PS: Maelor is off for a few days.
Date: 12 March 2021 at 8:45:34 am AEDT
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Mar 12
Post of the Day
Bigger than COVID? Study warns land use errors could unleash new pandemics
The study argues activities from recreation to agriculture to energy exploration all risk unleashing new infectious and debilitating diseases.
On This Day
Ecological Observance
Tree Day – North Macedonia
Arbor Day – China and Taiwan
Climate Change
Air pollutant reductions could enhance global warming without greenhouse gas cuts
New modeling experiments from Kyushu University of the long-term effects of reductions in air pollutants known as sulfate aerosols predicts further increases in surface air temperature at current and increased carbon dioxide levels because of loss of an overall cooling effect caused by the light-scattering particles. Such modeling accounting for slow climate responses to changes in the atmosphere indicates the need to reduce air pollution and carbon dioxide simultaneously.
U.S. must slash emissions by at least 57% to meet Paris climate target: Report
The United States needs to set a target to slash its greenhouse gas emissions between 57% and 63% below 2005 levels by 2030 in order to achieve the Biden administration’s longer-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, according to a new analysis.
Summer could last six months by 2100, study finds
If emissions continue unchecked, summers in the Northern Hemisphere could last nearly six months by 2100, according to a new study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Will COVID-19 be a tipping point for climate action?
The pandemic caused a brief, dramatic dip in carbon dioxide emissions in 2020. Will it also bring lasting change?
National
More than 100 Australian faith groups have teamed up to demand greater action on climate change
Faith leaders around the country have held protests urging the Morrison government to commit to more action on climate change, as part of a global movement.
Australia to fight EU’s carbon tariffs with its own plan
Australia will push to slash global tariffs on wind turbines, solar panels and other green industries rather than agree to a European plan to impose carbon levies.
Fukushima nuclear disaster 10th anniversary: Global crisis has clear local lessons
A joint statement from the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Electrical Trades Union.
Ten years ago, the world held its breath, crossed its fingers and learnt a new word.
Funds have $1 trillion to spend on renewables, but are scared of Australia’s policy chaos
James Fernyhough
Big global pension funds have a huge and growing appetite for renewables, but they need policy stability, and Australia’s policy chaos is scaring them away.
Angus Taylor has failed as a politician and energy minister. He should be moved on
David Leitch
Yallourn closure will be quickly followed by others, and Taylor’s response shows the Coalition government has nothing to offer and doesn’t even understand what’s happening.
Australian uranium fuelled Fukushima and now fuels global insecurity
Jim Green and David Noonan
Overseas suppliers who turned a blind eye to unacceptable nuclear risks in Japan have largely escaped scrutiny or blame. Australia’s uranium industry is a case in point.
Remembering Fukushima: The disastrous result of Australia’s uranium exports
Dave Sweeney
On the tenth anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, it’s important to reflect on the consequences of uranium mining and nuclear power
Outcry at Australia’s coal plant closures misses the point: change is coming
Adam Morton
Trying to heavy owners won’t hold back the renewables tide. It’s time to plan, and the blueprint exists
Clock is ticking for coal but Canberra seems unwilling to listen
Age editorial
Providing reliable power seven days a week, 24 hours a day is going to happen only if all levels of government play a role.
We must control detonation of coal-fired power plants
Daniel D’Hotman and Luke Heeney
Our failure to recognise the risk of unplanned power plant closures, like the one announced this week, has left the electricity grid in a precarious position. This will drive supply shortages, increase prices and harm Australian communities.
Australia’s climate inaction remains a national embarrassment
John Hewson
The drift in the progress to a low-carbon world by mid-century is alarming.
Chris Briggs
Yallourn power station — Australia’s oldest, dirtiest coal plant — will close four years ahead of schedule in 2028. Announcing the move this week, operator Energy Australia said it will build a giant energy storage battery on the site to make room for more renewables. This is a powerful statement about where our energy system is heading.
Vital Signs: timing of Yallourn’s closure shows it’s high time for a carbon price
Richard Holden
If you ever doubted the price of renewable energy was falling so rapidly it would eventually replace fossil fuels, the expedited closure of the Yallourn coal-fired power plant should change that.
Hydrogen hype: Angus Taylor’s last throw of the dice for brown coal
Brian Toohey
Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor’s backing for the Victorian-based hydrogen export plan, which he described as a “significant project”, defies financial credibility.
As coal exits, what will take its place? [$]
AFR view
The botched transition to cleaner power is a political failure, not a market failure.
Solar and software power the energy transformation [$]
John Durie
Energy Australia’s decision to close Yallourn four years early has underlined the transition in the energy industry — and the sooner it happens the better it will be for all Australian industry.
Victoria
Environment groups say Victorian gas import terminal not needed after gas use cuts
Gas import terminal in Victoria may not be needed as new analysis suggests energy efficiency programs could eliminate predicted gas shortfalls.
