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Date: 10 February 2023 at 8:41:30 am AEDT
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Feb 10
Post of the Day
Justine Bell-James
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has formally rejected mining magnate Clive Palmer’s proposed Central Queensland Coal Project. Her decision was based on the risk of damage to the Great Barrier Reef, freshwater creeks and groundwater.
On This Day
Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck – Malta
Climate Change
Fighting climate change was costly. Now it’s profitable.
Just how far can this climate momentum take us?
Shell directors personally sued over ‘flawed’ climate strategy
Claimants ClientEarth say the oil company’s plan puts the company at financial risk as the world transitions to clean energy.
The inconvenient truth behind BP’s pivot on climate change
Stephen Bartholomeusz
BP, which pioneered the shift by some Big Oil companies towards cleaner energy, has set new, lower targets for its carbon emissions reductions.
How the climate crisis affects reproductive rights
Skye Wheeler
Around the world, the climate crisis is worsening the inequities surrounding who gets to have a healthy pregnancy and baby.
National
Famous Australian beaches vulnerable to severe coastal erosion caused by La Niña
Researchers say erosion of beaches along south-east coast – including at tourist hotspot Noosa – is significantly affecting local biodiversityGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast
Angus Taylor behind decision to delay energy price rise report until after 2022 election
Department of the prime minister and cabinet has revealed Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg also knew of the decision
First Australian coal shipment docking in China [$]
The first shipment of Australian coal to China in more than two years has arrived at the southern port of Zhanjiang, state media reports.
AGL looks to EVs, batteries and rooftop solar as it goes local and digests massive loss
AGL is looking to rapidly expand decentralised assets – EVs, orchestrated solar and batteries – which means less investment in big wind and solar.
Green rules must not unbalance energy transition [$]
AFR editorial
The regulatory pressure on fossil fuels is making it harder to manage a balanced transition not just here but globally, given Australia’s role in the resources supply chain.
Coal and gas industry is at risk [$]
Australian editorial
Albanese government must snap out of anti-development mindset.
New South Wales
Thunderstorm causes flash flooding across NSW
A “very dangerous” thunderstorm has brought intense rainfall and flash flooding to Sydney and the Illawarra.
Anton Nilsson
ACT
The numbers the Greens say show the problem with Canberra’s bus fleet
Canberra’s bus fleet has shrunk over the last three decades despite the population growing by more than 60 per cent, showing the government has not done enough to invest in public transport, a Greens backbencher says.
Queensland
Rejection of Clive Palmer’s coal mine makes history but government says no precedent set
The Queensland government has rejected a major coal mine proposal under national environmental laws for the first time, but insists that will not affect 18 other projects under review.
‘Watch this space’? The contentious world of Qld’s priority developments
The powerful state government tool allows it to override the councils’ planning schemes and associated nuisances.
Activists want mine review after Adani share price crash [$]
Bravus says its Australian operations and future have not been impacted by the shocking share price crash of parent company Adani, with activists now pushing for reviews of the miner’s ability to meet its obligations.
Palmer mine ‘worth 850 times more to economy per hectare’ than Reef [$]
A Clive Palmer-backed company argues its cancelled coalmine should go ahead because it is worth much more to the economy.
South Australia
River Murray flood emergency declaration ends
Police Commissioner and State Coordinator Grant Stevens has revoked the River Murray flood emergency management declaration after more than two months, with most – but not all – restrictions now eased.
Tasmania
Seven charged with firewood offences after 4am police sting in Tasmanian forest
An early morning sting involving police, park rangers and timber workers leads to seven people being charged over alleged illegal firewood gathering in a reserve in southern Tasmania.
Tourist signs removed amid stoush over the Huon’s big trees [$]
Locally-made signs pointing the way to the Huon Valley’s ‘Grove of Giants’ have been removed by authorities as conservationists continue to lobby for the area’s protection.
