Post of the Day
Antibiotic resistance is now as big a threat as climate change
While antimicrobial resistance threatens people around the world, many die because they lack access to antibiotics.
Today’s Celebration
Children’s Day – Mexico
King’s Birthday – Sweden
Queen’s Day – Netherlands
Liberation Day – Vietnam
Rincon’s Day – Bonaire
Carnival Day – Sint Maarten
National Persian Gulf Day – Iran
Martyrs Day – Pakistan
Witches Night – Sweden, Germany, Finland
Beltane (Northern Hemisphere) – Paganism
Mange les Morts – Voudon
Samhain (Southern Hemisphere) – Paganism
Climate Change
Natural disasters are getting worse. People with the least power are most at risk.
Natural disasters are often seen as equal-opportunity events.
As oceans warm, microbes could pump more CO2 back into air, study warns
A new study suggests that CO2 regeneration may become faster in many regions of the world as the oceans warm with changing climate. This, in turn, may reduce the deep oceans’ ability to keep carbon locked up. The study shows that in many cases, bacteria are consuming more plankton at shallower depths than previously believed, and that the conditions under which they do this will spread as water temperatures rise.
Corbyn launches bid to declare a national climate emergency
Labour will attempt to force Commons vote as it is revealed that the government has failed to spend anti-pollution cash.
Rapid melting of the world’s largest ice shelf linked to solar heat in the ocean
An international team of scientists has found part of the world’s largest ice shelf is melting 10 times faster than the overall ice shelf average, due to solar heating of the surrounding ocean surface.
German government warming toward carbon tax: Paper
Germany looks set to introduce an economy-wide system of carbon emissions pricing after senior officials from both parties of Berlin’s governing coalition reached a consensus on the proposal, the Frankfurter Allgemeine reported on Sunday.
For low-income countries, climate action pays off by 2050
A new study shows that beyond the benefits of reduced extreme weather in the long term, global mitigation efforts would also lower oil prices in coming decades, resulting in a significant economic boon for most poorer countries.
What if…we reduced carbon emissions to zero by 2025?
Hazel Healy sketches out a radical scenario of carbon cold-turkey.
National
Australia can be powered 100% by renewables by early 2030s, says Garnaut
Leading economist and climate change policy expert Professor Ross Garnaut says that Australia could be powered 100 per cent by “intermittent” renewables by the early 2030s, and have a grid that is both reliable and secure and cheaper than it is now.
Coalition gets back on coal wagon, given 4/100 in climate policy test
Scott Morrison got back on coal bandwagon over weekend, and rode it to the heart of Queensland coal country, picking up Pauline Hanson and Clive Palmer along the way.
John Connor re-enters policy wars as head of Carbon Markets Institute
John Connor to head Carbon Markets Institute, says business now realising there is no such thing as a “low carbon” future, it has to be zero carbon.
Mechanical trees capture CO2 passively
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed ‘mechanical trees’ that capture CO2 passively and sequester it for industrial and agricultural use.
Leaders’ election debate: Shorten hits back at Morrison’s demand for emissions policy cost
Labor leader argues delaying action on climate change would ‘be a disaster for our economy’ and ‘you have to invest to get a return’
Which major party has the worst environment policy?
A scorecard of the major parties’ environment and nature policies has handed the Coalition a “fail”, the ALP a “pass”, and the Greens a “high distinction” in the lead up to the federal election.
Morrison and Shorten battle over taxes, electric cars and climate change
The first debate between the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader prompts a bitter battle of words over Clive Palmer, preferences and economic credentials.
Gupta’s electric car plans gather speed
The billionaire says the price tag of electric vehicles will fall and his venture with Britain’s Gordon Murray Design will tap into extra demand.
Gas chief McCormack urges Canberra to ‘play long game on energy’
The head of Australia’s gas pipeline monopoly has slammed politicians’ shortsighted disputes over energy.
Greens “Healthy Oceans” policy tackles major threats to our treasured marine life
The Greens “Healthy Oceans” election policy would deliver much-needed protection to Australia’s unique marine environment, says the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS)
Shorten promises more solar for schools
With a spring in his step after winning the leaders’ debate, Labor leader Bill Shorten will announce funding to make it easier for schools to get solar panels.
Coalition to promise new water authority
Nationals leader Michael McCormack will outline the coalition’s plan for a new statutory authority to plan and manage Australia’s water diversion projects.
Priceless: Shorten’s climate change cost
Bill Shorten has conceded for the first time that it is not possible to put a single price on the cost of his emissions-reduction targets.
