Post of the Day
What Australian cities can do to pull their weight on global warming
Xuemei Bai
Unless we take immediate steps, the world will not limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
On This Day
Feast Day of Vincent Ferrer – Catholicism
Ecological Observance
Sikmogil (Arbor Day) – South Korea
Climate Change
‘Change is not coming fast enough’: What we need to do to keep global warming under 1.5 degrees
It will take “transformational change” in every sector in every region of the world to keep global warming under 1.5 degrees Celsius, the world’s climate scientists and governments warn.
Final warning: what does the IPCC’s third report instalment say?
Key points from the final section of the IPCC’s latest review of climate science
Climate Group responds to latest IPCC Report 5 April
Helen Clarkson, CEO of international non-profit Climate Group, said: “It is deeply distressing that we are not in a position to achieve a safe world for our future. Even if all current government and business commitments are met, we will vastly overshoot the warming target laid out by the IPCC.”
10 women from Asia Pacific region leading climate conversation
All around the world, women and girls are making enormous contributions to climate action. They are vital agents of change for the planet, but their voices are often missing from the decision-making table.
World on ‘fast track to climate disaster’, says UN secretary general – video
António Guterres says the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reveals ‘a litany of broken climate promises’ by governments and businesses, and accuses some of them of lying in claiming to be on track to limiting future heating to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. In a strongly worded rebuke, he says: ‘It is a file of shame, cataloguing the empty pledges that put us firmly on track towards an unliveable world’
How conflicts of interest are hurting the climate
Bill McKibben, the environmental activist, explains.
We urgently need to cut emissions – the good news is we can do it quickly and relatively cheaply
Frank Jotzo
The IPCC finds that emissions could be halved globally by 2030 at affordable costs if action is taken right across the board
The Guardian view on the latest IPCC report: a fast track to climate disaster
Guardian editorial
Governments have hitherto been far too hesitant to take on vested interests and are all too ready to protect historic investments in fossil fuels
‘File of shame’: UN chief slams lack of action on climate change
Antonio Guterres
Read the UN Secretary-General’s full speech after the release of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report.
IPCC says the tools to stop catastrophic climate change are in our hands. Here’s how to use them
Frank Jotzo et al
Humanity still has time to arrest catastrophic global warming – and has the tools to do so quickly and cheaply, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has found.
National
Murray-Darling appointments announced, including oil and gas lobby boss
A gas lobbyist and a former LNP politician have been appointed to Murray-Darling Basin roles only days out from the federal election being called.
“No prohibitions”: Renewables funds can be spent on fossil hydrogen and CCS, officials say
Angus Taylor’s latest intervention creates mass confusion, with officials insisting renewables funding could be redirected to fossil fuels and nuclear.
Need a battery to store rooftop solar? You may not need to buy one of your own
Quietly humming crate-sized batteries may become a familiar site in suburbs, towns and and inner-city areas within the next five years. So what are community batteries, and are they better than home ones?
Australia’s coal exports forecast to top $100 billion for first time
The latest Resources and Energy Quarterly report says metallurgical and thermal coal price spikes follow the Russian invasion of Ukraine, local weather events and global demand driven by China.
$20,000 of carbon credits bought to offset PM’s travel to UK for G7 summit
Australia’s carbon credit scheme was used to offset a trip by the Prime Minister to the United Kingdom, Senate estimates has been told.
New Modernising Murray River Systems chair brings strong leadership and water experience to table
Minister for Resources and Water, Keith Pitt, today announced the chair of the new Modernising Murray River Systems technical panel, a measure included in the Murray-Darling Basin Communities Investment Package 2022.
Nationals put ‘upstream mates’ in charge of River Murray [$]
The National Party is under fire for putting “upstream mates” in charge of a powerful new panel on the River Murray – will South Australia ever get its fair share?
Australia adds 127 reptiles to global treaty in crackdown on ‘cruel and abhorrent’ smuggling
Blue-tongue lizards among species to get stronger international protections
$5 million in community grants to help koalas
Local communities will have the opportunity to play a hands-on role in koala protection and recovery under new Koala Conservation and Protection Community Grants.
UN chief attacks Aust climate approach
The UN chief has launched a major new report on climate change mitigation, calling nations that plan to increase fossil fuel production dangerous radicals.
