Post of the Day
To be real on climate, Labor must end logging of native forests
John Quiggin
A significant step toward boosting Labor’s lacklustre climate policy would be to end the logging of native forests and dump the disastrous Emissions Reduction Fund inherited from the Coalition.
On This Day
Climate Change
Italy’s Lake Garda shrinks to near-historic low amid drought
Italy’s worst drought in decades hits the country’s largest lake, exposing expanses of previously underwater rocks and warming the water to temperatures that approach the average found in the Caribbean Sea.
Australia calls for US-China to keep climate talks ‘ring-fenced’ from Taiwan tensions
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen says the suspension of talks between China and the US is a blow for global climate action.
The Inflation Reduction Act may save the fossil fuel industries
Paul Blackburn
The Inflation Reduction Act moved through Congress quickly, passing the Senate last week and the House on Friday — allowing for little time to understand the importance of tax credits for fossil fuel companies.
Raging wildfires call into question carbon trading’s role in climate change fight
David Dodwell
Carbon trading has been called ‘a false solution to the climate crisis’, while forest offset schemes in the West are in peril as wildfires rampage.
National
‘We’ve fixed it’: Bowen says of renewables transition but work on details continues
The government has put the energy market on a clear path towards net-zero carbon emissions, Energy Minister Chris Bowen says, even as work continues on the details.
Scott Morrison ‘shocked’ minister by secretly swearing himself into cabinet portfolio
Scott Morrison secretly swore himself in as resources minister and ultimately used the power to roll his own frontbencher, Keith Pitt, over a plan to drill for gas off the New South Wales coast.
No need for international carbon credits in booming local carbon market: analysis
Modelling reveals rapid growth in Australia’s carbon market as Labor imposes carbon limits on big polluters for the first time since the Gillard government.
‘It’s utterly misleading’: Experts call on Plibersek to tighten marine protections
Prominent marine scientists are calling on the environment minister to provide greater protection to Australia’s ailing marine parks.
India eyes energy partnership for green drive [$]
India has identified ‘massive potential’ in Australia’s critical minerals resources to help the shift to electric vehicles and large-scale battery storage.
To be real on climate, Labor must end logging of native forests
John Quiggin
A significant step toward boosting Labor’s lacklustre climate policy would be to end the logging of native forests and dump the disastrous Emissions Reduction Fund inherited from the Coalition.
Australia has a steep hill to climb on electric cars – but if ever there was a time, it’s now
Adam Morton
Consumers say yes, the numbers add up, industry is largely on board and Labor has no policy hang-ups. This week could be the turning point
Simplistic numbers game doesn’t convey how far basin plan has come [$]
Claire Miller
Many people may well be shocked by slow progress towards an extra 450 gigalitres for the environment under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, but the headlines do not tell the whole story.
Ralph Evans
The government’s Climate Change bill, with its 43 percent emissions reduction target, has passed the House. Now, there is a huge agenda of things to do to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Victoria
Renewable energy projects are taking off in Victoria, but where is the workforce?
When key figures in Australia’s renewable energy industry met in Victoria last week, finding and training up the future clean energy workforce was top of the agenda.
Coal plants would be shut by 2030 under climate bill
Victoria’s three remaining coal plants would be closed within the decade under a significant climate bill set to be introduced by the Greens tomorrow.
North East Link set for another major blowout [$]
Another cost blowout is set to rock the North East Link project, with Victoria’s most expensive road valued at billions more than planned.
New South Wales
‘Soul-destroyed’ sheep farmers find hope from once-feral donkeys
Properties in the Hunter Valley left demoralised by wild dog attacks find a saviour in an animal perhaps known best for its stubborn nature but with an incredible ability to bond with and protect other livestock.
Why a Sydney council plans to sell off green space to developers
Leading Liberal politicians have joined residents to criticise Ku-ring-gai Council’s plans to sell off an old bowling club to developers.
Queensland
Coral farm’s success offers hope for future of Great Barrier Reef
A bundle of eggs have been released during an “amazing” coral spawning event that took place in captivity. And it is one that offers a possible solution to any decline in the reef.
E-scooters ‘have a big role to play’ in net-zero goals, but doctors are warning of their dangers
A regional emergency department specialist says they see about one patient a day with injuries from an e-scooter accident as a new survey shows riders are not taking safety seriously.
South Australia
Lisa Ottenhaus
Developer Thrive Construct recently announced the world’s tallest steel-timber hotel to be built at Victoria Square, Adelaide. Australia has caught onto the trend of building taller in timber, with other plans for three buildings 180-220 metres high submitted in Perth and Sydney. These would more than double the current world record for a timber building.
Tasmania
Labor and Liberal locked in power price debate as parliament returns
Parliament will resume on Tuesday after a week of delays, with one key item on the agenda.
Major wind project to bring new jobs to state’s north
Dorset council expects to see a boost to infrastructure and business as one of the state’s largest renewable projects begins its planning phase.
Anti-protest law battles to continue
Democratic protests against anti-protest legislation will continue in the lead up to the Legislative Council’s decision on whether to pass the laws.
Supporting green spaces for suburban business districts [$]
An alternative motion on extending urban greening has been supported by City of Launceston councillors
Northern Territory
Kakadu roads set for million-dollar upgrades
One of the Territory’s most popular tourist spots will get $1m-plus to upgrade roads, as part of efforts to boost safety.
Sustainability
Mystery around what killed tonnes of fish in European river continues
As tests into the cause of the mass death of fish continue, Polish authorities announce a reward for information that helps find those responsible for polluting the river.
Why the US fossil fuel industry wants to get into the hydrogen act [$]
The historic climate bill contains significant support measures for a fuel that is poorly understood by politicians.
Climate activists have sabotaged luxury golf courses in the south of France, protesting against the “leisure industry for the most privileged” and its exemption for the country’s water ban.
Why don’t all parking lots have solar panels over them?
Solar power and a covered parking spot seems like a great combination, but here’s why many places are holding back.
How safe are nuclear power plants?
A new history reveals that federal regulators consistently assured Americans that the risks of a massive accident were “vanishingly small”—even when they knew they had insufficient evidence to prove it.
Headwinds remain for clean energy
Peter Dykstra
As President Biden turns his victory lap for squeaking a major climate victory through a 50-50 Senate, the ghost of Charles Wilson remains. Wilson was the first defense secretary in the Eisenhower administration. And yes, he was a bit partial to GM because his previous job was CEO of the company.
Nature Conservation
Free the fern: Vancouver group bands together to save native forests from invasive species
A volunteer group in South Vancouver has come together to protect one of the few remaining native forests in the city, by removing invasive species and encouraging the growth of native plants.
Inflation Reduction Act invests in a key part of fighting climate change: Nature
From boosting forest preservation to incentivizing climate-smart farming practices, the Inflation Reduction Act includes an acknowledgement that land is a profound ally in the fight against climate change.
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