Post of the Day
When extreme weather wipes out wildlife, the fallout can last for years
Sean Maxwell and James Watson
Dozens of brumbies were found dead near Santa Teresa in Australia’s remote interior.
Today’s Celebration
Commencement of the Armed Struggle – Angola
Independence Day – Sri Lanka
Constitution Day – Mexico
Rosa Parks Day – USA
Climate Change
Is deep freeze the latest sign climate change is accelerating?
Extremes consistent with theories about how emissions could affect weather patterns
Belgian kids march against climate change – why don’t ours, ask Dutch
Some put lack of action down to fundamental differences between the two countries
A new Pentagon report says climate factors are a national security concern
The analysis looks at 79 militarily significant installations, including Offutt Air Force Base.
How to change the minds of climate deniers
Recent polls have found the number of people who believe climate change is real has jumped. What convinced them?
David Wallace-Wells on climate: ‘People should be scared – I’m scared’
The journalist and author has claimed climate change will soon render the world uninhabitable, leading his supporters to say he’s telling the terrifying truth and critics to brand him a reckless alarmist. Why is he so worried?
‘The devastation of human life is in view’: what a burning world tells us about climate change
David Wallace-Wells
I was wilfully deluded until I began covering global warming. But extreme heat could transform the planet by 2100
Using the big freeze to deny climate change… stupidity or cynicism?
Michael Mann
The reaction to the polar vortex reminds us it is important to have a citizenry who can distinguish between scientific fact and fiction
National
‘What about the plug?’ Australia’s electric car infrastructure stalled by policy paralysis
Why has it taken so long just to move past the bare minimum needed to support what is now an expanding sector?
We can help save the Murray-Darling, Indigenous nations say
Call for government to support First Nations to acquire water for cultural flows
Battle lines drawn on energy ‘demand response’ [$]
Energy users such as BlueScope Steel are arguing for the opening up of the demand response market but retailers are standing in their way.
Power bills could drop by a third under a regulated electricity price
A national regulated power price could save households up to $440 off annual power bills, according to a study to be published on Monday, but those who actively seek out discounted offers could find them harder to secure.
Chinese coal ban to last months [$]
Australian coal exporters face restrictions on imports into China for at least the next few months, China sources say.
Trust in Murray basin plan shattered [$]
Laura Tingle
The clear fury behind Bret Walker’s Murray Darling royal commission recommendations have been met with a sedating blanket of nothingness.
No one likes the Murray-Darling plan – and that’s a good thing
Steve Whan
Sharing water is never going to be easy – making it work requires co-operation.
We could have led the world and saved a river system
Maryanne Slattery
The $13 billion plan to save the Murray-Darling Basin had much to commend it, but too often its honest brokers have been silenced.
High price for PM’s climate change misstep [$]
Renee Viellaris
Scott Morrison made a serious tactical mistake when he created his Cabinet after Malcolm Turnbull was punted last year.
Sustainable economy achievable [$]
Geoff Edwards
The quest for a lower-carbon environment isn’t a communist plot to destroy capitalism.
When extreme weather wipes out wildlife, the fallout can last for years
Sean Maxwell and James Watson
Dozens of brumbies were found dead near Santa Teresa in Australia’s remote interior.
The Murray-Darling: Death by capitalism
John Passant
The environmental and ecological disasters occurring at the Murray-Darling Basin are driven by capitalism.
Victoria
Victorians battle through blazes in state
A cooler day is in store for Victoria as temperatures dip and winds turn south but that might not be enough to bring the many fires under control.
Residents urged to leave as fires near Victorian towns worsen
Emergency alerts issued for several blazes with weather conditions expected to fan flames
Mildura deputy mayor joins climate-driven challenge to Nationals in Mallee
Jason Modica enters field after Nationals MP Andrew Broad announces his retirement
Sparks fly over energy ‘lies’ [$]
Dick Smith has accused the City of Melbourne of ‘lying’ in claiming to be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.
New South Wales
NSW govt gets ‘champion’ for public spaces
The NSW Premier has announced there will be a new minister in charge of expanding the state’s parks and gardens and increasing Sydney’s green spaces.
