Daily Links Feb 17

From: Maelor Himbury <maelor@melbpc.org.au>
Date: 17 February 2019 at 08:40:21 AEDT
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Feb 17

 

Post of the Day

News Corp attacks scientists assessing Adani coalmine – and ignores science

Sarah Bekessy, Hugh Possingham, James Watson, Georgia Garrard and Alex Kusmanoff

Damaging the credibility of scientists when we need their fearless advice more than ever is socially irresponsible and morally reprehensible

 

Today’s Celebration

National Public Science Day – United States of America

February 17th Revolution Day – Libya

Random Acts of Kindness Day – United States of America

My Way Day

World Human Spirit Day

White Night Melbourne

More about Feb 17

 

Climate Change

Is Nancy Pelosi a climate skeptic?

It’s time to reckon with the internal contradictions of climate policy.

 

Climate change could increase foodborne illness by energizing flies

Warmer, more lively house flies could spread more Campylobacter bacteria by landing on more food.

 

Here are two big things that were wrong with climate change coverage in 2018

Major outlets reported too little on climate change driving extreme weather and too much on Trump, two analyses find.

 

‘The most villainous act in the history of human civilisation.’ Michael E Mann speaks out

The renowned US climate scientist and Tyler Prize winner talks exclusively to Samantha Page for Cosmos.

 

Climate wars: The end of the beginning?

David Titley

There are real reasons for optimism in the journey to address the accelerating risks of climate change.

 

The rising tide of climate injustice

Clinton Parks

The impacts of climate change cannot be disentangled from the politics of inequality and race. Just look at my hometown.

 

National

PM announces forestry boost in Tasmania

The federal government will create nine forestry hubs across Australia to boost the industry, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced in Tasmania.

 

‘The invisible minister’: Melissa Price accused of going missing on the environment

The criticism comes during a summer of disasters, including the mass fish kill, Townsville floods and fires in Tasmania

 

A missed opportunity’: Months-long inquiry leads to no changes

Millions of houses are vulnerable to the effects of climate change but dozens of experts say a lack of national leadership could prove catastrophic.

 

The $8.5b plan that backfired

About $8.5 billion has been spent on trying to save one of Australia’s vital natural jewels — but it only seems to have made things worse.

 

Victoria

Waste ban on fire-prone dumps could see recycling sent to landfill

Items fit for recycling could end up in landfill after stockpiling at Victorian collection centres sparked a crackdown by the environment watchdog.

 

New South Wales

Crews rush to contain northern NSW bushfires before hot spell arrives

Firefighters working through the weekend as blaze destroys 22 homes and damages

 

These residents stopped a coal mine, made history and sent ripples through boardrooms around the world

A residents group stopped a mine from being developed last month in NSW. It’s just one example of what’s called ‘climate litigation’, and it’s making waves across the globe.

 

NSW government projects big jump in coal shipments

The Berejiklian government is projecting NSW will sharply increase coal shipments over coming decades, a forecast increase at odds with its aspirational goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century.

 

Where there’s a quill: CSI uses DNA to catch echidna smugglers

Wildlife forensic scientists at the Australian Museum in Sydney have developed a tool kit that will track the source of black market echidnas by analysing mitochondrial DNA in an animal’s quill.

 

NSW Labor makes ‘heritage strategy’ pledge

NSW Labor has promised to create the state’s first ‘Heritage Strategy’ if the party is elected in March.

 

Queensland

Qld chief scientist backs Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s ‘resilience’ projects

Professor Paul Bertsch argues “business as usual” projects aren’t working and the controversial foundation’s “risky” research is what’s needed.

 

Bushfire threat to Qld towns eases

A bushfire that was headed for two Queensland communities near the NSW border has eased, prompting authorities to downgrade their warning for residents.

 

News Corp attacks scientists assessing Adani coalmine – and ignores science

Sarah Bekessy, Hugh Possingham, James Watson, Georgia Garrard and Alex Kusmanoff

Damaging the credibility of scientists when we need their fearless advice more than ever is socially irresponsible and morally reprehensible

 

After the deluge, north Queenslanders face a deadly new threat

Beau Frigault

If Australia continues to ignore the alarm, we can expect more climate chaos leading to more illness and deaths, a Queensland Health doctor writes.

