that touches the continental land mass of Australia, does so on the pinnacle of Mount Wellington?

http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/weblog/article/did-you-know-/

 

Norfolk Bay Salmon Farm Shock Galvanises Locals

Rosalie Woodruff

Huon Aquaculture’s installation of salmon pens in Norfolk Bay, without public consultation or independent assessment of social and marine impacts, has angered and frustrated Southern Beaches and Tasman Peninsula residents.

http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/weblog/article/norfolk-bay-salmon-farm-shock-galvanises-locals/

Sustainability

Blow for US EPA as court blocks bid to slacken safety rules for chemical plants

‘Capricious’ EPA forbidden from delaying the enforcement of chemical safety rule drawn up by Obama administration

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/17/epa-setback-court-chemical-safety-environment

 

China’s ‘nuclear element’ in the South China Sea [$]

The Pentagon has sounded a warning over China’s plans to introduce floating nuclear power plants on disputed islands and reefs in the South China Sea.

https://www.afr.com/news/world/china-may-add-nuclear-element-to-south-china-sea-dispute-pentagon-says-20180817-h144d4

 

In the future, will people have enough water to live?

By 2050, half the world’s population may no longer have safe water to drink or grow food. What then?

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/future-will-people-have-enough-water-live

 

Nitrogen pollution is a problem as big as climate change. Science might have a fix.

Bad news: Nitrogen pollution is huge, honking problem. Good news: We might have a fix.

https://grist.org/article/nitrogen-pollution-is-a-problem-as-big-as-climate-change-science-might-have-a-fix/

 

We’re in a world plagued by ‘short-termism’

James Adonis

We live in a world of short-termism, do we not?

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/business/small-business/short-termism-causes-journal-long-term-20180816-p4zxvs.html

 

‘Recyclable’ is a word, not a promise — most plastic goes to landfills

Monica Wilson

We need bold, innovative solutions to the plastic pollution crisis at the global level, not tired, recycled promises.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/Recyclable-is-a-word-not-a-promise-13162266.php

 

The future of the “other Australia” within our smart cities

Peter Fisher

Dr Peter Fisher explores the relationship between the environment and urban tech and how nature imprints on our major cities

https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/the-future-of-the-other-australia-within-our-smart-cities,11797

 

Nature Conservation

Older than dinosaurs: last South African coelacanths threatened by oil exploration

Just 30 of the prehistoric fish known to exist, raising fears oil wells will push it to extinction

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/17/older-than-dinosaurs-last-south-african-coelacanths-threatened-by-oil-exploration

 

Environmental group seeks to join algae lawsuit

A fourth entity has filed a brief in U.S. District Court seeking legal standing so it can help two groups in a lawsuit seeking a comprehensive remedy for western Lake Erie algal blooms.

http://www.toledoblade.com/Courts/2018/08/16/Environmental-group-seeks-to-join-algae-lawsuit/stories/20180816183

 

Something’s fishy: UW research shows pollution negatively impacts a fish’s sense of smell

Pollutants may be putting fish, including salmon, at risk by hurting their sense of smell, according to researchers at the University of Washington.

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/somethings-fishy-uw-research-shows-pollution-negatively-impacts-a-fishs-sense-of-smell/281-584971822

 

 

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