Post of the Day
Biodiversity loss in plants worldwide
Naturalized alien plants are causing a worldwide decline in the uniqueness of regional floras, according to the results of a global research project.
On This Day
Climate Change
Climate change has crashed Earth’s ‘air-conditioners’, risking rest of planet
The ice shelf was cracking up. Surveys showed warm ocean water eroding its underbelly. Satellite imagery revealed long, parallel fissures in the frozen expanse, like scratches from some clawed monster. One fracture grew so big, so fast, scientists took to calling it “the dagger”.
The Arctic is disappearing before our eyes.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its 2021 Arctic report card and its findings are concerning.
Climate scientists generate hot air over megafires
Vic Jurskis
It’s no news that lightning (or people) can start fires. Whether or not they can develop into megafires depends upon the state of the landscape, not climate or weather.
A new world superpower: the rise and rise of petro-fascism [$]
Julian Cribb
In Australia, the US and Britain, young people calling for urgent climate action are being arrested and jailed. Harsh new laws are being passed to prohibit free expression of opinion about climate and fossil fuels on the internet.
National
How can the health sector contribute to climate action? Some ways forward…
A webinar recently hosted by the NHMRC Partnership Centre for Health System Sustainability (PCHSS) explored ways to improve the healthcare system’s sustainability at a time when a growing number of health systems around the world are working towards net zero targets.
Warning as government announces new biodiversity trading platform
Farmers will earn income for improving biodiversity on their land but scientists and community groups warn that too much land may be lost to productive agriculture.
Australian Energy Council backs economy-wide 55% emissions cut by 2035
The Australian Energy Council, the peak body for Australia’s electricity generators and retailers, is today announcing support for an economy-wide emissions reduction target of 55% on 2005 levels by 2035.
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has unleashed a vicious spray on Australia’s climate change deniers, labelling the conspiracy theorists as “crackers” and “mad”.
Strong support for net-zero, but little interest in the facts [$]
Australians strongly back policies to increase clean energy use and protect natural ecosystems but are more cautious on committing to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, new polling suggests.
Album of birdsongs created by a Darwin PhD student soars to top five of ARIA charts
An album made up entirely of tweets and squawks from Australian birds makes history by entering the Top Five ARIA album charts, surpassing Mariah Carey and Taylor Swift.
Public transport pricing: research paper
Productivity Commission
COVID-19 has decimated public transport patronage and revenue in all Australian cities. The recovery period provides time for state and territory governments to re-think how they price and deliver sustainable public transport services. The report provides a roadmap for this, while highlighting the pitfalls of some populist pricing approaches.
Weakening Australia’s illegal logging laws would undermine the global push to halt forest loss
Margaret Young and Catherine E. Gascoigne
One success from this year’s United Nations climate conference in Glasgow was an agreement to halt forest loss by 2030. The Morrison government signed the agreement, and this commitment is now being put to the test as it reviews Australia’s rules on illegal logging imports.
Climate of betrayal: governments spent $5.9 trillion on fossil fuel subsidies in 2020
Andrew Glikson
Despite promises of tackling climate change, governments around the world are still allowing new oil, gas and coal mines.
Victoria
Coal-free Victoria could be just over a decade away, analysis suggests
A consultancy firm estimates Victoria’s three coal-fired power stations will shut between 2026 and 2032 after analysing the work of the Australian Energy Market Operator.
New South Wales
Ideal weather conditions see locusts become a problem for the first time in a decade
Hundreds of thousands of locusts in multiple swarms are laying eggs across NSW’s west, Murray Local Land Services says.
NSW courthouses to be solar powered
In a massive step towards net zero goals, thousands of solar panels are set to be installed on NSW courthouses to make the buildings more energy-efficient.
The ten things needed to recharge Greater Sydney
The Committee for Sydney has released a 10-point wishlist for the newly-minted Greater Cities Commission.
Queensland
Mining giant concedes emissions ‘blowout’ at Queensland coalmine
Documents show Anglo American breached carbon limits at Capcoal mine by at least 841,000 tonnes over four years
Australian beef linked to deforestation could end up part of post-Brexit trade deal
Investigation finds areas of cleared land in Queensland likely to be habitats for threatened species
Operator of planned Queensland-NSW gas pipeline looks at hydrogen makeover
The proponent of the Queensland-Hunter Gas Pipeline (HGP) will explore plans to upgrade the pipeline to enable it to carry large volumes of hydrogen.
Twiggy’s hydrogen plan for Gibson Island ‘technically feasible’
Incitec Pivot has revealed its plans to redevelop its Gibson Island facility in Brisbane into an industrial-scale hydrogen producer were technically feasible, providing hope for hundreds of jobs.
The new Nemo? Stunning images show Reef, and puffer fish, like never seen before
A documentary available to be streamed globally from tomorrow will use new super-macro cinematic techniques to illuminate the microscopic detail of the Great Barrier Reef, and potentially turn a humble baby pufferfish into the new Nemo.
