https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210110192431.htm
Post of the Day
Positive ‘tipping points’ offer hope for climate
Positive ‘tipping points’ could spark cascading changes that accelerate action on climate change, experts say.
On This Day
International Earth Chakra Day
Climate Change
UN chief calls for ‘urgent transition’ from fossil fuels to renewable energy
Building a global coalition for carbon neutrality by mid-century will be the UN’s “central objective”, the world body’s top official told a conference on climate action on Monday.
IEA to produce world’s first comprehensive roadmap to net-zero emissions by 2050
The International Energy Agency today announced that it will produce the world’s first comprehensive roadmap for the energy sector to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 as it further strengthens its leadership role in global clean energy transitions.
Impacts of climate change on our water and energy systems: it’s complicated
Researchers have developed a science-based analytic framework to evaluate the complex connections between water and energy, and options for adaptations in response to an evolving climate.
Positive ‘tipping points’ offer hope for climate
Positive ‘tipping points’ could spark cascading changes that accelerate action on climate change, experts say.
New climate change study: Number of people suffering extreme droughts will double
By the late 21st century, global land area and population facing extreme droughts could more than double — increasing from 3% during 1976-2005 to 7%-8%, according to Yadu Pokhrel, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering in MSU’s College of Engineering, and lead author of the research published in Nature Climate Change.
National
Rooftop solar market ends tricky 2020 by smashing records, surpassing 13GW total capacity
Australia’s rooftop solar market ends a challenging 2020 stronger than ever, setting a new installation record.
‘It’s just so neat’: Solar-powered airconditioning hits Australia
The next generation of air con comes with its own built-in solar panels and, once installed, costs nothing to run. Some can have it installed free.
Zero Attribution: Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology keeps silent on climate science
Sandi Keane
Meteorological services around the world have embraced climate attribution science, which ascertains the effect of climate change on extreme weather events. Not so Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, which is remarkably coy about its work in this field.
New South Wales
Miner offers $100 million to counter water losses
South32 is behind a plan to expand coal extraction under Sydney’s catchment.
‘Alarmingly relaxed’: Government slammed for koala inquiry response
The Berejiklian government has backed without qualification a quarter of the recommendations of an upper house inquiry into koalas.
Impact of Sydney Metro project will ‘shock everyone’, minister says
Components of the Sydney Metro project are progressing ahead of schedule, and the result will ‘shock everyone’, officials have said.
Neoen plans massive 500MW big battery west of Sydney
Planning documents reveal Neoen’s plans for the Great Western Battery, “unlike any device” currently operating in New South Wales.
ACT
Mega season for ACT government mowers
Nature is healing in Canberra, with drought, bushfires and smoke haze a distant memory as greenery encompasses the city.
South Australia
Grassfire bears down on South Australian town of Lucindale with reports of buildings on fire
The Country Fire Service said the blaze in the state’s south-east was driven by ‘extreme conditions’ with temperatures hitting 39C
Tasmania
Dorset Council lodges DA for North-East Rail Trail section
The North East rail corridor has sat dormant since freight stopped in 2005, but a decision on its future use has been met by differing views. Despite this, the Dorset Council is pushing ahead with its plans to build a bike trail between Lilydale and Scottsdale by lodging a development application.
RMPAT overturns council decision on Invermay waste processing centre
The state’s planning tribunal has overturned a decision made by the City of Launceston council to reject plans to build a waste processing centre at Invermay.
Bob Brown Foundation is challenging claims by the forestry peak body
After Sustainable Timber Tasmania agreed to postpone logging in the Eastern Tiers area while awaiting results of a federal court challenge by the Bob Brown Foundation, the industry’s peak body has cautioned against the misinterpretation of the moratorium.
Environmentalists, foresters reach swift parrot deal [$]
A Federal Court injunction stoush over swift parrot habitats won’t go ahead as planned, with environmentalists and foresters agreeing to a temporary reprieve.
Northern Territory
Australian Conservation Foundation nuclear campaigner Dave Sweeney said the end of processing was a good day.
Western Australia
Bushfire threat to homes in Rockingham, WA
An emergency warning has been issued for a bushfire threatening homes at Rockingham, southwest of Perth.
Gorgon LNG permits halved in win against Chevron [$]
Conservationists have won a limited victory against Chevron, successfully arguing that the environmental licence for the gas giant’s Gorgon LNG project be reduced to allow for more frequent reviews.
WA to keep approving mines while new heritage laws in limbo [$]
Premier Mark McGowan says his government will not wear any blame for project delays stemming from mines being ultra-cautious following Juukan Gorge.
Sustainability
Chinese nuclear firm told it must resolve Bradwell safety issues
Disposal of radioactive waste is one of six issues to be addressed before plant in Essex can go ahead
A safer, less expensive and fast charging aqueous battery
Researchers have developed a new battery anode that overcomes the limitations of lithium-ion batteries and offers a stable, high-performance battery using seawater as the electrolyte.
Scientists make sustainable polymer from sugars in wood
Scientists have made a sustainable polymer using the second most abundant sugar in nature, xylose.
Prince Charles urges businesses to sign Terra Carta pledge to put planet first
Magna Carta-style project aims to ‘bring prosperity into harmony with nature’
Shareholders push HSBC to cut exposure to fossil fuels
HSBC could be forced to slash its exposure to fossil fuels – starting with coal – from next year, after an influential group of investors filed a shareholder vote urging the bank to ramp up its climate commitments.
New process more efficiently recycles excess CO2 into fuel, study finds
A new study introduces an electrochemical reaction, enhanced by polymers, to improve CO2-to-ethylene conversion efficiency over previous attempts.
More than 50 countries commit to protection of 30% of Earth’s land and oceans
Coalition says promise is key to preventing mass extinctions and ensuring clean air and water
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