Post of the Day
Could the financial sector solve climate change as diplomacy stumbles?
The ECB is warning climate change costs could be 5x the cost of transition. As climate risk goes mainstream, could investor concern drive climate action as international diplomacy struggles to reach agreement?
Today’s Celebration
Feast of Saint Rupert – Austria
Our Lady of Mercy Day – Dominican Republic
Grand Final Holiday – Victoria
Ecological Observance
Arbor Day – US Virgin Islands
Climate Change
As world heats, youth protesters march for climate action
On Friday, September 24, young climate activists from around the world will be marching once again to call on governments to cut carbon emissions and tackle the climate crisis.
Artificial intelligence may be set to reveal climate-change tipping points
Researchers are developing artificial intelligence that could assess climate change tipping points. The deep learning algorithm could act as an early warning system against runaway climate change.
‘Death sentence’: low-lying nations implore faster action on climate at U.N
Faced with what they see as an existential threat, leaders from low-lying and island nations implored rich countries at the United Nations General Assembly this week to act more forcefully against a warming planet.
Leaders to UN: A warmer world is a more violent one, too
Using apocalyptic images, three presidents and seven foreign ministers warned Thursday that a warmer world is also a more violent one. At a ministerial meeting of the Security Council, the officials urged the U.N.’s most powerful body to do more to address the security implications of climate change.
Could the financial sector solve climate change as diplomacy stumbles?
The ECB is warning climate change costs could be 5x the cost of transition. As climate risk goes mainstream, could investor concern drive climate action as international diplomacy struggles to reach agreement?
Report: Global warming is causing ‘unprecedented changes’ to oceans
Human-induced global warming is “causing unprecedented changes” to the oceans including warming waters, decreasing ice levels and rising seas, according to a recently published report by more than 150 scientists.
New report shows how indigenous nations respond to climate change
Indigenous nations are at the frontlines of climate change, but they’re also leaders in how to adapt to changing weather conditions and transition to renewable energy.
No virtue in rich nations outsourcing their emissions [$]
Ron Boswell
One of the great mysteries of the global economy is how so many countries are boldly pledging to hit net-zero emissions by 2050, yet global emissions keep rising.
Boris Johnson must explain his climate conversion
David Aaronovitch
The Yiddish word chutzpah was famously defined as describing the man who, having killed both his parents, requests clemency on the basis that he’s recently been orphaned. So it was on a cloud of chutzpah that Boris Johnson arrived in New York to tell the world it needed to grow up.
Have climate change predictions matched reality? – podcast
Gemma Ware et al
For decades, scientists have warned that unchecked global warming could bring climate extremes such as severe droughts, flash floods and rising sea levels. In this episode of The Conversation Weekly, we talk to three climate change experts on how predictions of a changing world are holding up against the reality we’re living through.
A simple way to cut carbon emissions — don’t let polluters hide
Richard Holden
World leaders and about 30,000 others from assorted interest groups will converge on Glasgow in November for the United Nations’ 26th annual climate summit, COP26 (“Conference of the Parties”).
National
The federal government’s plan to subsidise coal and gas-fired power stations could be thwarted, with states and territories moving to block the plan.
EnergyAustralia pledges to ditch coal by 2040
One of the nation’s biggest energy suppliers says it will aim for net zero emissions by 2050.
Australia cannot risk being left behind over climate targets: Frydenberg
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will use a major speech to industry leaders to signal a significant shift towards net-zero emissions.
Nancy Pelosi says Australia is ‘leading the way’ on climate
Pelosi’s praise defies any expectations that Scott Morrison would face public criticism from Democrats over climate during his trip to Washington.
Joyce says Nationals partyroom will decide on net zero by 2050
Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has assured his colleagues they will have the final say on any federal government decision to support a net zero emissions target.
No decision on net zero yet: PM [$]
If Australia had made such a decision on net zero, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he would have announced it.
