Post of the Day
Plants buy us time to slow climate change – but not enough to stop it
An international team of researchers used a novel methodology combining remote sensing, machine learning, and terrestrial biosphere models to find that plants are photosynthesizing more, to the tune of 12% higher global photosynthesis from 1982 to 2020. In that same time period, global carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere grew about 17%, from 360 parts per million (ppm) to 420 ppm.
On This Day
Climate Change
WUR to counter climate change in European Green Deal
A climate-neutral European Union by 2050 and an inclusive, sustainable economy. This is what the European Green Deal, the European Commission’s ambitious programme to counter climate change, aims to achieve.
Modeling emissions pathways for India’s climate amid COVID-19 recovery
As the global economic recovery from COVID-19 continues, decisions regarding emissions strategies can have important implications on regional climate change. A new paper in Environmental Research Letters explores the impact of such decisions in India, modeling the effects of COVID-19 emissions recovery pathways on India’s summertime climate.
Scientists use sunlight and modified sawdust to reversibly capture carbon dioxide
Researchers have found an innovative way to reversibly capture carbon dioxide (CO2) using sunlight and modified sawdust. In a proof-of-concept installation, they used solar energy to successfully drive the capture and release of CO2, with sawdust as the absorbent, creating a more sustainable pathway to CO2 carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
Plants buy us time to slow climate change – but not enough to stop it
An international team of researchers used a novel methodology combining remote sensing, machine learning, and terrestrial biosphere models to find that plants are photosynthesizing more, to the tune of 12% higher global photosynthesis from 1982 to 2020. In that same time period, global carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere grew about 17%, from 360 parts per million (ppm) to 420 ppm.
Climate change: The world’s newest nation is both drying up and drowning
The worst floods in six decades have swallowed not only the very roads that people need to escape, but also their farms, homes and markets.
Global warming and stock market reflect wealth inequality: Report
The wealthier you are, the more financial assets you own and carbon you emit. A new report suggests wealthier people pay more to fight climate crisis.
How oceans impact climate change
For the first time, oceans have been formally included in UN climate change negotiation processes, but what’s been announced and why is it a big deal?
Victoria McKenzie-McHarg
We all watched with bated breath while world leaders negotiated the future of our planet at the recent climate negotiations in Glasgow. Yet the people at the decision-making tables remained the same as always – and they were overwhelmingly white men. In fact only 10 of the 140 world leaders who attended the opening leaders summit were women.
Why climate change must stay on the news agenda beyond global summits
Áine Kelly-Costello
During last month’s COP26 summit, climate change was a ubiquitous story. News hooks abounded, from unpacking the flurry of non-binding pledges to reporting on the failure of rich nations to honour demands of countries at the frontline, criticising the summit as the “most exclusionary COP ever”.
‘Global warming is not like a Batman dilemma’
David Ritter
We may be living out a whole-of-species cliffhanger, but we know what the solutions are, writes David Ritter, who shares Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s new platform, Climate Solutions by Greenpeace.
Who will deliver our green energy transition? We have two candidates [$]
Richard Holden
It takes more than a dream to go seriously green. It takes money and managerial expertise. But more importantly, it takes luck and skill.
National
What is AdBlue and why is a global shortage threatening to send the price of everything soaring?
You might not have heard of AdBlue, but you’ll be all too aware of it if the supply shortage isn’t sorted out. In the worst case scenario, Australia’s economy could be brought to its knees.
Net zero policies likely to have a big impact on farm businesses and the rural landscape
Farmers may be deeply affected by net zero policies of the two major parties, and a big shake-up is possible to both the carbon market and farm landscapes if they are fully adopted.
What to do if you see an echidna cross the road, like one did at Bathurst?
Drivers at the Bathurst 1000 swerved to avoid hitting an echidna during the race last weekend as they reached speeds over 250kph around the track. But what should the average Aussie do if they’re behind the wheel on a public road?
