Post of the Day
How about a Robin Hood carbon tax to combat climate change?
Ross Gittins
Two public-spirited citizens have come up with a plan for a $50 per tonne carbon tax which would take from the rich and give to the poor.
Today’s Celebration
National Women’s Day – Samoa
New Regime Anniversary – Zaire (Democratic Congo)
Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day
Climate Change
Solar geoengineering could be ‘remarkably inexpensive’ – report
Spreading particles in stratosphere to fight climate change may cost $2bn a year
Climate change ‘will inflict substantial damages on US lives’
‘Impacts of climate change are intensifying across the country’
Draft outlines claim current response to crisis is insufficient
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/23/climate-change-america-us-government-report
Tory MPs demand net-zero carbon emissions by 2050
Theresa May called on to commit to ambitious climate target
Democrats and a climate-change dilemma
Should Democrats pursue the best policy, or the one that does them least political damage?
https://www.economist.com/united-states/2018/11/24/democrats-and-a-climate-change-dilemma
Climate change may turn Amazon peatlands from carbon sinks to sources
Because they basically consist of lots and lots of plant matter, peatlands sequester lots and lots of carbon. So much so that scientists regard peatlands as one of the most efficient natural carbon sinks on the planet.
National
Bipartisan approach to energy out of sight
The prime minister won’t support his former energy policy despite Labor pledging to put it back on the table for bipartisan support.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/bipartisan-approach-to-energy-out-of-sight
Shorten berates Coalition on energy policy
Opposition leader Bill Shorten says Labor’s offers of bipartisanship have been knocked back on successive schemes, but commits to put the dumped National Energy Guarantee back on the table if his party wins the next election.
Labor’s climate handouts may ‘spook’ investors [$]
Labor’s proposed $15 billion taxpayer-backed interventions in energy markets risk crowding out private investment in low-emissions technology.
Is Labor’s energy plan really a wrecking ball for industry?
If electricity ever stops flowing to the Tomago aluminium smelter, the results could be catastrophic. Molten metal in potlines would start to solidify. If enough equipment was ruined, the future of the entire plant would be at risk. Jobs may be lost, a community plunged into crisis.
‘Without balance’ and ‘sensible’: Labor’s massive energy plan divides critics
Labor has sparked a political clash over a new plan to use $15 billion in Commonwealth debt to finance new energy projects, with critics warning of a flood of spending on renewable power while others acclaim the “sensible” move.
ALP plan ‘rewards energy giants’ [$]
The Morrison government says Bill Shorten’s $10bn plan to turbocharge clean energy investment will reward energy giants.
‘Carpinator’ resigns over herpes release delay
The scientist in charge of reducing the feral carp population across Australia has resigned from his post a month after the plan to introduce carp herpes into Australia’s rivers was delayed.
Artificial intelligence a new defence against biosecurity threats
Scientists are trialling the use of AI to protect Australia from some of the world’s most severe pests and diseases — and will save time and money in the process.
Solar, wind and lots of red ink [$]
There is a direct link between Australia’s energy policy vacuum and the collapse of an engineering company working on about $1.1 billion in solar farms in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.
RCR solar business faces shutdown if no buyers [$]
RCR’s rivals say they are not interested in buying its solar business because its contracts are too risky.
Dumb and dumber energy plans won’t cut power bills [$]
The AFR View
The stunning collapse of engineering group RCR Tomlinson, months after pocketing another $100 million from investors, is the first big corporate casualty of Australia’s solar energy boom.
How about a Robin Hood carbon tax to combat climate change?
Ross Gittins
Two public-spirited citizens have come up with a plan for a $50 per tonne carbon tax which would take from the rich and give to the poor.
Shorten’s energy plan better than no plan at all
SMH editorial
It is miles from the first best option of a single carbon price.
Shorten’s power play may pay off with voters [$]
Dennis Atkins
Bill Shorten gave the most important speech of his time as Opposition Leader this week, outlining a positive plan for Australia’s energy future. It was a stark contrast to the Coalition’s lack of policy spark.
ALP follows Turnbull’s footprints [$]
Graham Lloyd
Labor is fashioning its climate change response around former leader Malcolm Turnbull’s unfinished business.
Power plays over green energy subsidies [$]
Charis Palmer
As the Victorian government goes to the polls promising $1.24 billion in household solar subsidies, and federal Labor proposes a renewable energy target of 50 per cent by 2030, the nation heads into summer with a partisan argument over what causes blackouts.
