https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-31/sa-upper-house-passes-protest-law-changes/102413948
Date: 1 June 2023 at 9:06:41 am AEST
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Subject: Daily Links Jun 1
Post of the Day
‘At risk of destabilising the entire planet’: Report lays down boundaries for ‘safe and just’ future
We are “destabilising the entire planet” warn an international team of scientists, who outline the planetary boundaries we need to stay within in order to provide a “safe and just” future.
On This Day
Ecological Observance
Climate Change
Peru battles worst dengue outbreak as climate warms
Peru is taking extraordinary measures such as banning households from filling vases with water, as it battles its worst dengue outbreak on record, a crisis that experts have linked to increased rainfall and warmer temperatures as the climate changes.
National
Electric vehicles are touted as key to a green future. But their batteries pose a triple-threat
As Australia passes the milestone of 100,000 electric vehicles on our roads, an environmental downside is looming: huge numbers of batteries that could end up in landfill.
Call for all new cars to be electric by 2035
Every new car sold in Australia should be electric by 2035 “at the latest” and bold vehicle pollution limits should start next year, submissions to the federal government recommend.
Labor ‘sweetheart deals’ for energy giants: Bandt
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has rejected claims her government is cutting a “sweetheart deal” for Woodside in proposed tax changes.
Environment department has PwC contracts
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek says her department has a small number of PwC contracts, and has asked for “strict controls” as the tax scandal unfolds.
Gas focus thwarting critical energy transition: vanadium aspirant [$]
The gas obsession risks undermining Australia’s ambitions to lead the world in critical minerals and clean energy and reduce dependence on China.
What would you pay for a sustainable home? [$]
Environmental guilt and rising energy costs are fuelling interest among buyers for sustainable living. And, it seems they’re prepared to pay a premium for it.
Wind and solar investments come to grinding halt, putting renewable target at risk
Clean Energy Council says no new wind and solar projects reached financial close in first quarter, as US sucked up investment and put Australian renewable targets at risk.
New code of conduct calls for end to “absurd” fossil fuel sponsorships
The end may be nigh for fossil fuel companies using sports and the arts as advertising vehicles.
Vera Weisbecker et al
Australia’s dingo fence is an internationally renowned mega-structure. Stretching more than 5,600 kilometres, it was completed in the 1950s to keep sheep safe from dingoes. But it also inadvertently protects some native species.
Plibersek can’t say why Woodside gets a free pass to dodge petroleum tax [$]
Emma Elsworthy
The PRRT hasn’t raised a dime yet, and reforms happen to exclude a major project from Australia’s biggest liquid natural gas producer.
A wilderness of smoke and mirrors: why there is no climate hope [$]
Maeve McGregor
If we all stopped pretending, perhaps we’d be able to give young people the only semblance of optimism left.
Rachel Withers
The petroleum resource rent tax changes appear to be one giant sweetheart deal, and we are the losers
Robert Freestone et al
Australia has not had a national urban policy since the Rudd government. A troika of Liberal PMs followed. Tony Abbott wasn’t interested. Malcolm Turnbull didn’t quite live up to the hype but delivered cross-governmental City Deals and the Smart Cities and Suburbs Program. Scott Morrison at best presided over a business-as-usual approach lacking any resolve, urgency or innovation.
Victoria
Flying fox colony boom prompts fear of ‘raining poop’ in popular Bendigo park
Bendigo residents are used to seeing grey-headed flying foxes in Rosalind Park, but the colony has grown so big some worry it is becoming a “smelly” place where you cannot have a picnic less something lands “in your pizza box”.
Feathers fly within Labor over the future of duck hunting [$]
Influential unions affiliated with Labor are warning the party is at risk of alienating its base with its “woke agenda” towards outdoor activities, including duck hunting.
Extinction Rebellion organises three days of climate action
Melbourne Extinction Rebellion organised three colourful and diverse days of actions on the climate crisis.
