Daily Links Oct 22

Wentworth result won’t prompt climate rethink, says Frydenberg. The rethink should have been prompted long before the Wentworth byelection but after it, it ought to be bleedingly obvious what people want! Representative democracy assumes responsible and responsive government.

Post of the Day

Wentworth backlash reignites tensions inside government on climate policy

“We are going to have to go to the next election with a clear plan to meet our Paris targets.”

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/federal/wentworth-byelection-backlash-reignites-tensions-inside-the-morrison-government-over-climate-policy-20181021-p50b2d.html

 

Today’s Celebration

International Stuttering Awareness Day

Smart is Cool Day

National Water Week

Bird Week

Aussie Backyard Bird Count

National Week of Deaf People (NWDP)

Children’s Week

State Education Week

Sock it to Suicide Week

Map Reading Week

More about Oct 22

 

Climate Change

Climate change is no joking matter. except, this week, it was.

Global warming made the rounds on the late-night comedy shows this week. It was funny, but do jokes blunt the message that climate change is a threat? Hardly, experts say.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/19/climate/snl-late-show-climate-change.html

 

Time to recognize climate realities

Orrin Pilkey

On the 6th of October 2018, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a bombshell report arguing that within 30 years

https://www.fayobserver.com/opinion/20181020/orrin-pilkey-time-to-recognize-climate-realities

 

Climate change: Nauru’s life on the frontlines

Anja Kanngieser

Nauru’s people are struggling in the face of environmental change.

https://theconversation.com/climate-change-naurus-life-on-the-frontlines-105219

 

National

Look after the soil, save the Earth: farming in Australia’s unrelenting climate

Former governor general Michael Jeffery says soil health and regenerative farming is essential for security and carbon emissions

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/22/look-after-the-soil-save-the-earth-farming-in-australias-unrelenting-climate

 

Wentworth won’t prompt climate rethink, says Frydenberg

Treasurer says government does not intend to ‘reduce emissions at the expense of people’s power bills’

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/21/wentworth-wont-prompt-climate-rethink-says-frydenberg

 

Wentworth backlash reignites tensions inside government on climate policy

“We are going to have to go to the next election with a clear plan to meet our Paris targets.”

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/federal/wentworth-byelection-backlash-reignites-tensions-inside-the-morrison-government-over-climate-policy-20181021-p50b2d.html

 

Libs urge climate policy fix [$]

Moderate Liberal MPs have urged Scott Morrison to take action on climate change after the mammoth swing in the by-election.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/moderates-blame-climate-policy-for-wentworth-byelecion-debacle/news-story/8d5344f22fe2b75def96b9c804bd602f

 

Rapid electric car charge network for Australia’s highways [$]

Electric cars will soon be able to zoom between Australia’s major cities with scores of new “ultra-rapid” charging sites to be rolled out on interstate highways.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/new-charging-points-for-electric-cars-on-victorian-highways/news-story/3b956f0ed57ddaab1754499c7b5c4e27

 

Preserving a culture by protecting the environment

The Dhimurru Rangers are one of more than 100 Indigenous groups spread across Australia who are removing thousands of pounds of plastic garbage from the beaches.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/19/world/australia/indigenous-australia-dhimurru-rangers.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytclimate

 

Nuclear’s case for low-cost power [$]

Nuclear power could become the lowest-cost, emissions-free generation source in Australia, a research paper says.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/research-paper-pushes-nuclear-powers-emissionsfree-case/news-story/0eccd5d87c6068083f2c07fadb4a580c

 

Time to fire up nuclear debate [$]

Australian editorial

Climate change and power needs should energise policy.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/editorials/time-to-fire-up-nuclear-debate/news-story/ed611055a9abcae2e5d7828d5b248c75

 

Don’t rubbish efforts to manage the trash [$]

Ruth Ostrow

I’m standing here watching corn cobs, last night’s vegies and a plethora of tea bags seep from a huge hole in the bag they’re in, all over my kitchen floor.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/dont-rubbish-efforts-to-manage-the-trash/news-story/1725a0ba9db3fe73f51870f0a749465c

 

Victoria

Andrews pledges 25 new level crossing removals in Melbourne

Premier Daniel Andrews says his Government will remove even more level crossings across Melbourne if re-elected, which could include elevated rail sections in Brunswick and Coburg.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-21/new-melbourne-level-crossing-removals-to-include-sky-rail/10401896

 

As Melbourne’s recycling stockpiles keep growing, so does the fire threat

Dozens of Victorian recycling centres require “urgent attention” to prevent more fires in suburban communities, as China’s ban on importing rubbish fuels the growth of hazardous waste stockpiles around Melbourne.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-21/melbourne-recycling-facilities-pose-fire-risk/10368302

