Post of the Day
John Williams
We need to stop fighting against the nature of the continent
Today’s Celebration
September Revolution Day in Yemen
Johnny Appleseed Day in the USA
European Day of Languages – EU
National Flag Day in Ecuador
World Environmental Health Day
International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
Climate Change
‘This report is a wake-up call’: UN panel issues climate change warning
The most definitive scientific account yet produced about the future of the world’s oceans paints a sobering picture for what lies ahead for mankind, and in particular, countries like Australia defined by coastlines.
Study: Climate change could cause drought in wheat-growing areas
Wheat supplies about 20 percent of all calories consumed by humans. In a new study, researchers including Song Feng of the University of Arkansas found that up to 60 percent of current wheat-growing areas worldwide could see simultaneous, severe and prolonged droughts by the end of the century.
OSU ecologist: Ocean-based actions can close gaps in climate change mitigation
Ocean-based actions have greater potential to fill in gaps in climate change mitigation than previously appreciated, scientists explain in a paper published today in Science.
Aerosols from coniferous forests no longer cool the climate as much
Emissions of greenhouse gases have a warming effect on the climate, whereas small airborne particles in the atmosphere, aerosols, act as a cooling mechanism. That is the received wisdom in any case. However, new research from Lund University in Sweden can now show that the tiniest aerosols are increasing at the expense of the normal sized and slightly larger aerosols — and it is only the latter that have a cooling effect.
Potentially large economic impacts of climate change can be avoided by human actions
A study estimates global-scale, multi-sectoral economic impacts of climate change, and suggests that a plausible range of decisions and actions by humans can determine the scale of the economic impacts, even if the uncertainty in the climate response to increased greenhouse gas concentration is considered. These actions include reductions of greenhouse gas emissions and improvement of socioeconomic conditions. This study highlights the importance of societal changes and the current generation’s responsibility for the future.
No Plan B: Deciding not to have children because of climate change
Under current projections, analysts are expecting severe environmental disruptions due to climate change by the time babies born today enter adulthood.
Those countries accounted for only 11 percent of global emissions in 2017.
Greta Thunberg’s 495-word UN speech points us to a future of hope – or despair
Richard Flanagan
The speech draws the battle lines between those of us who want action on climate change and those, like Trump, who only mock it
Greta Thunberg, A Force Of (And For) Nature (And Righteous Anger)
Chris Graham
If you missed the phenomenon that is Greta Thunberg – the 16-year-old Swedish teenager who tore world leaders a new one at the United Nations forum on climate change this week – then you really have been living under a rock.
Greta Thunberg is a true leader by every definition
Mitchell Adams
Thunberg tweet: “When haters go after your looks and differences, it means they have nowhere left to go.”
Juliette McIntyre
A group including a young Sami reindeer herder, a member of the Indigenous Yupiaq tribe, and Greta Thunberg are filing a complaint to the UN.
Percentage of people who take climate change seriously remains stubbornly low [$]
Dennis Atkins
New research shows that the number of people “very concerned” about climate change remains stuck at 40%. Is our lack of faith and trust in government to blame?
Climate scientists lost on extent of rising seas
Graham Lloyd
Major uncertainties still remain on how much melting ice, particularly in Antarctica, will lift sea levels over coming centuries.
National
Morrison’s ‘fake news’ moment on climate
Prime Minister Scott Morrison focused on Australia’s practical environmental initiatives at the UN, saying there is much misinformation about action on climate.
Australia’s beach lifestyle under threat from climate change, UN warns
Coastal areas around Australia are set to experience a once-in-a-century flood at least once every year, according to a new UN report.
Australian students build solar lights so children in remote PNG can study at night
Children living in remote communities in Papua New Guinea will now have access to solar-powered lights.
“Dry” NSW, Victoria review Murray-Darling flows
An investigation into the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s water modelling is underway, with a final report due in December.
Rio Tinto teams with China to reduce steel-making carbon footprint
It’s a business decision: Big miners are increasingly aware their long-term future is not sustainable unless they address their customers’ carbon emissions.
BHP joins Morrison’s “Quiet Australians”, with support of dodgy carbon accounting
BHP reportedly endorses Morrison government use of Kyoto carry-over credits to effectively halve the ambition of its 2030 Paris climate task.
Think it’s wrong to climb Uluru? You may also want to avoid these popular spots
As the ban on climbing Uluru fast approaches there remains many locations attracting crowds, despite calls from local Indigenous people to stay away.
‘Tipping point’: Energy regulator says grid won’t cope with more solar
Australia’s ageing electricity grid risks being overwhelmed by solar panels unless the government and companies take urgent action.
Young climate activists sent to Richard Branson’s Noosa home to pitch ideas
Young “climate warriors” will be flown to billionaire Sir Richard Branson’s Noosa home to pitch their ideas to combat climate change to investors.
