Post of the Day
Our cities fall short on sustainability, but planning innovations offer local solutions
Sebastien Darchen and Glen Serle
Australia’s sprawling cities present many challenges to sustainability, but planning innovations can help achieve at least half of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Today’s Celebration
Chingshan Wang’s Birthday – Taiwan
Climate Change
Climate change talks lead to heightened pledge to cut emissions
EU, Canada, New Zealand and developing countries to keep global warming below 1.5C
UK bids to host 2020 UN climate change summit
Chile and Costa Rica thought to be considering alternative bids after Brazil withdrew offer
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/13/uk-bids-to-host-2020-un-climate-change-summit
Global warming should be called global heating, says key scientist
UK Met Office professor tells UN summit Earth’s ‘energy balance’ is changing
https://www.theguardian.com/envhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/13/global-heating-more-accurate-to-describe-risks-to-planet-says-key-scientistironment/2018/dec/13/global-heating-more-accurate-to-describe-risks-to-planet-says-key-scientist
U.N. climate talks produce draft text in final push
Negotiators from nearly 200 countries produced a draft text on Thursday on how to implement the Paris Agreement on combating global warming, but some disputes remain with only one day left before the official end of the conference.
Climate talks work on fair way to phase out coal use
Governments attending climate talks in Poland are working to ensure economies and jobs are preserved in the shift away from coal-fired power generation.
M
Megacity traffic soot contributes to global warming
Soot from road traffic in emerging countries can reach high altitudes, where it can be transported over long distances and thus contributes to global warming.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/lift-mts121318.php
National
Water ministers on cusp of ‘momentous’ Murray-Darling Basin Plan decision
Water ministers are on the cusp of a “momentous” decision on the Murray Darling Basin Plan that could see the controversial rescue plan delivered in full.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-13/murray-darling-basin-ministers-to-meet/10615642
Coal could get taxpayer funding lifeline
Industry has six weeks to put forward expressions of interest to cash in on the federal government’s plan to inject more supply into the electricity grid.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/coal-could-get-taxpayer-funding-lifeline
Banks urged not to fund coal power as government moves to underwrite projects
Activist groups warn providing finance for coal-fired power stations is inconsistent with banks’ commitments to Paris agreement
Australia’s carbon emissions highest on record, data shows
If emissions continue at current rate, Australia will miss Paris target by 1.1bn tonnes, Ndevr Environmental predicts
Australia turns back on allies as it refuses to cut emissions above Paris pledge
EU and 27 countries vow to toughen commitments as environment minister’s address at COP24 UN climate change summit accused of flying in face of reality
Labor won’t rule out using ‘accounting tricks’ to meet emissions reduction targets
Mark Butler says party will make decision on using carryover credits from the Kyoto protocol after Paris ‘rule book’ established
ScoMo’s $51m plan to monitor energy prices [$]
The ACCC will be given millions of dollars to crackdown on misconduct by energy companies and monitor electricity prices around the clock in the aim of regularly pushing prices down.
Renewables must prove reliability for cash
Renewable projects will have to prove they can be reliable all day, every day if they are to get Clean Energy Finance Corporation support, under a new directive
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/renewables-must-prove-reliability-for-cash
Murray water targets ‘at risk of failure’
Health of the Coorong There is a “high risk” that plans set to deliver gigalitres of water to the Murray will not meet their targets, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority says.
New gas slated for Queensland and Victoria could lift looming shortage
BHP, ExxonMobil and gas pipeliner Jemena have big plans to lift the east coast gas shortage and bring in years of new supply.
‘New energy future’: Minister touts Australia at climate summit
Australia is being powered by unprecedented investments in renewable energy, environment minister Melissa Price told a summit in Poland.
Wildlife cruelty penalties, ivory ban on table [$]
Tougher nationally consistent fines and prison sentences for acts of cruelty towards native wildlife will be considered by the federal and state ministers today.
