Post of the Day
Giving environmental water to drought-stricken farmers sounds straightforward, but it’s a bad idea
Erin O’Donnell and Avril Horne
Environmental water is not a luxury – it’s vital for river ecosystems and everyone who depends on them.
Today’s Celebration
Independence Day – Chile
Victory of Uprona – Burundi
Yom Kippur – Judaism
Water Monitoring Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/water-monitoring-day/
International Read An Ebook Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-read-an-ebook-day/
Respect Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/respect-day/
Meat Free Week – www.meatfreeweek.org
The Bloody Long Walk – www.bloodylongwalk.com.au/
More about Sep 18 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_18
Climate Change
The big problem with climate storytelling – and how to fix it
“Let’s kick this monster’s ass!” roared Harrison Ford at the Global Climate Action Summit yesterday. But there’s a big problem with the climate monster story.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/solitairetownsend/2018/09/14/why-climate-storytelling-must-change/
Tropics are widening as predicted by climate models, research finds
Scientists have observed for years that the Earth’s tropics are widening in connection with complex changes in climate and weather patterns. But in recent years, it appeared the widening was outpacing what models predicted, suggesting other factors were at work. But a new paper finds that the most up-to-date models and the best data match up reasonably well.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-09/iu-taw091718.php
Paris climate targets could be exceeded sooner than expected
A new study has for the first time comprehensively accounted for permafrost carbon release when estimating emission budgets for climate targets. The results show that the world might be closer to exceeding the budget for the long-term target of the Paris climate agreement than previously thought.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-09/iifa-pct091418.php
Soil Holds the Secret to Mitigating Climate Change
New research suggests that crop yields and the global food supply chain can be preserved by harnessing the critical, and often overlooked, partner in food supply – soil.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180917111639.htm
National
Steep emissions reductions targets won’t drive up power bills, modelling shows
Research finds claims emissions targets make electricity more expensive are misguided
Pulling out of Paris won’t help prices: PM
Pulling out of Australia’s Paris climate change commitments will do nothing to lower prices but risk relationships with allies, the prime minister says.
‘Corporate greed dressed up as saving the planet’ [$]
Energy Minister Angus Taylor has slammed greenhouse gas reduction policies as “corporate greed dressed up as saving the planet”.
Big coal prepares for wave of casual pay claims [$]
The coal industry and the contract work firms that deliver it with casual workers are preparing for a new and expanded round of class actions.
Building new coal, and propping up old, not the answer: S&P
S&P Global Ratings says government intervention to prop up existing coal power, and underwrite the development of new, would be “credit negative” for the energy sector.
Certainty of Paris target ‘to keep coal power alive’: Jason Falinski [$]
Liberal MP Jason Falinski has declared the Coalition should stick to the Paris target, suggesting it would keep Australia’s coal-fired power stations open for longer.
Government intervention in electricity may push power prices up: S&P
The government’s threat to intervene in the electricity market may initially cut power bills but the failure to establish a national energy policy will drive up costs later.
The switch is on: Consumers are turning away from gas
Gas demand is falling as consumers turn away from expensive gas and find cheaper and cleaner renewable options in their homes and businesses.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/the-switch-is-on-consumers-are-turning-away-from-gas-98169/
If cars are much safer than 25 years ago, why are cyclist deaths increasing?
Peter Chambers and Tom Andrews
Drivers are to blame for at least 79% of accidents with cyclists. And 85% of reported cyclist casualty crashes involve a car
S&P’s sobering warning on energy policy vacuum [$]
AFR View
In a way, the global ratings agency is half agreeing with Energy Minister Angus Taylor
https://www.afr.com/opinion/editorials/sps-sobering-warning-on-energy-policy-vacuum-20180917-h15i6w
Taylor launches extraordinary and ill-informed attack against wind and solar
Giles Parkinson
New energy minister Angus Taylor has launched a new and extraordinary attack against wind and solar, saying they cause “de-industrialisation” and claiming that Labor’s 45 per cent emissions reduction target would send a “wrecking ball” through the Australian economy.