Dja Dja Wurrung restores cultural burning for land conservation
DJAARA, the Aboriginal Corporation of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans, is revitalising the ancient tradition of Djandak Wi, also known as Country Fire, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country.
Victoria brown hydrogen project in Greens’ sights in push for coal ban
The state Greens want to ban all coal activities by 2030 – including brown hydrogen production – and enshrine the prohibition in the constitution.
Solar, batteries and landlords – Solar Insiders podcast
Solar Victoria’s Stan Krpan on the new incentives for rooftop solar and battery storage. Plus: Should landlords be required to install rooftop solar?
New South Wales
Sydney congestion overblown, more inner-city density needed, say developers
The head of developer lobby Urban Taskforce says the eastern suburbs are “ripe” for increased density following calls for increased building heights in inner Sydney.
Perrottet could tap out by Christmas. There must be something in the water
Alexandra Smith
The Liberals were on board with the Sydney Water anti-privatisation push, but once it became clear the all-powerful crossbench was not playing along, they voted with Labor.
Queensland
Brisbane’s air quality almost 12 times WHO guideline with hazardous smoke haze to persist
Brisbane CBD’s average air quality was rated “very poor” yesterday and has fluctuated since Sunday.
Qld on brink of an energy crisis and there’s nothing we can do to stop it now [$]
Queensland is facing rolling blackouts and skyrocketing power prices and there is nothing anyone can do now to stop it now.
South Australia
Protest law changes pass SA parliament after marathon all-night debate
Upper house MPs spent all night debating the laws, which will significantly increase potential penalties for people who engage in disruptive protests.
South Australia sees “doubling in demand” for its low cost green electricity
ElectraNet says it is swamped with applications to connect to the state’s “low-cost, low emissions” network from a booming green industry.
Tasmania
‘Cannot go on’: Celebrities, MPs urge Tassie to ban native forest logging [$]
“It’s time for lutruwita/Tasmania to follow suit and protect our native forests”: A call for Tassie to stop native forest logging is a passionate one, but unlikely to win government support.
Protester takes parrot fight to extreme heights [$]
These are the extreme lengths environmental campaigners have gone to protect a critically endangered bird species in the state’s east.
Northern Territory
NT government delays release of crucial carbon emissions projection report
The Northern Territory Government is accused of hiding a report forecasting future emissions to cover up a “very sorry tale” of further increases.
Cattle station backs away from land-clearing plans amidst court challenge
An NT property owner has asked for its land-clearing permit to be revoked, bringing an end to an environment group’s Supreme Court challenge over its original approval.
Sustainability
The International Atomic Energy Agency installs only a fraction of equipment it hoped for and estimates Iran has enough uranium enriched to up to 60 per cent for two bombs.
Biourbanism: Why thinking of cities as nature is key to fighting climate change
Cities should be seen as living, dynamic systems that evolve with people alongside nature if we are to better design solutions to tackle the climate crisis, says one expert.
Scientists identify bacteria that can break down ‘forever chemicals’
Researchers have identified soil bacteria able to break down some PFAS chemicals, known as “forever chemicals” because they take decades to degrade naturally.
As environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations continue to grow, amid new renewable energy and climate developments, it should be considered whether new and emerging technologies for legal practices, big and small, go hand in hand with meeting ESG targets.
Just how safe is Fukushima’s ‘contaminated’ water?
David Fickling
More than 12 years after the disaster that closed Japan’s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, the country will soon dispose of one of the most enduring legacies of the disaster.
Healing nature will help us all. So why are MEPs fighting a key new restoration law?
Sandrine Dixson-Declève et al
The proposed legislation would require changes to farming methods in Europe to tackle the climate crisis and restore nature, ensuring affordable food for all
Nature Conservation
Excessive pollution causes color change in Türkiye’s Izmir Bay
The delicate balance of Izmir Bay requires urgent protection, careful management and scientific intervention as it faces tremendous pressure from spreading pollution.
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