Post of the Day
New report projects severe coral bleaching globally in this century
The United Nations recently released a new report projecting future coral reef bleaching globally.
On This Day
Totensonntag (Sunday of the Dead) – Germany
Saint Cecilia’s Day – Mexico
Ecological Observance
Arbor Day – British Virgin Islands
National
War of the weedkiller: why environmentalists are concerned about moves to ban Roundup
Many say herbicide is an essential tool in preserving biodiversity but others say it’s a ‘delusion’ to think weed control is only possible with ‘poison’
Truffle munching wallabies shed new light on forest conservation
Scientists have studied how swamp wallabies spread truffle spores around the environment. Results of the research demonstrate the importance of these animals to the survival of the forest.
After a series of dramatic events, Morrison is facing a very different climate playing field in 2021
Michael Slezak
As the world strides ahead to try to stop global warming, Australia is risking becoming isolated and missing out on the opportunities the transition poses
Victoria
Owners of electric vehicles to be taxed 2.5c for every kilometre they drive
The Victorian government says the new tax will make road charging “fairer” for all motorists.
Andrews defends decision to ditch airport rail tunnel
Premier Daniel Andrews has defended a decision to ditch a multibillion-dollar dedicated rail tunnel to Melbourne Airport, saying the chosen option will be cheaper and faster to build.
‘Renewables superhighway’ to ease grid limits, open way for Snowy 2.0
Transmission constraints between Victoria and NSW will be eased after the Andrews and Morrison governments struck a $200 million deal to underwrite a key grid project that will also spur more investment in wind and solar farms.
Indigenous writer Bruce Pascoe talks about the cultivation of native grasses at his property and the potential for them to be successful Australian crops.
New South Wales
A state of disarray as koala war continues to rage
Round two of the so-called koala wars erupted this week with political manoeuvering, legal wrangling and a sacking.
Stokes vows to strengthen koala protection, predicts ‘fraught’ talks
Planning Minister Rob Stokes remains determined to tighten koala protections despite being ordered by the Premier to reverse years of work after the latest flare-up with the Nationals.
In a pulse of brilliance, the Blue Mountains fireflies are back
To the delight of many, the Blue Mountains firefly seems to be recovering after good winter and spring rains spur the recovery of all creatures bright and dull after last summer’s bush blazes.
Time to act, Premier: our koalas, and farmers, deserve better
Peter FitzSimons
Sorry, what, Premier? “Our farmers deserve certainty,” you and your Deputy Premier John Barilaro said in statement after one of your own, Catherine Cusack, crossed the floor on Thursday afternoon to thwart what would have been yet more devastating land-clearing legislation hastening the extinction of koalas
ACT
The hot moral dilemma of keeping cool
Canberra Times editorial
We often know what the right thing to do is – but that doesn’t mean we do it. Our own comfort can dominate our decision-making.
Queensland
Greens duo join protest forces [$]
South Brisbane Greens MP Amy MacMahon has committed to supporting protests that align with her party’s values, adding that she did not disagree with all tactics used by climate group Extinction Rebellion.
‘Their DNA takes over’: 150th green sea turtle released from privately owned rehab centre
A mostly volunteer-run centre off Gladstone celebrates a milestone 150th release, sending three green sea turtles on their way at Zilzie beach, on the Capricorn Coast.
South Australia
Proposed changes to the laws governing use of SA’s pastoral lands give greater power to graziers at the expense of the environment, conservationists say.
Tasmania
Blue Derby Wild has a vision of a green tourism mecca in the North-East of Tasmania [$]
In the middle of a forest two people stand hunched over the boot of their car staring at a laptop screen. For those that don’t know what they are doing there, it presents a rather perplexing sight.
‘We need to acknowledge these rivers are in danger’ [$]
Conservationist Todd Walsh has spent most of his life trying to protect the habitat of Tasmania’s giant freshwater crayfish. But he reckons there’s still a long way to go – like admitting Tassie’s “clean, green” status isn’t 100 per cent true.
Northern Territory
NT Government shaves $120 million off McArthur River Mine environmental security bond
The NT Government quietly reduces the environmental rehabilitation bond for a major Top End mine by more than $100 million after controversially approving a significant expansion of the site.
Miner pledges to protect Aboriginal sacred sites [$]
The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) says it wants McArthur River Mine (MRM) to commit to properly engaging with custodians about its expansion plans 45km southwest of Borroloola.
NT government urged to reject ‘speculative’ licence for largest private water allocation in state
Aboriginal title holders are alarmed that Fortune Agribusiness is seeking to use more than 40,000 megalitres of water each year for irrigation
Gateway goes solar with thousands of new panels [$]
Palmerston’s biggest shopping centre is taking a major step towards energy efficiency
Sustainability
Researchers recommend more transparency for gene-edited crops
To gain trust, researchers recommend a wide-ranging coalition that would provide more transparency on the presence and use of gene editing in food supplies.
‘Oasis effect’ in urban parks could contribute to greenhouse gas emissions
Following a year of on-site analyses at a Phoenix-area park, hydrologists identified that the park showed what meteorologists call the ‘oasis effect,’ a microclimate that is cooler than a surrounding dry area due to the evaporation of a water source.
New report projects severe coral bleaching globally in this century
The United Nations recently released a new report projecting future coral reef bleaching globally.
Rare species of small cats inadequately protected
The Indian subcontinent is a hotspot for wild felines. A new study headed by Uppsala University now shows that only 6-11 per cent of the areas where three rare cat species have their habitat are protected. Lack of knowledge about these species has been an obstacle to understanding their needs for reserves.
Some Amazon rainforest regions more resistant to climate change than previously thought
Is the Amazon rainforest as sensitive to water stress as what the current models have been showing? Columbia Engineering researchers found that the models have been largely over-estimating water stress in tropical forests. While models show that increases in air dryness greatly diminish photosynthesis rates in certain regions of the Amazon rainforest, observational data results show the opposite: in certain very wet regions, the forests instead even increase photosynthesis rates in response to drier air.
Elephant genetics guide conservation
A large-scale study of African elephant genetics in Tanzania reveals the history of elephant populations, how they interact, and what areas may be critical to conserve in order to preserve genetic diversity of the species.
First map of bee species around the globe
There are over 20,000 species of bee, but accurate data about how these species are spread across the globe are sparse. However, researchers have now created a map of bee diversity by combining the most complete global checklist of known bee species with the almost 6 million additional public records of where individual species have appeared around the world.
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