The lost years: counting the costs of climate inaction in Australia
Climate Council
The past eight years have been characterised by cuts to climate-related funding and effective programs, the rejection of advice from scientists and both national and international expert bodies, a lack of credible climate policy and claims that mislead the public on what’s being done as well as what’s possible.
Australia plans to be a big green hydrogen exporter to Asian markets – but they don’t need it
Andrew Blakers
Japan has 14 times more solar and offshore wind energy potential than needed to supply all its current electricity demand. It doesn’t need Australia.
Climate reality bursts PM’s election campaign bubble [$]
Blair Williams
Schoolchildren and university students yet again took to the streets around the country on March 25 to protest the federal government’s climate inaction. Prime Minister Scott Morrison was specifically targeted, with almost 2000 students outside Kirribilli House protesting his continued funding and support of the fossil fuel industry.
The other half of the climate change debate – adaptation
Claire Ibrahim, Pradeep Philip
The scale of the tragedy that is the ongoing flooding in NSW and Queensland is hard to comprehend. Although the ever-increasing insurance claim figures sit at well over $2 billion, this is the tip of the iceberg.
What Australian cities can do to pull their weight on global warming
Xuemei Bai
Unless we take immediate steps, the world will not limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
Why the latest UN climate report is positive news [$]
Jacob Greber
While keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees is likely a bust, there is growing confidence among the world’s top climate scientists that holding it to less than 2 degrees is not only achievable but can be done without tanking living standards.
Victoria
Waste plant gets the go-ahead in western Victoria, but residents vow to fight
Residents of a rural area near Horsham say they will take their case to VCAT, after the EPA conditionally approved the construction of a food manufacturing waste disposal plant.
Mulch rather than burn: Almond industry trial has a carbon benefit
Scientists are working with a Victorian almond grower to trial an orchard redevelopment practice aimed at reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.
With only 33 of Victoria’s lowland population left, the team charged with their recovery says ‘we need to be proactive’
Bass Strait the priority for offshore wind power [$]
The Bass Strait has been earmarked as the nation’s first priority area for offshore wind power developments.
New South Wales
Road trip for climate action coming to Club Narooma
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) road trip for climate action is stopping off in Narooma as it makes its way around the Eden-Monaro electorate as a part of the ‘Together We Can’ campaign.
Stockton residents want solutions as waves whipped up by east coast lows erode their beach
Giant waves breach sand dunes and spill into the streets at Stockton as the second east coast low in four weeks leaves residents worried about the coming winter.
Hundreds of thousands of fish dead after NSW floods
Scientists find fish that could normally tolerate low oxygen levels among those killed in Richmond river
Calls to pest controllers soar as flooded-out creepy crawlies seek shelter in our homes
Sydney University medical entomologist Cameron Webb says it’s important not to use too many pesticides to kill pests as beneficial insects could be collateral damage.
Queensland
Reward on offer after native animals targeted in spate of air-rifle attacks
A brushtail possum, lace monitor as well as an eastern osprey have all been found with pellet wounds following attacks on the Sunshine Coast.
Electric ants discovered at doorstep of Daintree Rainforest World Heritage area
One of the world’s worst invasive ants species has been discovered a few hundred metres from the Daintree Rainforest World Heritage area.
Pioneering research, supported by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, has now revealed that corals can also be given probiotics to increase their health and resilience to stresses related to climate change, such as rising water temperatures.
Conservationists accuse Adani of ‘sidelining’ experts on endangered black-throated finch
Miner says it’s ‘fully compliant’ with obligations to protect species, department rejects accusations
Tassie hydro upgrades and Marinus Link get pre-election funding boost
Federal government tips $140m into two Tasmanian projects, boosting the state’s hydro capacity and progressing the Marinus Link.
Tasmania’s first solar project to fuel green hydrogen plant to replace diesel use
Line Hydrogen to build green hydrogen production facility in Tasmania, getting power from the state’s first solar farm.
Funding for construction of Marinus Link energy interconnector remains elusive
The question of how the Marinus Link energy interconnector will be paid for remains answered despite the announcement of more funding from the state and federal governments towards the project.
Marinus Link ‘means more secure and affordable power’
Marinus Link will be able to send power to up to 1.5 million homes at any time, the proponent says.