CEFC charges up renewables market with record equity investment
Specialist renewable energy investment fund targeting development of both proven and emerging technologies, including large-scale battery storage, receives record equity investment from CEFC.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/cefc-charges-up-renewables-market-with-record-equity-investment-84941/
U.N. chief calls for compromise, sacrifice at climate talks
“This means sacrifices, but it will benefit us all collectively,” Antonio Guterres said.
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/13/climate-change-sacrifice-compromise-1061813
Scott Morrison and the Business Council are pushing coal – but on what evidence?
Richard Denniss
Despite plummeting costs of renewables the government and the BCA insist that emissions reduction would be ‘economy wrecking’
Why cutting Australia’s migrant intake would do more harm than good, at least for the next decade
Peter McDonald
Cutting migration to Australia’s biggest cities would do nothing to ease congestion in those cities and could make it worse.
Our cities fall short on sustainability, but planning innovations offer local solutions
Sebastien Darchen and Glen Serle
Australia’s sprawling cities present many challenges to sustainability, but planning innovations can help achieve at least half of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Government should fire up on new coal plant [$]
Ray Hadley
After another Newspoll loss the federal government is hoping to promote the sort of ideas that could give PM Scott Morrison a chance in 2019. A coal-fired power station might do just that.
Why the energy regulator’s report into wholesale market prices is a joke
Giles Parkinson
Energy regulator waves away claims of market abuse by big energy companies, but admits itself it doesn’t know what’s going on because it’s not allowed to look.
Coalition frames underwriting tender to choose what it wants, including coal
Giles Parkinson
The Coalition government has unveiled the details of its rushed proposal to underwrite “new generation investments”, and it looks for all the world like a document that can be tailored to deliver whatever the government wants.
Victoria
Parts of Victoria hit with a month’s worth of rain in a day as cyclone menaces north
A severe weather warning has also been issued for much of New South Wales , with storms expected on Thursday evening
Airport rail link construction draws global interest [$]
More than 100 companies have put their hands up to build Melbourne’s airport rail link, with interest coming from across the globe for the long-awaited project due to start in 2022.
New South Wales
‘Time has absolutely run out’: Judge slams defence delays in illegal land clearing case
A Sydney judge scolds the barrister for two men running a religious guild on illegally cleared land, saying their “time has absolutely run out” after they failed to adhere to a Land and Environment Court ruling.
Threatened bird at risk of NSW dam wall
The vulnerable-listed painted honeyeater has been found in the same area which could be flooded under the NSW government’s plan to raise Warragamba Dam wall.
Thousands left without power as storm hits Sydney
Thousands of properties were left without power as severe thunderstorms rolled across NSW.
Solar industry takes on Tony Abbott in his Warringah electorate
Manly’s Solar Beach – a major solar industry hub in the heart of Tony Abbott’s electorate – takes on their local member and distribute post-cards at the local ferry…
https://reneweconomy.com.au/solar-industry-takes-on-tony-abbott-in-his-warringah-electorate-98189/
ACT
ACT’s high gas prices hit Canberrans where it hurts
Report reveals ACT consumers paid the nation’s highest gas prices, representing an average 2.5 per cent of their annual income.
Canberra braces for more wild weather
The Bureau of Meteorology says severe thunderstorms are likely to strike Canberra on Friday, bringing between 30 and 50 millimeters of rain.
Queensland
Shark numbers decline by up to 90% in five decades off Queensland coast
Researchers conclude the most likely cause for the dramatic declines is commercial fishing
Coal boost to Qld coffers won’t dent debt
Queensland will post a $524 million operation budget surplus in 2018-19, but the state’s debt is predicted to hit $83.5 billion by 2020-21.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/coal-boost-to-qld-coffers-won-t-dent-debt
New fines in place as electric scooters given green light
Footpath scooters are officially in, but so are fines for doing the wrong thing.
Widespread coral bleaching forecast off Top End coast
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issues a red alert for coral bleaching off the Northern Australia coast, due to forecast above-average sea surface temperatures that could last for up to two months.
