|
|
Date: 20 March 2023 at 8:52:37 am AEDT
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Mar 20
Post of the Day
To all who care about humanity’s and the planet’s future
Joseph Camilleri et al
Humanity has reached a tipping point. It is time for governments, international institutions and people everywhere to take stock and act with renewed urgency.
On This Day
Saint Cuthbert’s Day – UK
Ecological Observance
International Day Without Meat
Climate Change
Climate change report offers ‘final warning’
More than 300 scientists signed off on the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, with the most authoritative global body on climate change urging countries to “aim higher, act faster, or risk losing it all” in its final report of the 2020s.
Samoa PM urges world to save Pacific people from climate crisis obliteration
Fiame Naomi Mata’afa pleads for action before landmark IPCC report is expected to issue ‘final warning’
How art inspired by peatlands can help us confront the climate crisis
Peatlands have always had a place in art, writing and poetry. In times of global warming these cultural reflections can help open up debate about the biodiversity and climate crisis.
Climate change report says we can still turn this ship around [$]
Simon Bradshaw
I recently heard the climate challenge described as turning around the Titanic. It’s a somewhat problematic metaphor in that sea ice is increasingly in short supply, but there’s a lot about it that makes sense
National
Business groups push for climate deal but warn government against conceding to Greens
The government has been locked in negotiations with the Greens and key crossbenchers for weeks over its proposed changes to the so-called safeguard mechanism, with the Coalition remaining steadfastly opposed.
Phasing out kangaroo leather to have ‘opposite effect’ on native population
The kangaroo industry argues its leather is more sustainable than sheep and cattle equivalents, and say Nike and Puma’s decision to phase its use out will actually result in more roos being shot.
As the volume of vaping waste soars, how do we safely dispose of the new ‘cigarette butt’?
Vapes and e-cigarette cartridges are full of hazardous materials, including toxic liquids, nicotine and lithium batteries that can catch fire, and there is growing confusion over the best way to responsibly dispose of them.
Australia’s getting nuclear subs with the AUKUS deal, but where will they be based?
Port Kembla, Newcastle and Brisbane are all shortlisted as possible east coast sites for a nuclear submarine base, but what are the pros and cons of each location?
Planning to chuck your old, stinky shoes in the bin? Don’t, they’re in hot demand
Niche recycling programs are popping up, and even old shoes have become sought after.
Greens maintain pressure ahead of climate policy push
The Greens will keep pushing the federal government to stop opening new coal and gas mines in exchange for their support on a signature climate policy.
Solar, battery retailers see spike in demand after price surge [$]
While batteries remain prohibitively expensive for many households, retailers offering solar and storage bundles have seen a spike in demand.
Sheds, fuel and homes will ‘cost more’ under Labor’s safeguard [$]
The cost of fuel, fertiliser, putting up a shed in the backyard and building a home could be driven up if companies seek to buy their way out of emissions reduction obligations, Opposition energy spokesman Ted O’Brien says.
Hairdressing crabs, vicious wasps and gruesome plants among 600 new species
More than 600 Australian species were discovered in the past year, but there are still 300,000 to go.
An economically rationalist climate transition policy [$]
AFR editorial
The national economic policy think tank has come up with a policy that centre-right parties supposedly committed to free market principles should embrace.
Victoria
Fire danger downgraded after Victoria endures scorching Saturday
Warnings for a number of bushfires burning across the state have been downgraded after a cool change swept across Victoria, sending temperatures plummeting.
New South Wales
‘Significant planning’ underway to clean up massive fish kill in NSW’s far west
An emergency response centre, headed by NSW Police, has been put into action in the state’s far west to coordinate the clean-up of the worst mass kill ever to hit the Darling River in Menindee.
Feral animals and weeds a priority for key regional independents ahead of NSW election
The Invasive Species Council warns of an impending biosecurity “disaster” due a lack of frontline staff, drawing the support of regional independents and crossbenchers who may hold the balance of power after the NSW election.
The NSW government has tagged more than 250 bull sharks since 2009, with data revealing they are travelling further south than expected.
Politicians want action on Menindee mass fish deaths
Politicians are calling for the urgent removal of the millions of dead fish that are clogging the waterways of the lower Darling-Baaka River near Menindee, in the far west of New South Wales.
Perrottet claws back ground in tight contest, but Labor tipped to return to power
Exclusive polling for the Herald shows that while Labor is on track to win on Saturday, it may need the backing of crossbench MPs to form government.
ACT
Canberra needs a middle ground for future population growth [$]
It’s hard to disagree with the idea Canberra is still in the process of growing, both out and up. All cities are in a state of flux, of course, but not many are as young and still malleable as Canberra.
Queensland
This farming family is trying to prove that cattle and carbon can co-exist
Selling their family farm to a carbon developer, Luke and Ally Quartermaine want to be part of the solution to reduce cattle industry emissions.
South Australia
About 19,000 without power as strong winds lash Adelaide [$]
Thousands of homes are without power and dozens of trees have come crashing down as emergency services respond to dozens of incidents caused by wild winds across Adelaide’s east.
‘Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else’: SA’s population boom [$]
SA’s population has risen by more than 25,000 people in a single year – with a migrant boom fuelling our state of prosperity.
Teach our kids nuclear skills: Premier [$]
Up and atom, kids. Premier Peter Malinauskas has a plan to reduce skilled the “single biggest risk” to the Adelaide nuclear-powered submarine construction.
Tasmania
Dozens of new illegal 4WD, bike tracks go over this sacred Aboriginal site every year, map shows
Aboriginal rangers who patrol Preminghana in Tasmania’s far north-west say it’s being destroyed, little by little, by four-wheel drivers and bikers who stray from the tracks.
‘Renewable energy is the future’: Little girl becomes star of new campaign
Meet little Evie Smith, one of the stars of the new Powered by Tasmania campaign, focusing on the power of renewable energy.
Northern Territory
Bushfire closes half of Larapinta Trail in Central Australia
Popular waterholes and half of the Larapinta Trail in Tjoritja (West MacDonnell) National Park in Central Australia remain closed as a bushfire continues to burn.
Sustainability
China fires up its coal-power plants [$]
China has accelerated its construction of coal-fired power stations, breaking a promise made by Xi Jinping to phase out coal, and raising serious doubts the new plants will back up wind and solar.
COVID’s origins linked to raccoon dogs at Wuhan market
The new evidence is sure to provide a jolt to the debate over the pandemic’s origins.
Why areca nut plantations are driving ‘monkey fever’
A tick-borne infection often spread in areca nut plantations in India is among several on the rise around the world. Can we get better at tackling these outbreaks?
Roundup, the world’s favorite weed killer, linked to liver, metabolic diseases in kids
Children exposed to glyphosate, once touted as “safer than table salt,” face increased risk of conditions found primarily in older adults that can lead to cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
A nuclear power plant leaked contaminated water in Minnesota. Here’s what we know
Minnesota officials are monitoring the cleanup of a 400,000 gallon leak of contaminated water from a nuclear power plant in the city of Monticello run by the energy giant Xcel Energy. Officials said there is no danger from the leak.
Environment: Trees good. Plastics bad. Why don’t governments turn it around?
Peter Sainsbury
Trees are good for the climate and human health. Plastics are bad for the environment and bird health. Where are the good governments when you need them?
Nature Conservation
Mount Everest Is covered in our germs
A scientist from the University of Colorado explains why the presence of human bacteria on the South Col represents a groundbreaking discovery
—
return email, delete it from your system and destroy any copies.