Daily Links Apr 22

If anything demonstrates the need for the Labor Environmental Action Network, a ginger group of Party members and fellow travellers, it is this proposed desecration of the Toondah Harbour. Don’t whinge, Labor, if environment votes leach to The Greens when you won’t protect Ramsar Wetlands and IUCN listed threatened species.

Post of the Dayo

What is Earth Day’s connection to your health?

Earth Day on April 22 puts a spotlight on the planet’s health – which, doctors say, is closely tied to your own.

 

On This Day

April 22

 

Ecological observance

Earth Day and International Mother Earth Day

 

Climate Change

Joe Biden considers protections for climate change refugees after New Zealand case

No nation offers asylum or other legal protections to people displaced specifically because of climate change. President Joe Biden’s administration is studying the idea, and climate migration is expected to be discussed at his first climate summit.

 

There’s no such thing as a ‘climate haven’

Should cities billed as climate refuges prepare to welcome newcomers displaced by extreme weather, or focus on reducing their own carbon footprints to stave off the worst effects of global warming? 

 

Whatever climate change does to the world, cities will be hit hardest

How cities will suffer from global warming and sea level rise.

 

The predictable economic effects of climate change have started to appear

The United States had years to prepare for the new economic reality. It often chose not to.

 

Why climate change is driving some to skip having kids

A new study finds that overconsumption, overpopulation and uncertainty about the future are among the top concerns of those who say climate change is affecting their reproductive decision-making.

 

New EU target to cut carbon emissions by at least 55% disappoints experts

Policy is not sufficiently ambitious and out of line with Paris agreement, say environment groups

 

Crises collide as climate emergency pushes America’s homeless population to the brink

As homelessness rises, climate-related disasters make matters worse. But Covid relief measures and Biden’s infrastructure proposal are providing cause for cautious optimism

 

Climate ‘tipping points’ need not be the end of the world

The disastrous consequences of climate “tipping points” could be averted if global warming was reversed quickly enough, new research suggests.

 

Red alert for the planet: UN chief’s call to phase out coal by 2030

The Secretary-General of the United Nations marks Earth Day – Thursday – by penning this warning: time is running out to prevent the climate crisis from becoming a permanent global catastrophe.

 

The West must not give China a free ride on net zero [$]

Nick Hossack

Giving Beijing until 2060 to meet climate targets will only mean it gets more time to cheat, and better opportunities to pursue its military build-up.

 

National

Australian airports are ideal hosts for large-scale solar installations, researchers say

Researchers measure the significant untapped potential of Australian airports as ideal hosts for large-scale solar.

 

Australia all set for embarrassment at Biden climate summit

Australia will be an international embarrassment at the US-led climate change summit this week, as other countries put a firm foot down to reduce emissions.

That is the message from climate scientists and economists who argue our country is in the best position in the world to take advantage of a renewable future.

Oceanex eyes massive 10GW of offshore and floating wind farms in Australia

Oceanex Energy hopes to develop more than 9GW of offshore and floating wind farms in Australia, and another 3GW in New Zealand.

CEC calls for managed phase out of Australia’s remaining coal generators

Clean Energy Council calls on federal government to lead a managed phase-out of Australia’s coal-fired power plants, to avoid a disorderly energy transition.

Major energy players back AEMO’s plan to abandon gas-led recovery modelling

AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia all back decision to ignore Morrison’s ‘gas led recovery’ in next Integrated System Plan.

 

Conservation group launches legal fight to protect Australia’s unburnt landscapes

WWF are fighting to protect six key landscapes that provide sanctuary for threatened plant and animal species following the catastrophic 2019-20 bushfires 

 

Tim Flannery follows in footsteps of Greta Thunberg, David Attenborough

The Australian conservationist has received one of the world’s top environmental awards, recognising his efforts to spread the words some do not want to hear.

 

Climate talks to put pressure on coal exports [$]

The nation’s second-largest export, coal, will be hit by new restrictions in the next phase of climate change negotiations, experts say, as Scott Morrison faces increasing pressure to commit Australia to deeper cuts in carbon dioxide emissions at this week’s 40-nation climate summit hosted by US President Joe Biden.

