Post of the Day
Global human population isn’t going to explode—but that doesn’t mean we’re safe
Raghu Murtugudde
There has been no evidence of a decline in consumption and emissions, despite slowing birthrates.
https://www.newsweek.com/global-human-population-explosion-carbon-emissions-consumption-1138996
Today’s Celebration
French Community Holiday – Belgium
St. Vincent de Paul Day – Madagascar
World Tourism Day – http://www.un.org/en/events/tourismday/index.shtml
Ancestor Appreciation Day – https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/ancestor-appreciation-day/
More about Sep 27 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_27
Climate Change
Climate-related financial disclosure becoming more mainstream: G20 task force
The Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures was set up by the G20’s Financial Stability Board at the end of 2015 to develop a voluntary framework for companies to disclose the financial impact of climate-related risks and opportunities.
Global warming is destabilizing mountains, creating landslide risks
As more permafrost thaws and water seeps deeper into mountains crags, extreme storms can trigger dangerous landslides and rockfalls.
A warming Earth might eventually copy the greenhouse effect
Climate models show a warming Earth radiates more heat into space, but when pushed too far, and this release valve shuts down, temperatures skyrocket to potentially Venusian levels.
How climate change and conflict are linked
A SIPRI study reveals climate change can have a significant effect on the causes and dynamics of violent conflict. It also shows the urgent need to carry out more detailed research.
https://ewn.co.za/2018/09/26/how-climate-change-and-conflict-are-linked
Republicans are slowly warming to climate change—is it already too late?
Polls show a partisan divide on climate change, but Democrats and Republicans have more in common on the issue than they might think.
https://www.newsweek.com/republicans-slowly-warming-climate-change-1136592
New research shows the world’s ice is doing something not seen before
John Abraham
Do you know how an ice sheet can move?
National
New labelling system aims to take the confusion out of recycling
Many products come in plastic or cardboard packets, and Australians diligently try to recycle them, but figuring out what goes in which bin can be complicated. In an attempt to make the process easier, a new, nationally consistent label has been developed.
Barnaby Joyce water proposal backed by former lobbyist preselected by Nationals
Perin Davey, who won No 1 spot on NSW Nationals’ Senate ticket, says there should be a ‘commonsense approach’
Business council faces negative ad blitz over criticism of 45% emissions target
Australia Institute will launch advertising campaign debunking assertion that 45% target would wreck economy
Di Natale says Greens will take hard line with a Shorten government on emissions
Greens leader says party will pressure Labor ‘to be as ambitious as it possibly can be’ on emissions reduction
Taking sting out of bill shock
Electricity and gas customers will receive at least five days notice of price increases so they can consider switching to other providers, under changes to national energy rules.
No shift likely for AGL despite CEO change
AGL expects to appoint a new chief executive by the end of the year but says it will likely stick with the departed Andy Vesey’s strategy.
‘Bad for farmers’: Indian Ocean shift not positive for spring rains
The outlook for early decent rains that would ease the drought and elevated bushfire risks over eastern Australia is dimming even as the chance of an El Nino appears to be receding, climate models suggest.
Notice of plant closures ‘too tight’ [$]
Electricity network operators want the notice period for plant closures extended to five years.
We must strengthen, not weaken, environmental protections during drought – or face irreversible loss
John Woinarski, Chris Dickman, Richard Kingsford and Sarah Legge
Australian wildlife can generally cope with drought, but they’re not prepared for the combination of people, introduced animals, and no water.
Victoria
AGL steps up drive for imports [$]
AGL Energy has defended its plan to develop Australia’s first LNG import facility in Victoria as necessary to boost gas supplies.
Water views on the table
A former Murray-Darling Basin Authority policy director-turned-whistleblower will speak at a water forum in Mildura next month, with all candidates contesting the state seat of Mildura invited to take part in a question and answer session.
http://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au/story/5669653/water-views-on-the-table/
Land and water rights of traditional owners in Victoria
Parliamentary Library and Information Service ( Vic)
This research paper provides an overview of the key mechanisms by which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders can exercise their rights to lands and waters in Victoria.
New South Wales
Raising level of Warragamba Dam is an act of environmental vandalism
Tim Vollmer
The proposal will lead to extensive and irreversible damage to the integrity of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
Queensland
Great Barrier Reef scientists told to focus on projects to make government look good
Emails tabled in Senate inquiry recommended ‘trade-offs’ to Great Barrier Reef Foundation
‘Laughable’: Reef Foundation windfall was a trial case, document shows
The $443.4 million grant to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation was intended to be a ‘trial case’ to see if non-profit groups could be used to deliver ‘big government programs’, documents released to a Senate inquiry show.
