Post of the Day
‘A disaster’: Forest deals reignite tension between loggers and conservationists
Dejan Stojanovic was aghast. The biologist had pulled to the side of a remote dirt road in southern Tasmania, expecting to find the stately blue gum forest he’d frequented for years. He had come in search of the rare swift parrot, known to nest in the nooks of old local trees. But the bulldozers had got there first. Only disfigured brown earth remained.
Today’s Celebration
Army Day – Zaire (Democratic Congo)
Day of National revival – Azerbaijan
1989 students’ fight for freedom and democracy – Czech Republic
Malabo Fiesta – Equatorial Guinea
Presidents Day – Marshall Islands
Prince Charles’ Birthday – Fiji
Student Youth Day – Turkmenistan
Climate Change
Policies of China, Russia and Canada threaten 5C climate change, study finds
Ranking of countries’ goals shows even EU on course for more than double safe level of warming
Global Health Institute director discusses effect of climate change on health, social justice
The director said “poor countries are suffering, but it is wealthy countries that are causing the problem.”
India can’t meet its global warming reduction target
India will not be able to reduce global warming by 2 degrees Celsius by 2030
Debate needs fact, not feeling [$]
Chris Kenny
The truth just keeps getting in the way of climate alarmists’ theories.
The world is burning [$]
Simon Bevilacqua
We to do extraordinary things every day of our lives, but when science tells us our greenhouse gas pollution is changing the climate, there is a small but vocal minority who suddenly question the scientific process that has brought humanity to this nexus of technological advancement.
National
There’ll be blackouts this summer if nothing is done, report warns
The Australian Energy Market Operator warns Victoria and South Australia are at a heightened risk of forced blackouts this summer, as it sources costly emergency energy reserves to keep up with anticipated demand.
AEMO says new wind, solar and batteries will mitigate summer blackout risks
The Australian Energy Market Operator says the country is facing a hot and dry summer with added risk of extreme weather and bushfires, but the addition of 2,100MW of new wind, solar and battery storage should mitigate the risk of any blackouts or load shedding.
AEMO warns of increased outages from ageing coal generators
AEMO is warning that the number of forced outages is rising dramatically. As Warren Buffett advised, it’s smarter to change vessels than try and patch leaks.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/aemo-warns-of-increased-outages-from-ageing-coal-generators-20608/
Australia’s most polluting industries are almost all in poor areas – report
Hunter and Latrobe valleys lead the list of polluted postcodes in survey by Australian Conservation Foundation
Underwriting coal power exposes taxpayers to billions, industry group says
Ai Group expresses significant concern with the Morrison government’s controversial plan to underwrite new power generation
AGL to bring in power price safety net
AGL will bring in a price safety net from January, which will could see households and small businesses on standing offers save hundreds of dollars.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/agl-to-bring-in-power-price-safety-net
Will this be the season of the super cyclone?
It’s cyclone season in Australia. A series of monster storms have devastated the northern hemisphere this year. Are we next?
‘Behind the motor’: Can electric vehicles sustain not drain the grid?
Some two million Australian households with rooftop solar panels have done much to transform their involvement in the electricity sector and what they park in their garages may one day be just as disruptive.
‘A disaster’: Forest deals reignite tension between loggers and conservationists
Dejan Stojanovic was aghast. The biologist had pulled to the side of a remote dirt road in southern Tasmania, expecting to find the stately blue gum forest he’d frequented for years. He had come in search of the rare swift parrot, known to nest in the nooks of old local trees. But the bulldozers had got there first. Only disfigured brown earth remained.
Infigen slams Coalition push for more coal, says ideology holding back transition
Infigen says Coalition underwriting policy clearly directed towards new investments in coal, and ideology getting in way of clean energy transition.
Ageing ex mining chiefs set up new ginger group urging Paris exit
A new super-group of seasoned global warming deniers and ex mining chiefs has formed to lobby for Australia’s withdrawal from Paris accord.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/ageing-ex-mining-chiefs-set-up-new-ginger-group-urging-paris-exit-50400/
8 charts to show how Australia is failing on climate and energy
In case it was not already clear, a new international report has charted Australia’s performance on climate and energy policy, putting it’s “insufficiency” in stark relief.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/8-charts-to-show-how-australia-is-failing-on-climate-and-energy-56908/
‘Liberals in denial on climate’ [$]
Malcolm Turnbull has declared the Liberal Party is not capable of dealing with climate change
The dirty truth: Australia’s most polluted postcodes
Australian Conservation Foundation
The burden of air pollution rests disproportionately on the shoulders of poorer Australians. This report shows 90% of polluting facilities reported in the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) are in postcodes with low-middle weekly household incomes.
The energy blame game [$]
Charis Palmer
As the government pushes to legislate for control of energy prices, retailers blame poor policy for rising bills. Meanwhile, experts say, the market continues to be gamed by energy generators.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2018/11/17/the-energy-blame-game/15423732007157
Four key steps to take Australia towards 100 per cent renewable electricity
Mark Diesendorf
Here are the four key policy initiatives we must take to propel Australia towards 100 per cent renewable electricity.
Why fair dinkum language is crucial in the energy debate
Bjorn Sturmberg
Confused by the arguments on power generation? Here’s a guide to some of the energybabble thrown around by politicians.
Victoria
Vic Opposition promises bargain TVs, fridges in trade-in pledge to cut power bills
The Coalition is promising to spend $40 million on a plan to subsidise energy-efficient TVs and fridges for concession card holders, in a bid to help them bring down their power bills.
