Post of the Day
Rethinking Australia’s climate history
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have found evidence of climate change that coincided with the first wave of European settlement of Australia, which effectively delivered a double-punch of drying and land clearance to the country.
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/news/news103762.html
Today’s Celebration
Bonifacio Day – Philippines
Harvest Holiday – Turkmenistan
Independence Day – Barbados, Yemen
National Day – Benin
St. Andrew’s Day – Christianity
International Computer Security Day
Stay Home Because You’re Well Day
Climate Change
Past four years hottest on record, data shows
World running out of time to combat climate change, warns meteorological organisation
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/29/four-years-hottest-record-climate-change
A new report finds that climate change is the world’s worst public health crisis
Researchers forecast more disease and disaster as the planet warms. https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2018/11/climate-change-public-health-report/
Even Republicans at odds with Trump’s climate posture, poll finds
But many people still don’t agree with the consensus science that shows humans are the dominant cause of climate change
We broke down what climate change will do in the US, region by region
Yeah, we read each chapter of the report so you don’t have to.
https://grist.org/article/we-broke-down-what-climate-change-will-do-region-by-region/
We have the tech to design climate solutions right now
We don’t need brilliant new inventions: A new book offers a simple guide to the policies we need to enact to fight climate change right now.
Far-right populists and climate policy: an attempt to move the goalposts
With the COP24 starting next week, right-wing populists are seeking to reframe the discussion about climate change even in ultra-ecological Germany. Environmentalists face a dilemma — to rebut or ignore the deniers.
Gender equity is the most overlooked climate change solution
“Gender and climate are inextricably linked.” https://www.fastcompany.com/90274155/gender-equity-is-the-most-overlooked-solution-for-climate-change
Want someone to care about climate change? Make it personal
Goodbye, Arctic. Hello, heat stroke and asthma attacks. New climate reports connect the dots between predictions and your life—today.
https://www.wired.com/story/the-climate-apocalypse-is-now-and-its-happening-to-you/
National
Kids are skipping school this week to go to a climate change protest — should you let them?
Students across Australia are taking time out of the classroom to rally for action on climate change. The PM wants “more learning” and “less activism in schools”, but experts say it’s “all part of a civics education”.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-29/should-kids-be-part-of-activism-and-protests/10566178
BOM summer outlook tips another scorching summer ahead
Get ready for a hot and dry summer, with the bureau expecting warmer-than-normal days and nights for most of the country.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-29/bom-summer-outlook-another-scorching-summer-ahead/10563478
Australia named as one of the world’s worst performers on biodiversity
WWF rates Australia a zero due to the absence of biodiversity measures in our Paris climate change commitments
Bushfire risks: state-by-state
With the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting warmer-than-average summer days, there’s also the chance of above-normal bushfire potential.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/bushfire-risks-state-by-state
Renewables ‘heading for 80 per cent of electricity market by 2030’
The growth in renewable generation is now so rapid it has almost replaced the capacity of the closed Hazelwood power station and now threatens a collapse of generators’ margins, a new report finds.
Climate change is the biggest threat to our futures, not striking from school
Milou Albrecht, Harriet O’Shea Carre and Jean Hinchcliffe
We are walking out for a day to send the Australian government a message: you can no longer pretend we are not here
Nationals MPs rebel over government’s integrity commission plans
The Morrison government is facing an internal rebellion by Nationals MPs over plans for a new anti-corruption regime unless it protects ministers from being targeted over infrastructure grants made against bureaucrats’ advice.
Rethinking Australia’s climate history
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have found evidence of climate change that coincided with the first wave of European settlement of Australia, which effectively delivered a double-punch of drying and land clearance to the country.
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/news/news103762.html
Green is the new black: how renewables and storage will replace coal
Lachlan Blackhall
What the community really needs is for government and industry to get on with building Australia’s future energy system.
