Post of the Day
Michael Slezak
A quick glimpse at what the two major parties are spruiking as we move from the budget to the election shows climate change has dropped in priority
On This Day
Ramadan (Until May 2) – Islam
Daylight saving ends (in relevant states) – Turn clocks back 1 hour
Climate Change
New polymer membrane tech improves efficiency of CO2 capture
Researchers have developed a new membrane technology that allows for more efficient removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from mixed gases, such as emissions from power plants.
Researchers have discovered that key parts of the global carbon cycle used to track movement of carbon dioxide in the environment are not correct, which could significantly alter conventional carbon cycle models. This finding has the potential to change predictions for climate change, though it is unclear at this juncture if the mismatch will result in more or less carbon dioxide being accounted for in the environment.
National
How Aussies can help endangered koalas get $100K
Our beloved koala is officially an endangered species – but you can ensure they receive up to $100,000 simply by downloading a free book.
Barnaby Joyce’s drought envoy texts to Scott Morrison should be released, information watchdog rules
It is the second ruling of its type this week after the prime minister’s office also ordered a search for text messages from QAnon supporter Tim Stewart
Coal’s major new milestone despite climate action, China ban [$]
Coal might be politically unpopular and on the wrong end of China’s sanctions, but it nevertheless just passed a major milestone for Australia.
‘Single biggest threat’: Push for inquiry into health impacts of climate change
An Independent candidate for the federal seat of Mackellar has called for an inquiry into the health impacts of climate change.
Like tobacco, Australia has a coal problem it must overcome
Gabriel Filippelli
Australia has a problem and its name is coal.
Michael Slezak
A quick glimpse at what the two major parties are spruiking as we move from the budget to the election shows climate change has dropped in priority
Victoria
Tunnel delays loom after CFMEU toxic soil fight [$]
The militant CFMEU has demanded work stop at the crisis-plagued West Gate Tunnel project over contaminated soil.
New South Wales
Shock, denial, stress anger. Workers are struggling to comprehend the early closure of Australia’s largest coal-fired power station and the plan for what comes next.
Bondi beach swallowed by tide waters and other Sydney beaches flooded over
Clovelly beach flooded over, Coogee Surf Club battered and boats ripped from moorings in Manly and Bronte
ACT
The ACT government is barking up the wrong trees
If a picture is worth 1000 words, what does it say that ACT Environment Minister Rebecca Vassarotti launched a draft action plan on the loss of mature native trees in front of a recognised and well-protected ancient tree in Bruce?
ACT’s endangered frogs and Christians
If one ever bumped into a Christian in Canberra (they are scarce now, and at the 2021 census the top Canberra response for religious affiliation was “no religion”) one might like to challenge her to explain why her God allows there to be such suffering in Ukraine.
South Australia
‘Extremist attack’: Lib candidate calls cops after climate protest [$]
Candidates for SA’s most marginal federal seat have condemned vandalism on the Liberal campaign office after activist protests on Saturday.
Tasmania
Tassie actress and cricket star’s mission to save native wildlife [$]
A local Home and Away star and a former Australian cricketer are on a mission to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to protect and care for…
Putrid garbage piles up as recycling centres hit limit [$]
Putrid mounds of rubbish are overflowing at the Sorell and Dodges Ferry recycling centres, where the bins have reached max capacity and are spilling garbage onto the ground.
Northern Territory
Is the Northern Territory hiding a new species of ‘magic’ mushroom?
Soil samples taken from Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks reveal traces of what scientists believe is a new species of psychedelic mushroom.
Western Australia
WA’s Ninagloo Marine Park joins Great Barrier Reef as bleaching victim of climate change
Conservationists have recorded evidence of coral bleaching underway at Ningaloo off Western Australia’s north-west coast.
He ran his air conditioner all through Perth’s record-breaking summer. The bill? Just $35 a month
When Carlos Acuna moved to Perth from Seattle, he was surprised by how inefficient it was to cool and heat Australian houses, so using passive house technology he built his family a more comfortable home.
As WA coral bleaches, the warning signs can no longer be ignored
Paul Gamblin
What may have seemed hypothetical and far away is here, now, in our backyard. You can wade into the water near Exmouth or off the Pilbara and see what hot water is doing to our reefs.
Sustainability
‘We feel safer’: how green energy is brightening refugee lives in Rwanda
Solar panels and cleaner-burning stoves have reduced dangers faced by residents of three camps
New research shows what it takes to make society change for the better
New research suggests that social change may depend on the relationship between beneficial behaviors and policies. Using an innovative mathematical model, researchers studied a behavior that benefits groups, but does not spread without policy support, such as a costly measure to mitigate the effects of climate change. The results showed that both behavioral change and policy change are required to achieve large-scale social change, but policy change is especially critical.
A single gene controls species diversity in an ecosystem
To test if a single gene could affect an entire ecosystem, a research team conducted a lab experiment with a plant and its associated ecosystem of insects. They found that plants with a mutation at a specific gene foster ecosystems with more insect species. The discovery of such a ‘keystone gene’ could change current biodiversity conservation strategies.
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