Post of the Day
The Environmental Voter Project knows who you are, and how to trick you into saving the planet
Relying on tools of behavioral psychology, a get-out-the-vote effort urges environmentalists to the polls — and barely mentions the environment at all.
Today’s Celebration
Constitution Day – Slovakia
Evacuation Day (Italian) – Libya
Independence Day – Uzbekistan
Informe Presidencial (President’s Address) – Mexico
Luxembourg City Kermesse – Luxembourg
Reincorporation of Tarata – Peru
Start of the Armed Struggle – Eritrea
United Arab Republic’s Day – Syria
Worker’s Day – Marshall Islands
First Parkash (Nanakshahi) – Sikhism
First day of Spring
Wattle Day – http://www.wattleday.asn.au/
Gold Bow Day – http://www.thyroidfoundation.com.au/atf-awareness-events/gold-bow-day.html
World Beard Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-beard-day/
International Turkey Vulture Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/turkey-vulture-day/
Biodiversity Month – http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/month.html
2017 Great Northern Clean Up – http://www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/about/about-the-event/great-northern-clean-up
Save the Koala Month – http://www.savethekoala.com/how-to-help/save-koala-month
Debris Month of Action – http://www.projectaware.org/update/join-debris-month-action
More about Sep 1 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_1
Climate Change
Tropical forests are flipping from storing carbon to releasing it
Illegal logging and land seizures are driving this ominous yet overlooked scientific trend.
https://www.thenation.com/article/tropical-forests-are-flipping-from-storing-carbon-to-releasing-it/
Should we dim the skies to save the world?
The podcast Crazy/Genius returns with the story of a volcano, a toxic cloud, and a radical solution to humanity’s most important problem.
No ecosystem on Earth is safe from climate change
If carbon emissions continue to grow, anyone who works with the land could face ‘unprecedented challenges.’
Is California becoming unlivable?
As climate change ravages the Golden State, earthquakes could become the least of residents’ concerns.
https://newrepublic.com/article/150960/california-becoming-unlivable-climate-change
World leaders who deny climate change should go to mental hospital – Samoan PM
Tuilaepa Sailele berates leaders who fail to take issue seriously, singling out Australia, India, China and the US
For Pacific Island nations, rising sea levels are a bigger security concern than rising Chinese influence
Michael O’Keefe
A key question heading into the Pacific Islands Forum is whether Australia can negotiate a new regional security agreement that heeds Pacific leaders’ concerns.
Barnaby Joyce and the Murray–Darling
Karen Middleton
As Barnaby Joyce, newly minted special envoy for drought, made a grab for Murray–Darling water, the royal commission into the basin faced yet another setback.
National
Taylor confirms no interest in emissions, but says he’s no climate skeptic
New energy minister Angus Taylor has confirmed what was largely expected: that he has no interest in emission reductions under the remit handed him by prime minister Scott Morrison, and that his primary focus will be on reducing prices for consumers.
‘No hope of meeting Paris target’ [$]
An IMF study suggests Australia will not meet its Paris commitments even if it imposes a large carbon tax.
The best places to spot whales across Australia
There are few sights in nature more spectacular than a whale breaching, and the Australian coastline offers plenty of spots to view these giants of the oceans.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-31/whale-watching-the-best-spots-in-australia/10182414
‘Is this a red line for us?’ $15b European trade deal doomed if Australia dodges Paris pledge
The Coalition’s internal climate war risks damaging the economy after Europe declared it would reject a $15 billion trade deal with Australia unless the Morrison government keeps its pledge to cut pollution under the Paris accord.
Low-cost, printable solar panels offer ray of hope amid energy gridlock
Australian physicist says technology could make signing up for energy accounts as easy as a mobile phone subscription
BHP backs ‘kinder to the environment’ energy policy
BHP will continue to advocate for legislation that delivers reliability, affordability and emissions reductions, although Scott Morrison’s government has put cost front and centre.
