Post of the Day
2018 was the ocean’s hottest year ever. Here are some vital takeaways from recent studies
The ocean soaks up 93 percent of the heat of climate change. But that heat has a big and long-lasting impact.
Today’s Celebration
Antonovden (St. Antony`s Day) – Bulgaria
Feast Day of Anthony the Great – Christianity
Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day
Climate Change
All fossil fuels must go in 40 yrs: study
A new study has found a massive programme to rid the world of fossil fuels is needed to peg global warming below the critical 1.5C threshold.
World ‘sleepwalking into catastrophe’ over climate risk [$]
The global business community has identified the catastrophic effects of climate change as by far the greatest long-term risk facing the world.
Global tensions holding back climate change fight, says WEF
After extreme weather-related events, there is ‘need for international cooperation’
Glaciers are retreating. Millions rely on their water
Glaciers are crucial sources of water for people and crops in Central Asia. But global warming is causing glaciers there and around the world to shrink every year.
Permafrost may thaw far faster than expected and accelerate climate change
Data from two Arctic sites suggest some surface layers are no longer freezing. If that continues, greenhouse gases from permafrost could accelerate climate change.
2018 was the ocean’s hottest year ever. Here are some vital takeaways from recent studies
The ocean soaks up 93 percent of the heat of climate change. But that heat has a big and long-lasting impact.
Are we living through climate change’s worst-case scenario?
“We’re a lot closer than we should be,” one Stanford scientist warned.
This professor just got arrested for making climate change graffiti
Governments aren’t paying attention to scientific research, but maybe crime will get people’s attention.
Failure to curb climate change a top risk: Davos survey
The risk that global efforts to tackle climate change will fail has risen despite concerns about powerful storms, floods, and droughts, a survey released by the World Economic Forum said on Wednesday, days before its annual gathering in Davos.
Climate change: How could artificial photosynthesis contribute to limiting global warming?
If CO2 emissions do not fall fast enough, then CO2 will have to be removed from the atmosphere to limit global warming. Not only could planting new forests and biomass contribute to this, but new technologies for artificial photosynthesis as well. Physicists have estimated how much surface area such solutions would require. Although artificial photosynthesis could bind CO2 more efficiently than the natural model, huge investments into research are needed to upscale the technology.
Value of global CO2 markets hit record 144 billion euros in 2018: Report
The value of traded global markets for carbon dioxide allowances soared 250 percent last year to a record high of 144 billion euros ($164 billion), analysts at Refinitiv say.
To those who think we can reform our way out of the climate crisis
Ben Ehrenreich
Our only hope is to stop exploiting the earth—and its people.
Our oceans broke heat records in 2018 and the consequences are catastrophic
John Abraham
Rising temperatures can be charted back to the late 1950s, and the last five years were the five hottest on record
As the oceans rise, so do your risks of breast cancer
Jane McArthur
Most cases of breast cancer are related to environmental causes. When we talk about climate change, we must not forget this part of the story.
The 97pc climate consensus fraud [$]
Ian Plimer
The climate-change brigade’s methodology doesn’t pass muster; in the scientific circles I mix in, there is an overwhelming scepticism about human-induced climate change.
The Guardian view on warming oceans: A rising toll
Guardian editorial
We have barely begun to explore our seas, but our impact is felt on both humans and marine life.
National
Heatwave expected to peak over the coming days
With extreme heatwave conditions predicted for the end of the week even fit, healthy people are encouraged to take precautions to keep cool when the temperatures soar.
The world’s 15 hottest sites on Tuesday were all in Australia
Australia was home to all 15 of the world’s hottest temperatures on Tuesday, a feat it may well repeat on Wednesday and beyond as a huge swath of the nation bakes.
Renewables ‘to see new funding sources’ [$]
New sources of debt funding are expected to emerge in Australia’s renewable energy sector this year as a bigger range of investors is attracted by the busy activity in the space.
Our great Aussie barbie is under threat [$]
The great Aussie barbecue is feeling the burn, with a group of British academics keen to curb climate change by chopping down the size of meat serves to just a 14g mouthful per person per day. Would you follow the guidelines?
No one can afford to ignore the damage to the Murray [$]
Stacey Lee
We may never be able to pinpoint an exact reason for the deaths of thousands of fish, but there is one thing all authorities and experts agree on – it is, at least partly, due to an overall mismanagement of the river system.
