Post of the Day
We’re turning American, inured to mass deaths
Michael Pascoe
For Australia, more than 15,000 COVID deaths this year is an acceptable price to pay for not taking the virus seriously anymore, for ditching the inconvenience of wearing masks, for not pursuing the ventilation recommendations.
[Indicates the problems in getting people to take climate change seriously]
On This Day
Pentecost – Western Christianity
Shavuot – Judaism
Ecological Observance
Ecologist’s Day – Russia and Kazakhstan
Coastal Cleanup Day – Russia
Environment Protection Day – Belarus
Arbor Day – New Zealand
International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
Climate Change
Emissions across the globe continue to rise despite nations committing to cut them with scientists warning of increased climate change events — including heat waves, flooding and droughts — if carbon isn’t cut.
The consequences of climate change in the Alps are visible from space
Global warming has a particularly pronounced impact on the Alpine region. Like the Arctic, this European mountain range is becoming greener.
A 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 can be achieved. Here’s how
Energy and environmental researchers pooled their knowledge to provide recommendations to fulfill the United States’ climate pledge
National
‘They’ll be taking a close look’: ACCC tipped to step up energy policing as price crisis takes hold
A leading Australian energy lawyer says big power providers are facing increased scrutiny from the competition watchdog amid concerns a shake-out of the industry could lead to price gouging.
How demand for organic is seeding sustainable practices
A fresh round of Coles Nurture Fund recipients from across the country have ambitious plans for innovative sustainability projects to help meet growing consumer demand for organic produce.
Too little, too late: Australia’s disaster response has been … a disaster
Those on the ground after fires and floods say recovery efforts require a complete restructure
Our yearly leftovers would fill the MCG 10 times over: The new plans for food waste
Australians waste the equivalent of 312 kilos of food – most of it edible – per person. Meet the innovative minds figuring out how to dispose of the problem.
Why filling up yellow bins isn’t doing much for our planet
The Albanese Government has promised stronger action to save the planet but while reducing emissions is vital, the perennial issue of how we recycle our waste still plagues us.
Environment to-do list: five ministerial priorities for Tanya Plibersek
Australia’s new minister faces difficult challenges fixing laws, creating an EPA and curbing an extinction crisis
Whale watching season starts early as humpback population bounces back
Not long ago, the humpback was almost wiped out, now its numbers are booming in what conservationists say is a ‘wonderful success story’
Why climate change is making kids hesitant about having their own children
More than four out of five young Australians are worried about climate change, while Australia has ranked 30th of 39 countries in a Unicef report on environmental conditions that affect the wellbeing of children.
Climate obsession has caused energy emergency [$]
Peta Credlin
As Australia braces for a power price surge and energy instability, it’s clear that green energy is not the answer, it is the reason we’re in this mess in the first place.
Labor’s green energy fantasy has flopped as winter bites [$]
Piers Akerman
Australia has an abundance of gas, coal reserves and untouched uranium yet families will shiver and those least able to afford power may freeze to death this winter.
Be in no doubt: the days of limitless ‘stored sunshine’ are over
Age editorial
If we ever needed a wake-up call to end the years of bickering about the renewables road map and the urgent need for a bilateral, nationwide plan to exit coal and reduce our reliance on gas, this week’s energy crisis is surely it.
Big Gas v The People: acute energy crisis puts Albo straight to the test
Michael West and Callum Foote
New prime minister Anthony Albanese faces a heck of a challenge with Australia in the grip of an acute energy crisis. Will the government put people first and tackle the gas cartel, or will they kowtow to their multinational gas donors?
Do you really want nuclear weapons in your super?
Margaret Beavis
Do you really want nuclear weapons in your super? It is high time Super Funds classify nuclear weapons as “controversial weapons” and divest, now they have joined chemical weapons and biological weapons as illegal under international law.
Victoria
Expanding suburbs into Canberra’s west could leave new homes ‘in the line of fire’
Bushfire experts have raised concerns about moves to build new suburbs to the west of Canberra, saying deadly fires are likely to become more frequent.
The long-running battle over a Great Ocean Road eco-resort proposal
It’s an age-old story — the million-dollar development and the locals who oppose it. But there’s more than usual at stake in a long-running battle on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road.
‘Thank goodness they’re still here’: The fight to save the turquoise parrot after Black Summer fires
Turquoise parrots were fighting back from the brink of extinction when the Black Summer bushfires wiped out much of their nesting habitat. Small populations in the Snowy Mountains survived by populating unburnt sections of bushland and now the local community is doing everything it can to help them.
