Post of the Day
Climate change may change the way ocean waves impact 50% of the world’s coastlines
Mark Hemer et al
A warming climate will affect the way waves hit over 50% of the world’s coastlines, increasing erosion and the risk of flooding.
Today’s Celebration
Saint Stephen’s Day – Hungary
Independence Restoration Day – Estonia
King and People’s Revolution Day – Morocco
Formation Anniversary of FALINTIL – East Timor
Renewable Energy Day (Akshay Urja Diwas) – India
Eid al-Ghadeer – Islam
Climate Change
China ‘may be seen as lesser evil in Pacific after Australian inaction on climate change’
The former president of one of the Pacific’s smallest nations warns Australia is “doing everything that would damage our future” after undermining a regional deal on climate change.
Uncertainty in emissions estimates in the spotlight
National or other emissions inventories of greenhouse gases that are used to develop strategies and track progress in terms of emissions reductions for climate mitigation contain a certain amount of uncertainty, which inevitably has an impact on the decisions they inform. IIASA researchers contributed to several studies in a recently published volume that aims to enhance understanding of uncertainty in emissions inventories.
India will lose 10% of its economy if climate change is not addressed by 2100: Study
A new study makes a projection for the business as usual scenario and a scenario where the countries have come together to implement the Paris Agreement and suggests that all countries – the rich, the poor, the hot, and the cold ones – will suffer economically by 2100 if nothing is done.
Majority of Canadians believe in climate change – here’s why some still don’t
Experiencing the effects of climate change can affect how seriously you it, a climate change expert said.
The 6 things you most need to know about Trump’s new climate plan
It could actually increase air pollution, and it’s a pretty bad deal.
Global warming is already here. Denying it is unforgivable.
A Post investigation shows how climate change is affecting the United States.
Ken Calvert
In the past it’s been the global Green movement that has been declaring that clean green invisible carbon dioxide, the life food of all the plants on the planet, is ‘dirty carbon’.
Australia’s economic bullying still soars above rising Pacific sea levels
Bernard Keane
Australia’s history in the Pacific is about imperialist exploitation. Now the government has baldly stated that our economic interests come ahead even of the existence of Pacific island states.
Ben Eltham
Scott Morrison’s ‘Pacific step up’ has imploded.
A diplomatic shipwreck in the Pacific
Peter Boyer
Scott Morrison has left Pacific leaders seething over his government’s climate policy failings.
Climate change will boost refugee migration, political crisis
Karin Klein
As climate change intensifies and catastrophe becomes normal, the upheaval will create mass migrations of refugees. What will America’s role be in welcoming them and helping protect them from harm?
Climate change may change the way ocean waves impact 50% of the world’s coastlines
Mark Hemer et al
A warming climate will affect the way waves hit over 50% of the world’s coastlines, increasing erosion and the risk of flooding.
National
Ageing coal plants put Australia on map of global air pollution hotspots
NASA data reveals global toxic air pollution hotspots over Victoria’s Latrobe Valley and Lake Macquarie and the Hunter Valley in NSW – homes to Australia’s old coal plants.
The other road toll we can no longer ignore
Australian governments can no longer ignore the health threats from diesel and petrol vehicles.
Australian power stations among world’s worst for toxic air pollution
Coal-fired stations in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley and NSW’s Lake Macquarie region among biggest hotspots for deadly sulphur dioxide, report finds
UK privately appeals to senior Australian ministers for climate action
Exclusive: British high commissioner Vicki Treadell has met with Angus Taylor and Marise Payne
Warming climate to stir up more damaging waves as ‘rare event’ nears: research
Waves will become larger, more powerful and shift their direction if the climate warms at its current rate, with southern Australia among the regions to be hardest hit.
Defence wants to roll out military tech in Antarctica despite Treaty ban
The Antarctic Treaty bans military activity but the Defence Department is looking at implementing technology with both civil and military uses.
High carbon from a land down under
Australia Institute
The climate impact of Australia’s fossil fuel exports ranks behind only Russia and Saudi Arabia, in terms of global emissions, according to this report. Australian governments actively promote even greater coal and gas exports and our politicians work hard to avoid confronting the climate impacts of our behavoiur. In reality, those impacts are enormous.
Finally, Australia is about to have a plan to de-carbonise the grid [$]
Giles Parkinson
It was an odd thing for the two national newspapers to focus on. Both The Australian and The Australian Financial Review decided that the most important thing to come out of the Australian Energy Market Operator’s scenario planning for the future grid released on Friday was the assumed absence of a carbon price.
The climate emergency and post-election trauma
Lyn Bender
Psychologist Lyn Bender offers tips on dealing with post-election trauma and continuing the fight in the wake of the climate emergency.