‘We’re not going away’: Patagonia Australia boss rebukes Alan Jones
The Australian director of clothing brand Patagonia has hit back at radio presenter Alan Jones, saying the company was “not going away” and would continue to support climate activism after the presenter called its pro-climate campaign a “disgrace”.
Scott Morrison to call for global plastic policy at UN
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is pushing for a new commercial model for global recycling in a call at the United Nations that also urges more action to clean up the world’s oceans.
Divestment advocates hit back at Bill Gates criticism
Bill Gates has declared that getting rid of fossil fuel stocks is a waste of time, but a leading Australian foundation believes the philanthropist is overlooking the divestment movement’s ability to create major social change.
How activists pushed CBA out of coal in five years [$]
A small group of radical activists was able to use the corporate world’s rules against itself, in one of the remarkable stories of the Australian environmental movement.
Eco-activists target banks on climate [$]
Market Forces plans to use shareholder motions to put pressure on Westpac, ANZ, National Australia Bank and other financial companies into choking off capital to the oil, gas and coal industries.
Energy market can be fixed [$]
Australia’s households and industrial users of energy are paying the price as we continue to struggle to implement a coherent and durable national energy and climate policy.
Climate change will make us poorer in retirement: report [$]
Climate change will knock tens of thousands of dollars off Australians’ superannuation balances and make us more likely to die of heat stress, a new report published by the Actuaries Institute has found.
Forrest’s plan to empty plastic oceans [$]
The audacious plan to raise $US20 billion annually from the plastics industry to self-fund reformation was seeded early in the nearly four years it has taken the iron ore billionaire to complete a PhD in marine biology.
Morrison to youth on climate change: Don’t worry, be happy
The PM further aligns his climate rhetoric to deniers, urging kids and striking school students to adopt the mantra from the old song, “Don’t worry, be happy”.
Energy Insiders Podcast: Is this the end of the wind and solar boom
20 big investors warn that new wind and solar projects won’t go ahead without changes to marginal loss factors process. Group chairman Rob Grant explains why.
Scott Morrison’s UN Climate Summit snub a ‘national embarrassment’
Nick Kilvert
Australia’s near-absence from the UN Climate Summit in New York sends a clear message to our Pacific neighbours about where our priorities lie.
Lambasting China over their emissions might impress the US but it could be costly for Australia
Frank Jotzo
In many regards, China’s climate action is stronger than that of Australia or America, at much lower levels of development
John Williams
We need to stop fighting against the nature of the continent
Miners at carbon coalface in environmental arms race
Elizabeth Knight
The contrast could not be more stark. While Scott Morrison was characterising the comments made by 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg as shrill, Australia’s two largest mining companies, Rio Tinto and BHP, were engaged in one-upmanship on their environmental credentials.
Australia’s carbon market needs to be faster and smarter. Blockchain can help
Sebastian Thomas
Under the current rules, the federal government takes the most responsibility for buying carbon credits. A blockchain-driven market would be faster, smarter, and much more open.
What might Lily and Abbey say to Scott Morrison about Greta Thunberg?
Michelle Grattan
Scott Morrison told reporters he discussed climate change with his daughters, aged 10 and 12, but didn’t share, unfortunately, the girls’ views on the subject.
When it comes to climate change, Australia’s mining giants are an accessory to the crime
Jeremy Moss
Australia cannot distance itself from moral responsibility for emissions from exported fossil fuels.
Australia proud of its coal use and carbon emissions
Michael Mazengarb
In international circles, Australia is unashamedly promoting the use of its coal.
Grown-ups must stand up against climate panic [$]
Andrew Bolt
It’s time for our government to man up and tell children there isn’t a climate emergency. This hysteria is unfair and seriously damaging.
Why national fast rail won’t work in Australia [$]
Steven Wardill
Australia will eventually rue the lost opportunity of talking about fast rail for three decades but doing nothing about it, writes.
New South Wales
‘Precise’ water use helps endangered frog numbers rebound
Controversial environmental water flows are thought to be the driving force behind the revival of the native southern bell frog, despite the drought.
Sydney desalination plant to double in size as dams approach critical level
Top water bureaucrat says planning has begun for plant to move from producing 15% of water to 30%
Warragamba Dam wall draft report ‘flawed’
Archaeologists have labelled a draft report for the controversial raising of NSW’s Warragamba Dam wall as partly flawed and inadequate.
Queensland
Australia’s second newest dam is the largest infrastructure failure in Qld history, mayor warns
Authorities fear there is a chance the Paradise Dam in southern Queensland will become unsafe if there is a major flood, with the local mayor saying it is the largest failure of a piece of infrastructure in Queensland’s history.
