Daily Links May 14

It is hard to know from a reading of this article whether Adani is opening or closing. I wouldn’t for a nanosecond accept that it is out of a moral obligation to fit within a 1.5 degree warming scenario that they are making such decisions. If ever you wanted an oxymoron, try ‘responsible coal company’.

Post of the Day

The end of Adani? Investment giant says coal miner has revealed Carmichael closure plan

Investment manager Vanguard says coal giant Adani has revealed that its Carmichael mine would be closed in order for the company to “fit within the parameters of a 1.5 degree warming scenario”.

 

On This Day

May 14

Feast of Saint Tamar – Georgia

 

Ecological Observation

National Forest Planting Day – Russia

National Tree Planting Day – Mongolia

Thai Buffalo Conservation Day

World Migratory Bird Day

 

Climate Change

South Africa’s climate change struggles offer a grim view of our future

In a warming world, failing to invest in infrastructure will be deadly.

 

Bangladesh: How a disappearing island is making thousands climate refugees – video

In Bangladesh, a coastal island is disappearing from the map. Experts say accelerated river erosion due to climate change is causing forced displacement of thousands of people from their homes within a very short period. Can this island be saved?

 

National

Vote Compass analysis has examined the ‘teal’ vote — here’s what it tells us

Climate change is cutting across the traditional left-right political divide, helping explain why teal independents are gaining traction where progressive parties would not, according to Vote Compass analysis.

 

Climate, energy policy top ‘wish list’ for Orica boss as prices rise

Orica, one of Australia’s largest gas users, is calling on the winner of next week’s federal election to provide clearer direction on energy security and climate policy as businesses brace for the “double whammy” of spiking power and gas prices this year.

 

PM to claim climate mandate [$]

Scott Morrison says, if re-elected, the Coalition would have a mandate for a ‘commonsense’ approach to climate change and a national skills ­reform agenda.

 

Forest industry gives big tick to Coalition [$]

The peak national forestry body has backed the Coalition as having the best plan for its $24b industry, in a verdict that could swing votes in key marginal seats.

Direct switch from coal to renewables cheaper than going over gas “bridge”

New analysis shows it is cheaper to switch from coal-fired generation to renewables than to move from coal to gas as a bridge to renewables.

Taylor quietly tips $3m into another brown coal to hydrogen venture

More funding quietly tipped into brown coal to hydrogen projects, as the Coalition’s election fossil hydrogen subsides top $400 million.

 

Labor and Liberals criticised for not doing enough on climate change – video

Conservation groups and the Greens say major parties are not doing enough to deal with global warming, as their election policies on the climate front become clearer. Today Labor made its financial pledge to the Great Barrier Reef which has faced multiple mass bleaching events.

 

Labor’s ‘net zero’ plan will sacrifice high wage bush jobs [$]

Vikki Campion

The six figure salaries enjoyed by engineers and tradies in the mines will disappear under Labor’s plans to transition to a net zero economy.

 

Floods, fires, coral bleaching: Politicians leading the country to climate catastrophe

Christiana Figueres

Foresight and prevention is more effective and cheaper than disaster recovery and cure. We still have time, but precious little of it.

 

Libs caught in absurd climate trap [$]

Chris Kenny

The Coalition cannot properly attack the teal independents, Labor or the Greens because it has signed up to the same meaningless emissions targets.

 

New front in Coalition war on charities [$]

Kristine Ziwica

Before the election, the Morrison government’s charities commission began issuing letters that threatened charities with deregistration if they were engaged in advocacy. Many regard these ‘reviews’ as a means of silencing the sector.

 

Carbon credits in demand [$]

John Durie

The market is booming as the election looms as players bet that a Labor win will see more demand for carbon credits and higher prices.

Australian voters deserve a ministers’ debate on climate and energy. They won’t get one

Michael Mazengarb

Given the world is in the midst of a major climate crisis, Australian voters deserved a climate ministers’ debate.

 

Victoria

How turning off lights helps shearwater fledglings embark on 15,000km migration north

Businesses turn off their lights near shearwater breeding colonies so fledglings don’t become disorientated as they take off on their extraordinary annual migration to Alaska

 

Rice grower fills lake to bring wildlife back to the farm after soaking rain

Morton’s Lake was once a popular spot for water skiing, but since the Millennium drought water has only made its way there on three occasions. That has now changed.

 

Help shape our urban forest

Bass Coast Shire Council is developing an Urban Forest Strategy, to help ensure Bass Coast’s ‘urban forest’ continues to thrive.

 

City of Ballarat’s 2022/23 Draft Budget is committed to biodiversity

Environmental sustainability is a key focus of the 2022/23 Draft Budget with a $6.4 million capital investment in sustainable projects.

 

Revealed: Feral horses to be shot in secret cull [$]

Parks Victoria is launching a “covert” cull of feral horses, demanding shooters use silencers. See the maps of the planned culling.

 

New South Wales

NSW energy roadmap at risk of shutting out big battery benefits

Will battery storage get a gig in the NSW energy roadmap? It will all boil down to how a single clause in the legislation is interpreted.