Beware the dragon in energy deals [$]
Jim Molan
Chinese influence is an unacceptable risk for critical infrastructure.
Giving environmental water to drought-stricken farmers sounds straightforward, but it’s a bad idea
Erin O’Donnell and Avril Horne
Environmental water is not a luxury – it’s vital for river ecosystems and everyone who depends on them.
The heat is on in the big smoke
Adam Creighton
It would make more sense to expand our cities than to pretend the regions are ideal.
Victoria
Victoria’s native timber industry faces ban from Bunnings, Officeworks
Victoria’s native timber industry will be barred from supplying wood to Bunnings and Officeworks within two years unless it wins a sustainability certification it has so far failed to qualify for, despite multiple attempts over the past decade.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-17/vic-forestry-industry-at-risk-of-collapse/10255128
Get your house in order’: Victorian regulator puts AGL on notice over dodgy data
Victoria’s energy regulator is threatening to revoke AGL’s licence to sell gas and electricity in the state unless it provides correct customer complaints data by the end of October.
‘Cowboys’: Victorians warned as solar scammers ride into town
Legitimate operators call it the ‘solar rollercoaster’ – shonks who are ripping customers off by cashing in on the state government’s solar subsidies.
Greens call to phase out coal in Victoria, 100% renewables by 2030
Victorian Greens call for an end to coal fired generation and a transition to 100 per cent renewables by 2030.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/greens-call-to-phase-out-coal-in-victoria-100-renewables-by-2030-2030/
New South Wales
‘No fishing’ zones scrapped from Sydney Marine Park after hard campaigning from anglers
The NSW Government says it will not put ‘no fishing’ zones in its proposed marine park, a move which conservationists say is akin to having a national park that allows hunting.
‘Prepare to get your legs broken’: MP threatened over fishing ban
MP targeted with online abuse and even death threats for supporting plan to introduce lockout zones to protect fish.
Anglers want restrictions to 6 marine parks lifted [$]
Recreational anglers are now pushing for fishing restrictions to be lifted in six marine parks after the government scrapped plans for a wider lockout.
‘This is definitely unnatural’: Sydney coal mine ordered to repair creek with ‘disappearing’ water
The NSW Government has ordered GFG Alliance’s Tahmoor Mine to repair the damage and cracks to Redbank Creek in south-west Sydney, where water no longer trickles in some sections.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-17/sydney-coal-mine-ordered-to-repair-cracked-creek/10253148
Photographer discovers miniature marine world
What started as a fascination with capturing photos of the highly venomous blue-ringed octopus has led one man to a world of fascinating miniature marine life living under our noses.
‘Not the details requested’: EPA, RFS, others rebuke Santos over CSG
Government agencies have reiterated demands for more information from Santos about its plan to develop a $3 billion coal seam gas project in northern NSW, saying the company had failed to respond to their concerns.
Abandoning fishing lockouts from Sydney marine park is ‘a gutless tragedy’
James Woodford
State government’s decision has appalled scientists and conservationists, and widens divide between city and country
Queensland
Germany launches world’s first hydrogen-powered train
Two trains built by the French train maker Alstom are now operating on a 62 mile stretch of line in northern Germany
South Australia
State Govt rules out fortnightly bin collection
The State Government has ruled out relaxing regulations to allow councils to collect rubbish bins fortnightly instead of weekly
https://indaily.com.au/news/local/2018/09/17/state-govt-rules-out-fortnightly-bin-collection/
Fears for indigenous lands as foreign nuclear waste headed our way [$]
Australia is to receive a shipment of intermediate-level radioactive waste from Britain in the next three or four years despite concerns in Scotland that the nuclear material may end up dumped on traditional Aboriginal lands.
