Daily Links Sep 16

I’m no ardent devotee of advertising but I do reckon Nike was on the money with their tag line ‘the secret to becoming number 1 is to train like you’re number’. And there’s also a lot of wisdom in the adage that it ain’t over till the corpulent diva sings. The ruthlessness of the Morrison government could easily trump a complacent Labor Party if they thought they were number 1 in waiting. There’s billions set aside to be ladled into pork barrels, just as there was in 2019.

Post of the Day

2.2 billion people are without guaranteed access to safe drinking water and 4.2 billion are without basic sanitation

The Human Rights Council this morning started an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, who said that in the context of the global water crisis, 2.2 billion people were without guaranteed access to safe drinking water and 4.2 billion were without basic sanitation.

 

Today’s Celebration

September 16

Yom Kippur – Judaism

 

Ecological Observance

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

 

Climate Change

Report: Most nations fall far short in plans to curb warming

Nearly every nation is coming up short — most of them far short — in their efforts to fight climate change, and the world is unlikely to hold warming to the internationally agreed-upon limit, according to a new scientific report.

 

Bill Gates backs news outlet dedicated to climate change

An energy coalition launched by Bill Gates is backing a new publication called “Cipher” dedicated to the coverage of the climate crisis.

 

Pew research survey finds people around the world see climate change as a major threat

The Pew survey also found that the two largest greenhouse gas emitters, the United States and China, get low marks from other countries for their climate policies.

 

Federal election 2021: where parties stand on climate and environment issues

Canadians who watched the English-language leaders’ debate learned little about the differences between the climate policies of Justin Trudeau’s Liberals, Erin O’Toole’s Conservatives, Jagmeet Singh’s NDP and Annamie Paul’s Greens. Here’s what the federal election debate missed.

 

Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry’s trip to India

Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry traveled to New Delhi, India, from September 12-14, 2021, to launch the U.S.-India Climate Action and Finance Mobilization Dialogue and to engage with international counterparts on bilateral and multilateral efforts to raise climate ambition ahead of the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which will be held October 31 to November 12, 2021, in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

 

Young people to join forces with science and drama experts to produce musical about climate emergency

Teenagers in Torbay will join forces with leading scientists and drama experts to produce a musical about the climate emergency ahead of the major COP26 summit.

 

The rate of global warming during next 25 years could be double what it was in the previous 50, a renowned climate scientist warns

Former NASA climate scientist James Hansen urged Congress decades ago to act on climate change. Now he says he expects reduced aerosol pollution to lead to a steep temperature rise.

 

Methane: What′s the big deal?

With much of the climate conversation centered around cutting carbon dioxide, less attention is paid to a more potent, less common and sometimes smellier greenhouse gas: methane.

 

‘Cake’ mentioned 10 times more than ‘climate change’ on UK TV – report

Exclusive: study also shows ‘banana bread’ heard more in 2020 than ‘wind power’ and ‘solar power’ combined

 

Climate change: As Glasgow nears, get ready for the rush of hot air

Judith Sloan

There is just over a month to go before the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) begins in Glasgow. It’s not entirely clear how many people will be attending; 20,000 odd have shown up at previous COP talks. It has been estimated the number this time may be 30,000, but Covid has put a dampener on the event.

 

UN claims to ‘climate truth’ impossible

Tom Harris

So why do more philosophers not speak out about these problems, errors that are diverting the public from properly considering the various arguments presented?

 

National

Paediatricians and other child health professionals have been urged to engage much more vigorously in advocating for climate action and to mitigate the wide-ranging impacts on children.

A new declaration, ‘Responding to the impact of climate change on children’ has been drafted by the International Society for Social Pediatrics and Child Health and subsequently revised and adopted by the International Pediatric Association.

 

Australia to get nuclear-powered submarines, scrap $90b plan to build French-designed subs

The ABC understands Australia will use American and British technology to configure its next submarine fleet in a bid to replace its existing Collins class subs with a boat more suitable to the deteriorating strategic environment.

 

Australia isolated as US ups ante on coal power [$]

The US has isolated Australia over climate change by siding with European nations and Canada in seeking to end rich country support for coal-fired power stations, putting pressure on Australia to do more to cut carbon dioxide emissions in the lead-up to the UN ­climate change conference in November.


New renewables player launches in Australia with 1.3GW solar, wind and battery pipeline

New renewables developer emerges in Australia with ready made portfolio of 10 wind, solar and battery storage projects.

 

Labor and the Greens need to sober up. The next election is far from in the bag

Chris Wallace

Close elections have been common and landslides rare in the 20 federal elections held in Australia over the past 50 years. Some political parties are acting as though the reverse is true and the outcome of the next election is a foregone conclusion. This week, there have been two unequivocal gifts to Prime Minister Scott Morrison from his opponents.

