Post of the Day
World population to peak and decline sooner than previously thought
Abul Rizvi
The latest update of the UN’s World Population Prospects confirms we are now in sight of a time when the human population will cease to grow and be in ongoing decline.
On This Day
Ecological Observance
Paper Bag Day – USA
Climate Change
The carbon paradox: How the element that gives us life came to be our greatest threat
Nearly all the carbon on Earth was born inside stars; thanks to its unique nature, it catalysed life. Yet lately it’s been getting a bad rap. This is carbon’s wild journey from cosmic wonder to global pariah. It starts at an (in)famous music festival in 1970.
Plankton will store more carbon as Earth’s climate warms
The amount of carbon stored by microscopic plankton will increase in the coming century, predict researchers at the University of Bristol and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC).
Scientists puzzled by soaring global methane levels
Scientists say the rapid rise in atmospheric methane has significant implications because it is a potent greenhouse gas and can contribute to global warming.
Climate change is white colonisation of atmosphere
Erin Fitz-Henry
“Climate change is racist”. So reads the title of a recent book by British journalist Jeremy Williams. While this title might seem provocative, it’s long been recognised that people of colour suffer disproportionate harms under climate change – and this is likely to worsen in the coming decades.
The big switch: our last best chance?
Peter Boyer
In 2007 a humble Oregon physics teacher named Greg Craven, concerned that people were too complacent about climate change, posted online “the most terrifying video you’ll ever see”, consisting mainly of his amiable face, a whiteboard and scribbled lists of options.
Climate change models essential for planning [$]
Pradeep Philip, Cedric Hodges
The upside to fast, co-ordinated climate action is worth some $US43 trillion globally over the coming 50 years.
National
‘Ambitious’ Albanese to focus on improving Australia’s climate reputation
Anthony Albanese will tell the Sydney Energy Forum that Australia is ambitious about helping the world reduce carbon emissions and wants to use its research and engineering capacity to help develop more clean energy technologies.
‘Everything has to change’: Decades of ignored warnings are leaving towns with flood ‘refugees’
As towns and suburbs continue to go under water, experts say Australia is at a critical moment where the choices made now will determine whether the misery will be repeated for generations to come.
Climate stance ‘welcomed’ at Pacific Forum
Australia’s increased target on climate change action is set to be welcomed when leaders meet at the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji, according to the federal minister for the region.
Pressure on Australia over climate case
Climate campaigners want Australia to back Vanuatu’s bid to have climate change commitments underscored by international law.
CSIRO energy report highlights opportunity for farmers and regions
CSIRO’s GenCost 2021-2022 Final Report into energy again highlights the huge opportunities for farmers and regional Australia in renewable energy and storage, Farmers for Climate Action CEO Dr Fiona Davis said today.
This year water for environment will boost resilience
Making more out of the recent wet conditions and strengthening the resilience of the Murray-Darling Basin’s ecosystems is the focus of this year’s Annual Basin Environmental Watering Priorities.
Koala does not have time to wait while Government re-writes federal laws
The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) has issued a stark warning to the new Environment Minister, The Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP as she prepares to present at the National Press Club on Tuesday 19th July because the Koala does not have time to wait for the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act to be re-written, and insists the Koala needs the Koala Protection Act now.
Albanese aims for superpower status in global energy transition
Australia has a rare chance to grow its economy and help its neighbours cut emissions in the clean energy revolution.
Australia prepares for likelihood of climate refugees, backs push for UN justice
Australia is set to back Vanuatu’s campaign at the Pacific Islands Forum to have the International Court of Justice consider whether inaction on climate should be considered a breach of human rights, as Labor warns Australia may need to prepare to accept climate refugees.
Glencore ‘proud’ as coal surpasses iron ore as nation’s biggest export
Australia’s largest coal miner says data showing coal was the nation’s most valuable export in May underline its continuing importance in energy security.
Slow, expensive and no good for 1.5° target: CSIRO crushes Coalition nuclear fantasy
CSIRO says nuclear is too slow, too expensive, and its best prospects for a significant share of global generation are in weak climate targets.
Why Australia does not need so much storage in a wind and solar grid
CSIRO says a grid dominated by wind and solar will only require one fifth or one third of the storage needs commonly suggested.
A report calls for changes to guide Australia’s energy transition after finding the country is on track to generate half its electricity from renewable sources within three years and almost 70 per cent by 2030.
“Forget nuclear and simplify electrification:” The message from energy experts
‘Forget nuclear and simplify electrification’ is the message form Australian energy experts for next steps in decarbonisation push.
Respecting the environment and listening to Indigenous wisdom
Could our past save our futures? Sandrine Charruyer and Sophie Lepowic talk to Wendy Williams about their documentary, Inferno Without Borders, and the growing need to recognise the value of Aboriginal fire and landscape management practices.
Where does Australia stand on renewable energy? – podcast
Experts in the energy industry are meeting at the Sydney Energy Forum this week to talk about how renewables can be used on the path to net-zero.
Renee Carey and Lin Fritsch
Silica dust is a very fine dust produced when products such as bricks, concrete and pavers are cut or drilled. Artificial stone, which is used mainly for kitchen benchtops, is a particularly potent source of silica dust.
Laura Schuijers
A non-profit group is imploring the new federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek to consider the climate change impacts of 19 fossil fuel projects currently pending approval, drawing on a rarely used legal provision that will require her to reconsider the findings of her predecessors.
Census data shows poorest seats voted Coalition
Adrian Beaumont
The Poll Bludger covered findings from the 2021 Census on June 30. The most striking finding was that the Coalition won the ten seats with the lowest household income at the federal election. These seats are all in regional Australia.
