Date: 14 October 2021 at 9:06:46 am AEDT
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Oct 14
Post of the Day
Can we get more people to care about the climate crisis?
Thirty-five years ago, four words from Stevie Ray Vaughn mobilized an entire state to clean up its act. Now we need a simple, powerful climate crisis message to mobilize the masses.
On This Day
Intercession of the Theotokos – Russian Orthododox
Navaratri ends – Hinduism
Climate Change
Greta Thunberg urges world leaders to be honest at COP26
Climate activist Greta Thunberg says she hopes the upcoming UN COP26 climate summit will force world leaders to admit that their actions are not living up to their words.
UK, US, China: how the world’s carbon ‘centre of gravity’ moved over 200 years
The geographic centre of the world’s carbon emissions used to sit atop the UK. Now it sits squarely over China
Clean energy delayed by ‘stubborn incumbency’ of fossil fuels
The International Energy Agency has highlighted the need for greater ambition and action on clean energy in an era of increasing climate disasters and energy market volatility.
Energy inequality makes a hotter world deadlier for poor nations [$]
Air conditioning is unlikely to keep up with global warming, forcing billions of the world’s poorest people to suffer through heat unprotected.
IEA says global coal use must halve by 2030, clean energy investment “far too slow”
IEA says current climate pledges not nearly enough to get to zero net emissions, more must be done to shake the “stubborn incumbency” of fossil fuels.
Can we get more people to care about the climate crisis?
Thirty-five years ago, four words from Stevie Ray Vaughn mobilized an entire state to clean up its act. Now we need a simple, powerful climate crisis message to mobilize the masses.
85 percent of the world population lives in areas affected by climate change, new study shows
Researchers used machine learning to analyze more than 100,000 studies of weather events and found that four-fifths of the world’s land area has suffered impacts linked to global warming.
This scientist dares to challenge the status quo on climate change theory
Mitch Daniels
Knowledge advances only through the collision of hypotheses and the facts that ultimately prove one theory superior.
National
More than 80 per cent of the global car market now follows ‘Euro 6’ emissions standards — but Australia’s resistance to signing on is leaving the country with less efficient, less safe and higher polluting cars, experts warn.
Nationals leader says ‘book in’ election commitment of coal trains to Gladstone via Inland Rail
Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce says coal transported from Toowoomba to Gladstone could be “booked in” as a Coalition election promise, bypassing Port of Brisbane, in the lead up to the next federal poll.
Coalition promising ‘great future’ for coal and gas as Cabinet considers net zero plan
The federal government insists workers in resources and heavy manufacturing have a bright future ahead, as senior figures gather to consider how Australia will commit to net zero emissions by 2050.
Economist sounds alarm about ‘climate pork barrel’
The Morrison government has been warned any “car park rorts approach” to regional funding as part of a deal for net zero emissions by 2050 will fail.
Clean exports could deliver 395,000 new jobs
Together, ACF, WWF-Australia, ACTU and BCA are today releasing Sunshot: Australia’s opportunity to create 395,000 clean export jobs, charting a path for the country through the global transition to net-zero that delivers new jobs.
Blue carbon method: have your say
The Australian Government is inviting input on a draft blue carbon method for the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF).
“Unstoppable transition:” Australia can hit 91% renewables by 2030
Transgrid study says Australia could – and should – be 100% renewable powered by 2035, with all coal generation phased out by 2032.
Australia’s weak climate policies a threat to 70,000 Australian jobs
Tens of thousands of Australian jobs at risk due to country’s weak climate policies, as other countries ponder carbon border taxes.
CBA defends climate stance as investors back tougher action
Commonwealth Bank chairman Catherine Livingstone has rejected activist calls for the bank to cease financing all new fossil fuel projects, but says the lender is talking to big emitters about their plans for moving to a world of net zero emissions.
Tuna turns corner in fisheries status sustainability reports
Southern bluefin tuna stocks in Commonwealth waters have been classified as not overfished in latest ABARES Fishery status reports, released today.