Victoria
Plans to remove toxic Melbourne stockpile
Industrial solvents are among up to 1.5 million litres of toxic chemicals being removed from Melbourne warehouses in a delicate operation.
Industrial waste site boss a court no-show over Lara dump site
The former director of one of the state’s most high-risk dump sites has failed to front court as the Environment Protection Authority waits to learn whether criminal proceedings against him will head to the federal court.
Victorians get worst deals on power prices [$]
Victorian households get some of the worst deals in the nation, despite being the lowest users of power. New figures show struggling families are paying up to $1 out of every $7 in income just to pay their energy bills.
New South Wales
Explainer: Climate change and poor management among factors behind death of a million fish in NSW
The sight of more than a million fish floating belly up on the Darling River at Menindee has thrown doubt over the management of the Murray-Darling Basin. Here’s what we know about the mass deaths, and what experts say could be to blame.
‘Not a bathtub’: Burke demands better monitoring of Murray-Darling
Labor’s water spokesman says getting better information about the state of Murray-Darling Basin ecosystems is “an absolute priority”.
Holding back the tides: Sydney’s battle against coastal erosion
As Australian beaches succumb to destructive coastal surges due to climate change, Wendy Harmer considers the price of inaction at storm-battered Collaroy-Narrabeen
Billionaires back MP’s Blue Mountains tunnel idea
Two billionaires, including controversial technology entrepreneur Elon Musk, have become swept up in the NSW state election — endorsing a radical idea by a rogue former Greens MP to build a tunnel through the Blue Mountains.
The Murray-Darling fish kill is a monumental catastrophe and also business as usual
First Dog on the Moon
Millions of innocent fish have died because of sheer human bastardry
Cotton farmers did not kill the fish – it’s time to hear the facts
Adam Kay
Too many politicians and commentators have leapt to blame one industry for the massive fish kill. Facts matter, writes the CEO of Cotton Australia.
Cotton and rice have an important place in the Murray Darling Basin
Jamie Pittock
Water-hungry crops like cotton and rice are still worth farming in Australia.
We’re burning money just trying to stay cool
Nathan Vass
This week’s heatwave has turned the blowtorch onto the rising cost of electricity in NSW, with airconditioning fast becoming an unaffordable luxury for many.
ACT
Recycling dumped in landfill after plant’s temporary shutdown
The Hume recycling centre is expected to be up and running again soon – but only after tonnes of recyclables were dumped in landfill.
Green bins to roll out across Canberra from April
Residents in the inner north and south, Woden, Molonglo Valley and some areas in Gungahlin will be able to get a green bin for their gardening waste from April.
Queensland
Revoking grant bad for Great Barrier Reef, says Minister
An audit of the $444 million grant made to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation has prompted Labor to reiterate its plans to claw back what it can of the funds.
Government’s $444m grant to reef body did not comply with transparency rules, Audit Office says
The auditor-general criticises the Environment Department’s assessment of whether a funding allocation worth nearly half a billion dollars was good value for money.
Reef grant passed internal tests: ANAO [$]
Labor’s plan to have the Great Barrier Reef Foundation refund what’s left of a $443.3 million grant has suffered a setback after an audit cleared the related ministers of any wrong doing.
The Queensland scientist turning cane toads into cannibals
Cane toads can be contained without bounties, baseball bats or people on the dole, according to a Queensland professor dedicated to eradicating the invasive species.
Mine ‘could save us from decline’ [$]
Townsville’s economy has reached a ‘tipping point’ and faces structural decline unless new projects are pushed into production.
Adani drilling ‘broke no law’ [$]
The Environment Department dismissed claims by campaigners that mining operations had already been launched.
Adani: The ayes have it in Townsville [$]
Graham Richardson
The local economy in Townsville has been sluggish for years and young jobseekers are often forced to go south.
South Australia
Another big battery comes online in SA
Another battery storage system has been switched on in South Australia, which will service 4500 properties on Yorke Peninsula.
Planning shake-up should cut red tape [$]
South Australians will get increased time and opportunity to respond to development applications in their neighbourhoods under a proposed planning shake-up.
Global solar giant buys into SA energy market
Overseas interest in the SA energy market continues to grow with the latest acquisition of a regional renewables project by one of the world’s largest solar companies.
Dying fish prompts call to reveal ‘secret water deals’ [$]
An SA Senate candidate claims a list of foreign water holders across Australia is being kept secret, as mass fish deaths continue in the lower Darling River.
