Post of the Day
Bill McKibben
A summer that really scared scientists.
On This Day
Climate Change
Warmer winters can wreak as much havoc as hotter summers, say scientists
Warmer winters are happening across the globe, and can be drivers of catastrophic weather events and profound changes
Climate change is making nights warmer—and crops may never be the same
The effect of heat waves on crops is fairly well-known, but plant researchers are exploring how a changing climate will impact nighttime lows—and what that means for staple crops.
‘Little chance, if any’ of 1.5 degrees as coal rebounds
The resurgence of coal power generation around the world is ruining the chances of limiting global warming as targeted, the International Energy Agency is warning.
The race to defuse Congo’s carbon bomb
At around 56,000 square miles (about the size of Iowa) and more than 30 feet deep in places, the peatland Congo shares with its neighbor, the Republic of Congo, holds at least as much carbon as the whole world currently emits in three years of burning fossil fuels.
Adapting to climate change will only get more expensive
A new estimate puts the cost of adapting and repairing coastal infrastructure damaged by climate change in the United States at hundreds of billions annually. The sooner adaptation planning begins, the less expensive it will be.
Climate change means it’s time for a global security rethink
Mobilizing military might early to respond to rising drought, hunger and other climate threats could head off later conflicts and costs.
Climate change threatens up to 40 per cent of world’s oil and gas reserves
Some 40 per cent of the world’s oil and gas reserves are at risk from more frequent storms, rising sea levels, and temperature extremes brought about by climate change, a report has found.
Coal use gives reality check on climate campaigning [$]
Australian editorial
Boom in use reflects a substantial gap between ambitions and action.
Bill McKibben
A summer that really scared scientists.
Cows are not the new coal – here’s why
Joseph W. McFadden
Cattle are part of a natural biogenic carbon cycle, and animal agriculture has a proven record of working toward a sustainable future.
National
‘Scaring it to death’: Study finds robot fish are removing invasive species in Australian waters
Researchers at the University of Western Australia built a robot fish in 2018 that they used to scare away one of the world’s most invasive species, the mosquitofish.
‘Catastrophic’: Warning as Australia scorched
Australia has been warned of “catastrophic” fire danger as multiple states brace for a heatwave after weeks of wet weather.
Banks should be forced to service all ‘law-abiding businesses’, inquiry finds
Inquiry concludes banks should have to service businesses including coal and live animal export industries
Aussie electric car suppliers overtake Tesla with 200 per cent returns
Producers of battery metals and specialist chemicals for electric vehicles are outpacing carmakers like Tesla in the stock market as prices of key commodities climb due to tight supply and wider adoption of zero-emission vehicles.
Anthony Albanese’s climate policy stirs up Labor luminary Barry Jones
Labor luminary Barry Jones – a former ALP national president and Climate 200 patron – sent a scathing email to senior opposition figures including Chris Bowen, Richard Marles and Mark Butler slamming Anthony Albanese’s climate policy and accusing the party of being “politically dumb”.
Banks suspected in AGL’s climate foul play
David Ritter
Despite pledging support for climate action, it’s possible one of Australia’s big four banks is coming to the financial rescue of pollution giant AGL.
Telstra cleared to sell electricity in Victoria, with strict conditions
Telstra gets all-clear to retail electricity and gas in Victoria, but with special protections in place due to its “extensive history of non-compliance” in the telco sector.
New money for transition from old-growth logging in Victoria
The Victorian government has increased funding for the transition from native forest logging as criticism of VicForests piles up.
Treasurer ‘not happy’ with Transurban, but future projects not off table
The government today announced it would pay $1.94 billion extra to cover a cost overrun on the West Gate tunnel project.
Victorian logging regulator to get new powers over VicForests after allegations of illegal logging
Victoria’s logging regulator will be given additional powers to bring the controversial state government-owned logging company VicForests into line — a move that comes just weeks after an ABC investigation revealed allegations of illegal logging by VicForests and bungled enforcement actions by the regulator.
New South Wales
‘Cause for celebration’: Koala habitat purchased to help protect threatened species
The NSW government and Koala Conservation Australia have purchased almost 200 hectares of koala habitat to help double the species’ population by 2050.
Floodwaters bring outback property back to life – video
Ibis and ducks are among those circling flooded paddocks, while water runs through once-empty river channels at Gayini, an 88,000 hectare property in the state’s southwest, fueling the region’s regeneration.