World climate leaders to call for greater ambition from Australian government and business
World leaders in climate action will call on the ‘grand coalition’ of government and business to urgently step up their ambition to reduce carbon emissions as the Carbon Market Institute’s two-day Australasian Emissions Reduction Summit kicks off today, online and at the ICC Sydney.
‘Very healthy’: Malcolm Turnbull backs climate-focused independents running in Liberal seats
Former prime minister says disaffected Liberal voters are ‘now getting the opportunity to vote for the sort of candidates that share their values’
Coal closures could come faster under both major parties’ climate plans
Promises to ramp up renewables are set to cut greenhouse emissions from the energy sector, and coal-fired power could be pushed out of the market.
Glasgow was a success, pity about Australia: Paris Accord author
After the Glasgow climate conference, one thing is clear: Australia failed to impress.
Project turning landfill waste into fuel ‘could save Australia billions’
Polystyrene, tyres, waste plastic, particle board and other solid landfill waste is being turned into “near zero emission”, commercial-grade petrol and diesel fuel.
“Urgent and extensive:” AEMO updates must-do list as grid charges to 100% renewables
AEMO sets out a “must-do” list to fill in knowledge gaps of how to manage a grid heading for “uncharted operating conditions.”
Record wind and solar pushed emissions and prices lower in 2021
New analysis shows Australia achieving record highs for wind and solar, pushing emissions and prices down. But gas and oil remain well entrenched.
The mystery of the vanishing Christmas beetles – 7am podcast
Every year, in the lead up to Christmas, thousands and thousands of native flying insects, known as Christmas beetles, would emerge and attach themselves to trees, street lights and crawl into homes across Australia. But in recent years Christmas beetles have disappeared. Today, Kara Jensen-Mackinnon on what happened to Australia’s Christmas beetles.
Ampol set to join Shell, Telstra in bid to grab big piece of Australian electricity retail market
Robert Gottliebsen
Ampol has now committed to joining Shell and Telstra in attempting to carve out a significant share of the electricity retailing market. All three believe that the incumbent major retailers – AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia – are not maximising the advantages of their databases, artificial intelligence and other developments in the technology society.
Nature is hiding in every nook of Australia’s cities – just look a little closer and you’ll find it
Erin Roger and Alice Motion
Terrorism has been one of Australia’s most significant threats to national security since the September 11 terrorist attacks. But this is set to change.
Morrison reveals his chutzpah on Labor’s climate target [$]
John Warhurst
Scott Morrison has bucketloads of chutzpah. Call it bravado, gall or cheek if you like. Chutzpah is defined as extreme self-confidence or audacity, as in the phrase, “Love him or hate him, you have to admire his chutzpah.”
As my people move to higher ground, we need Australia to rise above its dangerous addiction to coal
Frank Bainimarama
The Fijian Prime Minister writes on the disappointments of COP26 – and on some of the breakthroughs that show all is not lost.
Prime Minister, please tell the Voices to shut up [$]
James Morrow
The Prime Minister needs to begin a rearguard action in order to prevent an incursion of green-dependents who could hold the balance of power.
Tom Fairman et al
Eucalypt forests are well known for bouncing back after fire, and the green shoots that emerge from eucalypts stems as they begin their first steps to recovery provide some of the most iconic images of the Australian bush.
Sailing south: why Indonesian fishers risk apprehension in Australian waters
Dedi Supriadi Adhuri
This has not been a good year for Indonesia’s fishermen, whose ancestors have been sailing for centuries in Australian waters. COVID-19 has taken its toll. Fish prices have declined, and a disease known as ais-ais has recurred in the seaweed that coastal communities cultivate to supplement their income.
In just six days we’ve learnt plenty about where politics are heading
David Speers
This year has been dominated by COVID-19 but, as the past six days show, the political landscape has been shifting in all sorts of ways that will shape the coming election
Victoria
Call for stricter coal mine clean up rules to protect Victorian waterways
A new report outlines a history of coal ash leaching into groundwater near the Latrobe Valley power stations, and environmental groups want it to be better managed.
In a field near Geelong, switch flicked on Australia’s biggest battery
At 300 megawatts, the Victorian Big Battery is one of the world’s largest. It took less than a year to build and came online just months after it caught fire.
