Post of the Day
Novel chemical entities: Are we sleepwalking through a planetary boundary?
Our pollution of the planet with heavy metals, plastics, industrial chemicals, pesticides and more is pushing Earth systems to the limit, and us closer to crossing a dangerous planetary boundary we don’t understand.
Today’s Celebration
Sukkot ends – Judaism
Elevation of the Holy Cross – Eastern Christianity
Climate Change
Music stars urge action on climate change, vaccines in 24-hour global event
Spanning seven continents, Global Citizen Live forms part of a wider initiative to address vaccine equity, extreme poverty and climate change.
Cormann leads push for global carbon price [$]
The OECD secretary-general has confounded his climate critics with a bid to replicate the body’s successful global tax reform process.
Climate change in Africa: Lack of weather data hinders climate research, early-warning systems
The lack of data also makes for poor early-warning systems on the ground.
U.S.-China talk could torpedo climate conference
Graeme McLeay
If the focus favours an uncertain future threat of U.S.-China conflict when world leaders meet to address the real danger of climate emergency at COP26, the summit will likely fail.
National
PM keen for coalition agreement on 2050 climate change target
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is working with his coalition partners to get an agreement on a 2050 target for net zero emissions.
Nationals in net-zero turmoil as Darren Chester takes a ‘break’ over Barnaby Joyce’s ‘failure’
Australia faces another ugly political fight over net-zero emissions, with acting Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and the Nationals yet again refusing to sign up to the key target.
Thinktank calls for carbon trading desk for small farmers and climate-focused livestock research
The Grattan Institute’s report on agriculture says farmers should directly benefit from efforts to curb emissions, currently 15% of Australia’s total
Tim Costello lauds ruling allowing charities to lobby for political change
Ruling on Global Citizen’s status in Australia expected to embolden sector to pursue political change
Australian bird of the year 2021: poll returns as climate change threatens beloved species
The shortlist features some birds hit by bushfires and a few urban ‘bullies’ that dominate as cities grow
The group, including former ambassadors and high commissioners, says urgent action is an ‘ethical and moral responsibility towards future generations’
Farmers essential for Australia’s net zero 2050 push: report
Farmers must be part of Australia’s push to reach net zero emissions by 2050, a new report says, warning the nation cannot reach the target without them and import tariffs will be slapped on agriculture unless it has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gases.
$1.4 million election war chest, here’s how it will be spent
Climate 200 is an initiative co-founded by Simon Holmes a Court, clean energy advocate and son of corporate raider Robert and philantropist and businesswoman Janet. It will support progressive independents at the next federal election, building on the success of the likes of Zali Steggall.
Scott Morrison will return home to a fight on two fronts – and one could prove ruinous
Katharine Murphy
Replacing Christian Porter is just the start of the PM’s problems, as climate jostling in the National party over net zero threatens to spill into all-out warfare
Nancy Pelosi’s praise for Scott Morrison should terrify Labor
Sean Kelly
It was a preview of the power of a slogan to substitute for actual action on climate.
Swift action for coal-free future cannot come fast enough
SMH editorial
Australia risks being left behind in a mammoth economic shift that could impose enormous costs on this nation.
Climate change is impacting our health in many ways
Michelle Hamrosi
Extreme weather events, like bushfires, not only have immediate health risks, but also come with longer-term physical, economic and psychological impacts. My vocation as a rural doctor gives me a unique insight into these impacts on my community.
Net zero by 2050 target is within reach
Canberra Times editorial
Who would have thought the Prime Minister would use his week in Washington to put the screws on the recalcitrant junior Coalition partner over net zero emissions by 2050?
The clock is ticking on net-zero, and Australia’s farmers must not get a free pass
James Ha
Political momentum is growing in Australia to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. On Friday, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg was the latest member of the federal government to throw his weight behind the goal, and over the weekend, Prime Minister Scott Morrison acknowledged “the world is transitioning to a new energy economy”.
New South Wales
‘The world is burning’: how Australia’s longest-serving fire chief became a climate champion
Greg Mullins says after the ‘black summer’ bushfires it is time for politicians to act on global heating
‘Arbitrary metrics’: Government and developers face off over green space
Green space has emerged as a key battleground between the NSW government and property developers over reforms to boost the design standards of apartment blocks.
The new housing trend that could save you up to 90 per cent of your energy costs
When you consider the cost of housing in Sydney, it makes sense to acquire something sustainable, proponents of the latest housing trend say.
ACT
If the latest COVID lockdown has reminded us of anything, it is our ability to migrate and adapt to changing environments, as backed by ACT government and Google data.
ACT rolls out air quality monitors before school return
Carbon dioxide monitors will be installed in some ACT public schools as part of a strategy to improve ventilation before students return to class.
Queensland
Wildlife Rescue Queensland president Byron Cann said the amount of wildlife death on Bribie Island roads was increasing, particularly kangaroos and wallabies.
‘What are we waiting for?’ Experts warn Qld shark-control strategy is outdated
As NSW pumps $21.4 million into new technology to bolster its shark-control program, Queensland stands by its 1960s approach — a move experts say will lead to more attacks.
Greens-Labor stitch-up will send industry to the wall [$]
Peter Gleeson
A possible ban on fishing Spanish mackerel in north Queensland waters shows contemptible disregard for the industry.
South Australia
Saving a species and bringing them back to Mallee country
An ecologist couple is creating a living ark in remote bushland, free from feral animals.
A picture in time: Maralinga, the blinding flash that ushered in Australia’s atomic age
Nuclear tests conducted in South Australia from 1956 resulted in swaths of countryside obliterated and decades of highly contaminated land
High-rises beside Torrens? Riverbank revolution unveiled [$]
First it emerged plans were afoot to allow buildings on Pinky Flat. Now there could be apartment towers near the Torrens banks. And there’s so much more on the agenda.
Tasmania
Push for Hobart to become Antarctic custodian [$]
There’s a push for Hobart to become a “custodian” to Antarctica, after a new report looked at Hobart’s relationship with the icy continent.
Northern Territory
‘Bird lover’s paradise’: Kakadu Bird Week celebrating 10th anniversary [$]
Kakadu Bird Week is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2021 with lots of wonderful bird-related activities, including tours, workshops, guided walks, and more.
Western Australia
WA could be world leader in green hydrogen production
Nick Deeks
With an abundance of sunlight, space and wind, WA’s vast, arid landscape and recent $61.5 million green hydrogen financial commitment could be the country’s answer to the uptake of renewable energy.
Sustainability
‘We’re all going to turn to dust’: Body composting a ‘green’ alternative to burial and cremation
In a suburban warehouse in the US, Seth Vidall and one of his employees have built a “vessel” they hope will usher in a more environmentally friendly era of mortuary science.
Novel chemical entities: Are we sleepwalking through a planetary boundary?
Our pollution of the planet with heavy metals, plastics, industrial chemicals, pesticides and more is pushing Earth systems to the limit, and us closer to crossing a dangerous planetary boundary we don’t understand.
The value of a degrowth economy: Our planet would be richer for it
Erin Remblance
Decades of economic expansion have come at the expense of developing nations and a tremendous cost to the planet. Degrowth is a healthier future option.
What is dust? And where does it all come from?
Mark Patrick Taylor et al
Everything in our homes gathers dust. But what exactly is it? Where does it come from, and why does it keep coming back? Is it from outside? Is it fibres from our clothes and cells from our skin? Yes, but it’s a lot more than that.
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