Post of the Day
Chart of the day: Bushfires, cyclones and floods put Australia in the world’s natural disaster top 10
It’s official: Australia’s floods and bushfires make it one of the most disaster-hit places, in the most disaster-prone region on the planet.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-30/natural-disaster-economic-impact-chart/10499688
Today’s Celebration
Festival of Freedom and Democracy – Chad
National Day – Central African Republic, Romania
Restoration Day – Macau, Portugal
Youth Day – Portugal
Climate Change
EPA chief: Trump administration may intervene in next climate study
The climate assessment, which is compiled by experts across more than a dozen agencies, is mandated by Congress to be released every four years.
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/28/epa-trump-next-climate-study-992872
Conservatives’ climate delusion: The GOP must snap out of its mindless denialism so they can sit at the table and start crafting solutions
S.E. Cupp
In the wake of a comprehensive report on the projected effects of climate change nearly a century into the future — a report funded by the U.S. government and compiled by agencies within President Trump’s…
A religious opening for stopping climate change
Mark Silk
“I don’t believe it,” President Trump said the other day in response to a question about the federal government’s latest report on climate change. ” It’s “not based on facts,” asserted Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
https://religionnews.com/2018/11/29/a-religious-opening-for-climate-change/
Climate change is affordable [$]
Holman W Jenkins
A new assessment allows us to think about good climate policy without panicking.
National
‘I’ve seen smarter cabinets at Ikea’: Striking students rally for climate
Students defy the Prime Minister’s calls to stay in school and instead gather in their thousands to protest against inaction on climate change. But the Federal Government says all they’re learning how to do is “join the dole queue”.
Chart of the day: Bushfires, cyclones and floods put Australia in the world’s natural disaster top 10
It’s official: Australia’s floods and bushfires make it one of the most disaster-hit places, in the most disaster-prone region on the planet.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-30/natural-disaster-economic-impact-chart/10499688
Australia’s carbon emissions grow at fastest rate since 2004
Report says Australia will fall short of meeting its nationally determined contributions under the Paris agreement
Thousands of students join climate protest – video
Australian students have gone on strike from school and have converged on urban and regional centres demanding the government take action on climate change
Schools climate strike: the best protest banners and posters
Children may have skipped school to campaign on climate change – but taught a lesson or two on how to write a protest banner
Forest fragmentation disrupts parasite infection in Australian lizards
In a study with implications for biodiversity and the spread of infectious diseases, ecologists have demonstrated that deforestation and habitat fragmentation can decrease transmission of a parasitic nematode in a particular species of Australian lizard, the pale-flecked garden sunskink.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181129084716.htm
Forget 50% – Australia on track to reach 78% renewables grid by 2030
New report says Australia is heading to a 78 per cent renewables share by 2030 on current trajectories, and any smaller targets would lead to a huge slump in…
https://reneweconomy.com.au/forget-50-australia-on-track-to-reach-78-renewables-grid-by-2030/
The fastest way to cut power bills [$]
Recommendations from the ACCC could bring savings to households of up to $419 a year.
Top solar postcodes of Australia – state by state
Clean Energy Regulator has updated data on solar hot-spots in each Australian state and territory, leading the uptake of rooftop solar systems sized between 0-100kW.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/top-solar-postcodes-of-australia-state-by-state-19500/
GE says Australia’s renewable challenge isn’t investment, it’s connecting it all
The world’s largest onshore wind turbines are slated to hit Australia first but the company behind the giant machines has warned that inadequate electricity infrastructure means new renewable power could be going to waste.
Price off to Poland on defence mission [$]
Federal Environment Minister Melissa Price will lead Australia’s delegation to Poland this month despite Scott Morrison’s assurance his government would “not spend money on global climate conferences and all that nonsense”.
School kids strike in thousands for climate action [$]
Scott Morrison’s office will be hammered by phone calls from young activists as thousands of students converge across Australia to protest the government inaction on climate change.
