Post of the Day
If nothing else, the last 12 months of floods, fires, droughts, and other meteorological torments delivered an uncomfortable message. Extreme events are happening more often. And they are happening almost everywhere.
On This Day
Ecological Observance
Climate Change
John Kerry calls for investing ‘trillions’ to get big emitters to quit polluting
US climate envoy tours Europe to build support for global investment drive.
U.N. climate boss: ‘We need to understand’ young people’s frustration
We talked to Patricia Espinosa, the executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, on empowering youths and defining success at COP27.
Trees in wetlands emit more methane than researchers thought
As technology innovations have developed, researchers have been able to measure methane more quickly and accurately than before.
Help us support those on the frontline of the climate emergency
Katharine Viner
As poorer nations pay the price for wealthy countries’ pollution, fighting climate injustice is a moral obligation
National
Australia joins global fight against mercury pollution
Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management
The Australian Government has added its voice to the global fight against mercury pollution by ratifying the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Native vegetation regeneration project requirements: have your say
The Australian Government is inviting input on proposed new requirements for native vegetation regeneration projects under the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF).
Report shows huge potential for Australian hydrogen industry
Australia is on track to become a world leader in the production and export of clean hydrogen by 2030.
Migrants to power economy in MYEFO update [$]
The Morrison government will steadily increase permanent migration back to about 160,000 a year to energise economic growth and address skills shortages, with the mid-year budget update to estimate net overseas migration to be 120,000 higher than expected over the next two years.
Alan Finkel ‘stunned’ by net zero modelling attacks
Australia’s former chief scientist has defended the federal government’s reliance on technology breakthroughs to reach its net zero by 2050 target, saying he was “stunned” by the widespread criticism of it.
Solar strife: Calls for change as dark times loom [$]
Installation of new solar systems will grind to a halt nationwide by next week, if inverter rule changes are not put on hold, the industry warns.
Shell gets customer exodus ‘surprise’ after buying green energy retailer Powershop
Green energy provider Powershop has likely lost at least 5,000 customers since a takeover announcement by Shell a few weeks ago, according to data collected by the ABC from its competitors.
A major study of toxic chemicals that leaked into the groundwater of regional towns near Australian air force bases has found no conclusive evidence they increase the risk of cancer or disease.
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.
Say goodbye to coal – Energy Insiders podcast
AEMO’s Alex Wonhas and Nicola Falcon discuss the draft ISP, the early departure of coal, and managing a renewables grid.
Nationals secure sustainable carbon farming safeguards
David Littleproud
The government is ensuring Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) projects contribute to Australia’s emission reduction efforts without having adverse impacts on agricultural production or local communities.
Super funds must walk the walk, not just talk the talk, on ESG investing
Adele Ferguson
The rise of ethical investing will require super funds to be more transparent and accountable when they have exposure to companies with questionable track records.
Nothing Menzian about Holmes a Court’s political appropriation [$]
Gerard Henderson
If ever there was a case of political appropriation, this is it. In The Australian on Wednesday, Greg Brown reported that Simon Holmes a Court, the convener of Climate 200, has declared himself to be a “Menzian Liberal” who has lost faith in the modern Liberal Party.
Solar curtailment is emerging as a new challenge to overcome as Australia dashes for rooftop solar
Sophie Adams
Almost a third of Australia’s estimated ten million households now have solar on the roof. But as the nation moving fastest to produce energy on our homes, we are also encountering teething problems, such as “curtailment” of output.
Government hiding dark secrets of kangaroo industry
Linda Paull
The Liberal, National and Labor Parties have ensured the public will never know the findings of an Inquiry into wellbeing of kangaroos.
The usual suspects star in annual Tax Office data-dump paying donut on their billions
Michael West
The latest Tax Office transparency report shows the oil and gas juggernauts are, again, Australia’s biggest tax grifters. Callum Foote and Michael West report on the good and the bad in multinational tax-dodging land.
The electric highway – a fuelish policy
Viv Forbes
Users should fund their own recharging centres and insurance, and all road users should contribute fairly to the costs of road building and maintenance.
Actual sustainable water solutions for Australian urban communities
Charles Essery
Media and politicians announce one crisis after another, be it drought, flood, pollution incidents, health pandemics and the economic crashes.
Australia’s climate culprits pay little or no tax, new data shows [$]
Bernard Keane
While many of Australia’s biggest companies paid the full 30% company tax rate, fossil fuel companies paid next to nothing.
Labor and big business agreeing on climate action? It’s a Christmas miracle [$]
Josefine Ganko
The Morrison government says the opposition’s policy is too left and too ‘green’, but it is actually closer to business groups than the Coalition’s.
“Monumental:” Why AEMO’s stunning Hydrogen Superpower scenario can’t be ruled out
Giles Parkinson
Hydrogen Superpower scenario sets out a “monumental” shift in Australia’s energy supply that aligns with 1.5°C. Don’t rule it out.
More than 20 per cent of solar may be curtailed in Australia’s renewables grid. Does it matter?
Giles Parkinson
More than 20 per cent of solar output could be curtailed in a future grid, because oversizing solar would be cheaper than storage. But that doesn’t count in hydrogen demand.