More forest protest charges dropped
Today, Tasmania Police revealed they will not proceed with charges for two forest defenders arrested in Wentworth Hills forests a month ago.
Northern Territory
Boigu Island seawall safeguards Torres Strait community from climate change
A one kilometre seawall built on Australia’s northernmost inhabited island will mitigate coastal inundation to better protect a remote community from rising sea levels and severe weather events.
Can the future grid be fair to all? Alice Springs could be test bench for Australia
The focus of the renewable energy transition is mostly around numbers. A new program in Alice Springs will seek answers to how to make it equitable.
‘The fish are safe to eat’: mine report reveals
There are more than 40 “opportunities” for improvement at the McArthur River Mine but it is operating satisfactorily, an industry watchdog says in a new report.
Western Australia
Wittenoom is officially closed, but can it be cleaned up?
Cleaning up the former asbestos mining town in WA’s Pilbara region would be an “unparalleled” task, but experts and traditional owners say it would be well worth the effort.
‘Good faith’ urged as WA Aboriginal heritage consultation begins
A senior Kimberley leader has urged Traditional Owners to work in good faith and without discrimination as the WA Government presses ahead with implementation of controversial new heritage laws.
Fed Govt tight-lipped on Juukan Gorge commitments as heritage reforms funded
Federal funding to reform Aboriginal heritage protection at a national level has been welcomed, but the Commonwealth Government won’t confirm if the recommendations of the Juukan Gorge inquiry will be fully implemented.
Environmentalists fear new uranium corporation risks Mulga Rock
Environment groups are concerned about the recent merger between Western Australia uranium hopeful Vimy Resources and Deep Yellow.
It will cost $325m to move this giant oil vessel, but will the job get done properly?
The federal government signs a $325-million contract to start removing an ageing oil vessel floating in the Timor Sea but a senator fears the job will not be as thorough as it should be.
Is there a place for hydrogen-fuelled gas plants on a renewable grid?
New data shows that, even with high hydrogen prices, there is an economic argument for using renewable hydrogen in gas turbines – both existing and new.
UN oceans forum to chart course for ‘Blue Deal’ on economic recovery and sustainable growth
Protecting our ocean and boosting its economic benefits demands a global trade, investment and innovation “Blue Deal” to create a sustainable and resilient ocean economy that benefits all.
UCL partners with OECD to tackle global challenges through infrastructure delivery
Dr Juliano Denicol (UCL Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction) is leading on a partnership with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to boost global social and economic development through infrastructure investment and delivery.
Almost everyone now breathing polluted air, warns WHO
An astonishing 99 per cent of the world’s population breathes polluted air that exceeds internationally approved limits, with negative health impacts kicking in at much lower levels than previously thought, UN medical scientists said on Monday.
Our View: It’s time to recognize, research, and remove environmental causes of mental illness
Whether in entertainment, sports, or schools, the U.S. is finally coming to the realization that mental health struggles are as real and ubiquitous as any other illnesses.
Climate change: Greener lifestyles linked to greater happiness – in both rich and poor countries
A wide range of research shows there is a positive relationship between environmentally friendly behaviour and personal wellbeing.
A deeper dive into 24/7 carbon-free energy
Jeff St John
Tech giants and startups are chasing more precise data to make the grid cleaner by the hour — and asking governments and regulators to catch up.
Protected tropical forest sees major bird declines over 40 years
University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
URBANA, Ill. – Deep in a Panamanian rain forest, bird populations have been quietly declining for 44 years. A new University of Illinois-led study shows a whopping 70% of understory bird species declined in the forest between 1977 and 2020. And the vast majority of those are down by half or more.
Brown bear population in Pyrenees highest for a century, says study
Monitors identify 70 individuals in 2021, with 114 newborns since launch of repopulation scheme in 1996
Protecting the environment to reduce the risk of another pandemic
Important ways we can help minimize the risk of future disease by rethinking how we farm, eat, trade and interact with other species
China’s insatiable seafood demand is pushing it to scrape Pacific and South-East Asian waters
Michael Sainsbury
With China’s demand for seafood expected to triple by 2030, its fishing vessels have begun encroaching on Australia’s neighbours to satisfy this hunger.
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