Date: 14 April 2023 at 9:00:29 am AEST
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Apr 14
Post of the Day
World’s ocean surface temperature at all-time high
The data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has found that the average ocean temperature has been around 21.1C since the beginning of April 2023. This exceeds the highest average temperature that was 21C in 2016. Experts warn that this will lead to an increase in marine heatwaves around the world.
On This Day
Good Friday – Eastern Christianity
New Year – South and Southeast Asia
Baisakhi – Sikhism
Ecological Observance
National Dolphin Day – USA
Climate Change
Increased droughts are disrupting carbon-capturing soil microbes, concerning ecologists
Soil stores more carbon than plants and the atmosphere combined, and soil microbes are largely responsible for putting it there. However, the increasing frequency and severity of drought, such as those that have been impacting California, could disrupt this delicate ecosystem. Microbial ecologists warn that soil health and future greenhouse gas levels could be impacted if soil microbes adapt to drought faster than plants do.
World’s biggest cumulative logjam, newly mapped in the Arctic, stores 3.4 million tons of carbon
The 51-square kilometer (20-square-mile) pileup is an important yet poorly quantified part of the carbon cycle, scientists say
The 2022 Durban floods were the most catastrophic yet recorded in KwaZulu-Natal
Research shows flooding events in the province have doubled in the last century.
‘Many clouds remain’ in climate litigation cases
Despite climate change litigation becoming more common in the last decade, cases often remain complex and challenging, making the judicial system an important element within climate change politics.
National
Wind power the ‘greatest gift’ to farmers earning big bucks from renewable transition
Power and money are pitting neighbour against neighbour as one old farming community grapples with a new, rapidly growing industry.
The key to green energy or gold-plated folly? Opinions splinter over need for new power lines
As questions turn to how — rather than if — Australia will decarbonise its power system, arguments about the best way forward are becoming more intense.
World’s rejected cars heading our way if poor fuel standards remain
Car makers are warning that the Australian market will become a global dumping ground for dirty vehicles after US President Joe Biden’s administration proposed massive emissions cuts for new passenger vehicles and trucks sold in the United States.
Graham Readfearn
Madeleine King says gas can help decarbonise the economy but not even big users of the fossil fuel are convinced
Australia needs a plan to exploit the green opportunity [$]
Zoe Whitton
Australia’s goal, as laid out by leaders on both sides, has been to position ourselves as a future clean energy superpower, and we need a comprehensive roadmap to get there.
‘Net zero’ will mean a mining boom [$]
Daniel Yergin
The drive to net zero will increase demand for lithium, cobalt and other minerals, but political instability will make it difficult.
State of inertia: Regulators forced to choose between fossil past and green future
Giles Parkinson
Creating a new market for grid inertia is forcing market rule makers to choose between the dirty fossil past and the green energy future.
Victoria
On a wing and a prayer, Phillip Island residents turn off the lights to give some chicks a chance
They use the moon to navigate – but in this migration 700,000 short-tailed shearwaters will rely on Phillip Island residents to help them find their way.
Battle over Caulfield Racecourse access as trust runs out of money
The trust overseeing public space at Caulfield Racecourse is running out of money and says public access to the land at the centre of the track could be limited if it does not get funding.
Energy experts slam power projects in Victoria’s west [$]
In response to the proposed Western Renewables Link and VNI-West, energy experts have warned the projects could double the cost of electricity transmission, leading to power bill pain for families.
Victoria’s ‘dire’ budget means brakes will be slammed on major road projects
Annika Smethurst
Some Victorian cabinet ministers still hold out hope that federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers will wave his magic wand, fill the state’s coffers and save them from making some tough decisions.
New South Wales
Sydney Metro under review amid $20b budget blowout
The entire Sydney Metro system will be reviewed after new figures showed the line under Sydney Harbour was about 70 per cent over its original budget.
New Snowy Hydro setback adds to billion-dollar blowout [$]
The massive tunnel boring machine which was stopped in its tracks in December has hit another setback in the multibillion-dollar Snowy Hydro 2.0 project.
Mayors to Minns: Give us our metro! [$]
Western Sydney mayors have urged Chris Minns to finish the Southwest Metro, despite ‘significant disruptions’ for commuters, and an $8bn cost blowout.