The Driven Podcast: By 2025, all new cars will be electric
Why all new cars will be electric by 2025, and why your next purchase could be your last. An interview with Tony Seba.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/the-driven-podcast-by-2025-all-new-cars-will-be-electric-84632/
After five years without climate policy, time for the states to step up [$]
Bernard Keane
We’re now in our fifth year without a meaningful climate policy. Labor and the states and territories are the only ones who can fix that.
Is it lights out for renewables? [$]
Judith Sloan
Wind farms shelved and a solar industry in collapse. There are signs that investment in subsidised renewable energy has peaked.
Victoria
Minister demands explanation after logging charges thrown out of court
Victoria’s Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio demands an explanation from her department, after a court throws out its charges against the state’s logging agency VicForests.
Five million Melburnians: City’s population hits milestone tomorrow
Official data says the 5 million mark will be passed sometime on Saturday. It was only eight years ago that we topped 4 million – how did we get so big so quickly?
Scores of dead fish, eels wash up after massive factory fire
Authorities say chemicals and foam entered waterways, and urge people near Stony Creek to stay away from water.
Secret Andrews Government logging ban plans could wipe thousands of jobs [$]
A secret Andrews Government plan to ban logging in Victorian native forests next decade could wipe out thousands of jobs across the state.
Let’s take these simple steps to improve pedestrian safety
Age editorial
Walking is great for the health, the environment and the economy – but it can also be dangerous. Let’s fix that.
New South Wales
Meet Glenda Elliiott, Yackandandah’s angel of the bush
Tucked away in an unconventional animal sanctuary in the middle of a forest, one woman is toiling away tirelessly — work that for the past 25 years has saved thousands of native animals.
NSW taxpayers set for $500m bill if Sydney light rail project fails
A fiery exchange in State Parliament leads to the NSW Government admitting it is the guarantor for a $500 million loan to keep the consortium building Sydney’s light rail project afloat.
Australian Conservation Foundation visits Newcastle to make climate change an “election issue”
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) dropped into Newcastle on Thursday as part of its climate election campaign launch.
https://www.newcastlestar.com.au/story/5616219/climate-an-election-issue/
Transurban’s population gamble [$]
The company’s $9 billion acquisition of a majority stake in the WestConnex toll road is based on the assumption Sydney’s population growth will continue.
How NSW almost went dark last week [$]
A lightning strike in NSW that almost caused a “system black” has raised serious questions about the reliability of Australia’s energy supply.
Shore up support for coast [$]
NSW is in retreat as the sea claims homes, but residents are fighting back.
The Sydney suburb where fresh air is a luxury
Elizabeth Farrelly
When the government decides to turn your street into a feeder thoroughfare for a $17 billion roads project, life becomes a nightmare.
ACT
This is the bush capital: Give the wildlife a break
Canberra Times editorial
What is it about a mid-sized, black and white, 300 gram bird that terrifies so many Canberrans? It’s time to sit back and enjoy their music.
Queensland
Queensland says wind, solar key to lower power bills, creates new renewables generation company
Queensland unveils new “CleanCo” power company, and says on target for 50% renewables by 2030. Wind and solar, it says, are key for lower prices.
Robot drone could protect Great Barrier Reef by killing crown-of-thorns starfish
Researchers say underwater drone can monitor coral bleaching and inject coral-eating starfish with vinegar
Queensland’s LNP takes aim at former Labor hopeful heading train probe
Opposition says voters can’t trust an inquiry into botched trains because it’s headed by a man who ran as a Labor candidate for parliament almost 40 years ago.
Strong winds predicted to raise Queensland’s weekend fire danger
Queenslanders are being urged to prepare for another weekend of high fire danger as strong winds are predicted to sweep through the south of the state.
Subterranean cameras reveal what is blocking Brisbane’s sewers
Tree roots are creeping into Brisbane’s sewers and creating huge blockages and expensive bills for residents.
South Australia
Indigenous pasture program expands[$]
Jobs will be created for 50 Aboriginal workers through the extension of the state’s North West Indigenous Pastoral Project.
Death of Adelaide koalas on the rise [$]
Koalas are dying in increasing numbers in Adelaide — but a local council is taking steps to stop their decline.
