Daily Links Mar 13

Voting for politicians that will enact the policies we need is a necessary but not sufficient condition for change. Our own consumption habits are at the basis of the problem and our individual responses are important. But, and this is a very big but, legislation and regulation can bring about the massive change that is needed even as we separate our rubbish, sign up to earth hour and take the ‘no new clothes pledge’. This is what we take into the ballot box.

Post of the Day

Voting teal is all very well but curbing our lifestyles to save the planet is crucial

Conal Hanna

Voting teal is all very well but curbing our lifestyles to save the planet is crucial

 

On This Day

March 13

Labour Day – Victoria and Tasmania

Adelaide Cup Day – South Australia

Canberra Day – Australian Capital Territory

 

Ecological Observance

National Thai Elephant Day – Thailand

 

Climate Change

At last, I agree with Greta Thunberg [$]

Andrew Bolt

After her arrest, pitiless Greta Thunberg commented that climate action “can’t happen at the expense of some people”. That is my point exactly.

 

National

Valerie Taylor helped bring Jaws to life. Then the movie threatened to undo her conservation work

Shark legend Valerie Taylor has spent a lifetime protecting sharks. At 87, she’s still saving them.

 

Does that bird need your help, or should you leave it alone?

Wild birds can be hard to identify, difficult to look after and can even pose a risk to human health. But most of us want to help something we see suffering, so here’s what to do if you come across a bird in the wild that needs help.

 

Electric vehicle fires aren’t common, but firefighters warn their consequences can be ‘enormous’

The main firefighters’ union says the public needs to be aware of the risks of lithium-battery fires, which are hard to put out and can release toxic gases.

 

After railways were abandoned en masse, former train routes were recognised as a ‘scarce resource’

Though the rail heyday has long passed, communities all over the world have maintained a connection with its physical remnants — and experts say the practice will play an important role into the future.

 

Warning on illegal timber imports [$]

The timber industry suspects “conflict timber” harvested in Russia and Belarus is being sold in Australia under false country of origin labels.

 

Lower electricity price rises ‘cold comfort’ as more pain on the way: Bowen

Electricity price rises will be significantly lower than predicted in October’s budget but there is still more pain on the way for households and businesses, according to Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

 

India’s love of Australian coal is one that dare not speak its name [$]

Matt Canavan

Something is very wrong when our prime minister cannot even mention the product that makes up 70 per cent of exports to India.

 

Victoria

‘Mass deception’ in rail loop plan exposed [$]

The Suburban Rail Loop has been lashed as a “$200 billion thought bubble” with the Andrews government accused of “subterfuge and mass deception”.

 

When 380,000 Victorians will be hit with higher power bills [$]

Prices set by the state regulator are set to soar based on a variety of factors such as soaring wholesale markets in the gas and electricity sectors.

 

New South Wales

Australian Ethical divests from Lendlease fearing for one of the last healthy koala colonies in NSW

A multi-billion-dollar investment fund has divested from Lendlease, accusing the property developer and the NSW government of not being transparent about a fast-tracked housing estate to be built in sensitive koala habitat.

 

Genetic rice trials to help industry achieve ‘aspirational’ water efficiency target

Trials have begun to create rice varieties that don’t need as much water to grow. It comes as growers question if the industry’s new target can be reached in the time frame given.  

 

Plans for Barangaroo Cutaway go on display in face of backlash

A request for planning approval for the controversial Barangaroo Cutaway was lodged a day before the caretaker period began in NSW.

 

Coal miner to ‘relocate’ historic homestead and Indigenous site for mine

Coal company Glencore has dismissed concerns of the state’s top heritage experts and intends to forge ahead with a plan to “relocate” a historic homestead and Indigenous site associated with a frontier wars massacre in the Hunter Valley to extend a coal mine.

 

Queensland

Record floodwaters inundate parts of Queensland

Residents across parts of north-west Queensland have been told its too late to leave as heavy rain causes flooding.

 

South Australia

Displaced by nuclear tests and missionaries, the Spinifex peoples’ long connection to country endures

The declaration of a new Indigenous Protected Area will help ensure their place in the Great Victoria Desert remains strong.


Tasmania

Andrew set up a camera on his property — but it’s not for security

Tasmanians are lucky to share their backyards with a range of native species, and one citizen science project — with 100,000 images — is proving it.

 

Political brawl over state power prices [$]

The political brawl over power prices continued on Friday, with the Labor opposition claiming that Energy Minister, Guy Barnett, mislead the public with his assertion that the government never held a policy of de-coupling from the National Energy Market in 2018.

 

How internet gave thylacine new life – and spread misinformation [$]

A new book on the thylacine delves into everything from de-extinction efforts to the internet’s role in increasing the cultural profile of the species – and spreading misinformation about it.

 

Blue whale spotted in Tasmanian waters [$]

Stunning images have been captured of an endangered blue whale, a rare sight in Tasmanian waters.

 

Bacteria behind beloved beach’s long-weekend closure revealed [$]

A local family says it is one of the first times in living memory the popular Tasman Peninsula beach has been closed to swimmers – and the timing couldn’t have been worse.

 

Burning issue: Toll of Tasmania’s deliberately lit fires revealed [$]

Hundreds of fires suspected of being deliberately lit are draining Tasmanian resources each year amid a worrying trend of firebug “idiots” filming their misdeeds for social media.

 

Fergo the new Scomo, drunk on executive power

Tony Mulder

By what executive power will Minister Michael Ferguson change the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) for Skylands ‘within 5 weeks’?

 

Northern Territory

’Significant’ gas deal moves NT diamond mine project closer [$]

Australia has no diamond mines but plans to redevelop one in the NT have received a leg-up.

 

Western Australia

We need more than a rooftop solar boom to safeguard WA’s energy future

Brad Pettitt

The state’s clean energy transition is being put at risk by a glaring underinvestment in wind and batteries, even as household after household invests in solar.

 

Sustainability

Scientists warn of ‘phosphogeddon’ as critical fertiliser shortages loom

The excessive use of phosphorus is depleting reserves vital to global food production, while also adding to the climate crisis

 

Toxic chemicals we consume without knowing it

Toxic chemicals are increasingly present in our food and beverages. Here are some keys ways to limit their impact on our health.

 

Milk, cheese and ice cream without the cow has entered the marketplace

Labs have created exact molecular replicas of cow dairy. Some are already on shelves and being hailed as a way to reduce harm to cows and cut down dairy’s huge contribution to climate change.

 

C16 Biosciences CEO Shara Ticku want to replace palm oil with Palmless

C16 Biosciences CEO Shara Ticku’s audacious vision to bio-manufacture a palm oil alternative could forever change the food and personal care industries.

 

Nature Conservation

How our love affair with plastic is fouling a national park

New Zealand’s newest national park – and one of the most isolated spots in the country – is polluted with plastic trash.

 

The truth about Britain’s wildlife crisis is stark: the timid BBC must let David Attenborough tell it loud and clear

Geoffrey Lean

For years the great presenter was criticised for not speaking out. Now he has his voice, fear and politics can’t get in the way



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