Post of the Day
As habitat and biodiversity loss increase globally, the novel coronavirus outbreak may be just the beginning of mass pandemics
On This Day
Saint Joseph’s Day – Western Christianity
Ecological Observance
Poultry Day – USA
Climate Change
President of reeling anti-climate science group forced out
The Heartland Institute is undergoing its second leadership change in less than a year. The group, which rejects climate science, is ousting its president, Frank Lasée, after being buffeted by financial turbulence that led to significant layoffs, according to two sources close to Heartland.
Rich people most to blame for climate change, international study finds
The lifestyles of the world’s richest could be to blame for the climate crisis, according to researchers.
Element25 lands finance to pursue Australia’s first “green metals” export project
Element25 lands finance to advance plans to develop Australia’s first “green metals” export project, drawing on the lower costs of wind and solar power.
Seed sales surge as shoppers move towards more self-sufficiency
While panicked shoppers have so far targeted supermarket shelves amid coronavirus fears, some are now starting their own vegetable patches as a way of becoming more self-sufficient.
Cop26: Boris Johnson urged to resist calls to postpone climate talks
Expert says early cancellation due to coronavirus would damage hopes of progress
Now isn’t the time to forget about our climate change efforts
Emily Farra
Our response to the coronavirus shows the power of individual action – and how quickly you can make a difference when you come together for the greater good. Reversing climate change will require a similarly unified, all-in-this-together effort.
National
Mining giants BHP, Anglo and Fortescue join forces for “green hydrogen”
Anglo American, BHP, Fortescue and Hatch join forces to “de-risk and accelerate” production of renewable hydrogen, in bid to help decarbonise mining sector operations.
Contingency plans for power grid to keep the lights on [$]
Federal and state ministers will discuss contingency plans at Friday’s COAG energy council meeting to ensure the grid does not fail over the next six months.
Carbon farmers find money grows on trees [$]
Farmers have been the biggest winners from Tony Abbott’s “direct action” climate change plan, receiving $100m a year mostly for letting bush grow back.
So far, legislation and reviews have failed to protect environment
Sue Arnold
Australia needs stronger laws, reviews and policies to safeguard the environment from irreparable harm
Academic over-reach lies at the heart of this summer’s fire blackened landscapes
Mark Poynter
At the heart of the consequently weakened fire management capability, is a lack of practical experience of fire amongst the most vocal and influential conservation academics and eco-activists.
As economy stalls, the government should remap Australia’s energy landscape
Tim Buckley
Australia should use energy transition to re-boot economy as energy markets pause, oil prices crash, and a virus without a vaccine stalls human activity around the world.
Save virus-hit economy from green stupidity [$]
Andrew Bolt
We can’t stop the economy getting sick from the coronavirus, but we can at least save it from the green stupidity blocking big projects and thousands of new jobs.
Victoria
Farmers label decision to lift gas moratorium during coronavirus emergency ‘sneaky’
Victorian farmers have been quick to express frustration at the State Government’s decision to reinstate onshore conventional gas exploration during a state of emergency.
Victoria seizes power to speed-up network investments, skip RIT-T assessments
Victorian parliament passes legislation granting the state’s energy minister new powers to exempt network investments from RIT-T assessments.
Victoria slammed for using misleading data to justify lifting of gas moratorium
The Australia Institute slams the Victorian government for using misleading jobs and emissions figures to justify lifting of gas moratorium.
Report slams ‘deficient’ government agencies for half-finished Murray Basin rail upgrade
Victoria’s Auditor-General has slammed the state’s handling of a half-finished western rail freight upgrade as “deficient” and “inadequate”.
New South Wales
‘I’m outraged’: Secrecy over plan to dig up Sydney Harbour’s toxic sludge
Thousands of tonnes of sludge containing cancer-causing chemicals will be dug up to build the Western Harbour Tunnel, sparking fears for fishermen and harbour
Wildlife survey of dam flood zone found wanting, leaked report says
A government biodiversity survey of a World Heritage zone to be flooded if the Warragamba Dam wall is raised was so rushed its koala component involved peering into just 90 trees.
Queensland
How to save our mining jobs [$]
Queensland’s biggest construction companies and most influential infrastructure experts say they know how to save 32,000 mining and energy jobs.
South Australia
Flush anything but toilet paper and you could end up with faeces on the floor
Social media advice about what to use instead of toilet paper prompts SA Water to issue a warning not to block sewers with newspaper, wet wipes and tissues.
Tasmania
Hydro Tas to defend dam build queries
Inquiry Hydro Tasmania dam builders grilled at inquiry into issues with the beleaguered Paradise Dam in Queensland.
