Morrison and the Quad just committed to ending coal power by 2040, at the latest
As the Coalition went to war with itself over emissions targets, Quad leaders recommitted to goals that would require Australia to exit coal power by 2040.
Today’s Celebration
Shemini Atzeret – Judaism
Ecological Observance
Climate Change
Children born today to see ’24 times more’ climate-induced disasters than their grandparents
A new report from Save the Children has found that kids born in 2020 will on average experience up to 24 times as many climate-induced extreme weather events as someone born in the 1960s.
Africa Climate Week 2021 builds regional momentum in advance of COP26
The Africa Climate Week 2021 (ACW 2021) Virtual Thematic Sessions are underway with calls to action from leading voices from across the region.
Cop26 climate talks will not fulfil aims of Paris agreement, key players warn
Major figures privately admit summit will fail to result in pledges that could limit global heating to 1.5C
World’s no.1 owner of shares gets nod to crack down on polluters
The world’s biggest owner of publicly traded stocks, Norway’s sovereign-wealth fund, is about to get the political go-ahead to insist that all companies in its portfolio have clear targets for cutting CO2 emissions.
Net zero pledges are easy when it’s the next person’s problem [$]
The revolving doors of most C-suites will have spun several times before chief executives of multinationals are expected to keep promises made by predecessors.
Climate change to loom large in talks to form new German government
Strong results for green and liberal parties mean climate and energy policies are expected to feature heavily in upcoming coalition talks.
The trillions in our pension pots could be key to tackling the climate crisis
Richard Curtis
Ahead of Cop26, the UK could take the lead in diverting investments away from carbon emitters
National
Advocates for action on climate change urge further commitments to reduce Australia’s emissions ahead of the UN COP26 conference in a month’s time, with warnings investors could move their cash elsewhere.
Scott Morrison is yet to make a decision on whether he will fly to Glasgow later this year to attend major climate change talks.
City Liberal MPs call for net zero target as some Nationals remain implacably opposed
Angus Taylor has floated the possibility of the government agreeing to a roadmap but not the target
‘Worst kind of vacuousness over values’: Bridget McKenzie takes swipe at Frydenberg over net zero
The Victorian senator says too many federal MPs are worried about being “cool” rather than “the consequences of their decisions”.
Morrison’s visit to Glasgow climate talks likely to hinge on net zero deal
The Prime Minister is caught on climate policy between the competing interests of the Nationals and Liberal parties, as Australia prepares for a key summit.
Net-zero emissions split widens in Coalition [$]
Federal Liberal MP Garth Hamilton has joined Queensland Nationals colleagues in voicing opposition to the Morrison government’s proposed net-zero emissions target.
Scott Morrison’s hard sell on 2050 net-zero climate target
Only 12 government backbenchers have publicly thrown their support behind a target of net-zero emissions by 2050, highlighting Scott Morrison’s internal difficulties in bringing the Coalition behind the policy before the Glasgow climate conference.
Dire impact of climate emergency on children revealed
Save the Children says Australian kids are already witnessing the devastating impacts of climate change, and warns that things will only get worse
A ‘policy vacuum’ is still holding back renewables investment and jobs
Advocates for action on climate change urge further commitments to reduce Australia’s emissions ahead of the UN COP26 conference in a month’s time, with warnings investors could move their cash elsewhere.
How big batteries went from edgy to everyday [$]
Four years ago it took bets between billionaires and a statewide energy crisis to get a grid-scale battery built. Now there are scores planned across Australia.
Public will back net zero ‘if you don’t throw people on scrapheap’ [$]
Companies and other countries have already started preparing for the emissions target by 2050 and industry groups say the Australian public will also back it.
Government extends charity registration requirement for DGRs
Existing DGR organisations will have 12 months to register as a charity, if they haven’t already
Explainer: Barnaby Joyce is right, the UK is in an energy crisis – but is it relevant to Australia?
Could the calamity unfolding in Britain happen in Australia? Is a net zero target to blame, as the deputy PM claims?
Scott Morrison under pressure from all sides on climate action – Please Explain podcast
Foreign affairs and national security correspondent Anthony Galloway joins Bianca Hall to talk about why Australia appears increasingly isolated on climate and defence policy.
In this extract from their new book Sold Down the River: How Robber Barons and Wall Street Traders Cornered Australia’s Water Market, Scott Hamilton and Stuart Kells examine how the Murray-Darling Basin Plan has gone horribly wrong and how Australia’s water market is now deeply compromised by the way rights are traded.
What would it look like if the media reported on net zero by 2050 properly? [$]
Bernard Keane
While the media is distracted by the meaningless argument over net zero by 2050, events are being driven by bigger structures and systems than personality politics.