South Australia
Submerged wave power generator to become artificial reef
A wave energy generator which sank off the South Australian coast in March 2014 will be dismantled and its submerged portion converted into an artificial reef.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-26/wrecked-wave-generator-to-become-artificial-reef/10307436
Stay with coarse if you’re shifting sands to save beaches, expert says
Replenishing West Beach with coarser sand quarried from onshore will help stop it drifting north, an expert says, as the SA Government prepares to return 100,000 cubic metres to overcome erosion and sand drift.
Slow going for AGL’s Adelaide ‘virtual power plant’
Its launch gained national notoriety after then Premier Jay Weatherill confronted Josh Frydenberg on live television, but AGL’s “virtual power plant” has since faded into the background with Adelaide customers facing long delays after paying deposits to be connected to the experimental system.
https://indaily.com.au/news/2018/09/26/slow-going-for-agls-adelaide-virtual-power-plant/
Heat on energy efficiency plans [$]
Builders fear the costs of new apartments will jump and diminish SA’s reputation for affordability if the State Government decides to forge ahead with a specialised energy rating rollout before the rest of the country.
A pulse returns to river’s beating heart [$]
River Murray time-lapse pictures show the environment responding to different water levels, with wildlife taking advantage of extra food sources.
Tasmania
Spring has sprung on Macquarie Island, as millions of animals return home
Some of the world’s most incredible creatures return to the remote island to raise their families at this time of year, when temperatures start to rise above zero.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-27/spring-has-sprung-on-macquarie-island/10303608
Developer to resubmit Rosny Hill eco-resort plan [$]
A developer’s decision to withdraw plans for a $50m eco-resort atop Rosny Hill has been hailed as a win for people power — but it’s certainly not the end for the project.
Western Australia
Households to be spared more big power bill hikes: WA Treasurer
West Australians are promised relief from large power bill increases after a financial report found the state’s budget deficit had almost halved.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-26/wyatt-announces-relief-from-rising-government-charges/10307278
Native life thriving on cane toad-infested island
Researchers monitoring how cane toad populations interact with native wildlife on a remote island in Western Australia’s far north find native species are coexisting with the deadly pest.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-27/native-species-cane-toads-coexisting-wa-island/10304412
Sustainability
India’s parched earth: Too late to solve the worst water crisis in its history?
Population growth, rapid development, widespread pollution and bureaucratic mismanagement are putting tremendous pressure on the country’s depleting water resources.
China coal power building boom sparks climate warning
Concerns over CO2 emissions as development restarts at hundreds of coal-fired power stations in China.
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-45640706
Google’s tool to help cities fight climate change
The company will begin estimating local carbon pollution from cities around the world.
Once Iraq’s Venice, Basra’s waters have now turned deadly
Once dubbed the “Venice of the Middle East” for its canals, Iraq’s crumbling port city of Basra is slowly dying of thirst.
Plastic lasts more than a lifetime, and that’s the problem
Around the world, waves of plastic are washing ashore and clogging landfills. Even though plastic pollution is now one of the largest environmental threats facing humans and animals, our appetite for the virtually indestructible material keeps growing.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/plastic-lasts-more-than-a-lifetime-and-thats-the-problem
What are bioplastics anyway? Confusion over term hinders fight against waste, expert says
A Vancouver-based plastics expert is pushing for more public education about the different types of plastics following Ottawa’s plans to eliminate the use of single-use plastics in government
Abandoning nuclear power plans ‘would push up carbon emissions’
Report due to be published on Thursday warns of ‘folly of technological tribalism.’
Anti-nuclear waste tour kicks off in Houston
Organizers of the “Protect Texas from Radioactive Waste Tour” plan to travel to five Texas cities over the next week in protest of a proposed plan to store used nuclear materials in West Texas.
https://www.texastribune.org/2018/09/25/anti-nuclear-waste-tour-kicks-houston/
Global human population isn’t going to explode—but that doesn’t mean we’re safe
Raghu Murtugudde
There has been no evidence of a decline in consumption and emissions, despite slowing birthrates.
https://www.newsweek.com/global-human-population-explosion-carbon-emissions-consumption-1138996
Nature Conservation
Forest conservation is part of the climate conversation too
A new report and platform show how saving and restoring forests are key.
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/forest-conservation-part-climate-conversation-too
New plants on the block: Taller species are taking over in a warming Arctic
The Arctic tundra has long been the domain of grasses and dwarf shrubs that grow only a few centimetres high.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-09/gcfi-npo092618.php
The 150-year mission to reforest Puerto Rico
One year after Hurricane Maria, community efforts to replace trees downed by the storm reflect optimism about the island’s future and a focus on sustainability.
Indonesian fish farmers get early-warning system for lake pollution
Officials in Indonesia have released a predictive calendar they hope will give fish farmers in the country’s largest lake a heads-up on water conditions that have previously killed off fish by the millions.
6 Florence St Niddrie 3042
93741902
0432406862