With $9 billion worth of new mines announced, when do we start using the ‘B’ word?
Kathryn Diss
Rio Tinto, BHP and Fortescue Metals Group have all announced major new mining projects, but don’t start comparing it to the mining boom of 2004–12. We will likely never see an economic explosion of that magnitude again
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-30/rio-tinto-koodaideri-iron-ore-is-no-wa-mining-boom/10567210
The school climate strike was a new generation’s activism – and I’m so proud
Naaman Zhou
I’m six years out of school, nearly graduated from university, and I’ve never seen a protest like this
I protested Vietnam and got suspended – history’s on the side of climate change students
Chips Mackinolty
High-school students are told to stay away from political discussion
Why the school strike was a mistake, by a student worried by climate change
Annalise Tran
Climate change is an extremely important issue that needs to be acted upon, but a student strike is not an effective way of “protesting” against the government.
Don’t assume more expressways and trains will fix traffic jams
Ross Gittins
Forget big projects, you and I already have the solution to congestion worked out,
Victoria
Found: Missing wind farm from Snowy Hydro’s “game changing” tender
We can put a name to the eighth winner of Snowy Hydro’s “game-changing” wind and solar tender – a wind project in Victoria.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/found-missing-wind-farm-from-snowy-hydros-game-changing-tender-33430/
Power bills cut for Victorians and at-risk households
AGL has announced a slight reduction in Victorians’ power and gas bills from 2019, as EnergyAustralia and Origin cut prices for households under pressure.
‘ScoMo’s got to go!’: School children join climate rally in Melbourne
Thousands of students marched out of class and took to Melbourne streets to demand climate change action.
New South Wales
SunRice cuts 100 jobs at Deniliquin and Leeton mills due to lack of Murray water
SunRice says it is being forced to axe at least 100 jobs at its Deniliquin and Leeton mills in southern New South Wales due to low water availability and high water prices.
Clean Energy Council calls for NSW renewables target, as another state election looms
CEC calls on NSW political parties to lift game on renewables with long-term policies to drive investment, and drive down power costs, in lead-up to March 2019 election.
Berejiklian set to lose as internal Liberal chaos derails election hopes
Gladys Berejikilian would lose government if an election was held today, slipping behind Labor for the first time since the Coalition came to power, exclusive polling shows.
Kids scorn climate-denying adults [$]
More than 2000 children flooded Sydney’s Martin Place as part of a national student ‘strike’ against inaction on climate change.
Sydney’s student climate march [$]
Thousands of students took to the streets of Sydney to demand action on climate change. Here are the best photos from the day.
Won’t somebody please think of the children? [$]
Satya Marar
One wonders just how many of these kids, who’ve skipped classes that form part of their taxpayer-funded education to wave signs with their friends, understand that Australia only accounts for 1.8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions- meaning that it would make no material impact whatsoever on climate change if we were literally wiped out tomorrow.
ACT
Govt refuses to answers questions about possibility of further light rail delays
Bus network delays could mean light rail delayed until April
Queensland
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.
New catalyst produces cheap hydrogen
QUT chemistry researchers have discovered cheaper and more efficient materials for producing hydrogen for the storage of renewable energy that could replace current water-splitting catalysts.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-11/quot-ncp112918.php
‘We will believe it when we see it’: Palaszczuk on the Adani coal mine
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has expressed scepticism about Adani’s announcement that construction on its Carmichael coal mine would begin.
Being a smart city isn’t all about technology
Most parts of south-east Queensland are considered to be “smart cities”, but it’s not all about technology.
Adani coal mine hinges on a rail line in doubt
Mining experts say Indian coal miner Adani’s Carmichael mine was too ambitious in scale and hinged on a non-existent rail line connecting it to Queensland’s ports.
‘No direct impacts’ on reef: Minister defends Adani as activists target Labor
Environment Minister Melissa Price played down fears the Queensland mine would damage the Great Barrier Reef, arguing it would have “no direct impacts”.