Watergate? It’s just Barnaby following his own rules
Mungo MacCallum
Watergate exemplifies the Government’s contempt to the interests of those of us who actually pay the bills.
Climate change poses a clear financial risk to Australia
Chris Barrett and Anna Skarbek
With our world-class solar and wind energy resource base, Australia stands to benefit from a successful – and rapid – low-carbon transition
Victoria
Battle rages over Grampians as rock climbers banned to protect Indigenous art
Rock climbers are calling for the end of a ban preventing them accessing parts of the national park but authorities are standing firm, citing environmental and cultural damage in the area which is home to about 90 per cent of south-eastern Australia’s Aboriginal rock art.
Firefighters’ union calls to seize ‘Dracula’ home of alleged toxic dumper
Firefighters have called for the Director of Public Prosecutions to freeze the recent sale of a Wallan home owned by a man at the centre of a major investigation into the illegal dumping of up to 19 million litres of toxic waste.
Gas set to flow at Cooper Energy’s Victorian project [$]
Cooper Energy expects to finish building its $355 million Sole offshore gas project in the next quarter, bringing to life the vision of the company to transform from an oil to a gas focused operator.
New South Wales
Macquarie may see a four degree temperature rise by 2050
A four-degree temperature rise by 2050: That’s the worst-case scenario facing the residents of Macquarie, named as one of the 20 federal electorates most at risk from climate change.
Forrest’s AIE takes the lead in the race to import LNG [$]
With its government consents in hand, the focus of Port Kembla’s regas project now turns on securing customer contracts.
The ‘safe’ Liberal seat where water is everything and nothing is certain
Amid a once-in-a-generation drought, the regional seat of Farrer has emerged as a litmus test on the government’s water woes.
Sydney in a smoky haze after state-wide hazard reduction burns
Planned hazard reduction burns left Sydney with a smoky scent and a visible haze on Monday morning, with parts of the city’s west reaching hazardous air quality levels.
More smoke predicted for Sydney ahead of rain at week’s end
Sydneysiders are likely to endure more hazy days as fire authorities exploit favourable conditions for prescribed burns ahead of expected rainfall later in the week.
Queensland
New farm pollution laws for Great Barrier Reef cross key milestone, says AMCS
New farm pollution laws vital to the health of the Great Barrier Reef have crossed a key milestone, but can’t come soon enough for the marine icon, says the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS).
User-pays road charges needed within decade, says owner of Gateway Mwy, Airport Link
Australia must find a new way of taxing road users soon or be unable to fund new infrastructure, says toll giant.
Why Queensland’s farmers don’t want state’s land clearing laws applied nationwide
If elected, Federal Labor has promised to improve the “robustness” of the native vegetation or land clearing laws in each state to better match Queensland’s, in an effort to reduce carbon emissions.
Fraser Island dingo myth busted [$]
A Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service ranger completing a PhD study says her research dispels a persistent myth about Fraser Island’s dingo population – one that often is cited as a reason why there has been a spate of attacks on humans.
Dingoes and humans were once friends. Separating them could be why they attack
Katie Woolaston
Dingoes on K’Gari are the most genetically ‘pure’ in Australia.
Eco debate needs a reality check [$]
Peter Gleeson
When you see ecowarriors leaning on environmental laws to stop big projects that will benefit Queensland’s economy and create jobs – despite proponents jumping through every hoop – it’s time we put some sanity back into the debate.
South Australia
Lincoln Gap wind farm delivers first power to grid as it deals with Senvion issues
The 212MW Lincoln Gap wind farm, located near Port Augusta in South Australia, has exported its first energy generation as project owner Nexif Energy said it had intervened to keep the project on track while Senvion sorts out its financial problems.
Kangaroo population jumps at Yankalilla school, creating potential risk to students
A South Australian school is warning students, parents and staff about the risk posed by kangaroos on school grounds after two were recently spotted boxing on the oval.
Thousands sign petition to scrap nuclear dump plan [$]
More than 3000 people have signed a petition urging the Federal Government to scrap plans for a nuclear dump in SA’s north. It comes as Federal Labor remains silent on whether it would push ahead with the stalled plans.
Council wants to ban enclosed yabby nets [$]
Enclosed yabby nets must be banned to prevent the killing of native animals, including water rats, platypus and freshwater turtles, Adelaide Hills Council says.
How to purify water with graphene [$]
Scientists from the National University of Science and Technology “MISIS” together with their colleagues from Derzhavin Tambov State University and Saratov Chernyshevsky State University have figured out that graphene is capable of purifying water, making it drinkable, without further chlorination.
