Daily Links Nov 11

Is it just Mark McGowan and the regular eruptions of sandgroper chauvinism that wants state-based environmental approvals or is there a more general enthusiasm for the states more generally to have more power? And there’s nothing here to say that the ALP is better on these matters than the LNP. For the environment  and all who depend upon it, ie every Australian – humans and non-human alike, this could end in tears.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/10/coalition-prepared-transfer-of-environmental-powers-to-states-months-before-epbc-review-reported

Post of the Day

Australia’s gas-led recovery likely to be a ‘mirage’

The Federal Government’s planned gas-led recovery could turn out to be a mirage, according to energy experts, who question the economic case for investing in gas infrastructure when fossil fuels are being rapidly replaced by renewable energy sources.

 

On This Day

November 11

Remembrance Day / Armistice Day

Saint Martin’s Day

 

Ecological Observance

International Energy Saving Day

 

Climate Change

Rivers melt Arctic ice, warming air and ocean

A new study shows that increased heat from Arctic rivers is melting sea ice in the Arctic Ocean and warming the atmosphere.

 

Past is key to predicting future climate, scientists say

A group of climate experts make the case for including paleoclimate data in the development of climate models. Such models are used globally to assess the impacts of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, predict scenarios for future climate and propose strategies for mitigation.

 

Biden′s climate plans: A ′historic tipping point′?

With Joe Biden headed to the White House, environmental campaigners are hoping the US will get back on track and renew its commitment to fighting climate change. But some analysts fear it might be too late.

 

Companies defy investor demands on climate change

Companies are failing to respond to investor demands on climate change, according to a new analysis that examines how prepared businesses are for the transition to a low-carbon economy.

 

National

Australia’s gas-led recovery likely to be a ‘mirage’

The Federal Government’s planned gas-led recovery could turn out to be a mirage, according to energy experts, who question the economic case for investing in gas infrastructure when fossil fuels are being rapidly replaced by renewable energy sources.

 

Australia should cut emissions quickly and lead world in renewable energy, incoming chief scientist says

Physicist Dr Cathy Foley will be tasked with gathering evidence to guide a potential rapid shift away from fossil fuels

 

Green bank shouldn’t fund gas-fired power, ex-officials tell federal MPs

Former senior officers of renewable energy agencies say government’s bill would undermine Clean Energy Finance Corporation’s independence

 

Coalition prepared transfer of environmental powers to states months before EPBC review reported

Correspondence between federal and WA governments shows Scott Morrison proposed a bill as early as February

 

Craig Kelly warns it would be ‘political suicide’ for Scott Morrison to adopt net zero by 2050 target

Liberal MP says there is ‘real concern’ if the Coalition signed up for the net zero commitment as the PM continues to field questions on climate policy

 

‘Immense’ potential of renewable energy could propel Australia to net zero 2050 target

Climate policy experts say Australia needs to set a more ambitious 2030 climate commitment to reach a carbon neutral economy

 

Murdoch’s News Corp defends climate coverage in escalating Turnbull stoush

News Corp is attempting to defuse the former prime minister’s criticism after he locked horns with a senior editor on Q&A over coverage of the national bushfire crisis and climate change.

 

Government backs new solar cell technology expansion into business

The Australian government’s clean energy technology funding vehicle has backed new lightweight solar panels that will open solar pathways to business.

 

Joel Fitzgibbon resignation ‘quietly welcomed’ as Labor finds climate circuit breaker

The resignation of Joel Fitzgibbon from Labor’s shadow cabinet has been quietly welcomed by some party colleagues, with hopes the opposition may finally be united on climate and energy policy.

 

Joel Fitzgibbon quits Labor frontbench but not his fight over the party’s climate policy

Michelle Grattan

Opposition resources spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon has quit the frontbench, accusing Labor of talking too much about issues like climate change and not enough about the needs of its traditional base.

