|
|
Date: 2 March 2023 at 8:52:10 am AEDT
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Mar 2
Post of the Day
Climate change: Five good-news stories for the planet in 2023
With several major climate-change related disasters hitting the headlines in recent months, the future of the planet can seem bleak – but new breakthroughs are providing scientists with a glimmer of hope.
On This Day
Climate Change
Deflecting sun’s rays to cool overheating Earth needs study, scientists say
More than 60 US scientists, including James Hansen, renowned former Nasa climate researcher, sign open letter
A long-sought loss and damage deal was finalized at COP27. Now, the hard work begins
Loss and damage costs related to climate change could total more than $1 trillion by 2050. Where will the money come from, and who will get it?
The world is finally cracking down on ‘greenwashing’
The plan to stop companies from fudging their climate goals is fundamentally flawed.
When the climate crisis brings despair, I cultivate my inner connection to nature – and find hope
Claire Ratinon
As this cold British winter recedes, every day brings change, and with it a reminder of the beauty and resilience of the natural world
National
ACCC to crack down on ‘greenwashing’ after survey reveals spike in misleading claims
Competition watchdog analysis of 247 businesses showed 57% had promoted concerning claims about environmental credentials
Historic risk and opportunity in the new clean energy ‘arms race’
The US government’s trillion-dollar clean energy stimulus has sparked a new industrial revolution, and business leaders say it could cripple new Australian industries unless we fight back.
Australia joins Vanuatu bid for international court to rule on obligation to prevent climate harm
Pacific island country will put resolution to UN general assembly seeking opinion on international legal obligations that countries have to act on the crisis
Governments warned it’s now or never to lead energy revolution
Federal and state governments are being urged to up their game or miss out on the lucrative opportunity to lead the world in mining, refining and making clean energy products.
Experts CONCERNED over vape and e-cigarette waste
Waste regulation experts are calling for tougher rules for the disposal of vapes and e-cigarettes on the eve of Clean Up Australia Day.
Going green: winemakers respond to market demand for sustainable products
A new report reveals that a growing number of winemakers and wine drinkers “want to do the right thing by the planet” and go sustainable.
$60bn shock in power switch to electric [$]
A move to electrify all households could cost more than $60bn, the peak body for pipeline infrastructure has found, highlighting the challenges of the transition away from fossil fuels.
How Indigenous understandings of ecosystems could help preserve freshwater mussels
They are normally eaten with a side of fries, cooked in chilli, or with some spaghetti, but scientist Michelle Hobbs is working to reframe the way we look at mussel conservation and show just how important the species is for Indigenous communities.
Forrest says Australia will miss green hydrogen bus as projects, capital and people head to US
Australia in danger of missing massive opportunity in green hydrogen as capital, projects and people flee to US because of tax and production incentives.
Tobias Ide
For many Australians, the impacts of climate change on wellbeing are distressingly clear.
Murray Shearer
Think about oil and gas companies and climate change and chances are you’ll think dark thoughts.
We can’t keep putting apartment residents’ waste in the too hard basket
Bhavna Middha and Ralph Horne
The harsh realities of managing the waste we produce are in the news: councils shunning new glass bins, more plastic being produced per person in the world and Sydney bins overflowing. And the growth in apartment living in Australia threatens to add to these problems. Apartments worldwide have lower recycling rates than standalone houses.
Safeguard Mechanism is great … for big polluters and landowners, not so much for the planet
Callum Foote
The Senate inquiry into the government’s key emission reduction policy, the Safeguard Mechanism, revealed broad support for the policy by industry bodies, yet independent experts exposed a myriad of inadequacies. It may even lead to higher emissions.
There’s one party to blame for climate change and its ugly politics
Amanda Vanstone
The Greens have failed spectacularly in cleaning up the climate.
Key role for super funds in energy transition [$]
Glenda Korporaal
The move by the Australian Retirement Trust to appoint Guy Debelle as an investment adviser signals a greater role for the $3.4 trillion superannuation industry in green energy investments.
AGL chair repeats “lights will go out” coal threat as gas lobby goes into overdrive
Sophie Vorrath
How do you know when the tide is turning on climate and renewables? When the fossil fuel scare campaign lurches back into gear.
Victoria
Emergency warning as firefighters battle Bonnie Doon blaze [$]
Residents who live in Bonnie Doon and surrounding areas were asked to leave their homes immediately as more than 50 firefighters tackled a grass and scrub fire on Wednesday night.