States put Australia on track to beat 2030 emissions pledge but Morrison may not make it official
Prime minister under pressure to increase country’s 2030 emissions reduction goal but faces challenges from openly hostile Nationals
News Corp and business council backflips on climate don’t mean mission accomplished, Labor warns
Chris Bowen warns battle for emissions reduction is not yet over, and says Coalition has ‘one last chance’ on new roadmap
News Corp’s Herald Sun runs climate change ‘furphy’ ad on third day of net zero campaign
The Melbourne tabloid has run an ad describing climate change as a “furphy”, on the third day of a company-wide series on the benefits of a carbon-neutral economy.
Australia needs a surge in renewables, electric vehicles to meet UN emissions goal
Australia will have to deepen its carbon cuts to 47 per cent by 2030 to meet the goal set on Tuesday for nations attending next month’s UN climate summit, a new analysis shows.
Rio Tinto trials biomass to combat steel sector’s carbon problem
Pressure is building for Australia’s top miners to start tackling the vast carbon footprint of their customers in Asia’s heavy-emitting steel sector.
‘Cost taxpayers billions’: Gina Rinehart’s climate warning [$]
Australia’s richest woman, Gina Rinehart, has warned rushing to reduce greenhouse emissions would cause farmers and consumers financial pain.
Wind, solar, hydro: Could they run Australia’s power grid? [$]
Australia’s energy is increasingly coming from the sun, the wind and other natural sources. But opinions are divided over how much we should rely on renewables.
400k Aussie clean energy jobs: What must happen [$]
Australia could create hundreds of thousands of clean energy export jobs and $89 billion in new trade. Here’s what’s needed to make it happen.
Renewable exports worth more than coal and gas, will create more jobs
Australian exports of renewable hydrogen, ammonia and green materials could surpass the current value of coal and gas exports, and create more jobs.
Aussies say nation doesn’t need more people [$]
About 70 per cent of voters in a recent poll said they don’t believe Australia needs more people, citing these key issues for their stance.
Government mulls 2030 emissions projection rather than target [$]
The Morrison government could stop short of formally increasing its reduction goal for 2030, and instead adopt an upgraded forecast.
Australia urged to add value to critical minerals bonanza [$]
Proponents of an Australian battery materials refinery say far greater rewards are on offer from critical minerals if Australia embraces value-adding.
Grattan Institute’s Tony Wood on managing the shift in climate policy – Politics with Michelle Grattan podcast
The Morrison Government is in the painful throes of a climate policy shift to embrace a target of net zero by 2050, ahead of next month’s Glasgow conference. This requires a deal with the divided, noisy, fractious Nationals.
Plenty of thought bubbles but no clear demands: What do the Nationals want from a climate deal?
David Speers
Beyond demanding more detail over a net zero emissions target, it’s still unclear precisely what the Nationals want as part of any grand climate bargain.
Helping young people address anxiety caused by climate change
Lisa Juckes
Australians are increasingly concerned about climate change, with good reason. We only need to read the latest science or news to see the enormity of the problem.
Can Morrison make history on climate change?
Canberra Times editorial
An irony of the climate change debate is that just as Nixon was the only president who could have gone to China, Scott Morrison is the only Prime Minister who can go to Glasgow with a net zero by 2050 carbon target.
Asia’s energy pivot is a warning to Australia: clinging to coal is bad for the economy
Christian Downie and Llewelyn Hughes
The COP26 climate negotiations are just weeks away, and the tide is now turning against international finance of coal-fired power generation. The implications for Australia cannot be ignored.
Privileged farmers seek special treatment in climate deal [$]
Aaron Patrick
The case for a rural slush fund in return for farmers’ support for a net-zero-by-2050 climate target is dubious.
Net zero will shake up the economy forever [$]
John Kehoe
Decarbonisation is the biggest long-term economic adjustment Australia faces since the Hawke-Keating governments exposed the nation to global market forces in the 1980s.
