Post of the Day
Australia’s register of threatened species critical habitat not updated in 15 years
Independent advice body says minister should be given emergency powers to protect habitat after natural disasters
On This Day
Previous case studies have documented increases in air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), during and following fireworks displays associated with various holidays and celebrations around the world.
Coronavirus Watch
Confirmed cases: 8,255. Deaths: 104
Positive, negative, positive. What’s really happening when COVID-19 ‘comes back’?
After a supermarket worker in Sydney tested positive for coronavirus after spending time in quarantine and seemingly recovering from COVID-19, many are asking whether 14 days quarantine is enough.
Researchers develop algorithm to predict coronavirus outbreaks
Scientists have developed a mathematical algorithm to predict when the next coronavirus outbreak will occur.
Climate Change
What if the Republicans pivoted on climate?
How an ambitious, conservative environmentalism came into being. An imagined scenario from 2024.
The world endured 2 extra heatwave days per decade since 1950 – but the worst is yet to come
Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick
Heatwaves have become longer, hotter and more frequent. This trend is accelerating from climate change.
National
Australia’s register of threatened species critical habitat not updated in 15 years
Independent advice body says minister should be given emergency powers to protect habitat after natural disasters
What Ken Henry really thinks about tax reform
From stripping states of the ability to green-light big mining projects to lifting the GST, Ken Henry tells Jess Irvine what he really thinks about tax reform.
Greens announce ambitious new emissions targets in line with Paris
In a bid to push the major parties to embrace deeper cuts to Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, the Greens have targeted net zero emissions by 2035.
Burning money: Fossil fuel stocks worst performers on ASX over last decade
Analysis shows publicly-listed fossil fuel companies ranked amongst the ASX worst performers for the last decade.
Advocates push to allow reusable cups at Aussie cafes again
A number of major chains are yet to lift their ban on reusables
Govt tight-lipped on ACCC Murray–Darling Basin water report
Submissions to the ACCC’s inquiry into water trading in the Murray–Darling Basin reveal significant concerns about the possibility of market manipulation.
The fight to save the brumbies stirs old animosities
Nick O’Malley
In the high country, there are echoes of old and bitter disputes over land, culture and identity.
In grim times, we need all our wits, not word games [$]
Australian editorial
We live in deadly serious times — of pandemic, a plunge into recession and a dangerous reversal in our national security — yet some educated elites show no grasp of this new reality.
Victoria
Thousands of fish dead after illegal river mouth opening in south-west Victoria
The illegal opening of a river in south-west Victoria has led to a massive fish kill, almost exactly 15 years after a previous illegal opening killed 30,000 fish.
How lockdown changed our water usage [$]
It’s probably no surprise that home water usage habits have changed during the pandemic. But what about the amount of water we consume during lockdown?
New South Wales
Major cotton waste problem solved by entrepreneur and his earthworms
As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Adrian Raccanello is turning cotton trash — the residue left over from processing, and a long-term problem for Australia’s multi-billion-dollar cotton industry — into high-grade fertiliser.
Aboriginal protesters defend ancient forest against logging
Old-growth forest in New South Wales is now under threat from loggers. But the cultural custodians of the land are fighting back.
Queensland
After 10 years and $4 billion, will Adani dispute ever find a clear winner?
Adani’s Carmichael project is now 10 years old, still incomplete as costs exceed $4 billion and now it faces a new wave of activism.
South Australia
Call for controversial path to be made from natural material [$]
Consultation has shown overwhelming support for a coastal path at Tennyson. But the next battle will be what it is made from.
Tasmania
Fighting devil disease with new weapons
Researchers at the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical Research and the School of Medicine have added an arsenal of new tools (see video below) to their repertoire for fighting the insidious Devil Facial Tumour Disease.
UPC gets federal approval for $350 million wind and solar hub in Tasmania
UPC says it has federal approval for Jim’s Plain wind and solar hub in Tasmania, and is now seeking final approvals for Robbins Island wind project and transmission line.
Northern Territory
Kakadu traditional owners demand bureaucrat resign [$]
A brawl has erupted in Kakadu over allegedly false claims by a bureaucrat about the behaviour of an Aboriginal “landlord”, the bungled response to a recent helicopter crash and several dangerous fires.
Western Australia
New name confirmed for Western Australia’s King Leopold Ranges
The Western Australian Government has confirmed the Kimberley landmark will now be known as the Wunaamin-Miliwundi Ranges.
Anger over expansion plans for Perth Airport that will destroy Aboriginal heritage site
The expansion of Perth Airport will destroy part of an Aboriginal heritage site but the company says traditional owners have been consulted.
Sustainability
Global energy body warns against rush to cut renewables and storage research funds
IEA warns against cuts to clean tech research funding as Australia’s Coalition government ponders future of Australian Renewable Energy Agency
Spain closes half of all its coal-fired power stations in one fell swoop
Spain ceased operations at nearly half of its coal-fired power stations on June 30, shuttering seven out of its 15 plants totalling 4,630MW.
The danger of hormone-mimicking chemicals in medical devices and meds
Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in medicine and medical devices is grossly underestimated, and physicians have an ethical obligation to talk about these exposures with their patients, according to a new study.
Pump or dump? With oil declining, Africa ponders its energy future
As COVID-19 bashes economies and demand for oil plummets, is this a moment to think green – or pump faster?
CRISPR gene editing in human embryos wreaks chromosomal mayhem
Three studies showing large DNA deletions and reshuffling heighten safety concerns about heritable genome editing.
Bangladeshi solar-sharing start-up aims to cut power waste
Technology allows rural solar panel owners to sell excess power to neighbours, improving income and access to clean energy.
Costly green deals are no pandemic panacea [$]
Bjorn Lomborg
After the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic, the world will be spending trillions of dollars to get us back on track. Increasingly, campaigners and policymakers demand this spending be tied to climate goals.
The effects of COVID-19 are blocking vital efforts by local communities to suppress rainforest fires in places like Indonesia and Brazil.
In Madagascar’s capital, pollution threatens an oasis for birds
Tsarasaotra Park, located in the center of Antananarivo, is one of the few remaining refuges for the waterbirds of Madagascar’s highlands. The fast pace of urbanization in the capital is degrading the park’s biodiversity and putting the birds at risk.
Maelor Himbury
6 Florence St Niddrie 3042
0393741902
0432406862
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