50-storey skyscraper: The seven-tower project pitched for Melbourne’s suburbs
Local councillors fear the plan is ‘fatally flawed’ and have slammed the state government for seizing control of the development.
New South Wales
The $300m cash splash to turn Sydney’s west green [$]
Western Sydney will gets its own “answer to Centennial Park and Hyde Park” with the government to build and upgrade four massive green spaces across the region.
The key election issues – and where the major parties stand
Dominic Perrottet and Chris Minns are campaigning for hearts and minds. What are the key policies they’re contesting? And where do they stand on them?
ACT
Shocking access oversight for fast-tracked EV charging network
A Canberra disabled driver using innovative hand controls to drive his electric vehicle has warned that the fast-rising adoption of EVs in the ACT has the potential to leave a vulnerable section of the community behind because of poor planning and policies.
Queensland
Legal action launched against Queensland mine operator after allegations of fake coal quality reports
In a national first, the corporate watchdog will take Queensland’s Terracom, and four senior company figures at the time, to court for conduct it alleges harmed a whistleblower.
Mother turtle reveals secrets of endangered loggerhead’s movements
A new tracker is giving insight into the life of loggerhead turtles, including the location of a previously unknown feeding ground.
Outback Queenslanders ready for it to ‘stop raining’ as residents enter third month of isolation
There are concerns the land will begin to “cook” as more rain hits the region over the coming week.
K’gari campsite declared off-limits to reduce risk from roaming dingoes
The unfenced beachfront camping area has been closed to the public until March 31 while rangers monitor the dingoes’ movements.
South Australia
Hands off our sand: warning from northern beach residents
Semaphore and Largs Bay locals have sounded a warning about sand from their beaches being taken to be used further south, as trucks are readied to ferry thousands of tonnes of quarry sand to replenish Henley and West Beach within weeks.
Tasmania
Australia’s best ‘gravity’ park is gearing up for a world series — right next to logging
Maydena Bike Park is hosting the 2023 round of the Enduro World Series next month, but there are increasing concerns about Sustainable Timber Tasmania logging operations in nearby.
Northern Territory
When five Indigenous groups came together on a native title claim, their traditional singing was crucial evidence. Now they’re celebrating a landmark legal outcome.
NT government denies Beetaloo Basin gas plans in doubt without federal support for offsets promise
No federal support is on the table for Territory Labor’s promise to ensure that all Beetaloo Basin emissions are offset, as the territory cabinet weighs its decision on whether to allow full-scale fracking to go ahead.
Traditional owners want more assurances on Jabiluka uranium deposit
Traditional owners are demanding greater guarantees that uranium mining will never return to the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park as a company backed by Rio Tinto continues to attribute a $90 million value to the untapped Jabiluka deposit.
Western Australia
Councils react to major reforms of development power
City of Canning mayor Patrick Hall has led a chorus of mayoral support for reforms announced by the State Government that will further strip local governments of their development approval powers.
Sustainability
Thunberg detained during protest against wind farms built on reindeer pastures
Greta Thunberg is detained in Norway while calling for the removal of 151 wind turbines from reindeer pastures used by Sami herders.
Could zebra stripes steer birds clear of offshore wind turbines?
A flickering black and white effect could further reduce bird collisions with offshore wind turbines.
To reduce mortality from high heat in cities, a new study recommends trees
Nearly 40 percent of the thousands of deaths that can be attributed to high heat levels in cities could have been avoided through increased tree coverage, a recent study from Barcelona’s Institute of Global Health found.
Your toilet paper is full of forever chemicals
Researchers found a high level of PFAS in wastewater—and a significant portion of that was coming from toilet paper.
Time to invoke the precautionary principle for radiofrequency radiation, say senior scientists
The precautionary principle should be applied to public exposures to RF radiation. So say four senior academic scientists —including the former director of the U.S. National Toxicology Program — in a strongly worded appeal, published today.
Phosphorus saved our way of life—and now threatens to end it
Fertilizers filled with the nutrient boosted our ability to feed the planet. Today, they’re creating vast and growing dead zones in our lakes and seas.
Giving up my stove was the hardest part of quitting gas
Doug Hendrie
Change can be annoying, but there is nothing more annoying than being wrong about something that makes life better.
Nature Conservation
Scientists prove clear link between deforestation and local drop in rainfall
Study adds to fears Amazon is approaching tipping point after which it will not be able to generate its own rainfall
River Ouse may become first in England to gain legal rights
Lewes council passes motion recognising Sussex river’s rights to protection, amid growing concerns over pollution of waterways
—
return email, delete it from your system and destroy any copies.