Hydrogen project fuels Latrobe Valley job hopes as coal plants close
Australia’s most advanced project trialling hydrogen exports to Asia has begun production in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, raising jobs hopes as coal plants retire.
Suburban residents sound alarm on rare butterflies as rail works kick off
A patch of remnant bushland in Melbourne’s north-east is home to the endangered Eltham copper butterfly, but residents are worried that level crossing removal works could put it at risk.
Gippsland wind farm wants sacked Yallourn workers [$]
Workers who lose their jobs when the Yallourn coal-fired power station closes will be targeted by Australia’s first offshore wind farm off the coast of Gippsland.
New South Wales
Northern Beaches Council goes 100 pct renewable, puts wind up Abbott
The Sydney Local Government Area that is home to anti-wind crusader Tony Abbott is now powered almost entirely by wind.
MidCoast Council is again asking the community to refrain from approaching or feeding Dingoes in the Tea Gardens / Hawks Nest area following the need for lethal control of a sub-adult pack this week.
NSW to go it alone on vehicle emissions standards to avoid becoming ‘dumping ground’
Leaked document reveals plan to harmonise regulations with European standards and encourage electric vehicle uptake
Coal plant closures loom large as NSW backs hydrogen for the Hunter
NSW coal plants are under increasing threat from booming renewables, analysts say, as the state government tips $70 million into a hydrogen fund for the Hunter region.
Scientists hope to find way to stop mass eucalypt dieback in Australian alps
Researchers know insects are eating the gums but they want to discover the underlying stressor leaving the trees open to attack
Between a black rock and a hard place
For more than 100 years, Collie has dug up coal. But Australia’s demand for the black river of gold is drying up.
ACT
Switch flipped on Australia’s largest community-owned solar farm
Around 260 homes are now being powered by Australia’s largest community-owned solar farm, which opened today in Canberra’s east.
Queensland
Extremely rare albino turtle hatches on Great Barrier Reef
This “one-in-100,000” albino green turtle has hatched on Lady Elliot Island, but scientists say it faces a very slim chance of survival.
UNESCO report supports crucial role of Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Resilient Reefs Initiative
The Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Resilient Reef sites are crucial blue carbon ecosystems which hold a third of the carbon dioxide stored across all 50 World Heritage marine sites, according to a new UNESCO report.
Kids go bush as Brisbane program teaches tots to learn among the gumtrees
The council program, in which Brisbane preschoolers learn about the environment through hands-on activities, is proving very popular.
Small fish have big impact on marine populations, research finds
Research has found it is better to be a small fish in a big ocean – at least when it comes to producing offspring.
Bowen’s mine visit to win over coal workers [$]
Chris Bowen has visited a coalmine in central Queensland as he moves to convince voters in the resources-rich state their jobs will be safe if he is energy minister.
South Australia
Massive $3 billion wind, solar and battery project approved in South Australia
Massive Goyder South wind, solar and battery storage project in South Australia gains planning approval, with first stage to begin construction later this year.
Household waste, 140 mattresses, truckload of tyres illegally dumped in bush
A massive clean-up has begun to remove up to 100 truckloads of illegally dumped rubbish in otherwise pristine bushland around the Aboriginal community of Gerard.
Bumper cloud of megabats wreaks havoc on Adelaide’s power network
With wingspans of up to one-metre, protected grey-headed flying foxes are causing multiple blackouts a week
Cudlee Creek bushfire victims launch $150 million lawsuit
Victims of the 2019 Cudlee Creek bushfire have begun a class action lawsuit seeking $150 million in damages from SA Power Networks over the devastating blaze which claimed one life and destroyed scores of homes.
Climate activist ‘vandal’ released on bail, can keep protesting [$]
A man charged over Wednesday’s chaotic Extinction Rebellion protest in the CBD has faced court – and a magistrate agreed with his right to protest.
Gluing yourself to the street won’t change hearts and minds [$]
David Penberthy
They want to save the world, but David Penberthy says Extinction Rebellion’s tactics will just turn the public against them.
Tasmania
Planned forest burning on the nose of beer, wine producers
Wine and beer producers north of Hobart are pleading with authorities to stop planned forestry burns they say threaten their livelihoods — or do better in communicating that they are about to take place.
Aboriginal delegation to demand land hand-backs from Gutwein
An Aboriginal delegation will meet with Premier Peter Gutwein in Launceston tomorrow to discuss the prospect of future land hand-backs.
Gruesome mass discovery of dead Tasmanian devils
A spate of Tasmanian devil deaths in one of their last strongholds has led to calls for an urgent increase in federal funding to help protect the endangered animals.
Styx Valley logging fire ‘out of control’
Media release – Bob Brown Foundation
Bob Brown Foundation has called for an urgent immediate inquiry into a fire in the Styx Valley currently being attended to.