Sydney reimagined: How to turn three dead spaces into lively CBD gems
Michael Koziol
In two months, Sydney will mark a major anniversary: 10 years since the city’s iconic monorail was ripped up, deemed no longer worth maintaining. But a decade later, relics still remain – notably the abandoned station at the Market Street entrance to Darling Harbour.
Farewell Liddell: What to expect when Australia’s oldest coal plant closes
Joel Gilmore & Tim Nelson
Closing Liddell is unlikely to cause the lights to go out. Rather, the demise of ageing and unreliable coal plants offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
ACT
An energy boost in ‘milliseconds’ promised as the Big Canberra Battery finds an owner
The ACT government announces it’s partnering with Eku Energy to deliver the much-hyped Big Canberra Battery which could power one-third of Canberra for two hours.
ACT’s battery deal could serve as blueprint for other states: Barr
A battery power revenue-sharing agreement struck between the ACT government and an energy storage company offers a blueprint for other states and territories to attract similar investment, Chief Minister Andrew Barr has said.
Govt calls for Evoenergy payouts to cover power surge damages
Evoenergy should prioritise putting residents back to where they were before a damaging power surge knocked out thousands of dollars worth of appliances, the Chief Minister and Energy Minister have said.
Queensland
Wildlife rangers plead for public to stop feeding Queensland wildlife
Queensland wildlife rangers have fined a fisherman for hand-feeding a wild dolphin off the coast of Tin Can Bay, less than three hours north of Brisbane.
Joyce and Birmingham’s captain picks criticised in damning rail report
The former ministers responsible for Inland Rail rejected ARTC board candidates with vital skill sets and instead handpicked a Liberal Party fundraiser, a former Nationals VP and a corporate lawyer, according to a report.
The index looks at seven well-being indicators including wealth, employment, and work-life balance.
Tasmania
Regenerative tourism pitch for birding spot in Furneaux Island [$]
An operator of two accommodation businesses, Sawyers Bay Shacks on Flinders Island and another on Picnic Island, is pitching for a new venture on Little Dog Island.
Survey reveals support for salmon farm reductions [$]
More than 72 per cent of 816 Tasmanians surveyed earlier this month support a proposal to reduce inshore salmon farming sites in the state.
Tasmanian forestry value almost breaks $7 billion mark [$]
The third Natural Capital Report of the Tasmania Forest Trust was released last week.
Northern Territory
1000 jobs: New phosphate mine gets green light [$]
Mining in one of Australia’s largest phosphate deposits is set to get off the ground
Western Australia
‘Too late to leave’: Cyclone red alert
Wind gusts of up to 288km/h have been recorded as residents are put on red alert to seek shelter.
Anatomy of monster storm: how Cyclone Ilsa is shaping up to devastate the WA coast
Jonathan Nott
Residents along Western Australia’s northwest coast are bracing for Tropical Cyclone Ilsa, which is expected to be one of the most destructive storms to strike the region in more than a decade.
Sustainability
Shift to wind and solar accelerates in Oceania
As the world moves towards a greener, sustainable future, Australia is making significant strides in transitioning to renewable energy production, according to a new report.
Why China could dominate the next big advance in batteries
China is positioning itself to command the next big innovation in rechargeable batteries: replacing lithium with sodium, a far cheaper and more abundant material.
As rising temperatures affect Alaskan rivers, effects ripple through Indigenous communities
Six decades of river gage data gathered from nine rivers in Alaska highlight the cumulative and consequential impacts of climate change for local communities and ecosystems in the Arctic.
Plant pandemics threatening global food supplies, scientists warn
Climate change, globalisation and armed conflict are facilitating the spread of plant pandemics and threatening the production of food on which billions rely, scientists have said.
Nature Conservation
Frog that looks like poo, sticks eggs to trees, among new species from PNG
New Guinea has the most diverse array of tropical island frogs in the world and its mountains and forests are still revealing their secrets. Here are five newly classified species.
Coral-eating fish faeces may act as ‘probiotics’ for reefs, says study
Corallivorous fish were regarded as harmful to coral but research suggests their poo could be keeping reefs healthy
UK bird numbers continue to crash as government poised to break own targets
Data shows 48% of species declined between 2015 and 2020 with woodland birds faring worst
Will the new U.N. High Seas Treaty help protect Pacific salmon?
In March, conservationists worldwide celebrated the historic agreement, which governs the ocean waters where salmon spend most of their lives.
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