Daily Links Oct 31

Now there’s a great concept, a fossil-fuel non-proliferation treaty. We could start the implementation with taxing the bejesus out of carbon emissions. Waddya reckon, PM Clapper?

Post of the Day

To save the planet we need a treaty – and to consider rationing

Bill McKibben, Naomi Klein, Caroline Lucas, John Sauven, Craig Bennett, Ann Pettifor and Leo Murray add their voices to calls for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/29/to-save-the-planet-we-need-a-treaty-and-to-consider-rationing

 

Today’s Celebration

Reformation Day – Switzerland, Germany, Slovenia, United States of America

Chiang Kai-shek’s Birthday – Taiwan

King’s Birthday – Cambodia

National Flag Day – Ecuador

National Magic Day (for Houdini) – United States of America

Nevada Day – United States of America

Beltane (Southern Hemisphere) – Paganism         

Halloween

Howl-o-ween

More about Oct 31

 

Climate Change

To save the planet we need a treaty – and to consider rationing

Bill McKibben, Naomi Klein, Caroline Lucas, John Sauven, Craig Bennett, Ann Pettifor and Leo Murray add their voices to calls for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/29/to-save-the-planet-we-need-a-treaty-and-to-consider-rationing

 

‘We’ve never seen this’: massive Canadian glaciers shrinking rapidly

Glaciers in the Yukon territory are retreating even faster than expected in a warming climate, scientists warn.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/30/canada-glaciers-yukon-shrinking

 

National

Billionaire throws down clean energy challenge to Government

The British billionaire who rescued the Whyalla steelworks from administration calls on the Australian Government to do more to make it easier for big companies to access finance to make grand investments in renewable energy.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-30/sanjeev-gupta-throws-clean-energy-challenge-to-government/10445518

 

The new electric vehicle highway is a welcome gear shift, but other countries are still streets ahead

Motorists and governments have each been waiting for the other to take the plunge on electric cars.

https://theconversation.com/the-new-electric-vehicle-highway-is-a-welcome-gear-shift-but-other-countries-are-still-streets-ahead-105509

 

Australia’s east coast named as ‘deforestation front’ in WWF Living Planet report

Assessment underscores threat to koalas and other native species

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/30/australias-east-coast-named-as-deforestation-front-in-wwf-living-planet-report

 

Murray plan marred by maladministration

Counsel assisting the royal commission into the Murray-Darling Basin Plan Richard Beasley says its implementation has been hit by a lack of transparency.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/murray-plan-marred-by-maladministration

 

In world first, all of Australia’s buildings have now been mapped

Leading company takes on the mammoth task of mapping every single structure of more than nine square metres. And some of the finds were surprising.

https://www.domain.com.au/news/ai-machine-learning-helped-a-canberra-company-map-every-building-in-australia-779281/

 

Prepare workers for coal closures: report

The CFMEU has proposed a new national authority to prepare for Australia to transition away from coal-fired power generation by 2050. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/prepare-workers-for-coal-closures-report

 

Conservationists to target ‘middle Australia’ in election climate push

ACF aims to pour resources into three marginal seats to inflict electoral pain on major parties for policy failures

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/30/conservationists-to-target-middle-australia-in-election-climate-push

 

‘Big change’: Miners face investor pressure on sustainability

Mining companies unable to demonstrate a clear commitment to environmental and social responsibility will run the risk of losing access to financing, a mining industry conference in Melbourne has heard.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/companies/big-change-miners-face-investor-pressure-on-sustainability-20181030-p50cx4.html

 

Is Australia on the verge of having too much solar energy?

