Daily Links Jan 8

Infinite growth on a finite planet? Hah! “Ultimately, degrowth is inevitable. We will either chose this path voluntarily or we will be forced into it violently and uncontrollably as a result of environmental disasters.”

Post of the Day

The future of water: Floating cities, geothermal power and water scarcity

As climate change raises temperatures, water is being pushed in new and more extreme directions. But are there ways we could use water to our advantage, environmentally?

 

On This Day

January 8

 

Ecological Observance

Earth’s Rotation Day

 

Climate Change

After bold climate promises, U.S. carbon is rising

America went backward on climate in 2021. U.S. emissions rose 7 percent through the end of October, endangering President Biden’s climate goals.

 

Is the US uniquely bad at tackling climate change?

What’s wrong with the U.S. political system? Is American democracy uniquely incapable of tackling global warming?

 

Rich countries need to take responsibility for climate change

Typically, much of the climate change discussion refers to it as a “threat.” But the reality is, for many on earth, the crisis is already here.

 

More than 40 percent of Americans live in counties hit by climate disasters in 2021

Without dramatic action to curb carbon emissions and adapt to unavoidable change, experts say the damage wrought by rising temperatures will only get worse.

 

Ice sculpture puts focus on the escalating global climate crisis

Artist, Daniel Reyes, has carved the word ‘Chile’ in large blocks of ice and, alongside other climate activists, placed it in Santiago’s Forestal Park to throw a spotlight on the climate crisis.

 

‘Drastic’ rise in high Arctic lightning has scientists worried

The region’s air typically doesn’t suit strikes – so they have become an important climate crisis indicator

 

How the climate crisis and masculinity intersect [$]

Max Opray

The response to climate change is increasingly gendered, with inaction tied to a phenomenon called ‘petro-masculinity’.

 

National

Bushfires helping cane toads thrive: study

While few would mourn a decline in Australia’s cane toad population due to the impact of bushfires, it seems it might be wishful thinking anyway.

 

Victoria

The best Victorian hikes and spas for a wellbeing escape this summer

Rejuvenate the body and spirit this summer at these spectacular destinations offering the best of nature and beyond.

 

Fury as Windsor tower approved by ‘stealth’ [$]

The Planning Minister has been accused of an “assault by stealth” after he secretly approved plans for a massive office tower to be built in Windsor.

 

New South Wales

Surge in NSW coal mine expansions would drive up national emissions

Despite declining demand and efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions the NSW government is set to decide on a slew of coal mine expansions over coming months.

 

‘A Rosetta Stone’: Australian fossil site is a vivid window into 15m-year-old rainforest

Likely to contain dozens of undiscovered species, the site is so well-preserved that the contents of fish stomachs and breathing apparatus of spiders can be seen

 

Queensland

Fracked: Govt claims a massive ‘green’ gas expansion in Queensland

The State Government has started to paint a proposed expansion of the state’s gas production as green but also revealed it would come with social risk.

 

Great Barrier Reef election battle brews amid fears of more coral bleaching

The government agency that oversees the Great Barrier Reef has warned it is at risk of another summer of coral bleaching as the major parties prepare for an election campaign clash over management of the natural wonder.

 

Great Barrier Reef is safe with Labor, says Albanese, as $163m rescue package revealed [$]

Anthony Albanese says the Great Barrier Reef should not be listed as an endangered world heritage site and has outlined a $163m package to conserve the natural wonder.

 

Albo’s coral cover for mine push [$]

Australian editorial

Anthony Albanese has harnessed the Great Barrier Reef to underpin a priority task for Labor in the upcoming federal election.

 

Tasmania

Noxious weed to be removed in ragwort raid

Tamar Natural Resource Management will be holding their annual ragwort weed raid from January 22, concentrating on areas in Blessington, Nunamara and across East and West Tamar.

 

Sustainability

Mining of lithium, key to the climate fight, faces new scrutiny in Chile

Politicians have called for a pause in new mining contracts for lithium, which is in high demand for electric car batteries but is at the heart of a debate in Chile over mines, water rights and inequality.

 

France says car ads must come with a caveat: Walk, bike or take public transit instead

Under the requirement, set to take effect in March, car advertisements must encourage people to bike, walk, take public transportation or carpool

 

The transportation of tomorrow will address climate change

As the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, the transportation industry will play an enormous role in efforts to reduce emissions in the face of climate change.

 

Trees, crops, livestock mix fights climate change

Growing crops, trees and livestock on the same land could help farmers battle climate change. This technique is known as silvopasture, and it creates a sink to collect carbon responsible for global warming. It also battles erosion and improves soil.

 

‘Motorcycling is a very sensual thing’: will bikers accept losing their vroom?

The advent of electric vehicles will eventually extend to motorbikes, despite a deep cultural attachment to the internal combustion engine on two wheels

 

The future of water: Floating cities, geothermal power and water scarcity

As climate change raises temperatures, water is being pushed in new and more extreme directions. But are there ways we could use water to our advantage, environmentally?

 

For the first time in over 30 years, the EPA adds to its list of hazardous air pollutants

The Environmental Protection Agency has declared a powerful dry-cleaning solvent, 1-bromopropane, too dangerous to breathe. It marks the first time it’s expanded its hazardous air pollutant list since 1990.

 

Fossil fuel firms among biggest spenders on Google ads that look like search results

One in five ads served on search results for 78 climate-related terms placed by firms with interests in fossil fuels, research finds.

 

The world is half-prepared for a different energy future

Humanity’s energy plans have two giant gaps.

 

Flying cars ‘going gangbusters’ but who pays for accidents?

More drones and flying taxis will land in Australia soon, but the rules and insurance policies for their use must be sorted before accidents happen, lawyers say.

 

‘Degrowth’ isn’t just about the economy. It’s about culture

Peter Sutoris

To save the planet, the degrowth movement calls not for us to sacrifice prosperity, but to redefine it.

 

Firms track productivity, they can measure sustainability too

Christian Klein

The CEO of SAP urges leaders to apply the same rigor to managing carbon emissions as they do to managing their workforce.

 

Nature Conservation

Leaky septic systems linked to pollution-packed lagoon where manatees are dying

Despite the numerous residential fertilizer ordinances passed since 2011, water quality, harmful algal blooms, and seagrass loss, which has resulted in mass deaths of the threatened Florida manatee, have continued to worsen.

 

Warmer, oxygen-poor waters threaten world’s ‘most heavily exploited’ fish

While many studies have argued that warmer water and lower oxygen lead to smaller fish, the added pressure of industrial fishing has made it difficult to determine the threat that climate change will pose on fisheries.

 

Everything you need to know about the state of the US environment in 2022

Heather Hansman

Yes, things are very bad, but there are some glimmers of hope for making meaningful progress.

 

Critical thinking shoved aside: wilful blindness rules media

Scott Burchill

It’s not just the Murdoch press. Lack of critical engagement and willingness to act for the powerful has hampered the effectiveness of journalists.

 

 



Maelor Himbury
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