Adani starts but minefield far from over [$]
After six years of warfare involving governments, greenies and indigenous groups, while hunting for financial backers, Adani says its Carmichael mine is ready to go. But is it?
What Queensland really thinks of megamine [$]
A new YouGov Galaxy poll conducted for The Courier-Mail showed 44 per cent opposed to the project while 38 per cent supported it. https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/poll-reveals-state-split-over-adani-megamine/news-story/2076bbb14129a69868f36486ce203680
Queensland’s toxic towns revealed
Scientists fear toxins found in Queensland soil and water may be more widespread than first thought, turning up in dozens of towns and suburbs – including in parks and playgrounds.
David Pope on Adani
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/david-pope-20120214-1t3j0.html
It should not be up to Australia’s schoolchildren to stop Adani
Ebony Bennett
Investing in coal is like investing billions of taxpayers’ dollars in Video Ezy while blaming the world for streaming Netflix.
Coal hard facts on state’s resource riches [$]
Courier Mail editorial
Those who jumped on the anti-Adani bandwagon have been heard for too long. We should join together and welcome the next chapter in the economic development of Queensland.
South Australia
Tesla big battery turns one, celebrates $50 million in grid savings
The Tesla big battery in South Australia on Friday celebrates its first anniversary since swinging into action on November 30 last year – a day before its official opening.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/tesla-big-battery-turns-one-celebrates-50-million-in-grid-savings-95920/
Total fire bans for most of SA [$]
Fire safety Total fire bans have been issued for most of South Australia as summer officially starts.
Tasmanian students strike for climate action: ‘It’s time to act now’
When around 1000 Tasmanian students left their classrooms during school hours on Thursday, they did so for a cause – one they considered to be the single biggest threat to their collective futures.
SA child climate protesters headed for ‘dole queue’: Minister [$]
Hundreds of schoolchildren from across South Australia have walked out of classes today, demanding government action on climate change. But the country’s resources minister says the child protesters will only learn how to join a dole queue.
Tasmania
State surges ahead on power exports
Tasmania has returned to being a net electricity exporter, two years after an energy crisis saw diesel generators shipped in to keep the lights on.
Farming and mining: What’s best for both worlds?
Big land battle Acrimony over laws that would allow mining companies access to farmers’ land spilled on to the floor of State Parliament this week, delaying debate until next year. Our two biggest export industries argue their cases.
Northern Territory
Scientist calls for action as dolphins disappear from Darwin Harbour
The numbers of resident dolphins in Darwin Harbour has almost halved since 2011, and a scientist who has recorded the change is begging for funding to investigate the cause.
Western Australia
The last time Perth had a November this dry was in 1957 — now get ready for the heat
As Queensland endured heatwave conditions which fuelled catastrophic bushfires, and New South Wales battled torrential rain, Perth cruised through a mild November — its driest in 61 years and coolest in a decade.
Frustrated Carnegie shareholders quiz wave power company on poor performance
Long-suffering Carnegie Clean Energy shareholders use the wave power company’s AGM to question its ability to remain afloat, while also receiving bad news about the sale of its solar subsidiary.
‘It is not about money’: Australia’s largest native title settlement challenged again
A group of Noongar traditional owners lodge application for judicial review
Sustainability
Windy weather carries Britain to renewable energy record
Windfarms supplied third of UK’s electricity this week, with output hitting 14.9GW high
Pennsylvania nuclear plants could be saved, report says, if lawmakers act
A new legislative report, almost two years in the making, calls on Pennsylvania lawmakers to take steps that could prevent the early closure of two nuclear plants.
