This is the last Daily Links for 2018.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
We’ll be back with a bumper holiday edition on Jan 2.
Post of the Day
Ten feelgood environment stories you may have missed in 2018
Michael Hopkin
Let’s be honest – environment news isn’t always the jolliest, and 2018 was no exception. From climate change, to recycling, to energy policy, at times it has felt like we’ve been lurching from one crisis to the next. So here are ten upbeat environmental stories from this year that prove it’s not all doom and gloom.
https://theconversation.com/ten-feelgood-environment-stories-you-may-have-missed-in-2018-108759
Today’s Celebration
Forefather’s Day – United States of America
Alban Arthuan (Solstice) (Northern Hemisphere) – Celticism
Alban Heruin (Solstice) (Southern Hemisphere) – Celticism
Litha – Summer Solstice (Southern Hemisphere) – Paganism
Yule – Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere) – Paganism
Climate Change
Risks of ‘domino effect’ of tipping points greater than thought, study says
Scientists warn policymakers not to ignore links, and stress that ‘every action counts’
Temperature check
Don’t privatize forests, educate people, writes Adesuwa Ero. In rural Nigeria, religious leaders think sinful behaviour is to blame for climate change
https://newint.org/features/2018/12/18/temperature-check
Climate change and the risk to civilisation: the doctors’ prescription
The human race needs to wean off its addiction to fossil fuels, urgently, say Doctors for the Environment.
Trump is trying to pull the wool over our eyes about climate change—these knitters aren’t having it
The Tempestry Project invites you to spin a colorful yarn about rising temperatures.
How right-wing nationalism fuels climate denial
As leaders like Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro call global warming a hoax, a new study shows the link between climate change denial and nationalism.
https://www.dw.com/en/how-right-wing-nationalism-fuels-climate-denial/a-46699510
How to make climate change doubters pay a political price
Leaders who refuse to acknowledge the public health consequences of air pollution, disease outbreaks, and drought will soon feel the wrath of voters at the polls.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/12/19/how-to-make-climate-change-doubters-pay-a-political-price/
New threat to ozone recovery
A new MIT study, published in Nature Geoscience, identifies another threat to the ozone layer’s recovery: chloroform — a colorless, sweet-smelling compound that is primarily used in the manufacturing of products such as Teflon and various refrigerants. The researchers found that between 2010 and 2015, emissions and concentrations of chloroform in the global atmosphere have increased significantly.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/miot-ntt121418.php
The top climate-related stories of 2018
Earth’s changing atmosphere and its global impacts wound up in the headlines time and again during 2018.
https://weather.com/en-IN/india/news/news/2018-12-19-the-top-climate-related-stories-of-2018
National
Renewables set to drive down power prices, but there’s a catch
A flood of new green energy projects is likely to drive down household electricity bills, according to new analysis by government policy adviser the Australian Energy Market Commission.
Game changer: is private funding the only way to save national parks?
Private organisations and individuals are stepping in to protect vulnerable habitats but they are increasingly under pressure
Charity Reputation Index Reveals High Levels of Public Trust in Sector
The Australian public’s level of trust in the charity sector remains high, according to the annual Charity Reputation Index, which named The Royal Flying Doctor Service as the country’s most reputable charity for the eighth year straight.
Murray-Darling Basin water management faces ‘unique fraud risks’, audit reveals
Ernst & Young report previously withheld from the public says $3.2bn water fund poses serious risks
National deadlock over fruit fly management
Despite several states experiencing millions of dollars in expenses as a result of fruit fly this year, the state and territory governments are yet to commit to a $16.9 million federal management strategy for the pest.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2018-12-20/national-fruit-fly-strategy-stalemate/10626228
Industry backs NSW call for Morrison government to require emissions cut
Australian Industry Group says an emissions reduction obligation in national policy is ‘vastly superior’ to separate state schemes
Australian electricity prices set to dip
Australians will be paying slightly less for electricity in less than two years’ time, a new report has found.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/australian-electricity-prices-set-dip-130110228–spt.html
Green power’s price sugar hit [$]
Large-scale renewable power schemes will deliver short-term savings on bills but risk pushing up prices over time.
