Post of the Day
Climate change worsens effects of nutrient pollution on marine ecosystems
Nutrient overload caused by excess agricultural runoff can seriously harm coastal marine ecosystems, triggering algal blooms that emit toxins and rob marine life of oxygen.
On This Day
Ecological Observance
National Tree Planting Day – Pakistan
Coronavirus Watch
Confirmed cases: 23,559. Deaths: 421
Coronavirus has a new epicentre, and the pattern of contagion tells us a lot
Hayley Henderson
Looking forward to the post-pandemic city, there are valuable lessons to be learnt from Latin America and their handling of the crisis
With coronavirus lockdowns many libraries (and librarians) have been more fabulous than ever
First Dog on the Moon
A FREE service that costs NOTHING and is actually FANTASTIC. What’s the catch?
Climate Change
How climate change is spreading current diseases and could expose new epidemics
Global warming is boosting the spread of tropical diseases as mosquitoes travel to temperate regions. If it melts the world’s permafrost, it has the potential to unleash pathogens trapped for centuries.
Ocean microbes could interact with pollution to influence climate
Little is known about how gases and aerosols made by ocean microbes affect weather and climate, or how pollution could influence this process. Today, scientists report they’ve used an ‘ocean-in-a-lab’ to show that air pollution can change the makeup of gases and aerosols that sea spray releases into the atmosphere, potentially altering weather patterns.
New model for pricing carbon will help meet net-zero climate change goals
Near-term to net zero pricing approach avoids pitfalls of the social cost of carbon
China undermines Pacific push for climate security
A push by Pacific countries to include climate change on the UN Security Council’s agenda has been undermined by China.
Reforestation may not be a cheap climate fix; nature-based solution must consider trade-offs
Reforestation has been touted as a relatively quick and easy fix for dealing with climate change, with plans afoot both in Singapore and around the world to harness the cooling and oxygen-giving power of the humble tree.
2020: The last chance to save our planet?
Time journalist Justin Worland discusses his recent cover story about why 2020 is such a pivotal year for climate change — and it’s not just the election.
National
AGL says batteries starting to compete with gas generators for peaking services
Big batteries competing with gas generators for peaking services, according to AGL chief operating officer Markus Brokhof.
‘Two Titanics’ of single-use plastics dumped into Australia’s environment every year, report finds
Conservation group WWF-Australia has found 130,000 tonnes of plastic enters the environment every year, including some eight billion cigarette butts.
‘Silly product’: Thankyou stops producing bottled water, citing environmental damage
Social organisation that’s raised more than $1m for projects abroad says it hopes move sends a message on ‘rort’ of packaged water
After the bushfires: what can be done to save Australia’s native species?
Last summer, bushfires burned through more than 12.6m hectares of the Australian landscape – an area almost the size of England. Reports that billions of individual animals were lost in the fires, pushing some native species to extinction, attracted global headlines. Environment reporter Graham Readfearn revisits the devastating story of Kangaroo Island in South Australia to explain the efforts to help local species survive, and discusses what needs to be done on a national level to protect wildlife from more catastrophic losses
Taylor to keep clamps on gas exporters [$]
The Morrison government is poised to extend conditions on gas exporters that it says will help push down contract gas prices on the east coast.
Law reforms may not be enough to ‘protect what’s left’ of cultural heritage
Proposed changes to cultural heritage laws may not be enough to protect significant sites according to an alliance of Aboriginal Land Councils and Native Title groups.
Three uranium stocks that buy into the energy theme [$]
The price recovery and an improving outlook have brought a cause for optimism in this maligned sector.
Shorten fires up energy debate [$]
Australian editorial
Bill Shorten’s declaration of support for gas and industry can be read as an ominous sign of leadership instability within the ALP and a welcome call to arms on the need to foster a durable energy market for the nation’s future prosperity.
Kerry Brewster
The Coalition paid the tax haven-linked Eastern Australia Agriculture nearly double what independent valuers recommended for water licences. Most of the record $80 million from the sale ended up with a Cayman Islands company established by Energy Minister Angus Taylor. Investigative journalist Kerry Brewster has this exclusive report.
Communities placed to lead the renewables revolution
Helen Haines
This year has given Australians a once-in-a-generation moment to decide what we want our future to look like.
We tried to be eco but coronavirus ensured plastic’s return [$]
Helen Rumbelow
A pandemic, we have found, is no time for reasonable thinking.
