Daily Links Sep 3

You could nearly feel sorry for Angus ‘Fantastic’ Taylor, a man so hidebound by ideology that he turns his back on science and sense and exposes himself to ridicule. With white elephant coal mines, loss-making gas projects and ever more frightening fire seasons, we’ll most likely feel anger rather than sorrow.

Post of the Day 

The mystery of 2 trillion litres of water missing from our most precious river system 

An investigation by some of Australia’s top water scientists reveals the most expensive environmental program in our history is delivering much less water than expected. 

 

On This Day 

Sep 3 

 

Coronavirus Watch 

Confirmed cases: 25,923. Deaths: 663 

 

What is the COVID ‘bubble’ concept, and could it work in Australia? 

The concept of a COVID-19 “germ bubble” refers to close contacts with whom we don’t practise mask use or keep physical distancing. 

 

Face shields are useless and Australians shouldn’t wear them: Study 

Face shields are less annoying to wear than face masks. They’re much easier to breathe in, they don’t fog up your glasses and you don’t need to awkwardly nod and squint to show someone you’re smiling. But will they protect you and others from the coronavirus? No, not unless they’re paired with a face mask. 

 

Climate Change 

Viruses could be harder to kill after adapting to warm environments    

Enteroviruses and other pathogenic viruses that make their way into surface waters can be inactivated by heat, sunshine and other microbes, thereby reducing their ability to spread disease. But researchers report in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology that global warming could cause viruses to evolve, rendering them less susceptible to these and other disinfectants, such as chlorine. 

 

Bering Sea ice extent is at most reduced state in last 5,500 years  

Through the analysis of vegetation from a Bering Sea island, researchers have determined that the extent of sea ice in the region is lower than it’s been for thousands of years. 

 

Should we bank on innovation to hold back global heating? History says it’s a risky bet 

From research scientists to political organizers, people around the planet are working to thwart a threat whose scale has become increasingly clear: Global heating is spurring a climate crisis of megafires, superstorms and record-setting heat waves that current policies are not enough to address. 

 

National 

The mystery of 2 trillion litres of water missing from our most precious river system 

An investigation by some of Australia’s top water scientists reveals the most expensive environmental program in our history is delivering much less water than expected. 

 

‘Spectacular’ native geckoes being poached and sold on black market as most at-risk reptiles named 

Rare Australian geckoes and lizards are under threat from climate change, land clearing and poachers, scientists warn, as they call for more action to protect endangered reptiles. 

 

Are Australian Marine Parks displayed on your navigational plotter? 

Around the Australia coastline, there are 58 Australian Marine Parks, managed by Parks Australia. The easiest way to stay compliant on the water is to make sure marine park boundaries and zones are showing on your plotter! 

 

Pro-forestry enthusiasts seize on error in study to falsely claim logging doesn’t raise bushfire risk 

Politicians and industry use error to dismiss research showing logging can make the state’s forests more flammable 

 

Renewables pour into grid at record rates despite COVID-19 

New sources of renewable energy projects are forcecast to match last year’s record levels despite a pandemic-induced economic downturn. 

 

Battle lines drawn over future of CEFC, as Taylor gets wires crossed on gas 

Labor to oppose efforts by Coalition to push CEFC into fossil fuel projects, as energy minister Angus Taylor gets wires crossed on the corporation’s gas investments. 

 

Joe Biden’s bold climate policies would leave Australia behind 

Bob Carr 

Australia may be sailing perilously close to being cast by Biden’s team with other climate resisters Brazil and Saudi Arabia 

 

The Chief Scientist’s critics are wrong about natural gas 

Richard Bolt  

Without gas, the transition to renewables will be slower and we will need to burn more coal to keep the lights on. 

 

Australia’s climate transition policy remains inadequate 

Anthony Burke 

Climate change is a major challenge to rural and regional Australia. The Earth has now passed 1C of average global heating, but according to the Bureau of Meteorology Australia experienced a 2C increase in maximums last year. 

 

New research reveals these 20 Australian reptiles are set to disappear by 2040 

Hayley Geyle and David Chapple 

With targeted conservation action, we might just save many of these species before it’s too late. 

 

Victoria 

Victoria seeks 600MW wind and solar to power hospitals, schools and trains 

Victoria has announced plans to procure a minimum of 600MW of new solar and wind energy capacity for the state, through a second Renewable Energy Target (VRET) auction that will take government operations to 100% renewables. 

 

New South Wales 

UK conservatives’ action on climate change ‘stuff of dreams’, NSW Premier tells Theresa May 

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has told former UK prime minister Theresa May that from an Australian perspective it was “the stuff of dreams” to see her conservative government legislate last year net-zero carbon emissions targets by 2050. 

 

Government faces more defections as koala crisis rages 

More Nationals MPs are threatening to throw Gladys Berejiklian’s coalition government into turmoil over restrictive koala checks they claim will strip property rights away from regional landholders. 

 

Long-term transport planning is good but the priority now is jobs 

SMH editorial 

The state government needs to come up with a clear plan for how it will recast infrastructure spending. 

 

ACT 

ACT government to build first all-electric hospital, powered by renewables 

The ACT government will build the first all-electric hospital, allowing it to run entirely on renewable energy. 

 

Queensland 

How BHP is buying green energy to halve emissions – at its coal mines 

BHP has committed to reducing the electricity needs at its Queensland coal mines by half and has signed a firm renewable power purchasing agreement with the Government-owned CleanCo. 