Australia must build a net zero competitive advantage [$]
AFR editorial
To prosper in a low-carbon world, Australia must transform its resource export base into a reliable and efficient supplier of clean energy.
Inflation fears mount as northern hemisphere’s energy crisis feeds price rises across the board [$]
Jason Murphy
Australia is not in nearly as bad a position as some countries on food and energy shortages. But that doesn’t mean we’re in the clear.
How Murdoch manipulates the climate of Australian politics
Michelle Pini
News Corp suddenly promoting climate change action is just another example of how the Coalition and the MSM operate in tandem to create and …
Courtney Melton et al
Noisy miners are familiar to many of us on Australia’s east coast as plucky grey birds relentlessly harassing other birds, dive-bombing dogs and people – even expertly opening sugar packets at your local café.
Ozlander [blue carbon] – cartoon
David Pope
“Your Majesty, I was always coming to the Glasgow climate conference … honest!” – cartoon
Mark Knight
Victoria
Scathing report says Victoria can’t show if, or how, it’s halting species decline
The auditor-general says government reporting on biodiversity protection lacks detail and accountability, as about a third of the state’s flora and fauna are believed to be facing extinction.
Melbourne’s tram stops could soon be made from recycled plastic
Researchers are aiming to build modular tram stops that will be accessible for people with disabilities.
Victorian company penalised for breaching ozone protection laws
The Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment has issued an infringement notice to a company for breaching the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989.
4.6k Vic jobs: New mineral mining boom [$]
Global demand for nickel, cobalt and other precious commodities is set to surge, and it could create thousands of jobs in Victoria.
New South Wales
‘Follow New South Wales’s lead’: Perrottet’s advice for PM on emissions
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet urges the Morrison government to follow NSW on targets for carbon emissions by 2030.
Perrottet teams up with billionaire to unveil hydrogen plan to hit net zero emissions by 2050
A hydrogen strategy unveiled by the NSW government aims to attract more than $80 billion of investment and help the state hit net zero emissions by 2050.
25k NSW jobs: New mineral mining boom [$]
Global demand for nickel, cobalt and other precious commodities is set to surge, and it could create thousands of jobs in NSW.
NSW hydrogen joins unstoppable energy revolution, yet tariffs pose big threat while we lump coal
Nicki Hutley
Despite big advances on green energy, global carbon tariffs will punish Australia if it persists with fossil fuels. Modelling shows NSW would lose about 20,000 jobs and $5 billion in gross state product, and Queensland more than 50,000 jobs and $10 billion.
Queensland
Controversial Queensland scientist loses High Court battle over ‘illegal’ university dismissal
Controversial Queensland academic Peter Ridd loses a High Court battle over his sacking for disparaging remarks about colleagues working on the impact of climate change on the Great Barrier Reef.
Pilungah Reserve: celebrating connection to country – in pictures
Bush Heritage Australia has renamed one of its largest nature reserves to recognise the enduring connection to country held by the Wangkamadla traditional owners.
Protesters hang dead fish from Parliament House [$]
Traffic has been blocked outside Queensland’s Parliament House after climate change protesters dramatically climbed atop the roof and hung dead fish from the fence.
‘How Qld will become a renewables superpower’ [$]
Annastacia Palaszczuk
Queensland will be a renewable energy superpower by 2032.That is my vision.
South Australia
Ombudsman calling fresh air a ‘human right’ led to changes in SA medi-hotel system, report reveals
Complaints about a lack of fresh air prompted an overhaul of South Australia’s hotel quarantine system, the state’s ombudsman reveals in his annual report.
GM crops yet to impact wine industry
The lifting of a moratorium on genetically modified crops in South Australia late last year is yet to impact the state’s wine industry despite concerns the rule change could cost millions in lost exports.