New South Wales
Sydney magic, Canberra tragic: why federal Liberal moderates are a joke [$]
Bernard Keane
How can the NSW Liberals produce a successful moderate government at state level and a band of incompetent do-nothings at the federal level?
Queensland
The water conservation breakthrough that is turning deserts green
A Gold Coast garden and agricultural specialist has just sold its innovative water saving system to the United Arab Emirates in its quest to help transform deserts into thriving market gardens.
Fears the sun is about to set on the mining gem of Mt Isa
Mining giant Glencore will not commit to the future of its $3bn mine in Mount Isa beyond 2027, intensifying uncertainty for an outback community already on tenterhooks over new work arrangements at the vast site.
South Australia
Greener, wilder: Adelaide wins rare National Park City status [$]
An audacious bid to become the world’s second National Park City has paid off. Now we can use the prestigious title to our advantage.
Tasmania
Shaun McElwaine SC withdraws as legal counsel for Lake Malbena proponent [$]
One of Tasmania’s highest profile barristers has withdrawn as the legal counsel for the proponent of the Lake Malbena luxury tourism proposal with the matter set to appear in the planning tribunal next week.
Mount Owen bike trails officially opened in Queenstown
After years of anticipation, wet-weather delays and design tweaks, the Mount Owen bike trails at Queenstown are officially open.
Eight former Tasmanian Government staff raise concerns about prison land process near Westbury
Eight former Tasmanian Government botanists, zoologists, ecologists and forestry researchers have accused the government of being “superficial” and misleading in its attempt to build a prison on land near Westbury.
Campbell Town Boral quarry proposition hinges on masked owl conditions
A quarry proposed to aid in upgrades of the Midland Highway has progressed into its next stage after receiving an Environmental Protection Agency report.
Western Australia
Why we continue to marvel at the wildflowers of the west
Each year, winter rains turn the dusty landscape of WA’s Midwest into a rich tapestry of colours, smells and sounds. When the flowers come out, so do the people, who connect with the flowers in their own way.
With a potential disaster at their doorstop, the Margaret River community is waiting anxiously
As the Margaret River community worriedly watches a dangerous fire razing precious Boranup forest, memories of the devastating blaze destroying 39 homes resurface.
UN issues ‘please explain’ over WA’s new Aboriginal Heritage Bill
The WA government has not received the letter – which went to Australia’s UN representative – as of Friday afternoon, and intends to pass the controversial law on Tuesday.
Heartbreak as images of decimated South West caves emerge [$]
Shocking images of the charred remains of one of Margaret River’s most beloved tourist spots have emerged after the out-of-control bushfires razing the region continue their rampage.
A hunger for green trillions [$]
Andrew Forrest is chasing a green energy dream, but insiders say his renewable energy business has become increasingly chaotic.
Sustainability
What was once one of Europe’s largest coal-fired power stations has been demolished in Scotland
The 183-metre chimney was the largest free-standing structure in Scotland and was considered a regional landmark.
Hold the beef: McDonald’s avoids the bold step it must take to cut emissions
The company has announced big sustainability initiatives – but absent are the menu changes needed to significantly reduce beef production
India is discovering surfing — and the plastic ‘gifts’ that the sea is carrying
The connection with the ocean that many of India’s new surfers are feeling comes with a heightened awareness that many of the country’s coastal waters are in trouble.
Batteries got cheaper in 2021. So how close are we to EVs that cost less than gasoline vehicles?
The price of the batteries that power electric vehicles has fallen by about 90 percent since 2010, a continuing trend that will soon make EVs less expensive than gasoline vehicles.
Stanford study demonstrates 100% renewable US grid, with no blackouts
“No fossil fuels, CCS, blue hydrogen or nuclear:” Stanford University professor Mark Jacobson demonstrates grids powered by wind, water, solar and storage.
If nothing else, the last 12 months of floods, fires, droughts, and other meteorological torments delivered an uncomfortable message. Extreme events are happening more often. And they are happening almost everywhere.
Microplastics are wreaking havoc on human cells
A study found the harm from ingesting microplastics included cell death and allergic reactions, and the research is the first to show this happens at levels relevant to human exposure.
When it comes to buses, will hydrogen or electric win?
Clean transport needs clean vehicles. New power developments are crucial for a mass transit revolution, and each has pros and cons.
5 environmental victories from 2021 that offer hope
In a year of seemingly continuous bad news, there are many reasons to be hopeful about the environment.
Forest bridge offers hope for threatened golden monkey
Concerned by a recent drop in population numbers of the threatened golden lion tamarin, conservationists in Rio de Janeiro state have built a bridge across a busy highway to help the monkeys circulate over a wider forested area.
Most endangered cat in Americas found living on outskirts of Chilean capital
Elusive Andean cat, thought to exist only in extremely remote rocky outcrops, caught on camera close to Santiago city
Turkey seeks to lead efforts in protecting Mediterranean Sea
As the host of a climate change summit for the preservation of the Mediterranean, Turkey calls for international action and aims to make itself a regional hub to organize conservation work against pollution and other environmental threats to the sea.
Climate change is about to change everything we knew about tiger sharks
Globally, marine animal distributions are shifting in response to a changing climate.
—
return email, delete it from your system and destroy any copies.