Date: 17 July 2023 at 8:54:57 am AEST
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Jul 17
Post of the Day
Can we mine the world’s deep ocean without destroying it?
The U.N. body charged with regulating deep-ocean mining will soon consider whether to permit the first project to move forward. But ecologist Lisa Levin, who has long studied the deep sea, worries that in the rush for key minerals, a pristine and important ecosystem will be lost.
On This Day
Climate Change
Extreme weather sweeps the world in ‘hot and dangerous weekend’
Record heat forecasts are hanging over Europe and Japan, as tens of millions battle dangerously high temperatures in the United States.
Five arrested after climate protest at Ineos oil refinery in Scotland
Police say alleged offences include breach of the peace after 200 people march to plant and four climb on roof
Fighting climate change: The minerals we need to be greener [$]
Daniel Smith
There was mixed news for the critical minerals industry, and its ability to help us avoid the worst impacts of climate change, in International Energy Association data released last week.
National
Supporting US military against China could draw Australia into nuclear war, expert warns
America’s deterrent against Beijing is diminishing while the military threat to Australia increases with Aukus, Sam Roggeveen argues
Here’s why your gas bills aren’t going down
The federal government’s gas code of conduct is now law, but it doesn’t affect supplies already under contract. The code also has plenty of exemptions.
Policy doubt could derail domestic gas projects, Beach Energy warns
The Kerry Stokes-backed Beach Energy has flagged ongoing challenges making investments in future east coast gas drilling projects.
AusNet chief confident grid will be ready for coal’s exit
Power grid operator AusNet is confident a vast expansion of the transmission network can be delivered in time to connect enough wind and solar farms to compensate for coal-fired power plants’ closures, even as intense community opposition looms as a major obstacle.
Cut red tape to stop bushfire threat with regular burns [$]
Piers Akerman
Repeats of the more recent fierce fires can only be avoided if the fuel loads are reduced with sensitive, regular cool burns using the practices of 200 years ago.
Renewables vision is blind to the cost of calamity [$]
Nick Cater
Net Zero Australia’s report constructs a teetering tower of assumptions to conclude that the government can meet its goals. It assumes $1.5 trillion will blow our way in the next seven years in a highly competitive global capital market.
Follow Rolls-Royce and power up nuclear energy [$]
Alexander Downer
There is a compelling argument for why we should be investing in nuclear technology right away. There’s only one argument against this: populism.
Victoria
The fight to save Victoria’s endangered grasslands lands government with $92m compensation bill
The Victorian government is ordered to pay $92 million in compensation to a prominent family after it added environmental protections to their land, which reduced its overall value.
Yarra battery pollution fears after 350 drones fall into river in lightshow fail
A Matildas match lightshow that ended when 350 drones fell into the Yarra River has sparked concerns about how environmental risks were managed, as efforts get underway to retrieve hundreds of lithium batteries from the water.
‘They will fight to the death’: Farmers revolt at Vic power plan [$]
Australia has not built transmission projects this large across farm country for decades. They are critical to the transition to net zero, but farmers say they’ve been ignored, taken for granted and patronised.
Andrews urged to re-examine PwC’s Suburban Rail Loop analysis [$]
Soaring costs, questionable benefits and a funding black hole mean it’s time for another look at the consulting firm’s analysis of the $125 billion project, say transport experts.
New South Wales
Tony says signing over 70 per cent of his property for perpetual conservation is a ‘no brainer’
Tony Rowland has given 20 hectares of his bushland block to a conservation project so the land will never be logged and remain a wildlife sanctuary forever.
‘Saving money, not the world’: How a former coal baron turned green
Businessman Trevor St Baker, at first glance, appears an unlikely champion of green energy.
ACT
Let’s get loud: ACT advised to future proof city buildings for noisy uses
Planning rules to make sure buildings in a city centre entertainment precinct can be retrofitted to support noisy uses should be considered by the ACT government, a consultant’s report has said.
What the government learnt about Canberrans from looking in their bins [$]
The amount of rubbish Canberra households generate going to landfill each week has fallen by more than 15 per cent in the last eight years.
Queensland
Deep down, Cross River Rail commuters will stay connected
The tunnelling is complete and the tracks laid. Now work is well underway to ensure commuters under Brisbane’s city streets never lose contact with the outside world.
Tasmania
Fewer, shorter turbines: Robbins Island wind farm pared back [$]
The proponent of a proposed wind farm in the North-West has tried to shake off a mounting series of appeals against it by cutting the farm’s size by almost 20 per cent.
Northern Territory
‘We want it to stay as it is’: Indigenous Protected Area declared in Crocodile Islands
Traditional owners celebrate the federal government’s decision to establish the Crocodile Islands archipelago off Arnhem Land as an Indigenous Protected Area.
Why have saltwater crocs been appearing in the NT’s freshwater swimming holes?
According to a crocodile expert, it’s “very normal” for saltwater crocodiles to end up in freshwater swimming holes. This is how, and why, they got there.
Western Australia
The underwater ‘Amazon’ off Australia’s coast that could help tackle climate change
Groundbreaking new research shows the climate benefits of protecting and restoring underwater kelp forests could be equivalent to planting a billion trees.
Indigenous group demands $2.5m for WA tree planting events [$]
More WA tree planting events cancelled amid claims a Perth-based Indigenous corporation is withholding approvals until it receives $2.5m in compensation.
Can sharing clothes reduce airline carbon emissions? One expert says it’s a ‘silly’ idea
An airline is encouraging travellers to hire clothing for their holidays instead of packing luggage in an effort to reduce carbon emissions. Experts say the move is ‘silly’.
The current status quo of smartphone design, repair and longevity could finally be upended in favour of users – and the planet.
As climate shocks multiply, designers seek holy grail: Disaster-proof homes
The homebuilding industry has been slow to adopt changes that can better protect against extreme weather. Some architects are showing what’s possible.
A new job for electric vehicles: Powering homes during blackouts
Some energy experts say battery-powered vehicles will increasingly help keep the lights on and support electric grids, rather than straining them.
Technologists are figuring out how to make nylon green
Using a combination of electrochemistry and bacteria, one team has made a nylon building block from plant waste—cutting energy use and emissions in the process.
EHN reporter on “Living on Earth“: Why we need a new war on cancer
Environmental Health News reporter Kristina Marusic joined NPR’s “Living on Earth” to discuss the links between rising cancer rates and cancer-causing chemicals in the environment.
Katherine Sievert and Gary Sacks
Emotions can run high when the topic of how much red and processed meat to eat is raised. For many of us, eating these foods is culturally important – often tied to specific dishes and traditions.
The failures of the Global Economic System
Jeffrey Sachs
Of all of these four objectives that I call sustainable development. 1. Material Sufficiency; 2. Social Justice; 3. Environmental sustainability; and 4. Peace; we’re off track on all of them
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