Post of the Day
It’s inspiring hope and change – but what is the IUCN’s green list?
The red list of species at risk is well-known, but the list for protected sites is quietly helping to ‘paint the planet green’
On This Day
Climate Change
Coal polluters challenge Joe Biden’s climate commitments
To stress that the US’ money was where its mouth is, Biden announced the US would double aid for developing countries fighting environmental degradation.
Johnson must push G7 to pay billions more in climate aid, say experts
Rich countries urged to stump up to help developing nations cut greenhouse gas emissions
How does China get to net zero emissions by 2060? [$]
A critical issue when analysing China’s emission reduction targets is to estimate the peak emission volume in 2030.
Halting the vast release of methane is critical for climate, U.N. says
A landmark United Nations report is expected to declare that reducing emissions of methane, the main component of natural gas, will need to play a far more vital role in warding off the worst effects of climate change.
Microbes trap massive amounts of carbon
A new study finds a new microbial ecosystem thriving in violent conditions.
More people die in winter than summer, but climate change may see this reverse
Ivan Charles Hanigan
Climate change not only poses enormous dangers to the planet, but also harms human health. In our study published today, we show some of the first evidence climate change has had observable impacts on Australians’ health between 1968 and 2018.
Five things we learned from the Biden Climate Summit
Jacqueline Peel
US President Joe Biden called on 40 world leaders to cut emissions during his Climate Summit – but what did we learn from the first virtual climate meeting of its kind?
I know this year is crucial for future of humanity
Patricia Espinosa
Fighting climate change may be the most important task we face today – and the US’s renewed commitment to it is welcome.
Even Greta Thunberg gets the fantastical nature of Joe Biden’s climate promises [$]
Nick Cater
Joe Biden called an international summit last week to parade his administration’s virtue on climate change. He pledged to cut 2005-level greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, a goal twice as ambitious as that set by the Obama administration. It was left to Greta Thunberg to expose the emptiness of the promise.
National
Fossil fuel subsidies top $10bn in a single year
Australia’s billions in fossil fuel subsidies are under the spotlight in a new report as the US puts pressure on other countries to stop handing money to the sector.
Solar and sheep: Farmers say they want renewables to boost income, cut costs
Farmers say integrating renewables on their operations can be a win-win for them and developers, boosting income and cutting costs.
Australian climate targets ‘among hardest in world’
Australia is being warned not to fall into a trap set by other nations when it comes to carbon emissions – particularly when China won’t play by the rules
Greens heat on MPs hiding from climate [$]
Greens leader Adam Bandt will exploit domestic and international pressure for Australia to do more on climate change ahead of the next election and target the inner-city and tree-change electorates of Labor and Liberal MPs he has accused of going “missing in action”.
Christopher Warren
Too much media reporting misses what the PM is really up to…
PM makes climate a political football, but sporting clubs hold power to change
Paul Sinclair
The Australian Conservation Foundation argues it’s time for Scott Morrison to use sporting clubs to help with climate change.
Climate justice won’t be achieved by Scott Morrison clinking glasses with bankers and bosses
Jeff Sparrow
Policy debates about global warming have long been dominated by an elite more concerned about financial returns than cooling the planet
Ghost from the past: Kevin Rudd is making mistake reviving old tax debate
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Kevin Rudd has advocated revisiting the resources super profits tax that helped cost him his prime ministership in 2010. The idea is ill-conceived.
Where’s Wally: find your favourite taxpayer subsidy to the fossil fuel giants
Rod Campbell
At almost $20,000 per minute, the Government spends more on fossil fuel subsidies than on the Australian Army.
“Battery of the world”: Australia’s key role in fast transition to wind and solar
Giles Parkinson
Australia well placed to become “battery of the world” if wind and solar can pass political barriers, as well as technical and economic hurdles already jumped.
No, Australia is not isolated over climate [$]
Judith Sloan
If you watch the ABC or read The Guardian you might be inclined to believe Australia doesn’t have a climate policy, has done nothing on climate change and is now isolated internationally. None of this is true but, these days, the vibe often wins out over the facts, particularly if you live in an inner-city area and have a secure income.
Beware the dangers of climate change evangelists [$]
Letters
Reports of the “big end of town” making demands should be treated with great caution.
The far left’s big fuel subsidy lie [$]
Terry McCrann
The Australia Institute claims fossil fuel subsidies added up to $10.3bn in the 2020-21 financial year. The claim and that figure are simply completely false.
Samantha Hepburn
In case you missed it, a major A$1 billion energy deal between the Morrison and the South Australian government was revealed recently.
All your transport options in one place: why mobility as a service needs a proper platform
S. Travis Waller and Kasun Wijayaratna
Uber, Ola, Car Next Door, GoGet, Urbi and Shareabike have transformed the mobility experience for millions of people, but are just the tip of the looming iceberg of changes in transport. Globally, 93 million travellers use the Uber app on a monthly basis. More Australians use Uber (22.9%) than taxis (21.8%).
Victoria
Feral species move on unburnt ‘refuges’ after fires
In the years leading up to the recent huge bushfires, park rangers in East Gippsland hadn’t been able to locate a small, ground-dwelling frog known as a martins toadlet, which is critically-endangered.
