Post of the Day
There’s a rational, evidence-based argument for optimism for humankind. Really
Jonathan Salk
Increasing population puts pressure on us to improve quality of life in all regions. Infinite growth is impossible.
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-salk-scientific-case-for-opimism-20181106-story.html
Today’s Celebration
Anniversary of 1st Call for Independence in Los Santos – Panama
Independence (Cry of) – Palau
Maputo City Day (Maputo only) – Mozambique
Militsiya (Police) Day – Russia
Potosi Local Festival – Bolivia
Marine Corps Birthday – United States of America
World Science Day for Peace and Development
Climate Change
Climate changes health: The backstory is the front story
Natalie Sampson
The stories of communities experiencing climate injustice must be recognized in mainstream conversations around climate change and health.
https://blog.ucsusa.org/science-blogger/climate-changes-health-the-backstory-is-the-front-story
Be cool about climate change [$]
Judith Sloan
Too much ideology and not enough science informs the debate on humankind’s impact on the environment.
National
Malcolm Turnbull’s double back-flip on 100 per cent renewable energy
Out of politics, and without a tie, Turnbull says 100% renewables achievable, dispatchable, and so cheap that new coal just won’t be built.
Small scale solar surge continues to reshape Australia’s grid
AEMO report shows big surge in rooftop solar, eating away at demand, displacing coal and depressing prices.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/small-scale-solar-surge-continues-to-reshape-australias-grid-35290/
Coal plants must give 3 years’ notice of closure, under new market rule
Owners of Australia’s ageing coal-fired power plants – and other generators for that matter – will have to give at least three years’ notice of plans to close down the generators, according to a new rule completed by the Australian Energy Market Commission.
Coalition plans to support new coal investment could break its own procurement rules
Oliver Yates
Coalition’s push for new investments in fossil fuel generation is flawed because it ignores carbon costs – and it may also be against its own procurement guidelines. https://reneweconomy.com.au/coalition-plans-to-support-new-coal-investment-could-break-its-own-procurement-rules-19439/
Why Australia needs to be a renewable energy superpower
Mike Cannon-Brookes
Australia has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to redefine its place in the world through the production of renewable energy.
Victoria
Victoria’s first big battery charges up on state grid
Ballarat big battery, the first in Victoria, starts charging and discharging activity on the grid.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/victorias-first-big-battery-charges-up-on-state-grid-50636/
Power bills to surge as tariff approved [$]
Victorians’ power bills will soar by up to $30 from January 1 next year with tariff hikes given the green light. Find out which areas will be hardest hit.
New South Wales
Brumby taming challenge hopes to avoid cull in Kosciuszko National Park
Amid calls for a major cull of wild horses in the Snowy Mountains, horse trainers are taking on a challenge to tame the wild horses and put them to work.
ACT
Noise from drone delivery service divides Canberra residents
Fast-food delivery by drone promises convenience previously unheard of, but a trial of the technology in south Canberra is causing outrage.
The ACT’s drone trial is both a challenge and an opportunity
Canberra Times editorial
Project Wing’s ACT drone trial is both a challenge and an opportunity. We need to strike a balance between residents’ concerns and innovation.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/topic/canberra-times-editorial-1r1
Queensland
Sharks ‘bigger and fatter’ and numbers ‘out of control’ in north Queensland, fisher says
One of Queensland’s last remaining commercial shark fishermen warns shark numbers in north Queensland are “out of control” and he is surprised there have not been far more people mauled by the animals.
Five-point plan, not drumlines, to stop shark attacks in Cid Harbour
The Queensland government has announced its plan to protect visitors to the Whitsundays after three shark attacks, including one fatal mauling, in Cid Harbour.
The mining industry and powerful CFMMEU join forces on mining reforms
The resources industry and a powerful union have teamed up to call on the Labor state government to delay aspects of its mining rehabilitation bill.
South Australia
Fluence to install big battery at Lincoln Gap wind farm in South Australia
Nexif Energy inks deal with Fluence to install a 10MW/10MWh battery storage system at its 212MW Lincoln Gap Wind Farm near Port Augusta.
Northern Territory
Mirarr people claim native title victory in Jabiru
The Mirarr people, who have lived within the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park for thousands of years, hope the recognition of their rights will give them a greater chance to revitalise Jabiru as mining interests there leave.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-09/mirarr-country-jabiru-native-title-determination-nt/10479708
Western Australia
Japanese man charged over attempt to smuggle WA lizards out of Australia
A Japanese man has been nabbed at Perth Airport allegedly trying to smuggle six native bobtail lizards out of Australia.
Heavyweights sound off as WA fracking inquiry enters doomsday
Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes, John Butler, the band Midnight Oil, Missy Higgins, Tim Winton, Fiona Stanley, Janet Holmes a Court, Carmen Lawrence and Peter Newman have joined to call for the state government to ban gas fracking in Western Australia.
Sustainability
Green group backs keeping nuclear plants open
A major environmental group is sounding an alarm over the climate change consequences of closing nuclear power plants.
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/415715-green-group-backs-keeping-nuclear-plants-open
Dirt rich: Healthy soil movement gains ground in farm country
It’s an approach to farming built around four basic rules: Never till the soil. Use cover crops so soil is never bare. Grow a more diverse mix of plants. And use fields to graze livestock.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/11/08/healthy-soil-movement-draws-farmers-not-everyone-digs-it
Could these balls help reduce plastic pollution?
Microplastics have swamped our ecosystem. Can tech help prevent them entering our water systems?
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-46137804
Riding bikes because they’re green misses the point
Eben Weiss
We need to stop selling bicycles on environmentalism. We ride because it’s fun, healthy, cheap, and practical—and because it annoys people who drive.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2364371/stop-selling-bikes-environmentalism
Why we’re taking a hard look at nuclear power plant closures
Ken Kimmell
Preserving the capacity of safely operated nuclear plants or ensuring that this capacity is replaced with zero carbon alternatives is an imperative that cannot be ignored.
Common plastics emit global warming pollution
Monica Isola
Six-pack rings, plastic bags, and similar products are among the culprits.
https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2018/11/common-plastics-emit-global-warming-pollution/
Corn continues to thrive in the swamp
Jeff Dunetz
Ethanol blends have harmed, not helped, the environment.
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2018/11/07/corn-continues-thrive-swamp/1903071002/
There’s a rational, evidence-based argument for optimism for humankind. Really
Jonathan Salk
Increasing population puts pressure on us to improve quality of life in all regions. Infinite growth is impossible.
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-salk-scientific-case-for-opimism-20181106-story.html
Will the clean energy revolution enhance energy security?
Kenneth Baldwin
Over the next few decades the world’s energy systems will undergo a seismic revolution, with a transformation on a massive scale as renewable energy takes over from fossil fuels.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/will-the-clean-energy-revolution-enhance-energy-security-77494/
Saving Planet Earth
Barry Jones
It could be argued, depressingly, that there is an inverse relationship between the growth of universities and the level of community engagement in politics
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/contributor/barry-jones
Nature Conservation
Neonicotinoids impact bees’ nursing and social behaviors, study finds
Exposure to neonicotinoid compounds, the world’s most commonly used insecticides, directly impacts the social behavior of bumblebees, causing them to be less active and less likely to care for or feed larvae
https://e360.yale.edu/digest/neonicotinoids-impact-bees-nursing-and-social-behaviors-study-finds
Americans voted overwhelmingly to protect wild places
The results from Tuesday’s elections prove that the majority of people in this country revere our public lands. Politicians, listen up.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2363781/what-election-meant-public-lands
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