Post of the Day
Climate change could cause sudden biodiversity losses worldwide
A warming global climate could cause sudden, potentially catastrophic losses of biodiversity in regions across the globe throughout the 21st century, finds a new study.
On This Day
Maundy Thursday – Western Christianity
Mid-Shab’an (Lailat al-Baraa) – Islam
Pesach (until Apr 16) – Judaism
This weekend: Easter – Christianity
Coronavirus Watch
Confirmed cases: 6,013. Deaths: 50
(This time last week: Confirmed cases: 4,864. Deaths: 21)
The JobKeeper package has passed Parliament. Here’s what you need to know
Your questions answered about the Government’s $130 billion wage subsidy scheme — the biggest financial lifeline package in Australia’s history.
Now we’re in coronavirus lockdown, how can we get out? Four scenarios to prevent a second wave
Tough social distancing rules appear to be having a slowing effect on the daily growth rate of new coronavirus cases. Although this is an encouraging indication we may be starting to reverse the epidemic, academics say we need now to start thinking about if, when and how we relax the current measures.
Super members warned of ‘tragedies’ caused by early access to super
Australians are being urged not to withdraw money from their superannuation unless it’s absolutely necessary, as the cost at retirement will be immense.
Climate Change
New study helps improve accuracy of future climate change predictions
New research has shone light on the impact of clouds on climate change. The study has raised serious doubts of the likely impact of human-led interventions involving methods of cloud ‘brightening’ to counteract climate change.
A fast moving virus, a slow changing climate
One’s happening in real time, one in ‘deep time.’ In truth, they’re linked.
Can the world’s most influential climate report carry on?
For the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, COVID-19 has forced a new way of doing business.
After the coronavirus, two sharply divergent paths on climate
Some policy experts expect a greater appreciation for what government, science, and business can do to tackle climate change. Others fear the worst.
‘Creating our legacies’: The elders fighting for climate justice
As they age, older people are becoming more willing to stand alongside their grandchildren in the fight for a livable future—and they have the time, networks, and wisdom to make a real impact.
Shelf sediments, freshwater runoff from rivers brings more carbon, nutrients to North Pole
Climate crisis: The Green New Deal is cheap, actually
Decarbonizing will cost trillions of dollars, but it’s an investment that will have big return — for the economy and the environment.
National
Conservation from your couch: 5 ways to help animals from home
In a new era of self-isolation and social distancing, many of us are feeling a little bit helpless. But did you know you can make a big difference to our native plants and animals from the comfort of your own home?
$5 million for research into bushfire impact on Australian communities
The Australian Government is investing $5 million via the Medical Research Future Fund in nine research projects to investigate the physiological and mental health effects of the recent bushfires on Australians and their communities.
Renewable energy jobs in Australia surge to record levels
Employment in Australia’s renewable energy sector surged nearly 30 per cent to its highest-ever level following a boom in wind and solar power construction activity in 2018-19.
Groups propose $4 billion stimulus to create 24,000 land improvement jobs
Over 70 farming, conservation and land management organisations across the country, including the National Farmers Federation, the Australian Land Conservation Alliance, Landcare and the Invasive Species Council, have written to the Prime Minister and all state Premiers proposing a $4 billion combined federal and state economic stimulus package in the conservation and land management sector.
Big win for fossil fuels as regulators seek 12 month delay on 5-minute rule change
Big win for incumbent fossil fuel generators as regulators argue that Covid-19 pandemic requires 12-month delay to crucial market reform that would encourage more competition from batteries.
Morrison’s flagship energy policies – and private investment – stuck in parliamentary limbo
One of the Morrison government’s flagship energy policies is stuck in parliamentary limbo, with the $1 billion Grid Reliability Fund, the key to the government’s electricity market plans, requiring legislation that is yet to be passed by parliament.
From the bushfires to coronavirus, our old ‘normal’ is gone forever. So what’s next?
Sarah Milne et al
This year’s twin crises have left Australians reeling. The concept of ‘rupture’ can help us understand what’s happening.
Victoria
Get involved in Climate Action Plan
Bass Coast Shire Council is calling on the community to get involved in the development of the Bass Coast Climate Change Action Plan 2020-2030.
Tatura’s Grey Headed Flying Fox colony and human health
Greater Shepparton City Council would like to remind residents of the facts in relation to Cussen Park’s Grey Headed Flying Fox colony and human health.
Rewards for reducing waste to landfill
Wyndham City Council will offer some residents who use reusable nappies and sanitary products a rebate, as a thank you for helping reduce waste to landfill.
New South Wales
An 8-hectare park in The Ponds in western Sydney is now open to the public after extensive work was conducted to protect and enhance the native bushland.
The 51 million times Sydneysiders didn’t tap on in March
Sydney’s public transport patronage has fallen by about three-quarters amid the coronavirus pandemic, with the fewest number of people using the network in almost a century.