 

Scott Morrison seeks international partners to develop low emissions technology at Biden climate summit

Coalition is under pressure for lack of action on climate change and has pledged $565.8m to develop technologies including hydrogen and CCS

 

Coalition told it must hugely increase clean energy investment beyond hydrogen, carbon storage promise

Experts’ assessment comes on eve of US-hosted climate summit pressing countries for bigger commitments and deeper cuts to emissions

 

How Australia is blocking global climate action – 7am podcast

World leaders are preparing to meet for a historic global climate change summit. But Australia has already been singled out as a roadblock to taking serious climate action. Today, Mike Seccombe on the global shift towards tackling climate change, and how Australia could hold everything back.

 

How the water and sewage under your feet could end up flooding your home (and what to do about it)

Ana Manero

Recent flooding in the Sydney Basin pushed thousands from their homes and left others facing enormous insurance costs.

 

“Scientifically Indefensible”: how a $13 billion political fix is killing the Murray Darling Basin

Richard Beasley

The federal government continues to squander $13 billion of taxpayers’ money in an unlawful mess that was supposed to fix this country’s greatest environmental catastrophe – the destruction of the Murray Darling Basin. It is a tale of political interference, scientific censorship and deception, pressure from lobbyists and bureaucratic cowardice

 

Will the world fall for Morrison’s lie-based climate policy like our media have? [$]

Bernard Keane

While the Morrison government looks to fund more fossil fuel power generation and scams like CSS, its lies about its climate policies are unlikely to be bought by the rest of the world.

 

As Australia tiptoes to 2050 climate targets, the world moves on 2030

Nick O’Malley

Recent comments by the Prime Minister suggest he is moving towards a hard 2050 emissions reductions target, but the rest of the world has already moved.

 

Carbon reduction cash is tiny next to coal subsidy

Letters

The PM’s pledge to spend $500 million on carbon reduction schemes over an unspecified period contrasts with the billions of dollars every year in subsidies to the coal industry

 

China plays us on a carbon fiddle [$]

Terry McCrann

China is by far the world’s biggest emitter of carbon dioxide and the truth is it has zero commitment to “carbon reduction”.

 

Market signals missing from the path to net zero [$]

AFR editorial

The lack of formal commitment to a net zero target to anchor Australia’s decarbonisation transition is one thing. The much bigger problem remains not having a clear mechanism for getting there.

 

Now is the time for energy policy leadership [$]

John Durie

The electricity sector is well on the way to reaching its targets and the focus now is on managing down coal-fired power plants.

 

Scott Morrison can’t spin this one: Australia’s climate pledges at this week’s summit won’t convince the world we’re serious

Matt McDonald

Days out from a much-anticipated climate summit convened by US President Joe Biden, the federal government has moved to position itself as serious about emissions reduction.

 

Victoria

Cultural burns return at Coranderrk Station

After 160 years, the Wurundjeri people have restored traditional burning techniques to the land at Coranderrk Station, near Healesville.

 

Car makers, environmental groups blast ‘worst electric vehicle policy in the world’

Leading car makers and environmental groups have branded the Victorian government’s plan to impose a tax on electric vehicles the worst electric vehicle policy in the world.

 

Two sheep farmers whose land was compulsorily acquired ordered to pay government court costs

Sisters MairiAnne and Iona Mackenzie’s four-and-a-half year battle against a new highway route between Beaufort and Ararat has come to an end. 

 

New South Wales

Government buys out Shenhua coal, curbs Dartbrook and opens up Wollar

The Berejiklian government shifts gears on coal, paying $100 million to extinguish one mining lease as it put curbs on a mothballed mine and opens up more land near Mudgee.

 

NSW Gov pays Shenhua $100M to withdraw from mine; Traditional Owners call for land hand-back

The company will be paid out in return for the controversial mining licence, while Gomeroi leaders call for the land to be returned to Traditional Owners.

 

Farmers demand future coal and gas mine ban after Shenhua buyout

The Berejiklian government has announced that it’s paying $100 million for a Chinese company to exit its coal mine lease on the Liverpool Plains.

 

Traditional owners say building go-kart track on spiritual mountain like telling Christians they ‘can’t go to church anymore’

A proposed go-kart track on one of the country’s most famous and sacred mountains is shaping up as a test case for when and how cultural heritage laws should be used.

 

World’s longest tunnel under Blue Mountains ruled out

A long-discussed tunnel underneath the Blue Mountains connecting the west with the coast is deemed too long and expensive by the state government.

