Post of the Day
Water researcher says government policies have made the drought worse
Maryanne Slattery, a senior water researcher at the Australia Institute, tells a Q&A audience that the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is a “train wreck” and government water reforms have “exacerbated this drought”.
Today’s Celebration
King Norodom Sihamoni’s Coronation Day – Cambodia
Republic Day – Turkey
Cyrus the Great Day – Iran
Ľudovít Štúr’s Birthday in Slovakia
Martyrdom of Imam Reza – Iran
Serbian Constitutional Referendum Anniversary
Climate Change
Farmer to sue German government over failure to tackle climate change
‘New records are being set around the world due to climate change, and the adverse effects are already affecting agricultural production in Europe’, says European Environment Agency.
Climate change increases flooding risk to homes, study shows
The number of households in Britain at risk of flooding will more than double by 2050 to more than 1.9m owing to the effects of climate change, research from data provider MSCI has found.
Greta Thunberg and our mental health
Peter Boyer
The truanting schoolgirl who a year ago spent every Friday demanding climate action outside the Swedish parliament is now living proof that young people can lead opinion on a global scale.
‘Everybody has something to lose’: the exciting, depressing life of a climate writer
The Guardian’s global environment editor, Jonathan Watts, explains how he aims to make the climate emergency resonate with readers on an emotional level
National
Up to 40,000 people are suing the Federal Government over PFAS chemical contamination, arguing their property values have plummeted. It’s the largest class action in Australian history — and it’s backed by Erin Brockovich.
Water researcher says government policies have made the drought worse
Maryanne Slattery, a senior water researcher at the Australia Institute, tells a Q&A audience that the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is a “train wreck” and government water reforms have “exacerbated this drought”.
Business lobby groups accused of ‘undermining’ climate change policy
One of the nation’s most respected business leaders is highly critical of lobby groups such as the Business Council and Minerals Council of Australia over their stance on climate change.
Anthony Albanese wants 50 per cent renewable energy target as he recasts ALP as ‘job creator’
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has backed a 50 per cent renewable energy target in Australia as a “job creator” as part of his new Labor Party “vision” speech.
Albanese says Labor must embrace wealth creation, mining sector on way to low-carbon future
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese says coal mining in regional Queensland can help produce the steel to build the world’s wind turbines.
The Opposition Leader will move to reposition federal Labor as a party of wealth creation that strongly supporters mining and resources’ role in renewables.
Nation’s environment laws set for review
Morrison government minister Sussan Ley is due to outline details of a review of the nation’s environment laws, as scientists call for them to be strengthened.
Rio head talks responsible mining practice
Rio Tinto CEO Jean-Sebastien Jacques says mining companies should make more use of technology to respond to investor demands for responsible mining practices.
Zali Steggall’s electric car dreams [$]
Here at Strewth we’re always keen to hold politicians to their election promises. Hence our ongoing interest in the independent-for-now Zali Steggall’s vow to purchase an electric vehicle
High gas prices call for changes to export curb trigger: Senator Rex Patrick [$]
High gas prices on Australia’s east coast have underlined the need for potential changes to the government’s gas export curb trigger to ensure sufficient supplies at lower tariffs are available for domestic users, Senate powerbroker Rex Patrick says.
Clean, green and rich: Wealthy donors bankrolling politicians who support climate action
When the AEC releases its latest political donation figures this week, it will show sizeable contributions from a little-known group called Climate 200, backed by prominent businessmen Simon Holmes a Court and Mike Cannon-Brookes.
Plan for new Indigenous Protected Areas is good news for people and country
ACF media release
Indigenous Protected Areas protect country and provide jobs in communities.
Most native bird species are losing their homes, even the ones you see every day
Jeremy Simmonds et al
Aside from their intrinsic value, common bird species might be one of the only ways we connect with nature in our everyday lives. But these opportunities are under threat.
The debate over private schooling has missed its impact on city traffic
Matthew Burke and Yiping Yan
Our research shows not only do more students travel by car to private secondary schools in Australia, their car trips are almost twice as long as for government school students. As these trips are in peak hour, private schooling has a disproportionate impact on traffic congestion.
Infrastructure and investment can bring water to farmers [$]
Alan Jones
The idea that there’s no water to be had in Australia is nothing more than a big, fat myth – and with the right infrastructure and investments, we could get access to it
Cutting emissions: my country’s, BHP’s, mine, or thine?
Geoff Carmody
Many ‘green’ supporters advocate all three measures at the same time. Consistent accounting frameworks? Double counting? Who cares? Those are concerns for number nerds.
The extinction of the Extinction Rebellion
Everald Compton
So, it is now vital that we get a Constitutional Change made in Australia in 2020 so that Citizens Referendums can get under way from 2021.
How Extinction Rebellion captures the media [$]
James Norman
In one week Extinction Rebellion went from a group of fringe activists to a household name. This is how they became the biggest story in the country.
Victoria
Climate protesters in Melbourne target international mining conference
Climate change protesters have hit the streets in opposition to a major mining conference in Melbourne, with promises of further ‘disruption’ to come.
Arrests as fiery climate blockade turns ugly [$]
A second day of climate protests has already turned ugly, with activists arrested and scuffles erupting in Melbourne CBD this morning. Activists are ramping up for a major blockade that will disrupt CBD traffic for a second day.
National climate change and agriculture plan agreed
Australian ministers met in Melbourne last week at the Agricultural Ministers’ Forum to endorse a Victorian-led program that will facilitate collaboration between state and commonwealth governments to meet the challenges of climate change and support the agriculture sector to adapt.
Fortnightly green waste collection would cost Victoria $500m for four years
Greens say funding could come from sustainability fund, which they say is not being used on green projects
New South Wales
‘It’s very grim’: Macquarie Marshes wetland on fire and massive flush the only way to save it
Firefighters are battling to stop a large bushfire from destroying the tinder-dry Ramsar-protected Macquarie Marshes in western New South Wales.
‘Australia is trying its guts out to heal’: NSW city’s first public corroboree since 1870s
The first corroboree at a New South Wales city in more than 150 years has united generations while acknowledging deep concerns about climate change and drought.
How London’s electric bus push could inspire Sydney to avoid ‘scary’ levels of pollution
The NSW transport minister has spoken about how Sydney could look to London for the best ways to tackle emissions and meet the growing demand for environmentally-friendly public transport.
Constance demands Morrison government ‘cough up a lot’ for Sydney’s new metro line
The NSW Transport Minister has taken a swipe at his federal Coalition counterparts for their reluctance to stump up for the Metro West rail line.
ACT
ACT fire crews have contained a bushfire in Namadgi National Park
ACT firefighters have contained a bushfire near Bendora Dam in the Namadgi National Park.
Queensland
Ingenious solution saves birds from flying into glass windows
Dozens of rainbow lorikeets have been colliding with large glass windows at a Queensland university