Post of the Day
New study reconciles a dispute about how fast global warming will happen
Dana Nuccitelli
Unfortunately, mainstream climate scientists are still right, and we’re running out of time to avoid dangerous global warming
Today’s Celebration
Armed Forces Day – Mozambique
Kamarampaka Day – Rwanda
Niklaus of Flue Day – Switzerland
Roi Wangol, Mousindi – Haiti
National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims – United States of America
Roi Wangol, Mousindi – Voudon
Save the Koala Day – http://www.savethekoala.com/
World Dream Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/dream-day/
Comic Book Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/comic-book-day/
One-Hit Wonder Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/one-hit-wonder-day/
Binge Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/binge-day/
More about Sep 25 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_25
Climate Change
Where should you move to save yourself from climate change?
Heatwaves, hurricanes and floods will make some places in the US inhospitable
Climate change will cost U.S. more in economic damage than any other country but one
The first country-by-country estimates of the social cost of carbon show who will pay more than their share, and which big emitters face the least economic impact.
How will climate change stress the power grid? Hint: Look at dew point temperatures
A new study suggests the power industry is underestimating how climate change could affect the long-term demand for electricity in the United States. The research describes the limitations of prediction models used by electricity providers and regulators for medium- and long-term energy forecasting. It outlines a new model that includes key climate predictors that researchers say present a more accurate view of how climate change will alter future electricity demands.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-09/uab-hwc092418.php
How Earth sheds heat into space
New insights into the role of water vapor may help researchers predict how the planet will respond to warming.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-09/miot-hes092118.php
New study reconciles a dispute about how fast global warming will happen
Dana Nuccitelli
Unfortunately, mainstream climate scientists are still right, and we’re running out of time to avoid dangerous global warming
A carbon tax would be better than a gasoline tax
Vijay K. Mathur
A CO2 tax distributes the burden of a tax, lessens the burden, if accompanied by reduction of other distortionary taxes, improves efficiency in markets and raises substantial amount of revenues, even if it is only levied on fossil fuels that contribute more than 90 percent of CO2 emissions.
https://www.sltrib.com/pb/opinion/commentary/2018/09/23/commentary-carbon-tax
Let’s use carbon tax dollars for sustainable development
Max Franks
We can solve two problems at once if we price carbon and use revenues to meet basic needs.
https://ensia.com/voices/2carbon-pricing-sdgs3305/
National
Sparrows in Australian mining towns have evolved to avoid lead poisoning
Sparrows in the mining towns of Broken Hill and Mount Isa have adapted to avoid the uptake of lead, according to a new genetic study of the birds.
Coronado tips coal prices above $US170 [$]
Coal will have a price “floor” of about $US170 per tonne for the next three years according to the private equity coal play aiming for a $4 billion float.
Mobile commerce now 25 pc
‘Blessed’: Tree regeneration pioneer Tony Rinaudo gets global gong
An Australian credited with creating a technique that has helped reforest millions of hectares of degraded land globally has won the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’.
Australia’s climate wars – a decade of dithering (video)
From John Howard’s promise to introduce an emissions trading system in October 2007 to Malcolm Turnbull’s dumping of the emissions reduction target from the national energy guarantee in August 2018, the past 11 years of Australian politics has been marked by a torturous series of backflips and U-turns on energy and climate change policy.
Policy foundations for affordable, reliable, lower-emissions power, absent NE’G’ nonsense
Geoff Carmody
It found renewables costs really take off when their power share increases above 50% – even if batteries cost 67% less than now.
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=19957
Revolving doors, golden escalators and the demise of climate and energy policy
Giles Parkinson
Here are two questions that go to the state of Australia’s policy making and the health of its democracy – and are particularly relevant as we watch, in horror, the course that climate and energy policy is taking in this country.
Let’s stop whispering about migration
Katharine Betts
A high proportion of Australian votes are questioning Australia’s migration levels. Politicians, however, are sticking with high growth.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/let-s-stop-whispering-about-migration-20180924-p505nq.html
Victoria
AGL slugged with $3m fine for Victorian efficiency certificate shortfall
AGL falls foul of Victoria energy regulator, again, this time for failing to meet its obligations under the state’s energy efficiency scheme.
Metro turns up heat on paint-can vandals with thermal-imaging drones
Drones and helicopters will swoop on Victoria’s railways to spot vandals and trespassers as more people take to the trains in the lead up to Saturday’s grand final.
New South Wales
Fast rail link top priority for NSW voters: poll
A fast rail link from Sydney to Newcastle is the top transport priority for more than one-third of NSW voters, new polling shows, with a metro from the CBD to Parramatta next on their wish list.
Planning is the answer to Sydney’s crowding
SMH editorial
Migrants want to live in Sydney because that is where the jobs and the best universities are.
Greens’ attack on mines will hit public services [$]
Stephen Galilee
With the next state election approaching, most people know the NSW Greens are anti-mining. But they’re also anti-schools, anti-hospitals, anti-emergency services and ultimately anti-NSW
Privatising WestConnex is the biggest waste of public funds for corporate gain in Australian history
Christopher Standen
Gladys Berejiklian’s government will pay for much of WestConnex construction, give away other toll roads, guarantee annual toll increases and force motorists to use the toll road.
ACT
Most Canberrans live too far from tram or rapid bus stops
Tuggeranong, Weston Creek and large areas of Gungahlin look set to be the biggest losers under the ACT government’s proposed shake-up of the rapid bus network, with just one in three Canberrans within an 800m walk of a rapid or light rail stop, according to an independent analysis of the 2019 network plan.
