Daily Links Aug 3

What the New York Times got right — and wrong — about the super-wicked problem of climate change
“Losing Earth” takes a defeatist approach to humanity’s ability to solve big problems.
https://grist.org/article/what-the-new-york-times-got-right-and-wrong-about-the-super-wicked-problem-of-climate-change/

China’s military take climate-change offensive
Ted Mead
China’s military exchange their guns for shovels Whilst China is the greatest air polluter in the world, they are concurrently the most prolific alternative energy developer.
http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/weblog/article/chinas-military-take-climate-change-offensive/

Proof bag ban has become ridiculous
Few things have ignited as much passion in some Australians as the plastic bag ban. But there is light at the end of this messy tunnel.
https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/proof-plastic-bag-ban-doesnt-mean-the-end-of-the-world/news-story/3b0e86a1af9b871578a503774dac5a4a

Method in Coles bag madness [$]
What is really motivating Coles’s plastic bag gymnastics?
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/margin-call/coles-plastic-bag-backflip-is-there-method-in-the-madness/news-story/53f5c3aa15ddc21a1cd5575d7b28154d

How one family reduced their waste to just one bag a week
You don’t have to be an expert to cut down your household waste. Here’s how one Darwin family disposes of just one bag of rubbish a week.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-02/war-on-waste-darwin-family-reduces-rubbish-to-one-bag/10060774

‘The gas crisis isn’t over’: Labor seizes on ACCC report saying high prices here to stay
Regulator says prices would only be reduced materially beyond 2019 if gas supply increased significantly
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/02/the-gas-crisis-isnt-over-labor-seizes-on-accc-report-saying-high-prices-here-to-stay

Labor states want emissions target to bypass Senate [$]
A demand to regulate the emissions reduction target rather than legislate it won’t help Josh Frydenberg quell the pro-coal revolt in the Liberal party room.
https://www.afr.com/news/labor-states-want-emissions-target-to-bypass-senate-20180802-h13h8s

REST sued as super funds demand climate reporting [$]
Superannuation funds are demanding that companies spend more time reporting on climate change risks, yet one of their own is facing court action over alleged disclosure failures.
https://www.afr.com/business/super-funds-demand-climate-reporting-as-one-of-their-own-faces-court-action-20180802-h13ho2

New Minerals Council boss vows technology-neutral energy policy [$]
New Minerals Council chief Tania Constable has vowed to take a “technology-neutral” approach to climate and energy policy, signalling the pro-coal agenda run by her predecessor Brendan Pearson is dead.
https://www.afr.com/business/mining/new-mca-boss-vows-technology-neutral-energy-policy-20180723-h131pd

Printable batteries, body energy: Government boosts new technologies
Energy research like this has received a $7.5 million boost from the government as part of a swathe of funding for 132 innovative technology programs.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/the-economy/printable-batteries-body-energy-government-boosts-new-technologies-20180801-p4zuux.html

Energy plan ‘the only one on the table’, warns Scott Morrison
Nervous government backbenchers are being told they face a “sliding doors moment” in looming vote.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/federal/energy-plan-the-only-one-on-the-table-warns-scott-morrison-20180802-p4zv7c.html

States told to drop gas bans [$]
Soaring gas prices are still threatening the future of manufacturers, the consumer regulator has warned.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/states-told-to-drop-gas-bans/news-story/47f20634787e295c798bff8d001a8ada

Solar subsidy led to bill rises: Origin [$]
A 20 per cent spike in electricity prices last year was partly driven by a federal rooftop solar subsidy, Origin says.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/solar-subsidy-had-role-in-20pc-bill-rise-origin/news-story/9dbc9ec10a4bd2b7c6653ad0b9f95623

Ssangyong hints at all-electric ute for Australia
South Korean car maker joins race to bring first all-electric 4WD utility to market, with unveiling of concept e-SIV.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/ssangyong-hints-electric-ute-australia-21806/

Confused about energy? How business can take the power back
New report aims to cut through noise on Australia’s energy market transformation and give business leaders up-to-date, accessible information.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/confused-energy-business-can-take-power-back-11057/

Australia’s 2017 solar PV installation tally already eclipsed – in July
The amount of solar PV installed in Australia so far in 2018 has already surpassed the combined total of all installations for the whole of 2017.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/australias-2017-solar-pv-installation-tally-already-eclipsed-july-53566/

Where’s Waldo? The wobbly assumptions underpinning the NEG
David Leitch
ESB price assumptions don’t make sense, and no company would make such a crucial decision based on such flimsy evidence.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/wheres-waldo-the-wobbly-assumptions-underpinning-the-neg-60436/

The energy guarantee ruckus shows why we need independent policy analysis
Frank Jotzo
Just because a problem is politically difficult doesn’t mean we should compromise on scrutiny. We need to do better
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/aug/02/the-energy-guarantee-ruckus-shows-why-we-need-independent-policy-analysis