Northern Territory
Project to offset gas pipeline damage ‘years behind schedule’
A plan to deliver landmark conservation work to protect marine megafauna and offset environmental damage caused by the $34 billion Ichthys-INPEX gas pipeline is years behind schedule, the ABC can reveal.
Western Australia
Corruption, fraud charges follow CCC Horizon Power investigation
Police have charged two men connected to Horizon power after a damning Corruption and Crime Commission report was tabled in parliament last week
Why the WA government is wrong to play identity politics with dingoes
Bradley Smith et al
Australia’s Commonwealth Coat of Arms depicts two iconic native animals – the kangaroo and the emu. Both are unquestionably fair dinkum Aussies, unique to this continent and having lived here for a very long time. A “very long time”, according to Australian legislation (the EPBC Act 1999), is any species having been present since before the year 1400.
Sustainability
The Environmental Voter Project knows who you are, and how to trick you into saving the planet
Relying on tools of behavioral psychology, a get-out-the-vote effort urges environmentalists to the polls — and barely mentions the environment at all.
Pittsburgh plugs into energy savings
The city council has announced an integrated energy savings-as-a-service initiative which aims to deliver savings to city facilities.
https://www.smartcitiesworld.net/news/news/pittsburgh-plugs-into-energy-savings-3289
Make America’s yards great again
Manicured green spaces are a waste of time, taxes and pollinators. It’s time they become where the wild things grow.
https://www.ozy.com/immodest-proposal/make-americas-yards-great-again/88972
EnergySolutions wants an exemption so it can dispose of uranium munitions in Utah
EnergySolutions has yet to win permission from Utah regulators to accept depleted uranium, but the radiated-waste handler is seeking exemptions that would allow it to bury several thousand tons of retired armor-piercing munitions that contain the radioactive material.
https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2018/08/31/energysolutions-wants-an/
Bali takes on plastic pollution
With its stunning beaches, the Indonesian island of Bali draws tourists from around the world. But plastics are spoiling the view, spurring locals to take action — from production to disposal.
https://www.dw.com/en/bali-takes-on-plastic-pollution/a-45209746
The death of Trans Mountain pipeline signals future of Indigenous rights: Chiefs
As a federal court quashes the controversial project, lawyers and Indigenous leaders agree it’s more clear than ever that Canada must modernize its view of Aboriginal rights.
https://thenarwhal.ca/death-trans-mountain-pipeline-signals-future-indigenous-rights-chiefs/
Alberta pulls out of Canada’s climate plan
Premier Rachel Notley pulled Alberta out of the national climate agreement Thursday until the federal government gets the Trans Mountain pipeine expansion back on track.
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2018/08/30/news/alberta-pulls-out-canadas-climate-plan
Pipe dream or reality? Mexico looks to harness waves for green energy
An Israeli-Mexican joint venture could soon be running Mexico’s first wave energy plant. Using the ocean as a renewable energy source has long lagged behind other renewable rivals like solar and wind.
Peter Melchett, environmental campaigner, dies at 71
Former head of Greenpeace UK and Labour peer revered as fearless campaigner
Nature Conservation
Branching out: greener charcoal takes root in eastern Kenya
Can making charcoal out of branches rather than whole trees, and then combining it with other materials – save forests and incomes?
http://news.trust.org/item/20180831023450-eihpa/
Chilean environmentalists fight to protect glaciers from mining dust
Chile is home to four-fifths of South America’s glaciers and has some of the largest ice fields in the world outside the polar regions, but they are coming under threat from mining industry dust.
Will protecting half the Earth save biodiversity? Depends which half
How much of the Earth should we protect to save species from going extinct?
Arctic Council eyes action plan to reduce Arctic marine litter, microplastics
The Arctic Council intends to turn its attention to the marine litter and microplastics found around the circumpolar world.
Red tide: Why Florida’s toxic algae bloom is killing fish, manatees, and turtles
Where the red tide is, and why it’s so dangerous for marine life.
How animal waste is helping turn China’s lakes green
Animal husbandry is contaminating China’s water and has been linked to turning lakes bright green, a phenomenon known as eutrophication