https://www.sbs.com.au/news/un-chief-urges-action-to-avert-climate-change-catastrophe
Post of the Day
Two-degree climate goal attainable without early infrastructure retirement
But achieving 1.5-degree climate-stabilizing goal requires power plants and other energy infrastructure to be retired early
Today’s Celebration
Flag Day – Curacao
Unity Day – Zambia
Salvation Army Founders Day – United States of America
Climate Change
UN chief urges action to avert climate change ‘catastrophe’
Climate-related devastation is striking the planet on a weekly basis and must be stopped, according to UN chief Antonio Guterres.
Two-degree climate goal attainable without early infrastructure retirement
But achieving 1.5-degree climate-stabilizing goal requires power plants and other energy infrastructure to be retired early
Well-meaning climate measures can make matters worse
Lifestyle changes can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and help protect nature. While some actions offer great potential, some aren’t as effective as we think and may even require more land and water, such as shifting to renewable energy.
Current pledges to phase out coal power are critically insufficient to slow climate change
The Powering Past Coal Alliance, or PPCA, is a coalition of 30 countries and 22 cities and states, that aims to phase out unabated coal power. But analysis shows that members mainly pledge to close older plants near the end of their lifetimes, resulting in limited emissions reductions.
Time to stop ignoring the climate threat to world heritage
Adam Markhm
The World Heritage list comprises more than 1,000 of our planet’s most important natural and cultural heritage sites – and they are increasingly vulnerable to climate change.
National
Renewable energy is growing, but NSW and Queensland are still undershooting their targets
There is a patchwork of renewable energy targets across the National Electricity Market, and while some states are well on the way to meeting their commitments, others are struggling.
Gold ‘to overtake coal’ as Aussie earner
The Australian government expects gold exports to climb 12 per cent in the 2019/20 financial year while prices of the metal rise.
Australia won’t reach Paris target without action on transport, LNG and coal, expert says
Morrison government urged to address where greenhouse gas emissions are rising substantially
More than a dozen seabird species in decline off south-east Australia, study finds
The findings are ‘worrying’, researchers say, and are likely to be partly because of warming ocean temperatures
‘Action now’: the farmers standing up against ‘wilful ignorance’ on climate
The challenge for farmers is how to discuss global warming without scaring people out of food production
NSW set to fall short of climate targets but Victoria on track
NSW and Queensland appear set to fall short of their self-imposed targets for cutting greenhouse gas pollution and phasing out fossil fuels, as responsibility for climate action in the electricity sector increasingly falls to the states.
Reliability obligation comes into play – but is this half a NEG really needed?
Michael Mazengarb
The start of the new financial year marks the commencement of the Coalition government’s single successful attempt at addressing the reliability of electricity supply in Australia. But what does the Retailer Reliability Obligation (RRO) actually do, other than serving as a reminder of the government’s failure to act on climate change?
Victoria
Victoria’s e-waste ban has arrived. Here’s what you need to know
Do you have a collection of old electronics growing dust in the back of the shed or bottom drawer? Maybe an old mobile phone with a cracked screen or a laptop that refuses to turn on?
Essendon Airport plans to narrow runways with stroke of a pen
Essendon Airport’s owners want to narrow its runways by repainting them in order to put new commercial buildings around the airfield, a plan which a peak pilots’ body has warned would compromise safety.
Phase-out of gas heaters needs careful consideration
The deaths of the Robinson boys, Chase and Tyler, poisoned by a gas heater in 2010 was a horrible tragedy. Victorians were rightly shocked that this sort of incident could happen.
Rooftop solar rebate reopens to “pent-up” demand in Victoria
More than 1000 applications flood in as Victoria’s $1.3bn Solar Homes rebate kicks off in earnest. Batteries are on offer too – but just 200 from now to November.
Lal Lal wind farm’s Yendon section now connected to Victoria grid
Part of the massive Victorian wind farm that will help supply Australian packaging giant Orora with 80% renewables is now sending power to the grid.
New South Wales
Water authorities release less water in western NSW for 2019-2020
Water allocations for farmers and communities in western NSW are reduced in new plans released today.
Sydneysiders set to save on water bills as Sydney Water unveils new plans
Sydneysiders will pay about $45 less on their water bills over the next four years under a proposal by Sydney Water submitted to the independent pricing authority.
‘So much that will be lost’: concerns grow over plan to raise Warragamba dam wall
Traditional custodians, the Blue Mountains mayor and even the UN are concerned about the impacts of the NSW government move
Central Coast coal ash dumps a ‘ticking time bomb’, report finds
The dumps near Vales Point and Eraring power stations have contaminated groundwater, rivers, lakes and aquatic ecosystems, the Environmental Justice Australia report says.
NSW government to tackle plastics waste ‘head-on’ after policy switch
NSW is planning a “comprehensive” package to deal with plastic waste, potentially exceeding curbs introduced in other states.
‘Game-changer’: NSW scheme collects 2 billion containers in 19 months
NSW’s recycling industry is hailing the success of the Berejiklian government’s container deposit scheme, with two billion bottles and cans collected in the first 19 months, easily beating expectations.
NSW must press ahead in fight on plastic waste
SMH editorial
The case for reducing the amount of plastic we throw away is overwhelming.
Queensland
900m plastic bags saved in Qld during first year of ban
Environment Minister said there had also been at least a 70% drop in litter.
Frydenberg gives Cubbie Station’s Chinese owners more time to wrap up sale
It has been four years since the company was first required to reduce its stake in the sprawling Queensland property.
