Post of the Day
Scientists warn seawalls can make rising waters worse in the long run
Green buffers like mangroves are generally better for protecting coastal communities than concrete defences, although they are not always an option
On This Day
Feast Day of Perpetua and Felicitas – Christianity
Great Lent (until Apr 14) – Orthodox Christianity
Ecological Observance
National Groundwater Awareness Week
Climate Change
Scientists warn seawalls can make rising waters worse in the long run
Green buffers like mangroves are generally better for protecting coastal communities than concrete defences, although they are not always an option
Climate change report: Cost-benefit analyses are pointless
The U.N.’s latest climate report shows that we don’t know how expensive the climate crisis will be, which means cost-benefit analyses weighing how to combat it are pointless
How to cope with climate grief and a changing planet
Alexandria Herr
As I reckon with the sometimes subtle shifts that a warmer climate is bringing to my own home, I’m still trying to understand what it means to grieve a changing planet.
Peter Dykstra
Joe Biden broke with tradition in his State of the Union address by offering more than a throwaway platitude or two on climate change.
Peter Dykstra
The latest IPCC climate report mentions tenure security a whopping 58 times. This is a welcome shift in emphasis from the UN – strengthening land rights is a just and sustainable way to protect vulnerable landscapes in the climate fight, and one that works. By the report’s own estimate, time is almost up.
National
AGL rejects second takeover bid, with Mike Cannon-Brookes and Brookfield set to walk away
Tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes and his Canadian partners are set to abandon their takeover bid for the energy giant after the electricity company rejected a second $9 billion offer.
Australia must adapt to climate change as floods ravage Queensland and northern NSW
Deadly floods have again highlighted how Australia needs to adapt to live with increasingly severe natural disasters.
Morrison must acknowledge climate change in flood disaster: Climate Council
As tens of thousands of Australians take stock after one the worst extreme weather disasters in the nation’s history, the Climate Council is calling for action and accountability to avoid further such harm, and greater protections for communities and emergency services.
Brisbane, Newcastle and Port Kembla shortlisted for nuclear submarine base on Australia’s east coast
A new submarine base will be built on Australia’s east coast to support the future nuclear-powered fleet being acquired under the AUKUS partnership, with Defence identifying Brisbane, Newcastle and Port Kembla as the most suitable locations.
‘Big advantages’: What new east coast subs base means for WA
Australia’s new generation of nuclear-powered submarines will have east and west coast bases under a plan by the Morrison government.
Energy network needs to build climate resilience [$]
Energy Networks Australia says the threat of a changing climate is posing a significant risk to Australia’s security and immediate action is needed.
Australia’s Japanese Encephalitis cases signal new climate change warning
Several cases of Japanese encephalitis have been confirmed in Australia and may have spread from pigs to humans, although it can also spread from horses.
Let’s not wait for the next disaster before we talk about climate change
Nick Kilvert
As images of flooding fill our bulletins, it’s important to remember that this isn’t happening in a vacuum. Extreme weather is going to get more common under climate change.
Power shock: Why the AGL deal fell apart [$]
Eric Johnston
The low-profile Brookfield simply didn’t bargain for just how much celebrity power Cannon-Brookes brought to the table.
Carbon credit change a win for the environment [$]
James Schultz
Last week’s announcement about carbon markets by Angus Taylor is unquestionably good news for landholders participating in carbon farming projects throughout Australia.
Why the listless reaction from governments, the hush on climate change?
Robyn Fitzgerald
The Morrison government has gone missing again at a time of national devastation and crisis, despite its disaster relief fund brimming with $4.8bn.
IPCC throws down the gauntlet on Australian institutional deficiencies
Bruce Thom
Exposure and vulnerability of various natural and human systems to climate change are discussed at length in the latest IPPC report (6th Assessment Report on impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation).
Victoria
Residents told to boil water after contamination scare in Victorian town of Inverloch
Thousands of residents are being urged to boil their water before drinking it or brushing their teeth after a contamination scare.
Greens push for a treaty and ‘peace’ as they run all-Indigenous ticket
The Greens will run an entirely Indigenous Senate ticket in Victoria and make a push for a national treaty between Indigenous nations and clans and the federal government a top priority.
New South Wales
Commuters told to avoid public transport as severe weather warning issued for Sydney
A new weather system has put most of the state’s east coast under yet another severe weather warning.
Insurance giants back planning debate as flood costs mount
Two of Australia’s biggest insurance companies, IAG and QBE, are calling for debate about planning rules in flood-prone areas.
‘Profits before people’ claims in Warragamba water fight [$]
A Western Sydney Minister has slammed the Insurance Council of Australia for its opposition to raising the Warragamba Dam wall.
Sydney couple takes steps to cut plastic waste – podcast
Vikram Davé and Anaita Sarkar have been busy setting up a business producing packaging that breaks down as compost.
ACT
E-scooter curfews and blocks an option to stop drunk riders as service expands in Canberra
If you fancy hopping on an electric scooter after a big night on the town, you might soon be forced to think again.
Queensland
Renewable energy microgrid for the Daintree [$]
A renewable energy microgrid, complete with a solar farm, battery and hydrogen plant, will be built for residents in the world-heritage-protected Daintree Rainforest.
South Australia
The uncomfortable truth is Adelaide still hates cyclists [$]
Greg Barila
Adelaide likes to pretend it’s a cycling city but the uncomfortable truth is, in this town, the car is still king.
Tasmania
The fact that this part of Australia is so hard to get to is what ‘makes it so spectacular’
People come to Tasmania’s remote south-west for different reasons, but as the state government continues to encourage tourism development in national parks, is the right balance being struck between development and conservation?
Bonorong Wildlife Rescue volunteers speak out against euthanasia methods
Two volunteers at Tasmania’s largest 24-hour wildlife rescue service have attributed a deterioration in their mental well-being to the state’s notorious road-kill dilemma.
Masks, plastic bottles a big focus of Launceston’s Clean Up Australia Day
At Riverbend Park on Sunday, dozens of locals got boots on the ground to tackle the rubbish, with an additional focus on Covid-related litter.
A global treasure of ancient Huon pine groves has been found in the Wilson River valley south of Waratah in the takayna / Tarkine wilderness.
Huge electric transformers to ‘blight’ Hobart’s skyline [$]
Residents are up in arms about the big, “ugly”, high voltage transformers which will soon be rolled out across Hobart’s skyline.
Parched summer farewelled as autumn rains forecast for eastern Tasmania
Tasmania’s record-setting warm and dry summer is set to give way to above average rainfall in eastern and north-eastern Tasmania, the BOM says in its seasonal report.
Sustainability
Fears for Kenyan farmers as crops fail due to drought
Kenya’s agricultural lands are becoming dried out and barren as weather patterns change. Drought has left farmers without the crops they have relied on for generations.
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