Northern Territory
Opponents say the public deserves as much input possible into a nationally significant proposal drawing from Singleton Station’s record-breaking 40,000 megalitre water licence, after a report found cultural and ceremonial sites will be diminished by its impact on groundwater.
Western Australia
McGowan adamant no ‘undue risk’ to Perth’s water allowed despite warnings
WA Premier Mark McGowan has deflected questions about the current risk to Serpentine Dam, which provided 18 per cent of Perth’s drinking water last financial year.
State lashed over rock art heritage bid [$]
An Australian archaeologist has slammed the WA government’s handling of the Burrup Peninsula ahead of a proposed World Heritage listing for the rock art site.
Who do WA’s ministers trust? Alcoa, or their own experts?
Gareth Parker
Do our ministers for state development, environment and water stand by Alcoa, or by the advice of their own experts? It’s time for them to speak.
Sustainability
This is the world’s first zero-waste island. Could Australia be next?
Many people have never heard of the Greek border island of Tilos, but in sustainability circles it’s achieved big things, with Australia labelled ’embarrassing’ in comparison.
Wind turbine failure rates are rising – has the industry gone too big, too fast?
Faulty components in turbines still under warranty are starting to savage the profits of some of the industry’s biggest players. So what’s going on?
Could your new sofa help stop climate change?
Scandinavian furniture design is famous for focusing on simplicity, lightness, functionality and the beauty of everyday objects. And now there’s a new imperative – and that’s designing to reduce the impact on the battle against climate change. The world’s top furniture designers are in Sweden for the Stockholm Furniture Fair
Will a vegan diet save the planet?
The environmental and health impacts of our diets show that it’s worth considering veganism – or at least flexitarianism.
Asia set to use half of world’s electricity by 2025: International Energy Agency
Much of Asia’s electricity use will be in China, a nation of 1.4 billion people whose share of global consumption will rise from a quarter in 2015 to a third by the middle of this decade, the Paris-based body said.
South Africa invokes disaster law to tackle energy crisis
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday declared a national “state of disaster” over his country’s crippling power shortages, saying they posed an existential threat to the economy and social fabric.
Coal demand in India estimated to reach 1,087 MT in current fiscal year
Demand for coal is estimated to reach 1,087 million tonne in the ongoing financial year, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.
Cheap clean hydrogen? Not so fast, energy giants say
Billions of dollars in federal subsidies from the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure law may not turn “clean” hydrogen into a commercially viable fuel, according to a new report.
Common kinds of air pollution led to changes in teens’ blood pressure, study says
Scientists know that air pollution can make it difficult to breathe and may ultimately cause serious health problems like cancer, but a new study shows that it might also have a negative impact on teens’ blood pressure.
Driving energy independence with clean transportation fuels
Alleyn Harned et al
Despite producing more energy domestically than we use, in 2021, the United States still imported roughly 8.5 million barrels of petroleum per day.
Oil companies are finally being honest about their feelings on renewable energy
Kate Aronoff
BP CEO Bernard Looney and Shell CEO Wael Sawan have been candid recently: If wind energy makes them money, great. If it’s not as profitable as fossil fuels, screw it.
Nature Conservation
Roads, pet dogs and more may pose hidden threat to Africa’s primates
Simple solutions, such as not leaving out food at night, could help to protect non-human primates in Sub-Saharan Africa — some of which are already struggling because of threats like climate change and habitat loss.
Uganda sees resurgence of rhinos, elephants, buffaloes
Endangered rhinos and elephants are rebounding in Uganda’s wildlife reserves, buoyed by decades-long conservation efforts, the state wildlife agency said Thursday.
Drifting toward disaster: Breaking the Brazos
Development is threatening the “River of the Arms of God” from end to end.
Kilian Vos and Mitchell Harley
If you’ve been visiting the same beach for a few summers, you’ll have seen it change. While beaches look static, they’re actually one of the most dynamic regions on Earth. Winds, waves and tides stir and push sand around constantly. Storms can claw out huge volumes of sand and move it elsewhere.
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