 

From breakfast TV to the backbench: What’s driving Joel Fitzgibbon?

Rob Harris

Joel Fitzgibbon spent 18 months as the Labor caucus’ most polarising figure before he quit the shadow ministry on Tuesday.

 

Internal noise on climate will hobble actual policy fight

Sally Whyte

The dispute over climate change policy in the Labor party that resulted in Joel Fitzgibbon resigning as shadow agriculture and resources minister has been bubbling away for years, and looks set to be the monkey on Anthony Albanese’s back until the next election, and possibly afterwards.

 

Rules shift on the climate battlefield [$]

Jennifer Hewett

Joel Fitzgibbon’s resignation from Labor’s frontbench is another example of Australia’s continuing political brawls over climate changing policy. But the business community and the states are taking a different path.

 

A labour movement divided [$]

Australian editorial

Joel Fitzgibbon’s resignation from the opposition frontbench has delivered more than a shot across Anthony Albanese’s bow.

 

36 years on, I ask: How has Labor gone so wrong? [$]

Joel Fitzgibbon

Labor should be the natural party for workers in mining and industry, but it’s obsessed with climate change.

 

Australia will feel heat from Biden’s win

Peter Boyer

Democracy was a winner last week. But the US election result will put pressure on climate laggards, and that includes us.

 

Banks turn deeper shade of green [$]

Richard Gluyas

Important climate-change developments for the financial services industry swept across three continents this week, almost as if carbon neutrality by 2050 is a thing and policymakers ignore it at their peril.

 

Bushfires: Do we need homes among the gum trees? [$]

Michael Buxton

The recent report of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements missed a crucial opportunity to reduce the risk to us all from bushfires.

 

New South Wales

Gamilaraay Country good ground for native grains production, new study finds

A new study conducted on Gamilaraay Country has found native millet is the most economically viable native grain to grow in the western NSW region.

 

Court rules climate evidence can be presented in case against NSW EPA

For the first time, bushfire survivors will be allowed to present expert scientific evidence on climate change in their landmark case against the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), the Land and Environment Court has ruled.

 

NSW has joined China, South Korea and Japan as climate leaders. Now it’s time for the rest of Australia to follow

Tim Nelson and Joel Gilmore

It’s been a busy couple of months in global energy and climate policy. Australia’s largest trading partners – China, South Korea and Japan – have all announced they will reach net-zero emissions by about mid-century. In the United States, the incoming Biden administration has committed to decarbonising its electricity system by 2035.

 

Queensland

‘It’s an interesting evolutionary process we’re watching’: Brolgas and cranes ‘crossing the dancefloor’ in northern Queensland

An “evolutionary dance” is taking place in the Gulf Country of northern Queensland as two similar, but separate, species of bird are crossbreeding to produce a new hybrid species.

 

The fateful flight that toppled a popular mayor – and almost killed me

John McCarthy

I was a passenger on the fateful flight that has cost Rockhampton mayor Margaret Strelow her job – and once again has placed Adani, or Bravus as it now calls itself, at the centre of a political storm.

 

South Australia

Road charge a jolt for electric car drivers [$]

Drivers of electric and zero-emission cars will be forced to pay a kilometre-based charge to ensure they contribute to the upkeep of roads, the South Australian government has announced in a state budget with national implications.

 

Tasmania

RSPCA Tasmania says charity support should be considered for recycling donations

This National Recycling Week, the RSPCA is shining the spotlight on the anticipated container refund scheme set to roll out in Tasmania by 2022.

 

If you come across wildlife on the roads, contact DPIPWE or Bonorong Wildlife Rescue

As the weather begins to warm up, Tasmanians are being reminded to watch out for wildlife on the roads, particularly at night.