Western Australia
Traditional owners voice coronavirus concerns over mining visits [$]
Pilbara Aboriginal groups have demanded that mining companies stop sending in staff to carry out heritage surveys for proposed mining tenements, saying it is leading to risky exposure for remote communities trying to limit outsider contact due to possible coronavirus infection.
Sustainability
Could our energy come from giant seaweed farms in the ocean?
A U.S. agency is funding projects to help create a bioenergy industry based on macroalgae.
Even a Limited India-Pakistan Nuclear War Would Bring Global Famine, Says Study
A new multinational study incorporating the latest models of global climate, crop production and trade examines the possible …
Urban land could grow fruit and veg for 15 per cent of the population
Growing fruit and vegetables in just 10 per cent of a city’s gardens and other urban green spaces could provide 15 per cent of the local population with their ‘five a day’, according to new research.
Ancient hornwort genomes could lead to crop improvement
An international research team illuminates the origin of land plants by analyzing the first hornwort genomes. In this ancient group of land plants, they discovered genes that could help crops grow more efficiently with less synthetic fertilizer.
Comparisons of organic and conventional agriculture need to be better, say researchers
The environmental effects of agriculture and food are hotly debated. But the most widely used method of analysis often tends to overlook vital factors, such as biodiversity, soil quality, pesticide impacts and societal shifts. These oversights can lead to wrong conclusions on the merits of intensive and organic agriculture, according to a trio of researchers in the journal Nature Sustainability.
2.2 million people in the U.S. could die if coronavirus goes unchecked
Exposure to air pollution could make the virus particularly deadly for poor Americans.
LEGO bricks could linger in the ocean for 1,300 years, study finds
LEGO has acknowledged the environmental impact of its products, and has launched a goal to make its bricks from more sustainable sources by 2030.
Wind and solar are cheaper than new coal plants in major markets
In every one of the world’s energy markets, it’s cheaper to invest in renewables than coal.
As habitat and biodiversity loss increase globally, the novel coronavirus outbreak may be just the beginning of mass pandemics
Factbox: What Africa is doing to fight coronavirus
The World Health Organization has warned of the risk that COVID-19 could overwhelm strained public health systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Here is a selection of measures countries are taking to prepare for the virus and limit its spread.
The world is confronting some radical notions: firstly, that society does exist… [$]
Guy Rundle
World responses to economic slowdown have demonstrated how the real nature of production is inherently social — and how most classical-liberal justifications are fantasies about how the world works.
Why working families need parks and playgrounds more than ever
Tracy Lynn Washington et al
Working long hours and want to make the most of time with your children? Your local park is an ideal place for sharing experiences that benefit the whole family.
Nature Conservation
Dominican Republic: Saving coral reefs from tourism, climate change and overfishing
An estimated 90% of the nation’s coral reefs have been destroyed, creating a knock-on effect for the entire coastal ecosystem. Local businesses and conservationists are now working to reverse this damage.
Overheated reefs are caught in a vicious carbon cycle
A mediterranean reef is turning tropical and could contribute to global warming.
Fishing for fun? It has a bigger environmental impact than we thought
New research shows that recreational fishing can sometimes be a huge problem — especially for threatened species of marine fish.
Billion-dollar wildlife industry in Vietnam under assault as law drafted to halt trading
Move will hopefully curb vast wildlife trade from farm, street markets, and online traders
Huge knowledge gap over health of soil
A vital knowledge gap about England’s environment has been uncovered by soil campaigners.
Seagulls are stealing your chips because they are starving to death
Threatened seabirds are starving to death in many parts of New Zealand, a marine biologist warns.
Bargain-hunting for biodiversity
The best bargains for conserving some of the world’s most vulnerable salamanders and other vertebrate species can be found in Central Texas and the Appalachians, according to new conservation tools.
Costa Rica caterpillar decline spells trouble for ecosystems
Researchers examined data from 1997 to 2018 to identify long-term patterns of extreme weather events and the impact these have on insect diversity.
‘Tip of the iceberg’: is our destruction of nature responsible for Covid-19?
John Vidal
As habitat and biodiversity loss increase globally, the coronavirus outbreak may be just the beginning of mass pandemics
Now for something completely different
Social distancing can make you lonely. Here’s how to stay connected when you’re in lockdown
Michelle H Lim and Johanna Badcock
We know positive social support can improve our capacity to cope with stress. But right now we’re being asked to keep our distance from others to minimise the spread of the virus.
Maelor Himbury
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