$500k climate donation to GetUp [$]
GetUp has received a $500,000 donation that will be used to help make climate change a hot button issue in the election.
Dirty, but in demand: Coal is Australia’s most valuable export in 2018
It is the first time coal has overtaken iron ore in value since the mining boom five years ago.
State of the climate 2018
Bureau of Meteorology (Australia), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
This biennial report on climate change finds that the variations Australia is experiencing include increased extreme heat events, warmer oceans, rising sea levels, changes in rainfall patterns, and a long-term increase in extreme fire weather and length of the fire season. These effects are predicted to continue in the decades ahead.
Coalition risks repeat of Victorian disaster [$]
Phillip Coorey
The federal Coalition’s tin ear on emissions risks a repeat of the Victorian disaster in the most populous state.
https://www.afr.com/news/nsw-is-a-whole-aviary-of-chirping-canaries-for-the-liberals-20181218-h199r9
Once again, the Liberals find themselves on the wrong side of history
Waleed Aly
We’ve reached a point now where states of both political stripes, business groups and environmentalists are landing on a rough consensus that emissions simply must be reduced.
Crystal ball backlit by renewables [$]
Judith Sloan
Predictions of future energy prices should be taken with a grain of salt.
Victoria
A day in the life of a ranger
Australia has more than 500 national parks covering 28 million hectares – almost 4% of the country. Protecting and maintaining these treasures falls to our park rangers, who undertake a multifaceted role that includes protecting biodiversity, managing visitors and maintaining facilities and paths.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2018/dec/19/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-ranger-video
Victorian fire service sheds volunteers
Victoria’s Country Fire Authority lost 1090 volunteers last financial year and employee costs for both the state’s fire services jumped due to pay deals.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/victorian-fire-service-sheds-volunteers
Daylesford is about to get a new $50 million lakeside resort
The health retreat and spa will feature 100 self-contained units for guests who can also enjoy kayaking and bushwalks.
https://www.domain.com.au/news/50-million-daylesford-lakeside-resort-project-approved-793413/
Victoria in worst hep A outbreak since modern sewerage
A preventable infection that turns sufferers yellow is making an “unusual” resurgence in Victoria, with health authorities reporting the state’s worst outbreak of hepatitis A since the introduction of modern sewerage.
Melbourne population set to reach 12 million [$]
Melbourne already feels full and congested with a population of five million. But government experts are predicting it will get much bigger by this mid-century.
New South Wales
Parramatta light rail now one step closer
The Parramatta light rail is officially signed off and construction to connect Westmead to Carlingford will begin in the new year, with the two successful contractors named.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-20/parramatta-light-rail-one-step-closer/10638054
‘Catastrophe’ declared in NSW
A destructive storm that caused havoc in New South Wales caused extensive damage and millions of dollars of damage.
Premier ramps up push to stand apart from PM
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said her government would continue to “stand on its own two feet” after it launched a rebuke of the federal government’s intransigence on climate change and energy policy.
Cabinet fury at Energy Minister’s emissions push [$]
Anna Caldwell
NSW residents struggle under hefty power prices, but the state’s half-energy-half-arts minister thinks a pie-in-the-sky zero emissions future is pretty as a picture
Keep NSW moving by taking brake off the gas [$]
Matt Canavan
Australia has world-class manufacturing facilities that provide high-paying and rewarding employment — but they need secure access to resources such as gas.
Less hype, more analysis on climate change plans [$]
Australian editorial
It looks as if NSW Energy Minister Don Harwin is a fair-weather friend to coal. Not long ago he invited the coalmining bosses to a party marking his 20 years in parliament
ACT
Higher prices for renewable energy drive ACT electricity bill increase
Despite falling wholesale electricity prices, Canberrans will pay more due to higher prices for renewable energy and increased distribution costs.
