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Date: 24 May 2023 at 8:47:47 am AEST
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links May 24
Post of the Day
David Lindenmayer and Chris Taylor
By the end of the year, Victoria’s trouble-plagued native forest industry will end – six years ahead of schedule. The state’s iconic mountain ash forests and endangered wildlife will at last be safe from chainsaws. And there will be no shortage of wood – there’s more than enough plantation timber to fill the gap.
On This Day
Saint Cyril and Methodius Day – Eastern Orthodox Church
Declaration of the Bab – Baha’i
Ecological Observance
Climate Change
Climate activists disrupt Europe’s biggest private jet fair
Protesters from Greenpeace, Stay Grounded, Extinction Rebellion and others chain themselves to aircraft in Geneva
Lawmakers seek ouster of oil exec leading COP28 climate talks
Members of Congress and the European Parliament are calling for the removal of Sultan Al-Jaber as president of the next U.N. Climate Change Conference.
Limiting global warming to 1.5°C would save billions from dangerously hot climate
Current climate policies will leave more than a fifth of humanity exposed to dangerously hot temperatures by 2100, new research suggests.
How we can keep global warming below the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal
Out of more than 1,200 scenarios — some with temperatures rising as high as 5°C above preindustrial levels — 230 paths leave our planet below 1.5°C before the end of the century.
Honolulu, Baltimore, Charleston, S.C. and several other cities harmed by rising seas and extreme weather are suing the oil industry. At stake is who pays for the staggering costs of climate change.
18 times comedians joked about climate change
How many comedians does it take to make climate change funny? OK, yes, that’s a trick question — climate change is basically the opposite of funny. But like divorce, war, and other not-funny things, there are actually lots of ways to joke about it.
‘Carbon footprint’ was coined by an ad guy for BP. So why do we still feel guilty? [$]
Emmas Elsworthy
Why do we feel a sense of guilt for our ailing earth? Because advertising executives designed it that way, and everyone fell for it.
National
What do you call a coal plant on a 2050 grid? “Incredibly expensive insurance”
What is a forecast of 14GW of coal in Australia in 2050 doing in a net zero scenario?
New study unlocks secrets of solid state batteries heading to households and EVs
A study partly funded by Australia helps to unlock some of the secrets of solid state batteries, which are less prone to runaway chemical fires, and will deliver more power.
Australia’s green hydrogen export dream could require 812GW of wind and solar
BNEF report finds Australia would need a massive total of 812GW of mostly onshore solar and wind power by 2050 to export green hydrogen and meet its climate targets.
Climate Change Authority board members accused of conflicts of interest
The department in charge of the Climate Change Authority (CCA) has told senate estimates it’s seeking legal advice over potential conflicts of interest on the authority’s board.
Worst towns for animal crashes revealed
The figures from insurer AAMI reveal the worst area in each state for car crashes involving collisions with animals.
Gas power enters Forrest’s renewable energy empire [$]
Gas is an important part of Andrew Forrest’s plans to build a major clean energy supply business on the east coast, despite the billionaire’s harsh criticism of the fuel.
Australia can still meet climate targets if it ‘spends billions more’
Australia is on track to have one of the most diversified and lowest-carbon electricity grids in the world, but new modelling shows more aggressive spending on renewable energy, carbon capture and hydrogen is needed to keep the nation’s 2050 net-zero emissions target alive.
Why Aussies cannot access US clean energy package [$]
Anthony Albanese’s deal with Joe Biden on a US law change will not give Australian companies access to the President’s signature clean energy package, despite the Prime Minister’s claims.
Aussies encouraged to sound off on electric car safety
Australian road users are being encouraged to sound off on whether electric vehicles should play noises at low speeds.
Aussies urged to triple bus, train, bike and hike trips
Australians are being urged to hop on a bike, go for a walk, or catch trains and buses three times more often to cut transport pollution to a sustainable level.
Labor gears up for an emissions land war [$]
Labor Party branches are pressuring Anthony Albanese to halve emissions from agriculture and end native forest logging and land clearing.
Government seeks to make nuclear submarines more hazardous
Bevan Ramsden
New legislation seeks to exempt nuclear power plants onboard submarines from crucial environmental protection acts.
Electrify or electrolyse? We can – and should – do both
Dani Alexander
Electrify Everything! says Saul Griffith. The Hydrogen Economy! says Andrew Forrest. What if we didn’t have to choose?
‘Just better investing’: How top ethical fund picks its winners
Tim Boreham
The head of Australia’s biggest ethical fund has warned corporate greenwashing is deterring investors and consumers otherwise keen to do the right thing.