When the weather means more than record temperatures and sunscreen
Esther Abram
We need to start talking about climate change in all aspects of our lives
Faunal extinction is a huge part of the climate emergency
David Shearman
A normal week, another loss of koala habitat for new housing estates, of forest to provide jobs in the logging industry, of land clearance for gas development and agriculture. The litany of destruction is relentless. Australian governments march on with progress with billions of dollars for infrastructure to make the growing population more mobile, urban expansion. But there are much greater financial priorities.
Early bushfire season now the new normal
Greg Mullins
Back in the early 1960s I often watched my father, a volunteer firefighter for more than 60 years, head off to fires in surrounding bushland.
Voice of Real Australia: Not all local councils are ready to declare a climate emergency
James Joyce
When is a “climate emergency” declared by a local council not quite a climate emergency?
Regulators factor in climate risks [$]
Richard Gluyas
The nation’s top financial regulators are now in lock-step on climate change.
Climate’s canary: insurance [$]
Alan Kohler
At some point soon, insurance will become expensive and hard to buy.
Victoria
Back to drawing board for 200MW Victoria solar farm, as VCAT dismisses appeal
VCAT upholds local council decision that 200MW Bookaar Solar farm should not go ahead in south-west Victoria, due to “deficiencies” of planning application.
Victoria solar “mess” continues, as Coalition push for inquiry falls flat
Pressure builds on Victorian government to amend “botched” rooftop solar rebate, as opposition push for parliamentary inquiry fails to muster enough votes.
Greens’ plan for $100m ‘carpark tax’ [$]
A massive investment in bike lanes, footpaths and super-sized tram stops would be a better use of congestion levy funds, the Greens say, calling out Labor for their “car fetish” and “revenue raising”.
Fight over wind turbines as tall as Rialto [$]
Rural communities in Gippsland argue a proposed wind farm — featuring turbines as tall as the Rialto Tower — is too close to populated areas, but there is another reason they’re opposed to the plan.
Seven ways to supercharge community action on climate
Leigh Ewbank
Here are seven ways the Victorian government (and opposition) can supercharge the community response.
New South Wales
‘Quite rare’: Potentially damaging surf to pummel NSW coast this week
Coastal NSW can expect powerful swells later this week, with hazardous waves generated by a deep low in Tasman Sea.
Federal government needs to stop the magical gas merry go round
Bruce Robertson
Hearing the New South Wales government rush through two import gas terminals approvals is like revisiting the fantasy world of Mary Poppins.
ACT
Opposition moves to censure ACT Transport Minister Chris Steel
The opposition will move to censure Transport Minister Chris Steel for his “failures” to address bus driver shortages and deliver the weekend bus networked as promised.
Queensland
Going nowhere: Congestion crisis on Queensland roads drives commuters to despair
As the congestion issue in South East Queensland brings traffic to a grinding halt on major roadways and a heightened scrutiny of the public transport system, the ABC takes a look at how commuters are being impacted across the region.
Extinction Rebellion protester suspended from rope blocks traffic
An Extinction Rebellion protester who was suspended from a rope and hanging off the William Jolly Bridge has been charged after blocking Brisbane’s morning peak hour traffic as fog eased in the city.
Queensland Resources Council warns activists they face death
The Queensland Resources Council boss says protesters have incorrectly reported the location of ‘reckless’ stunts on railway lines twice, putting lives in danger.
How ‘hot’ is this radioactive tourist hotspot?
Mary Kathleen’s shuttered uranium mine is bright blue, incredibly Instagram-worthy, radioactive — and Queensland’s latest hotspot.
South Australia
South Australia seeks to lift ban on mainland GM crops, Kangaroo Island to remain GM-free
South Australia plans to lift a 16-year ban on genetically-modified crops in time for the next season.
Come in spinner, renewable energy’s $166m stabiliser [$]
Renewable energy’s variability needs managing to ensure the grid is stable. A $166m investment aims to do exactly that and shave a few dollars off
Rush to block Woodside gold mine [$]
Hundreds have packed into an Adelaide Hills meeting to discuss the potential effects if a mine is reopened right next to Bird in Hand winery.
Tasmania
First foundations laid at Tasmania’s Granville Harbour wind farm
Another milestone for Palisade Investment Partners’ 112MW Granville Harbour wind farm, which promises to deliver a one-third increase to the state’s wind power capacity.
Council fighting to keep recycling plant open
The Hobart Lord Mayor has given an update on the future of the region’s embattled SKM recycling plant amid concerns rubbish is piling up.
Western Australia
Gina Rinehart and the not very good adventures of the dead sawfish
First Dog on the Moon
It is unlikely there will be an investigation or if there is it will be inconclusive. And nobody will be surprised
Sustainability
Red meat could be next in line for a sin tax after sugar, Fitch says
Meat could be a target for higher taxes given criticism of the industry’s role in climate change, deforestation and animal cruelty, according to a report by Fitch Solutions Macro Research.
