Post of the Day
Australia leads the G20 nations’ pack in aid for coal-fired power
Subsidies for coal-fired power production almost tripled in the three years to 2016-17 among G20 nations, with Australia providing among the largest support, an international study has found.
Today’s Celebration
Independence Day Madagascar
Independence Day North, ex-British Somaliland Somalia
National Flag Day Romania
Sunthorn Phu Day – Thailand
President’s Birthday – Iceland
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
International Day Against Drug Abuse & Trafficking
Climate Change
European heatwave could be the norm in a climate change affected world
Europe is in its early stage of summer but is in the middle of an intense heatwave and scientists say it’s a preview of what climate change has in store.
‘Climate apartheid’: UN expert says human rights may not survive
Right to life is likely to be undermined alongside the rule of law, special rapporteur says
Don Aitkin
Indeed, if we look at the best proxy for long-term climate-change – the Central England Temperature record – we see that the end of the 20th century is very far from unusual with several periods of similar scale change.
National
Australians choose emissions over prices
More Australians think reducing emissions is a greater priority than lowering household power bills, although there’s a split in opinions based on age.
‘For the sake of generations to come’: Faith leaders unite on climate change
More than 150 religious leaders have issued an open letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, urging him to show moral leadership on the issue of climate change.
Australians losing confidence in Xi and Trump, climate fears mount
Only narrow majority believe US can be trusted to act responsibly in the world
Australia leads the G20 nations’ pack in aid for coal-fired power
Subsidies for coal-fired power production almost tripled in the three years to 2016-17 among G20 nations, with Australia providing among the largest support, an international study has found.
Super industry gets behind nuclear power [$]
Australia’s union-backed superannuation industry has made the case for nuclear energy and demolished repeated claims wind and solar are the cheapest long-term option for reliable power.
Local leaders throwing down gauntlet on climate change [$]
David Ritter
If you want to survive an emergency the first thing to do is to recognise the truth of your situation. Once you’ve accepted the reality of what is happening you can then take action and initiate a rescue plan. You don’t survive a bushfire or a cyclone through business as usual.
Fukushima, the ‘nuclear renaissance’ and the Morrison Government
Helen Caldicott
Despite the death of the “nuclear renaissance” following Fukushima, the nuclear corporations and ill-informed Morrison Government will not accept defeat.
Hydrogen: Holy grail for 100% renewables – or hype?
Andrew Reddaway
For Australia, hydrogen holds great promise in the production of renewable, storable fuel. But this must be weighed carefully against any drawbacks – or better options.
Victoria
Yallourn coal-fired power plant due to shut down from 2029
Household electricity prices could soar to record highs if the shutdown of Victoria’s oldest coal-fired power plant is poorly planned, Energy Australia warns.
Bid for Yallourn to avoid closure chaos [$]
Owners of the coal-fired Yallourn generator must give five years’ notice if they plan to close the Latrobe Valley plant’s doors before 2032. It comes amid mounting speculation that the power station could shut early, leaving 500 workers unemployed.
New South Wales
Buy our water entitlements and we’ll stop growing cotton: farmers
A group of farmers in north-west New South Wales are offering to sell their water entitlements as an incentive to stop growing cotton.
Whale Census Day at NSW National Parks
Celebrate the start of the whale season by joining the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and ORRCA (Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia) on Sunday 30 June for the official whale census.
‘A fantastic milestone’ as first tram in 60 years rolls along George Street
A tram glided along Sydney’s George Street for the first time in more than 60 years on Tuesday night.
Genex goes into trading halt, ahead of fund-raising for Jemalong solar farm
Shares in power generation developer Genex were placed into a trading halt today as the company announced plans to undergo a $19.2 million capital raising to fund the development of Jemalong Solar Project near Forbes in NSW.
Nuclear a great opportunity missed [$]
Telegraph editorial
The shutdown of the nuclear medicine production facility at Lucas Heights is profoundly concerning on a number of levels. In certain applications, the radioisotope they were exposed to is extremely beneficial. But the tiny scale of Australia’s nuclear industry is a sad reminder of a great opportunity missed.
ACT
Canberrans welcome possible introduction of e-scooters on roads and footpaths [$]
Sales of e-scooters in the capital are increasing and allowing them on roads and footpaths would further boost their popularity, supporters expect.
Queensland
Another 250 e-scooters set for inner Brisbane as second operator approved
City-goers will see more electric scooters on the streets of Brisbane, including an advanced second-generation model that will stop working in illegal zones such as Queen Street Mall or parts of South Bank.