Tristan Edis

Solar will represent a very substantial part of our power supply, but we’re hardly at risk of generating too much. Here’s why

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/30/is-australia-on-the-verge-of-having-too-much-solar-energy

 

Drought: a choice between sympathy or lasting help

Ross Gittins

Scott Morrison’s new fund could be something that improves our farmers’ resilience to future droughts, or it could be just another slush fund for spending in National Party electorates.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/the-economy/drought-a-choice-between-sympathy-or-lasting-help-20181030-p50csk.html

 

Drought summit farce [$]

Natalie Kotsios

The national drought summit was kinda a waste of time

https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/opinion/pm-has-missed-an-opportunity-to-set-out-longterm-strategy/news-story/ba31e921f9bef6d7c6e3a86068b63e33

 

Victoria

Electric cars set to bring hundreds of jobs to Latrobe Valley

Hundreds of jobs are set to be created in the Latrobe Valley, with the Victorian Government announcing a deal to manufacture electric vehicles in a new factory in the region.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-30/electric-cars-set-to-bring-500-jobs-to-latrobe-valley/10448344

 

Owner of massive Victorian tyre dump ordered to pay $4.5m clearing bill

The Supreme Court has ordered a Panama-based company to cough up millions in costs to Victoria’s environment watchdog over a huge tyre dump in the state’s west.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-30/supreme-court-fines-stawell-tyre-stockpile-owner-millions/10447610

 

Your power provider will soon have to tell you if you’re paying too much

Energy companies will be required to tell Victorian customers if they are on the cheapest deal, or if there are better offers available, under rules being introduced next year.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-30/electricity-companies-price-rules-victoria/10445558

 

A $1b country roads diversion for Vic Libs

Victoria’s Liberal-Nationals opposition hopes an election promise of $1 billion for country roadworks will shift attention away from bleak poll results.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/newspoll-hit-to-guy-ahead-of-victoria-poll/news-story/1155e0856141ccca577ea0402602c7ed

 

Greens float plan to make the Yarra River swimmable again

The lower reaches of the Yarra River are severely degraded, but the Greens wants Melburnians to be able to swim there again like they did 50 years ago.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/greens-float-plan-to-make-the-yarra-river-swimmable-again-20181030-p50cyg.html

 

Gippsland safari park on offer for those who are game [$]

It may be a long way from Africa, but a private safari game resort exists in Victoria. And it could be yours for $3.3 million.

https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/property/safari-game-resort-on-market/news-story/23001e92e31a1d70969b342dcecc0a8f

 

Internal brawl threatens to distract Liberal campaign [$]

The treasurer of the Victorian Liberals has launched a stinging attack on party president Michael Kroger, accusing him of wasting $1.1 million on a failed court case against a key benefactor.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/victoria-state-election-2018-liberal-brawl-between-president-treasurer-threatens-to-distract/news-story/946cf6e4d9101367f8299970b46c0cdf

 

How much it cost to clear one million tyres [$]

It took months for Victoria’s environmental watchdog to remove a massive stockpile of tyres amid fire concerns — but it’s now time for the property owner to pay up. This is how much it will cost them.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/environment-protection-authority-chasing-45m-to-recoup-cost-of-clearing-stawell-tyre-stockpile/news-story/09e5272ff2b52d803a3a4a8007c10f62

 

Greens’ push to ban trucks on residential roads [$]

B-double trucks would be banished from dozens of city roads, under a Greens push to stop the “rat run” through residential streets. Here’s the roads the Greens will target.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/state-election/victorian-state-election-2018-greens-push-to-banish-trucks-from-27-key-city-roads/news-story/5bbdcc68c4da8a973757842284c0bf96

 

New South Wales

Sydney makes the list of global pollution ‘hotspots’

Sydney has ranked 40th on a list of global nitrogen dioxide emission hotspots which uses new satellite data to measure NO2 levels in the atmosphere.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/sydney-makes-the-list-of-global-pollution-hotspots

 

Cliefden Caves spared as government finds ‘better alternative’ for dam

A heritage-listed cave complex in central west NSW has been spared from inundation after the Berejiklian government chose an alternative water-security project.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/conservation/cliefden-caves-spared-as-government-finds-better-alternative-for-dam-20181030-p50cy7.html

