Post of the Day
Biochar may boost carbon storage, but benefits to germination and growth appear scant
Biochar may not be the miracle soil additive that many farmers and researchers hoped it to be, according to a new University of Illinois study. Biochar may boost the agricultural yield of some soils — especially poor quality ones — but there is no consensus on its effectiveness. Researchers tested different soils’ responses to multiple biochar types and were unable to verify their ability to increase plant growth. However, the study did show biochar’s ability to affect soil greenhouse gas emissions.
Today’s Celebration
Day of Election of First President – Turkmenistan
National Day – Greenland
Organic Act Day – US Virgin Islands
Martyrs Day – Togo
National Aboriginal Day – Canada
Andean-Amazonic New Year – Bolivia
Day of Reflection – UK, Ireland
Arbor Day – Cuba
Alban Arthuan (Solstice) (Southern Hemisphere) – Celticism
Alban Heruin (Solstice) (Northern Hemisphere) – Celticism
Litha – Summer Solstice (Northern Hemisphere) – Paganism
Yule – Winter Solstice (Southern Hemisphere) – Paganism
Climate Change
Is glue the answer to climate change?
A small amount of cheap epoxy resin replaces bulky support materials in making effective carbon capture solid sorbents, developed by scientists.
Unexpected culprit: Wetlands as source of methane
Wetlands are an important part of the Earth’s natural water management system. The complex system of plants, soil, and aquatic life serves as a reservoir that captures and cleans water. However, as cities have expanded, many wetlands were drained for construction. In addition, many areas of land in the Midwest were drained to increase uses for agriculture to feed a growing world.
Central European countries block EU moves towards 2050 zero carbon goal
Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic refuse to sign up to text that activists already viewed as too vague
Greenpeace activists target chancellor’s speech in climate protest
Protesters wearing sashes reading ‘climate emergency’ disrupt Philip Hammond’s Mansion House speech
US military consumes more hydrocarbons than most countries — massive hidden impact on climate
Research by social scientists from Durham University and Lancaster University shows the US military is one of the largest climate polluters in history, consuming more liquid fuels and emitting more CO2e (carbon-dioxide equivalent) than most countries.
Biochar may boost carbon storage, but benefits to germination and growth appear scant
Biochar may not be the miracle soil additive that many farmers and researchers hoped it to be, according to a new University of Illinois study. Biochar may boost the agricultural yield of some soils — especially poor quality ones — but there is no consensus on its effectiveness. Researchers tested different soils’ responses to multiple biochar types and were unable to verify their ability to increase plant growth. However, the study did show biochar’s ability to affect soil greenhouse gas emissions.
National
Australia’s population grows by 1.6 per cent
Australia’s population grew by 1.6 per cent during 2018, according to the latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Coffee capsules recycling tops 1.5 million in Australia
TerraCycle’s coffee capsules recycling scheme continues to succeed across Australia, with figures showing more than 1.5 million capsules have now been diverted from landfill since the program started. That’s roughly the equivalent weight of one and a half African Elephants!
How climate anxiety is changing the face of Australian fiction
When Jennifer Mills began writing her Miles Franklin longlisted book Dyschronia in 2011, there weren’t a great deal of Australian novels grappling with a post climate change world.
Angus Taylor’s sister-in-law asked if she tried to influence endangered species listing
NSW Nationals MP Bronwyn Taylor asked in parliament about federal department meeting with NSW Local Land Services
Energy producers lash gas reservation plan [$]
Australian energy producers have slammed a move by the Coalition to consider domestic gas reservation.
One thing stopping us from going nuclear [$]
Queensland Liberal National MPs have begun a campaign to investigate nuclear power in Australia. But one of their own has pointed out a major hurdle they will need to overcome first.
Memo to the environment minister: a river does need all its water
Paul Humphries and R. Keller Kopf
Given her new role as federal environment minister, one of Sussan Ley’s comments in an interview with Nine Newspapers was eyebrow-raising, to put it mildly.
Good policy must not be made hostage to bad [$]
AFR View
The key to cheaper energy is encouraging investment, not swapping tax reform for bad energy policy
Victoria
Helping residents have their say on minerals development
Later this year the Glenaladale community will be asked to contribute to the environmental assessment of the proposed Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project. Community Advisor Grants will enable locals to access expertise to understand and contribute to the Environment Effects Statement (ESS) process.
Brimbank urges national action on climate change
Three motions tabled by Brimbank City Council at the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) 2019 National General Assembly in Canberra this week, have been approved.
Fact Check: Is Victoria spending more on infrastructure than the entire Commonwealth?
Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas claims that the State Government is spending more on infrastructure in the state than the Federal Government plans to spend across Australia over the next decade. Is he correct?
Victoria considers freight rail network sell-off [$]
The state’s regional freight rail network could be sold off to a federal agency, with initial work undertaken to determine its value and condition — these are the Victorian rail lines under consideration.
New South Wales
Tripling of poor air quality days in NSW blamed on dust and bushfires
NSW recorded almost triple the number of days with poor air quality resulting from “exceptional events” last year compared with 2017, with authorities blaming dust storms and bushfires.
‘Significant’ coal issues hit power plant, forcing miner to truck fuel
NSW’s newest coal-fired power station has endured “significant disruptions” to its fuel supplies from a nearby mine.
Controversial CSG project set to get green light [$]
An imminent approval of the Narrabri gas project will help ease the passage of the tax cuts.
‘Master’ for state’s ambitions [$]
Ports in NSW outside of Sydney will play an increasingly important role in trade as an increase in population puts pressure on the city’s transport systems.