Cost blowout for Tonsley extension to Flinders [$]
An extension of the Tonsley rail line to Flinders Uni and Medical Centre is expected to be finished in the middle of next year, but at a much higher cost than first predicted.
Why Stephan Knoll’s public transport plan won’t work
Tom Wilson
The State Government’s latest plan to improve public transport patronage has been tried before, with little success.
Tasmania
Push for city river to lose industry [$]
A flood risk report has recommended one of Burnie’s prime industrial areas be incrementally abandoned to protect companies and infrastructure from damage from a gushing Emu River.
Tasmanian energy developments help fire up construction sector
Electricity sector projects are helping continued growth in Tasmania’s engineering construction sector.
Western Australia
Climate change activists greet ScoMo, Shorten in Perth
Prime minister Scott Morrison and Opposition leader Bill Shorten shake hands before the Perth debate.
The last straw: Western Australia’s prime tourist destination bans plastic straws
The state government’s war on single-use plastic continues as it bans straws from one of Western Australia’s favourite tourist destinations.
Sustainability
Seaweed pods cut waste and keep London’s marathon running
Thousands of runners at the London marathon have been given drinks in a sustainable alternative to plastic bottles, edible seaweed capsules that can be either eaten or drunk.
ABC answers your questions about electric cars
How long does the battery last and how far can you travel? Electric vehicle policy has become a talking point this election campaign, with sales expected to boom in the next decade.
Antibiotic resistance is now as big a threat as climate change
While antimicrobial resistance threatens people around the world, many die because they lack access to antibiotics.
Brazil is creating massive PFOS contamination
Brazil is exploiting a loophole in an international treaty that allows it to manufacture and export a pesticide containing the dangerous chemical PFOS.
One cheap way to fight climate change? Dispose of old CFCs.
The banned refrigerants not only degrade ozone, they act as greenhouse gases.
Record solar hydrogen production with concentrated sunlight
EPFL researchers have created a smart device capable of producing large amounts of clean hydrogen. By concentrating sunlight, their device uses a smaller amount of the rare, costly materials that are required to produce hydrogen, yet it still maintains a high solar-to-fuel efficiency. Their research has been taken to the next scale with a pilot facility installed on the EPFL campus.
Solar energy capacity in U.S. cities has doubled in the last 6 years
One-third of U.S. cities as much as quadrupled their photovoltaic capacity, including New York City, Seattle, and Dallas.
Toxic chemicals discovered in African eggs gathered from e-waste dumpsite
Electrical waste illegally shipped from Europe to Africa is leaching dangerous chemicals into Ghana’s food chain, new research revealed last week.
Dirty air wreaks harm long before birth
In chunky black glasses and a patterned scarf, her dark hair pulled back, Beate Ritz still looks more the sophisticated European than the casual Californian, even after decades in America.
These 5 rules could be coming soon
From greenhouse gas emissions controls to offshore drilling, the Trump administration has yet to complete a number of high-profile regulatory changes the president has promised. Here are five that could be coming soon.
Biodegradable bags can hold a full load of shopping after 3 years in the environment
Researchers examined the degradation of five plastic bag materials widely available from high street retailers in the UK.
Inorganic perovskite absorbers for use in thin-film solar cells
A team has succeeded in producing inorganic perovskite thin films at moderate temperatures using co-evaporation – making post-tempering at high temperatures unnecessary. The process makes it much easier to produce thin-film solar cells from this material. In comparison to metal-organic hybrid perovskites, inorganic perovskites are more thermally stable.
April to be momentous in transition from coal to renewables in US
Dennis Wamsted
Signs of a tipping point in national power-generation mix, with renewables beating coal in April and likely May as well.
Nature Conservation
Greenpeace boards Arctic drilling rig
A drilling rig exploring for oil and gas in the Arctic has been boarded by Greenpeace activists.
The last chance for Madagascar’s biodiversity
The most important actions needed by Madagascar’s new government to prevent species and habitats being lost for ever
Responses to environmental tragedies often make matters worse, ethicists find
Without sound decision-making, responses to seeming environmental tragedies can often make matters worse, according to ethicists who analyzed a controversial goat removal program on an Australian island.
For certain invasive species, catching infestation early pays off
An international research team led by invasion ecologist Bethany Bradley at UMass Amherst has conducted the first global meta-analysis of the characteristics and size of invasive alien species’ impacts on native species as invaders become more abundant.
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