Post of the Day
UN report says up to 850,000 animal viruses could be caught by humans, unless we protect nature
Katie Woolaston and Judith Lorraine Fisher
Human damage to biodiversity is leading us into a pandemic era. The virus that causes COVID-19, for example, is linked to similar viruses in bats, which may have been passed to humans via pangolins or another species.
On This Day
Ecological Observance
Africa Day of Food and Nutrition Security
Climate Change
2020 likely to be one of warmest years on record despite La Niña
Climate crisis exacerbates extreme weather during natural events, say experts
Climate change: China’s forest carbon uptake ‘underestimated’
Scientists put new numbers on Chinese trees’ ability to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Greta Thunberg reflects on living through multiple crises in a ‘post-truth society’
In an exclusive interview with National Geographic, the teen climate activist considers the successes of the youth climate movement and the challenges it will face.
National
ANZ steps away from coal investments to support net zero emissions by 2050
ANZ’s new 10-year climate policy takes steps away from coal and towards supporting diversification and achieving carbon neutrality, but some argue the policy does not go far enough.
Self-confessed “Twitchathon tragic” Mick Roderick and other birdwatchers will traverse hundreds of kilometres over 30 hours this weekend to record as many bird species as possible.
First Nations people asking for climbing bans on significant sites, one year on from Uluru closure
This week marked one year since the Uluru climb was closed – a historic day for Anangu people. But for other First Nations people across the country who’d like to see climbing ended on their country, the fight doesn’t end with Uluru.
Possums in the suburbs: How backyards are also vital in helping conservation
Conserving areas of natural bushland is crucial in protecting threatened species, but there is now evidence that the suburban backyard may be a vital habitat as well.
Morrison slammed as ‘Kim Jong-un of climate’ as Nationals call out ‘virtue-signalling’ banks
Australian politics has again devolved into a mess of mud-slinging and name-calling over climate change, with the federal government sustaining verbal barbs and firing off some of its own over how to combat global warming.
Centre-right thinktank warns Morrison government of ‘grave future for coal exports’
Pandemic should be ‘catalyst for change’, warns Blueprint Institute, which has close ties with former Liberals including Christopher Pyne.
Buildings must now eliminate gas to qualify for top Green Star ratings
Green Building Council of Australia now requires buildings to be completely fossil fuel free and 100% renewable powered to gain the highest possible 6 Green Star rating.
“First” vehicle-to-grid electric car charger goes on sale in Australia
Australian-owned EV-NRG launches domestic V2G charger, with ability to both charge an electric car and discharge energy back to the grid.
Labor agrees to support new gas projects after public brawl sparked by Joel Fitzgibbon
Party has signed off on document acknowledging role gas plays in economic growth, job creation and electricity generation
Unions call on Labor to back coal, gas industries and jobs
Powerful blue collar unions are urging Labor to show greater unity on energy policy by strongly supporting coal and gas.
Bushfire royal commission recommendations must address climate change, say survivors, firefighters
After Nick Hopkins’ Malua Bay home burnt to the ground on New Year’s Eve, he couldn’t go back to living on the fringe of the bush he loves so much.
International momentum towards net-zero carbon emissions is growing and Australia can’t ignore it
Stephen Long
As Australia’s banks and largest fossil fuel customers commit to acting on climate change, Australia must prepare for the inevitable decline in demand for coal
National Party goes all in on coal
Michael Pascoe
The National Party is at a low ebb when a former deputy prime minister, the present Deputy Prime Minister and the man tipped to be the next deputy prime minister are all happy to risk Australia’s financial stability for the sake of their coal sponsors.
Now it’s Labor’s turn for a climate culture war [$]
Phillip Coorey
Labor cannot return to government and change climate policy without winning coal seats in Queensland. Can the party’s Left be kept onside?
ANZ charts climate course through political storms [$]
Jennifer Hewett
The climate change message from business is becoming more confident and increasingly different in tone from Canberra’s message.