Centrist parties crush dissent, foreclose on race to avoid extinction
Lucy Hamilton
“We are thankful you are here. We are happy to a be recipient of [the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association] APPEA’s largesse in the form of coming here more often…The South Australian government is at your disposal…” (South Australian Labor minister for energy and mining, Tony Koutsantonis, May 15, 2023).
PM hitches renewables dream to ‘third pillar’ [$]
Paul Kelly
Whether this is a mountain or a mirage, time will tell. But the energy accord vests Albanese with loads of foreign policy ambition that can be turned into domestic political advantage
Victoria
Victorian budget death knell for state’s native timber industry
More than $200 million in funding will be provided by the Victorian government as it accelerates plans to phase out native timber logging.
Workers slam Dan over move to end native logging early [$]
Victoria’s native logging industry will end six years early and shocked timber workers say the Andrews government has left regional towns with “no security”.
Victoria gives SEC $1 billion to fast-track wind and solar
The state will spend $1.78 billion on achieving its energy goals, but the lion’s share goes to SEC to deliver 4.5GW of new wind and solar.
Council to remove new trees after residents complain about views
The City of Hobsons Bay spent thousands of dollars planting trees because it needed shade on a barren trail. But some residents complained about losing their coastal views, so half the trees will be dug up.
Djarra is aiming to farm 15 tonnes of crayfish a year in what will be the biggest yabby farm in the southern hemisphere
New South Wales
Elders step up to provide NSW town with clean drinking water after government solutions fail
Aboriginal elders in Walgett say they will provide free filtered drinking water for their remote community after repeated failures by the state and local government.
‘Are we safe to shower?’ Worried residents book in blood, water tests amid EPA probe into gold mine
More than 40 concerned people have attended an information session in the NSW Central West a day after learning the EPA is investigating a nearby gold mine.
Loggers targeting one fifth of planned NSW koala park
Loggers are accused of “ramping up” operations before the NSW government establishes its Great Koala National Park, targeting vast swathes of the area set aside for conservation.
Loggers get their way in proposed koala national park
SMH editorial
The Minns government’s failure to immediately halt Forestry Corporation NSW plans to log the proposed Great Koala National Park on the Mid North Coast is a policy travesty.
ACT backs six renewable energy projects, including panel recycling and hydrogen
Six new local renewable energy projects in ACT will share in funds designed to support renewable energy innovation.
Queensland
Chlamydia-like bacteria found in Great Barrier Reef, study finds
Researchers have discovered some coral in the Great Barrier Reef — one of the seven wonders of the natural world — is infested with a close relative of the chlamydia-causing bacteria. So, is this bacteria detrimental or beneficial to corals?
Queensland researchers make surprise discovery of critically endangered bum-breathing turtle
Scientists have spotted white-throated snapping turtles in Baffle Creek, 100 kilometres north of Bundaberg, for the first time.
Cyclists and walkers to breeze through inner city with improved transport link
Brisbane City Council’s efforts to ensure its new Kangaroo Point green bridge becomes a major cycle and pedestrian link in the CBD has seen it punch an underpass beneath the Story Bridge to improve connectivity in the area.
Double whammy: Qld power bills to rise twice as much as promised in Budget
Power bills in at least three states will rise by more than double the amount estimated in the federal budget.
South Australia
SA government questioned over River Murray use as it commits water for Whyalla hydrogen plant
Irrigators and environmental experts say the state government commitment to use River Murray water to power a $593 million hydrogen power plant project in South Australia raises questions about how the natural resource is used.
Protest against anti-protest laws
Amnesty International says it will rally with others at state parliament on Friday to challenge what concerned Upper House MPs have called “rushed populist legislation” which hugely increases fines and threatens jail for public obstruction in a bid to deter Extinction Rebellion protests.
Dust to dust: SA’s eco-friendly funeral plan
Michael Robertson
Burial, cremation – or “human composting”? An Adelaide cemetery authority is promoting environmentally friendly alternatives but there are obstacles
Tasmania
Protest calls for a new approach to fish farming
The campaign against unsustainable salmon farms in Tasmania’s estuaries and oceans is growing stronger.
Minister demands action to save maugean skate
The federal environment minister will write to her Tasmanian counterpart demanding “extreme intervention” to save an ancient fish from extinction.
Meet the young pakana dedicated to using Aboriginal practices to fight climate change
A marine scientist, conservation ecologist, tour guide, writer, dancer, photographer, ceremony holder, educator, marathon runner, community elected treaty delegate, activist, and queer advocate are just some of the titles Jamie (Jam) Graham-Blair holds.
