Post of the Day
Working lands play a key role in protecting biodiversity
Diversifying working lands — including farmland, rangeland and forests — may be key to preserving biodiversity in the face of climate change, says a new review paper published this week in Science by biologists at the University of California, Berkeley. These changes could extend the habitat of critters like bats, but also much larger creatures like bears, elk and other wildlife, outside the boundaries of protected areas, while creating more sustainable, and potentially more productive, working lands.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/uoc–wlp101718.php
Today’s Celebration
Anniversary of Presiden Ndadaye’s Death – Burundi
Antilles Day – Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius
Army Day – Honduras
Overseas Chinese Day – Taiwan
Revolution Day – Somalia
St. Ursula Day – British Virgin Islands
Egyptian Naval Day – Egypt
Climate Change
‘We are crucifying God’s earth’ – Christians look for tougher action on climate change
Christians in the UK are calling on the Government to take tougher action to stop harmful climate change.
National
‘Not happy’: Australia must act on climate, says former Kiribati leader
Anote Tong, allegedly insulted by Australian minister, says inaction means Canberra risks losing its status in Pacific region
I offered Turnbull a climate envoy job, says Rudd
Rudd has revealed he offered to make a wounded Turnbull his personal envoy on climate change, in the aftermath of the 2009 Liberal leadership spill.
Ten ways to tread a little lighter on the world
Thea Ormerod, president of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, says Christians gathered around the country to celebrate the “Living the Change: faithful choices for a flourishing world” initiative, after the UN released its IPCC
https://www.eternitynews.com.au/opinion/ten-ways-to-tread-a-little-lighter-on-the-world/
Victoria
Melbourne’s most and least walkable suburbs
There are at least 186 cafes and eateries in St Kilda and about 160 shops in Armadale. Northcote has five train stations on two lines, and twin suburbs Fitzroy and Collingwood have straight, gridded streets which lead to four different tram lines – not to mention a plethora of restaurants and shops. This makes them some of Melbourne’s most walkable suburbs, a new study has shown.
Waste to energy plant planned for Melbourne’s west
Melbourne’s western suburbs, which have long been blighted by stinking rubbish tips, could be the site of a waste to energy plant that would convert household waste into enough electricity to power up to 20,000 houses.
Coalition vows to reel in soaring desal bill
Melbourne water users have coughed up about $3.5 billion for Wonthaggi’s controversial desalination plant since it was built prompting the state Opposition to promise it would scrap the government’s annual minimum order of water if it wins the state election.
New South Wales
Garage sale mantra: reuse, recycle and make gelato
On the Garage Sale Trail, enterprising kids are stepping up to run their own stalls for charity and profit.
ACT
Storm brings 3.4 millimetres of rain to Canberra in seven minutes
The first seven minutes of a thunderstorm that hit the ACT on Saturday delivered 3.4 millimetres of rain and hail, knocking out power in parts of Canberra and Queanbeyan.
Queensland
Government ditches $10m promotion blitz amid Great Barrier Reef furore
The Morrison government has abandoned plans for a $10 million campaign promoting the Great Barrier Reef’s promising future, after a public backlash over its failure to address climate change and protect the natural wonder.
Zero-waste economy in sight [$]
Every company will be turning waste into a reusable product by 2043, says the co-founder of an innovative new start-up.
Population explosion presents major challenge [$]
Debbie Smith
Future SEQ BY 2043, almost 80 per cent of Australia’s population will live in its major cities, with SEQ expected to grow by almost 2 million — enough people to fill 35 Suncorp Stadiums.
Tasmania
Feathered frenzy for our superb bird
The nation’s favourite bird loves Tasmania – but why? As part of this year’s Aussie Bird Count, experts will focus on what Tasmania is doing right.
Western Australia
Area larger than Perth torched by WA bushfire
Emergency services are fighting fire with fire as they contain an 800,000-hectare bushfire in Australia’s north-west.
Eye-watering cost of Rotto’s eco tent resort
Bookings for Rottnest Island’s new eco tent resort open this week. But one night in a deluxe tent with ocean views will set you back $592 per night.
Sustainability
Water pollution in Iraq threatens Mandaean religious rites
Every Sunday in Iraq, along a strip of embankment on the Tigris River reserved for followers of the obscure and ancient Mandaean faith, worshippers bathe themselves in the waters to purify their souls.
https://religionnews.com/2018/10/18/water-pollution-in-iraq-threatens-mandaean-religious-rites/
‘We’ll have space bots with lasers, killing plants’: the rise of the robot farmer
Tiny automated machines could soon take care of the entire growing process. Fewer chemicals, more efficient – where’s the downside?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/20/space-robots-lasers-rise-robot-farmer
New material, manufacturing process use sun’s heat for cheaper renewable electricity
A Purdue University-led team developed a new material and manufacturing process that would make one way to use solar power — as heat energy — more efficient in generating electricity.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/pu-nmm101818.php
Carbon fiber can store energy in the body of a vehicle
A study led by Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, has shown that carbon fibers can work as battery electrodes, storing energy directly. This opens up new opportunities for structural batteries, where the carbon fiber becomes part of the energy system. The use of this type of multifunctional material can contribute to a significant weight-reduction in the aircraft and vehicles of the future — a key challenge for electrification.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/cuot-cfc101718.php
People Who Commute Through Natural Environments Daily Report Better Mental Health
People who commute through natural environments report better mental health.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181018095349.htm
Nature Conservation
Estimating the feeding habits of corals may offer new insights on resilient reefs
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and colleagues have found that corals living in more productive waters take advantage of the increased food availability. The findings reevaluate scientific understanding of how corals survive and could aid predictions on coral recovery in the face of climate change.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/uoc–etf101818.php
Working lands play a key role in protecting biodiversity
Diversifying working lands — including farmland, rangeland and forests — may be key to preserving biodiversity in the face of climate change, says a new review paper published this week in Science by biologists at the University of California, Berkeley. These changes could extend the habitat of critters like bats, but also much larger creatures like bears, elk and other wildlife, outside the boundaries of protected areas, while creating more sustainable, and potentially more productive, working lands.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/uoc–wlp101718.php
Biodiversity can also destabilize ecosystems
According to the prevailing opinion, species-rich ecosystems are more stable against environmental disruptions such as drought, hot spells or pesticides. The situation is not as simple as it seems, however, as ecologists at the University of Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) have now discovered. Under certain environmental conditions, increased biodiversity can also lead to an ecosystem becoming more unstable.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/uoz-bca101718.php
New tool helps align investment with objectives in biodiversity conservation
Leah Gerber, a professor at Arizona State University, led a team of researchers who developed a tool, called the Recovery Explorer, that can be used to help guide conservation scientists in making decisions on how to best use limited funds to conserve the greatest number of species.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/asu-nth101418.php
6 Florence St Niddrie 3042
93741902
0432406862