Daily Links Apr 24

Post of the Day

How is climate change affecting nutrients in plants?

Higher levels of carbon dioxide are changing micronutrients in grasses, trees and even kelp. What does that mean for animals higher up the food chain?

On This Day

April 24

Ecological Observance

World Day for Laboratory Animals

National

Labor to extend $12 gas price cap with exemptions [$]

Labor now proposes to extend its cap on wholesale gas prices but may grant exemptions in a bid to prevent gas investment stalling.

Australia’s motor vehicle ‘problem’: Why the fight for cleaner cars is about to get dirty

A new policy will limit pollution from petrol and diesel vehicles in Australia, but there is debate on where the limit should be set.

AOC admits ‘massive’ scale of Green New Deal, says climate change will be even worse

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged the “massive” scale of the Green New Deal on Sunday, but argued the threat of climate change is even greater.

Inland rail is on track to be nothing but a costly nightmare [$]

Farren Campbell

The Inland Rail project is a critical piece of infrastructure that, if designed and run properly, could revolutionise freight transport in our country. Trouble is, it’s been so poorly handled that the dream of a world-class freight rail system is fast turning into more of a nightmare.

Victoria

Mining dust and bird poo: how clean is the rainwater Australians drink?

Australians should not assume the water that falls on their roofs is safe to drink, experts say

Majority of Australians keen to switch from gas to electric to lower emissions, survey finds

Poll also revealed 65% of drivers expect to be buying a hybrid or electric vehicle if they upgrade in the next 10 years

Call for SkyBus priority lanes as Airport Rail link delayed

The call for a dedicated SkyBus lane on the Tullamarine Freeway comes amid warnings the bus service may suffer worsening travel times as congestion grows.

Offshore wind developers hold consolidation talks as deadline looms [$]

With more than 20 developers all seeking a licence to build projects in Victoria, talks have begun among some players to combine their bids.

New South Wales

The oldest coal-fired power station in the country is about to close. Is the local community ready?

As Liddell powers down in the New South Wales Upper Hunter Valley after more than half a century, what’s next for the community?

What this week’s closure of Liddell power plant means for energy prices and blackouts

The energy grid has had time to prepare for Friday’s closure of power plant Liddell in the Upper Hunter, and some experts say there’s still plenty of capacity for coal generation across the state combined with other energy sources. 

ACT

Recycling to be sent interstate for years to come [$]

The ACT will be without a recycling facility until at least 2025 with the government pushing back the expected opening of a new centre, in the wake of the Boxing Day fire.

Queensland

Tree kangaroos are turning up in places they are not meant to be as mystery blindness causes issues

Blind Lumholtz’s tree kangaroos are turning up in shops and schools, unable to find their way back to the rainforest.

Safeguard reforms to ‘turbocharge’ Qld gas ambitions [$]

Requirements for coal mines in north Queensland to cut emissions should drive a push to capture gas from the coal, which will power a battery minerals plant.

Northern Territory

Traditional Owners lose McArthur River mine challenge

Traditional Owners from the Northern Territory have lost their challenge against a decision to reduce the security bond of the McArthur River mine.

Western Australia

Fears tree clearing for lithium exploration will put endangered birds at further risk

Locals are outraged by a plan to cut down trees in a critical breeding area for the Carnaby’s black cockatoo — a species on the brink of extinction due to land clearing.  

Perth needs to build more housing without sprawl, but planning infill is proving challenging

Planners and developers say that difficulties in getting approvals, the higher cost of building apartments, community opposition, and a lack of support from government feed into why Perth keeps sprawling rather than densifying.

WA government announces $77million to boost Aboriginal heritage protection system

The Western Australian government has announced a $77 million funding boost over the next four years to manage and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in Western Australia.

Sustainability

What desire paths can tell us about our cities

Informal tracks that defy formal city footpaths can be charming, but urban designers say paying attention to them can also help create better, safer public spaces more in tune with people’s behaviour.

Lab-grown meat gets a key missing ingredient: 3D fat

Most research has focused on producing muscle fibers. This new discovery moves us closer to cultured meat that is a delicious alternative to animal slaughter.

Most Germans ready to make sacrifices for planet

Germans said they were prepared to cut their heat use and fly less to help tackle climate change. But most are reluctant to give up meat and their cars, according to a YouGov poll.

Leave your grass long to help bees, butterflies

“No mow” initiatives are becoming a popular springtime effort to help support bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

It’s so hazy – every breath a struggle, as air pollution harms health in Thailand

An elderly patient hooked up to a tangle of tubes lies struggling for breath in a Bangkok hospital as Thailand battles a “drastic increase” in respiratory problems caused by a spike in air pollution.

US biofuel policy must recognize land use tradeoffs

Dan Lashof

When Congress set national renewable fuel standard (RFS) targets in the Energy Independence and Security Act more than 15 years ago, biofuels were thought to be the future of petroleum-free transportation. In the years since, however, we’ve developed much better options and learned a lot about the shortcomings of these fuels when it comes to reducing emissions and optimizing land use.

Environment: climate change colonialism

Peter Sainsbury

Wealthy developed countries worsen the climate and debt crises of poor countries and trample on the rights of their Indigenous peoples.

The Guardian view on parks: an asset that should be for everyone

Guardian editorial

When the mill owner Joseph Strutt cut the ribbon on the Derby Arboretum in 1840, entry came with a caveat. This landscaped sweep, one of the first public parks in England, was only open to the public on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Nature Conservation

Armadillo invasion: Why the creatures are rapidly moving north

Watch out, northerners: The armadillos are coming.

Climate change’s fatal impact on the snowshoe hare

For animals that camouflage to hide from predators during the winter, a new study shows how climate change is presenting a unique challenge that could have ripple effects on their entire ecosystem.

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