 

Glencore sees strong coal demand [$]

Glencore chief executive Ivan Glasenberg will get a view today of the Hunter Valley coal assets he bought from Rio Tinto this year.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/glencore-sees-strong-coal-demand/news-story/2e95e001e6921944fe3cb98c9ebedb98

 

Case for lower immigration [$]

Gladys Berejiklian is setting up an ‘expert panel’ to present a case for NSW to accept fewer migrants.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/berejiklian-asks-experts-to-make-a-case-for-fewer-immigrants/news-story/52759e6e29cea13ed497d3613aec0ef5

 

Overcrowding in Sydney is a big issue

Telegraph editorial

Under various governments, we have not been building and improving infrastructure at anywhere near the required rate. Yet at the same time we have been maintaining migration intakes that are way ahead of our city’s ability to ­absorb those new arrivals.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-overcrowding-is-putting-pressure-on-many-communities/news-story/e86923cc00f6a5323716f4dbc675b2de

 

Queensland

What will Brisbane’s transport look like in 25 years?

Car-free days, bikeways for electronic bikes and delivery of freight by drones could be operating in Brisbane within two years, says Brisbane’s Transport Plan.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/what-will-brisbane-s-transport-look-like-in-25-years-20181030-p50cw5.html

 

Greens bid to ban coal mining

An inner-city Brisbane MP says it is “time to hit the climate emergency button” and stop mining coal in the Galilee Basin. While his new bill stands little chance of success, it could put other anti-Adani MPs in an awkward position.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/state-greens-mp-michael-berkman-wants-to-ban-coal-mining-in-the-galilee-basin/news-story/e9a06cdf41ab187c2a8d5828024d38c1

 

South Australia

Packed trams leave commuters stranded

Soccer fans and city workers have been unable to get on trams packed to capacity because of new timetabling. Dozens of people were left watching as packed trams passed them on the way to the Entertainment Centre.

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/adelaide-metro-tram-services-cbd-commuters-forced-to-switch-trams-to-get-to-western-suburbs-during-evening-peak-hour/news-story/e4c0ba70627591469cfb4422e4be257e


Tasmania

Wind farm monitors to warn of approaching wedge-tailed eagles in bid to prevent bird deaths

A wind farm in Tasmania will be the first in Australia to trial a new wedge-tailed eagle monitoring system, which will be able identify whether the endangered bird’s flight path is on track to collide with a turbine.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-30/wind-farm-trial-to-prevent-wedge-tailed-eagle-deaths/10446380

 

Tasmanian heritage forests at risk of ‘catastrophic’ bushfires, study finds

Researchers say amount of vegetation burnt by fires caused by lightning strikes rose dramatically this century

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/30/tasmanian-heritage-forests-at-risk-of-catastrophic-bushfires-study-finds

 

Government ‘can’t be trusted’, say Greens [$]

The Greens will push for federal assessment of plans to expand salmon farming in Storm Bay, but the State Government says its processes are independent and rigorous.

https://www.themercury.com.au/business/state-government-cant-be-trusted-say-greens-as-they-push-for-federal-assessment-of-storm-bay-salmon-farming-expansion/news-story/6a774a4242a3083f633b867769945a6d

 

Appeal begins against Okehampton fish farm [$]

Former Greens leader Bob Brown and tourism operators are appealing against a court decision that backed approval for fish farms near a World Heritage site.

https://www.themercury.com.au/news/scales-of-justice/appeal-begins-against-okehampton-bay-fish-farm/news-story/a9d16ee070aa6a17f2f18aa10479e083

 

Northern Territory

Mystery slick worries Nightcliff fishermen

A thik, smelly layer of ‘slick’ has forced Nightcliff fishos to abandon their rods, worried the pungent substance may impact their catch

https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/mystery-slick-worries-nightcliff-fishermen/news-story/f93de7a533bdaf549299c7d018ae1a8e

 

