Post of the Day
Land and water ecosystems, ‘stressed to critical point’
Land and water resources are “stressed to a critical point”, following significant deterioration over the past decade, according to a major new report released on Thursday by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
On This Day
Ecological Observance
International Animal Rights Day
Climate Change
Climate change ‘aggravating factor for terrorism’: UN chief
Environmental degradation enables armed groups to extend their influence and manipulate resources to their advantage, the UN chief told the Security Council on Thursday, highlighting that conflict-prevention initiatives need to factor in climate risks.
How will humanity endure the climate crisis? I asked an acclaimed sci-fi writer
Daniel Aldana Cohen
In Kim Stanley Robinson’s novel The Ministry for the Future, climate disasters kill tens of millions of people – and that’s a scenario he portrays as relatively optimistic
Green colonialism: why Africa shouldn’t suffer for the West’s conscience
Todd Moss and Vijaya Ramachandran
The world’s climate rescue plan will not be damaged by Africa. In fact the average African consumes less electricity a year than an American refrigerator.
National
Big batteries had “breakout year” in 2021, but how will the boom play out?
Questions remain around who will bankroll the tens of gigawatt-hours of battery storage needed for energy arbitrage in Australia.
Electrification and renewables could save Australians $60bn a year in energy costs
Australian households could save billions in energy expenditure, while slashing emissions, by going electric and renewable.
Australia slammed for “dangerous” coal addiction and climate “cosplay”
Morrison government slammed for deeply inadequate “climate policy pamphlet” and failure to break Australia’s “dangerous” coal addiction.
Face masks help protect us from COVID. But we need to protect the planet from that plastic pollution
Australia has been warned to guard against a massive COVID face mask litter problem that could last generations.
Coal-fired power to shut down three times faster than anticipated under new NEM plan
Coal-fired power generators are expected to shut down nearly three times faster than previously anticipated and exit the National Energy Market entirely by 2043, according to an updated plan that follows widespread consultation with the sector.
Industry, investors bank on no coal power by 2043, market operator says
Coal is becoming commercially uncompetitive due to the influx of cheap wind and solar power flooding the energy market.
Bogong moth, grey-headed flying fox listed as endangered
Once found in such overwhelming numbers they even troubled athletes at the Sydney Olympics, the bogong moth is one of a number of Australian species that has now been declared as endangered.
Regional Engagement Officers to keep communities at heart of Murray-Darling Basin Plan
Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt has announced an important initiative will be expanded to ensure better Government engagement with communities on the management of the Murray-Darling Basin.
Labor calls for ‘grassroots mobilisation’ of religious Australians to tackle climate crisis
Care for creation unites every person in this room, Anthony Albanese tells faith summit
When will MPs level with voters in coal communities that the economics of clean energy will mean plants shutting earlier than planned?
Flashback 2019: Kill Bill 4: Suffering under ScoMo
Michelle Pini
After a defeat in the 2019 Election, Labor is promising to repair the damage done by the Morrison Government, especially with the climate crisis.
Australia’s climate wars may be over [$]
Phillip Coorey
The Climate 200 movement could potentially be as big a change as politics has seen since the arrival of One Nation disrupted the established order.
Russell McGregor
Exactly 100 years ago tomorrow, a bird that had been relegated to extinction made a comeback. The exquisitely beautiful paradise parrot was rediscovered by Cyril Jerrard, a grazier from Gayndah in Queensland’s Burnett district, on December 11 1921.
Albanese is ending the year well but has plenty of challenges ahead
Michelle Grattan
A week after Anthony Albanese announced his climate blueprint, Labor has every reason to believe the most difficult policy it will launch for the coming election has parachuted to a safe landing.
Victoria
Nexsphere’s Bass Strait wind farm generates concern [$]
A large-scale offshore wind farm announced for Bass Strait promises to help decarbonise Australia but has sparked concern from bird experts, Indigenous leaders, fishers and conservationists.
New South Wales
‘Canary in coal mine’: bogong moth added to world’s most threatened species
Millions of bogong moths migrate thousands of kilometres to Australia’s alpine region each year to coat the walls of caves, just as marsupials emerge from their winter slumber and prepare to feast.
No opportunity wasted for NSW Sustainability Awards winners
From living seawalls made from upcycled materials, to a local health district tackling sustainability in hospitals, the winners of the NSW Sustainability Awards, presented by the Banksia Foundation, are working towards a more sustainable future.
Water conservation is everyone’s business – even in the middle of a flood.
NSW government tests new CBD trams on inner west line
The NSW government is testing the new CBD light rail trams on the inner west network in an attempt to revive the service that has been suspended for up to 18 months after cracks were found in the entire fleet of trams.