 

Taking conflict of interest out of container refund legislation

Gayle Sloan

The beverage industry should not be the sole voice that shapes Tasmania’s container refund scheme

 

Burning forests for power would make renewable target meaningless [$]

Cassy O’Connor

Don’t let Tasmania’s renewable energy target be a stalking horse for biomass burning’

 

Northern Territory

Anti-fracking protestors who drilled into lawns near NT Parliament found not guilty of criminal damage

Two anti-fracking protestors who drilled holes into the lawns in front of NT Parliament House have been found not guilty of causing criminal damage, with a judge saying the prosecution failed to establish the lawn was the property of the NT government.

 

Jemena eyes partners for $5b-plus northern gas push

Pipeline owner Jemena has unveiled plans for a potential $5 billion-plus expansion and extension of its grid in Australia’s north to bring gas from the remote Northern Territory to the east coast and is on the lookout for partners to join the ambitious project.

 

Western Australia

Ammonia exports the focus for massive outback renewables project

A company planning to build the world’s largest wind-and-solar power generator in the Australian outback sets its sights on exporting ammonia — and says it will build a new coastal town to support the massive infrastructure project.

 

Timber industry in logjam over China ban rumours [$]

A WA company has pressed pause on plan to ship pine logs to China after talk the economic powerhouse added timber to its growing list of blocked Aussie products.

 

A third of our waste comes from buildings. This one’s designed for reuse and cuts emissions by 88%

Roberto Minunno et al

Designing buildings so they can easily be taken apart and the materials reused provides a feasible and commercial pathway for minimising waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Our research shows one such Curtin University building, the Legacy Living Lab in Fremantle, reduces construction waste and cuts emissions to almost a tenth of what a conventional building process would produce.

 

Sustainability

More green spaces can help boost air quality, reduce heart disease deaths

The number of trees, shrubs and grasses in an area – known as green space or greenness – can improve air quality, counteract air pollution and may reduce heart disease deaths. Policies that improve environmental factors also can improve cardiovascular health among a diverse population.

 

Nuclear war could take a big bite out of the world’s seafood

A new study reveals the damage that a nuclear war might take on wild-caught seafood around the world, from salmon and tuna to the shrimp in shrimp cocktails.

 

You don’t have to become vegan to save planet, says study [$]

Researchers looked at five types of broad fixes to the food system and found that counting your calories can be just as effective.

 

9 things the Biden administration could do quickly on the environment

President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. campaigned on the most ambitious climate platform of any presidential candidate in history, promising to spend $2 trillion over four years to draw down planet-warming fossil fuel emissions and convert much of the nation to clean energy.

 

Biden’s Green New Deal is a setback for jobs [$]

Alan Moran

Those promoting renewables talk of cheaper power — but it never switches on.

 

Nature Conservation

Global analysis of forest management shows local communities often lose out

Maintaining forest cover is an important natural climate solution, but new research shows that too often, communities lose out when local forest management is formalized.

 

New research identifies ‘triple trouble’ for mangrove coasts

Some of the world’s most valuable ecosystems are facing a “triple threat” to their long-term durability and survival, new research shows.

 

Scientists unravel how and why Amazon trees die

The capacity of the Amazon forest to store carbon in a changing climate will ultimately be determined by how fast trees die – and what kills them. Now, a huge new study has unravelled what factors control tree mortality rates in Amazon forests and helps to explain why tree mortality is increasing across the Amazon basin.

 

David Suzuki on 60 years of The Nature of Things: ‘I’m more determined than ever’

Television’s longest-running science series has been at the forefront of exploring the climate crisis and our relationship with the natural world.

 

Mining must not come at cost of environmental degradation

Faranak Bakhtiari

Mining is among the most destructive activities in the environment. Although there are some laws in place that are intended to minimize the damage, they are not enough to prevent the irredeemable footprint of mining on nature, especially in cases where the regulations are difficult to enforce.

 

Shy rodents may be better at surviving eradications, but do they pass those traits to their offspring?

Kyla Johnstone et al

Rodents such as house mice (Mus musculus) aren’t just pests at home, they can cause serious damage to native ecosystems.



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