Post of the Day
‘Momentum is growing’: reasons to be hopeful about the environment in 2019
As we reflect on a year of extreme weather and ominous climate talks, Guardian environment writer Fiona Harvey explains why 2019 could see some much-needed breakthroughs
Today’s Celebration
Bank Holiday – Taiwan
Revolution Day – People’s Uprising – Burkina Faso
Climate Change
2018 NZ’s hottest year on record – climate scientist
NZ just saw its warmest year in one and a half centuries of records, scientist says.
Climate change and its impact on the wine industry
Climate change could have a huge impact on the wine industry in the very near future.
Climate change could ramp up electricity use in China
As it gets hotter, more people turn on the AC. That means even more emissions.
Good news stories about climate change from 2018 that you might have missed
Start 2019 with some positive news about climate change.
National
AGL spends $190m for summer reliability
AGL’s upgrades come as the Australian Energy Market Operator has warned generator owners to be ready during a heatwave forecast for SA, Victoria and NSW over the next three days.
Victoria
New toxic factories and West Footscray factory fire link to same man
Properties used as illegal chemical dumps in Melbourne’s north and the West Footscray factory packed with drums of chemicals before it burned down last year are linked to the same person, a Wallan-based businessman who recently had a serious run in with police.
Why the illegally dumped toxic waste is so dangerous
Acetone has been detected in the 1.2 million litres of toxic waste dumped in bins in warehouses in Melbourne’s north.
‘This could get nasty’: Business owners fear toxic chemical explosion
The warehouses have now been linked to last year’s West Footscray factory fire
Business owners in Epping and Campbellfield are terrified that seven nearby warehouses stockpiling 1.2 million litres of toxic chemical waste could explode, destroying their livelihoods.
Jesinta tests out activewear made from marine litter [$]
A new sports and footwear range made out of marine litter such as plastic waste and fishing line is set to make waves in the industry, with Jesinta Franklin diving in to test it out.
New South Wales
With costs climbing to $20b, Metro West business case runs behind
The state government is running behind its own timeline on its much-vaunted new rail line between Parramatta and central Sydney, having failed to release the final business case amid concerns the cost might balloon above $20 billion.
Don’t forget our watery wonderland in Sydney’s vision splendid
SMH editorial
The unavailability of a supplier for the ferries is unwelcome news for the sleeping giant that is Parramatta.
ACT
Banning plastic? Be careful what you wish for!
Steve Evans
At the Atlas cafe in Gunghalin, you will be told politely that no straw is available for your milkshake. You may choose to get grumpy and walk out – and a few do – or you may accept a freshly cleaned stainless-steel straw.
Queensland
Mines push to hire more foreign workers [$]
The Minerals Council is lobbying the government to relax restrictions on hiring workers from overseas as mining giants push to recruit more foreign workers.
South Australia
Cutting down trees causing ‘heat islands’ in suburbs [$]
Cutting down trees to make room for more in-fill housing and paved surfaces is forcing up temperatures across parts of Adelaide, architects say — and it can have a fatal effect.
Tasmania
Extra tailings storage proposed for Calder sands quarry
David Rowell has applied to the Waratah-Wynyard Council for a permit to build a new quarry tailings dam at 791 Calder Road, Oldina.
Dolphin found dead at St Helens, cause unknown
An investigation regarding a dolphin carcass found near St Helens has concluded.
Campfire bans, tracks shut amid rising heat [$]
Campfires will be banned and many walking tracks and campgrounds will be closed due to high bushfire risk, the Parks and Wildlife Service says.
Unchlorinated sewage flows into Derwent [$]
A 24-hour failure at a sewage treatment plant resulted in 10 million litres of unchlorinated treated wastewater flowing into the River Derwent.
Western Australia
Troubled waters ahead for Labor’s WA rock lobster market intervention
The state government is facing stiff opposition from professional rock lobster fishers as it attempts to push through a plan to hand itself a 17 per cent commercial stake in the industry.
Sustainability
Plastic bottle deposit scheme in UK proving hit with shoppers
‘Reverse vending machines’ receive 311,500 bottles to date, says supermarket Iceland
Concerns intensify over food producers’ impact on environment
The spotlight on agriculture and food industries’ impact on the environment has intensified amid fears over the prospect of population growth and food demand driving crop and livestock cultivation.
Elizabeth Warren backs “idea” of a Green New Deal
Elizabeth Warren supports the idea of a Green New Deal.
Coal’s heyday at $100 a ton passes in Europe with curbs on its use
Price of the power generation fuel may drop 10% this year in Rotterdam as demand falls in Europe and China.
One person’s recycling won’t stop climate change in itself. We must act collectively
Emily Mulligan
It is liberalism’s most dangerous lie that an individual’s action can solve problems of this scale
‘Momentum is growing’: reasons to be hopeful about the environment in 2019
As we reflect on a year of extreme weather and ominous climate talks, Guardian environment writer Fiona Harvey explains why 2019 could see some much-needed breakthroughs
Nature Conservation
Climate could turn green turtles female
Climate change is causing “feminisation” of green turtle populations, scientists have warned.
Endangered Florida panther threatened by development project, experts say
Almost half of proposed area of construction falls within hunting and roaming zone that is essential to animal’s survival.
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