https://www.sbs.com.au/news/video/federal-government-rejects-great-barrier-reef-in-danger/wtv04yuss
Date: 30 November 2022 at 9:05:17 am AEDT
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Nov 30
Post of the Day
Hamish Clarke et al
Without strong climate action, forests on every continent will be highly flammable for at least 30 extra days per year by the end of the century – and this fire threat is far greater for some forests including the Amazon, according to our new study.
On This Day
St. Andrew Day – Romania
Climate Change
Big polluters given almost €100bn in free carbon permits by EU
Free allowances ‘in direct contradiction with the polluter pays principle’, WWF report says
IFAD warns climate change becoming major threat to food security in Africa
The International Fund for Agricultural Development says crippling spikes in food and energy prices continue to hit East and Southern Africa, coupled by the devastating impact of climate change is having a negative impact on the productive capacity of small-scale farmers.
China’s Covid Zero policy is putting its climate action on ice
Environmentalists say the country’s strict Covid restrictions are cutting off international collaborations and stymieing climate projects.
Fact check: Water vapour global warming claim is all steam
A string of social media posts claim water vapour is responsible for rising global temperatures.
Tyre Extinguishers deflate tyres of 900 SUVs in ‘biggest ever action’
The climate activists claim to have targeted 4×4 owners in eight European and US cities
Just Stop Oil activist jailed for six months for M25 disruption
Magistrate reportedly speaks of using Jan Goodey’s case as a ‘deterrent’ during court proceedings
National
Wholesale gas prices to be capped under government plan to intervene in market
Anthony Albanese and his cabinet are set to endorse a multi-pronged strategy to curb sky-high power prices, as pressure mounts on the government to urgently intervene in the market.
Fines of more than $260,000 for biosecurity breaches as tougher laws introduced
Harsh new biosecurity laws have been introduced in response to a surge in people trying to bring meat into the country illegally.
Business leaders anticipate net zero transition will improve growth
A new report finds that business leaders estimate a transition to net zero could significantly improve annual growth, yet there is concern about sustainability plans being actualised.
Evidence grows of forced labour and slavery in production of solar panels, wind turbines
A ‘certificate of origin’ scheme could counter concerns about renewables supply chains, says Clean Energy Council
Confectioner’s sweet solution to plastic waste could spark change
Some of Australia’s most popular chocolate bars – including Mars Bars and Snickers – are getting an environmentally friendly makeover in a move that is expected to inspire its competitors to follow suit.
Cut-price Teslas: Salary packaging of electric vehicles set to surge
A change in the tax treatment of electric vehicles and hybrids is expected to see many more employees salary package low emission cars.
Why plan to save reef from danger list is an uphill battle
Tanya Plibersek has a plan to save the Great Barrier Reef from being listed as “in danger” by the World Heritage Council. But there’s a big reason why it may not work.
Australia’s saltmarsh ecosystems provided protection to thousands
Saltmarsh ecosystems provided protection to more than 88,000 homes from potential storm surge damage, according to 2021 data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Bushfires more likely in the summer ahead – podcast
With summer about to kick off, firefighters are warning Australians to be prepared. Experts say a wet winter has actually has actually made some regions of the country more at risk of bushfires.
Federal government rejects Great Barrier Reef ‘in danger’ – video
The Federal Government has rejected a recommendation by the United Nations that the Great Barrier Reef be added to its ‘in danger’ list. The report found serious risks from climate change, coral bleaching, and water quality, are increasing threats to the World Heritage Site. It says Commonwealth and Queensland governments must take ‘ambitious, rapid and sustainable action’.
Labor misses burning issue on UNESCO’s ‘in danger’ rating for Great Barrier Reef
Mike Foley
UNESCO singled Australia’s World Heritage site out for a stern warning and the Albanese government rejected the special treatment.
Victoria Jack
For years we have seen many examples of communities that are overwhelmingly opposed to destructive projects, but those projects go ahead anyway because corporations have an overpowering voice in our system of environmental decision-making.
Least worst option on energy the best hope [$]
Simon Benson
Anthony Albanese knows that whatever lever he pulls to solve the energy crisis, there could be unintended consequences.
Mining lobby tricks government with its big taxpayer fairytale, swaps Deloitte for EY
Callum Foote
The Minerals Council of Australia has duped Energy Minister Madeleine King into repeating its highly inflated claims of how much taxes its mostly foreign multinationals members pay. Callum Foote reports on an $85b PR scam.
Subsidies are no long-term solution to energy crisis [$]
Australian editorial
Boosting supply is key to powering the nation at an affordable price.
Victoria
Parts of the CBD are ‘grey’. Could turning 10,000 car spots to green space fix it?
Replacing asphalt with trees would bring people back to the city and kick-start its post-COVID recovery, while delivering enough tree canopy to cover 30 MCGs would also help protect the city from floods and heatwaves, researchers say.
Concerns for horticulture as Murray River floods
Unknown liquids are leaking from an old landfill into agricultural blocks in Mildura as the Murray River floods.
$2b wind farm in Vic to proceed without customers [$]
The innovative project structure has drawn support from Australia’s green bank as well as from lenders from China, Japan, Germany, Denmark and Australia.
Taungurung nation welcomes formal return of Nyagaroon property
The Nyagaroon property has been formally transferred by the Victorian government to its Traditional Owners, the Taungurung people.
Victoria’s on the move, but the Liberals have been left in its wake
Shaun Carney
While Labor has adapted to a changing population and urban growth over recent decades, it should be careful not to ignore its traditional base.