 

Energy mix vital to reduce climate change

The boss of a leading Australian carbon capture and storage research organisation will tell a conference in Melbourne it’s important to have an energy mix.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/energy-mix-vital-reduce-climate-change-163131032–spt.html

 

Jaguar boss says Australia missing out on becoming electric car leader

Luxury car marker Jaguar says Australia could be a world leader in electric vehicle technology, but a lack of government incentives is holding back the sector and preventing a related tech boom.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/jaguar-boss-says-australia-missing-out-on-becoming-electric-car-leader-20181019-p50aot.html

 

Coal sector: Coronado’s scaled-back ASX IPO a referendum on global outlook [$]

Matthew Stevens

Coronado’s owners had hoped to raise $1.39 billion, so the decision to pocket just $774 million is a disappointment that will ripple far beyond the coal company

https://www.afr.com/business/mining/coal/coal-sector-coronados-scaledback-asx-ipo-a-referendum-on-global-outlook-20181021-h16wx8

 

New South Wales

Graziers going deeper into debt, and dams, to get out of drought

Graziers in far-west New South Wales are using government loans to prepare their properties for the arrival of rain, and ensure they are protected during the next drought.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2018-10-21/graziers-dig-deeper-into-debt-to-drought-proof-properties/10392656

 

‘They deserve care and compassion’: sanctuary says foxes misunderstood

‘If people saw foxes as a companion and not a pest, they might not let others kill them in cruel and unusual ways,’ says Sydney Fox Rescue president

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/22/they-deserve-care-and-compassion-sanctuary-says-foxes-misunderstood

 

Nuclear facility needs overhaul: report

An independent report has recommended that the federal government’s nuclear medical facility at southern Sydney be replaced or rebuilt due to safety concerns.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/nuclear-facility-needs-overhaul-report-163241530–spt.html

 

Nuclear facility’s safety failure [$]

There is a “make do and mend” culture at the Australian government’s nuclear medical facility at Lucas Heights.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/health/lucas-heights-medical-facility-unsafe/news-story/d029d9c2c26d1800a4cb428346ad992a

 

Sydney homes to be powered by hydrogen [$]

Gas pipeline owner Jemena will lead the country’s biggest trial of the generation and use of hydrogen, which could see homes and businesses in Sydney begin using the fuel within five years.

https://www.afr.com/business/energy/gas/sydney-homes-to-be-powered-by-hyrodgen-20181018-h16u5a

 

NSW Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton accused of failing to tackle waste crisis

NSW Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton has been accused of failing to address the state’s waste crisis by providing incentives to divert rubbish from landfill or crackdown on illegal dumping.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/sustainability/nsw-environment-minister-gabrielle-upton-accused-of-failing-to-tackle-waste-crisis-20181021-p50b15.html

 

Reversal of national park bill spurs fears of ‘open season’ on environment

A state Nationals MP has lodged a private member’s bill to extinguish one of NSW’s largest national parks, a move that opponents say signals an “open season” on the state’s natural heritage.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/conservation/reversal-of-national-park-bill-spurs-fears-of-open-season-on-environment-20181020-p50aw5.html

 

ACT

Thousands of solar panels to deliver CSIRO big savings

About 2900 solar panels will be installed at the CSIRO’s Black Mountain facility as part of a larger plan the federal government agency says will eventually help it save more than $900,000 on energy bills each year.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/thousands-of-solar-panels-to-deliver-csiro-big-savings-20181011-p5096i.html

 

Queensland

‘Don’t muck around with the spirits’: Black Mountain’s dark secrets

Traditional owners don’t want tourists entering a sacred site dubbed the ‘Bermuda Triangle’ of far north Queensland.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-21/mysterious-black-mountain/10067072

 

Aurizon urged to end regulatory spat [$]

One of Japan’s largest steel producers has called on listed rail company Aurizon to resolve its long-running dispute with the Queensland regulator saying it was concerned about further delays to coal exports.

https://www.afr.com/news/politics/japan-steel-maker-jfe-tells-aurizon-to-end-spat-20181019-h16vif

 

Aurizon alleges Green ‘bias’ over Adani worry [$]

Aurizon has alleged former QCA chairman Roy Green may have acted to benefit the Port of Newcastle in a lawsuit against its regulator.

https://www.afr.com/business/aurizon-names-adani-in-supreme-court-lawsuit-against-regulator-qca-20181017-h16rjl

 

Twenty per cent of south-east Queensland commuters abandon bus links to trains

More than 20 per cent of bus passengers have abandoned Brisbane’s regional bus companies and returned to their cars, new figures show.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/twenty-per-cent-of-south-east-queensland-commuters-abandon-bus-links-to-trains-20181019-p50auf.html

