Post of the Day
Climate change likely to make us more stupid, study finds [Is this possible?]
Rising levels of carbon dioxide could affect concentration and decision-making of global workforce.
Today’s Celebration
Constitution Day -Thailand
Foundation Day – Angola
Nobel Prize Day – Sweden, United States of America
Settlers’ Day – Namibia
Ganga-Bois – Voudon
Hanukkah/Chanukah final day – Judaism
Climate Change
Largest ever group of global investors call for more action to meet Paris targets
The group of 414 institutional investors with $31 trillion under management say governments must take serious steps to cut emissions
Act now to prevent an environmental catastrophe
100 academics, authors, politicians and campaigners from across the world call for action to address climate change
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/09/act-now-to-prevent-an-environmental-catastrophe
US and Russia ally with Saudi Arabia to water down climate pledge
Move shocks delegates at UN conference as ministers fly in for final week of climate talks
Climate change likely to make us more stupid, study finds
Rising levels of carbon dioxide could affect concentration and decision-making of global workforce.
A moral test at climate summit: What do rich nations owe poorer ones?
The Paris climate agreement was forged in a spirit of unified commitment. Now world leaders must determine how to quantify the obligation to aid developing nations in an energy transition.
The truth about these climate change numbers
A new report shows carbon emissions are moving in the wrong direction, and we’re running out of time
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/climate-change-stats-764163/
Nauru President calls on world leaders to act on climate change
Speaking at the high-level segment of the summit, Mr Waqa asked leaders and delegates how they wished to be remembered. He said if they don’t act now the next generation of leaders surely will.
Warming worrier’s absurd analogy still wrong [$]
Andrew Bolt
Correction Chief Scientist Alan Finkel’s move to correct my column last week is a worry, after claiming he was “misrepresented”. But this is the problem with his climate change analogy.
National
Next election test of leadership on climate and the environment
Centrist voters are increasingly placing a priority on these issues at a federal level, according to research
Batteries could close gas plants [$]
Cheaper, faster battery technology may be able to smooth out volatility in the electricity grid more efficiently than gas.
Emissions target ‘won’t be met’ [$]
Australia needs a “stable, stronger and co-ordinated climate-change policy”, a new OECD report says
Cash-strapped UN climate fund needs Australia to continue contributing [$]
Australia has been asked to reconsider its decision to withdraw support for a multi-billion-dollar Green Climate Fund, as finance has emerged as a key stumbling block to progress in talks in Poland on implementing the Paris Agreement.
The government can restrain electricity prices without threatening to break up power companies. Its adviser says so
Tony Wood
Who wouldn’t want cheaper power? And who wouldn’t enjoy a bit of a stoush between the big bad generators and the government, trying to break them up on our behalf?
Victoria
Vic premier wants $3b federal cash flow
The federal government’s $3 billion “locked box” of cash earmarked for a dumped Victorian road needs to be opened up, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says.
New South Wales
‘Park not paddock’: bushwalkers complete epic 36-day protest over brumbies
Protesters walk from Sydney to Mt Kosciuszko to draw attention to increasing damage feral horses are doing to national park
Premier’s call on migrants ‘could cost state $130 billion’
Flagged cuts to immigration could cost NSW $130 billion over 10 years, according to economic modelling commissioned by the Property Council of Australia.
Should ‘shoebox’ apartment towers be built 40km from CBD?
Apartment towers are a familiar sight in inner-city Sydney, but the NSW government’s plan for high-density development at Edmondson Park – 40 kilometres from the central business district – alarms some residents.
Why New York is a warning for Sydney’s train system
Sydney trains are moving more passengers than ever, topping 200,000 in total across the one-hour morning and afternoon peaks, but the punctuality of services is sagging under the pressure.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-train-network-becoming-fragile-20181128-p50iw4.html
‘Above 60 decibels’: Noise fears for new Sydney airport
Some residents living under the flight paths of Western Sydney Airport, which is in the early stages of construction, could potentially hear sound from the planes at levels above 60 decibels.
ACT
More than ten thousand drone flights a day in Canberra
A study for the company which wants to start mass drone delivery of goods and food in the ACT has painted a detailed picture of the future.
Queensland
‘Like opening a fan oven’: Australia’s rainforest threatened by bushfires
As the weather gets hotter and drier, and cyclones increase, those living in Australia’s north will need to adapt to the fire danger.
Turnbull challenged to give evidence at Senate inquiry into $444m reef grant
Labor senator Kristina Keneally says the former prime minister can pick a time and place to appear for questioning
Solution to rail fail ready for rollout [$]
The State Government is expected to reveal its solution to a costly bungle involving toilets on trains under the $4.4 billion New Generation Rollingstock project, as the findings of an inquiry into the bungle are handed down.
Burning question Premier must answer [$]
Matt Canavan
Why isn’t Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk asking the people on the ground about the recent bushfires instead of hiding behind an inspector-general review.
Tasmania
Swift parrot habitat vital for survival of species could be destroyed by dam
Environment minister will rule if Tasmanian forest that is home to the critically endangered parrot can be bulldozed
Growth spurt fuels ‘normal’ bushfire risk [$]
Fire danger Rapid vegetation growth during Tasmania’s recent spate of wet and warm weather could pose an added bushfire risk for property owners, the Tasmania Fire Service says.
Sustainability
How billions of discarded Tetra Paks cover Vietnam’s beaches and towns
More than 8bn Tetra Paks are sold every year in Vietnam – and only a few percent are recycled. It’s having a devastating effect on the environment
Chile to rollout hundreds of electric buses, taxis and cars to combat pollution and drive Latin America’s electric vehicle revolution
Chile’s ambitious plan to face down Santiago’s notorious smog problem will see it second only to China as the nation with the most electric buses.
Is plastic microwave-safe? The short answer: often no
There’s mounting evidence that it’s a health hazard.
Nature Conservation
Five ways you can help save our oceans
Our oceans are under unprecedented pressure. Here are five ways you can help save them.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12173338
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