For a fairer greener Melbourne, take a bite from the doughnut
Globally renowned Oxford University economist Kate Raworth is launching a radical vision of a re-invented Melbourne economy and society.
New South Wales
Mental health impact of mouse plague compared to that experienced during natural disasters
An expert says the mental health impact of the plague is similar to that experienced during bushfires and drought.
NSW planning body gives green light to Hunter Valley coalmine expansion
Ahead of a looming by-election, residents express outrage about the decision, saying ‘it’s not an expansion, it’s a whole new pit’
ACT
Businesses, community organisations forced to wait to join sustainable household scheme
Businesses and community organisations wanting to be part of the ACT government’s sustainable household scheme won’t be able to do so straight away when the initiative begins.
Queensland
Energy chief Richard Van Breda quits in coal row [$]
The head of Queensland’s largest power company has quit after facing internal criticism over his comments last week that it was planning to transition from a dependence on coal to renewables.
South Australia
Clean up your property – no, not that much!
Every bushfire season, residents in danger zones are told to clean up their properties. But now a government agency says some owners are taking this too far.
Tasmania
Killora lodges EPA complaint over salmon farming
Transcript of media conference with Gerard Castles of the Killora Community Association, Salamanca Place, Hobart, 26 April 2021.
Bruny Islanders demand answers over salmon farm barge sinking [$]
A community group are demanding answers from a major fish farming company amid claims they may have leaked hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel into local waters.
Parties’ media releases
Northern Territory
’We want you’: NT government launches new parks masterplan [$]
The NT government is inviting Territorians to have their say on how to operate its parks and reserves over the next 30 years.
NT govt wins court battle against major fishing company over proposed merger [$]
The NT Government has won a legal battle against an Australian fishing company over a proposed plan to merge two major fisheries surrounding the Territory into one.
Northern Territory water licence given to group with China ties
The Northern Territory has awarded its largest-ever groundwater licence — against the wishes of some traditional owners — to a firm part-owned by a Melbourne-based media mogul and political donor with alleged links to the Chinese government.
Western Australia
Trash or treasure? Surge in metal recycling pays off big-time
When Zahir Ghambarie fled Afghanistan as a teenager, he probably never dreamed he’d end up living in the Pilbara, riding the wave of a global scrap metal boom.
Alinta to build second big battery in WA grid, next to Alcoa alumina plant
Alinta plans to build a 100MW big battery next to its Wagerup peaking gas and diesel plant, the second big battery to be built in Western Australia’s main grid.
Sustainability
Improving productivity key to unleashing sustainable growth in Central America
World Bank study identifies policy priorities for each country and for the region to stimulate sustainable growth and job creation.
Prioritize people and planet, UN chief urges Asian and Pacific nations
The UN Secretary-General on Monday called on Asian and Pacific countries not to base their pandemic recovery strategies on “outdated and unsustainable economic models”, and to ensure that the world’s most populous region protects its environment and provides opportunities for all.
How US chemical industry lobbying and cash defeated regulation in Trump era
Industry’s congressional allies defeated nearly all PFAS legislation while the Trump EPA killed, watered down or slowalked new rules
Hydrocracking our way to recycling plastic waste
Researchers have done developed a new method to convert single-use plastic waste into ready-to-use molecules for jet fuels, diesel and lubricants. It requires 50% less energy than other technologies and doesn’t add carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. And their process can treat a variety of plastics, even when they are mixed together.
China emissions cuts stoke record premiums for quality iron ore [$]
All types of iron ore are fetching bumper prices, but the boom is proving sweetest for those selling lump and pellets as quality premiums surge.
What is an automaker? The EV redefines it
Electric vehicles are shifting what it means to be an automaker — a move with repercussions for emissions, technology and the transportation sector.
Revealed: UK solar projects using panels from firms linked to Xinjiang forced labour
Investigation finds up to 40% of UK solar farms were built using panels from leading Chinese companies
Out of a heap of broken images, Chernobyl seeks World Heritage status
On the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, photographer Gleb Garanich surveys the proposed UNESCO World Heritage site
Airports could generate enough solar energy to power a city
Australian airports are ideal hosts for large-scale solar installations
Children of Chernobyl cleanup crew don’t have excess mutations
While Chernobyl has left a horrifying legacy, there are limits to how far the legacy is likely to spread.
If it’s safe, dump it in Tokyo. We in the Pacific don’t want Japan’s nuclear wastewater
Joey Tau and Talei Luscia Mangioni
Japan’s plans to discharge radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean is a callous act that would do catastrophic harm
It’s inspiring hope and change – but what is the IUCN’s green list?
The red list of species at risk is well-known, but the list for protected sites is quietly helping to ‘paint the planet green’
Fire in Ireland’s oldest national park destroys nesting grounds for endangered birds
A large fire that destroyed thousands of acres of land including wildlife habitats at Ireland’s oldest national park were extinguished on Monday, April 26.
Mapping the path to rewilding: The importance of landscape
New research suggests efforts to rewild a landscape must take geography and geology into account — an approach that could be applied globally to help conservation biologists save wild ecosystems.
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