Post of the Day
10 inspiring environmental victories of 2021
Hope is a natural resource too, and it can sometimes feel in short supply. Here are 10 important and inspiring wins for people and the planet this year: let’s joyfully celebrate them and renew our strength to keep pushing for change in 2022.
On This Day
Saint Lazarus Day – Cuba
Climate Change
Brain study on how to slow down climate change
When it comes to climate-friendly behavior, there is often a gap between what we want and what we actually do. Although most people want to see climate change slowed down, many do not behave in an appropriately sustainable way. Researchers have now used brain stimulation to demonstrate that the ability to sympathize with the future victims of climate change encourages sustainable behavior.
Time lag between intervention and actual CO2 decrease could still lead to climate tipping point
A simplified mathematical model of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and temperature found a ‘lag time’ between human intervention and an actual decrease in CO2 levels. This lag time has ramifications for intervention strategies meant to avoid climate tipping points and potentially catastrophic temperature increases.
Scientists develop a new method of synthesizing a promising membrane with superior performance during carbon dioxide removal from industrial emissions.
Study of Antarctic ice’s deep past shows it could be more vulnerable to warming
Insights into how the West Antarctic Ice Sheet responded to a warmer climate millions of years ago could improve predictions of its future.
Expert comment on new feasibility report on carbon ‘geoengineering’
Michael E Mann
The U.S. National Academy of Sciences has published a new report on the topic of Geoengineering, the deliberate manipulation of the global Earth environment in an effort to offset the effects of human carbon pollution-caused climate change.
Quitting coal need not end in crisis. Not quitting it is sure to
John Wiseman
Coal-dependent countries around the world face two wickedly interlinked challenges: accelerating the phase out of coal to stop the planet warming, while sustaining economic prosperity and political support.
Shayne McGregor
Severe coastal flooding inundated islands and atolls across the western equatorial Pacific last week, with widespread damage to buildings and food crops in the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
Global heating and fossil fuel burning are the world’s greatest health challenges
David Shearman
The salient hope for international cooperation to keep the goal of global warming under 1.5 degrees Celsius alive already seems forlorn, but we must seek to drive home to governments the fundamental implication of this aim — to keep humanity alive.
National
Prime minister’s office ‘can’t find’ sports rorts document requested by Rex Patrick under FOI
Attorney general’s office is seemingly at odds with Morrison’s department in fighting to keep the letter secret
Waterbirds in eastern Australia declining despite breeding boost from wet years, survey finds
Latest edition of one of world’s largest and longest nature surveys counts 95,306 birds, third lowest tally in almost four decades of tracking
CSIRO GenCost: Wind and solar still reign supreme as cheapest energy sources
Latest CSIRO GenCost assessment says wind and solar much cheaper than fossil fuels and nuclear, even with storage and 90 per cent renewables.
SunDrive, backed by Cannon-Brookes, produces first panel with record-busting solar cell
The Australian start up that achieved a new benchmark for solar cell efficiency has notched up another major new milestone, with production of its first full-size solar panel.
Vestas head winds up on transition – Energy Insiders podcast
Peter Cowling, the head of Vestas in Australia, on the scale and speed, and challenges, of the renewables transition.
Madeline Taylor
When it comes to solar energy, Australia has a huge natural advantage with an abundance of sun and vast, flat expanses of land. This makes it relatively easy to build solar farms across the continent.
How to drive a coal truck through Scott Morrison’s ‘safeguard mechanism’ [$]
Bernard Keane
How easy is it to evade the Coalition’s laughable ‘obligations’? Trivially easy, as coalminer Anglo-American has found.
When the muppets call you puppets, you know you’re getting under their skin
David Hardaker
Climate philanthropist Simon Holmes à Court is putting the heat on members of Scott Morrison’s team and their blood is boiling. But he makes no apologies.
Why high carbon offset prices spell trouble for Morrison’s flagship emissions policy
Michael Mazengarb
Carbon offset projects may snub the Morrison government’s Emissions Reduction Fund, as carbon credit prices surge to record highs in the open market.
Victoria
Commissioner releases the State of the Environment Biodiversity Update 2021 Report
The next Victorian State of the Environment Report is due in 2023. However, given the severity and impact of the 2019-20 black summer bushfires on Victoria’s ecosystems, this report has been prepared ahead of the State of the Environment 2023 Report.
New South Wales
Why did the turtle cross the road? It has a lot to do with sex, says researcher
A Charles Sturt University researcher thinks more turtles are being seen on NSW roads because they are looking for a mate and their movement is triggered by lots of rain.
Federal government rejects permit renewal for oil and gas drilling off NSW coast
The federal government has refused a controversial oil and gas drilling permit off the NSW coast, saying a “methodical process” was undertaken before arriving at a decision.
Bird numbers unlikely to fully recover despite drought-breaking rains and floods
The Gayini wetlands are experiencing small increases in bird numbers following heavy rains and floods. But its bird populations have been consistently declining over the past 40 years.
‘Long time coming’: From today, this major NSW river will be recognised by its Aboriginal name
The Macquarie River in central NSW will now also be recognised as Wambuul, after the state government officially adopted the waterway’s Aboriginal name.
ACT
Wallabies great David Pocock to run for the Senate
The former Wallabies captain turned climate campaigner will run as an ACT independent in next year’s federal election.