Bitter energy fight has lost sight of what really matters [$]
Anna Caldwell
There’s no doubt about it: NSW is running out of electricity, and the lights will start to go out if nothing is done by 2022. The government has a plan, but will it be enough.
ACT
Canberra GPs sign up for abortion drug training ahead of new laws
Thirty Canberra general practitioners have signed up for training to prescribe abortion pills, with the practice to become legal from July 1.
‘Held to ransom’: Barr frustrated at West Basin land deal delay
The ACT government is being “held to ransom” by the Commonwealth as it seeks to negotiate the land swap that would pave the way for a redevelopment of West Basin, Chief Minister Andrew Barr says.
Deep dive into the ACT’s 100% renewable energy target
Contracted wind and solar generated 98% of ACT’s net demand over past year, and 78% of ACT’s electricity could theoretically have been supplied directly from wind and solar without…
Queensland
Meet the ‘pirates’ plundering Queensland’s waterways for rubbish
They might look like a bunch of buccaneers with their skull and crossbones flag, but they’re only marauding the rivers for one thing — gyarr-bage.
South Australia
Marshall Govt derails Port Dock railway line
Plans to rebuild the Port Dock railway line and station to service a revitalised Port Adelaide waterfront have been put on ice by the State Government.
Lucas’s bin tax will hit housing industry, builders warn
The state’s building industry has warned the Marshall Government’s contentious new ‘bin tax’ could have a flow-on effect that would “drive up the cost of construction” – at a time the sector is under siege amid a housing downturn.
The tiny obstacle perched between us and our electricity [$]
A vital power interconnector with NSW that will help shore up SA’s electricity supply is close to approval, but an unlikely hurdle to it being built has emerged.
Why more of us are using public transport [$]
State Budget documents have helped the Government to declare that its public transport reform program is on track to take make more South Australians use it to travel further.
Tasmania
New $20 million Launceston Skyway to improve visitor experience at Cataract Gorge
A proposed new multi-million dollar tourism attraction will mean more visitors than ever can experience the natural beauty of the Cataract Gorge, the project’s proponents say.
Protest against mega power line [$]
Anger is growing over plans to build a 170km-long transmission line to feed power from a new wind farm into the state’s electricity grid.
Beachside haven flush with sewage capacity [$]
A new $50 million TasWater plant servicing one of Hobart’s most popular beachside suburbs can treat sewage from up to 40,000 households — nearly double the old plant’s capacity.
Northern Territory
Clean energy tipped for far north
Greater renewable energy generation in northern Australia could underpin the development of new industries and boost exports.
The 10GW solar vision that could turn Northern Territory into economic powerhouse
The Northern Territory has a multi-billion dollar opportunity to invest massively in renewables, create a new hydrogen export industry, and create thousands of jobs, rather than following the controversial path of fracking vast reserves of gas.
Why the NT should choose 100% renewables, instead of fracked gas
Eytan Lenko
The Northern Territory is at a crossroads. It can go down the dead-end street of gas fracking, or become Australia’s first renewable-driven economy.
Western Australia
Water, water everywhere, but growers left frustrated by red tape
Farmers who rely on the Ord River say big-city bureaucrats are getting in the way of progress in the WA region’s landmark irrigation scheme.
Drastic plan proposed to stop Fremantle beach buildings crumbling into the ocean
Buildings on North Fremantle’s battered Port Beach may have to be moved significantly inland in coming years in order to save larges stretches of the coastline from the advancing ocean.
Yes, whip sprickets: Scores of new arachnid species discovered in Pilbara
UWA researchers have discovered dozens of new species of arachnids living underground in the country’s north.
Sustainability
Expanding the temperature range of lithium-ion batteries
Electric cars struggle with extreme temperatures, mainly because of impacts on the electrolyte solutions in their lithium-ion batteries. Now, researchers have developed new electrolytes containing multiple additives that work better over a wide temperature range.
New international initiative stresses need for global action on air pollution
The National Academies of Sciences and Medicine from South Africa, Brazil, Germany, and the United States of America have joined forces to issue an urgent call to action on harmful air pollution. They are calling for a new global compact to improve collaboration on the growing problem, and for governments, businesses and citizens to reduce air pollution in all countries. The academies launched their call with the publication of a science-policy statement, which was handed over today at the UN headquarters.
US EPA gives coal industry a reprieve
The Trump administration has reversed an important Obama-era strategy to fight climate change with the EPA easing restrictions on coal-fired power plants
Carmageddon – it’s killing urban life.
George Monbiot
Land Rover’s latest ads tell us that gas guzzlers contribute to urban culture. They do the opposite.
Nature Conservation
Climate change could affect symbiotic relationships between microorganisms and trees
An international research consortium mapped the global distribution of tree-root symbioses with fungi and bacteria that are vital to forest ecosystems. The study was featured on the cover of Nature.
Researchers lay out plan for managing rivers for climate change
New strategies for river management are needed to maintain water supplies and avoid big crashes in populations of aquatic life, researchers argue.
Aggressive, non-native wetland plants squelch species richness more than dominant natives do
Dominant, non-native plants reduce wetland biodiversity and abundance more than native plants do, researchers report. Even native plants that dominate wetland landscapes play better with others, the team found.
Sea’s bio-soup studied for clues [$]
An innovative biosecurity warning system based on DNA “soup” has piqued the interest of ports. The system looks for DNA telltale markers that would signal the appearance of invasive species.
Now for something completely different …
How information is like snacks, money, and drugs — to your brain
A new study by researchers at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business has found that information acts on the brain’s dopamine-producing reward system in the same way as money or food. The study is the first to demonstrate a common neural code for information and money.
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