Could climate change help thaw relations between Beijing and Canberra?
Benjamin Herscovitch
Penny Wong’s meeting with the long-estranged Chinese foreign minister is not a relationship reset, and Canberra should find initiatives that appeal to China and continue to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Devil’s in the climate detail [$]
Alan Finkel
We are at a turning point in history. It’s time to get serious on the clean energy transition.
Victoria
More koala deaths at Victorian site amid probe
Sixteen koalas have died at a Victorian tree plantation and investigators don’t know why.
Greens’ pitch to ditch gas signals energy as an election issue
One million households would be offered grants and zero-interest loans to help them ditch gas appliances under an electoral pledge from the Victorian Greens as pressure builds for governments to do more to reduce gas use.
Final turbine installed at one of Australia’s largest and lowest cost wind farms
The final turbine has been installed at what will be one of the country’s biggest and lowest cost wind farms.
New South Wales
Restrictions eased, compensation for bees
NSW beekeepers outside of varroa mite eradication zones are beginning to work their hives again after some restrictions, put in place to contain the varroa mite, were eased.
Why Warragamba works could take decades to start [$]
Locals fear a plan to stop flooding by raising the height of Warragamba Dam’s wall will go the way of Badgerys Creek Airport, with the project facing years of delays and political tug-of-war.
ALP accused of dam ‘virtue signalling’ [$]
The Albanese government is facing accusations of not backing up its commitments to protect Indigenous culture by traditional owners over the $1.6bn Warragamba Dam wall raising.
Climate activist narrowly avoids prison sentence
Climate activist Jay Larbalestier narrowly avoided jail time for the offence of blocking peak hour traffic on Sydney’s Harbour Bridge.
NSW awaits a momentous decision on housing development on floodplains
Chas Keys
When it comes to the management of weather-related disasters like floods, governments can be relied upon to act in only two circumstances – catastrophe or repetition.
Queensland
Coalition allowed emissions from Queensland coalmine to more than double without penalty
Baseline increase for Anglo American’s Grosvenor mine prompts calls for Labor to overhaul safeguard mechanism
Calls for a regrade of New Acland mine status [$]
New Acland mine expansion workers and their community “have been stuck on a never-ending roundabout” of scrutiny for more than 15 years that risks losing jobs, its boss has warned the Palaszczuk government.
South Australia
Seal of approval? Rescue services warn approaching Australian marine wildlife can be fraught
An SA farmer was praised for returning a young seal to the water, but experts highlight dangers for both parties in handling animals
Tasmania
Rule changes floated for Rock Lobsters
The state government has accused Labor of “spreading misinformation and fear” regarding proposed changes to Rock Lobster Fishery regulations.
Teenage eco-activist has plastic solution in the bag
Dry cleaning may not be your first thought in the fight against plastic pollution, but year 8 Scotch Oakburn College student Maddie Hassell might disagree.
Western Australia
We must defend our ancient history from further desecration at Murujuga
Raelene Cooper and Josie Alec
Our stories are not heard, our voices silenced. So we travelled to the United Nations to bring awareness of the destruction industry will inflict in the north-west.
Sustainability
Keen to get off gas but not sure where to start? Here are some tips
The effects of double-glazed windows can be mimicked with bubble wrap. Induction cooktops come with a curve for woks. Here are more tips to get energy efficient at home.
Clean and green: how to pick a dry-cleaner that’s good for the environment – and you
Traditional dry-cleaning can use potentially harmful chemicals. Here, experts share advice on the products and methods to watch out for
Why Russia controls Europe’s gas prices and what happens if Europe gets cut off
Europe is on edge as Russia plans a shutdown of the gas pipeline that supplies much of the continent, so what does it mean for prices and future supply?
IEA slashes gas growth forecast following record prices [$]
Extremely high prices for gas have sharply eroded the International Energy Agency’s forecast for demand growth, and threaten the role of gas in the transition.
Every year oversized packaging leads to five million unnecessary delivery journeys. That’s something else to fume about the next time a packet of washers arrives in a humungous cardboard box
The 4 bases of anti-science beliefs – and what to do about them
The same four factors that explain how people change their beliefs on a variety of issues can account for the recent rise in anti-science attitudes, a new review suggests.
Cooking with gas: A gaslit toxic health hazard
David Shearman
Neither clean nor green, it turns out lauded natural gas is a toxic mix of harmful chemicals that cause asthma and other chronic breathing disorders, anaemia and cancer.
World population to peak and decline sooner than previously thought
Abul Rizvi
The latest update of the UN’s World Population Prospects confirms we are now in sight of a time when the human population will cease to grow and be in ongoing decline.
The perilous situation after COVID-19, the war in Ukraine and the end of US leadership – video
Jeffrey Sachs
Jeffrey Sachs, economist and UN adviser for the Sustainable Development Goals, discusses the situation in the world after the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the dangerous US mindset.
Renewable supply chains must adapt to new energy world [$]
Fatih Birol
The world needs to show the same rapid diversification of green energy materials that it did after the oil shocks of the 1970s.
The unintended consequences (and benefits) of high energy costs
Sheldon H. Jacobson
The biggest unknown is whether the current jump in energy prices is temporary or permanent
Nature Conservation
3,000-year-old sequoias threatened as wildfires in California keep growing
A wildfire threatening the largest grove of giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park more than doubles in size in a day, and firefighters are working in difficult terrain to protect the iconic trees.
Palau study reveals microplastics are infecting the most pristine corners of the world
Palau, a remote Pacific country with a population smaller than most US towns, is rife with microplastic pollution, a new study finds.
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