South Australia
Critically endangered Kangaroo Island Dunnart at risk from feral cats
Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery grants are helping two environmental organisations use technology to better target and control Kangaroo Island’s feral cat population and protect the critically endangered Kangaroo Island Dunnart, a small, nocturnal marsupial.
Tasmania
Launceston airport sues agency over lack of PFAS plan
Potentially toxic firefighting chemicals were found in fish pulled from a river near Launceston Airport two years ago. Now the airport is taking legal action to make the government do something about it.
Tasmanian ballot opens up for shooters wanting to hunt wild deer on prime public lands
As the ballot for hunting wild deer on public lands opens, recreational shooters want to see bag limits raised and more public lands opened up for hunting, in a bid to help reduce wild deer populations.
Western Australia
Controversial new law to stop next Juukan Gorge disaster passes in WA
A controversial heritage law aimed at preventing another Juukan Gorge disaster passes WA Parliament.
‘World will be watching’ heritage laws: Traditional Owners [$]
Aboriginal Traditional Owners say they will continue to hold the State Government to account after contentious laws removing their right to appeal against the destruction of heritage sites passed Parliament.
Calls for mining moratorium as WA heritage bill passed
Traditional Owners have called on mining companies to voice their opposition to Western Australia’s new cultural heritage laws, and declare a moratorium on further destruction of sacred sites.
WA’s largest solar farm to slash mining emissions
In an Australian first, up to 100 per cent of daytime operations at two Pilbara iron ore mines will be powered entirely by renewable energy thanks to the commencement of the 60-megawatt Alinta Energy Chichester Hub Solar Farm. This will help reduce the use of diesel by around 100 million litres per year.
Plastic-free cafe backs WA Govt’s river program
The State Government can see the value in ridding all riverfront cafes of plastic products – but this Perth cafe has long been a trendsetter in that regard.
Three million hectares of WA land to be released for carbon farming
The release would create Indigenous jobs in remote areas, rehabilitate abandoned pastoral leases and create offsets for industries that cannot reduce their emissions.
Sustainability
E-waste recycling emits emerging synthetic antioxidants
Manufacturers add synthetic antioxidants to plastics, rubbers and other polymers to make them last longer. However, the health effects of these compounds, and how readily they migrate into the environment, are largely unknown. Now, researchers have detected a broad range of emerging synthetic antioxidants, called hindered phenol and sulfur antioxidants, in dust from electronic waste (e-waste) recycling workshops, possibly posing risks for the workers inside.
‘Forever chemicals’ latch onto sea spray to become airborne
When ocean waves break, microscopic particles break free into the air. For beachgoers, aerosolized sea salts contribute to the tousled ‘beach hair’ look. But other compounds found in seawater, including perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), could become airborne as bubbles pop at the water’s surface. Now, researchers have observed in a thorough field study that sea spray pollutes the air in coastal areas with these potentially harmful chemicals.
The controversy around Balkan hydroelectricity
Balkan states continue to back controversial hydroelectricity projects, despite experts’ urging that solar power would be a better option long term.
In Latin America, the law is ‘a tool to silence’ environmental defenders
Environmental defenders across Latin America are being sued and arrested as they protest against agribusiness, mining and energy projects on their lands.
How border walls are triggering ecological disaster
George Monbiot
Like humanity, wildlife knows no boundaries. Stopping people moving also carves up habitats, driving species to extinction
Natural disasters are a fierce reminder we are not in control
Marie Low
Nature and disasters are a natural marriage
TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil to do seismic testing in whale grounds, Greenpeace report shows
Scientists surveying the Mediterranean Sea have found at least four different species, including sperm whales and three species of dolphins, in an area close to the island of Crete, where TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil are set to start seismic tests to explore for oil and gas, a new Greenpeace Greece report shows today.
Meltwater influences ecosystems in the Arctic Ocean
In the summer months, sea ice from the Arctic drifts through Fram Strait into the Atlantic. Thanks to meltwater, a stable layer forms around the drifting ice atop the salty seawater, producing significant effects on biological processes and marine organisms.
Fish can bounce back quickly from mercury pollution
An encouraging new experiment hints that cutting off mercury pollution to bodies of water can quickly translate into lower levels of the toxic substance in seafood.
Mexico’s monarch butterflies are falling victim to a real-life butterfly effect
From one decade to the next, Mexico lost more than half of the monarchs that spend winters here, according to data from the World Wide Fund for Nature
Exports of threatened species’ timber boomed under Bolsonaro, probe finds
At least 12,500 tonnes of wood came from rainforest species considered threatened by the Brazilian Forestry Service (SFB).
Biodiversity loss in plants worldwide
Naturalized alien plants are causing a worldwide decline in the uniqueness of regional floras, according to the results of a global research project.
Protecting Earth: If ‘nature needs half,’ what do people need?
The campaign to preserve half the Earth’s surface is being criticized for failing to take account of global inequality and human needs. But such protection is essential not just for nature, but also for creating a world that can improve the lives of the poor and disadvantaged.
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