New South Wales
NSW in ‘serious trouble’ if top coal-fired station shuts in 2025 [$]
Have the candles ready if ‘net-zero leader’ Origin sticks with its new plan for closing Eraring — in the view of its main coal provider — because renewables won’t be able to keep the lights on.
Catchment to community: The amazing story of Sydney’s water supply [$]
Sydney is lucky to have some of the best water in the world, but the system has been under pressure due to consecutive natural disasters.
Queensland
‘Hands off our generators’: Queensland rejects calls to cap coal price to bring down energy bills
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she won’t jeopardise state’s ability to give profits from state-owned power generators back to public
Coal wars ramp up as Premier calls for resources lobby boss to be shown the door
The brawling between the Palaszczuk Government and the mining sector stepped up on Tuesday as the Premier called for new leadership of the Queensland Resources Council.
44,000 jobs: Qld’s $72bn net-zero problem exposed [$]
Queensland may be aiming for net-zero but there is a looming problem – and no one is quite sure how to tackle it.
Fresh Hope: How three teen activists tore down legal case of a Queensland billionaire
John McCarthy
The coal sector’s very survival in Queensland has been dealt some serious blows in recent times but the Land Court’s judgement on Clive Palmer’s Alpha project in the Galilee Basin is a huge wake up call.
We all know the Great Barrier Reef is in danger – the UN has just confirmed it. Again
Jon C. Day
You might be forgiven for thinking it’s Groundhog Day reading headlines about the Great Barrier Reef potentially being listed on the World Heritage “in danger” list. After all, there have been similar calls in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017.
Danger in losing control of reef [$]
Australian editorial
Australia must push back as a matter of principle and sovereignty.
South Australia
Homes identified along South Australia’s River Murray that are expected to be flooded from next week
The South Australian government says updated modelling shows 1,086 primary residences will be flooded if River Murray inflows peak at 250 gigalitres a day.
Uncertainty over a federal plan to manage the Lake Eyre Basin
Members of an advisory committee commissioned to inform the federal government on the management of the Lake Eyre Basin say the proposed management strategy is a “box-ticking” exercise.
SA Greens want electronic products branded with a minimum life span
The South Australian Greens plan to introduce legislation that would require tech companies to brand their products with a minimum life expectancy.
Mannum sunshine powers solar farm growth
Work is underway on a more than $50 million stage two expansion of the Mannum Solar Farm as Epic Energy banks on the South Australian region’s constant sunlight to help deliver green energy to a glass factory.
Tasmania
Media release – Wilderness Society (Tasmania)
In another legal case that sought to shine a public Right-To-Know light into murky logging operations, Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT) has again asked to settle at the last minute instead of going to court.
Northern Territory
A powerful Aboriginal land council has accused the NT government of treating traditional owners with contempt over its plans to legislate changes that allow companies to sell gas fracked during the “appraisal phase”.
Western Australia
Varanus Island gas leak will not impact Western Australia’s energy supply, says minister
Energy Minister Bill Johnston says a gas leak at a pipeline off the coast of Western Australia’s Pilbara region, which has reduced output at the Santos-operated Varanus Island facility, will not impact the state’s gas supply.
The independent energy umpire finds the government-owned West Australian power provider unlawfully overcharged customers tens of millions of dollars by artificially inflating its prices between 2016 and 2017.
Pilbara elder urges authorities to ignore official Aboriginal corporation in federal sacred sites assessment
Independent reporter Alison Stone is investigating the balance between heritage and industry along the Burrup Peninsula on behalf of the federal government.
Pilbara ammonia plant shuts as gas shortage from Santos shutdown bites
One of the world’s largest producers of ammonia – a vital fertiliser ingredient in short supply – has shut down due to a lack of gas in WA.
Federal boost to double Indigenous Rangers gives hope to communities
A remote Kimberley community is hoping to benefit from new federal funding commitments by establishing an Indigenous Protected Area to support land management on their Country.
Fact check: Macca’s diesel charger claim is running on empty
A Facebook video claims that an EV charging station in the Nullarbor is powered by diesel fuel.
Sustainability
Smog engulfs New Delhi, air pollution worsens
Thick smog has engulfed India’s capital New Delhi as air pollution worsened with the setting in of winter, shooting up concentrations of fine particles in the air three times above the acceptable limits.
Air pollution linked to almost a million stillbirths a year
First global analysis follows discovery of toxic pollution particles in lungs and brains of foetuses
Why washing clothes in cold water is better for the environment
Laundry can be the most significant thing that you do when it comes to reducing your clothes’ environmental impact, experts say.
Future global treaty on plastics must cut production to ease pollution, some states say
Countries have begun to discuss a future global plastics treaty which would cut pollution, some hope entirely by 2040, at U.N. talks in Uruguay this week, with many states calling for curbs on plastic production as a way to reach that goal.
Sizewell C ‘confirmed’ again – this time it might be the real deal
Nils Pratley
Another day, another “confirmation” that the government plans to build the Sizewell C nuclear power plant in Suffolk – surely the “most announced” project in UK infrastructure history. The latest update, though, contained a genuine sign of seriousness: the Chinese are being paid to go away.
Next few days will be crucial for global economy
Stephen Bartholomeusz
The outlook for the world economy is on a knife’s edge as Europe debates a price cap for Russian oil and OPEC considers production cuts.
—
return email, delete it from your system and destroy any copies.