The ACT is in the slow lane to transport reform
Canberra Times editorial
Canberra is no longer a city of 100,000 people with access to a never-ending flow of funds from a generous Federal government.
Queensland
Insurance companies pressured not to cover Adani’s Carmichael mine
One of the big stumbling blocks for Adani’s proposed Carmichael coal mine has been securing finance from lenders to build the project, and now there may be another problem.
Adani ordered to pay almost $12m for work on scrapped Carmichael rail line
Judgment details how ‘payment difficulties’ emerged in contract between AECOM and Adani subsidiary
Adani tries to kick off Carmichael [$]
Heavy earth-breaking machinery has finally arrived at the site of the nation’s most hotly contested open-cut coalmine.
Land-clearing figures show 314,000 hectares felled in Great Barrier Reef catchment
More than 700,000 hectares cleared over two years, 40% of it in reef catchment, before stricter laws were passed
Genex secures funding for hydro project
Genex Power shares have jumped as much as 12.5 per cent after the renewable energy generator secured funding to build a hydro energy plant in North Queensland.
Heatwave set to blaze across Queensland
Scorching weather is predicted over the next few days in Queensland, with temperatures set to soar over 40 degrees Celsius in the state’s western interior, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-20/heatwave-weather-across-queensland/10634450
The drought is ripping money out of Queensland farms
On average nationally, drought conditions will eat nearly $70,000 of broadacre farm cash income this year.
Three suspected Irukandji stings in SEQ
An expert warns the problem will only get worse for the south-east as sea temperatures rise.
Incitec Pivot warns of Gibson plant closure due to high gas prices [$]
Incitec Pivot has again warned it could be forced to close its Gibson Island manufacturing plant in Queensland if it cannot get its hands on cheaper long-term supplies of gas.
South Australia
High levels of PFAS contamination linked to firefighting boat
South Australia’s Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) says a boat is to blame for “highly elevated” levels of PFAS in the blood of several firefighters from a suburban station, after eggs laid on the site were initially suspected to have caused the contamination.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-20/high-levels-of-pfas-contamination-linked-to-mfs-boat/10640806
More than 100 galahs believed to have been poisoned [$]
More than 100 galahs — and dozens of other birds — have died from suspected poisoning near Lake Alexandrina, prompting an investigation by Biosecurity SA. https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/sa-business-journal/biosecurity-sa-investigating-more-than-100-galah-deaths-near-lake-alexandrina/news-story/62b11c2f0b1f23e611cdc9d7bba92e05
Natural gas boost for Mount Barker [$]
Work on a new $33 million, 40km gas pipeline is likely to begin late next year, extending the existing network to Mount Barker, which is set to almost double its population by 2036.
Tasmania
X
Northern Territory
X
Western Australia
WA turns from deficit to surplus, with extra cash poured into public transport
The State Government announces a return to surplus of more than $1 billion, one year earlier than expected — with the extra money to be committed to its key transport plan Metronet.
Sustainability
Russia’s Putin says threat of nuclear war should not be underestimated
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the threat of nuclear war should not be underestimated, but that he hoped that common sense would prevail.
Ten feelgood environment stories you may have missed in 2018
Michael Hopkin
Let’s be honest – environment news isn’t always the jolliest, and 2018 was no exception. From climate change, to recycling, to energy policy, at times it has felt like we’ve been lurching from one crisis to the next. So here are ten upbeat environmental stories from this year that prove it’s not all doom and gloom.