One of Australia’s smallest wind farms powers up in Victoria
A tiny 7.4MW wind farm in Victoria’s Wimmera region has started power up, registering small amounts of power from its spot on the grid.
New South Wales
Mining company South32 has proposed a reduced mine size and less water loss in a new attempt to extend the life of its Dendrobium mine under Sydney’s water catchment.
Forrest says hydrogen will ‘dwarf’ coal as he unveils Hunter Valley energy project
The mining billionaire partners with the energy giant to explore the feasibility of building a green hydrogen hub on the site of the Liddell and Bayswater coal-fired power stations.
WestConnex environmental offsets bought on property 400km outside Sydney part-owned by consultant
Emails tabled in NSW parliament reveal consultant on motorway project and ex-government conservation officer hold shares in offset site
Queensland
‘Disgusted’ workers stood down without pay as central Queensland coal mine closes from flooding
The company that operates the mine suspended operations on Thursday, the union has slammed the decision to stand employees down without pay.
Government rejects Adani’s claim of go-soft strategy for activists
The State Government has batted away complaints that both it and the Queensland Police had a “go-soft” approach to anti-Adani activists.
South Australia
Planned new green hydrogen project at Port Pirie, South Australia
Trafigura Group Pte. Ltd. (“Trafigura”), one of the world’s largest physical commodity trading companies, Nyrstar, a global multi-metals manufacturing business and the State Government of South Australia today announced a joint investment to progress plans to construct a commercial scale green hydrogen manufacturing facility in Port Pirie, a regional city north of Adelaide.
Tindo Solar commits to panel recycling deal with Reclaim PV
Two South Australian trail blazers – one in Australian solar panel manufacturing and one in panel recycling – join forces to address the national PV waste problem.
Tasmania
New plans on the horizon for offshore wind farm in Bass Strait
Green energy company Nexsphere is hoping to have an offshore wind farm up and running deep in the Bass Strait by 2026, amid calls for a bolstered wind energy input for the state’s growing electricity needs.
Group of Gravelly Beach residents oppose $2 million West Tamar council development
Feud over foreshore future rages on in State’s North-East
A multimillion-dollar government-funded development is at risk after a petition against it was signed by more than 100 people.
Hydro Tasmania enters into arbitration with Tasmanian Gas Pipeline as contract talks take a turn
Fight over gas supply contract for Tamar Valley Power Station intensifies
Contract negotiations between Hydro Tasmania and the Tasmanian Gas Pipeline company have ended into arbitration three weeks before a gas supply contract expires.
Salmon industry’s wild fish bycatch
Bob Brown Foundation has obtained photographs of hundreds of wild fish languishing and dying in a Tasmanian salmon farm. According to the source, the wild fish have become stuck in the nets then died during the bathing process. The Foundation has been informed that this is a regular occurrence.
Western Australia
Blaze forces closure of campgrounds, wineries and tourist attractions in Margaret River region
Campgrounds, wineries and caves are evacuated as a bushfire threatens lives and homes around the Boranup Forest near Margaret River in WA’s South West.
Exploration companies fight for control of historic WA gold field
A legal battle for control of a historic gold field in Western Australia is set to play out in the state’s Supreme Court, as locals report an “exciting” increase in exploration activity.
Record-breaking extreme temperatures and significantly increased fire danger across Western Australia, shortly after Woodside greenlit its Scarborough mega gas mine development, is exactly why fossil fuels must stay in the ground, says Greenpeace Australia Pacific.
O’Neill points Woodside towards lower returns with green bets
The Perth-based Oil and gas major is counting on hydrogen and carbon storage, rather than solar and wind, to help navigate its path out of fossil fuel production.
Stokes-backed BCI bankrolls $1b salt project without full green approvals
BCI Minerals’ shares surged in late November when it announced environmental approvals for its Mardie Salt project despite the approvals being for a smaller less profitable project.