German renewables outpaced fossil fuels In 2017
Renewable energy accounted for 112.5 GW of the country’s total 217.6 GW total installed generating capacity in 2017.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/german-renewables-outpaced-fossil-fuels-in-2017/
A new way to provide cooling without power
A system developed at MIT can provide passive cooling without the need for power, and could be used to preserve food or vaccines in hot, off-grid locations.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-11/miot-anw112818.php
3M’s new smog-reducing rooftop granules absorb polluted air
With air quality hovering around dangerous levels in much of the world, the manufacturing company 3M has developed a way for the roofs of buildings to play a role in reducing pollution.
https://www.fastcompany.com/90273079/putting-this-material-on-roofs-can-help-clean-up-smoggy-air
Putting hybrid-electric aircraft performance to the test
Although hybrid-electric cars are becoming commonplace, similar technology applied to airplanes comes with significantly different challenges.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-11/uoic-pha112718.php
Why battery-powered vehicles stack up better than hydrogen
Jake Whitehead et al
Low energy efficiency is already a major problem for petrol and diesel vehicles. Typically, only 20% of the overall well-to-wheel energy is actually used to power these vehicles. The other 80% is lost through oil extraction, refinement, transport, evaporation, and engine heat. This low energy efficiency is the primary reason why fossil fuel vehicles are emissions-intensive, and relatively expensive to run.
https://theconversation.com/why-battery-powered-vehicles-stack-up-better-than-hydrogen-106844
Nature Conservation
Trump administration to allow seismic blasting harmful to marine creatures
Airgun testing in search for oil and gas could harm hundreds of mammals such as dolphins and whales off the Atlantic coast
The Bangladeshi tribe that’s guarding turtles, co-authoring research papers
Mro parabiologists set up camera traps, monitor hunting and consumption of turtles and other wild animals in villages; act as protectors of hornbill nests; and serve as community leaders.
Wetland experts explain role of vital carbon sinks carbon cycle in new report
Wetlands and soils experts Rod Chimner and Evan Kane of Michigan Tech contributed to the Second State of the Carbon Cycle Report (SOCCR2).
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-11/mtu-wee112918.php
Whale Songs’ Changing Pitch May Be Response to Population, Climate Changes
Blue whales have been dropping pitch incrementally over several decades, but the cause has remained a mystery.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181128182153.htm
Thriving reef fisheries continue to provide food despite coral bleaching
The unexpected results of a 20-year study into reef fisheries 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.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181129122441.htm
Climate change risks ‘extinction domino effect’
Loss of animal or plant species to climate change causes global ‘extinction domino effect’
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181129122506.htm
Hidden biodiversity: 22 new moth species from across Europe
Following a long-year study of the family of twirler moths, scientists have discovered a startling total of 44 new species, including as many as 22 species inhabiting various regions throughout Europe. Given that the Old Continent is the most extensively researched one, their findings pose fundamental questions about our knowledge of biodiversity.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181129110141.htm
New study explores ecosystem stability
A new study explores ecosystem stability. Its findings raise questions about the stability of our modern global system.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181128114427.htm
Whale songs’ changing pitch may be response to population, climate changes
Blue whales have been dropping pitch incrementally over several decades, but the cause has remained a mystery. A new study finds a seasonal variation in the whales’ pitch correlated with breaking sea ice in the southern Indian Ocean. The new research also extends the mysterious long-term falling pitch to related baleen whales and rules out noise pollution as the cause of the global long-term trend, according to the study’s authors.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181128182153.htm
Food webs essential for nature conservation efforts in the future
Nature conservation should not focus on individual species but on whole food webs, because the protection of their functioning is important for the predictability of species, especially when global warming is increasing environmental variability.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-11/uoj–fwe112818.php
Is geotagging on Instagram ruining natural wonders? Some say yes
Last week, one town’s tourism board pleaded with visitors to stop geotagging photos in an effort to protect their pristine forests and remote lakes.
Now for something completely different …
Chinese company hopes to deliver free worldwide internet by 2026
With its 272-satellite plan, LinkSure Network says it can bridge the digital divide and offer free internet that spans the entire globe — with the first satellite to launch next year.
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