https://theconversation.com/ten-feelgood-environment-stories-you-may-have-missed-in-2018-108759
A mountain of evidence on air pollution’s harms to children
A new study led by researchers at the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health (CCCEH) organizes the available scientific evidence on the effects of air pollution on children’s health. The paper in the journal Environmental Research is the first comprehensive review of the associations between various fossil fuel combustion pollutants and multiple health effects in children in the context of assessing the benefits of air pollution and climate change policies.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/cums-amo122018.php
Climate change could hit potato industry hard, researchers find
Potato crops do not perform well in high temperatures, according to a new research paper, and that could be a problem as the weather warms with climate change.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-climate-change-potato-industry-1.4952282
New Study First to Predict Which Oil and Gas Wells Are Leaking Methane
A new study is the first to predict — with up to 87 percent accuracy — which oil and natural wells are most likely to be leaking methane.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181220104611.htm
Design schemes to help buildings outlast climate change
As climate change intensifies, architects, designers, and scientists are devising better ways to deal with almost anything nature throws our way.
https://www.popsci.com/design-to-outlast-climate-change
What does the violence against women act have to do with climate change?
Climate disasters lead to more intimate partner violence.
https://grist.org/article/what-does-the-violence-against-women-act-have-to-do-with-climate-change/
The massive CO2 emitter you may not know about
Cement is the source of about 8% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. How can this be changed?
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-46455844
These are the ways plastics can mess up your body
Plastics are putting our health at risk in tons of different ways.
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-plastics-can-mess-up-your-body?verso=true
Packaging is killing us, and the holidays are the worst
We send and receive a ton of packages every day. What’s the effect on the planet? And is anyone trying to fix it?
https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a24676408/packaging-waste-christmas-holidays/
A lung-inspired design turns water into fuel
Scientists at Stanford University have designed an electrocatalytic mechanism that works like a mammalian lung to convert water into fuel. Their research, published Dec. 20 in the journal Joule, could help existing clean energy technologies run more efficiently.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/cp-ald121318.php
To create a truly great city, we have to ban the car
New York City is at the forefront of breaking car dominance in America. But internationally, it’s bringing up the rear.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2376966/rest-world-done-cars-were-not
Air pollution may be making us less intelligent
Barbara Maher
Air pollution is bad for our heart and lung health – and a new study says it may be bad for brain health, too.
https://theconversation.com/air-pollution-may-be-making-us-less-intelligent-106212
Let’s not screw the planet for novelty slippers. Try these 10 plastic-free Xmas gifts
Clara Williams Roldan
You may be concerned that we’re dwindling the Earth’s resources on plug-in slippers and inflatable flamingo drink-holders for that pool you don’t have. Here’s 10 plastic-free gift alternatives.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-21/plastic-free-gift-giving/10639500
The plastic we should be banning next [$]
Jane Fynes-Clinton
In the wake of the plastic bag ban, it’s time to turn our sights to other environmental menaces that are causing immense harm to our oceans.
Nature Conservation
Japan considering leaving the IWC and resuming commercial whale hunting
Japan is considering leaving the International Whaling Commission to resume commercial hunts after unsuccessfully campaigning for decades to gain support for the cause.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-20/japan-reportedly-to-withdraw-from-whaling-commission/10638664
Marine life worse off inside ‘protected’ areas, analysis reveals
Findings expose ‘big lie’ behind European marine conservation, scientists say
Plastic pollution discovered at deepest point of ocean
High levels of contamination in Mariana Trench show how pervasively planet has been contaminated
They helped inspire Darwin’s work on natural selection. Now they’re at risk from it
In the era of climate change, the creatures of these remarkable islands that featured in the Origin of Species are facing their biggest evolutionary test.
The environmental message in ‘Aquaman’ grounds the otherwise wacky superhero movie
In the DC Extended Universe, Arthur Curry is already a hero on land. But in Aquaman, out Dec. 21, the destined prince must go home again and be the hero the ocean needs.
Forests, like humans, require a balanced diet
The world’s forests are on a fast food diet of carbon dioxide, which is currently causing them to grow faster. But a researcher finds evidence suggesting that forest growth may soon peak as the trees deplete nitrogen in the soil over longer growing seasons.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181219115539.htm
Now for something completely different …
At Christmas, embrace your year’s failures – it’s therapeutic
Neil Jeyasingam
Achievement brings happiness, but we accomplish nothing without encountering some failures along the way.
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