Post of the Day
Adapting Yourself to Take Action on the Environment
Terry Bowles
Disillusionment with politics is reason enough to want to take action yourself on climate change and the environment, but actually doing it is harder.
Today’s Celebration
Fiesta del Nino Perdido en Huancavelica – Peru
Army Day – India
Armed Forces Day – Nigeria
Arbor Day – Jordan, Egypt and Malta
Hangul Day – North Korea
International Recognition Day – Croatia
Ocean Duty Day – Indonesia
John Chilembwe Day – Malawi
Teachers Day – Venezuela
Day of Prayer for Peace Birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr – USA
Makar Sankranti – Hinduism
Climate Change
How to convince a conservative that climate change is real
New research points to the benefits of first establishing the value of science in general.
Ice loss from Antarctica has sextupled since the 1970s, new research finds
Alarming new research shows that the massive East Antarctica ice sheet is already a major contributor to sea-level rise.
Climate change is making waves stronger
Climate change is changing our wind patterns, which is strengthening waves traveling across the earth’s surface.
Earth’s tilt may speed up global warming – study
Scientists are urging for a reduction in emissions after a new study found the tilt of the Earth could exacerbate the melting of the Antarctic ice sheets.
Climate action relied on natural gas. Then CO2 spiked
America has followed a simple formula for reducing carbon emissions this century: Retire old coal plants, replace them with natural gas, add a dash of renewables.
Barclays on wrong side of history with climate policy, says Greenpeace
Environmental activists have accused Barclays of being on the “wrong side of history” after publishing an “underwhelming” climate policy document that fails to rule out funding for tar sands projects.
An ocean of evidence on warming is our cue to take action – now
The latest research on rising sea levels attests to the accelerating threat to the planet and its human populations. We have the technology to confront it, but we need the will.
How governments react to climate change
In “Climate Leviathan: A Political Theory of Our Planetary Future,” two theorists look at several different political futures for our warming planet, and argue that a more forceful international order is emerging.
Finding a Practical Solution to Climate Change
Anna Skarbek is the CEO of ClimateWorks, a not for profit helping business, governments and investors reduce their carbon emissions, and take advantage of the technology ready to stop climate change.
National
Calls for scrutiny of water management after mass fish deaths in NSW
The federal government is being urged to scrutinise the water management of Murray-Darling River as more mass fish deaths are predicted in the hot temperatures over coming days.
Murray Darling Basin: How is oxygen ‘sucked out’ of our waterways?
The ecological disaster unfolding in Australia’s Murray Darling River is raising questions on how and why this has occurred.
Murray-Darling fish kill: Greens accuse Coalition of hiding information from Senate
Sarah Hanson-Young says failure to release data about draining of Menindee Lakes ‘stinks of a cover-up’
Murray-Darling fish kill: authority shelved fish health strategy in 2013
Plan called for 50-year commitment to restoring native fish numbers, but was canned after NSW pulled funding
PM’s pledge to help native species was about banning animal testing, his office says
Office initially named agricultural chemical red tape bill, then said Morrison was actually referring to ban on cosmetic testing
Charities inundated with unwanted goods, no longer accepting donations
Some charities are resembling a dump site after being inundated with unwanted goods in the post-Christmas clean out, with Lifeline estimating half its stores around the country have stopped accepting donations.
Wet and wild: why Australia must learn to love the animals on its beaches
Australia is in danger of loving some beaches to death. By fostering a passion for wildlife, we can turn the tide on degradation
This fish kill is a tragedy – but it is no surprise
Quentin Grafton, Emma Carmody, Matthew Colloff and John Williams
The devastating scene of thousands of dead fish in one of Australia’s most important river systems highlights a failure of governance and policy
A comprehensive guide on what plants to keep out of the garden
It may be difficult to plan 15 years ahead, but it could save you unforeseen problems and also keep the neighbours happy.
Gas prices ‘threaten industry’ [$]
Gas prices surged to record levels late last year, prompting a fresh warning from heavy industry and large manufacturers.
Solar inverters in the hot seat [$]
The government’s Clean Energy Regulator will review whether changes are needed to the approval process for solar inverters.
We have bigger fish to fry than Morrison’s Australia Day pantomime
John Birmingham
The Murray-Darling river basin is a long way from Queensland, but the problems of the Murray-Darling are not. Drought, made ever worse by climate change, scarce water resources exploited for private profit over public interest, political blame shifting, a sniff of corruption perceptible even under the foul stink of a million dead and rotting fish…
This is your future. Happy New Year.
