Post of the Day
Fossil fuels increasingly offer a poor return on energy investment
Researchers have calculated the EROI for fossil fuels over a 16 year period and found that at the finished fuel stage, the ratios are much closer to those of renewable energy sources — roughly 6:1, and potentially as low as 3:1 in the case of electricity.
Today’s Celebration
Bastille Day – France
Republic Day – Iraq
National Day of Commemoration – Ireland
Birthday of Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden
Father’s Day – Uruguay
National Nude Day – USA
Climate Change
Extinction Rebellion kick off weekend of protest with Dalston blockade
Other events included mass bike ride through A10, Olympic park traffic blocks as well as talks and panels in London Fields
National
Water supplies drying up as drought continues to ravage rural Australia
Across New South Wales and Queensland’s southern downs, country towns are approaching day zero, as water supplies dry up in the drought.
Victoria
Another toxic dump discovered in Melbourne
Another illegal toxic dump site has been discovered in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
One strong latte? That’ll cost five lemons, please
A Victorian cafe is capitalising on the vast network of backyard fruit and vegetable growers, allowing customers to bring in their excess produce and swap it for their morning coffee in a bid to reduce food waste.
Waste crisis as major Melbourne recycler on brink [$]
Thousands of tonnes of recycling from more than 30 councils would go to landfill if controversial industry giant SKM Recycling goes under. It comes after a disastrous period for the company, which included several fires at its Melbourne depots.
New South Wales
Open at last: First cars use WestConnex M4 East tunnels
Motorists started driving through the new M4 tunnels on Saturday morning, but the road will not face its first major test until Monday morning.
Sydney eyes off stormwater system in search for green space
A student project to create a “green way” between Trumper Park and Rushcutters Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs following a forgotten creek has attracted interest from state and local government.
Queensland
Can this ancient forest recover from the day ‘the world was up-ended’?
A remote Cape York community is in the fight of its life to save a unique rainforest that was devastated by a cyclone.
Koala protection strategy two months overdue
A new conservation strategy to protect Australia’s threatened koala is being hamstrung by State Government delays.
South Australia
Liberals shelve tram extensions until 2022 [$]
The SA Government has shelved promised plans for city loop and North Adelaide tram extensions for at least three years.
Tasmania
People power saves critical Tassie bushland [$]
Patrons of Dark Mofo along with a big fundraising campaign has led to the protection of Little Swanport Reserve on the state’s East Coast, which is a haven to species including the Tasmanian devil, Tasmanian bettong, eastern quoll, eastern barred bandicoot and the spotted quail thrush.
Western Australia
McGowan trumpets road build blitz but Roe 8 ghost still haunts
Premier Mark McGowan and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti have spent the day on a tour of seven major road project around Perth, claiming they would create 3200 new jobs.
Bayswater eyes radical renewable energy target
But the plan hasn’t been well received with shadow local government minister Bill Marmion saying councils should not get involved in climate change politics and instead focus on bin collections.
Sustainability
Putting pigs in the shade: the radical farming system banking on trees
A farm in Portugal is showing how the ancient art of silvopasture – combining livestock with productive trees – may offer some real answers to the climate crisis
Battle for clean air is sending our gardens to new heights
More living walls are being created in cities to tackle pollution, but keeping them alive can be a major challenge
How Germany closed its coal industry without sacking a single miner
After Coal: Can Australia learn from Germany’s efforts to end its coal era while protecting its workers and communities?
Chernobyl: Launceston man Doug Briton visited the radioactive area in 2015
While visiting Chernobyl, Launceston man Doug Briton convinced his tour guide and his driver to let him spend some time in the “red forest”, one of the most radioactive places in the area.
Shifts to renewable energy can drive up energy poverty, study finds
Efforts to shift away from fossil fuels and replace oil and coal with renewable energy sources can help reduce carbon emissions but do so at the expense of increased inequality, according to a new study.
Fossil fuels increasingly offer a poor return on energy investment
Researchers have calculated the EROI for fossil fuels over a 16 year period and found that at the finished fuel stage, the ratios are much closer to those of renewable energy sources — roughly 6:1, and potentially as low as 3:1 in the case of electricity.
Global farming trends threaten food security
Citrus fruits, coffee and avocados: the food on our tables has become more diverse in recent decades. However, global agriculture does not reflect this trend. Monocultures are increasing worldwide, taking up more land than ever. At the same time, many of the crops being grown rely on pollination by insects and other animals. This puts food security at increased risk.
Ammonia from agriculture influences cloud formation over Asia
The Asian tropopause aerosol layer (ATAL) is located at twelve to 18 kilometers height above the Middle East and Asia. This accumulation of aerosols in the Asian monsoon was discovered first in 2011. Its composition and effect, however, have been unknown so far. Scientists have now found crystalline ammonium nitrate in this layer. In the AIDA cloud chamber, climate researchers have demonstrated how this substance is formed in the upper troposphere.
Genetic breakthrough in cereal crops could help improve yields worldwide
A team of scientists has achieved a breakthrough in the genetics of senescence in cereal crops with the potential to dramatically impact the future of food security in the era of climate change.
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