Census year is the time to work together on a national settlement strategy
Halvard Dalheim
Australia lacks a coherent national approach to planning where settlement and growth happens. It’s time to take stock of our cities and regions and work together to improve outcomes across the nation.
Victoria
Proposal to transform West Melbourne waterfront
The City of Melbourne will consider a proposal to create a mixed-use precinct on a large swathe of land on the edge of the Maribyrnong River.
Victorian Government has changed permit requirements for clearing vegetation near your home
While previously property owners could clear vegetation within 10 or 30 metres of their home without needing a permit, this rule has changed. This exemption now only applies to buildings located in an area that is designated as a bushfire prone area under the Building Act 1993 and that are used for accommodation, such as a house.
Second chance for bushfire-affected timber
Wodonga-based national transport company SCT Logistics will transport millions of tonnes of plantation timber burnt in NSW during the summer bushfires that would otherwise go to waste, thanks to support from the Victorian Government.
Report takes aim at plans for Crib Point floating gas hub
A jetty at Crib Point, where the floating gas import terminal would be placed.
A Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has urged councillors to oppose AGL’s plans for a gas hub in Western Port Bay.
New South Wales
NSW to fund four new big battery projects as it readies to flick switch from coal
The New South Wales Liberal government has announced funding support for four new big battery projects in the state as it flicks the switch on the transition from coal to a grid dominated by “on demand” renewables and storage.
Level five water restrictions to be relaxed
Orange City Council will ease water restrictions to level four as the combined water storage capacity reaches 40 per cent in the coming days.
Kean agrees to recount horses in Kosciuszko but continue removal plans
NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean says the government will hold annual counts of brumbies in the Kosciuszko National Park to give the public greater insight into the environmental threat posed by the feral animals.
Narrabri gas project needed to avert economic crisis: Report [$]
The federal government says the economic problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic makes it more important that the Narrabri gas project is a success.
Queensland
Massive 1200MW Forest Wind project gets “vital” boost from state legislation
Legislation to fast-track the development of a 226 turbine wind farm within exotic pine plantations in Queensland has passed through state parliament.
Marsupial with a suicidal sex life missing since bushfires
There are fears for the endangered black-tailed dusky antechinus after the 2019 Gold Coast bushfires with none caught in sampling traps during winter field trips.
Anglo coal boss defends safety record after mine explosion [$]
Anglo American’s metallurgical coal boss Tyler Mitchelson said higher than regulation gas levels had been an ongoing problem at the Grosvenor mine ahead of the serious underground mine explosion which injured five men.
South Australia
Solar is great, but … who should pay? Network defends solar export charges
SA Power Networks responds to claims that charging solar households to export their excess generation to the grid would be unfair and unnecessary.
It’s game on for endangered animals [$]
Conservation organisations are getting behind a Flinders University student’s plan to save endangered animals using his new trading card game. Vote for your favourite addition during August.
Why not rebuild this boardwalk with our own recycled plastic? [$]
Colin James
If councils are serious about creating a “circular economy”, then they need to start using more local products made from recycling. Marion could start with rebuilding the Hallett Cove Boardwalk with plastic.
Tasmania
One of Australia’s rarest birds is dying during migration — researchers are desperate to know why
About 80 per cent of orange-bellied parrots born at Melaleuca in Tasmania are dying in their first year, prompting concern from scientists about what is happening during the migration season.
Community groups demand major projects transparency
Community groups have upped the ante on the state government’s Major Projects Bill, saying the draft should be made available as soon as possible to enable proper scrutiny.
Greens want native logging ban after audit fail [$]
Greens smell blood in the water after a state-owned forestry company falls short of meeting sustainable forestry certification standards.
Peter Boyer
On climate issues, what local government lacks in power, it makes up for in engagement
Labor, stand up against Major Projects law [$]
Peter Mcglone
If it wants to put people first, Labor must stop sitting on the fence on upcoming Major Projects Bill.
Western Australia
Hydrogen buses, microgrids, share in $22m of WA funding for renewable hydrogen
Resources companies dominate list of successful recipients of $22m in WA government funding for hydrogen fuelled transport initiatives.
Esperance lake may be back in pink [$]
Putting the pink back in Esperance’s Pink Lake has become a possibility, with plans being put to the local council next week.
Heritage reform ‘won’t fix 30-year injustice’ [$]
A Pilbara native title group has said Western Australia’s proposed new heritage laws may not rectify an injustice created nearly 30 years ago when Rio Tinto’s Marandoo mine was exempted by parliament from heeding heritage laws over their Pilbara mine site.