Fossil fuels are the new cigarettes – and sport must take a stand
Belinda Noble
Using sport to advertise cigarettes to children is unthinkable these days. But another cashed-up, unhealthy industry is taking its place. And the latest target is the State of Origin.
Why Scott Morrison is likely to be mugged by reality
John Hewson
I fear that while 2020 was a tough year, both economically and socially, 2021 could be even tougher as we transition out of recession, with government phasing down assistance and challenges such as climate becoming even more urgent.
Nationals MPs in race to become mainstream deniers [$]
Richard Gluyas
There was a battle royale between Nationals MPs in Canberra on Thursday for the gold medal in stupidity — the most inane contribution to ANZ Bank’s new climate policy.
Victoria
Metro Melbourne councils crowned climate leaders at national awards
Even in the face of one of the world’s longest COVID-19 lockdowns, Melbourne’s councils are climate trailblazers, with City of Melbourne, City of Yarra and Nillumbik Shire taking out top honours in the prestigious Cities Power Partnership awards last night.
Supreme court halts controversial roadworks for three weeks
Controversial Western Highway roadworks have been halted for a further three weeks after a Victorian Supreme Court hearing was told Djab Wurrung traditional owners believed the removal of culturally-significant trees would contravene the Aboriginal Heritage Act and human rights laws.
Future of Victoria’s aluminium smelter hangs in balance [$]
The nation’s economy would take an $800 million hit and Victoria would lose thousands of jobs if its Alcoa aluminium smelter closes. Now state and federal governments are in negotiations over the future of the site.
New South Wales
‘Absolute gamechanger’: Sydney’s newest toll road to open tomorrow
The 9-kilometre NorthConnex tunnels, that link the M1 and M2, will open tomorrow, but truck drivers say they are being unfairly targeted by hefty fines if they do not use Sydney’s newest toll road.
‘Good sign’ as quoll joeys spotted in a place where they once were extinct
The first two quoll joeys of the season have been spotted in a NSW national park, much to the delight of wildlife experts, who plan to fit them with tracking devices and follow their every move.
Real estate boom for Northern Rivers’ threatened species
The NSW Northern Rivers is set to experience a real estate boom, with 111 nest boxes installed across the region as part of a trial to support threatened species impacted by bushfire.
Blue Mountains Mayor crowned national climate ambassador of year
Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill has taken out top honours for his work on the climate change frontline at the national Cities Power Partnership Awards last night.
Matt Kean chides Sussan Ley over ‘disappointing’ destruction of Port Stephens koala habitat
NSW environment minister says he does not support his federal counterpart, even though his government recommended environmental approval for quarry expansion
Warragamba Dam ‘as risky as bushfire’ for residents [$]
Treat the risk of a flood like the risk of a bushfire this summer — that’s the warning to residents in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley ahead of a few wet months.
ACT
Curtin horse paddock rezoning approved despite community opposition
The redevelopment of the Curtin horse paddocks into a diplomatic estate is a step closer, after a rezoning of the land was approved despite community and political opposition.
Queensland
Futuristic designs surface for Great Barrier Reef’s coral ‘ark’
The building, with a brief to “secure the future of coral reefs” and designed to resemble a mushroom coral, will house 800 species, research laboratories and an exhibition centre.
Queensland — stormy one day, risk of fires the next
Brisbane receives a record drenching as the south-east readies for a third consecutive day of storms, after a battering from “intense cells” overnight.
Adani PI: Miner admits paying for ‘surveillance’ of arch-rival activist
Adani has admitted to hiring a private investigator to spy on activist Ben Pennings as part of its legal case to shut down some of his activities.
Brisbane streets without footpaths stretch ‘from here to Melbourne’
It’s one of the most mundane aspects of a city, but for many people, the humble footpath can be the difference between easy movement or struggling to get around.