 

Scheme to turn trash into treasure [$]

It’s the scheme that will give Queenslanders a 10-cent refund for their cans and bottles. But with two weeks until it kicks off, questions remain over its readiness and how the public will respond.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/containers-for-change-scheme-to-turn-trash-into-treasure/news-story/1c2ebfd4a215d798458840903354541c

 

South Australia

Heat on arsonists over rise in deliberate fires

The number of deliberate and recklessly lit fires is on the rise, police say, as emergency services brace for an extended fire season.

https://www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/rise-in-deliberate-and-recklessly-lit-fires-with-nearly-300-started-last-season/news-story/6a20940ee5dcf1f66d56a6190c25e463


Tasmania

Tasmanian salmon should be off the menu for now, says conservation group

Fish eaters advised to ‘Say No’ due to environmental concerns surrounding Tasmania’s salmon farming industry

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/21/tasmanian-salmon-should-be-off-the-menu-for-now-says-conservation-group

 

Voters sway on cable car [$]

Pro and anti kunanyi/Mt Wellington cable car groups are campaigning heavily this election to ensure the Hobart City Council is stacked with aldermen with views sympathetic to their causes.

https://www.themercury.com.au/news/politics/cable-car-opponents-could-sway-hcc-outcome/news-story/90cfd71f51941fccf264b3e534c70d44

 

Let’s turn Tasmania into a research powerhouse

Bruce Ransley

For a long time, we liked to kid ourselves that Tasmania is a natural laboratory that’s home to a world-class research community. This is not and never was true. But it could be.

https://tasmaniantimes.com/2018/10/lets-turn-tasmania-into-a-research-powerhouse/

 

The quiet achievers of Tasmania’s fisheries

Anna Bateman

A new report from the Australia Institute has found Tasmania’s non-salmon fishing industries employ over 1,900 people and produce 9,000 tonnes of seafood annually, with a gross value of $209 million.

https://tasmaniantimes.com/2018/10/the-quiet-achievers-of-tasmanias-fisheries/

 

Northern Territory

Surge in number of Uluru climbers [$]

The number of tourists climbing Uluru has skyrocketed since the Uluru-Kata Tjuta park board voted to ban climbing on the iconic rock

https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/uluru-climbers-rise-since-ban-announced-last-year/news-story/6f4de17297d2eefa75934377fcf25025

 

Battle looms over Uluru [$]

Marc Hendrickx is challenging a decision by bureaucrats and traditional owners to close the Uluru climb, claiming it’s racist

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/indigenous/uluru-climber-ready-for-legal-fight-to-keep-the-rock-open/news-story/8ce15f9f972abb9b7be8728a8a298370

 

Gas policy could cost NT billions [$]

Gas producers may have to have to pay billions of dollars annually under new Labor climate policies.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/labor-gas-policy-a-multibillion-dollar-handbrake-on-producers/news-story/568b1d916227e9e1dc460497c6da7e05

 

Sustainability

Californian city powered by solar inspires Australian councils

As you look across the desert in Lancaster, southern California, a solar farm stretches as far as the eye can see. This is how the city is powered, and now Australian councils want to do something similar.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-21/californian-city-powered-by-solar-inspires-aussie-councils/10401642

 

Bottle it up: the car park that lets drivers pay in plastic

A scheme at one Leeds’ CitiPark hopes to encourage recycling by giving motorists a 20p parking voucher for every bottle they bring in

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/shortcuts/2018/oct/21/car-park-lets-drivers-pay-in-plastic-bottles-recycling

 

Russia warns Trump over ‘dangerous’ plan to quit nuclear treaty

Russia has reacted strongly to the US saying it will dump the 1987 Gorbachev-Reagan nuclear missile treaty.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/russia-warns-trump-over-dangerous-plan-to-quit-nuclear-treaty

 

PR company accused of using ‘tobacco lobbyist tactics’ to promote weedkiller linked to cancer

Roundup maker Monsanto reportedly funded campaign to defend chemical.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/weedkiller-cancer-red-flag-glyphosate-roundup-dewayne-johnson-a8587471.html#r3z-addoor

 

Nature Conservation

‘Headless chicken monster’: deep-sea cucumber seen in Southern Ocean for first time

Creature filmed off east Antarctica using technology developed by Australian researchers

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/21/headless-chicken-monster-deep-sea-cucumber-seen-in-southern-ocean-for-first-time

 

Minister’s claim that badger cull cuts cattle TB is attacked by experts

George Eustice’s boast that government strategy is working called untrue by vets and animal specialists

 

Maelor Himbury

6 Florence St Niddrie 3042

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0432406862