Heatwaves threaten Australians’ health, and our politicians aren’t doing enough about it
Paul Beggs et al
Pollutants from fossil fuel combustion cause thousands of premature deaths nationwide every year. This is just one way our climate change policies impact on the nation’s health.
Victoria
First-time MP given high stakes public transport portfolio
A first-time MP has been handed the highly challenging public transport ministry as Premier Daniel Andrews unveils his new cabinet.
Why your power bill is set to get slashed
Two power companies will today announce they are slashing bills for Victorian customers by 10 per cent, potentially saving your family up to $270 a year. These are the companies cutting their charges.
New South Wales
Sydney light rail contractor tells inquiry of ‘crap the pants’ document
The subcontractor building Sydney’s light rail network says it would never have taken on the project if it had been given documents showing the extent of underground utility work involved.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-29/sydney-light-rail-inquiry-hears-blowout-details/10566958
Clean energy politics, engineering and economics on show in NSW
Next week’s NSW Smart Energy Summit comes at an exciting time for energy politics, as state energy minister Don Harwin and opposition spokesman Adam Searle outline their visions for…
https://reneweconomy.com.au/clean-energy-politics-engineering-and-economics-on-show-in-nsw-29225/
Biggest wind and solar project on main grid seeks to add pumped hydro
A New South Wales project that proposes to be the biggest single renewable energy generator on Australia’s main grid – and produce twice the output of the state’s soon-to-be retired Liddell coal power plant – is investigating plans to add pumped hydro as one of its core energy storage components.
Climate protest kids are heroes, say teachers [$]
Public school staff are encouraging students to wag class to protest against climate change today – even detailing loopholes so the kids can escape being punished for truancy.
Hiring spree as desalination plant turns on [$]
The operator of Sydney’s $1.8 billion desalination plant at Kurnell is on a hiring spree as it prepares to turn on the taps for the first time at the end of the year.
Queensland
Two homes lost but many more saved as bushfire emergency continues
Emergency authorities warn there will be no let-up in heatwave conditions for at least five more days, as three of Queensland’s 130 fires remain of significant concern.
‘We are ready to start’: Adani to begin controversial mine operation
Indian energy giant Adani announces a scaled-down version of its Carmichael mine and rail project in central Queensland will go ahead, and will be 100 per cent self-financed.
Greens outraged over Qld mine announcement
Environmentalists are outraged over Adani’s plans to push forward with the controversial Carmichael coalmine in the Galilee Basin, which the company will fund.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/greens-outraged-over-qld-mine-announcement-163226182–spt.html
Coal boom looms after Adani start [$]
Australia is on the brink of opening up a massive, untapped coal region after Adani committed to begin its mine project.
RCR administrator blames solar for company’s collapse
The company managing the voluntary administration of engineering giant RCR Tomlinson have – for the first time – openly pointed the finger at “unprofitable solar contracts” as central to the cash-flow issues that have brought the multi-billion dollar company undone.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/rcr-administrator-blames-solar-for-companys-collapse-78708/
Queensland flying fox species decimated by record heatwave
‘As far as we know, [the spectacled flying fox] has never suffered heat deaths before,’ ecologist says
Rare earth mineral discovery set to make Australia a major player in electric vehicle supply chain
Research at a Queensland university has discovered the geological secret behind a rare earth mineral, critical to building high-tech products essential for future industries.
Creating liveable cities in Australia: a scorecard and priority recommendations for Brisbane
Centre for Urban Research (RMIT)
Making Brisbane ‘liveable’ is a policy objective of the Queensland government. In some domains of liveability, Brisbane performs well in comparison to other Australian cities in its policy ambition and performance. However, to achieve its liveability aspirations, greater ambition is required in some of its policy targets.
Black Swan Lake exposes Queensland Government as an environmental vandal
Sue Arnold
While work goes ahead to destroy Black Swan Lake, questions are being raised as to the environmental safety of the filling methods.