‘Completely unexpected’ findings hold new hope for the recovery of coral on the Great Barrier Reef
At a time when portions of the Great Barrier Reef are devastated by coral decline, one island is showing remarkable coral growth.
New Queensland developments offer unparalleled access to nature
Whether beachside, forest-filled or waterfront, Queensland’s newest developments have a heavy focus on integrating lifestyle and nature.
South Australia
No guarantee drivers will keep jobs under plan to privatise Adelaide’s train and tram services
The South Australian Government reveals plans to privatise the operation of Adelaide’s train and tram services, but says it will continue to set fares.
Farmers unite against Mining Bill as SA parliament prepares to debate it this week
Farmers from across the state are expected to converge at Parliament House this week, in protest of the Government’s contentious Mining Bill.
Tasmania
Evolution in plan to fight domestic violence [$]
Much more needs to be done to tackle the scourge of domestic violence in Tasmania, the Premier says as the Government launches its latest family violence strategy.
Northern Territory
Top End mangroves could ‘drown’ due to rising seas
Mangroves store much more carbon than similarly sized rainforest but they could be wiped out by the end of the century due to rising sea levels, researchers warn.
Sustainability
David Attenborough thanks Glastonbury for plastic ban
David Attenborough has taken to the stage at Glastonbury to thank people for banning plastic at the event.
Secrets from Chernobyl that may never be told
Hannah Betts talks to the historian who helped reignite interest in the Cold War catastrophe.
London Climate Action Week: big business aims for 100% renewable power
Five leading companies accelerating a clean economy in London and beyond through international non-profit, The Climate Group’s global initiatives on renewables (RE100) and electric transport (EV100)
Cleaning up China’s waterways proves liquid gold for Australian firm
Investors in the ASX-listed environmental business Phoslock are riding a surging wave after the company said a new China approval for a product to treat waterways would generate demand for years to come.
Barbecues create almost as much air pollution as 100-mile car trips, scientists claim
Experts say a single meal of two cheeseburgers, followed by strawberries and cream would create CO2 equivalent to a 23-mile drive.
Tribunal Stops Kenya’s Coal Plant Plans
Activists Opposing these Plans have Faced Threats and Harassment
Iran breaches uranium limit as US promises ‘maximum pressure’
The United Nations nuclear watchdog confirms Tehran has amassed more low-enriched uranium than allowed in its deal with major world powers.
WHO official: Where is outrage over seven million air pollution-related deaths?
Maria Neira calls for urgent action on the second day of the Abu Dhabi Climate Meeting.
Danish researchers create worldwide solar energy model
For any future sustainable energy system, it is crucial to know the performance of photovoltaic (solar cell) systems at local, regional and global levels. Danish researchers have investigated and mapped the capacities of photovoltaic generation in the European countries in four different configurations: Rooftop, optimum tilt, tracking and delta configuration, and made the data openly available. The different configurations have a strong influence on the hourly difference between electricity demand and PV generation.
Marvellous plastic: Why demonise a great invention which has benefited us so much?
Steve Evans
It is the beginning of Plastic Free July. No doubt, all well meaning citizens, keen to be “part of the solution” as the promo material puts it, are not buying plastic bottles of water. They are looking askance at anyone who even dreams of a plastic straw. They will be buying veggies without plastic wrapping at the supermarket and carrying them home in a nice re-usable hessian bag.
Fatbergs are a thing because people are ignoring the ‘3 Ps’
Ian Wright
A case in the Federal Court has sparked debate about what we should flush down the toilet and it definitely should not be a flushable wipe
Coal price forecasts: Why we wouldn’t be building a coal power plant anywhere
David Leitch
While thermal coal prices continue to be driven by Asian power demand, any investment would be a real grudge investment – as the economics won’t be good.
Nature Conservation
Japan scrubs ‘research’ label from whaling ship as it returns to for-profit hunting
Japanese ships have set sail for their first commercial whale hunt in 30 years. The problem? Japan’s diners have lost their taste for whale meat. So why does the country insist on killing whales?
Game of Thrones inspires bee’s scientific name as hundreds of new species listed
More than 200 new species of plants and animals have been given scientific names over the past year, according to the CSIRO, including a bee fly named after a Game of Thrones character.
How to protect corals facing climate change
The best way to protect corals threatened by climate change is to conserve a wide range of their habitats, according to a new study. The finding likely applies to conservation efforts for many other species in the ocean and on land, including trees and birds.
Analysis finds US ecosystems shifting hundreds of miles north
Researchers used 50 years of data on bird distributions and concluded that ecosystems have shifted northward by hundreds of miles. The data suggests that climate change and other phenomena are at play.
Environmentalists removed more than 40 tons of trash from the Pacific — and it barely made a dent
Ocean Voyages Institute cleaned up the floating debris from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, but it probably barely made a dent. It’s estimated that 1.15 to 2.41 million tons of plastic enter the ocean each year.
Japan resumes commercial whaling – researchers on how the world should respond
Sui Phang and Peter Bridgewater
Japan recently left the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and has now caught the first whale in its waters since resuming commercial whaling, 33 years after a global ban came into effect. As a non-member, Japan is no longer bound by the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) – the rules that the IWC has used to manage whaling since 1946.
Now for something completely different …
Why charities should aim to make themselves redundant
Social enterprise founder and TEDx speaker Weh Yeoh makes the case for charities having defined end points as opposed to continually perpetuating themselves and addressing symptoms.
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