Bad policy on gas can’t seep into power too [$]
AFR View
Gas policy has been driven by fringe politics – it must not happen on power too.
https://www.afr.com/opinion/editorials/bad-policy-on-gas-cannot-seep-into-power-too-20180802-h13hih

Too many excuses are propping up high electricity prices
Rosemary Sinclair
With electricity prices having increased by as much as 30 per cent in the past two years, consumers are sick of excuses and want to see prices return to more normal levels.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/too-many-excuses-are-propping-up-high-electricity-prices-20180802-p4zv4l.html

How Coles could have avoided its plastic bag fiasco
Nicola Philp
Habit changing takes time, and Coles gave customers barely a month before backflipping.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/how-coles-could-have-avoided-its-plastic-bag-fiasco-20180802-p4zv3b.html

Why plastic bag debate is ridiculous [$]
John McCarthy and Michael Madigan
After the double backflip performed by Coles on handing out single-use plastic bags, John McCarthy and Michael Madigan go head-to-head on the issue — even if it is a ridiculous debate in the first place.
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-simple-answers-to-silly-debates/news-story/cdb9526d853cc8c61b785d37eff7563a

Environment the biggest loser as Australia’s population hits 25 million
Michael Bayliss
Australia’s population growth has several disadvantages, one of the main ones being environmental impact
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/environment-the-biggest-loser-as-australias-population-hits-25-million,11748

Latest NEG modelling divorced from renewables reality [$]
Nicky Ison
Yesterday’s NEG modelling is a myth and has purely been written to try and get the pro-coal lobby on board.
https://www.crikey.com.au/2018/08/02/latest-neg-modelling-divorced-from-renewables-reality/

Ghost of Abbott’s prime ministership threatens to haunt climate policy for a decade (at least) [$]
Bernard Keane
The key battle on energy policy is whether the government can be allowed to embed Tony Abbott’s denialism into the energy policy framework for a decade to come.
https://www.crikey.com.au/2018/08/02/ghost-of-abbotts-prime-ministership-threatens-to-haunt-climate-policy-for-a-decade-at-least/

NEG – our energy panacea [$]
Jennifer Westacott
A level playing field for energy producers and certainty on the emissions front makes NEG a positive for the economy.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/neg-tackles-both-electricity-prices-and-carbon-emissions/news-story/f728591169e6f201b6dda8f47d03bdef

PM must cut through on power [$]
Australian editorial
The Coalition has to differentiate itself sharply from Labor.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/editorials/turnbull-must-cut-through-on-power-supply-and-price/news-story/02e87df9c3c81c58f9c493ef40200083

Full absurdity of National Energy Guarantee laid bare
Giles Parkinson
The NEG is looking more and more like a fraud. It is one thing to have a policy that proudly boasts it will do nothing on emissions, but to produce a document that pretends to be able to halt the pace of technology change is barking mad.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/full-absurdity-of-national-energy-guarantee-laid-bare-75082/

Greens pressure Victoria to block national energy guarantee
Campaign by Greens joins efforts by GetUp and Greenpeace to scuttle Turnbull government energy policy
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/02/greens-pressure-victoria-to-block-national-energy-guarantee

On the road to tackling Australia’s waste crisis
Hume City Council is the first in Australia to trial a road made of plastic bags and glass.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/conservation/on-the-road-to-tackling-australia-s-waste-crisis-20180802-p4zv68.html

More parking proposed for Queen Vic Market despite council cars policy
Melbourne City Council has proposed building almost 300 new car parking spots at the Queen Victoria Market, weeks after signalling that the central city was vastly oversupplied with places to park.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/more-parking-proposed-for-queen-vic-market-despite-council-cars-policy-20180802-p4zv3n.html

Record low rainfall on Sydney’s catchment sends storage levels sinking
Levels at storages supplying Sydney are sinking amid a lack of rain and rising consumption, bringing prospects of a restart of the Sydney Desalination Plant.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/weather/record-low-rainfall-water-storage-sink-20180802-p4zv5p.html

State government refuses to budge on plastic bags
The state government says it welcomes the “proactive step” taken by supermarkets when it comes to plastic bags.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/state-government-refuses-to-budge-on-plastic-bags-20180802-p4zv7e.html

Malcolm Turnbull urged to ‘come clean’ on meeting that led to $440m Barrier Reef grant
Labor says there has been ‘no probity’ around awarding of grant to tiny charity
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/02/malcolm-turnbull-urged-to-come-clean-on-meeting-that-led-to-440m-barrier-reef-grant

‘A lot of transparency’: Frydenberg defends $444m grant to small reef charity
Environment minister says unsolicited grant complied with guidelines, and questions about it are a distraction
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/02/a-lot-of-transparency-frydenberg-defends-444m-grant-to-small-reef-charity

Nearly half of koalas die after Gold Coast relocation
The Queensland Government is reviewing its koala “translocation” policy after than 100 koalas die after being shifted 40 kilometres from their habitat into the Gold Coast Hinterland.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-02/koalas-die-at-new-gold-coast-location/10065004