 

ACT

Is the ACT’s public mowing program contributing to our lake problems? [$]

While welcoming a plan to invest $1.5 million into researching the health of ACT waterways, residents have questioned whether the government could do more to prevent excess nutrients making their way down Canberra drains

 

Queensland

Marine conservationists welcome Labor’s commitment to tackling threats to our Reef and environment

Labor’s announcement that, if elected, it will invest $1.2bn in projects that will tackle threats to the Great Barrier Reef and provide additional funds for endangered wildlife, is welcome, the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) says.

 

Labor’s $194M for Reef welcome sea-change, but greater ambition to reduce emissions crucial

Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s commitment of $194 million to tackle climate impacts on the Great Barrier Reef has been welcomed by Greenpeace Australia Pacific as important recognition of the damage climate change is wreaking on our fragile marine environment, but must be accompanied by an urgent commitment to emissions reduction.

 

The end of Adani? Investment giant says coal miner has revealed Carmichael closure plan

Investment manager Vanguard says coal giant Adani has revealed that its Carmichael mine would be closed in order for the company to “fit within the parameters of a 1.5 degree warming scenario”.

 

South Australia

Independent, minor party candidates slam Kimba nuclear waste plan, but major parties a no-show

The proposed dump in the vast South Australian electorate of Grey has met with plenty of opposition and is subject to a legal challenge from the traditional owners.

 

Would you put a restaurant or cable car on the Bluff? [$]

It’s one of the best loved sights in South Australia, affording great views of Victor Harbor. Now the council wants the public to say what you want at the Bluff.


Tasmania

Greens reveal $18m Hobart bike plan [$]

The Greens believe the possibility of a power-sharing parliament could create an opportunity for Hobart to be propelled to the front of the peloton of active transport cities.

 

Minister to reconsider MMG tailings dam approval

Media Release – Bob Brown Foundation

Bob Brown Foundation has been vindicated in its assertion that the Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley’s decision to allow drilling and roading works on the site of MMG’s proposed tailings dam site in takayna / Tarkine was flawed, as the Minister has commenced a formal reconsideration of that decision under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

 

Northern Territory

It’s a key promise to limit enormous emissions from fracking. But a government email has fuelled concerns it might not happen

Confidential correspondence obtained by the ABC shows a key environmental bureaucrat warning that fully implementing a commitment to offset all emissions from fracking the gas-rich Beetaloo Basin could face significant challenges.

 

‘Committed conservationists’ plead guilty to poaching 77 reptiles [$]

Two ‘committed conservationists’ caught poaching more than 70 reptiles from the Territory bush and trying to smuggle them back to Queensland are facing potentially eye-watering fines.

 

Sustainability

Is India′s auto industry ready to go electric?

India has big ambitions to slash crude oil imports and push for an electric vehicle future, but high costs and a lack of infrastructure could hamper the country’s green narrative.

 

The chemicals that linger for decades in your blood

Environmental journalist Anna Turns experienced a wake-up call when she had her blood tested for toxic synthetic chemicals – and discovered that some contaminants persist for decades.

 

Vermont firm aims to help save the planet by cleaning ocean vessels with robots

Ben Kinnaman thinks he can transform the shipping industry and the world’s navies by making vessels faster, more fuel-efficient and cheaper to operate.

 

Are we flushing away the answer to our fertilizer shortages?

All eyes are on our food systems as the Russia-Ukraine war further pushes up fertilizer prices. Scientists think our urine could be the solution to helping crops grow and strengthening food security.

 

Banks bet big on coal in Indonesia, bucking global shift away from fossil fuel

Loans from banks and leasing firms to coal-mining companies in Indonesia are increasing on the back of soaring global coal prices.

 

Nature Conservation

Coral reefs in the Philippines are some of the world’s most vibrant—but in peril

Much of the archipelago’s undersea splendor is protected, but some areas are being stressed by climate change and harmed by destructive fishing practices.

 

The biggest potential water disaster in the United States

In California, millions of residents and thousands of farmers depend on the Bay-Delta for fresh water—but they can’t agree on how to protect it.

 

China-funded dam could disrupt key Argentine glaciers and biodiversity

Two dams are being built on the 380-kilometer (236-mile) Santa Cruz River in Argentina’s Patagonia, threatening glacier movements and endemic wildlife that rely on the surrounding wetlands.

 

Morocco’s oases threatened by desertification

As the COP15 conference in Ivory Coast continues to discuss the threat of desertification, researchers warn that human behaviour has left billions around the world facing water scarcity.

 

In Brazil, politicians push to privatize beaches

A new bill that would open a huge chunk of Brazil’s coast to tourism development could have far-reaching consequences.

 

Could we learn to love slugs and snails in our gardens?

Bethaney Turner and Valerie Caro

Before you squash or poison the next slug or snail you see in your garden, consider this: The British Royal Horticultural Society no longer classifies these gastropods as pests. Why on earth would a leading gardening organisation do that, you might wonder. After all, slugs and snails are usually seen as a problem, given their eagerness to devour the plants you’ve lovingly nurtured.

 



Maelor Himbury
6 Florence St Niddrie 3042
0432406862 or 0393741902
If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender by 
return email, delete it from your system and destroy any copies.