Albanese’s 2030 target sets Labor on collision course in resources-rich WA
Gareth Parker
Anthony Albanese’s climate plan, which has been generally welcomed by industry, sets an ambitious 43 per cent reduction target by 2030, which is jarringly at odds with WA’s trajectory.
Sustainability
Robin Hood’s home town was on the brink of ruin. Then it came up with a daring plan to save itself
Nottingham has been home to legendary outlaw Robin Hood and the UK’s coal industry. Now it’s on track to become one of the first carbon-neutral cities in the world.
World’s largest lab-grown steak unveiled by Israeli firm
MeaTech 3D created the 4oz steak using 3D printing with real bovine cells that mature into muscle and fat
Cellulose diacetate (CDA), a bio-based plastic widely used in consumer goods, disintegrates, and degrades in the ocean far quicker than previously assumed, according to a new study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters.
$14 million grant to adapt West African rice production to climate
The Climate Resilient Farming Systems program at Cornell is playing a key role in an initiative to make rice more resilient to climate change and increase production of the staple crop for smallholder rice farmers across 13 West African countries, thanks to a four-year, $14 million grant from the Adaptation Fund.
Move over, electric cars: E-boats are coming — and investors are on board
Companies including Pure Watercraft and Arc Boats are aiming first at the small-boat sector but have visions of adapting their technologies for water taxis, ferries and larger vessels down the line.
UK university can reduce CO2 emissions by 4% with shorter winter semesters
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in the UK, reporting in the journal iScience on December 8, found that shifting learning weeks to the summer term and extending the winter vacation period can reduce the university’s yearly CO2 emissions by more than 4%.
Multiple indicators of wastewater contamination to shellfish farms
Human wastewater poses a global threat to seafood safety and the financial stability of the aquaculture industry. A recent study by researchers at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and the University of South Alabama, in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, tested multiple indicators of wastewater contamination to identify potential sources of contamination to local shellfish farms and aid management efforts.
Catalyst technology converts methane greenhouse gas into useful, valuable chemicals
A multi-institution research team has discovered a catalyst that converts methane, the primary component of natural gas and a major greenhouse gas, into ethane and ethylene that can be turned into plastics and resins.
What is regenerative agriculture and how can it help stem climate change?
From policymakers to farmers and food companies, regenerative agriculture is being hailed as an alternative for food production with lower environmental impacts.
Link between long-term exposure to air pollution and fatty liver disease shown
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a growing global health challenge and poses a substantial economic burden. A large-scale epidemiologic study has identified links between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and MAFLD. These links are exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyles and the presence of central obesity, report scientists.
Niger Delta communities in ‘great danger’ as month-old oil spill continues
Oil has been spilling from a wellhead in Nigeria’s Bayelsa state for a month now, with the local company responsible unable to contain it.
Biden’s campaign promises to crack down on emissions have disappeared
Mike Pearl
He pledged to police greenhouse gases, but thanks in part to congressional intransigence, he hasn’t followed through.
The Guardian view on green finance: doing business as if the planet mattered
Guardian editorial
Climate change is happening, and businesses know it. So why don’t company reports show it?
The dodo had no predators in its native Mauritius. That was before the ships came
Has humanity learned its lesson after driving the dodo to extinction? With the environment and biodiversity still at risk, it doesn’t seem so.
Thai construction tycoon sentenced over killing of rare black leopard
A prominent businessman in Thailand is sentenced to three years and two months jail after being caught in a wildlife park with soup made from a freshly killed rare black leopard in 2018.
One million turtles released at Bolivia-Brazil border
One million turtles have been released into a river at the Amazon border between Bolivia and Brazil in an attempt to preserve the species.
Test feeding plan in works for starving Florida manatees
With more than 1,000 manatees dying from starvation this year, officials consider a plan to feed lettuce and cabbage in a controlled manner such as via a conveyer belt.
Melting glaciers may produce thousands of kilometers of new Pacific salmon habitat
Retreating glaciers in the Pacific mountains of western North America could produce around 6,150 kilometers of new Pacific salmon habitat by the year 2100, according to a new study.
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