What you need to know about Queensland’s new drinks container refund scheme
Queensland’s drinks container refund scheme starts on November 1, promising to reduce pollution, increase recycling, and give consumers 10 cents back for each eligible container. So how will it work?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-02/what-you-need-to-known-queensland-new-container-refund-scheme/10062656

Bridge connecting Kangaroo Point to CBD supported but not funded
A pedestrian and cyclist bridge connecting Kangaroo Point to Brisbane CBD, which was once an integral part of lord mayor Graham Quirk’s platform, was first proposed in the 1800s.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/bridge-connecting-kangaroo-point-to-cbd-supported-but-not-funded-20180802-p4zv25.html

Queensland fishers prepare lawsuit over White Spot outbreak
More than 100 commercial fishers are preparing a class action against the federal government over the White Spot outbreak that has cost Queensland’s prawn industry millions.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/queensland-fishers-prepare-lawsuit-over-white-spot-outbreak-20180801-p4zuvn.html

State raises doubt over power plan estimates [$]
Queensland has raised new concerns with the modelling behind the Federal Government’s signature energy reform, in a blow to Malcolm Turnbull’s hopes of securing a deal next week.
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/state-raises-doubt-over-power-plan-estimates/news-story/bc851e936adc3583105da5e0477fb7e3

State government urged to block nuclear facility
A petition calling on the state government to block the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility has attracted over 10,000 signatures.
https://www.transcontinental.com.au/story/5562602/petition-pushes-for-nuclear-block/

Game of Thrones: Maywald flushed from SA Water board [$]
Former water security minister and Nationals SA member Karlene Maywald has left SA Water’s board in a purge claiming half of the utility’s directors.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/former-nationals-minister-in-labor-cabinet-karlene-maywald-among-sa-water-board-purge/news-story/23c8667bace6b5d381cd57ca3ac2d464

Waste not, want not in refund plan [$]
Robert Kalman
Tasmania has a great opportunity with a proposal for a 10c container refund scheme
https://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-waste-not-want-not-in-refund-plan/news-story/b0d5399806d6a40507fa72407d4b150e

America’s first big offshore wind farm sets record low price of 6.5c/kWh
First commercial-scale offshore wind farm in US expected to save electricity consumers around $1.4bn over 20 years, by supplying power 18% cheaper than alternative sources.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/americas-first-big-offshore-wind-farm-sets-record-low-price-6-5c-kwh-45126/

California vows to ‘fight this stupidity’ as EPA moves to scrap clean car rules
Governor Jerry Brown calls administration’s proposal to weaken Obama-era emissions rules ‘reckless’ and a ‘betrayal’
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/02/epa-trump-vehicle-emissions-clean-car-rules

Trump’s clean car rollback will cost the U.S. $457 billion
It will also hasten the end of all life on Earth as we know it, in case the financial argument wasn’t enough.
https://www.fastcompany.com/90212827/trumps-clean-car-rollback-will-cost-the-u-s-450-billion

Why compostable plastics may be no better for the environment
Thomas Neitzert
New types of biodegradable or compostable plastic products seem to offer an alternative to conventional plastics. But they may be no better for the environment.
https://theconversation.com/why-compostable-plastics-may-be-no-better-for-the-environment-100016

What exactly is real in the campaign against plastic?
James Freeman
The compelling tale of a fake whale.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-exactly-is-real-in-the-campaign-against-plastic-1533145841

Iceland stops whale hunt for this season
A new government regulation in Iceland has forced one of the country’s top whaling companies to stop hunting minke whales this year.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/iceland-stops-whale-hunt-for-this-season/news-story/cb2ec3b2249b25b36f61d0a472bcc1b0

New study shows some corals might adapt to climate changes
New research shows that not all corals respond the same to changes in climate.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/uomr-nss080218.php

Mapping blue carbon in mangroves worldwide
Mangroves are tropical forests that thrive in salt water and found in a variety of coastal settings worldwide. Mangroves store greater amounts of carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem, which helps reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. When carbon is stored in the ocean or coastal ecosystems, it is called blue carbon. However, a more precise estimate of how much blue carbon is stored by mangroves has not been available until recently.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/lsu-mbc080218.php

Measuring climate impact of forests management — a groundbreaking approach
A group of forestry research experts led by the Joint Research Centre, the European Commission’s science and knowledge service, has developed a rigorous new fact-based carbon accounting system that reflects how forest management practices can help mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/ecjr-mci080218.php

For wildlife, climate change brings a mixed bag
Discussions around climate change and wildlife tend to focus on winners and losers. In reality, animals’ responses cross a wide spectrum – with some showing surprising adaptability.
https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2018/0801/For-wildlife-climate-change-brings-a-mixed-bag

Can the red wolf survive extinction a second time?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has no plan to save it.
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/can-red-wolf-survive-extinction-second-time

What’s killing the monarchs?
25 million butterflies a year are mashed by motorists.
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/what-s-killing-monarchs-our-roads

Lemur extinction: Vast majority of species under threat
The vast majority of lemur species, unique primates found only in Madagascar, are on the brink of extinction, say scientists.
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-45035560