Daily Links Jun 1

“We are sorry for the distress we have caused”, says Rio Tinto. Well at least they’ve gone through the motions which is more than the Taliban did on blowing up the Bamiyan Buddhas, but this is a case where begging for forgiveness rather than asking for permission just doesn’t cut it. What will change in Rio Tinto’s culture to give assurance that this will never happen again?

Post of the Day

Environmental groups moving beyond conservation

Although non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have become powerful voices in world environmental politics, little is known of the global picture of this sector. A new study shows that environmental groups are increasingly focused on advocacy in climate change politics and environmental justice. How they do their work is largely determined by regional disparities in human and financial resources.

 

On This Day

Jun 1

Whit Monday – Western Christianity

Western Australia Day

 

Coronavirus Watch

Confirmed cases: 7,195. Deaths: 103

 

‘I feel so much better’: Employees ready to work from home more often

Working from home will become more common in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis, with a new study showing three out of four managers believe their staff will do more remote work after the pandemic than before it.

 

New coronavirus losing potency, top Italian doctor says

The new coronavirus is losing its potency and has become much less lethal, a senior Italian doctor said on Sunday.

 

National

Researchers take to new heights to shed light on Australia’s largest bird of prey

Researcher Dr James Pay says texts from wedge-tailed eagles now far outnumber the texts he gets from people, sent from trackers attached to fully grown chicks selected for a project aimed at cutting a rising death toll.

 

Climate disclosure ‘box ticking’ could trigger director lawsuits: KPMG [$]

There is a “real danger” company directors are exposing themselves to litigation by taking a “box ticking” approach to disclosing climate change-related financial risks in annual reports, KPMG warns.

 

Bushfire hearings spotlight climate change [$]

Experts called during the opening week of the bushfires royal commission warned the Black Summer will not be an isolated event.

 

How Covid-19 will change cities [$]

With Covid-19 restrictions easing, plans are afoot to revitalise Australia’s city centres, even though international students and office workers may never return in the same numbers.

 

Finally there is real movement on Australia’s climate policy but time isn’t on our side

Anna Skarbek

If speed weren’t a factor, we could rely on the market to incentivise green technology at its own pace – but the clock is ticking

 

Hydrogen and CCS could be the energy road-map winners [$]

David Byers and Peter Cook

Hydrogen made from coal or gas with the carbon captured and stored could be half the price of using renewable energy.

 

Victoria

Shift work and days at home on the cards to avoid public transport overcrowding

The Andrews government is asking large employers to stagger start times for workers and will consider adding extra public transport services as part of a strategy to avoid overcrowding on trams, trains and buses.

 

New South Wales

The humpbacks have arrived, so how do you whale-watch while social distancing?

This year’s annual migration may be a different experience for whale watchers, with COVID-19 social distancing restrictions meaning there could be fewer boats on the water.

 

Hazard reduction fast-tracked with 100 extra full-time RFS firefighters

NSW will fast-track its hazard reduction during winter as it prepares for the next bushfire season.

 

‘Bulging valleys’: Call for state to halt catchment coal mining

Disappearing creeks, bulging valleys, a shifting dam wall and a dearth of monitoring are among the reasons to halt coal mining in Greater Sydney’s catchment.

 

Queensland

These are the new freedoms Queenslanders have from Monday

Queenslanders will be thanking their lucky stars they’re allowed to travel anywhere in the state from noon Monday, but health authorities say it’s the result of hard work.

 

How one mine ate a town [$]

Rick Morton

A Queensland town’s decades-long legal fight against being subsumed by a coalmine could end next week as the case reaches the High Court of Australia. But not before a final turn of the screws.

 

South Australia

Operation Buffalo review – Maralinga nuclear testing rendered as part-drama, part-farce

Drawn from a dark period of Australia’s cold war-era history, ABC TV’s new series never quite finds the balance between light and shade

 

14,000 demand review of controversial building reform [$]

A massive reform of the state’s building laws will threaten heritage buildings and take power away from all councils, 14,000 Adelaide residents say.

 

Tasmania

Invoices paid while Gunns Limited insolvent [$]

A Federal Court Justice has ordered more than $4.6 milllion be paid to liquidators of Gunns Limited because the money was given to creditors when the company was insolvent.

 

Tassie beach birds bounce back [$]

Tasmanian shorebirds appears to be benefiting from a relative lack of human beach activity, sparking calls for partial closures during breeding season.

 

Northern Territory

Wet wipes give no satisfaction at the other end — just ask these guys

Workers at the Northern Territory’s wastewater plants find some odd things in their sewage ponds, but that’s nothing compared to what they’ve experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Western Australia

Rio Tinto apologises to traditional owners after blasting 46,000-year-old Aboriginal site

Mining giant detonated explosives at Juukan Gorge in Western Australia, destroying two ancient rock shelters

Chastened Rio Tinto to review plans to mine ancient cave [$]

Mining giant Rio Tinto says it will review plans to mine the Juukan Gorge area “as a matter of urgency” and overhaul its entire heritage approach, in a clear sign of reputational damage and harsh criticism over the destruction of ancient cave sites at its Brockman iron ore mine in the Pilbara.

‘We’re all in this together’: Fighting fire with Aboriginal knowledge

Aboriginal communities have been using fire as a tool for generations, but now their knowledge is in demand as bushfire threat grows

 

Kimberley could welcome visitors ‘from next week’ [$]

The Kimberley is on track to be reunited with the rest of WA by the weekend after the McGowan Government formally requested the Commonwealth remove restrictions on access to the biosecurity zone

 

The destruction of two rock shelters in WA reveals a disturbing lack of appreciation for our heritage

Gareth Hutchens

It’s difficult to comprehend the age of two rock shelters destroyed in WA, but we need to try much harder in order to preserve our heritage.

 

Rio Tinto’s values and culture—failing to walk the walk [$]

Wayne Bergmann

The year 2020 will go down in history as disaster in ‘leadership’.

 

Sustainability

Environmental groups moving beyond conservation

Although non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have become powerful voices in world environmental politics, little is known of the global picture of this sector. A new study shows that environmental groups are increasingly focused on advocacy in climate change politics and environmental justice. How they do their work is largely determined by regional disparities in human and financial resources.

 

Permian gas pollution halves in upside of oil crash

Natural gas pollution at the world’s most prolific oilfield will halve in the coming months, providing an environmental upside to the worst crash in the price of crude in decades.

 

World health leaders urge green recovery from coronavirus crisis

Open letter to G20 leaders says addressing climate breakdown key to global revival

 

They blinded us with SCIENCE!

Peter Dykstra

From climate change to COVID-19, even the clearest warnings from scientists can misfire with millions of Americans. Pop culture may be a big reason why.

 

Four questions to ask yourself before you buy an indoor plant

Kate Bartels

It’s important to have plants around you – they make you happier and healthier, science says so, but it can be hard to keep the things alive and breathing.

 

Nature Conservation

Wildlife markets are the tip of the iceberg and not just in China

The aisles throng with people, few wearing masks, and hum with the din of humans, birds, reptiles and mammals all mixed together. It stinks too.

 

Maelor Himbury

6 Florence St Niddrie 3042

0393741902

0432406862

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