‘Indiscriminate killer’ ghost nets in northern gulf hotspot still a risk to marine life
Environmental groups say plans to save marine animals from harm and drowning in discarded fishing nets are not being implemented where it is needed the most.
Hungry bats move north earlier in search of food as drought bites
Bats have been migrating earlier than usual this year due to inland drought and a lack of food in Queensland’s south-east, with red flying foxes seen covering Mount Isa’s sky.
Survey shows Brisbane residents are happiest by a country smile
Brisbane residents are happier with their quality of life than residents of every other Australian capital, lord mayor reveals.
No Metro meeting in motion for mayor and minister
Transport Minister Mark Bailey has accused Brisbane lord mayor Adrian Schrinner of refusing to meet him directly to discuss the Brisbane Metro, as the state government and council continue to spat over the $944 million project.
The fire ants go marching and one by one officers will visit backyards
War is again being waged against the invasive fire ants marching across south-east Queensland.
Tasmania
Bicheno dog park plan raises penguin safety fears
A council proposal to establish an off-leash dog park near coastal rookery in Bicheno has raised concerns about the safety of nearby little penguin colonies.
Cattle Hill wind farm set to test new eagle protection technology
New technology designed to protect eagles from being injured or killed by wind turbines farms is ready to be tested at Tasmania’s 144MW Cattle Hill project.
Basslink fix around the corner [$]
Basslink has announced Tasmania’s electricity interconnector is expected to return to service sooner than expected.
Driving a vision for our clean green state [$]
Electric cars could revolutionise the way we use energy in Tasmania, says infrastructure adviser Braye Sutherland.
Northern Territory
Veteran helicopter pilot not sorry to see Uluru climb closed
A veteran helicopter pilot recalls the rescues from Uluru he took part in and says he is surprised the climb has not been closed sooner.
Privately funded solar farm looks to make hay while the sun shines [$]
Amber Schultz
Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes wants to build a massive solar farm in the NT. It’d be one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Australian history… funded by private companies and Aussie entrepreneurs.
Western Australia
Carbon neutral Baileys does its bit for next generation [$]
Co-manager James Bailey began investigating ways to reduce the WA business’s impact and become more environmentally sustainable after the birth of his son Bodhi in February.
Emissions hurdle for Gorgon [$]
Chevron’s $US55bn Gorgon LNG project faces a fresh challenge after a ruling from WA’s environment watchdog.
Sustainability
Portable electronics: a stretchable and flexible biofuel cell that runs on sweat
A unique new flexible and stretchable device, worn against the skin and capable of producing electrical energy by transforming the compounds present in sweat, was recently developed and patented by French and Americans researchers. This cell is already capable of continuously lighting an LED, opening new avenues for the development of wearable electronics powered by autonomous and environmentally friendly biodevices.
Global solar to drive double-digit renewable power capacity growth
Global solar PV additions in 2019 are set to drive greater double-digit renewable power capacity growth, according to the International Energy Agency.
How to buy clothes that are built to last
41m
The environmental impact of our clothing choices extends far beyond our closets and buying fewer items that are more durable can lower the impact on the planet. Here’s what to look for when shopping for clothes.
Pesticide exposure may increase heart disease and stroke risk
Occupational exposure to high levels of pesticides may raise the risk of heart disease and stroke, even in generally healthy men. The study emphasizes the importance of using protective gear when handling pesticides on the job and including pesticide exposure in your medical history.
Studies link air pollution to mental health issues in children
Three new studies highlight the relationship between air pollution and mental health in children.
Single-use plastic and air pollution: Two leading experts share their knowledge about climate change
We’ve asked two notable experts – a veteran policy advocate and an air pollution researcher – to share their perspectives on climate change and policy.
Speed is killing the planet. Time to focus on efficiency
The climate crisis is rushing at us like a bullet train. We have to stop obsessing over velocity and become efficiency fanatics.
Market can lead way in controlling our plastics crisis
Andrew Forrest, David Tickler and Jessica Meeuwig
By mobilising new technology to increase recycling rates, plastic flows to the ocean and the broader environment would slow and, hopefully, cease altogether.
Nature Conservation
‘Lying media’ behind criticism of Brazil’s handling of Amazon fires
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro criticises international concern for the Amazon rainforest as being fuelled by interest in the region’s biodiversity and mineral wealth.
High carbon dioxide can create ‘shrinking stems’ in marshes
For most plants, carbon dioxide acts like a steroid: The more they can take in, the bigger they get. But in a new study published Sept. 25, 2019, scientists with the Smithsonian discovered something strange happening in marshes. Under higher levels of carbon dioxide, instead of producing bigger stems, marsh plants produced more stems that were noticeably smaller.
Oceans are in trouble, IPCC says. Why are marine protections falling short?
Despite a flurry of declarations about marine protected areas, world leaders are struggling to put these vital conservation measures into practice.
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