Post of the Day
Half of global methane emissions come from aquatic ecosystems – much of this is human-made
Judith Rosentreter et al
Methane — a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide — plays a major role in controlling the Earth’s climate. But methane concentrations in the atmosphere today are 150% higher than before the industrial revolution.
On This Day
Climate Change
Climate change … always a bridesmaid
By 2050, many of climate change’s worst projected impacts could be fully upon us—or fully upon our descendants.
Half of global methane emissions come from aquatic ecosystems – much of this is human-made
Judith Rosentreter et al
Methane — a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide — plays a major role in controlling the Earth’s climate. But methane concentrations in the atmosphere today are 150% higher than before the industrial revolution.
National
Coronavirus: Pandemic forces business to slow green reforms [$]
More than half of Australian firms plan to wind back environmental initiatives due to the financial impacts of the COVID crisis despite mounting pressure from shareholders, clients and employees for businesses to become more sustainable.
Luke Stacey
Australia is ramping up a slew of new coal projects just as global demand for coal is in retreat. It’s justified by dodgy “independent expert” reports from the likes of Big Four firms Deloitte and EY. Luke Stacey and Michael West report on the flawed economics of overpaid government consultants which justifies the rush to produce new coal despite a coal market in decline.
Will we go down Finkel’s road to net zero?
John Quiggin
Battered by weeks of revelations about the treatment of women, and with the vaccine rollout falling far behind schedule, the federal government appears to have forgotten about climate change. But Scott Morrison faces some tough decisions.
Amping up rooftop solar with batteries for burbs [$]
Anthony Albanese
Anyone who thinks Australians don’t want to act on climate change should look no further than the rooftops on their street. Over the past two decades, people have embraced solar power in their millions, with one in five homes now generating its own power through solar panels.
Victoria
Fears ‘highly significant’ Aboriginal site near Victoria’s Lake Bolac has been partially destroyed
Authorities investigate the alleged partial destruction of an eel-shaped stone arrangement at Lake Bolac in western Victoria believed to be more than 1,500 years old.
Investing in a safer climate – How to make your money a power for good
Do you know if your savings and investments are funding the Climate Emergency?
Bayside City Council and the Bayside Climate Crisis Action Group (BCCAG) have partnered to deliver this free information session with non-profit organisation, Market Forces.
Banking on the future: How a homegrown compostable clingwrap is ramping up its ethical impact
Meet Julia and Jordy Kay, who are banking on a greener, more sustainable future with their eco-friendly, compostable clingwrap
Suburban Rail Loop will not be a continuous line, minister confirms
Commuters will be forced to change trains at least once to complete the 90-kilometre journey once the Suburban Rail Loop begins operation.
New South Wales
Sydney factory to share excess rooftop solar power with employees
An 800kW solar system installed on the industrial rooftop of a window furnishing company in Sydney will soon supply power to its employees, too.
Turnbull’s ‘anti-coal activist’ objection letter [$]
Before his appointment as chief of the Net Zero board, Malcolm Turnbull sent a letter to the government citing his grazing property in objecting to the Mount Pleasant mine expansion.
Tasmania
One of the largest housing developments in Tasmania has been referred to the Commonwealth after a report found it could have a “significant impact” on a colony of the endangered forty-spotted pardalote.
Can Gutwein’s Liberals get a majority? State, Clark predictions
Sean Ford
A Liberal majority government is the most likely state election result, but it is not 100 per cent certain.
Let us ride on the less wild side [$]
Alison Hetherington
We need to expand the way we think about transport funding to provide more people with more options, and that includes more cycling infrastructure.
Northern Territory
Traditional Owners awaiting NT Heritage Minister’s decision on future of sacred sites
The Gundaji, Garawa, Mara and Yanyuwa people have been fighting against the McArthur River Mine for years. Now they’re waiting for the NT Heritage Minister to decide whether to approve an expansion of the mine’s waste rock dump, which they say will impact a sacred Barramundi Dreaming site.
Western Australia
WA farmers sign up to earn $80m carbon credit boost [$]
WA farmers are set to pocket at least $80 million in carbon credits, thanks to a new Perth-based company which rewards them for storing carbon.
McGowan government sees gas as WA’s future electricity source
Ben Rose
WA is the most affluent and highest per capita carbon emitting state in the world. Its failure to cut emissions will be multiplied by other who will not act because Australia refuses to.
Welcome to WA’s new gold rush [$]
Jennifer Hewett
The fervour for green hydrogen is yet to develop commercial scale or viability but the rush by business is on – nowhere more so than in Western Australia.
Sustainability
India’s annual electricity demand falls for the first time in 35 years
India’s power generation fell 0.2% during the year 2020/21 compared with the previous year, the data showed, mainly due to the imposition of lockdowns that resulted in a decline in electricity production for six straight months ending in August.
In Europe, a backlash is growing over incinerating garbage
For years, European countries have built “waste-to-energy” incinerators, saying new technology minimized pollution and boosted energy production. But with increasing concern about the plants’ CO2 emissions, the EU is now withdrawing support for these trash-burning facilities.
How can the US meet its ambitious offshore wind targets?
Currently, the U.S. has just 42 megawatts of offshore wind power. How can it get to 30,000?
Apple out-of-warranty repair program an ‘improvement’ for consumers, but business holds concerns
Apple’s new program to allow more out-of-warranty phone and computer repairs is hoped to boost choice for consumers and has been heralded as a step in the right direction to end the cycle of replace, not repair. However, not all business owners are convinced by the tech giant’s Independent Repair Provider Program.
Extinction Rebellion to step up campaign against banking system
Group aims to highlight financial sector’s role in climate crisis through escalation in tactics this week
Carbon labels on food may be more effective than you think
Even some people who didn’t want to know the environmental impact of their food were convinced to make a more sustainable swap.
For hydrogen to dominate the low-carbon world, batteries must fail
James Fernyhough
Hydrogen could help bring more than half of the world’s emissions down to zero, but to reach that potential it needs batteries to fail, new analysis finds.
Why cities planning to spend billions on light rail should look again at what buses can do
Michael McGreevy
Many cities in Australia and around the world have recently made or proposed investments in new light rail systems. They often do so in the belief this will not only increase public transport use, but also lead urban renewal and improve a city’s global image. However, compared to light rail, my research shows a system of buses running along dedicated corridors, known as bus rapid transit, has many advantages for Adelaide (the focus of my research) and cities like it.
Environmentalist fights Indonesia’s coastal erosion with fairy tales and puppet shows
Indonesian environmental activist Samsudin visits villages across his country to teach children about coastal erosion and how mangrove trees can help preserve the environment.
Create national parks around UK coastline, conservation group says
National parks in sea could bring greater protections for habitats, says Blue Marine Foundation
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