Post of the Day
1 in 4 Australians is lonely. Quality green spaces in our cities offer a solution
Xiaoqi Feng and Thomas Astell-Burt
Australian adults feel lonely, and the impacts can be dire. Loneliness increases our risks of depression, diabetes, dementia, self-harm and suicide. But likening it to a disease and proposals to treat it with a pill miss the point: we’ve been building for loneliness over many decades and decision-makers have been asleep at the wheel.
On This Day
Climate Change
Researchers report on 40 years of ecological research, effects of climate change
In a special section in BioScience, a group of authors hailing from the US National Science Foundation’s Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network synthesize insights from 40 years of long-term ecological research on how ecosystems are responding to climate change. The long duration of this research allows for both spatial and temporal analyses of change, and “enhances the impacts of science on environmental policy relative to short-term studies.”
NZ and UK must maintain Pacific climate focus says UK Minister
Tackling climate change and biodiversity loss in the Pacific remains top priority says UK Minister
National
How climate change is pushing insurance stress to new extremes
Escalating climate risks are pushing insurance stress to new extremes, new data warns. How does your household compare?
Our rainbow-hued gnarly snow gums are facing a trifecta of threats
Australia’s beloved snow gums are being affected by drought, fire and disease, and those who know the high plains of the Australian Alps can see parts of the landscape changing before their eyes.
There’s a sand build-up in the Murray River that can fill 13 MCGs, and shifting it won’t be easy
A narrow section of the Murray River has seen its water flow capacity reduced by thousands of megalitres since the 1980s due to a build-up of sand. The Murray Darling Basin Authority are working on a solution, but none will come easily.
Wet summer more likely as La Nina strengthens again
The chance of a rare third consecutive La Nina drenching the east coast has risen to 70 per cent.
Australian coal exports ‘equally responsible’ for climate disasters: Ex-chief scientist
A former chief scientist is urging the government to stop or drastically curtail approvals of new fossil fuel projects, describing it as the most significant step it can take to protect Australians from more “calamitous” climate change.
Fact check: New MP’s climate change sums don’t add up
Colin Boyce tried to explain his workings in the House of Representatives.
1 in 4 Australians is lonely. Quality green spaces in our cities offer a solution
Xiaoqi Feng and Thomas Astell-Burt
Australian adults feel lonely, and the impacts can be dire. Loneliness increases our risks of depression, diabetes, dementia, self-harm and suicide. But likening it to a disease and proposals to treat it with a pill miss the point: we’ve been building for loneliness over many decades and decision-makers have been asleep at the wheel.
Rising food prices are a sign we need to care for the land that feeds us
Lyndal Rowlands
As rising prices make healthy foods out of reach for more people, new research and policy proposals show the potential benefits of investing in growing more low-emissions healthy foods, including traditional Indigenous foods.
To strengthen Medicare, the Taskforce must focus on addressing the climate crisis
Kate Wylie
The Strengthening Medicare Taskforce, established to “identify the highest priority areas for primary care”, is a welcome and much needed government initiative. Our health system is close to breaking, and as a practising GP I can see the strain and the detrimental impacts on patient care.
Melissa Sweet
Doctors and other health professionals have a duty of care to escalate their efforts to tackle the health emergency of climate change, according to a senior medical leader.
Michelle Ward et al
Few could forget the devastating megafires that raged across southeast and western Australia during 2019-20. As well as killing people and destroying homes and towns, the fires killed wildlife and burnt up to 96,000km² of animal habitat – an area bigger than Hungary.
Asma Aziz and Iftekhar Ahmad
If you drive through central Victoria, you might wonder at the signs reading “Piss off AusNet” in shop windows or even mown into grassland. Communities and farmers are pushing back against plans for new 85-metre towers and transmission lines needed to transmit renewable power to the cities.
Better than Buckleys: a real plan to tackle energy prices, climate and the Budget to boot
Michael West
Axe fossil fuel subsidies, bring in a Carbon Export Levy, fix tax and royalty loopholes. Michael West reports on a compelling plan to dramatically reduce Australia’s debt and soaring energy bills.
The mega-trends behind BHP’s green bet [$]
Eric Johnston
It is the first full year that BHP has stepped forward without its oil and gas business meaning investor fortunes will rise and fall on commodity price swings.
Coal still drives a quarter of BHP’s profits [$]
Tony Boyd
BHP chief Mike Henry keeps stressing the company’s growing contribution to the energy transition. But the fossil fuel accounts for a big chunk of its success.
The world needs more gas, and a speedy decision on Sunrise
AFR editorial
A permanently deadlocked project in the Timor Sea is no use to anyone.
Victoria
Joint funding to boost business recycling in Victoria
The Albanese Labor Government and Andrews Labor Government are cutting waste, creating jobs for Victorians and helping businesses save by using recycled materials.
Metro’s poor performance leads to refunds, but only for some
Metro Trains will be forced to give one day of free travel to commuters after the Melbourne network failed to meet its performance targets, but only those with monthly or annual myki passes are eligible.
Liberals vow to dump $34.5bn Suburban Rail Loop [$]
If the Victorian Liberals win the state election, they will dump the controversial Suburban Rail Loop, and instead, focus on “rebuilding” Victoria’s health system.
Scrapping SRL could be game-changer for Libs [$]
Shannon Deery
Matthew Guy has given Victorians a choice: ride carefree from Cheltenham to Box Hill in a decade, or fix the state’s health crisis. Now time will tell want the state wants more.
New South Wales
46,000 people in Sydney could fail to evacuate in future flood, report warns
A report says up to 46,000 people in Sydney could fail to evacuate if flooding comparable to that experienced in Lismore earlier this year struck in the future.
