Daily Links Dec 2

Christians Figueres is frustrated? Waddya reckon most Australians feel about the LNP government being hell-bent on a national suicide? Which bit of 2 degrees above the long term average temperature for Spring or 2.47 degrees above the November mean (years 1961 – 1990) doesn’t the Pentecostal PM understand?


Post of the Day

New research reveals ‘megatrends’ that will affect forests in the next decade

A group of experts from academic, governmental and international organisations have identified five large-scale ‘megatrends’ affecting forests and forest communities. These are likely to have major consequences – both positively and negatively – over the coming decade.

 

On This Day

December 2

 

Climate Change

Climate change warms groundwater in Bavaria

Groundwater reservoirs in Bavaria have warmed considerably over the past few decades. A new study compares temperatures at 35 measuring stations, taken at different depths, with data from the 1990s. Water found at a depth of 20 meters was almost one degree warmer on average than 30 years ago.

 

Watching the Arctic thaw in fast-forward

The frozen permafrost in the Arctic is thawing on an alarming scale. By analyzing an annual record of satellite images, researchers have now confirmed these findings: thermokarst lakes in Alaska are draining one by one because warmer and wetter conditions cause deeper thaw, effectively weakening frozen ground as a barrier around lakes. In the season 2017/2018, lake drainage was observed on a scale that scientists didn’t expect until the end of the century.

 

Trees can help slow climate change, but at a cost

Widespread forest management and protections against deforestation can help mitigate climate change – but will come with a steep cost if deployed as broadly as policymakers have discussed, new research suggests.

 

By declaring a climate emergency Jacinda Ardern needs to inspire hope, not fear

David Hall et al

There is no question that we must act, and act fast, on climate change. This week’s climate emergency declaration by the New Zealand government acknowledges the urgency of the climate crisis and the need to collectively confront it.

 

National

The data is in and Australia just had its hottest November on record

The BOM confirms it after crunching last month’s numbers, while it was also the country’s warmest spring on record for minimum and mean temperatures.

 

Fact check: Who has reduced emissions more, Labor or the Coalition?

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese says Labor achieved a 15 per cent reduction in carbon emissions when it was last in Government, and that the Coalition has only achieved 1 per cent. Is he correct?

 

Liberal MP Warren Entsch urges Coalition to adopt net zero emissions target by 2050

Great Barrier Reef envoy tells party room the government should be seen as leaders on climate action, not ‘reluctant followers’

 

‘Need a resolution’: Government fights opposition to toxic waste dump plans

A likely Senate roadblock to establish a radioactive waste dump in regional South Australia could be used by the Morrison government as a trigger to go to an early election as it prepares to bring the issue to a vote in the coming days.

 

‘Fire in the belly’: Indigenous-led environment group powers up

The national director of Seed Mob says it is a long-overdue initiative to place Aboriginal people at the centre of Australia’s climate response.

 

World awaits action by ‘suicidal’ Australia, says former climate chief

The world is waiting for a “suicidal” Australia to reverse its stance on climate change, says one of the world’s most senior diplomats.

 

Federal Nationals slam state Coalition’s ‘pixieland power plan’ [$]

The climate wars have re-emerged in the Coalition, with Nationals MPs urging Scott Morrison to build a new coal-fired power station­ while a Liberal MP wants the government to commit to a net-zero emission by 2050 target.

 

Transparency lost as Taylor seizes control of now “secret” energy minister forums

There is a growing concern within the energy market over the lack of transparency and lack of involvement of energy market experts, including key energy market regulators, in the meetings of federal and state energy ministers following a Morrison government led push for secrecy around such meetings.

 

Not all blackened landscapes are bad. We must learn to love the right kind

Claire Smith et al

The devastation wrought by last summer’s unprecedented bushfires created blackened landscapes across Australia. New life is sprouting, but with fires burning again in New South Wales and Queensland we have once more seen burnt land and smoke plumes.

