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Gen Z and environmental issues: How to earn young consumers’ trust
Nowadays, some of the most discussed and relevant topics among Generation Z appear to be sustainability and environmental issues.
On This Day
Ascension Day – Eastern Christianity
Climate Change
Lack of climate-change research in Central Asia raises odds of harsh consequences
A new study shows there is an alarming lack of research on climate change patterns and mitigation possibilities in Central Asia, one of the most at-risk regions on earth.
National
No demotion for Plibersek: Deputy PM
Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles defended the move, saying the environment ministry could not be characterised as a demotion, with the area front and centre of Labor’s priorities.
As gas prices rocket upwards, the federal government is fielding questions on whether it would use its “gas trigger” powers to force gas exporters to keep supplies onshore. But high prices alone may not be enough to pull the trigger.
Australia is on the “precipice” of a UK-style energy crisis that could send many of its power retailers broke and fuel a surge of households unable to pay their bills, a leading expert has warned.
Soaring energy costs driving up inflation, while Origin Energy downsizes earnings
The Australian share market closes up on Wednesday, despite ongoing global and domestic concerns about inflation, rate hikes and energy prices.
Final pieces of Basin Plan vital for long-term prosperity for all
Giving rivers in the southern Murray-Darling Basin the best chance to thrive in the long-term relies on the final pieces of the Basin Plan being implemented, a national water conference heard today.
Wet and wetter conditions in store for most of Murray-Darling Basin
A massive turnaround in conditions has seen the volume of water in government-owned dams in the Murray-Darling Basin 2.5x higher than at the same time two years ago.
‘World of pain’: warnings of gas shortages amid soaring power prices add to Australia’s energy woes
Aemo has identified a possible shortfall of gas supplies on Thursday in Victoria, SA and Tasmania amid ongoing burst of cold weather
Coalition scrapped recovery plans for 176 threatened species and habitats in one of its final acts
‘On what sort of planet does the commonwealth think they don’t need a recovery plan for a Tasmanian devil’, asks Wilderness Society
Anthony Albanese to create climate super-department in bureaucratic shake-up
Prime minister also plans to remove AFP from home affairs portfolio as he reshapes the public service
Hydrogen company offers investor shares as production ramps up [$]
Hydrogen will be produced in Tasmania from early next year, and the company behind the first project to get off the ground is offering the community a chance to invest in the technology through a unique crowdfunding campaign.
New government’s first item in the too hard basket – power prices
The new Albanese Government has conceded there’s no short-term solution to the pain of rising power bills for households already dealing with broader cost-of-living spikes.
Climate policy ‘a win for farmers’ [$]
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Murray Watt says he wants to bridge the gap between environmentalists and farmers.
Native title ‘was good for miners’ [$]
Native title has given miners a legitimacy to operate in Australia that they did not have before the legislation that flowed from the Mabo ruling, says Rio Tinto director Ben Wyatt.
Who are the major climate and energy players in the new ministries?
The new Labor front-bench are a lot different from their Coalition predecessors. For a start, one of them drives a Tesla. Here’s a profile of the key players.
Perfect energy storm will inflict higher power bills on consumers
Elizabeth Knight
Origin’s coal supply woes are being further exacerbated by difficulties in receiving other coal by rail – some of which are being affected by excess rain.
Geoff Cockfield
You might look at the recent election result and conclude it was a reasonable one for the National Party. Its MPs held their seats despite several swings against them, and gained strength within the Coalition, after the Liberal Party suffered major losses.
Does Zali Steggall have a solution to Labor’s twin dilemmas on climate? [$]
Bernard Keane
Labor should look at the independent’s bill for a climate commission as a way to lock out the Greens and boost the teals.
What emissions target should the Greens and teals aim for?
Ralph Evans
There is a lot for the new government to get on with as it leads our transition away from a high-carbon economy. The Greens and Teals should focus on pushing the program forward rather than arguing about the 2030 target.
Has the Coalition gone cold on nuclear power?
Dr. Jim Green
New Nationals leader David Littleproud is keeping up the party’s support for nuclear power in Australia, but is the debate dead in the political water?
Colour it green: Time to reset Australia’s national hydrogen strategy
Anna Freeman
With the folly of the gas-led recovery now behind us, it’s time for all Australian governments to draw a line under the blue hydrogen charade
Australia’s electricity markets are on crack: It’s time to do something
David Leitch
It’s blindingly obvious that gas, coal and electricity prices bear no resemblance whatsoever to the long term cost of production
Ten ways for states to fast-forward consumer investment in net zero
Gabrielle Kuiper
Consumer have spent $25 billion on solar, batteries, EVs and efficiency, and will spend much more. We should learn how to make the most out of them.
Victoria
Koalas likely burnt alive in Victorian national park during state department’s planned burn
Shocking images of the charred bodies of koalas likely burnt alive have been published, forcing DELWP to admit to potential failings during a fuel reduction scheduled burn near Cape Bridgewater in Victoria’s south-west.
Victorian senator says she will risk seat to protest native logging
Lidia Thorpe says she is prepared to risk losing her parliamentary position to continue to protest native logging despite proposed amendments to the law.
Powering towards an electric future: Bayside
Bayside Council has ordered six electric vehicles and has been successful in getting a government grant to help fund the installation of a fast-charging station at the Bexley Depot.
Nothing on Netflix? Tune in to Platycam for a non-stop creature feature
Forget human reality TV. A camera set up on Monday to live-stream platypuses in a creek in western Victoria is proving a hit with viewers.