Scott Morrison and Narendra Modi in talks to ensure energy supply [$]
Scott Morrison and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will extend their plans to develop a new pandemic-driven appreciation of climate-change policies ensuring energy supplies, during a face-to-face meeting in Washington ahead of Friday’s leaders’ meeting of the Quad partnership.
Federal green bank, CBA back climate friendly commodities trader
The government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Commonwealth Bank have emerged as significant investors in Macquarie-backed Xpansiv’s $US100 million raising.
Decarbonising starts with unglamorous tiny steps [$]
Achieving net zero will require shifts in business and consumer behaviour, and will be costly and complicated.
Statement in response to Clean Energy Regulator
Fundamental questions of integrity have been raised by the Australia Institute and the Australia Conservation Foundation in regards to the Emissions Reduction Fund’s avoided deforestation method.
Neighbourhood issue: climate costs and risks to councils
Climate Council
No community within Australia remains untouched by climate change. Our country is highly exposed to impacts including record breaking heat, more dangerous bushfire seasons, coastal flooding and supercharged storms. These extreme weather events are worsening, and the impacts are reverberating throughout our communities.
WIRES: More koalas needing care due to climate change, threats
John Grant
The devastating Black Summer bushfires brought global attention to Australia’s native animals with images of wildlife fleeing the flames featuring on worldwide news.
When fire hits, do koalas flee or stick to their tree? Answering these and other questions is vital
Pablo Negret and Daniel Lunney
Figures released this week suggest Australia’s koala populations have plummeted by 30% in three years, and fewer than 58,000 now remain in the wild.
Financial markets are preparing for climate change and so must we
Josh Frydenberg
Climate change and its impacts are not going away, Australia can’t run the risk of markets assuming we are not transitioning to a lower-emissions future.
Who are the carbon price winners and losers? [$]
Chanticleer
On the long pathway to decarbonisation of the Australian economy, some will reap the rewards while others pay a high price.
Coalition deal on net zero coming down the track [$]
Phillip Coorey
Barnaby Joyce’s linking of climate change and inland rail is a sign the Nationals are finally stepping aboard Australia’s carbon abatement challenge.
After the deal on security, Scott Morrison turns to the shift on climate
Michelle Grattan
One is tempted to think Scott Morrison’s hero must be Harry Houdini, the great escape artist. Put our prime minister in a corner, and he will talk his way out, or try to.
Josh Frydenberg prepares ground for Scott Morrison to commit to 2050 climate target
Michelle Grattan
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will prepare the way for Scott Morrison to take a target of net zero emissions by 2050 to Glasgow, when he warns on Friday capital inflow will be at risk if Australia is seen as a climate laggard.
“Race to replace”: We need to tie new energy capacity with the exit of old generators
Tristan Edis and Johanna Bowyer
There are many options to manage the energy transition that don’t involve capacity payments.
Victoria
Government rejects lavish eco-resort on south-west coast
A controversial $85 million luxury resort proposed for Victoria’s south-west coast has been knocked back by the state government following a long campaign of opposition.
“Australia’s largest” wind turbine installed at Murra Warra – but bigger to come
The 209MW second stage of the Murra Warra wind farm in western Victoria is claiming rights to the largest wind turbine in Australia, for now.
New South Wales
EnergyAustralia to close NSW coal power plant early
Another Australian coal-fired power plant is set to shut its doors earlier than expected, as the national energy market’s shift away from fossil fuels towards cleaner generation gathers speed.
Smoke smothers Sydney from planned burns in ‘favourable conditions’
Smoke from hazard reduction burns led to poor air quality readings in parts of the city on Thursday and a forecast of “fair” for the metropolitan region on Friday.
ACT
‘Coalkeeper’ scheme to be ‘adamantly opposed’ by Barr government
A Morrison government-backed proposal which could extend the life of coal and gas plants will be “adamantly” opposed by the ACT at a crunch meeting on Friday.
Queensland
New gas plan for Central Queensland could create 5,500 jobs
But environmental activists warn the plan to open two new gas basins could impact water supplies for farmers.
Could worst of beach erosion be over?
Could the worst of the erosion at Clarks Beach and Main Beach at Byron Bay be over?
