Post of the Day
The front line of environmental violence
Environmental defenders on the front line of natural resource conflict are being killed at an alarming rate, according to a University of Queensland study. According to UQ School of Biological Sciences researcher Dr Nathalie Butt, the 1558 deaths recorded between 2002 and 2017 were largely due to external demand for the very resources they were trying to protect.
Today’s Celebration
Independence Day – Bolivia
Independence Day – Jamaica
Carnival Tuesday – Caribbean
August Festival – El Salvador
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony – Japan
Constitution Day – Iran
National Night Out – USA
Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus – Western Christianity
Climate Change
Surprise! Unexpected ocean heat waves are becoming the norm
Ocean heat waves, which can push out fish, plankton and other aquatic life, are happening far more frequently than previously thought, according to a study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The Energy 202: Democrats disagree on climate policy specifics. But they agree on how to frame it.
Global warming is a kitchen table issue that affects the whole U.S. economy, they say.
Geoengineering versus a volcano
Major volcanic eruptions spew ash particles into the atmosphere, which reflect some of the Sun’s radiation back into space and cool the planet. But could this effect be intentionally recreated to fight climate change?
Young people asking the hard questions
Peter Boyer
The climate debate is stepping up a notch, and schoolchildren are leading the way
National
Domestic gas reserve officially on the table as government tries to force down prices
A portion of Australia’s gas supplies could be set aside for domestic use as part of a Federal Government push to try to bring down gas prices, but industry remains opposed to the proposal.
ACCC appeals against court decision on Woolworths’ ‘biodegradable’ picnic products
Australia’s consumer watchdog appeals against a Federal Court decision to dismiss its case against Woolworths over the “biodegradable and compostable” claims made by the retail giant’s range of ‘eco’ picnic products.
Murray-Darling Basin Plan ‘untenable’ says NSW, as Inspector-General flags probable corruption
NSW and Victoria commit to an independent review of Murray-Darling water modelling, and Inspector-General Mick Keelty flags the possibility of unearthing more corruption.
Energy retailers push back on mechanism hailed as a win for consumers
Engie and Simec Energy meet regulator to protest a rule recommended to lower electricity prices
Too good to be true? Australia’s high-speed rail dream leaves a bitter taste
A would-be developer’s vision involves building eight cities between Melbourne and Sydney. But a Guardian investigation has uncovered serious doubts
Parliament to look at small nuclear reactors as future energy source
A parliamentary inquiry into an Australian nuclear industry will look at the fast-changing technology of small modular reactors.
No investment appetite for nuclear: Switkowski [$]
The renewed debate on nuclear power is largely one for “intellects and advocates”, says one of the country’s foremost experts.
Mining approvals set for 12-month review
The Productivity Commission will stage a one-year review looking at streamlining regulation in Australia’s resources sector.
Gas scheme could bypass states [$]
The Morrison government will consider setting up a national scheme to remove ‘unwarranted restrictions’ on gas developments.
Gupta opposes power market reform,[$]
Energy provider Simec will oppose new rules expanding the options for big power users to directly sell electricity into the wholesale market.
Empowering communities protect local environments
The Morrison Government is delivering on a $22 million commitment to help local communities strengthen local environments, with applications opening today for the Communities Environment Program.
Australia should explore nuclear waste before we try domestic nuclear power
Heiko Timmers
Australia’s stable geography is suitable for below-ground nuclear storage.
Is Australia going to run out of oil?
Kishor Napier-Raman
Australia has consistently fallen below oil stockpile figures mandated by the International Energy Agency. Now, global tensions are highlighting why this matters.
Want an energy solution? Don’t ask a politician [$]
Jennifer Hewett
The real issue in the transition away from fossil fuels is how efficiently and quickly the move to renewable energy happens in Australia.
No fusion on nuclear for now [$]
Tory Shepherd
Nuclear power Australia needs cheap, reliable power and lower emissions. But does that mean it needs nuclear?
Victoria
At least 15 councils still forced to dump recycling in landfill
Thousands of tonnes of recycling is going to landfill with the collapse of SKM also resulting in about 200 job losses.
Councils call for cash-for-cans scheme as recycling crisis deepens
A coalition of local councils is demanding the state government introduce a reward program for collecting bottles and containers as a way of fixing the state’s ailing recycling system.
Another recycling ban adds to waste pinch
Another Melbourne recycling company has been banned from taking waste, just days after a major recycling player went into liquidation.
Vic skip bin hirer fined over dumped waste
Piles of industrial waste standing up to two metres tall and illegally dumped at a Melbourne property have led to a businessman being fined.
Deadly grass fears for Macedon Ranges roos [$]
Wildlife rescuers have been forced to euthanise “drunk” kangaroos after a grass type toxic to native wildlife spread along Macedon Ranges roads.
Alinta questions emission targets [$]
Alinta has raised concerns over the future of Victoria’s coal-fired power plants as the state weighs changes to emissions targets.
Solar rebate battle continues, as industry readies for “bigger” protest
A second Victorian solar industry protest – this time targeting the Premier’s office – is being planned for Thursday, as calls to amend the state’s rooftop rebate scheme intensify.