Western Australia
Rio Tinto: The false dawn of Modernisation
NIT Editorial
There is growing consternation and real concern amongst Pilbara Traditional Owners that Rio Tinto is not interested in substantively righting the wrongs of the past decades where it has been making massive profits for its shareholders while many of the Pilbara mob live in Third World conditions.
Sustainability
Global wind capacity grows by nearly 100GW in 2020, GE takes lead
Nearly 100GW of new wind capacity was commissioned in 2020, with GE and Siemens overtaking Vestas as the biggest turbine makers.
Recyclable bioplastic membrane to clear oil spills from water
Polymer scientists have developed a polymer membrane from biobased malic acid. It is a superamphiphilic vitrimer epoxy resin membrane that can be used to separate water and oil.
Bill Gates backs $1/kg green hydrogen water splitter technology
Bill Gates venture fund leads funding round H2Pro, which is developing a potential game-changing low cost green hydrogen technology.
Face masks and the environment: Preventing the next plastic problem
Every minute of the day we throw away 3 million face masks. Many end up as potentially toxic micro- and nanoplastic or carriers for other toxicants in the environment, researchers warn.
Solar Cells: The mystery of the missing energy – solved
The efficiency of solar cells can be increased by exploiting a phenomenon known as singlet fission. However, unexplained energy losses during the reaction have until now been a major problem. Scientists have now discovered what happens during singlet fission and where the ‘lost’ energy goes.
Will the race for electric vehicles endanger the Earth’s most sensitive ecosystem?
Materials needed to make the batteries for electric cars and other clean technology is driving interest in deep-seabed mining, and scientists fear the cost to the ocean will be steep.
Bitcoin’s climate change impact is under scrutiny
As companies and investors increasingly say they are focused on climate and sustainability, the cryptocurrency’s huge carbon footprint could become a red flag.
10 years after Fukushima, safety is not the biggest problem for the us nuclear industry
Proponents want atomic energy to be part of the clean energy transition, but high costs are a major impediment.
Fukushima’s tragic legacy—radioactive soil, ongoing leaks, and unanswered questions
The ripple effects from one of the world’s worst nuclear catastrophes continue after a decade, with implications for human health and remediation efforts.
Large computer language models carry environmental, social risks
Computer engineers at the world’s largest companies and universities are using machines to scan through tomes of written material. The goal? Teach these machines the gift of language. Do that, some even claim, and computers will be able to mimic the human brain. But this impressive compute capability comes with real costs, including perpetuating racism and causing significant environmental damage, according to a new paper, “On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots: Can Language Models Be Too Big?”
New US vehicles must be electric by 2030 to meet climate goals – report
Joe Biden needs ‘visionary target’ of cutting US emissions by 60% over 2005 levels
MEPs back law to hold firms to account for environment and human rights abuses
Big majority in EU parliament vote for corporate due diligence along entire supply chains, which will include UK businesses
Electric cars are coming. How long until they rule the road?
A new car sold today can last a decade or two before retiring. This “fleet turnover” poses a major challenge for climate policy.
‘Lost’ ocean nanoplastic might be getting trapped on coasts
As plastic debris weathers in aquatic environments, it can shed tiny nanoplastics. Although scientists have a good understanding of how these particles form, they still don’t have a good grasp of where all the fragments end up. Now, researchers have shown experimentally that most nanoplastics in estuarine waters can clump, forming larger clusters that either settle or stick to solid objects, instead of floating on into the ocean.
Deforestation’s effects on malaria rates vary by time and distance
Deforestation may cause an initial increase in malaria infections across Southeast Asia before leading to later decreases, a study suggests.
How global sustainable development will affect forests
Global targets to improve the welfare of people across the planet will have mixed impacts on the world’s forests, according to new research.
Warming climate slows tropical birds’ population growth rates
Monte Neate-Clegg and colleagues tracked the demographics of 21 bird species over 30 years of observations from a mountain forest in Tanzania. For at least six of the species, their population declined over 30 years could be most attributable to rising temperatures – an effect of a warming world. Smaller birds, as well as those that live at the lower part of their elevation range, were at higher risk for slowed population growth.
Bigger than COVID? Study warns land use errors could unleash new pandemics
The study argues activities from recreation to agriculture to energy exploration all risk unleashing new infectious and debilitating diseases.
Is this the end of forests as we’ve known them?
Trees lost to drought and wildfires are not returning. Climate change is taking a toll on the world’s forests – and radically changing the environment before our eyes
The Amazon used to be ‘the lungs of the planet.’ Not anymore
‘The most likely scenario is that—all things considered—the basin is warming the global climate.’
COVID-19 wasn’t just a disaster for humanity – new research shows nature suffered greatly too
Marc Hockings
It’s one year since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. While the human and economic toll have been enormous, new findings show the fallout from the virus also seriously damaged nature.
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