Renewables jobs in ACT could double in five years, peak body says
The number of full-time jobs in the ACT renewable energy sector could double in the next five years, a peak body says, after a new industry survey found around 1500 people already work in the sector.
Queensland
Two people in custody after activists shovelled coal off Queensland freight train
One protester has been arrested over the protest, which began yesterday afternoon
Coalition splashes $2.3bn on marginal seat projects including Queensland inland rail
Mid-year budget update gives green light to Toowoomba-Gladstone extension critics say will unlock a ‘carbon bomb’
Anglo coal’s biggest ever emissions blow out comes with $10m penalty
Anglo American’s Queensland coal division is facing the biggest ever surrender of carbon credits after a blowout in emissions from its Capcoal project, near Middlemount, costing about $10 million.
Activist ordered to disclose any anti-Adani ‘dirt files’ to the miner
The Brisbane court ruling was part of Adani’s wider case against Ben Pennings, who is accused of trespass, intimidation and conspiracy to injure.
Graham Readfearn
The scheme that the Nationals senator says will leave Queensland ‘marooned’ was actually designed and introduced by the Coalition
‘Half truths, fear mongering’: Why Senator’s climate tactic will backfire [$]
Robert Schwarten
Queensland Senator Matt Canavan is repeating the climate change fear campaign of the last election. But there are several reasons it won’t work this time.
South Australia
Asbestos found at brick recycling site, company ordered to seal demolition material
Adelaide’s Old Red Brick Company says it has applied sealant to demolition material after asbestos was found at its property. The Environment Protection Authority and the local council are also pursuing the business for allegedly illegally storing demolition material.
Tasmania
The proponent of a luxury helicopter-accessed tourism proposal in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park has withdrawn from the planning tribunal, but will continue to seek federal environmental approval.
Bell Bay sawmill gets $63m upgrade amid timber shortage
Softwood sawmiller Timberlink is investing $63 million into its Bell Bay operations as part of a plan to significantly increase its structural timber output.
City lays new pipes to stop sewage pouring into Tamar Estuary
Launceston residents may have noticed the construction work that has cut off road access at the bottom of St John Street by the North Esk River.
ALCT welcomes environmental assessment for Robbins Is Wind Farm
Media release – Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania
“The Aboriginal community is overjoyed that the federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment will now consider the likely destruction of Aboriginal heritage, culture and memory under the Robbins Island wind farm proposal,” Chairman Michael Mansell said today.
Salmon health claims need investigating
Statement – Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection
The Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection calls for a full, independent investigation by health authorities into the labelling of ‘farmed’ Atlantic salmon in light of evidence that the industry is using misleading information about the health of its product.
Northern Territory
Climate change, poor housing fuelling energy concerns for First Nations communities
A new study has found a link between power being disconnected at homes in remote NT Indigenous communities and extreme temperatures.
Western Australia
Environmental groups up in arms as WA regulators back uranium mine approval
Environmental groups are threatening legal action to stop the development of what could be Western Australia’s first uranium mine after state regulators endorsed its progress.
The first true millipede: new species with more than 1,000 legs discovered in Western Australia
Researchers named the subterranean animal Eumillipes persephone after the Greek goddess of the underworld
Woodside’s two emissions tales crash and burn
Woodside has been caught out playing a trick common in corporate Australia – telling its investors it is ready for a low carbon future while warning governments that any policy in that direction will doom new investment.
‘Seriously fails’: Pat Dodson slams WA cultural heritage legislation
The Labor statesman has condemned the heritage destruction that has already taken place, saying the new legislation will allow for more.
Sustainability
Serbia blocks Rio Tinto’s plan to mine lithium after protests
Environmentalists’ campaign shakes government into putting multinational’s $2.4bn mining operation on hold
Plans for carbon-neutral homes in England are a step back, say experts
Newly published building policy said to be a ‘missed opportunity’ to help the UK reach net zero by 2030
Morocco’s beaches shocking rankings on face mask pollution
A recent study found alarming rates of plastic pollution caused by COVID-related face masks along Moroccan Mediterranean shores.
Your ‘carbon footprint’ is a marketing ruse – Carbon Copy podcast
How an oil company built one of the most pervasive marketing campaigns in history — and how it’s still fooling us today.
10 inspiring environmental victories of 2021
Hope is a natural resource too, and it can sometimes feel in short supply. Here are 10 important and inspiring wins for people and the planet this year: let’s joyfully celebrate them and renew our strength to keep pushing for change in 2022.
Fossil fuels: the campaign to force PR agencies to clean up their act
Noel Turnbull
The links between advertising agencies and the oil and gas industry are coming under increasing pressure through name-and-shame tactics.
Diverse plant water-use strategies make forests more resilient to extreme drought
To paint a clearer picture of how global climate change will affect Earth’s ecosystems, a team of 80 international research scientists set out to complete an unparalleled experiment: forcing the world’s only enclosed rainforest – housed in the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2 – through a four-month-long controlled drought and recovery.
Rhino deaths in South Africa from poaching reach 24 in December
Carcasses found in four provinces, including one pregnant female, with nine arrests made
Luxury tourism is landing in Antarctica — but at what cost?
Antarctica was once the temporary home of only the toughest explorers and dedicated scientists but tourism has steadily grown in recent decades. Some are concerned about the environmental impact.
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