Fracking ban destined for Vic constitution
State Labor are promising cheaper camping fees across Victorian parks, $105 million for better campsites, four-wheel-drive and walking tracks.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/fracking-ban-destined-for-vic-constitution
Tesla’s and Victoria’s second big battery completed at Gannawarra solar farm
Tesla’s second big battery in Australia and the second big battery in Victoria has been formally unveiled. It is the largest solar plus battery facility in Australia.
Lord Mayor’s green-space plan up in the air [$]
When Lord Mayor Sally Capp was campaigning for the job she mooted an ambitious idea for a New York-style high line park in the CBD. But now it seems the concept will be cut down to size.
Logging must stop in Melbourne’s biggest water supply catchment
David Lindenmayer and Chris Taylor
Continued logging in Melbourne’s water catchments could reduce the city’s water supply by the equivalent of 600,000 people’s annual water use every year by 2050, according to our analysis.
https://theconversation.com/logging-must-stop-in-melbournes-biggest-water-supply-catchment-106922
Queensland
Government hides truth about koala mortality rates
Sue Arnold
New information on the removal of koalas from the Coomera-Pimpama region reveals a lack of compassion from the Government.
South Australia
Fears of toxic contamination near Airport [$]
There are fears that possible cancer-causing chemicals have contaminated a residential area of up to 200m outside the Adelaide Airport.
Waste solution lauded at Uni’s eChallenge [$]
A company which is developing a “carbon negative” solution to green waste management has scooped the pool at this year’s Australian eChallenge, taking out four prizes including the People’s Choice award.
Tasmania
Luxury tourism retreat puts fly fishing friendship on the line
Fly fisher Greg French has been coming to Lake Malbena in Tasmania’s World Heritage Area for 40 years, now a friend he introduced to the spot is proposing to build a luxury fly-in-fly-out retreat on the site.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-16/lake-malbena-fly-fishing-development/10499444
Bell Bay timber mill to tick industrial zone boxes says Ray Mostogl
The inaugural chairman of a committee established to bolster the Bell Bay industrial precinct has welcomed the “significant” proposal for a new $54 million timber mill.
Northern Territory
Foreign investment could fuel ‘massive oil and gas base’ in Northern Territory, says senator
Official opening of $55 billion Inpex plant sees ministers looking toward future of fracking and offshore gas industries to solve Northern Territory’s economic slump.
Inpex signs deal to pay Darwin Aboriginal group $24 million over decades
The families benefit fund, bankrolled by Japanese gas giant Inpex, will assist the Larrakia people to pay for educational and training expenses, help elders with the cost of living, and finance a funeral fund.
Western Australia
Bushfire puts lives, homes at risk in WA
An bushfire in Western Australia’s north is continuing to threaten lives and properties, with residents of six communities told to leave or get ready to act.
Sustainability
Cities are sinking — and experts say we’re not doing enough to save them
Climate scientists tell us that, by the end of the century, the map of the world will be radically redrawn by rising sea levels — and global cities are at the centre of this dramatic story. So how prepared are we?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-17/cities-are-sinking-so-what-are-we-doing-about-it/10503924
This is solving unexpected environmental problems
The art of reusing shipping containers.
http://www.livingit.euronews.com/2018/11/16/this-is-solving-unexpected-environmental-problems
Why battery electric vehicles will beat hybrids and fuel cells
The ICE is over. But which of the new technologies will win the automotive future – batteries, hybrid plug-ins, or hydrogen fuel cells?
https://reneweconomy.com.au/why-battery-electric-vehicles-will-beat-hybrids-and-fuel-cells-85316/
Study shows hydrogen cars to have three times emissions of battery EVs
UQ study finds hydrogen fuel cell vehicles – If charged on Australia’s main grid – will have 3x the emissions of battery EVs, nearly double those of petrol cars.
It’s the right time to review the world’s chemical weapons convention
Martin Boland
The chemical weapons convention (CWC) is one of the most successful arms control treaties in existence. It outlaws the production, stockpiling or research on offensive lethal chemical weapons.
Trump’s withdrawal from the INF treaty could signal a new nuclear arms race
Glen Anderson
While the threat of nuclear war seems like a thing of the past, the reality is that the global nuclear arms race is still dangerously alive.
Nature Conservation
‘Sad surprise’: Amazon fish contaminated by plastic particles
Scientists in Brazil find first evidence of plastic pollution in Amazon basin freshwater fish
Crab fishers sue fossil fuel industry over climate change damage
The lawsuit by the largest West Coast commercial fishing association seeks to hold 30 companies accountable for harming shellfish and livelihoods as the ocean warms.
Insect populations are declining around the world. How worried should we be?
A decline in insect biomass and diversity has experts concerned and calling for more research to understand why.
https://therevelator.org/insect-decline/
Invisible stew of plastic pollution found in fur seal poop
Miniscule microfibers of plastic have been found in the poop of fur seals on a remote breeding ground, hinting at the scope of the ocean’s plastic problem.
https://www.livescience.com/64083-plastic-pollution-fur-seal-poop.html
Radar helps Kenya map mangroves and other cloud-covered forests
Mapping mangroves is important economically and ecologically.
Reforestation ‘beats biofuels’ [$]
A land area the size of Australia is needed to grow biofuels to tackle climate change which is threatening biodiversity.
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