 

Shenhua settlement shows chaos in coal mine approvals

SMH editorial

NSW needs a realistic statewide plan for mining, based on objective scientific and economic criteria.

 

Queensland

Gigawatt-scale Queensland wind complex gets development green light

Acciona’s plans to develop a wind energy precinct of more than 1000MW in south-west Queensland have been given the green light by the state government.

Energy giant Stanwell flags coal exit as it pivots to renewables and storage

Queensland’s state-owned energy generator may put its two coal plants on “standby” mode as more renewables come onto the grid.

Hydrogen-powered space rockets are coming to Queensland

Queensland space company Hypersonix plans to use green hydrogen produced in Brisbane to fuel zero emissions rockets.

 

Albanese refuses to back ALP decision on Toondah Harbour development

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has refused to commit to opposing the construction of a town in internationally protected waters in Moreton Bay, Queensland.

 

Fraser Island dingoes circle camps, tear clothes in signs of growing familiarity with people

Washing is being torn from clotheslines as packs of dingoes circle camp sites — the latest proof the wild dogs are growing more accustomed to humans on Fraser Island (K’Gari).

 

South Australia

Santos backs hydrogen push but carbon credits crucial [$]

Santos says its Moomba carbon capture and storage ties in with the Federal Government’s hydrogen ambitions, but again flagged the need for carbon credits.

 

Contamination shock: Old dump explosion danger [$]

Residents living near a former dump in Adelaide’s south could be at risk of asphyxiation or exploding gas, a previously secret review warned.

 

Tasmania

Tasmania’s pitch for Bell Bay to become hydrogen hub

Tasmania’s ability to produce hydrogen from 100 per cent renewable energy should be all the green ticks the federal government needs to set up a hydrogen hub at Bell Bay.

 

Bass candidates question delay of Tamar River report

An empty seat bore the brunt of frustrations on stage for the Australia Institute forum on good governance for Bass candidates on Tuesday night.

 

Labor promises $8 million for Tamar Estuary sediment fix

Labor has committed $8 million to improving the Tamar Estuary, but will wait until the delayed scientific report before committing to targeted dredging of the upper reaches.

 

Tasmanian political parties miss the mark on marine parks, diver says, as debate deteriorates again

A group advocating for more marine protection areas is disappointed that discussion on the issue quickly deteriorated once again, saying the Greens lacked enough detail in their policy, and the Liberals were being misleading.

 

Climate Tasmania: No leadership on stranded assets

“Stranded assets are things that people have paid for, are still in working order, but can’t use.”, said spokesperson David Hamilton, “In this case, assets that produce, store, distribute or use petrol, diesel, jet fuel, LPG and natural gas will become stranded once we get serious about the climate emergency,” he said.

 

Labor unveils 10-year, multi-billion-dollar road plan [$]

Tassie decides Commuter headaches would be eased under a proposal to fund major upgrades on some of Tasmania’s busiest highways and roads, Labor says.

 

‘We eat horror’: Flanagan takes aim at ‘big salmon’ [$]

Acclaimed Tasmanian author Richard Flanagan has taken a massive swipe at a major Tasmanian export industry, which he describes as “an elaborate and highly successful con job”.

 

Greens reveal plan to end native forest logging [$]

A Greens government would end native forest logging and regeneration burning in Tasmania and turn vast tracts of the state into carbon capture and conservation reserves, run for profit.

 

Labor’s forests policy

Media release – Shane Broad MP, Shadow Minister for Resources

A Majority Labor Government will guarantee security for Tasmania’s forestry industry so it is able to thrive and deliver jobs for Tasmanians.

 

Western Australia

Lithium revival fuels Pilbara expansion plans [$]

The Ken Brinsden-led miner has booked record quarterly production from its flagship Pilgangoora mine as prices for its battery-focused product improve significantly.

 

Sustainability

The UN looks for investors for projects to help meet its 2030 Sustainability Goals

The United Nations has partnered with a number of the world’s largest financial institutions for support in connecting investors with projects.

 

Net zero emissions ten years later than Apple, promises HP

HP says that it will halve its 2019 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, but doesn’t plan to hit net zero until 10 years later, in 2040.

 

Poll shows US adults most worried about water pollution among major environmental concerns

Concern over water contamination surpassed the five other environmental challenges listed in the survey.