 

Flannery’s climate hysteria pushes truth to extinction [$]

Andrew Bolt

No one has done more to destroy faith in the global warming scare than Tim Flannery, yet despite being so wrong so often, some media outlets treat him as an oracle.

 

Morrison can no longer detour around a new 2030 emission target [$]

Jennifer Hewett

When Scott Morrison visits Washington next week, President Joe Biden will be keen to push for faster action on climate change policies – including from Australia.

 

The OECD ‘advice’ the PM didn’t want [$]

Terry McCrann

The OECD report on Australia blows out of the water the claim by Prime Minister Scott Morrison that spending well over $1m – that’s at least ‘200 Cartiers’ on his own measure of taxpayer waste – to get former finance minister Mathias Cormann the OECD top job, was worth it to give Australia a voice at the very top of such an important international grouping.

 

Uranium price surge is likely another false dawn for nuclear power [$]

James Kirby

A powerful rally in uranium prices has put the revival of nuclear power back on the agenda with Australian interests sitting very much in the middle of the action

 

No energy transition without new system of transmission [$]

Andrew Dillon

It has been dubbed the “energy transition”, but what we’re experiencing is a revolution.


Too little, too late: Morrison may want praise in Glasgow, but net zero by 2050 won’t cut it

Michael Mazengarb

There is growing speculation that Morrison will adopt a 2050 target for net zero – but the science, and Australia’s allies, say it’s too little too late.

There’s a better alternative to support the right mix of capacity and flexibility

Paul Hyslop

We need arrangements that incentivise highly flexible and responsive generation to support the desired level of reliability in a renewables future.

 

Victoria

Property value evidence thrown out in windfarm court battle

Two men are seeking damages from the Bald Hills Wind Farm in Victoria’s south-east, claiming it has affected land prices while turbine noise is also a nuisance.

 

Brimbank Council welcomes EPA action on Kealba Landfill

A statement from Brimbank Mayor, Cr Ranka Rasic: “The management of the Kealba Landfill is a significant and ongoing concern for Council and our community. We welcome EPA’s action to suspend Barro’s operating licence and will continue to advocate to the EPA and the State Government to take every measure possible to reduce the impacts of the landfill on the nearby community.”

 

Examining how climate change may impact mine rehabilitation

Federation University research is supporting the Latrobe Valley Regional Rehabilitation Strategy by investigating the potential impact of climate change on the design requirements for mine rehabilitation.

 

Firefighters booted to save possums [$]

Environmentalists have won a legal fight to stop trainee firefighters using a Gippsland timber forest in a bid to protect possums.

 

New move to stamp out dodgy solar panels [$]

With safety and quality issues “plaguing” the sector, a new crackdown will force solar retailers to make assurances about their product.

 

New sun-saving rule for Melbourne parks [$]

Melbourne parks will be drenched in sunshine year-round under new rules approved by the City of Melbourne.

 

New South Wales

Light to Light Walk Review of Environmental Factors released

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has released the Review of Environmental Factors for the proposed Light to Light Walk upgrade and is seeking feedback from the community.

 

Kevin was fishing for his family when he was confronted by a ‘compliance officer’ — and it’s all captured on camera

As Kevin Mason dived in the ocean, a Fisheries NSW officer was watching on the cliffs above. Elders in the region say the water is now a battleground

 

Bylong residents celebrate another win over coal mine

The New South Wales Court of Appeal has rebuffed South Korean mining company KEPCO’s bid to get its coal mine project going in the fertile Bylong Valley.

 

Queensland

Unlocking Queensland’s hydrogen export potential

The future of hydrogen production in Gladstone will get a boost from a new export project as the Morrison Government continues to back projects that will accelerate the development of an Australian hydrogen industry.

 

Approval of Qld’s first vanadium project signals new era for resources sector

The granting of Mining Leases for Multicom Resources’ $250 million St Elmo Project in the Julia Creek region will see the state’s very first vanadium project shift into production phase, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) said today.

 

Indigenous rangers to use SpaceCows program to protect sacred sites and rock art from feral herds

New space technology will allow traditional owners to predict where cattle and buffalo are going and cull them or fence off important sites

 

One man dead, two injured in central Qld mine shaft collapse

A man is dead and another seriously injured after the roof of a central Queensland coal mine shaft collapsed while they were trying to shore it up.

Australia-Japan consortium explores Queensland renewable hydrogen export hub

Queensland’s Stanwell Corporation to lead Australia-Japan consortium investigating massive new hydrogen export terminal.

 

South Australia

South Australian battery mineral project receives Major Project Status

The Coalition Government is supporting the development of a mining and manufacturing project that could bring hundreds of new jobs and significant economic benefits to regional South Australian communities.

 

SA rare bird’s population nosedives

The state’s first aerial survey of protected Cape Barron geese in 20 years has found the rare bird’s population has plunged by an estimated 30 per cent.