Greens, developer join push against gas connections in new builds
Melbourne luxury property developer Tim Gurner supports changes to planning laws to ban gas but warns any changes must be sensible.
East West Link back on the agenda [$]
Anthony Albanese has been asked to guarantee the federal government will help build the new road tunnel in Melbourne if the Victorian coalition was elected in November.
Barmah and Alpine brumbies to be culled [$]
Thousands of brumbies in selected state forests and national parks will be killed, state government plans reveal.
This First Nations-led regenerative farming program is changing lives, one beehive at a time
For too long, Aboriginal people have struggled to take leadership in the agriculture sector, but this Shepparton honey and native flower farm hopes to change that.
New South Wales
$350 million NSW dam scrapped following widespread opposition
The Mole River Dam near Tenterfield was one of three major dam projects announced at the height of the drought in 2019, but the NSW government says it is now looking at alternatives.
Glimmer of hope in race to save koala [$]
A ‘significant’ koala population has been discovered in Kosciuszko National Park, which may be the key to forestall the extinction of the iconic Australian animal.
Queensland
Just who is Queensland’s new senator from Gladstone? The former high school teacher and lawyer who looks set to become the state’s second Greens senator insists she will base herself in the heartland of fossil fuel.
Seven new species on the menu for Queensland fans of sustainable seafood, new guide says
Australian Marine Conservation Society says management of reef line fisheries is ‘really admirable’ and will help keep fishing stock ‘environmentally resilient’
Why the numbers in Qld’s new koala report just don’t add up
The first report from Queensland’s five-year koala conservation plan shows a discrepancy of 240,000ha of “lost” Koala Priority Areas.
South Australia
South Australian government axes Home Battery Scheme, saving money in state budget
A key renewable energy policy of the former South Australian government that was designed to help more people access home energy storage systems will be axed in Thursday’s state budget.
‘I’m glad we’re killing it’: Labor scraps renewable energy subsidy schemes
Two programs designed to encourage broader take-up of renewable energy options have been binned by the Malinauskas Government, saving $19 million in tomorrow’s state budget.
Production to recommence at Honeymoon uranium mine in outback South Australia
Uranium production will resume by the end of next year at the Honeymoon uranium mine in north-east South Australia, the owner says.
South Australia’s parliament becomes the latest to declare a ‘climate emergency’
The South Australian parliament has passed a motion reaffirming an urgent need to decarbonise the state’s economy.
Council goes green with purchase of first electric mower in SA
In an effort towards achieving a sustainable future, Adelaide Hills Council has purchased an Ecoteq Rival Electrical Mower. The first of it’s kind in South Australia, the Ecoteq is 100 per cent electric powered and produces a horsepower comparable to a 36ph gas mower, while making no noise and producing zero carbon emissions.
Tasmania
BBF urges new Environment Minister to act
Media Release – Bob Brown Foundation
As Chinese state owned miner MMG continues its illegal roadworks in takayna / Tarkine, Bob Brown Foundation has urged the incoming Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to act fast in forcing MMG to cease their un-permitted works.
Cassy O’Connor
The Tasmanian Greens today released our fully-costed, future-focussed Alternative Budget. It reflects and responds to the imperatives of the times we live in.
Northern Territory
Traditional Owners, conservationists ink Ngalurrtju deal to protect sprawling outback lands
More than 300,000 hectares in Central Australia will be protected in a partnership between the Traditional Owners of the Ngalurrtju Aboriginal Land Trust, Central Land Council and Australian Wildlife Conservancy.
Western Australia
It’s a clone, and it’s massive: World’s largest plant found off WA coast
Genetic tests have revealed that a seagrass meadow in WA’s Shark Bay is actually a giant clone of itself, and is estimated to be at least 4,500 years old.
Government gives green light for Scarborough gas project [$]
Australia’s new Resources Minister Madeleine King has confirmed the Albanese Government’s support for WA’s $16.5 billion offshore Scarborough gas project to proceed
Woodside chief says merged company can help address global energy crisis
Woodside Energy chief executive Meg O’Neill says bans on Russian energy have increased the importance of Australian and US reserves to respond to the most severe global energy crisis in four decades but anticipates long-term prices will settle.
Sustainability
Canada Announces Continued Support for Indigenous-led Clean Energy Projects
Across the country, Indigenous communities are identifying clean, renewable and reliable energy as key to fighting climate change while building a more secure and resilient future. The Government of Canada is investing in Indigenous-led community clean energy projects to displace fossil fuels and advance reconciliation and self-determination.
WWF statement on White House’s Water Security Action Plan
Today the White House launched its Water Security Action Plan. In response, WWF issued the following statement from Sarah Davidson, WWF Director of Freshwater Policy
Maple syrup producers see climate change as a threat to industry’s future
Syrup producers are recording declining yields due to increasing global temperatures, which are leading to more invasive pests, sap that is less sugary and shorter harvesting periods than the normal four-to-six-week season.
Dr. Jane Goodall on climate change, planting trees, and nurturing hope
We need to bring nature and shade into our cities for the mental and physical wellbeing of people.
‘Consequences will be dire’: Chile’s water crisis is reaching breaking point
From the Atacama Desert to Patagonia, a 13-year megadrought is straining Chile’s freshwater resources to breaking point.
Gen Z and environmental issues: How to earn young consumers’ trust
Nowadays, some of the most discussed and relevant topics among Generation Z appear to be sustainability and environmental issues.
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