Net zero is not the real issue: we need to focus on our carbon budget
Greg Jericho
Caring only about our emissions level in 29 years is a bit stupid. Any party worth its salt will stop putting things off and tell us what it’s doing right now
Fracas among Nationals comes at pivotal time for climate change policy
Age editorial
The issue here is ideology, certainly, but also timing, with the government planning to unveil its updated climate policy position next month ahead of a key summit in Glasgow.
Peter Boyer
Once a British colony and a source of slaves for American plantations, The Gambia is one of the world’s poorest sovereign nations and the smallest country on mainland Africa. Insignificant is a word that comes to mind.
How Scott Morrison can shift Australia into fast lane on emissions [$]
Ticky Fullerton
Scott Morrison lands in Glasgow for COP26 in just over four weeks. In his top pocket should be a big, bold offering from Australia on climate change.
If there’s a climate win to be had, let’s just take it — and worry less about the journey [$]
Richard Holden
Achieving net zero is gaining traction but it’s going to require compromises and complements. Nevertheless, it’s a net positive.
Rachel Withers
Morrison foreshadows a “clean energy” roadmap, but will this really make a difference in the divided Nationals party room?
Positivity replaces a diet of doom on climate change [$]
Dennis Shanahan
After years of fear, negativity and political divisions that have derailed Australia’s path towards reducing carbon emissions, Scott Morrison is trying to offer some economic incentive instead of a diet of doom.
It’s a $50b-a-year export industry. How long until coal’s rivers of gold run dry?
Nick Toscano and Mike Foley
Questions about the future of coal drive some of the deepest divisions in modern Australia. Do we really want to be the last coal exporter in the world?
An Australian no-show at COP26 would stand out
Nick O’Malley
The suggestion that Prime Minister Scott Morrison may not attend the COP26 climate talks will not be welcomed on the world stage.
Your household power bills could be 15% cheaper, if Australia’s energy regulator was doing its job
Bruce Mountain
If you’re like most Australians, the single biggest chunk of your energy bill — about 40% — goes to a network services company, which owns and operates the transmission lines or pipes delivering electricity or gas to your home.
The hydropower industry is talking the talk. But fine words won’t save our last wild rivers
Jamie Pittock
Technologies to harness the power of water are touted as crucial for a low-emissions future. But over many decades, the hydropower industry has caused serious damage to the environment and people’s lives.
What will the donors think? Liberal/Labor refuse to act without nod from Big Gas
Callum Foote
Labor claims it’s a safety issue, Liberals say it’s a drafting issue. The bigger issue is how both major political parties have capitulated to the oil and gas industry again, this time voting to keep offshore petroleum production data secret
It’s easy being green in Kooyong or Wentworth [$]
Bridget McKenzie
One thing needs to be clear: Nationals are more interested in defending their communities than looking cool on climate issues.
Libs warned: ‘Please do not respond to Net Zero surveys’ [$]
Alice Workman
Scott Morrison’s crackdown on burning issues has continued … within the Liberal Party at least.
Morrison and the Quad just committed to ending coal power by 2040, at the latest
As the Coalition went to war with itself over emissions targets, Quad leaders recommitted to goals that would require Australia to exit coal power by 2040.
Bird of the Year 2021 voting changes are like the Hunger Games EXCEPT FOR BIRDS
First Dog on the Moon
Democracy got us and the birds into this mess
I just need a guarantee that my constituents won’t suffer if we move away from coal – cartoon
Cathy Wilcox
Victoria
New fruit tree netting regulations to help protect local wildlife
To help protect local wildlife, new netting regulations have been introduced by Agriculture Victoria, effective from 1 September 2021.
Australia’s biggest battery given all clear after Tesla Megapack fire investigation
Regulators give all clear for Neoen and Tesla to resume commissioning of the Victorian Big Battery after identifying cause of fire and remedies
New South Wales
Sydney facing water shortage within 20 years if current growth continues, government predicts
NSW strategy paper recommends increased desalination, stormwater recycling and efficiency measures – but not drinking purified wastewater
Part of new national park planned for western Sydney set aside for highway
Wildlife refuge designed to offset housing developments but if road proceeds NSW government will have to offset the damage to its own offset
Sydney’s new water strategy explores use of recycled sewage – again
Sydneysiders will be urged to consider using purified sewage for drinking water to help diversify supplies as the population grows and rainfall patterns shift under climate change.
Glimpses of a low carbon future amid Port Kembla’s coal and steel
The Illawarra has the workforce, the industrial and academic know-how and the transport and energy links to be a major player in greener manufacturing.
Queensland
Fireworks spark blaze in Queensland national park
Two Queensland men have been charged with hurling fireworks from a moving car, sparking a fire that destroyed 14 square kilometres of bush in a national park.
‘Smells like cat pee’: After a decade of fighting this town still has no clean water
Many towns on Queensland’s drought-affected Western Downs don’t have access to clean drinking water from their taps, and the local council says potable water schemes are too expensive.