Tower of power: new office building to be fully clad in solar panels in Australian first
The $40m ‘solar skin’ building is expected to supply almost all its own electricity, becoming carbon neutral within years
New South Wales
‘Thank goodness they’re still here’: The fight to save the turquoise parrot after Black Summer fires
Turquoise parrots were fighting back from the brink of extinction when the Black Summer bushfires wiped out much of their nesting habitat. Small populations in the Snowy Mountains survived by populating unburnt sections of bushland and now the local community is doing everything it can to help them.
The next Uluru? Hikers and Aboriginal elders await decision on closure of Wollumbin summit
The NSW government faces a delicate balancing act as it considers the future of a popular walking track, which has been shut for two years on cultural and safety grounds
ACT
Suburbs leading electric transition protected from soaring energy costs [$]
With energy prices soaring just as the weather turns cold, households relying on gas to heat homes will likely see an increase in their bill over the next few months.
Queensland
Commuters still in the dark about Cross River Rail’s integration with train network
A leading rail advocate has called on the Queensland government to follow Victoria’s lead and release SEQ’s new rail map.
‘Very positive’: Brisbane residents muck in for food waste recycling pilot
About 6000 Brisbane households are currently taking part in food waste recycling trials amid calls for the introduction of a full organic waste collection service to homes.
EVs, Climate change: Bid to make Qld’s highway of hell ‘future fit’
The blueprint to fixing Queensland’s most notorious stretch of road needs to include consideration for climate resilience and the rise of electric vehicles, according to an infrastructure group.
Tasmania
What has been spent? Tamar clean up funds pushed down the river [$]
Programs to reduce the levels of contaminants entering the Tamar Estuary have secured a total funding package of $140.7 million, but only $1 million of state government funding was used in 2021-22, budget papers show.
TasWater cops warning after ‘massive’ effluent spill [$]
Tasmania’s water and sewage utility has been issued a warning by the environmental regulator after a 1.23 million litre effluent spill – but the Greens say further penalties are needed.
Western Australia
Pearl farmers ready to unlock challenging tourism jewel
Snorkelling, coral reefs and untouched beaches are among the attractions of the Abrolhos Islands off the WA coast but building tourism at the remote, pristine location is a complex challenge.
Forestry families fear “the end is near” for their businesses as WA’s native logging ban looms, and they question where Australia’s future timber supplies will come from.
Sustainability
Dreamy palaces or dirty polluters: Can cruise ships become clean and green?
Cruise ships are returning to our oceans after the pandemic brought the industry to a halt. But some countries want to see change when they welcome tourists back to their tropical islands.
Ohio grants teachers permission to be armed in schools as US marks Gun Violence Awareness Day
Ohio is set to enact a law that allows teachers and other staff to be armed with guns in schools once they have completed up to 24 hours of initial training as US marks National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
Climate-friendly diets can make a huge difference – even if you don’t go all-out vegan
Changing habits can be hard but even partial shifts from meat-based menus could significantly decrease planet-heating emissions
Climate change – is it time to say goodbye to inhaled anaesthesia?
A review presented at this year’s Euroanaesthesia Congress will address the environmental impact of inhaled anaesthetic agents and how we can and should manage without them – or at least massively reduce their use.
Hydrofoils: Major climate benefits when ships ‘fly’ over the surface
Soon, electric passenger ferries skimming above the surface across the seas may become a reality.
Less air pollution leads to higher crop yields
New analysis shows crop yields could increase by about 25% in China and up to 10% in other parts of the world if emissions of a common air pollutant decreased by about half.
How simulations could help get PFAS out of soil
Chemists are discovering new information to help remediate ‘forever chemicals’ by showing for the first time how they interact with soil at the molecular level.
Nature Conservation
Rare albino Galápagos giant tortoise faces the world
A rare albino Galápagos giant tortoise, the first known albino member of the species, makes its public debut at a Swiss zoo.
Why confronting invasive species is one of the best ways to prepare for climate change
New research finds that the ecological effect of invasive species alone is comparable to the combined effects of invasives plus warming temperatures, drought or nitrogen deposition. This suggests that a critical preparation for climate change is to manage invasive species at the local level.
How we choose to end deforestation will impact future emissions
Could the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use’s ambitions be too ambiguous? An international team of researchers looked into this question.
Heat-lovers are the lucky ones: Insects and climate change
Sparse data often make it difficult to track how climate change is affecting populations of insect species. A new study has now evaluated an extensive species mapping database (Artenschutzkartierung, ASK) and assessed the population trends of butterflies, dragonflies and grasshoppers in Bavaria since 1980. The main finding: heat-loving species have been increasing.
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