Scientists fear pests could be in full flow after heavy flooding
Following mass flooding in the Central West region, scientists are worried about the spread of invasive species along revitalised rivers.
Western Sydney council slams talk of drinking recycled loo water [$]
A western Sydney council has stuck their nose up at the suggestion of drinking recycled wastewater, slamming the idea and claiming it was another example of bias against Sydney’s west.
Rachel Withers
Dave Sharma and the “moderate” Liberals are starting to sweat over their independent challengers
Queensland
Queensland Government green-light Adani mine expansion on cultural heritage site
The Queensland Government has rejected a request from seven Traditional Owners to investigate a potential breach of the Queensland Cultural Heritage Act.
Genex strikes “world first” revenue sharing deal with Tesla for Queensland big battery
Genex strikes revenue sharing deal with Tesla, which will operate its Autobidder system at new Queensland battery that features its Megapack technology.
The Queensland government is warned of a coming crackdown on the safety and compliance processes around the state’s dams, with one inspection report more than 14 years overdue.
Global metals giant plans massive renewable hydrogen project at Port Pirie smelter
World’s biggest metals trader plans huge renewable hydrogen facility at Port Pirie to help improve the competitiveness of the local smelter.
“Baseload” generators have had their day, and won’t be needed in a modern grid
The decline of “baseload” has been predicted for many years, now South Australia is showing a grid can operate without it.
‘Deeply concerned’: Hunt for drivers targeting wombats after spate of killings
Rangers fear motorists are deliberately running down groups of wombats in a South Australian national park.
Tasmania
Tasmania ideal for hydrogen and electric trucks if governments act fast, regulator says [$]
Electric and alternative fuel-cell heavy vehicles – such as hydrogen-powered – could be ready for widespread adoption in Tasmania and across Australia within five years if governments put in place policy frameworks soon, the national regulator says.
Salmon farms blamed for wild fish deaths [$]
Wild fish are being killed as a result of disease management processes at salmon farms, the Bob Brown Foundation has alleged.
Western Australia
Margaret River blaze worsens amid second WA bushfire emergency near Yallingup
An emergency warning is expanded for a fast-moving bushfire near Margaret River in Western Australia as weather conditions deteriorate, with a second blaze in the South West region threatening lives and homes near Yallingup.
WA Govt raises fresh doubts about Collie’s coal industry
The McGowan Government won’t say whether Collie’s remaining coal-fired power stations will continue to operate beyond 2030.
Sustainability
Sri Lanka’s plunge into organic farming brings disaster
The economically troubled country banned chemical fertilizers without preparing farmers, prompting a surge in food prices and worries about shortages.
Galapágos Islands to be powered by solar and big battery micro-grid
Renewables developer Total Eren partners with Gransolar to build solar and battery based microgrid in the Galápagos Islands.
Where does wind power make sense?
Wind and solar power are cheap, climate-friendly, and set to become mainstays of future energy supplies. But the energy generated varies greatly depending on the region. Which mix makes sense?
How will Wales go green by 2050?
A plan for how Wales will rely only on renewable energy by 2050 has been set out by the Welsh government. A five-fold increase in green power generation, a shake-up of the planning process and more funding are am
The COVID-19 pandemic created a significant shock to global and regional transport systems, while magnifying the underlying shortages and connectivity gaps.
Golf courses on borrowed time as Earth’s weather patterns become more wild
Managing the turf on golf courses also means using carbon-intensive fertilizers, plenty of mowing and, in many cases, clearing forests or trees that were soaking up carbon-dioxide to make way for long tracts of fairway. In other words, golf is a dirty sport that’s wrecking the planet.
Land and water ecosystems, ‘stressed to critical point’
Land and water resources are “stressed to a critical point”, following significant deterioration over the past decade, according to a major new report released on Thursday by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Tropical forests can regenerate in just 20 years without human interference
Study finds natural regrowth yields better results than human plantings and offers hope for climate recovery
Deep-sea mining may push hundreds of species to extinction, researchers warn
New research sees two-thirds of mollusc types only found living by hydrothermal vents added to IUCN’s red list of endangered species
Great Pacific Garbage Patch now ‘an immense floating plastic habitat’
A giant patch of garbage in the Pacific Ocean is now “an immense floating plastic habitat” for marine animals clinging to it, researchers have found.
The urgent need to protect the Serengeti’s intricate web of life
The vast and varied ecosystem of thousands of plant and animal species is a place of astonishing resilience but needs the support of Kenyans and Tanzanians to survive.
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