Landholder fined for stealing water from Murray River [$]
A Wentworth landholder has been fined $2250 and ordered to pay for $50,000 worth of stolen water – the equivalent of 175 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
ACT
‘A 99.5% decline’: what caused Australia’s bogong moth catastrophe?
The loss of any species is a tragedy, but the rapid disappearance of bogong moths has much wider effects
The ACT faces a challenge to meet its next emissions reduction target in 2025 after emissions rose slightly last year as transport use recovered following the first COVID lockdowns, a new report says.
Canberra voters know there’s no Green monster under the bed
Shane Rattenbury
I’m disappointed to hear that Anthony Albanese has explicitly ruled out the possibility of working with the Greens in the event of a hung parliament following the upcoming federal election. Not only is it disingenuous, it would create poorer outcomes for Australians.
Queensland
Green light for Queensland coal mine expansion, with conditions, after decade-long battle
Mine owners pledge to meet requirements for final approval but opponents say the expansion fails to address groundwater concerns, among other “deficiencies”.
Coal comfort: Bitter legal struggle to stop Acland mine takes another twist
After 14 years New Hope has been granted conditional approval for the development of its $900 million Acland coal mine expansion, but landowners are refusing to give up.
Queensland quietly grants fracking leases to Origin in fragile channel country
Environment groups believe the energy giant is targeting shale oil, but the company says project in ‘early stages’
Landholders urged to treat, report invasive weed outbreaks
Toowoomba Region landholders and residents are being urged to remain vigilant for outbreaks of invasive weeds following recent widespread rain.
New spin on clean energy as Gold Coast sports complex powers on
Australia’s first sports and community hub designed to be 100 per cent energy self-sufficient will open today on the Gold Coast featuring almost 2000 solar panels to generate clean electricity.
Adani is poised to ship its first coal – is this failure for Australia’s defining climate campaign?
The controversial and politically divisive Carmichael mine has been locked in a battle with an uncompromising two-word slogan
Done and dusted: Cross River Rail tunnelling complete
Brisbane’s Cross River Rail project has reached a new milestone after drilling of the second tunnel was completed early Friday.
Wind and solar leave South Australia well placed for Dutch hydrogen market
South Australia says it can provide competitive green hydrogen to Europe’s biggest port and hydrogen centre, despite the distance.
Tasmania
A toxic ‘red mud’ tailings dam at Bell Bay to be utilised after sitting dormant for half a century [$]
Environmental approval has been given to a pilot project aiming to produce alumina using toxic waste that has sat dormant in a tailings dam at Bell Bay for half a century.
New Century Resources activates Mount Lyell mine option deal [$]
The chances of Queenstown’s Mount Lyell Copper Mine returning to production are firming, with the prospective new owner activating a key agreement.
Midnight Oil wades into Tarkine mining row with new song
The band eulogises the western Tasmanian area in a song named Tarkine from its new album, Resist.
Western Australia
Extreme heatwave threatens to deliver December scorcher like no other
WA’s Pilbara region could be heading for an Australian temperature record this weekend, with the town of Marble Bar forecast to reach 49C as extreme heatwave conditions leave locals sweltering.
Sustainability
Pandemic package delivery surge is contributing to an alarming environmental crisis: report
A startling new report from marine conservation group Oceana has pinned delivery giants such as Amazon for a startling rise in plastics found in the ocean.
Wood burners cause nearly half of urban air pollution cancer risk – study
Wood smoke is a more important carcinogen than vehicle fumes, finds Athens analysis
Tying rooftop solar payments to climate and grid benefits makes sense in theory. But in the real world, it could get very messy.
Green investing is having its moment in the sun. Can it help save the planet?
As interest grows in sustainable stocks, observers worry there’s more hype than substance to the trend.
Andrew Leigh on humanity’s one-in-six chance of ending [$]
Mike Seccombe
According to a new book by Labor frontbencher Andrew Leigh, humanity has a one-in-six chance of ending in the next hundred years. The biggest threats are not the ones he expected.
Last seen in … birdwatchers asked to join hunt for world’s 10 rarest birds
Search for Lost Birds project is asking birdwatchers everywhere to help track down species sometimes not seen for centuries
Deforestation making outdoor work unsafe for millions, says study
Rise in temperatures and humidity linked to forest loss has reduced safe hours for working in the tropics
UK fishing licences for bottom-trawling could be unlawful, says Oceana
Permits for UK and EU vessels will hinder efforts to protect marine life and may break habitats directive, conservation group warns
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