Tasmania
Masked-owl avenger? Zorro the border collie is on the scent in Tasmania
A crowdfunding campaign to save the endangered owl hit its target so the four-month old dog gets his first mission
Hazardous waste dump set to open in southern Tasmania but concerns remain
A hazardous waste site which faced heavy opposition when first proposed is ready to open but its operators say early protests over it have made potential customers wary.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-18/hazardous-waste-dump-opens-in-southern-tasmania/10257974
Northern Territory
Charles Darwin University allegedly requested changes to description of Inpex in study
Charles Darwin University is accused of asking academics to change the wording of a study it deemed too critical of a giant gas company which had recently helped it fund a multi-million-dollar training centre.
Forecasters predict eventful Wet season ahead [$]
Long-range weather forecasters are warning Top Enders to brace themselves for another eventful Wet season with a possible cyclone and heavy rains predicted
Learning how to tame Australia’s ‘wild, crazy, untrusting’ desert brumbies
Tens of thousands of brumbies not only survive but thrive in outback Australia. And now tourists are coming from across Australia — and the world — to see how these wild animals are tamed.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-17/the-magnificent-brumbies-of-central-australia/10210108
‘A tinder box’: why do we burn the Top End black every year?
For several months every year, about half the NT lights up with fire. But why does it happen and what damage does it do to the environment? Curious Darwin looks into ancient Aboriginal techniques, bush regeneration, and how residents protect themselves from a very real threat.
Plans to restart two iron ore mines in remote NT spark concern
Indigenous leaders, fishermen and tourism operators in the Northern Territory’s remote Roper Valley fear the restarting of production at two iron ore mines will cause drastic environmental impacts.
Western Australia
Climate experts call for WA fracking ban
More than 50 climate scientists have penned an open letter to the WA government, calling for a permanent ban on fracking across the state.
Sustainability
Japan’s Marubeni deals “body blow” to coal, in pivot to renewables
Japanese energy giant reveals plans to halve its ownership of coal power by 2030, and withdraw completely from building new coal fired generators.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/japans-marubeni-deals-body-blow-to-coal-in-pivot-to-renewables-97038/
The hazards beneath us
A new book explores how, for decades, businesses of all sizes have been burying hazardous waste all over cities
https://psmag.com/environment/the-hazards-beneath-us
Household cleaners may make children overweight
Canadian study shows changes to gut biota come with regular use of disinfectants.
https://cosmosmagazine.com/biology/household-cleaners-make-help-make-children-overweight
Knowing your neighbor cares about the environment encourages people to use less energy
Giving people information about how much gas or electricity their neighbors use encourages them to use less energy, research shows.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-09/uoe-kyn091718.php
A protective shield for sensitive enzymes in biofuel cells
Researchers have developed a new mechanism to protect enzymes from oxygen as biocatalysts in fuel cells
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-09/rb-aps091718.php
A novel approach of improving battery performance
A team of researchers affiliated with South Korea’s Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology has introduced a novel technology that promises to significantly boost the performance of lithium metal batteries.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-09/unio-ana091718.php
In cities, protecting nature starts with protecting people
Meera Bhat
Urban areas present an interesting challenge – and a big opportunity – for groups that traditionally focus on saving pristine places.
https://ensia.com/voices/urban-conservation/
Nature Conservation
Off Tanzania, in one of the world’s richest seas, why is the catch getting smaller?
In Dar-es-Salaam, local fishermen are being squeezed out by illegal boats with explosives which take much of the catch, killing coral reef and putting an eco-system at risk
Prickly cactus species ‘under threat’
The iconic cactus plant is veering into trouble say researchers.
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-45438733
Study provides roadmap for measuring animal, plant traits to meet biodiversity goals
An international team of researchers has outlined a plan for how to measure changes in key traits of animals and plants and provide these data to policymakers to improve natural resource management and keep nations on track to meet global biodiversity and sustainability goals.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-09/fmon-spr091718.php
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