It’s Adani and it’ll mine if it wants to
Stephen Long
It’s not the mega-mine promised, or feared — but, if we can believe Adani’s assurances, it’s nonetheless a game changer that will open a vast new coal-mining region.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-29/adani-mini-mine-gets-go-ahead-from-indian-parent/10568420
Stop Adani mine obstruction [$]
It’s good news that Indian mining conglomerate Adani says it will provide funding to finally develop the Carmichael coalmine in central Queensland.
South Australia
South Australian hydrogen plan sinks
Plans to produce hydrogen in the Cooper Basin for up to 50 years, strongly encouraged by the State Government, have stumbled badly for lack of finance.
https://indaily.com.au/news/business/2018/11/29/south-australian-hydrogen-plan-sinks/
Happy birthday, SA’s big battery, and many happy returns (of your recyclable parts)
Aleesha Rodriguez The big battery has notched up a year in operation, during which it has been widely hailed as a success.
https://theconversation.com/happy-birthday-sas-big-battery-and-many-happy-returns-of-your-recyclable-parts-105739 https://theconversation.com/happy-birthday-sas-big-battery-and-many-happy-returns-of-your-recyclable-parts-105739
Tasmania
Water unsafe, welfare concerns at prisons [$]
Water sample analysis at Risdon Prison Complex has revealed drinking water is at times unsafe to ingest because of a high level of metals due to the site’s plumbing.
Northern Territory
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Western Australia
Native title win for Nanda people in WA
The Nanda people have been formally recognised by the Federal Court as the native title holders of more than 17,000 square kilometres of land in WA.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/native-title-win-for-nanda-people-in-wa
Rio Tinto approves $3.5b iron ore mine in the Pilbara
Rio Tinto has approved a $US2.6 billion investment in its new iron ore mine.
Sustainability
Great British Beach Clean attracts record number of volunteers
Charity warns against complacency as levels of plastic remain ‘shocking’
China orders scientists to stop work on gene-edited babies
As international outrage mounts, China has pulled the plug on a research team and scientist who claim to have edited the genes of twin babies while they were embryos.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/china-orders-scientists-to-stop-work-on-gene-edited-babies
Real versus fake Christmas trees: What’s better for the environment?
What’s better for the environment? Chopping down a living tree or building one from plastic and metal?
Make death green again
When something dies in nature, it becomes part of a system that gives life. Can humans re-embrace the same concept and give their deaths more meaning?
https://therevelator.org/make-death-green-again/
Video games consume more electricity than 25 power plants can produce
Researchers set up a special lab to measure gaming’s massive carbon footprint.
https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2018/11/video-games-electricity-carbon-footprint/
Feeding cities in the 21st century: why urban-fringe farming is vital for food resilience
Rachel Carey et al
To improve access to locally grown food and help prevent disruptions to supply chains caused by climate change, we need to support farming on the fringes of cities. https://theconversation.com/feeding-cities-in-the-21st-century-why-urban-fringe-farming-is-vital-for-food-resilience-106162
Why daily doses of nature in the city matter for people and the planet
Anne Cleary
The environmental movement is shifting away from focusing solely on raising awareness about environmental issues. Many environmental agencies and organisations now also aim to connect people with nature, and our new research suggests daily doses of urban nature may be the key to this for the majority who live in cities.
Nature Conservation
Tokyo Olympics venues ‘built with wood from threatened rainforests’
Use of tropical plywood from Malaysia and Indonesia risks destruction of orangutan habitat, say NGOs
China urged to lead way in efforts to save life on Earth
Delegates at UN biodiversity conference turn to Beijing to avoid point of no return
Thriving reef fisheries continue to provide food despite coral bleaching
The unexpected results of a 20-year study into reef fisheries published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution this week showed fisheries being maintained despite extreme coral bleaching. Remarkably, rapid proliferation of fishes with low dependence on corals led to catches remaining stable or even increasing. But the results also showed fishing success was ‘patchy’ and more dependent on fewer species.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-11/lu-trf112918.php
Now for something completely different …
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