 

Do coal-hating hipsters realise their hypocrisy? [$]

Peta Credlin

The Adani mine saga should make us weep in frustration at the ability of Green activists to sabotage good projects that are in Australia’s national interest’

 

South Australia

It’s no truffling matter: The wonderful world of fungi

New discoveries Husband and wife team, David and Pam Catcheside have devoted their lives to studying “nature’s quiet achievers” that may just hold the key to everything from drought protecting trees to new antibiotics.

 

Grants fast track SA’s recycling industry [$]

A robot that can detect paper and plastic bottles and a machine to hoover up and re-use broken glass are among nine recycling projects to receive State Government grants.

 

Top seven priorities for SA’s roads [$]

South Australia’s peak motoring association has revealed its seven infrastructure priorities ahead of the next federal election — and both state political parties are in agreement about its importance.

 

Federal Labor’s panda promise [$]

It’s a move designed to pander to SA voters — Federal Labor has pledged to keep giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni at Adelaide Zoo — if Bill Shorten becomes the next Prime Minster.

 

Even at a pinch, desal still a bad idea to save the Murray [$]

Matt Abraham.

It’s taken us more than a century to wreck the Murray-Darling river system but we’ve finally done it — but will dusting off the $2 billion desalination plant to save turn our white elephant into a white knight? Probably not, writes

 

Tasmania

Secrecy on cable car irks council [$]

Hobart council says it is disappointed the State Government ignored a request it be notified when the Mt Wellington Cableway Company holds surveys on council-owned land.

 

PM announces forestry boost in Tasmania

The federal government will create nine forestry hubs across Australia to boost the industry, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced in Tasmania.

 

Tamar River health plans flowing on course

Catchment-based projects to improve the health of the Tamar Estuary are expected to be completed within 18 months, in line with recommendations from a taskforce established under the Launceston City Deal.

 

Drilling on kunanyi … shocking details of Liberal Government plans

And, off the back of a truck comes details of state Liberal Government plans to drill on kunanyi/Mt Wellington.

 

‘Bring a snorkel’: Urgent call for volunteers in Tasmanian tourism hotspot

Want to volunteer for a job in one of the country’s stunning national parks where you can snorkel and not actually do much work? Tasmania has the job for you.

 

Northern Territory

Police investigating whether Uluru National Park bushfire was intentionally lit

A large fire in the national park forces the closure of the world-renowned tourism destination Kata-Tjuta, which includes a number of walking trails.

 

Western Australia

Bushfire warning issued for industrial area, Aboriginal community near Roebourne

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued a watch and act advice for the Cheeditha Community on Saturday around 2pm.

 

Maylands MLA Lisa Baker goes to ground as Mark McGowan distances himself from vegan comments

A State Labor MP who suggested people should not eat meat because it was bad for the environment went to ground yesterday as Premier Mark McGowan distanced himself from the comments.

 

No more prickles: WA high school gets green grass for the first time

For the first time in more than 100 years, students at Gnowangerup District High School have green grass to play on, following the search for a sustainable water system.

 

Sustainability

Sustainable jean company stays true to roots despite royal exposure

The designers behind a pair of ethically sourced jeans worn by the Duchess of Sussex during her Australian visit last year double their staff to meet global demand.

 

Radon risk: A global estimate of radon’s contribution to lung cancer

Environmental Health Perspectives is an Open Access journal published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

 

Nature Conservation

Fears deadly ‘zombie’ deer disease may possibly spread to humans

Scientific and public health experts believe a disease impacting deer should be treated as a public health issue, reportedly expressing growing concerns about its possibility of spreading to humans someday.

 

Scientists baffled after thousands of cuttlefish wash up at resort beaches

Scientists are investigating after thousands of cuttlefish washed up on the beaches of a popular tourist resort.

 

Endangered baby turtles rescued after becoming tangled in plastic

A group of endangered baby turtles have been rescued after becoming tangled in plastic.

 

Now for something completely different …

101 things not to do before you die [$]

Nick Ryan

Fed up with bookshops brimming with bucket lists, Nick Ryan has sets out to list 101 things not to do before he dies — like seeing the Crows win a flag or hearing the words “Scott Morrison” ever again.

 

Maelor Himbury

6 Florence St Niddrie 3042

93741902

0432406862