 

Subsidies drain power from the electricity market [$]

Alan Moran

Last week’s virtual Climate and Energy Summit screened politicians, industry leaders and bur­eaucrats, many of whom have been responsible for destroying the world’s most competitive electricity industry. The sledgehammer has been subsidies through regulations and government spending, which are running at $7bn a year.

 

Australia’s states have been forced to go it alone on renewable energy, but it’s a risky strategy

Dylan McConnell

Several Australian states are going it alone on the the energy transition, forced to act on renewables after the federal government effectively vacated the policy space.

 

Victoria

Melbourne public transport to get cheaper off-peak fares to help with social distancing

The Victorian Government wants to reward commuters who travel outside peak hours and make it easier for businesses to offer staggered work start times.

 

Department fines company for breaching environmental approval conditions

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has fined a construction company for failing to meet environmental approval conditions.

 

State Government proposes reforms to protect green wedge

The Victorian Government is seeking community feedback on stronger planning controls to permanently protect Melbourne’s green wedges and agricultural land.

 

Victorian households to become national energy grid guinea pigs

Households and businesses in north-east Victoria will be able to buy and sell renewable electricity generated locally in a $28 million project that could be used as a blueprint for energy grids of the future.

 

Neoen and Tesla get to work on Australia’s biggest battery near Geelong

Neoen, Tesla and the Victoria government hold ground-breaking ceremony for the Victorian Big Battery, which will be biggest battery in the country.

 

New South Wales

‘A wrong is being righted’: New land to form protective ring around Indigenous site

The transfer of the former grazing property to a national park to protect the Mount Grenfell Historic Site has taken decades of activism. 

 

Nats demand $2bn NSW energy deal be ripped up [$]

Furious Nationals MPs want the federal government to rip up its energy deal with NSW after Energy Minister Matt Kean failed to consult on his ‘radical’ renewables roadmap.

 

Queensland

Fraser Island residents told to prepare to leave as bushfire battle rages on multiple fronts

Residents and staff at Fraser Island’s largest resort and the neighbouring village have been told to prepare to leave, with the fire warning this morning increased to Watch and Act level.

 

Almost half of Fraser Island burnt despite 1 million litres of water, retardant

Almost 1 million litres of water and fire-retardant gel have been dropped by water-bombers onto Fraser Island in the past few days, but flames continue to threaten residents and holiday-makers.

 

Renewables focus in budget is a good start for our Reef

The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) has welcomed the Queensland government’s budget drive towards a renewable energy future as heartening news for our Great Barrier Reef.

 

QLD mining company fined for breaching environmental approval conditions

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has fined a mining company for failing to comply with environmental approval conditions.

 

Why do commuters avoid busy buses in the morning but not on the way home?

Queensland public transport users are heading to work later to avoid crowds over COVID-19 fears – but knocking off at their usual time to jump aboard busy afternoon services.

 

Who’s the boss: Lucas Dow returns to the power seat at Adani

Adani’s one-time chief executive Lucas Dow is back in the executive suites after being appointed as country head and chief

 

Premier warns coal jobs on the line as China dispute deepens

Plunging coal prices and a trade feud with China have slashed this year’s expected mining royalties by a quarter than what was predicted just three months ago.

 

Greens MP’s plan to turn parliament ‘inside out’ [$]

The Greens MP who defeated Queensland political giant Jackie Trad has promised to spend the next four years battling “to turn parliament inside out”. Here’s her battle plan.

 

The ‘smell’ of coral as an indicator of reef health

A study conducted in the southern Great Barrier Reef reveals the chemical diversity of emissions from healthy corals. The researchers found that across the reef-building coral species studied on Heron Island, the abundance and chemical diversity of their gas emissions fell significantly during heat stress experiments. With the increasing frequency of heat stress events, understanding coral emissions may prove to be a key reef conservation tool.

 

South Australia

Methane-busting seaweed farms on track for 2021 production

Construction of the first farm and processing plant to turn red seaweed into a feed supplement for cows to reduce their methane production by 90 per cent is expected to begin mid next year.

 

Tasmania

The Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers Program has been run since 2008

The answer to the question of “how to fix” kanamaluka/Tamar River estuary depends on who you ask, but a group of independent experts are adamant that science has the answer.