Hopes ‘worst is over’ as sand creeps slowly towards eroded Byron Bay beach
After “unprecedented” tides and storms caused serious erosion at Byron Bay’s iconic Main Beach last December, experts say there are signs the beach is in a better position heading into this year’s storm season.
Celebrating K’gari: why the renaming of Fraser Island is about so much more than a name
Rose Barrowcliffe
On the 19th of September, Butchulla dancers and community representatives came together at Kingfisher Bay Resort to celebrate the renaming of Fraser Island to the K’gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area.
South Australia
Conservationists say rocket launch site could push endangered southern emu-wren to extinction
An Adelaide firm’s plans for permanent facilities at Whaler’s Bay on the Eyre Peninsula could wipe out prime habitat, environment group warns
SA threatened species ‘at risk’ from enviro law change
A Morrison Government push to “streamline” development approvals will weaken protections for South Australia’s threatened species unless the State Government acts, a group of environmental lawyers claims.
Why these cute birds pose a huge threat to SA [$]
Biosecurity alert: Have you seen bright green parrots making themselves at home in the south? Here’s why it’s vital that you report any sightings.
The series of Fearless Conversations continues on Wednesday, with experts discussing some of the challenges facing the environmental sector – from declining biodiversity to renewable energy.
Rooftop PV meets 84 pct of South Australia demand, sends operating demand to new low
Rooftop solar PV has a few important new benchmarks in South Australia, contributing 84.4 per cent of total energy demand on Sunday afternoon.
Tasmania
Several routes analysed for Cradle Mountain cableway project
Several potential routes for the Cradle Mountain cableway have been assessed by the Office of the Co-ordinator General though environmental and visual impact concerns with the project remain.
State government agrees to explore further offshore fish farms
An agreement between the Tasmanian and Commonwealth governments to examine the feasibility of offshore aquaculture in federal waters has been signed.
Community activism and seals among Tassal’s challenges
Community activism is an increasing risk and seals remain a significant challenge, Tasmanian-based salmon producer Tassal says.
Braddon MP call on next generations to lead the way on climate
Younger Tasmanians have a huge part to play in not only slowing down climate change but reversing it.
Lauderdale threatened by climate change with tides to cut off highway [$]
Most of Lauderdale could be underwater by 2100 due to rising sea levels, according to modelling from Coastal Risk Australia.
Northern Territory
Indigenous ranger group open a crocodile farm in Australian first
For the first time in Australia, an Indigenous ranger group is opening a crocodile farm.
Zookeepers have high hopes for rare wallaby
Extinct in the wild on mainland Australia, a mother and her baby rufous hare-wallaby — or mala — are key to a crucial breeding program in Alice Springs.
Solar exports face shutdowns as rooftop PV lays siege to world’s most isolated grid
AEMO to fast-track rooftop solar shutdown mechanisms in W.A. as part of a suite of measures to ensure stability in world’s most isolated grid.
Sustainability
‘Short-term economic costs are substantial’: Chinese factories and homes hit by power cuts
Global shoppers face possible shortages of smartphones and other goods ahead of Christmas after power cuts to meet official energy use targets forced Chinese factories to shut down and left some households in the dark.
Why sustainability and justice should go hand-in-hand
Those hit hardest by the climate crisis are often those least at fault, and those with the fewest resources to cope. This is the bitter injustice for which professor Joyeeta Gupta wishes to raise awareness.
Planting a vision: why the secret to rewilding success is about people, not trees
How do you persuade farmers and the local community to join one of Scotland’s biggest land restoration projects? Call in a psychologist
Fairtrade and B Lab unite to advance sustainable development goals
The 17 global goals are intended to be achieved by 2030
Follow the Money: Are electric flying cars ready for takeoff?
Would you believe three recent IPOs for battery-electric air travel? And investors are still bullish on earthbound battery applications too.
Cement is terrible for the climate. California just passed a law to fix that
A first-in-the-nation law will force a 40% reduction in the carbon-intensity of cement, which is now responsible for about 8% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Electric trucking is coming sooner than you think
The shipping industry tested EV trucks and thinks they’re ready to go, like, now.
Nature Conservation
Romans say ‘basta!’ to invading wild boars
Rome has been invaded by Gauls, Visigoths and vandals over the centuries, but the Eternal City is now grappling with a rampaging force of an entirely different sort: Rubbish-seeking wild boars.
Race to the bottom: the disastrous blindfolded rush to mine the deep sea
One of the largest mining operations ever seen on Earth aims to despoil an ocean we are only barely beginning to understand
Amazonian protected areas benefit both people and biodiversity
Highly positive social outcomes are linked to biodiversity efforts in Amazonian Sustainable-Use Protected Areas, according to new research
We’re dumping loads of retardant chemicals to fight wildfires. What does it mean for wildlife?
As the Caldor Fire roared toward drought-stricken Lake Tahoe in the last days of August, firefighters faced a sobering scenario: Strong winds increased from the southwest, pushing the fire toward populated areas and prompting tens of thousands to flee.
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