Elton John defends Prince Harry and Meghan Markle over climate ‘hypocrisy’
The singer lashes out at “malicious” reporting of the couple’s decision to fly to France on a private jet, saying he paid for their flights and feels an obligation to protect them from the press intrusion “that contributed to Diana’s untimely death”.
Microorganisms build the best fuel efficient hydrogen cells
With billions of years of practice, nature has created the most energy efficient machines. One, [Ne-Fi] hydrogenase, is the oldest in microorganisms and is used for hydrogen metabolism. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) reveal the proton transfer pathway of this enzyme, a discovery expected to contribute to new biofuel cells.
Scientists extract H2 gas from oil and bitumen, giving potential pollution-free energy
Scientists have developed a large-scale economical method to extract hydrogen (H2) from oil sands (natural bitumen) and oil fields. This can be used to power hydrogen-powered vehicles, as well as to generate electricity; hydrogen is regarded as an efficient transport fuel, similar to petrol and diesel, but with no pollution problems. The process can extract hydrogen from existing oil sands reservoirs. Interestingly, this process can be applied to mainstream oil fields, causing them to produce hydrogen instead of oil.
Five ways UK farmers are tackling climate change
Farms are on the front line of climate change – vulnerable to extreme weather events – so farmers are coming up with new and surprising ways of tackling the problem.
Detrimental economic effects of global warming are likely to go beyond those being discussed in policy circles — particularly for wealthier nations, say researchers. Study suggests that 7% of global GDP will disappear by 2100 as a result of business-as-usual carbon emissions — including over 10% of incomes in both Canada and the United States.
How coastal mud holds the key to climate cooling gas
Bacteria found in muddy marshes, estuaries and coastal sediment synthesise one of the Earth’s most abundant climate cooling gases — according to new research from the University of East Anglia (UEA). Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is an important nutrient in marine environments with billions of tonnes produced annually by marine phytoplankton (microscopic plant-like cells), seaweed, corals and bacteria.
Materials that can revolutionize how light is harnessed for solar energy
Researchers develop new design rule for generating excitons will help advance next-generation devices
How smart devices can help solve the challenge of climate change
Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the need to make sustainable lifestyle choices in the face of the climate crisis. At the same time, companies and decision-makers with larger economic footprints and purchasing power are responding to this consumer demand while recognizing the business case for decarbonization.
How to avoid vehicle pollution when you’re stuck in traffic
It isn’t as simple as just rolling up your window.
Scientists find first evidence of high altitude pollution
Scientists have found the first observational evidence of pollution in a layer of atmosphere where it has never been seen before. This may have an impact on global and regional weather systems and climate, the scientists said.
America’s mega-emitters are starting to close
When the Navajo Generating Station in Arizona shuts down later this year, it will be one of the largest carbon emitters to ever close in American history. Other massive coal plants are also being retired.
Paper filter from local algae could save millions of lives in Bangladesh
The problem of access to safe drinking water in most parts of Bangladesh is a persistent challenge. Now, a team of scientists from Uppsala University, Sweden, and Dhaka University, Bangladesh, shows that a locally growing and previously unexploited green macroalgae species could be used to extract cellulose nanofibers, which can then be formed into paper sheets with tailored pore size that are utilized for point-of-use water treatment.
Nature Conservation
South Africa gets go-ahead to increase black rhino trophy hunting
Conservation groups split on impact of move agreed at international wildlife summit
Revenge of the clothes moths: as numbers boom, can they be stopped?
They destroy sweaters, carpets and even wall insulation – and their population has tripled in five years. But there are ways to quell these insatiable insects
Campaigners demand end to fish tethering ‘torture’ in Taiwan
Animal welfare groups highlight practice that forces a fish’s gills open and prolongs its suffocation to keep it fresh for longer
G7 must ban detergents that cause sea pollution, say French campaigners
Campaigners are lobbying G7 leaders who are to attend a summit in the French seaside resort of Biarritz this week to ban detergents that cause marine pollution.
Global change is triggering an identity switch in grasslands
Since the first Homo sapiens emerged in Africa roughly 300,000 years ago, grasslands have sustained humanity and thousands of other species. But today, those grasslands are shifting beneath our feet. Global change — which includes climate change, pollution and other widespread environmental alterations — is transforming the plant species growing in them, and not always in the ways scientists expected, a new study published Monday revealed.
Nepal protesters urge end to plan to chop trees for airport
Around 100 people have protested in Nepal’s capital to voice their opposition to plans to cut down millions of trees to build an international airport in the southern part of the country.
Trump to Earth’s wild creatures — Go extinct
Joel Connelly
The Trump Administration is hell-bent on taking habitat away from threatened and endangered species: It is green lighting giant mines, opening public lands to oil drilling, and gutting the federal law that offered protection.
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