$6m worth: Aussies hungry for local solar [$]
Australia’s only solar panel maker in South Australia has splashed millions on a new factory and production line as it hopes to spark a revolution in local manufacturing.
80k SA jobs: New mineral mining boom [$]
Global demand for copper and other precious commodities is set to surge, and it could create thousands of jobs in South Australia.
Tasmania
Tasmania announces state target of net zero emissions from 2030
Tasmania has announced it will mandate a state target of net zero emissions from 2030 — a feat it has already achieved in six of the last seven years.
A project to save Tasmania’s giant kelp forests from extinction has seen success, with specimens that began life on a laboratory plate now thriving and growing off the coast.
Tamar Valley Power Station availability doubts emerge
There are doubts the power station which kept Tasmania’s lights on in the 2016 energy crisis will be able to do so again if the circumstances repeat.
Bright future predicted for Tasmanian mining [$]
Hundreds of new jobs are likely to be created when several mines across Tasmania are expected to reopen, with in-ground resources in the state estimated at around $11b.
‘Ditch Marinus link, support hydrogen plant’ [$]
A Tasmanian union branch says its time to ditch plans for a second power cable under the Bass Strait and keep power generated here to fire hydrogen developments.
Tasmania takes lead on net-zero after Peter Gutwein’s 2030 pledge
Examiner editorial
Premier Peter Gutwein’s announcement that the Tasmanian government will legislate for a target of net-zero emissions by 2030 is a move that should be applauded.
Northern Territory
Documents released under Freedom of Information reveal the NT government’s mining department proposed an even bigger reduction of a massive lead and zinc mine’s environmental security bond before it was controversially slashed last year.
Western Australia
Aboriginal groups and investors form new alliance to protect heritage sites
The Dhawura Ngilan collaboration says it will keep a close eye on mining companies in the wake of Juukan Gorge destruction
WA has zero tolerance for Feds’ climate dithering [$]
The overwhelming majority of West Australians want a net zero by 2050 commitment in the Morrison Government’s amended climate change strategy.
Footage and photos obtained by the ABC show an Indonesian fishing crew waving at tourists as they illegally operate within a pristine marine sanctuary
1414 Degrees lands funds from Woodside for thermal energy storage technology
1414 gets backing from Woodside for its thermal energy storage technology it says is “simpler” than hydrogen.
Sustainability
You could build a Great Wall of China from the extra amount of e-waste we dumped this year
Less than one fifth of e-waste is effectively recycled, despite it containing anything from gold and silver to valuable glass and rare earth elements. Experts say a circular economy is the solution.
The secrets of Prince Charles’ ‘green’ diet
The royal forgoes meat on two days a week and dairy on one. But how much meat and dairy should you eat to balance your body’s needs and the planet’s?
Joint effort sees Native Title declared over West Kimberley Country
Joombarn-buru Native Title claimants have had their unbreakable connection to Country recognised by the Federal Court, with their Native Title over a portion of land in the Kimberley being declared on Wednesday.
Australians among Wildlife Photographer of the Year winners
The winners of the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition have been revealed, with some Australians among the winners.
Biodiversity commitment builds hope for ‘living in harmony with nature’
More than 100 countries on Wednesday committed to develop, adopt and implement an effective post-2020 global framework, that aims to put biodiversity on a path to recovery, by 2030 at the latest.
Indigenous leaders urge stronger rights as UN nature summit begins
The appeal comes as governments work to finalise a new global pact to safeguard biodiversity at the two-part COP15 U.N. summit, which concludes next May.
What can the royals offer Cop26? A pledge to rewild their vast estates
Chris Packham
Young people look at the monarchy and its sterile acres and see a huge opportunity to help cool the heating planet
Humans are driving animals and plants to the edge. But are we really heading into a mass extinction?
Michael Hannah
It is now common to refer to the current biodiversity crisis as the sixth mass extinction. But is this true? Are we in the middle of an event on the same scale as the five ancient mass extinctions Earth has experienced?
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