Post of the Day
Why stakeholders in ‘wind energy vs biological conservation’ conflict have low mutual trust
Each year, wind turbines are responsible for the death of hundreds of thousands of airborne animals such as bats. To find a constructive way out of this ”green-green” dilemma, companies building and running wind turbines might have to work together with environmental experts and conservationists. Yet lack of trust between them can hinder effective collaboration. Scientists show: shared values are not sufficient to build trust, as beliefs and emotions have stronger influence.
On This Day
Coronavirus Watch
Confirmed cases: 9,553. Deaths: 107
As death toll rises, Australians warned vaccine could still be two years away
A vaccine for the coronavirus could be two years away, Australia’s deputy chief medical officer has warned, as the nation’s death toll rose to 107.
Want to make your own mask to help protect yourself and others during the pandemic? Here’s how
The Victorian Government has flagged that when Melbourne’s six-week lockdown is over, wearing masks will be an “important feature” of the state’s coronavirus response. If you’re having trouble finding one, we’ve put together a quick guide on how to make your own.
Climate Change
Arctic Ocean changes driven by sub-Arctic seas
New research explores how lower-latitude oceans drive complex changes in the Arctic Ocean, pushing the region into a new reality distinct from the 20th-century norm.
Study finds less impact from wildfire smoke on climate
New research revealed that tiny, sunlight-absorbing particles in wildfire smoke may have less impact on climate than widely hypothesized because reactions as the plume mixes with clean air reduce its absorbing power and climate-warming effect.
National
Commercially fished shark species declared critically endangered
The Australian appetite for shark meat, commonly referred to as ‘flake’, continues to drive species to extinction. In breaking news, the school shark has been listed today as Critically Endangered by the international scientific body, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Printed solar panels a shining light for saving energy
An Australian breakthrough in wafer-thin, lightweight solar panels that can be stuck on to any surface is set to deliver Australia a new source of local manufacturing, the researcher whose team developed it says.
Avoiding plastic was becoming normal, but when the pandemic hit reliance on single-use items grew.
How Australia’s state energy ministers are turning the tables on Angus Taylor
Simon Holmes à Court
The state energy ministers still need to deliver on their promises, but imagine if any of them held the federal portfolio
Victoria
The environmental disaster that crushed Jason Kimberley [$]
Jason Kimberley has dedicated much of his life to educating Australians on the importance of economic, environmental and social sustainability.
New South Wales
Family keeps fighting for koala protection despite eviction
A family advocating for better protection for one of NSW’s last healthy koala colonies is taking property developer Lendlease to court.
Calls to reverse ‘absurd’ rule on endangered species, boost koala aid
Labor and environmental groups are calling for changes to how the extinction threat to koalas and other species is set, and for beefed-up protections near Sydney to preserve the state’s healthiest koala colonies.
Study sheds light on bushfires’ microclimate impact
A study examining the urban microclimatic impact of the 2019-20 Australian bushfires has uncovered how they affect local meteorological and air quality. Its findings could help understand the potential consequences of an increased rate and extension of bushfires, and especially regarding improving risk preparedness and coping strategies. The research was carried out by scientists from The University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales, Sydney.
Socio-economic, environmental impacts of COVID-19 quantified
How is COVID-19 impacting people and the planet and what are the implications for a post-pandemic world? This world-first study led by the University of Sydney quantifies the socio-economic losses and environmental gains.
Queensland
Quieter Brisbane leads to fewer noise complaints during pandemic
Brisbane has been a significantly quieter city in recent months, with residents lodging far fewer noise complaints in the past six months than the previous year.
Queensland single-use plastics ban set to pass but some demand more
Many submissions call on the Queensland government to also ban plastic coffee cups, polystyrene cups, takeaway food containers, and heavyweight plastic bags.
Hundreds of children’s shoes laid out in silent Brisbane climate protest
Brisbane Extinction Rebellion members organised a “vigil” outside City Hall detailing the impact of climate change on future generations.
Tasmania
Wombat 4 Rescue fears Northern prison could force it to close
The future of a Birralee wombat sanctuary is said to be uncertain due to the state government’s proposal to build a $270 million prison nearby.
Sustainability
Parts of England could run out of water within 20 years, warn MPs
Water firms not addressing problem of leaks, causing loss of 3bn litres a day, report finds
Using electricity to break down pollutants left over after wastewater treatment
Pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and endocrine disruptors are some of the emerging contaminants often found in treated domestic wastewater, even after secondary treatment. Professor Patrick Drogui of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) and his team have tested the effectiveness of a tertiary treatment process using electricity in partnership with the European Membrane Institute in Montpellier (IEM) and Université Paris-Est.
Access to nature requires attention when addressing community health needs
Nature is a tool to address deeply entrenched health disparities; health systems should work to increase nature access, as they have with other social determinants of health.
How testing wildlife could stop pandemics in their tracks
The COVID-19 pandemic has awoken the world to the inextricable connection between environmental, animal and human health, and the persistent risks associated with wildlife markets.
Brussels failing to protect bees, says watchdog
EU loopholes allow use of banned pesticides known to be major killers of key species
Wild bison to return to UK for first time in 6,000 years
Release of a small herd of endangered animals in Kent is planned for spring 2022
Wildlife traffickers target lion, jaguar and leopard body parts as tiger substitutes
But demand for ivory and rhino horn shows signs of falling, says UN wildlife crime report
Each year, wind turbines are responsible for the death of hundreds of thousands of airborne animals such as bats. To find a constructive way out of this “green-green” dilemma, companies building and running wind turbines might have to work together with environmental experts and conservationists. Yet lack of trust between them can hinder effective collaboration. Scientists of the Leibniz-IZW show: shared values are not sufficient to build trust, as beliefs and emotions have stronger influence.
Study reveals scale of habitat loss for endangered birds
A new study warns that the last remaining habitat for several endangered bird species in Europe could reduce by up to 50 per cent in the next century as farmers convert land to more profitable crops and meet increased demand for products such as olive oil and wine.
Scientists urge caution, further assessment of ecological impacts above deep sea mining
A new study, led by University of Hawai’i at Mānoa researchers, argues that deep-sea mining poses significant risks, not only to the area immediately surrounding mining operations but also to the water hundreds to thousands of feet above the seafloor, threatening vast midwater ecosystems.
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