Northern Territory
Debra Dank uses history-making literary win to call out fracking on her Country
The Gudanji/Wakaja author took the opportunity to thank her family and her mob, and asked those who read her book to ‘consider what is happening’ in Beetaloo Basin.
Beetaloo Traditional Owners speak out on Tamboran fracking pollution
Traditional Owners are speaking out after the ABC exposed pollution incidents from Tamboran’s exploration well on the Tanumbirini cattle station in the NT.
NT town gets first ever recycling pick-ups [$]
The Territory’s second biggest town is set to trial a recycling pick-up service for the first time.
More crops, cotton and land clearing part of NT plan to grow agriculture industry by $700 million
The NT government’s strategy proposes changing laws to allow pastoral leases be used for growing crops, as environmental groups accuse the government of again acting recklessly to grow the economy.
Gamba funding cuts ‘detrimental’ to Top End wetlands [$]
A 40 per cent reduction in Gamba Army funding in Budget 2023 will be ‘detrimental’ to Top End wetlands, advocates say.
Western Australia
Rare black cockatoo with white feathers carries ‘1 in 30,000’ mutation
A clean capture of a rare leucistic Baudin’s black cockatoo has put to rest a rumour which had been circulating among the bird lovers of Margaret River.
Sustainability
How do induction stoves actually work?
We dig into the nerdy nuts and bolts behind induction cooking and how exactly it creates a speedy, precise and fossil-free cooking experience.
Recycling can release huge quantities of microplastics, study finds
Scientists find high levels of microplastics in wastewater from unnamed UK plant – and in air surrounding facility
CEO of biggest carbon credit certifier to resign after claims offsets worthless
David Antonioli to step down from Verra, which was accused of approving millions of worthless offsets used by major companies
As other states pan nuclear waste, Arkansas looks for an opportunity in recycling
Arkansas, under a new state law, will explore the promise and pitfalls of entering the nuclear recycling industry.
Turning off the Tap: How the world can end plastic pollution and create a circular economy
This UNEP report examines the economic and business models needed to address the impacts of the plastics economy.
Communities should reconsider walking away from curbside recycling, study shows
Researchers took a deep dive into the economic and environmental value of community recycling efforts and compared it to the value of other climate change mitigation practices, concluding it provides a return on investment.
Vast pile of discarded clothes in desert is so big it’s visible from space
The enormous pile of clothing, which contains discarded items from all over the world, is in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth.
Keen: 5 steps for removing ‘forever chemicals’ from your supply chain
It took shoe company Keen four years and more than 10,000 hours to remove PFAS from its supply chain. Here’s how your company can do the same.
Embodied carbon: An increasing focus of building emissions
In Massachusetts and elsewhere, advocates and policymakers are increasingly turning their attention to “embodied carbon” in building materials.
The true cost of canned tuna includes marine observer abuse and deaths
The harassment, abuse, and sometimes death of the marine observers who uphold sustainable seafood standards are the industry’s worst-kept secrets. Critics say the people and companies that earn the most money on tuna aren’t doing enough to secure their well-being.
A grim vision of nuclear warfare in Ukraine
Geoff Roberts
In Ukraine, grim visions of a new age of nuclear warfare are the natural counterpart of western hardliners’ march of folly towards the nuclear brink. Thankfully, there is an alternative, one that has been possible since the very beginning of the conflict and now has growing support among Western publics.
Nature Conservation
‘A megaproject of death’: fury as Maya train nears completion in Mexico
Hailed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador as a beacon of prosperity, the environmental cost of the railway has bitterly divided communities along its route.
Historic Colorado River deal not enough to stave off long-term crisis, experts say
A hard-fought agreement between California, Arizona and Nevada to slash the states’ use of the shrinking Colorado River is only a temporary salve to a long-term water crisis that continues to threaten the foundations of life in the American west, experts have warned.
Nearly half the world’s species are seeing rapid population declines, new study finds
The global loss of wildlife is “significantly more alarming” than previously thought, according to a new study that found almost half the planet’s species are experiencing rapid population declines.
Study: Pacific tuna fleets rarely fish in waters proposed for new sanctuary
U.S. tuna fleets almost never access the far-flung reaches of the Pacific that would soon be closed to commercial fishing under a federal marine sanctuary proposal, according to a new study.
Many marine protected areas are not, in fact, protected
Marine protected areas do safeguard enormous amounts of ocean against harmful activities, such as commercial fishing and oil drilling, yet nearly all of that protection is in just one spot: the central Pacific.
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