New South Wales
NSW makes it easier for landholders to clear grassy woodlands for agriculture
Critically endangered Monaro and Werriwa grassy woodlands affected by new regulation
‘Environmental bastardry’: Looser grassland controls slammed
The Berejiklian government has quietly altered rules for managing grasslands in the state’s south, just weeks after a scientific committee deemed them critically endangered.
West Wyalong solar farm gets green light to connect to NSW grid
ESCO Pacific’s 70MW solar and battery plant in New South Wales Riverina region clears final development hurdle, with go-ahead to connect to NEM.
$276m climate fund driving power bills up [$]
The NSW Government has demanded energy companies this year hand over $276 million for a Climate Change Fund, of which a quarter can be slugged onto household customers’ bills. The Fund gives grants to save koalas and hands out cheap TVs.
Axe the ludicrous $276m Climate Change Fund [$]
Telegraph editorial
Everyone is aware of climate change. Yet the NSW Government is still lifting money from your pocket to, among other things, “increase public awareness of climate change”. And their latest demand is more than $276 million.
Queensland
Climate change activists to grind Brisbane to a halt on ‘rebellion day’
Extinction Rebellion expects hundreds of protesters to gather outside the state government’s “tower of power” on Tuesday.
‘Darkest hour’: Traffic stalls as protesters march [$]
Climate change protesters have started to move through Brisbane’s CBD, blocking traffic at several intersections.
Windlab’s solar-wind-battery project finally connected to Queensland grid
Windlab’s world-leading solar, wind and battery project at the Kennedy Energy Park in north Queensland has finally been connected to the grid and energised after an eight month delay….
South Australia
Mid North energy farm gets go-ahead [$]
Renewable power will be available anytime — whether or not the wind is blowing or the sun is shining — at a $500m project in SA’s Mid North. The French investment has been approved although not all local residents are happy.
Western Australia
McGowan won’t push climate change link to beach erosion
The WA Premier says he will not push the Federal Government to take stronger action on carbon emissions to combat the growing problem of coastal erosion in Perth.
Construction starts at Yandin wind farm, set to be WA’s biggest
Construction begins on biggest wind farm in W.A., with an expected capacity factor of 50 per cent.
Sustainability
India’s Chennai rapid growth threatened by water shortages
In Chennai, a coastal city of about 10 million and the capital of Tamil Nadu state, rapid development and rampant construction have overtaxed a once-abundant natural water supply.
Fracking linked to anxiety, depression in pregnant women
A new study finds that pregnant women living near hydraulic fracking activity in Pennsylvania are more likely to develop depression and anxiety.
Environmental activist murders double in 15 years
Death toll almost half that of US troops killed in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001, data shows
In the future, this electricity-free tech could help cool buildings in metropolitan areas
Engineers designed a new system to help cool buildings in crowded metropolitan areas without consuming electricity, an important innovation as cities work to adapt to climate change. The system consists of an inexpensive polymer/aluminum film that’s installed inside a box at the bottom of a specially designed solar ‘shelter.’ The film helps keep its surroundings cool by absorbing heat from the air inside the box and transmitting that energy into outer space.
Why solar, wind and EVs will be the death of the petroleum industry
Giles Parkinson
A stunning new report from French-based global banking group BNP Paribas signals the death toll for the petrol industry – a mixture of solar, wind and electric vehicles can deliver more than six times the “mobility” returns on each dollar invested than oil.
Nature Conservation
Indonesian man walks backwards for 700km to save the forests
Indonesian man Medi Bastoni has embarked on the arduous task of walking backwards from his hometown to the capital, more than 700 km away. He hopes to raise awareness for the devastation left by deforestation in his journey to Jakarta, and get a symbolic seed from President Joko Widodo.
Plastic, poverty and paradox: experts head to the Ganges to track waste
India’s most sacred river is also its most polluted, with plastic a major culprit. Now moves are afoot to monitor the flow of rubbish and assess its link to poverty
Into the bog: Scientists are trying to learn more about unique peatland ecosystems
The ecosystems are vulnerable to development and climate change.
Call to end the ‘abuse’ of land surface
Scientists are poised to deliver a stark condemnation of the damage people are wreaking on Earth’s land surface.
The animals that will survive climate change
With one in every four species facing extinction, which animals are the best equipped to survive the climate crisis? (Spoiler alert: it’s probably not humans).
Restoring forests means less fuel for wildfire and more storage for carbon
When wildfires burn up forests, they don’t just damage the trees. They destroy a key part of the global carbon cycle. Restoring those trees as quickly as possible could tip the scale in favor of mitigating severe climate change. Lisa A. McCauley explains how quick action to thin out vegetation will actually increase carbon storage in forests by the end of this century.
New Zealand’s biodiversity will take millions of years to recover
The arrival of humans in New Zealand, some 700 years ago, triggered a wave of extinction among native bird species. Many more species are currently under threat. Recent calculations by scientists from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and Massey University in New Zealand show that it would take at least 50 million years of evolution to restore the biodiversity that has been lost.
Now for something completely different …
With millennials now representing a quarter of the global population, a new report is warning NFPs and philanthropy groups to pay attention to the different ways the demographic is interacting with causes and bringing about social change.
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