TRC endorses supporting SE Qld Koala Conservation Strategy
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) this week endorsed supporting the Phase 1 Implementation Plan (2020-2022) of the South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2020-2025 at its September Ordinary Meeting.
Queensland government must call in Palmer’s power station plan
ACF media release
Queensland’s Planning Minister can ‘call in’ and assess Clive Palmer’s controversial proposal for a new coal-fired power station, legal advice from one of Queensland’s most respected barristers has confirmed.
South Australia
AER sues Hornsdale battery: Fair cop or regulatory over-reach?
Giles Parkinson
AER’s owns guidelines say court actions should be focused on blatant, ongoing or serious disregard for the law. Is that Hornsdale?
Tasmania
Locals ill at ease with Chinese-backed resort plan
Charles Wooley
Tasmanians’ nerves have been on edge over a proposed Chinese-backed resort near Swansea. But, as Charles Wooley says, locals might be able to relax a little.
Western Australia
Plans for world’s largest solar farm in the NT grow even bigger
Sun Cable dramatically upscales plans to build a $30 billion solar farm in the NT, as Indonesia greenlights an undersea cable to Singapore.
Sustainability
RMI reality check: Appalachia poised to become clean energy country
When it comes to the clean energy transition, many fear that coal-dependent regions like Appalachia will lose out or be left behind.
A real-world study of 13 electric trucks delivering freight across North America has found that if all U.S. and Canadian medium- and heavy-duty trucks became electric, about 100 million metric tons of CO2 would be saved from going into the atmosphere.
U.N. looks for recipe to tackle global food dysfunction
Billions of people are overweight, millions are hungry, one third of food is wasted and the way the world produces, processes and consumes food generates one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, U.N. chief Antonio Guterres said on Thursday at the first global summit on the future of food.
Intensified water cycle slows down global warming
Researchers found that salinity changes as a result of water cycle changes lead to less surface warming
New online tool to help residents reduce the impact of traffic-related air pollution
Researchers have released a new online tool to help schools, hospitals and residents understand and reduce the impact of traffic-related air pollution.
Carbon dioxide reactor makes ‘Martian fuel’
Engineers at the University of Cincinnati are developing new ways to convert greenhouse gases to fuel to address climate change and get astronauts home from Mars.
A new method for removing lead from drinking water
Engineers have designed a relatively low-cost, energy-efficient approach to treating water contaminated with heavy metals.
Engineers introduce a new approach for recycling plastics
Engineers have come up with a revolutionary new method for tackling plastic pollution by harnessing the inner workings of proteins. The result? A whole new way of looking at plastic recycling.
How a city’s design creates congestion
City planners predict that as more people move into urban areas, traffic jams will get worse. That’s why sustainability experts propose a new way to analyze traffic congestion. Using more precise measures to describe the shape of cities and considering other socioeconomic factors, the model, which was applied to nearly 100 American cities, could lead to a better understanding of the link between congestion and land use.
Spain to ban sale of fruit and vegetables in plastic wrapping from 2023
The sale of fruit and vegetables in plastic wrapping will be prohibited in Spain’s supermarkets and grocery stores starting in 2023.
China zero-carbon electricity growth in the 2020s
Rocky Mountain Institute
President Xi’s announcement that China will pursue a zero-carbon economy before 2060 set a bold target for the nation. A cornerstone of this will be shifting China’s electric fleet to nearly all zero-carbon electricity. And because of the timeline needed for the transition of the economy, what happens with China’s electricity system in the 2020s will be vital to peak emissions before 2030 and to the credibility of the 2060 target.
Nature Conservation
Could the sound of frying bacon help to save our reefs?
Fish love the sound of a healthy coral reef, which, as it turns out, sounds a bit like rashers frying in a pan. Scientists are putting that irresistible noise to good use as part of an important research project.
New preliminary evidence suggests coronavirus jumped from animals to humans multiple times
Hamish McCallum
The origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has caused the COVID-19 pandemic, has been hotly debated.
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