Post of the Day
Coronavirus poses threat to climate action, says watchdog
IEA warns that Covid-19 could cause a slowdown in world’s clean energy transition
On This Day
Ecological Observance
International Day of Action for Rivers
Climate Change
Coronavirus and climate change
On Monday, oil prices saw their biggest one-day drop since 1991, driven down by coronavirus fears and a price war. If we’re entering an era of really cheap oil, it’s worth asking what that could mean for climate change.
Coronavirus poses threat to climate action, says watchdog
IEA warns that Covid-19 could cause a slowdown in world’s clean energy transition
Polar ice caps melting six times faster than in 1990s
The polar ice caps are melting six times faster than in the 1990s, according to the most complete analysis to date.
Climate crisis blamed for rains and floods that have killed 150 in Brazil
Data seen by the Guardian shows ‘extreme rainfall events’ have soared over past 30 years
Christiana Figueres’s superpower could save the planet
Julia Baird
One of the world’s most influential women can teach us a lot about how to carry on the in face of anxiety.
National
Power bills tipped to drop once AEMC implements demand reduction scheme
A plan to reduce household power bills by paying big commercial and industrial energy users to cut their consumption on days of peak demand will be brought forward ahead of next summer.
Government bans ‘non-essential’ gatherings of more than 500 people
Australia will effectively ban ‘organised, non-essential gatherings’ of more than 500 people to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Climate change taking toll on reliable electricity supply, industry panel says
AEMC Reliability Panel says climate change making reliable electricity supply more difficult, but that emerging technologies like battery storage will help address these challenges.
Dozens of jobs to go from CSIRO energy unit [$]
A restructure plan will see as many as 46 jobs go as oil and gas research teams are consolidated.
While we self-isolate, it’s a good time to reflect on the urgency of the climate crisis
Sophie Vorrath
As Australian governments scramble to formulate the appropriate response to the pandemic proportions of the Coronavirus, a new report from the Climate Council has reminded us of the burningly urgent need to address that other global crisis, climate change.
We didn’t start the fire: News Corp defends false arson claims that spread worldwide
Amanda Meade
Campbell Reid came armed with facts and figures to defend the Murdoch empire from accusations of climate denialism.
Justine M. Philip
Aerial baiting has been Australia’s foremost weapon against pest species for the past 74 years. But at what cost?
Wanted (and needed): one supply ship to aid coastal Aussies trapped by wildfires
Ian Bray
The world’s climate is changing, and so must Australia’s preparedness for disaster.
Victoria
Rare orchid burnt out by bushfires now at risk of local extinction
Kevin Heyhoe lost his house in the summer’s bushfires, but he says he is more gutted to see the destruction of a rainforest gully on his property that contained an unusual species of orchid.
Council seeks environmental effects statement for hydrogen trial
Following the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s declaration of a Climate Emergency in August 2019, Council has sought a guarantee from state and federal government departments that an Environmental Effects Statement be prepared for the Kawasaki Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) trial.
New South Wales
Canadian Solar inks its first Australian PPA with Amazon for output of NSW solar farm
Online retailing giant inks new deal for supply of renewables in Australia, agreeing with Canadian Solar to buy output of 146MW Gunnedah solar farm in NSW.
NSW to lead the country in reaching net zero emissions by 2050
NSW will attract $11.6 billion of private investment and create 2400 new jobs under its ambitious plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Queensland
‘Absolutely appalling’: Farmer says CSG company gave wrong water data to regulator
A farmer on Queensland’s Darling Downs says his own hydrogeological testing confirms that data recorded by a coal-seam gas company about groundwater is incorrect.
Plans don’t hold water as clouds hang over $10bn inland rail project
The $10 billion Inland Rail project remains under a cloud, with key political stakeholders refusing to endorse the chosen route through southern Queensland despite crisis talks this week.
The plastic products banned in Queensland from July 1, 2021
Single-use plastic cutlery, plates, straws and stirrers will be banned Queensland-wide from July 1 next year.
Downside of state’s waste war success [$]
Queensland’s waste levy is successfully deterring interstate dumpers, but has resulted in a negative effect for the state.
South Australia
SA reveals autumn burn-off plans to reduce fire risk [$]
Thousands of hectares of SA scrub will be put to the torch this autumn but there’ll be 12 fewer burn-offs than in the spring before our devastating summer.
Billionaire called on to fund pipeline [$]
A tiny town in the Adelaide Hills is hoping Australia’s richest man can come to the party to help them bolster their defences against bushfires.
Northern Territory
Free national park entry until end of year
Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Kakadu and Booderee National Parks will have free entry from March 16 until the end of the year to counter tourism loss from coronavirus.
Sustainability
What’s the most equitable size for a house to be?
A four-person family should be living in an 860-square-foot home.
Decades-long project is linking our health to the environment
Started in 1959, this California study is one of the oldest ongoing research projects in the world.
Oil demand set to contract, says IEA, after 2.5 per cent drop in Q1
IEA says global oil demand is expected to decline in 2020 for the first time since 2009, as the impact of the coronavirus continues to spread around the world.
Fukushima: How the ocean became a dumping ground for radioactive waste
Before the nuclear disaster at Fukushima, atomic bomb tests and radioactive waste were contaminating the sea — the effects are still being felt today.
Governments warned: $1 trillion in coal power investments at risk
Carbon Tracker warns that more than $1 trillion in planned coal investments is at risk of becoming stranded, as the costs of wind and solar continue to fall.
Plumbers warn against what can and can’t be flushed down the toilet
Since the great toilet paper panic began, shoppers have been opting for items like paper towels and wet wipes as alternatives after finding shelves bare.
Coronavirus: Who needs toilet paper anyway? Here are some alternatives
Colleen Hawkes
OK, so someone’s hoarding all the loo paper, thanks to coronavirus panic. And it’s not you. But what do you do when that final roll is used up?
Why Millennial men are tapping into the vintage streetwear market
Greg Callaghan
Cost, environmental awareness and rap stars are making old gear a hot ticket.
C’est la vie: Paris shows the world how to live
Elizabeth Farrelly
The mayor of Paris is implementing a vision for the city that embodies the good life – and we should learn from her.
Nature Conservation
The fight for West Africa’s fish
Illegal fishing in the region harms livelihoods and food supplies. Yet some of the most damaging activity is conducted under EU deals.
Now for something completely different
Coronavirus and the NBN: will your broadband be up to speed if you have to work from home?
How well internet performs during heavy use nationally depends on various factors – but regional areas are set to struggle most
Maelor Himbury
6 Florence St Niddrie 3042
0393741902
0432406862
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