Victoria
Young climate protesters thwarted by security at Shorten’s office
A group of school students preparing for a nationwide strike over climate change inaction prompt the closure of the Opposition Leader’s electorate office in Melbourne, on the advice of federal police.
When will we know who’s won the Victorian state election?
Record numbers of Victorians have forgone their democracy sausage in order to avoid the polling day queues, casting early ballots in the state election. Here’s our guide to knowing when we’re likely to find out who has won.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-23/victorian-election-early-votes-counting-result/10529776
Panel doesn’t dig council’s underground plan for Queen Vic Market
A plan by Melbourne City Council to dig beneath heritage sheds at the Queen Victoria Market – to create an underground parking lot and a trader services area – is all but certain to be dumped, after a “people’s panel” did not back the idea.
New South Wales
NSW Hunter fire downgraded as strong winds ease
A bushfire that threatened dozens of homes north of Newcastle has been downgraded as strong winds that fanned the blaze during the day ease.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/nsw-hunter-fire-downgraded-as-strong-winds-ease
Explainer: how a dust storm, and hazardous air quality, can harm your health
Mark Patrick Taylor and Cynthia Isley
Hazardous air quality is when fine dust levels are significantly elevated relative to Australian air quality standards.
Queensland
Developer donations pose fewer problems in Queensland than NSW, LNP tells high court
Liberal National party lawyers say state’s ban will apply to federal elections and that would be unconstitutional
South-east Queenslanders warned of bush fire threat
Residents are being urged to prepare to leave their homes after several fires have broken out across south-east Queensland, including a blaze that has brought 14 firefighting crews to the scene.
New $7b mega-mine to deliver 4000 jobs [$]
A massive coal mine located next door to Adani’s project has been given the green light by the state’s co-ordinator-general – and it’s set to funnel more than $188 million a year into the state’s coffers.
Palaszczuk puts Adani on notice [$]
Indian developer Adani has been told its Carmichael coal project is ‘not the be all and end all’ of mining in Queensland.
South Australia
How many people will live in SA in 25 years? [$]
New modelling shows how far South Australia’s population will grow before it spirals into decline – some say it won’t be nearly enough.
Power plant explosion: SA says see ya to coal [$]
A 200-metre chimney stack at what was South Australia’s last remaining coal-fired power station has been felled in a controlled explosion as destruction of the site’s infrastructure nears completion.
Northern Territory
Why does Australia’s sunniest region have the worst solar uptake?
The NT has the highest proportion of renters in Australia and the worst uptake of solar panels. Experts think the two are related.
Cyclone replanting begins
More than 150 trees will be planted in Darwin over the coming weeks as the community rallies to bring back life to Darwin
Sustainability
Inside 3M’s fight to thwart a massive pollution tab
From questioning the science to donating to political campaigns, the chemicals giant is going all out to avoid liability for PFOA and PFAS contamination.
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/23/political-chemicals-cleanup-3m-1012445
Catwalk brands trawl ocean plastic waste for sustainable fashion
‘Blue Planet’ effect takes hold as designers turn to materials made from fishing nets and discarded plastics.
Why ‘flammable ice’ could be the future of energy
Last year, Japan succeeded in extracting an untapped fuel from its ocean floor – methane hydrate, or flammable ice.
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20181119-why-flammable-ice-could-be-the-future-of-energy
Protest letter urges Iran to treat jailed conservationists fairly
Fair treatment for eight Iranian conservationists jailed since January has been urged by colleagues from 66 nations. They’ve sent a letter to Iran’s UN envoy, endorsing the work of the Asiatic cheetah and bear experts.
https://www.dw.com/en/protest-letter-urges-iran-to-treat-jailed-conservationists-fairly/a-46411354
The Man Who Shows 100 Per Cent Clean Energy Is Possible
Marc Lee
And why BC should streak for Mark Jacobson’s global target.
https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2018/11/21/100-Per-Cent-Clean-Energy-Possible/
Nature Conservation
Slow Arctic freeze raises risk of polar bear extinction, say scientists
Record absence of ice after freak warm spells denies pregnant bears birthing dens and triggers ‘extirpation event’ warning
Scientist unveils blueprint to save bees and enrich farmers
Urgent planting of wildflowers will attract pollinators and boost farmers’ food crops, expert to tell UN
Poland calls for planting more forests worldwide to improve carbon capture
Poland called on Wednesday for more forests to be planted worldwide to capture carbon.