Binna Burra nature resort in Gold Coast hinterland turns 85
Binna Burra, one of Australia’s first nature-based resorts, is turning 85.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-14/binna-burra-nature-resort-turns-85/10616736
Spectre of Adani sours Trad’s sweet coal ‘sugar’ hit [$]
Sarah Vogler
For the Deputy Premier, who nearly lost her seat off the back of a concerted anti-Adani campaign run by the Greens, shaking off the spectre of Adani is proving as tough as keeping debt and employee expenses in line.
South Australia
SA to push Murray plan with ministers
South Australia will push for the plan to save the Murray-Darling Basin to be implemented on time and in full at a meeting of ministers in Melbourne.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/sa-to-push-murray-plan-with-ministers
Is South Australia facing population decline? [$]
Michael O’Neil and Peter Gill
Studies show that inter-state emigration and lowering birth rates are a threat to South Australia’s economy. Can policy action help?
https://www.crikey.com.au/2018/12/13/is-south-australia-facing-population-decline/
Tasmania
Australian eel exporters struggling to stay afloat
Eel fishermen in Tasmania are feeling the pressure from declining sales and tougher regulations.
Review of Tasmania’s GMO Moratorium
Guy Barnett
Today I released the terms of reference for the latest review of Tasmania’s moratorium on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
https://tasmaniantimes.com/2018/12/review-of-tasmanias-gmo-moratorium-2/
Northern Territory
Jemena links grid to NT gas [$]
Pipeline operator Jemena is looking to boost capacity from its Northern Gas Pipeline tenfold to 700 terajoules a day.
Australia Defence taps solar, battery storage for NT base, in push away from fossil fuels
Department of Defence tenders for 1-1.5MW solar plus battery storage for Jindalee Transmitting Site north-east of Alice Springs, to “reduce reliance on fossil fuels.”
Western Australia
Two new chemical plants under consideration near WA’s Burrup rock art
News comes three months after Western Australian government announced plans to nominate the site for world heritage listing
Sustainability
Japan chooses the kanji character for ‘disaster’ to sum up 2018
After being hit by deadly floods, earthquakes and storms, the public voted disaster as the character of 2018.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/japan-chooses-the-kanji-character-for-disaster-to-sum-up-2018
Defying war and catcalls, Syria’s women hop on climate-friendly bikes
“I wasn’t expecting the astonishment of bystanders and the sexual harassment,” says Sarah Zein, who is fighting social taboos and climate change together.
http://news.trust.org/item/20181212172519-axhrs/
To curb pollution, China has appointed over 1m “river chiefs”
It would help if they would answer their phones.
When access to electricity is a feminist issue
Only about a quarter of Haitians have access to electricity. Nonprofit EarthSpark is bringing green energy to the country, and they’re making it a feminist issue.
https://www.dw.com/en/when-access-to-electricity-is-a-feminist-issue/a-46694753
The suburbs are the spiritual home of overconsumption. But they also hold the key to a better future
Samuel Alexander and Brendan Gleeson
The average consumerist suburban lifestyle is unsustainable. But what if affluent suburbanites and battlers alike ditch the rat race and embrace economic ‘degrowth’? Here’s how it might unfold.
Nature Conservation
Jellyfish offer a sticky solution to the problem of plastic pollution
Our oceans are full of microplastics and unnatural swarms of jellyfish. Could these beautiful animals possess a secret weapon to help clean up the environment?
Could deep-sea reefs provide refuge for climate-stressed coral?
A team of marine biologists have discovered nearly 200 species of Great Barrier Reef corals living in a deep-sea reef off the northeast coast of Australia — more than six times what researchers previously believed to be living there, according to a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
https://e360.yale.edu/digest/could-deep-sea-reefs-provide-refuge-for-climate-stressed-coral
Now for something completely different …
More than two thirds of Australians now overweight or obese
The proportion of Australians who are overweight or obese continues to climb according to new data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
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