Report calls for SEQ road closures on Sundays to encourage cycling
Selected inner-city roads should be shut to cars on Sundays to encourage more cycling and walking, a report from a transport think tank has encouraged.
Royalties and rail on minor parties’ hung-parliament wish list
The Katter’s Australian Party would ask for more water and rail infrastructure in north Queensland, while the Greens would want more flexibility in mine royalties under a hung parliament power-sharing deal.
Wanted: leadership to tap Queensland’s potential
Australian editorial
Queensland needs a safer pair of hands on the economic reins and the LNP should be able to provide them.
Why a coalition between Queensland Labor and the Greens would work
John Quiggin
The Queensland Election, to be held on Saturday, has raised again the long-standing problem of how Labor and the Greens should deal with each other.
South Australia
South Australia names hydrogen hubs to foster “epic” growth in wind and solar
The South Australia Liberal government has named three hydrogen hubs that it expects will result in an “epic” growth in wind and solar capacity in the state, and enable it to become a major energy exporter to the rest of the country and the world.
Tasmania
Remade celebrates its 10 year anniversary with ball
This weekend Albert Hall will house a ball to honour the 10th anniversary of the sustainable, wearable, arts show Remade.
Protesters fighting the Lake Malbena development rallied at the tourism conference gates
Delegates attending the Tasmanian Tourism Conference in Launceston on Thursday were met by protesters calling for the Lake Malbena tourism project to be shelved.
Cable car company takes council to court [$]
The company proposing to build a cable car up at Mt Wellington is taking the Hobart City Council to the planning tribunal over its development application.
Northern Territory
‘Nothing short of disgraceful’: Push to overhaul sacred sites laws
The nation’s sacred site laws are “weak” and “disgraceful”, according to Northern Territory authorities, who are calling for swift changes to see them overhauled.
Government pledges quick results for mining approvals Mining sector approval times overhaul
New Mining Minister Nicole Manison has pledged a regulatory environment that provides certainty for new and existing Territory mine projects
Western Australia
Three-fold hike in insurance premiums mean rangers can’t do crucial bushfire mitigation work
Indigenous ranger groups warn they will be unable to continue fire mitigation work due to insurance premium hikes following the east coast bushfire catastrophe.
$14 trillion investor coalition puts Australia’s miners on notice over Indigenous rights
A coalition of global investors managing a collective $14 trillion has written to Australia’s biggest mining companies describing Rio Tinto’s destruction of Aboriginal rock shelters as a wake-up call and demanding assurances about their relationships with First Nations peoples.
Sustainability
BP hints at near future moves into offshore wind and hydrogen
BP CEO says the oil and gas supermajor will “probably” bid on offshore wind rounds in next six months, as part of pivot into renewables and hydrogen.
It’s no secret that drug trafficking and cartel wars cost human lives, but what isn’t often talked about is their environmental cost.
5 reasons to rethink the future of dams
The United States must grapple with a legacy of 90,000 dams, many unsafe or unwanted.
Protecting nature is vital to escape ‘era of pandemics’ – report
Halting destruction of wild places could slow frequency of deadly outbreaks, say scientists
Trump administration ends gray wolf’s endangered species protections
Conservationists warn move comes too early for species occupying a tiny slice of its former habitat
Fish that eat microplastics take more risks and die younger, study shows
Microplastics can alter the behavior of fish, with those that ingest the pollutants likely to be bolder, more active and swim in risky areas where they die en masse, according to a new study.
How investors are coming up with the green to save the ocean blue
Environmental threats to oceans around the world are prompting innovative new approaches and deals to raise money for rescue efforts.
UN report says up to 850,000 animal viruses could be caught by humans, unless we protect nature
Katie Woolaston and Judith Lorraine Fisher
Human damage to biodiversity is leading us into a pandemic era. The virus that causes COVID-19, for example, is linked to similar viruses in bats, which may have been passed to humans via pangolins or another species.
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