How Australian wildlife spread and suppress Ross River virus
Eloise Stephenson et al
Mozzies feed on many native species, including the Nankeen Night Heron.
Australia could hit 100% renewables sooner than most people think
Nicky Ison
There are still people talking up coal and talking down renewable energy but we have installed more solar panels and wind turbines than ever before
Business needs to get real on climate [$]
The Business Council of Australia will find itself on the wrong side of history if it follows the climate lead of a do-nothing Morrison government.
Energy price gouging exposed by new regulations
A new regulation has highlighted that consumers who used comparison sites typically paid 5-12% more than the lowest possible offer.
Booming solar market triples in 2018, set to deliver “Hazelwood + Liddell” by 2020
New data has confirmed 2018 as a spectacular year for solar in Australia, with a total of 3,775 megawatts (MW) installed of large- and small-scale solar installed over the 12 month period – a near tripling of 2017 installations. And things are not about to cool down.
Australia and the overpopulation myth
John Passant
For many, overpopulation is the problem. It can also be code for keeping brown people out.
National Electricity Market year in review: Wholesale electricity prices
Marija Petkovic
First instalment of three-part series looking back at what the past year of energy policy turmoil has meant for the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Victoria
Total fire ban across Vic as temps soar
A total fire ban has been put in place across Victoria as temperatures are expected to soar in the state.
‘Disgraceful’: Commuters vent over huge peak hour delays on key train lines
An investigation has been launched into the train faults that caused delays of two hours as angry travellers took to social media to express their dismay.
Ya dig? Removal of 80 Olympic-sized pools of dirt starts at Parkville
Work started on Monday at the site, below Grattan Street, between Leicester Street and Royal Parade, which will become one of five stations built as part of the $11-billion Metro Tunnel Project slated for completion in 2025.
Australia’s “largest” wind farm wins planning approval for Victoria
WestWind Energy’s plans to build an 800MW wind farm in Victoria – potentially the largest in the Southern Hemisphere – win state government planning approval.
New South Wales
State reaps $310m over four years from station fees on Airport Line
The amount of money the NSW government collects from fees paid by train passengers using stations on Sydney’s Airport Line has passed $100 million a year due to soaring patronage.
NSW waves through 900MW solar farm for construction in Riverina
Reach Solar’s 900MW Yarrabee Solar Farm, approved for construction in NSW Riverina, will have capacity to power a city nearly twice the size of Newcastle.
Daley right to focus on planning for Sydney’s growth
SMH editorial
The Opposition Leader has found a clear point of difference.
ACT
Canberra’s recycling plant shut down over lack of safety rails, pile of rubble blocking exit
An inspection of the Materials Recovery Facility in Hume finds electrical issues, problems with fuel and gas supply, and a lack of fire extinguishers.
Canberrans are ‘Tidying Up’ in droves, leaving op shops at capacity
It’s always the case in January that op shops are inundated with donations, particularly clothing, as New Year’s resolutions see people clear out their closets and attempt to get organised.
Balloon ban: is it just a lot of hot air?
Who knew? For 14 years, there’s been a law in Canberra banning the release of 20 or more balloons into the open air.
Queensland
Secret plan to open up state to mining
The Federal Government was considering funding a project to future-proof and expand coal mining in central Queensland — but it was scuttled after Malcolm Turnbull was rolled as prime minister.
South Australia
Out-of-control SA bushfire contained: CFS
An out-of-control bushfire burning on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula has been contained after it burned through 280ha to 12km south of Port Broughton.
Dry Creek salt field prepares for green future
The restoration of the Dry Creek salt fields north of Adelaide is part of a State Government push for carbon neutrality.
Seismic tests get green light despite protests [$]
Seismic testing for oil and gas deposits in the Great Australian Bight will go ahead from September bid despite protests which claimed the explosive methods could harm whales and fisheries.
Work nears to eliminate lake’s foul smells [$]
Port Augusta residents hope wafting bad smells and midge infestations will soon be a thing of the past as work starts on a $3.2 million fix for the smelly “Bird Lake”.
Sport and solar, a superb SA partnership [$]
Fifty sports clubs across Adelaide’s north are now fitted with solar panels as the local council gears up its push to power all community buildings with renewable energy.