Friend or foe? Scientists and farmers divided on importance of dingoes
The New South Wales Threatened Species Scientific Committee says there is not enough evidence to suggest the removal of dingoes in hot spots like the Myall Lakes will cause a negative effect on smaller species.
Vic Jurskis
In NSW, RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has been in charge of this unstoppable monster for the last 12 years, while sustainable land management has been not only neglected, but prevented.
ACT
Cycling group pushes for changes to cope with increased cyclists on the roads
Pedal Power says the coronavirus pandemic has seen more cyclists – and skateboarders and scooter riders – on the roads as children and adults stay home and has called for the ACT government to make changes to accommodate that including allowing residents to ask for slower speed limits on their streets.
Queensland
‘Peter Pan effect’: Why reef-killing crown-of-thorns starfish more dangerous than previously thought
Juvenile crown-of-thorns starfish can live for years on a bleached reef eating algae before attacking when the coral returns, a study has found.
Snow-white coral of once-vibrant Great Barrier Reef a sign urgent action must be taken
Adam Morton
Plan for net-zero emissions combined with a new diplomatic effort is Australia’s best chance at saving reef for future generations
NSW lobby group slams Queensland’s ‘ramshackle’ recycling scheme
Queensland’s Containers for Change scheme should be immediately audited after a survey in February found that of 129 collection points, 14 did not exist or were closed and 35 were not effective, a Sydney-based national environment group says.
South Australia
SA irrigators warned of low allocations [$]
As drought conditions ease along the Murray-Darling Basin, irrigators are hopeful of decent allocations this season.
Northern Territory
Iron ore exports are making an unexpected comeback in the NT
The new owners of an iron ore mine near Pine Creek are getting ready to start exporting. It will be the first iron ore exports the NT has seen in five years.
Solar investors say NT’s big battery in Darwin-Katherine grid is too small
Solar farm developers say the proposed big battery in Darwin is likely too small to do the job required, and urge shift to time of use tariffs for rooftop…
Sustainability
Scientists create mutant enzyme that recycles plastic bottles in hours
Bacterial enzyme originally found in compost can be used to make high-quality new bottles
Nuclear fusion promises a clean, green energy future — but there’s a catch
The promise is enticing — a safe form of nuclear power to end the world’s reliance on fossil fuels. But can it be done? Hundreds of scientists from around the globe are in a multi-billion-dollar race to find out.
Babies in popular low-riding pushchairs are exposed to alarming levels of toxic air pollutants
Parents who are using popular low-riding pushchairs could be exposing their babies to alarming levels of air pollution, finds a new study.
River-groundwater hot spot for arsenic
Naturally occurring groundwater arsenic contamination is a problem of global significance, particularly in South and Southeast Asian aquifers.
Five reasons why co-design is the future of social impact
“It’s about putting the human back into innovation”
Nature Conservation
Bats have lived with coronaviruses for thousands of years. What made this one jump?
It’s clear this coronavirus came from wildlife, but we may never know the exact host species it directly jumped from into humans.
Human impact on wildlife to blame for spread of viruses, says study
Increased contact with animals likely cause of outbreaks such as Covid-19, say experts, as conservationists call for global ban on wildlife markets
Where the wild things are: how nature might respond as coronavirus keeps humans indoors
Wildlife is returning to our deserted cities. But will they stay once life returns to normal?
Don’t look to mature forests to soak up carbon dioxide emissions
Results of Australian study may have impact on New York state carbon neutrality goals
Gold mining threatens indigenous forests in the Brazilian Amazon
Illegal gold mining led to deforestation of thousands of hectares of forests inside indigenous reserves in the Brazilian Amazon, according to new satellite image analysis by the Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Project.
Climate change could cause sudden biodiversity losses worldwide
A warming global climate could cause sudden, potentially catastrophic losses of biodiversity in regions across the globe throughout the 21st century, finds a new study.
What are the environmental impacts of cancer drugs?
Chemotherapeutic drugs, also known as antineoplastic agents, that are prescribed to treat a range of cancer types, enter the aquatic environment via human excretion and wastewater treatment facilities. A review indicates that very few studies have characterized the effects of antineoplastic agents that are released into aquatic environments.
Lobster digestion of microplastics could further foul the food chain
Tiny fragments of plastic waste are dispersed throughout the environment, including the oceans, where marine organisms can ingest them. However, the subsequent fate of these microplastics in animals that live near the bottom of the ocean isn’t clear. Now, researchers report that lobsters can eat and break down some of this microplastic material, releasing even smaller fragments into the water that other deep-sea organisms could ingest.
Birds altering hunting and feeding patterns to survive climate change
According to a recent study published by McGill University researchers, climate change is actually forcing birds to evolve in strange ways to survive.
Will climate change push these amphibians to the brink?
California newts faced the worst drought conditions in 1,200 years, but new research finds that the lack of precipitation may not have been their biggest threat.
Watch how much microplastic flows from our rivers into the ocean
This video shows the flow of plastics through 10 key rivers, with the largest amount of plastic found in China’s Yangtze River.
Maelor Himbury
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0432406862
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