 

‘Absolute mess’: Calls for change to heritage legislation following protest at tiralina

Tasmanian Aboriginal Land Council chairman Michael Mansell says cultural heritage protection in Tasmania is an “absolute mess” following protests to stop a roadworks ‘test-dig’ at tiralina (Eaglehawk Neck).

 

‘Shocking’ parrot count demands swift response [$]

The plight of the endangered swift parrot, already threatening to curtail Tasmanian native forest logging, is far more precarious than thought, prompting experts to demand “urgent” habitat protection.

 

Billions in debt for a project no one wants [$]

Christine Milne

Is the $7.1B Battery of the Nation plan all it’s cracked up to be – especially when the markets we’d sell to on the mainland already have cheaper, better alternatives.

 

Is Hobart being poisoned by toxic green ideology?

Simon Bevilacqua

Parking in Hobart CBD is a pain in the butt, and between the ridiculous prices, militant attendants and roadworks, punters will soon be shopping and dining elsewhere – especially if council take away more parks.

 

Western Australia

Rooftop solar claims its biggest victim yet – Australia’s newest coal generator

One of the owners of the newest coal generator in the country has written off its entire investment, and the growth in rooftop solar is largely the cause.

 

Sustainability

Producing ammonia with a much smaller carbon footprint

Researchers describe a new process to produce ammonia with a potentially much lower carbon footprint.

 

Hydrogen-powered heavy duty vehicles could contribute significantly to achieving climate goals

A partial transition of German road transport to hydrogen energy is among the possibilities being discussed to help meet national climate targets. Researcher from the IASS have examined the hypothetical transition to a hydrogen-powered transport sector through several scenarios. Their conclusion: A shift towards hydrogen-powered mobility could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and greatly improve air quality – in particular, heavy d

 

Scientists warn of the social and environmental risks tied to the energy transition

New international research by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) warns that green energy projects can be as socially and environmentally conflictive as fossil fuel projects. While renewable energies are often portrayed as being environmentally sustainable, this new study cautions about the risks associated with the green energy transition, arguing for an integrated approach that redesigns energy systems in favor of social equity and environmental sustainability.

 

Recycled concrete could be a sustainable way to keep rubble out of landfill

Results of a new five-year study of recycled concrete show that it performs as well, and in several cases even better, than conventional concrete. Researchers conducted side-by-side comparisons of recycled and conventional concrete within two common applications — a building foundation and a municipal sidewalk. They found that the recycled concrete had comparable strength and durability after five years of being in service.

 

Feeling pressured to buy Christmas presents? Read this (and think twice before buying candles)

Gary Mortimer and Jana Bowden

Christmas marks a peak in consumerism across the West. Despite the COVID downturn, this Christmas the spending frenzy is unlikely to be dampened.

 

Nature Conservation

Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon skyrockets to 12-year high

Farmer, miners and land grabbers have used a weakening of Brazil’s environmental protections to lay waste to swathes of the Amazon, and it could leave the Government open to being sued under its own climate change laws.

 

The dangerous job of protecting the environment in Russia

Environmental rights groups in the country are facing severe harassment by the authorities.

 

Ginkgo trees nearly went extinct. Here’s how we saved these ‘living fossils’

These ancient trees persisted for nearly 200 million years until they all but vanished. Now they line city streets.

 

New research reveals ‘megatrends’ that will affect forests in the next decade

A group of experts from academic, governmental and international organisations have identified five large-scale ‘megatrends’ affecting forests and forest communities. These are likely to have major consequences – both positively and negatively – over the coming decade.

 

From Hobart, to London, to Dhaka: using cameras and AI to build an automatic litter detection system

Arianna Olivelli and Uwe Rosebrock

It’s estimated about two million tonnes of plastics enter the oceans from rivers each year. But our waterways aren’t just conveyor belts transporting land waste to the oceans: they also capture and retain litter.

Maelor Himbury
6 Florence St Niddrie 3042
0432406862 or 0393741902
If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender by 
return email, delete it from your system and destroy any copies.