Tasmania
Burnie Clay Target Club plastic shell wadding ejected into ocean
A Burnie local found herself chasing a mystery when she went for her regular walk along the South Burnie beach last Sunday.
Tassie burns across 72 fire fronts [$]
Firefighters are battling 72 bushfires across Tasmania as they brace for more to take hold over coming days.
Northern Territory
NT solar project to power 5,000 homes
The construction of two 10MW solar farms in Batchelor and Manton Dam will begin in April, creating 70 jobs, powering 5,000 homes and promising cheaper electricity.
Western Australia
Bushfire threatens lives, homes in Perth
A watch and act bushfire warning has been issued in Perth’s south, with residents warned to leave or get ready to defend their property.
Penguins come to WA, prompting warning from wildlife carers
Western Australian beachgoers have been amazed to see penguins on beaches in the southern part of the state, with as many as eight different Rockhopper penguins spotted ashore since Christmas.
‘Hard to swallow’: Barramundi ban sparks battle between fishers and Minister
After the recent rock lobster controversy, a new battle looms for the WA Government as a permanent ban at a popular fishing ground takes angry fishers by surprise.
Crazy ants killed millions of Christmas Island’s red crabs, but a tiny wasp is fighting back
A tiny wasp enlisted to save Christmas Island’s famous red crabs from extinction is showing promising results in the battle against the crustaceans’ crazy ant foes.
City, planners seek solution to South Perth stand-off
The WA Planning Commission and City of South Perth are working overtime to avoid an ugly public confrontation over the planning stalemate on the South Perth peninsula.
Woodside move on LNG plant [$]
Woodside will push ahead with studies over its proposed Scarborough LNG plant without the financial support of BHP.
Sustainability
How to create a garden that uses and loses less water
If you love your garden and hate seeing it suffer in summer (but don’t like the idea of keeping your taps on to keep it green), here are some tricks to help you use less water.
Some of the biggest green groups have cold feet over the “Green New Deal”
More than 600 organizations signed a letter supporting the ambitious proposal, but eight of the largest ones did not.
Cities are tucking climate change fixes into new laws
Across the country, cities are implementing new housing and transit laws that, oh by the way, lower their emissions of greenhouse gasses.
Right green for crop, environment, wallet
Researchers found an efficient approach to managing nitrogen in agriculture and reducing its environmental impact. It’s all about being green.
High pesticide exposure among farmers linked to poor sense of smell later
A new study has shown an association between unusually high pesticide exposure and poor sense of smell among aging farmers.
We’re in the era of overtourism but there is a more sustainable way forward
Regina Scheyvens
Many European holiday destinations now struggle with overcrowding and pollution.
Nature Conservation
Six in 10 wild coffee species endangered by habitat loss
Kew scientists’ analysis of 124 wild species shows 60% facing possible extinction, risking viability of commercial stock
Industry alliance sets out $1bn to tackle oceans’ plastic waste
Greenpeace sceptical about corporate polluters as alliance launched to reduce waste
Microplastics are poisoning our oceans, but the problem could be worse on land
It’s widely seen as a problem affecting the world’s oceans, but researchers are warning that microplastics could also be taking a toll on land-based agriculture and ecosystems.
Water, not temperature, limits global forest growth as climate warms
The growth of forest trees all over the world is becoming more water-limited as the climate warms. The effect is most evident in northern climates and at high altitudes where the primary limitation on tree growth had been cold temperatures. The research, to be published in Science Advances this week, is the first time that changes in tree growth in response to current climate changes have been mapped at a near-global scale.
Agroforestry empowers Morocco’s mountain women
Morocco’s mountain people have grown olive trees since ancient times, but unstable weather due to climate change has recently placed that heritage in jeopardy.
The world’s oldest, deepest lake is full of life. Humans are changing that
Lake Baikal is the world’s oldest and deepest lake. It’s now suffering the devastating effects of climate change.
Urbanization may hold key to tiger survival
Conservationists look at five human socioeconomic scenarios to better understand fate of endangered big cat
Marine mammals and sea turtles recovering after Endangered Species Act protection
More than three-quarters of marine mammal and sea turtle populations have significantly increased after listing of the US Endangered Species Act (ESA), according to a study published Jan. 16 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
Now for something completely different …
This is why Marie Kondo’s advice on books really stings
Annie Brown
Author Anakana Schofield tweeted, “Do NOT listen to Marie Kondo or Konmari in relation to books. Fill your apartment & world with them… Every human needs a v extensive library not clean, boring shelves [sic].”
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