 

The list you don’t want to be on if you’re a reptile [$] 

Scientists have identified 20 reptiles likely to become extinct within by 2040, with more than half from Queensland. 

 

Female rangers strive to save endangered glider with first women-only cool burn 

Cindy-Lou Togo has been working as a ranger for 10 years but had never done a controlled burn with a women-only crew until now. 

 

Great Barrier Reef ‘glue’ at risk from ocean acidification 

Scientists have suspected that increasing ocean acidity would weaken and thin the structures underpinning tropical reefs. Now they have irrefutable evidence dating back 30,000 years. 

 

South Australia 

World’s largest lithium-ion battery expanded by 50 per cent, SA lauds battery benefits 

The world’s largest lithium-ion battery is now capable of delivering 150 megawatts and could save South Australia from a statewide blackout, according to the state’s energy minister. 

 

‘Massive amount’ of softwood exported to China amid shortages, timber processor warns 

A South Australian timber processor says exports to China put jobs and industry at risk amid a federal inquiry into timber supply chain. 

 

New festival gets back to nature [$] 

A new 10-day festival which starts in late September aims to help South Australians get back in touch with nature. 

 

City council’s $60k outlay for 2090 climate change report [$] 

Adelaide City Council has been criticised by its deputy mayor for opting to spend up to $60k addressing climate change issues it is unlikely to face until either 2030 or 2090. Is it money well spent? 

 

Northern Territory 

NAIF supporting energy security and new jobs in NT 

The Government’s Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) has approved a $37 million loan to Merricks Capital Ltd for a new 12 megawatt gas-fired power plant in Darwin and a 10 megawatt solar and battery farm near Batchelor, 100 kilometres south of Darwin. 

 

NT electricity grid ‘challenges’ to define stage 2 of landmark power project 

What stage two of a landmark power project in the NT would look like depends on how the private company leading the charge overcomes “challenges” of dispatching power into the electricity grid, according to Rimfire Energy chief executive Michael Allen. 

 

Western Australia 

Rio Tinto ‘fearful’ of engaging with regions which generate their multi-billion dollar profit, WA Minister says 

WA’s Aboriginal Affairs Minister slams Rio Tinto over the destruction of 46,000-year-old rock shelters at Juukan Gorge as he releases a draft bill to change the state’s Aboriginal Heritage Act. 

 

QEII to be sea of green in precinct makeover [$] 

A 50-year master plan of QEII medical centre in Nedlands is set to turn the area into a green sanctuary with its own town civic centre. 

 

Alinta looks to wind and more batteries to turn Pilbara into high renewables grid 

Alinta looks to add wind energy and more batteries to Pilbara grid, as it also decides to spend $95 million to make its gas generators faster and more efficient. 

 

Sustainability 

Asphalt roads make city air pollution worse in summer, study finds 

Scientists find 300% increase in harmful particulates emitted during hot weather 

 

Mexico’s environment minister resigns, president defends government’s green record 

Mexico’s environment minister has resigned after clashing with colleagues over policy priorities, prompting President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to defend the government’s green credentials on Wednesday. 

 

The widespread footprint of blue jean microfibers 

With many people working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, blue jeans are a more popular wardrobe choice than ever. But most people don’t think about microscopic remnants of their comfy jeans and other clothing that are shed during laundering. Now, researchers have detected indigo denim microfibers not only in wastewater effluent, but also in lakes and remote Arctic marine sediments. 

 

UN warns of hazardous waste threat after Beirut blast 

The U.N. Development Program warns the explosion at the Port of Beirut has unleashed tons of hazardous waste that pose enormous threats to health and the environment if not disposed of properly. 

 

Seaport expansion costs will greatly exceed sea-level rise adaption costs through 2050 

Seaport footprints will need to expand by up to 3,689 square kilometers (1,424 square miles) worldwide in the next three decades to cope with the combination of sea-level rise and rising demand, according to a new study published in Earth’s Future, a peer-reviewed scientific journal focusing on climate change and future sustainability. 

 

How screen time and green time may affect youth psychological outcomes 

Less screen time and more green time are associated with better psychological outcomes among children and adolescents, according to a new study. 

 

Nature Conservation 

Medical waste polluting Indonesian river a looming health risk 

Volunteers in Indonesia have been working against the clock to clear up medical waste after the wall of the Cipeucang landfill reached capacity and collapsed, sending tons of garbage into the Cisadane River. 

 

WWF: Canada endangered species face ‘staggering losses’ 

The World Wildlife Fund says species at risk of global extinction have seen population falls of 40%. 

 

‘Creation is groaning’: Pope Francis makes emotional appeal for the environment 

Pope Francis said the constant demand for economic growth is exhausting the natural world. 

 

Common species mirror rare animals’ response to global change 

A study of more than 2,000 species reveals animal populations around the world – from the very common to endangered species – are going up and down as global change alters land, sea and freshwater ecosystems. 

 

Argentina’s wetlands under assault by worst fires in more than a decade 

The worst fires in more than a decade are cutting through Argentina’s vast wetlands, exacerbated by low water levels in the Parana River delta region that have exposed carbon-rich soil ripe for burning. 

 

A critical fight for the rights of nature 

Los Cedros Reserve, one of Earth’s most biodiverse habitats, could be wiped out by mining. A court could save it — and set a precedent for the planet. 

 

Renewable energy can save the natural world – but if we’re not careful, it will also hurt it 

Laura Sonter et al 

Building renewable energy infrastructure involves mining for materials such as lithium, graphite and cobalt. If not done responsibly, that could cause huge environmental damage. 

Maelor Himbury

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