Tasmania
Fisher Island research base ‘in state of disrepair’
The home base of one of the world’s longest-running seabird studies, in Tasmania’s remote Furneaux Islands, is contaminated with asbestos, and “will probably fall down”, according to researchers.
Photos reveal extent of fire damage in Tasmanian wilderness
The extent of the devastation of the Gell River Fire, which has burnt about 20,000 hectares in the state’s south-west since it was started by a lightning strike more than three weeks ago, is shown in new photographs.
Remote Tasmanian bushfire still raging
Firefighters face a four-hour return trek to reach remote parts of a wilderness blaze in Tasmania that has been burning for weeks.
Tourists without toilets encouraged to use dog poo bags
There’s some advice for Bruny Island’s growing number of tourists who can’t wait in line to use the Tasmanian hot spot’s public toilets: “Dog poo bags are good for all kinds of poo!”
New research findings about how the facial tumour disease is spread could save the Tasmanian devil
New research into the way the Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease is spread may hold the key to saving the iconic species.
Prolonged high temperatures to hit Tasmania, high fire danger expected
A heatwave is about to hit the state, says the Bureau of Meteorology.
More than 100 people fighting Gell River fire in South-West Tasmania
Around 100 people, including remote area firefighters from NSW, are working on the still-burning Gell River fire in Tasmania’s South-West.
Death by plastic for endangered quoll
The distressing discovery of a dead eastern quoll on a Tasmanian beach has prompted fresh calls for people to pick up their rubbish.
Western Australia
Bushfires cause damage to WA roads network
A bushfire has caused significant damage to a major bridge in WA’s Great Southern region.
Sustainability
Coca-Cola’s plastic straw switch welcomed
Environmental groups have welcomed Coca-Cola Amatil’s decision to phase out plastic straws and replace them with recyclable, biodegradable paper straws.
Strongest opponents of GM foods know the least but think they know the most
Analysis of surveys from US, France and Germany could also have implications for science communication in other fields
Muck-spreading could be banned to reduce air pollution
New government strategy aims to reduce ammonia emissions by changing farming methods
US on verge of 139GW solar boom
New research reveals the United States sits on the precipice of what could be a monumental solar boom set to play out over the next five years.
India plans to add 500 gw of renewable energy capacity within 10 years
India will auction off 40 gigawatts of solar and wind capacity every year until 2028, part of the country’s goal to produce 40 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030
New air pollution plans improve on EU rules, government claims
UK proposals include new regulations on farmers, wood-burning stoves and diesel cars
Bill Gates’ foundation helped invent $350 toilets powered by worms
Tiger Toilets run on poop-eating worms and cost less than traditional sewage systems. All they leave behind is water, CO2, and a little fertilizer.
World chemical outlook 2019: Environmental forecast
Looking ahead to the biggest environmental issues for chemistry worldwide, including climate change, air quality, PFAS pollution, plastics, and chemical regulation.
Saudi Arabia has more oil than we may ever need
Andy Critchlow
Saudi Arabia is running the the risk of having to leave much of its wealth stuck in the ground.
Adapting Yourself to Take Action on the Environment
Terry Bowles
Disillusionment with politics is reason enough to want to take action yourself on climate change and the environment, but actually doing it is harder.
Nature Conservation
‘More dead than alive’: Island paradise turning to coral gardening to save lucrative reefs
Fiji’s tourism industry, the backbone of the country’s economy, is under threat as coral reefs are killed off. But a US-born marine biologist known as “the coral gardener” says he may have a solution to the problem.
Artificial reefs may be wave of the future
A nonconventional artificial reef that uses concrete with natural materials, instead of old cars and tires, could be proposed to the West Maui community later this year as a way to combat coastal erosion.
City bees: allotments and gardens can help arrest decline – study
Research also identifies pollinators’ favourite flowers, including brambles, buttercups, dandelions, lavender and borage
Cities Could Play a Key Role in Pollinator Conservation
Given the pressures that pollinators face in agricultural land, cities could play an important role in conserving pollinators, according to a new study.
In memory of species declared extinct in 2018 – plus one we’ve already lost in 2019
Earth is losing wildlife at an alarming pace, a crisis many scientists now describe as a mass extinction event. The planet has seen several mass extinctions before, but this is the first in human history — and the first with human help.
Now for something completely different …
It’s not just the isolation. Working from home has surprising downsides
Libby Sander
Working from home means taking work into your home.
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