Sydney wins bid to host major climate conference for women in 2020
Hundreds of climate leaders are expected to flock to Sydney next year after the City of Sydney won its bid to host a global conference for women.
Why the town of Finley is losing farms, jobs, students and cricketers
It only takes a stroll down the quiet main street of Finley to see that the small New South Wales town is struggling, and locals say the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is to blame.
Three changes in how we live could derail the dream of the 30-minute city
Jennifer Kent
Digital communications mean time spent driving can also be used to get other things done as well.
ACT
Electric scooters in Canberra? ACT govt keen to hop on new trend
Electric scooters could soon be zipping through Canberra’s streets, as the ACT government is considering tweaking the territory’s road rules to allow the vehicles to travel legally in the nation’s capital.
Should Canberra stop mowing and start growing native grasses?
The ACT government could cut back on its multimillion-dollar annual mowing bill by transforming grassy areas into native oases, environmentalists say.
Queensland
Aurizon staff plan rolling stoppages to disrupt coal rail transport
Workers at Australia’s largest rail freight operator, Aurizon, will walk off the job on Tuesday in the first of a series of 24-hour stoppages this week aimed at disrupting coal transport services.
City braced as floodgates open [$]
The floodgates of Townsville’s Ross River Dam have automatically opened, with residents of numerous suburbs in the firing line. Meanwhile, the city’s airport has closed.
Anti-coal activists ‘ignoring laws’ [$]
Resources Minister Matt Canavan has accused white activists of “spitting in the face” of native title by campaigning to override the wishes of indigenous owners who have voted overwhelmingly to host Adani’s proposed coalmine.
Fears toxic dams may overflow [$]
Regulators have been monitoring contaminated dams at Queensland Nickel refinery amid concerns they may overflow.
South Australia
‘Lucky’: No properties lost in Victor Harbor Rd fire
The CFS and Mt Compass locals have banded together to fight a serious bushfire that threatened to overrun homes on Sunday — with one woman putting out spotfires in the dress she was wearing to a wedding when she had the call about the blaze
‘Ban water being used on cotton for overseas‘: MPs [$]
Murray Darling Cotton exports should be banned to save the Murray, Centre Alliance says, and will introduce legislation within days to stop precious water being used to irrigate cotton crops destined for overseas markets.
Tasmania
Property loss ‘likely’ in Tasmania fires
Further property loss from raging weekend bushfires in Tasmania is likely, authorities say, as emergency warnings remain in place for the Great Pine Tier fire.
Party in the Paddock encourages recycling culture to change
The North’s premier multi-day music festival is close to abolishing all single-use plastic from its event.
Northern Territory
Dining under the stars: sunsets, bush tucker and that view at Uluru
Most travel to Uluru to experience the magnificence of the region but a host of dining options is transforming it into a food destination
Ex-Labor minister pledges stability as new boss of powerful Northern Land Council
The NLC’s third chief executive in four months, Jack Ah Kit, is promising to get the organisation “back on track” and open its workings up to the Aboriginal communities it represents.
Western Australia
Fire threat eases after people urged to flee from fast-moving blaze near Harvey
Residents asked to stay on high alert after the blaze was downgraded due to favourable weather conditions.
Line drawn in sand for toad war [$]
Researchers hope to stop the cane toad invasion in Western Australia with a scheme to deprive the pests of water.
Sustainability
Petrol bomb, rocks hurled at Sea Shepherd ship off Mexico
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society says the hull of one of its ships was set on fire after an ambush by about 50 poachers on speedboats in the Gulf of California.
Fate of UK’s nuclear plants in doubt over ageing infrastructure
After 12% drop in generation, experts say existing nuclear plants are likely to close early
What are endocrine disruptors and why are they dangerous?
Pediatrician and public-health researcher Leo Trasande says many of the products that surround us could be harmful.
The best alternative to eating meat?
Michael Dello-Iacovo
Meat created from the cells of animals presents great benefits for the world
Nature Conservation
Monarch butterflies are going extinct. How can we save them?
Experts say the monarch butterfly could very well go extinct in the next 20 years. “If we want to have monarchs migrate through the western U.S., as they have for centuries, sustained work is needed,” the Xerces Society wrote on its website.
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