 

Improved management of farmed peatlands could cut 500 million tons CO2

Substantial cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions could be achieved by raising water levels in agricultural peatlands, according to a new study in the journal Nature. A team of researchers led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology estimates halving drainage depths in these areas could cut emissions by around 500 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) a year, which equates to 1 per cent of all global greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities.

 

101 Nobel laureates call for global fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty

Dalai Lama among those to sign letter to world leaders calling for rapid shift to renewable energy

 

Japan’s nuclear wastewater lies exposed amid ban on sales of scorpionfish from Fukushima waters

The Japanese government’s sales ban on black scorpionfish caught in Fukushima waters shows it lied about its nuclear contamination claims, experts say, urging the Japanese government to face up to science, instead of confusing the public with pseudoscience to further harm human food chain and marine life.

 

Solar panels are contagious – but in a good way

The number of solar panels within shortest distance from a house is the most important factor in determining the likelihood of that house having a solar panel, when compared with a host of socio-economic and demographic variables. This is shown in a new study by scientists using satellite and census data of the city of Fresno in the US, and employing machine learning.

 

Nuclear waste structures in Washington state are stabilized

The U.S. Department of Energy has confirmed that two underground structures at the decommissioned Hanford nuclear reservation in Washington state have been stabilized after they were deemed at risk of collapsing and spreading radioactive contamination into the air.

 

New type of plastic decomposes within days just by adding heat and water

Biodegradable plastic bags, cutlery, and coffee cup lids may seem like a win for the environment, but they often introduce more problems than solutions. But now a research team from the US may be able to change that.

 

What is Earth Day’s connection to your health?

Earth Day on April 22 puts a spotlight on the planet’s health – which, doctors say, is closely tied to your own.

 

Coal financing costs surge as investors opt for renewable energy

Study finds returns must repay four times the payoff from clean energy investment to justify escalating risk.

 

Curious Kids: Can plastic waste be made into bricks for new houses?

Karthikeyan Kandan

Across the world there are about 6.3 billion metric tons of plastic waste. It’s in our water, our air, the fish we eat and the soil our vegetables grow in.

 

Slow down and embrace nature – how to create better cities when the pandemic is over

Björn Wickenberg

In the Naturvation project, which looks at the potential of nature-based solutions to transform cities, nearly 1,000 examples from 100 cities have been collected.

 

The secret lives of farmed fish

Georgia Macaulay and Tim Dempster

A new study finds that monitoring the behaviour of farmed fish using tags can provide scientists with important information – but it can also create welfare issues

 

Nature Conservation

Research surprise unveils how common herbicide kills bees

Many studies already claimed the nation’s most-used weedkiller was lethal to bees, but new research indicates its much-maligned active ingredient – glyphosate – isn’t to blame.

 

30×30: How important are private lands in meeting conservation goals?

Experts say expanding public lands won’t be enough to achieve science-based calls for more protected areas.

 

Restoration efforts can brighten an ecosystem’s future, but cannot erase its past

An expansive project is examining the benefits, and limits, of environmental restoration on developed land after humans are done with it.

 

Complexity of microplastic pollution

Microplastics — small plastic pieces less than 5 millimeters in length — are ubiquitous in the environment, and they can have significant effects on wildlife. A new study reveals that there are multiple impacts of different microplastics — with varying sizes, shapes, and chemical makeup — to the survival, growth, and development of larval fathead minnows, an important prey species in lakes and rivers in North America.

 

New evidence shows important seabird nutrients reach coral reefs after rat eradication

Scientists have provided the first evidence to show that eradicating rats from tropical islands effects not just the biodiversity on the islands, but also the fragile coral seas that surround them.

 

Warming seas might also look less colorful to some fish. Here’s why that matters.

Climate change is driving some fish into cooler, deeper waters. Now they may be faced with another challenge: how to make sense of a world drained of color. Duke and Exeter researchers report that even small increases in depth could make it harder for fish to discern the hues they use to find food, friends and family. They are trying to predict which species will be most impacted, and whether they’ll be able to adapt.

 

Central African forests are unequally vulnerable to global change

An international study coordinated by researchers from IRD and CIRAD reveals the composition of the tropical forests of Central Africa and their vulnerability to the increased pressure from climate change and human activity expected in the coming decades. Thanks to an exceptional dataset – an inventory of over 6 million trees across five countries – the researchers have produced the first continuous maps of the floristic and functional composition of these forests, allowing them to identify the most vulnerable areas.

 



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