Date: 18 June 2023 at 8:31:37 am AEST
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Jun 18
Post of the Day
Oliver A.H. Jones
In the 19th century, many of Australia’s urban creeks and rivers were in poor shape. Melbourne’s major river, the Maribyrnong, was full of waste from abattoirs, tanneries and factories.
On This Day
Climate Change
Paris talks to focus on funding poor countries to tackle climate crisis
World leaders will meet next week to discuss climate finance, green growth, debt and private investment
Preserving forests to protect deep soil from warming
An innovative, decade-long experiment in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains shows carbon stocks buried deep underground are vulnerable to climate change. The findings have implications for mitigating global warming through the natural carbon sinks provided by soil and forests which capture 25% of all carbon emissions.
10-year countdown to sea-ice-free Arctic
Research team predicts Arctic without ice by the end of 2030s if current increasing rate of greenhouse gas emission continues.
Carbon capture: The road less traveled, the path to economic and climate success
Mark Gordon
Our world needs energy and a clean environment — neither is well served if we are not honest about consequences and challenges.
National
The five cheapest electric vehicles in Australia
Price competition among manufacturers could make electric vehicles more accessible in Australia
Why brands are driving down the price of electric cars
An electric “dolphin” launching at Sea World could be responsible for creating a new wave through Australia’s automotive industry.
New South Wales
‘Mind-boggling how big’: Snowy 2.0 dogged by delays, budget blowouts and politics
Much is riding on its success – not least the decarbonisation of the electricity grid – but critics say an independent review is desperately needed
ACT
Future of Stromlo Forest Park’s trails up for consultation as government funds new trail to Cotter [$]
A “world-class” facility is what mountain bikers want for the Stromlo Forest Park.
Meet Francesco, the talking house plant made by four students from ANU
Rebecca Faurby, Jasper Lang, Michelle Turner and Brinda Murlikrishna have attempted to reduce innocent house plant deaths by creating Francesco, the talking house plant.
Queensland
The growing peril and cost of the fire ant invasion
Gold Coast cane grower Larry Spann was lying on his side fixing farm machinery when he felt the intense burn of the first bite.
New app to help citizen scientists save koalas
Once abundant, koalas are now listed as an endangered species in Queensland.
South Australia
Dodgy fishers in dob-in hotline’s sights as Crime Stoppers goes greens [$]
Crime Stoppers is turning over a new leaf as a part of a trial that will put tip-offs on eco-pests in the public’s hands.
Tasmania
Critics ‘appalled’ at proposal for 1.3km zipline on kunanyi/Mount Wellington
It’s famed for its spectacular views, stunning bushwalks and adrenaline-inducing bike rides. But Hobart’s kunanyi/Mt Wellington could become the site of a new thrillseeking tourism experience — one that’s already attracting critics.
Staggering amount of Tassie’s drinking water ‘unaccounted for’ [$]
Tasmania’s water and sewerage utility is losing huge volumes of drinking water every year, as it scrambles to address leaking infrastructure and improve its water metering and accounting.
Northern Territory
‘Very rarely seen’ marsupial with ‘silky’ golden fur spotted near Uluru
The marsupial mole is completely blind, “swims” through the desert sand and rarely ventures above ground. But one eagle-eyed traveller is in “disbelief” after spotting one attempting to cross the road.
NT’s new water security strategy missing key details: EDO [$]
While calling the NT Government’s new water security plan “a step in the right direction”, the Environmental Defenders Office NT is questioning whether the government can achieve its stated goals while key details of the plan are missing.
New Lee Point plan to protect Top End species [$]
The federal government has moved to reignite the Lee Point development, but not everybody is happy. Read how plans have changed.
Western Australia
Cute and horny: stink bug with tusks discovered in WA
This little bug has major fashion sense, evolving stylish appendages to match its chosen habitat and, perhaps, triumph over its competitors in love and war.
Volunteers chip in to save pelicans after MYSTERY oil spill
Volunteers have been working around the clock to rescue and wash pelicans, after a mystery oil spill contaminated a number of seabirds south of Perth.
Developers wary new laws will delay shovel-ready projects [$]
WA’s peak property group wants development sites with existing building permits exempted from the updated requirements of Aboriginal heritage laws to prevent delays to ‘shovel-ready projects’.
Sustainability
This salty gel could harvest water from desert air
A new material developed by engineers exhibits ‘record-breaking’ vapor absorption
Genome editing used to create disease resistant rice
Finding can increase yield of a crop that feeds half the world
Metaverse could put a dent in global warming
For many technology enthusiasts, the metaverse has the potential to transform almost every facet of human life, from work to education to entertainment. Now, new research shows it could have environmental benefits, too.
Indirect effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict revealed: global food supply at risk
192 countries and 125 different foods: A recent study reveals interdependencies in the global food supply. Here, the researchers have uncovered the profound — also indirect — effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Chart: How much would US air quality improve if it shifted to EVs?
Air pollution will plummet as EVs and renewables are adopted, showcasing the public-health benefits of moving away from fossil fuels.
We’ve pumped so much groundwater that we’ve nudged Earth’s spin
The shifting of mass and consequent sea level rise due to groundwater withdrawal has caused the Earth’s rotational pole to wander nearly a meter in two decades
Environment: Two years left for a decent chance of keeping warming under 1.5ºC
Peter Sainsbury
Scientists establish annual dashboard of indicators of climate change to guide policymakers. Bushfires fatal for humans and invertebrates. Commercial sponsors sought for November’s COP meeting in Dubai.
Darkness: nuclear winter – fire, ice, famine
John Hallam
The Ukraine conflict, and the nuclear threats uttered by Vladimir Putin have made the risk of nuclear war as high as it has ever been. The current position of the Doomsday Clock hands at 90 seconds to ‘midnight’ is the closest ever. Nuclear Winter, together with tech-ending EMP, is one of a number of civilisation- ending things we’ll have to deal with if the hands ever reach midnight.
Nature Conservation
Dancing Capercaillie bird makes a tentative comeback in Scotland
Ecologists say there are early signs that the population is recovering in remote forests
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