The animals were bred in a specialised 18-hectare captive research and breeding facility in Canberra, which replicates the habitat of the forest.
Government heritage advisers lodge ‘strong objection’ to Barangaroo plan
The state’s own advisory council said the proposal would compromise the heritage of Millers Point and diminish Observatory Hill.
Gas permit dithering ‘cost Libs four seats’ [$]
Former resources minister Keith Pitt has been blamed for losing a swath of Liberal seats after refusing to join the NSW government in blocking a controversial offshore gas project.
Greens dam criticism ‘downright offensive’ [$]
NSW Water Minister Kevin Anderson has pilloried The Greens over their opposition to the proposed Dungowan Dam in the northwest of the state.
Smart bin takes the guesswork out of recycling – podcast
The smart bin uses artificial intelligence and high-tech infrared technology to sift through and categorise plastic, metal and glass.
ACT
ACT to trial ban on fruit and vegetable plastic bags
Canberrans will soon not be able to peel off a free plastic bag for their apples or oranges when they shop at a Coles supermarket in the ACT.
Renewables and hydrogen to create “eye-watering” labour demand, says report
New report details the parallel step-change in construction activity – and jobs – that will be generated by the “meteoric transformation” of Queensland’s energy network.
Natural springs emerge in the outback, bringing potentially new species with them
One of the world’s largest reservoirs — the Great Artesian Basin — springs back to life, bringing potentially new species with it.
Coal war erupts as mining giant shelves $1bn Qld mine, 2000 jobs [$]
Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick has responded after mining giant BHP shelved plans for a $1 billion Central Queensland coal mine following the state’s controversial royalties regime.
Labor urged to come clean on enviro powers [$]
Annastacia Palaszczuk has refused to rule out pushing ahead with proposed legislation that would give bureaucrats extraordinary powers to wind back environmental approvals.
Brisbane council inspectors have broader powers to suppress protests than even Queensland police
Jonathan Sriranganathan
We need to pay more attention to councils’ role in suppressing peaceful protest and criminalising marginalised people
South Australia
Endangered marsupial given new lease on life as 12 animals released in South Australian reserve
Arid Recovery has translocated 12 kowaris from the Birdsville Track to its reserve near Andamooka Station in an effort to conserve the species. It is the last known population of the species in the state.
Olympic Dam owner posts record profits
Global mining giant BHP has reported record profits with underlying earnings of $57 billion, boosted by higher copper prices and a strong finish to the financial year by SA’s Olympic Dam mine.
Massive 1GW-plus wind farm proposal wins Major Project status in Tasmania
Tasmania grants major project status to giga-scale wind farm proposed for Tasmania’s north-east.
Tasmanian tiger babies could be a reality ‘within 10 years’, genetic engineering team says
An Australian team says a new partnership with a US-based tech company has given their hopes of a successful “de-extinction” of thylacines a “giant leap” — and that their goal of seeing a Tasmanian tiger in the wild could happen “within 10 years”.
Final Tasmanian salmon giant set to go to foreign hands amid concern over future transparency
These unassuming Canadians have just offered $1.1 billion to take over Tasmania’s last locally owned salmon producer, turning the company private — in a move that has some worried for the environment and accountability.
Govt response to Legislative Council finfish inquiry report
Media release – Jo Palmer, Minister for Primary Industries and Water
The Government has carefully considered the report’s recommendations and supports or supports in principle most of the 68 recommendations.
Northern Territory
Fire management linked to Darwin’s worsening air pollution, researchers say
Planned burns at savannas across the Top End are polluting the air in Darwin, say a group of Australian researchers, raising concerns for people with asthma or lung disease.
A tiny school’s quest for pokipain and rare finch receives award nomination
Students bring in spy cameras, commission DNA tests, and search high and low in their “treasure hunt” to find endangered animals in one of the most remote parts of the country.
Western Australia
Perth will finally get a rail link to the airport, two years behind schedule
The Forrestfield-Airport Link will open on October 10, the WA Government announces, with fares to be capped at $5 for the 20,000 passengers a day expected to use the service.
Lime plant in court battle as Perth residents complain of dust, smell
Residents who live near the Munster lime plant operated by Adelaide Brighton say it creates a big stink.
Pinjarra and Harvey schools go green with new solar panels
In a move towards a greener future, Pinjarra Primary School and WA Agriculture College Harvey will receive new solar panels courtesy of a State Government Program.
Plibersek weighs Burrup fertiliser plant fate [$]
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has spent the week touring WA’s Burrup Peninsula as she nears a decision on whether to extend orders pausing construction on a $4.5bn fertiliser plant.
Sustainability
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Should California keep its last nuclear plant open? The battle is back |
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Is the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant vital to a clean and reliable grid, or a costly threat to environmental and energy goals? State lawmakers have less than three weeks to decide. |
Return to Indigenous-led solutions may be our only hope to reverse plastics pollution
The dumping of plastics in the Pacific Islands (Te Moananui) is a form of waste colonisation, leading to disproportionate plastics pollution in the region and threatening the health and livelihoods of its people.
Nature Conservation
Is krill fishing accelerating climate change?
Aker Biomarine, which prides itself as being one of the world’s most sustainable fishing companies, insists its sustainability claims are built on science not greenwashing following the publication of a new report which is highly critical of the Antarctic krill fishery.
Europe, USA, Australia are burning: What can we do to prevent wildfire?
Fire has burnt through forests for hundreds of millions of years, but now unprecedented wildfires are burning hotter and longer, partly due to climate change.
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