Top award for Logan River vision
Logan’s City Council’s vision for the Logan River has won a prestigious landscape architecture award.
Great Barrier Reef tourists are understanding climate threat, finds research
Research into the changing perceptions of tourists about the health of our Great Barrier Reef shows how the threat of climate change is becoming inescapable to visitors, says the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS).
Queensland government reveals ‘rail fail’ end date
Almost 1000 days since “rail fail” began and waves of cancellations struck, Brisbane commuters will finally have their full train timetable restored.
Greens gear up to snatch LNP wards in Brisbane City Council
Key Brisbane City Council wards are being eyed by the Greens, who are keen to unbalance the LNP’s seat of power in next year’s council election.
Ratepayers bear cost of waste levy [$]
As Queensland prepares for the introduction of a waste levy, a southeast Council has announced they will be slugging businesses more for their waste service to cover the cost.
Government’s solar farm safety laws still ‘invalid’
The Palaszczuk government has lost its appeal to have only licensed electricians install solar panels.
Green lawyers demand protection [$]
Business groups have questioned the $2.5m in funds received by Environmental Defenders Office branches.
Queensland pushes Galilee Basin-wide plan to protect endangered bird
The Queensland government is now preparing a Galilee Basin-wide management plan to protect the endangered black-throated finch.
Clermont Solar Farm connects to the grid in Queensland
The 89MW Clermont Solar Farm, north of Emerald in Queensland, has begun sending power to the grid – just as the state’s big solar industry gets some good news.
South Australia
Community divided over boat ban to protect whales [$]
The South Coast community is divided over a push to ban motorised boats from Encounter Bay, in a bid to protect endangered southern right whales.
Paper cuts: Saving Kangaroo Island from tiny steps towards destruction
Kathie Stove
Environmental groups on Kangaroo Island concerned about the incremental destruction of habitat are fighting a complex paper battle on multiple fronts. Kathie Stove explains what they are up against – and why they care.
Why the rubbish tax angst was avoidable [$]
Colin James
The council outrage over the sudden Solid Waste Levy hike could have been avoided and Colin James explains why.
Tasmania
Wind turbines killing endangered birds
BirdLife Tasmania says wind farms are killing endangered birds, including the Wedge-tailed Eagle, in the move towards renewable energy.
Gauge on Climate: UTAS Inveresk campus will be constructed from timber [$]
A ‘carbon sink’ will be created when the University of Tasmania constructs its new campus at Inveresk.
Anger over island wallaby cull [$]
A tourist island will close for a week while park rangers undertake controlled animal killings, a move that has animal activists outraged.
Male Tassie devils hit hardest by second type of transmissible cancer
Male Tasmanian devils are more commonly infected with devil facial tumour 2, which is putting even more pressure on the endangered species, a new study finds.
Northern Territory
Closure of Uluru climb a chance for culture to take focus, management says
Questions are being asked about what will be done to keep visitor numbers up once the option of ascending the ancient monolith is axed.
Western Australia
PFAS Ground Water Contamination in West Bullsbrook
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals that resist heat, oil, stains and water. They have been used in many household products in Australia and around the world. Before being phased out in 2004, PFAS was used in firefighting foams at Defence Bases including RAAF Pearce. This has led to the contamination of soil and water around the Base.
Sustainability
Despite pledges, G20 coal subsidies rise
The world’s leading economies have more than doubled subsidies to coal-fired power plants – often in other, poorer nations – over three years, researchers say.
Air pollution ‘may affect number of eggs ovaries can produce’
Results suggest environmental factors could play a role in female reproductive health
Russia: Environmentalist Faces Criminal Charges
Government Should Repeal Abusive ‘Foreign Agents’ Law
Lebanon: Beirut Landfill Near Capacity
Urgently Find Rights-Respecting Solution, Consult with Public
Nature Conservation
Five Eastern Black Rhinos fly from Europe to Rwanda
Today five Eastern Black Rhinos were reintroduced back into Rwanda after a successful conservation and breeding programme in zoos across Europe.
How Peru fell in love with a sea giant worth far more alive than dead
The giant manta ray is at risk in the Pacific ocean, but the rise of ecotourism is changing attitudes among local fishermen
Science community rallies support to save Madagascar’s natural riches
As Madagascar prepares to host a major conservation summit next month, the organizer has launched a petition to call attention to the threats faced by the island nation’s unique biodiversity and its people.
Logging road construction has surged in the Congo Basin since 2003
Road building is often followed by a pulse of settlement leading to deforestation, hunting and mining in forest ecosystems.
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