NIT editorial
Major iron ore companies Rio Tinto, BHP, FMG and Roy Hill are being heavily scrutinised at the moment regarding heritage agreements with Traditional Owners in WA’s Pilbara region.
Sustainability
A global clean energy health check in 5 charts – good, but must be better
Australia is doing well on lifting renewables and burning less coal – but not that well, and countries with high renewables aren’t building more gas.
‘Throwaway gear’: nonstick pans are rare in restaurants – should home cooks quit them too?
Teflon might have its place but avoid metal utensils, high heat and rapid temperature changes
Building climate resilience in a post-COVID world
Buildings, behind their impassive facades, are veritable carbon faucets: The construction and operation of human-made structures is responsible for 39% of global carbon emissions.
Microplastic particles now discoverable in human organs
New technique expected to enable scientists to find accumulated microplastics in humans
Trump withdraws nomination of controversial attorney for top environment post
William Perry Pendley, who was nominated to lead the Bureau of Land Management, has claimed climate change doesn’t exist
Hipsters look out: Soy milk could be an environmental wrecker
It has long been thought that soy milk was a better option than the regular kind for those who care about the environment, but a new study calls that into question.
Why rich families are turning to ethical investments [$]
Wealthy families are still primarily focused on performance but a new generation are keen on investment with a social purpose.
Widespread electric vehicle adoption would save billions of dollars, thousands of lives
A new study found that if EVs replaced 25% of combustion-engine cars currently on the road, the United States would save approximately $17 billion annually by avoiding damages from climate change and air pollution. In more aggressive scenarios — replacing 75% of cars with EVs and increasing renewable energy generation — savings could reach as much as $70 billion annually.
Converting solar energy to hydrogen fuel, with help from photosynthesis
Global economic growth comes with increasing demand for energy, but stepping up energy production can be challenging. Recently, scientists have achieved record efficiency for solar-to-fuel conversion, and now they want to incorporate the machinery of photosynthesis to push it further.
Long-term exposure to traffic noise may impact weight gain in the UK population
A new study has found a connection between traffic noise and obesity. Long-term exposure to road traffic noise, such as living near a motorway or on a busy road, was associated with an increase in body mass index and waist circumference, which are key markers of obesity.
Climate change worsens effects of nutrient pollution on marine ecosystems
Nutrient overload caused by excess agricultural runoff can seriously harm coastal marine ecosystems, triggering algal blooms that emit toxins and rob marine life of oxygen.
With COVID-19 upending conventional sources of conservation funding, conservationists are rethinking how to fund their work.
A novel way to fund a green economy
Instead of bailing out fossil fuel companies, a National Investment Authority could democratize finance and help fight climate change.
Has Africa′s green revolution failed?
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is a favorite cause among Western donors but a study finds their work to be counterproductive.
World-first mining standard must protect people and hold powerful companies to account
Deanna Kemp et al
A new global standard on tailings dams aim to prevent mining disasters like the Brazil dam collapse in 2019 – but there’s more to do.
Paddy Manning
Outbreaks like COVID-19 are caused by the same fundamental problems as climate change, but the solutions may also be connected
We composted ‘biodegradable’ balloons. Here’s what we found after 16 weeks
Morgan Gilmour and Jennifer Lavers
Since 1989, the balloon industry has relied on a problematic study that claimed balloons degraded “at about the same rate as oak tree leaves” after six weeks. We put it to the test.
How is eating animals still viewed as essential?
Emily Rice
Whether something we desire – or already have – is considered “essential” has never crossed the collective consciousness of Australians quite so much as it has throughout 2020.
Residents battle Amazon fires in Brazil’s Porto Velho – video
Residents in the Brazilian city of Porto Velho city were battling blazes spreading in the dry brush on 16 August, as firefighters arrived at the remote jungle location to fight the fires that continue to threaten the Amazon.
Global warming is changing our plant communities
In a comprehensive study of nearly 20,000 species, research shows that plant communities are shifting to include more heat-loving species as a result of climate change.
Trump administration finalizes plan to open oil drilling in Alaska’s Arctic Refuge
The decision sets up a fierce legal battle over the fate of a vast, remote area that is home to polar bears, caribou and the promise of oil wealth.
Cameroon cancels plan to log half of the Ebo Forest, a key biodiversity hotspot in Central Africa
The Cameroon government has announced it is canceling a plan to log nearly 170,000 acres of the Ebo Forest following sharp criticism from indigenous communities, conservation groups, and scientists.
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