Sustainability

Two billion people hit by natural disasters in the past decade: Red Cross

Australia is in the world’s most disaster-prone region

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/weather/two-billion-people-hit-by-natural-disasters-in-the-past-decade-red-cross-20181030-p50cy3.html

 

Laser technique may open door to more efficient clean fuels

Electrocatalysts have shown promise as a way to efficiently convert waste CO2 into clean fuels, but the mechanisms by which they operate are often unknown making it hard for researchers to design new ones in a rational manner. New University of Liverpool research published in Nature Catalysis demonstrates a laser-based spectroscopy technique that can be used to study the electrochemical reduction of CO2 in-situ and provide much-needed insights into these complex chemical pathways.

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/uol-ltm103018.php

 

Prenatal exposure to phthalates linked to language delays in children, study says

Pediatricians have previously warned about reducing children’s exposure to the chemicals commonly found in products such as nail polish and food packaging.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/29/health/phthalate-prenatal-language-development-study/index.html

 

New technologies in the ocean energy sector

Analysis of ten future emerging technologies to generate energy from the ocean tides and waves.

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/ecjr-nti103018.php

 

We need a complete change in agriculture to feed the planet

Study results show that the global agriculture system currently overproduces grains, fats, and sugars, while production of fruits and vegetables and protein is not sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of the future global population.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/tech-and-science/science/we-need-a-complete-change-in-agriculture-to-feed-the-planet/article/535684

 

Nature Conservation

More than half the world’s wildlife has disappeared since 1970, WWF says

The world’s wildlife continues to decline, according to the World Wildlife Fund’s latest Living Planet Report, which shows we’ve lost nearly 60 per cent of vertebrate animal populations since 1970.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2018-10-30/wwf-species-loss-living-planet/10434956

 

Wildlife conservationists condemn China’s reversal of ban on rhino, tiger products

Wildlife conservationists fear China’s decision to allow limited trade of rhino and tiger goods could have “devastating consequences”.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/wildlife-conservationists-condemn-china-s-reversal-of-ban-on-rhino-tiger-products

 

Commercial shellfish landings decline likely linked to environmental factors

Researchers studying the sharp decline between 1980 and 2010 in documented landings of the four most commercially-important bivalve mollusks — eastern oysters, northern quahogs, softshell clams and northern bay scallops — have identified the causes. Warming ocean temperatures associated with a positive shift in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), which led to habitat degradation including increased predation, are the key reasons for the decline of these four species in estuaries and bays from Maine to North Carolina.

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/nnfs-csl103018.php

 

Study: Increasing frequency of ocean storms could alter kelp forest ecosystems

A future with stormier seas may bring strong changes to the biodiversity of coastal sea life.

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/uov-sif102918.php

 

The Native Americans suing Trump over their sacred national parks

Two members of the Navajo people are running for office at the US midterms amid the fight to save the Bears Ears monument.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-native-americans-suing-trump-over-their-sacred-national-parks

 

Brazil: Experts warn of Bolsonaro threat to the Amazon

Brazil’s president-elect Jair Bolsonaro has threatened to close environment agencies and throw open indigenous territories to development.

https://www.dw.com/en/brazil-experts-warn-of-bolsonaro-threat-to-the-amazon/a-46068377

 

Is planting trees the best thing you can do for your health and the planet?

Ruth Pavey

Prince Charles has said that all he really wants to do is plant trees. When I turned a patch of land into a wood, I learned how important this is

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/shortcuts/2018/oct/30/planting-trees-best-for-health-planet-prince-charles-plant-wood

 

Now for something completely different …

Are you up for the no-cost Christmas challenge?

Melissa Browne

Why not decide to have a no-cost Christmas without needing to fall out with everyone you love (or are related to)?

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/money/planning-and-budgeting/are-you-up-for-the-no-cost-christmas-challenge-20181018-p50ajg.html

 

Maelor Himbury

6 Florence St Niddrie 3042

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