Queensland
‘Double standard’ sees farmer denied water as Adani plans to take 12.5b litres a year
At least one farmer is denied access to a river system in drought-stricken Queensland, despite mining giant Adani planning to draw a similar amount of water as all agricultural users combined, documents obtained under freedom of information laws show.
Four sharks culled after double attack
After two near-fatal attacks, authorities in Queensland have been slammed for the random culling sharks found in the area.
‘This is not a sinkhole’: Rangers monitor landslip on hungry Queensland beach
It is believed the landslip, at Inskip Point near Rainbow Beach, happened overnight and now spans 200-300 metres.
Environment Minister Melissa Price attacks Kristina Keneally over reef ‘witch hunt’
New Environment Minister Melissa Price has described as “shameful” and “outrageous” Labor’s pursuit of a Great Barrier Reef charity to which her government controversially bestowed almost half a billion dollars in taxpayer funds without a tender process.
The green groups steering clear of protests [$]
Big environmental groups will stay away from planned protest actions against Aurizon and its potential link with the controversial Adani project.
South Australia
Vicinity connects solar to blockchain in energy pilot
Malls landlord Vicinity Centres will pilot blockchain technology at an Adelaide mall, allowing its neighbouring community to connect to its power network including solar energy.
Operating in the dark – be prepared
The statewide power blackout in 2016 is a vital reminder of the potential problems facing hospital emergency department staff in the event of a major incident or disaster, Flinders University experts warn.
https://indaily.com.au/news/sponsored-content/2018/09/24/operating-in-the-dark-be-prepared/
Coffee chain backflips on controversial reusable cup ban
One of South Australia’s biggest takeaway coffee retailers will again allow customers to bring in reusable cups and mugs, reversing a controversial ban brought in for safety reasons.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-24/coffee-chain-reverses-reusable-coffee-cup-ban/10297374
Review for marine parks as struggling fishers eye more compo claims [$]
An independent review into the state’s 19 marine parks and 83 sanctuary zones will consider the economic effects on the commercial fishing industry — and could lead to multimillion-dollar compo claims.
Tasmania
Warm water coral moving south to Tasmania
Warm water corals are colonising Bass Strait reefs left nude by invasive sea urchins eating out the native kelp beds.
Tasmania Fire Service to conduct fuel reduction burn at Nunamara
Tasmania Fire Service will conduct a fuel reduction burn at Nunamara.
The burn will take place as part of a statewide Fuel Reduction Program aimed at reducing bushfire risks.
Biosecurity Tasmania in fruit fly fumbling accusation
Biosecurity Tasmania left a big, expensive order of pesticide with a supplier for many weeks during the fruit fly incursion, tried to cancel it, finally picked it up and then appeared not to know it had it, Fairfax has been told.
https://www.examiner.com.au/story/5663747/biosecurity-tasmania-accused-of-fruit-fly-fumbling/?cs=12
Western Australia
W.A.’s Synergy hit by accelerating switch to rooftop solar
Synergy hit by accelerating shift to rooftop solar, as households and businesses respond to rising grid prices and the removal of subsidies that supported fossil fuels.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/w-a-s-synergy-hit-by-accelerating-switch-to-rooftop-solar-32087/
Sustainability
Solar panels replaced tarmac on a motorway – here are the results
Solar roads on city streets are just not a great idea.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/solar-panels-replaced-tarmac-on-a-motorway-here-are-the-results-96585/
Scientists study the impact of hidden plastic to curb pollution
Microplastics – tiny fragments of plastic contained in microbeads and microfibers of everyday household products – have infiltrated the landscape, oceans and living organisms.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/scientists-study-the-impact-of-hidden-plastic-to-curb-pollution
Insane idea to avoid Day Zero
The PM may be turning to God for rain, but South Africa has a different idea to fix the drought — and it sounds just as far-fetched.
A warming climate could make pigs produce less meat
Farm animals raised in hotter conditions do not generate as much protein, which could make pork more expensive.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-warming-climate-could-make-pigs-produce-less-meat/
Japan has enough nuclear material to build an arsenal. Its plan: Recycle
Japan has spent decades building a facility to turn nuclear waste into nuclear fuel, but neighbors fear it has other plans for its plutonium.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/22/world/asia/japan-nuclear-weapon-recycle.html
Nature Conservation
Monsanto’s global weedkiller harms honeybees, research finds
Glyphosate – the most used pesticide ever – damages the good bacteria in honeybee guts, making them more prone to deadly infections
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/24/monsanto-weedkiller-harms-bees-research-finds
What’s Eating These Endangered Orchids?
A species of seed-feeding fly is critically damaging the seed production of multiple orchid species, as revealed by a group of Japanese researchers.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180920161033.htm
National parks bear the brunt of climate change
Temperatures in national parks are increasing at twice the rate of the US as a whole
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180924091654.htm
A deep dive into the plastic woes facing Canada’s coasts and the world
Eight million tonnes of plastic end up each year in the world’s oceans. To get a better understanding of the problem, Radio-Canada followed two divers on a recent ocean dive in Lower Prospect, N.S.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/plastics-diving-underwater-waste-1.4827933
Light pollution makes fish more courageous
Artificial light at night also makes guppies more courageous during the day, according to a new behavioral study.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180921113456.htm
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