 

Power struggle over vanishing Port River dolphin pod [$]

A push to “stop the incompetence and neglect killing the Port River dolphins” is gathering pace.


Tasmania

Lake Malbena tourism proposal fails to pass Supreme Court full bench on appeal [$]

A tourism proposal in Lake Malbena in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park has failed to pass the full bench of the Supreme Court after a successful appeal from the Wilderness Society and Tasmanian National Parks Association.

 

Venture Minerals fires back at Scott Jordan over tin mine plan

Choosing underground mining at Mount Lindsay would slash the area disturbed and its tin would help cut greenhouse gas emissions, the proponent says.

 

Mount Wellington Cable Car Company blames council for cost blowout [$]

Hobart City Council only has itself to blame for the costly cable car saga, according to the Mount Wellington Cable Car Company.

 

Northern Territory

Labor backs away from new hunting reserve promise

Bart Erwin

Environment Minister Eva Lawler has now put it in writing that she has no idea where a new hunting reserve can go, despite promising one ahead of the 2020 election

 

Western Australia

WA’s South West lives up to its ‘seismically active’ reputation

Scientists have recorded more than 1,100 earthquakes in Western Australia’s South West over a recent eight-month period.

Geothermal powered green hydrogen proposed for WA fertiliser plant

Strike Energy reveals plans to add a 10MW renewable hydrogen electrolyser to a urea fertiliser production facility it is developing in WA’s Mid West Region.

 

Sustainability

2.2 billion people are without guaranteed access to safe drinking water and 4.2 billion are without basic sanitation

The Human Rights Council this morning started an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, who said that in the context of the global water crisis, 2.2 billion people were without guaranteed access to safe drinking water and 4.2 billion were without basic sanitation.

 

Air NZ to work with Airbus on carbon-free hydrogen planes

Air New Zealand will work with Airbus to study the viability of flying hydrogen-powered aircraft on short domestic routes, as the airline aims to operate carbon-free flights by the end of this decade.

 

Oil palms alone can be damaging; with other crops, the benefits abound

Intercropping in oil palm plantations can reduce deforestation, increase biodiversity, and boost farmers’ income, all without hurting palm oil yields, new research suggests.

 

Why civil rights and protecting the planet go hand-in-hand

When environmental disasters strike, those already discriminated against can be hit hardest. But marginalized communities can also set a model for resilience.

 

Is fighting poverty compatible with fighting climate change?

The amount of energy required to provide decent living standards for the entire world’s population is a fraction of the annual energy budget compatible with keeping climate change within 1.5 °C of warming, a new study suggests.

 

Global action on harmful PFAS chemicals is long overdue: Study

The scientific community has known for decades that a group of widely-used chemicals is causing health harms across the globe, but effective policies aimed at curbing those impacts lag far behind the research, according to a new study.

 

What role for small nuclear modular reactors in combating climate change?

Does the potential of small nuclear modular reactor technology make it a viable approach to helping solve climate change challenges not fully met by renewable energy sources such as wind and solar?

 

Minigrids could bring power to half a billion people in Africa and Asia

Small solar-and-battery systems can reach communities without grid connections. Public-private partnerships are key to making it happen.

 

Rapid increase in global light pollution

Global light pollution has increased by at least 49% over 25 years, new research shows.

 

Solar cells with 30-year lifetimes for power-generating windows

A new transparency-friendly solar cell design could marry high efficiencies with 30-year estimated lifetimes, new research has shown. It may pave the way for windows that also provide solar power.

 

Nature Conservation

As Australia burned, the oceans bloomed with algae feeding on the ashes

Iron-rich ash and smoke from the Black Summer bushfires dropped from the atmosphere into the Southern Ocean, fuelling enormous blooms of algae between New Zealand and South America.

 

Pollution is damaging UK rivers more than public thinks, report says

Survey finds 43% believe waterways are in good condition despite widespread problems in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

 

You have no idea how much you need nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are a crucial, if largely unknown, part of our ecosystem. They’re how plants and animals get nitrogen from the air.

 

Roads have far-reaching impact on chimpanzees

Roads have a negative impact on chimpanzee populations that can extend for more than 17 km, new research shows.

 

Species in polar regions hard hit by climate change

Many species will become extinct as a consequence of global warming. This is the prediction of a mathematical model. The simulations show that climate change will have a particularly large impact on ecosystems in polar regions, mirroring changes that can already be seen in the natural world.

 

Horror at the Faroes dolphin slaughter is only human – but it risks hypocrisy

Philip Hoare

Our response to a mass cetacean hunt reveals man’s duplicitous attitudes to animals



Maelor Himbury
6 Florence St Niddrie 3042
0432406862 or 0393741902
If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender by 
return email, delete it from your system and destroy any copies.