Daily Links Sep 8

Cities are advertising themselves as ‘climate havens.’ Experts say there’s no such thing 

As the consequences of the planet warming grow ever more apparent, some cities are marketing themselves as “climate havens,” or refuges from extreme climate conditions. But experts agree that no city, state or region of the country is truly immune from the climate crisis. 

On This Day 

September 8 

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Catholicism 

Ecological Observance 

National Iguana Awareness Day – USA 

Climate Change 

Climate adaptation finance to Africa must increase tenfold, research shows 

Countries forced to choose between climate resilience, fighting poverty and paying debts, says Ban Ki-moon 

‘A biblical catastrophe’: death toll rises to four as Storm Daniel lashes Greece 

Torrential rain blocks roads, causes power cuts and severs water supplies 

How Americans in the West perceive climate change, extreme weather 

More than 20% of Americans either strongly or somewhat agree that it will become harder to remain in their current area due to the changes being wrought by global warming. 

National 

Former Australian energy chiefs lead new global fund targeting solar, wind and storage 

New fund led by former heads of ARENA and AEMO targets solar, wind and storage assets in Australia, and is backed by one of the world’s biggest asset managers. 

New solar installations to hit nearly 400GW this year as module prices hit new lows 

New solar installations around the globe are expected to reach nearly 400 gigawatts (GW) in 2023, driven by China and record low prices for solar modules. 

Massive solar and battery deal promises to cut commercial energy costs in half 

A $500 million deal will install 50MW of solar and 300MWh of battery storage across ESR Australia’s commercial property portfolio by 2033. 

As the Basin Plan gets debated, a new study shows thousands of environmental goals have not been met 

A group of scientists finds despite billions of dollars spent on the Murray Darling Basin Plan, many of the indicators used to measure whether the environment is receiving enough water have been getting worse. 

More than half of young people are experiencing eco-anxiety. Here’s why 

Sereena Zanuso survived a record-breaking flood last year but 18 months on, she’s still feeling eco-anxiety. She’s one of thousands of young Australians who feel the same way 

Black Summer survivor abandoning home over fears for coming bushfire season issues desperate plea to Canberra 

Jann Gilbert knows what it’s like to lose everything. The scars of her Black Summer experience are driving her fight for all new coal and gas project approvals to be paused. 

Bizarre biffo over brumbies cull 

A bizarre exchange has capped-off a heated senate hearing into the culling of feral horses in the Alps. 

Barnaby Joyce labels net zero ‘utterly untenable’ as potential Coalition rift emerges over climate 

Michaelia Cash insists Liberals are committed to 2050 goal under Peter Dutton as National party conference considers dropping the policy 

Nationals, Greens rock the boat on Murray Darling basin plans – podcast 

The federal government has introduced legislation into Parliament for its revised Murray Darling Basin plan. But the plan is already getting pushback from both the Coalition and the Greens who say much more needs to be done. 

3,200 deaths a year: 1 of many reasons air pollution in Australia demands urgent national action 

Deren Pillay et al 

Australia is holding its collective breath ahead of a bushfire season that may bring a return of the smoke linked to 400 deaths and 4,500 hospitalisations and emergency department visits during the 2019–20 Black Summer fires. 

How one student forced the government to admit the economic risks of climate change 

Arjuna Dibley 

Last month, a significant victory for climate change was won behind closed doors. In 2020, Katta O’Donnell, then a 23-year-old university student in Melbourne, launched a world-leading class action lawsuit against the Commonwealth government. 

The real reason nuclear power is banned in Australia [$] 

Caleb Bond  

It’s not about saving the environment. Now someone has finally admitted it. 

The renewables subsidy shuffle [$] 

Australian editorial 

As the renewable energy transition falls further behind schedule, the public subsidies to bring it back on track continue to mount. 

Ten and rising: Albanese government new fossil fuel approvals unveiled 

Callum Foote 

Since taking office in May last year, the Albanese government has approved or extended eight fossil fuel extraction projects and two carbon capture and storage projects. 

Victoria 

Victorian council calls for state support to protect coastal communities from climate change 

A coastal council is calling on the Victorian government to develop policies that provide certainty for seaside communities amid concerns erosion and rising sea levels will leave them unrecognisable. 

‘Zombie’ fish once thought extinct released into wild 

Native southern purple-spotted gudgeon fish — thought to have been extinct for two decades — have been released into a Victorian wetland.  

Electric vehicle uptake in Melbourne’s outer suburbs is surging. See how your postcode compares 

Electric vehicles sales in Melbourne’s outer suburbs are rising and residents say they are saving money, but there are still roadblocks for people getting into the market. 

Why stripping local councils of planning powers is cause for alarm [$] 

Opinion 

Victoria has a proud history as a world-class democracy — the removal of planning decisions from local communities would be an alarming attack on this tradition. 

New South Wales 

Farmers discuss protecting prime crop land from coal seam gas mining 

Farmers in NSW are furious that Scott Morrison’s gas-led recovery plan has been quietly continued by Labor, threatening the prime crop-growing soil and water of the Condamine Floodplain and Liverpool Plains. 

High temperatures, winds prompt total fire bans in NSW just days into spring 

The NSW Rural Fire Service issues an extreme fire danger rating for the Upper Central West Plains, with a high fire danger rating also in place for the state’s North and South Western zones. 

‘Once-in-a-generation transition’: NSW Labor commits $800m to fast-track transmission lines 

The Minns government is investing in new overhead powerlines to link regional renewable energy projects to the grid. 

Fears historic rights to livestock water will be restricted as government reviews usage 

NSW farmers who own land with river, lake, and estuary frontage have historically had unlimited access to water for livestock and domestic consumption, but their right to the resource is under review. 

NSW Government has faced the coal hard facts on power supply [$] 

James O’Doherty  

Even before the election, Chris Minns was talking about extending Eraring Power Plant’s life. This week he received the evidence he needed to finally make a call. 

ACT 

Police to crack down on drivers who go close to cyclists [$] 

ACT Policing are to get tough on drivers who drive too close to cyclists. 

More urban farms, production boost in ACT food strategy [$] 

Food producers in and around Canberra should be supported to better use available land, increase production and ensure greater access to fresh produce, a draft ACT government strategy has said. 

Queensland 

Bushfire raging in Queensland state forest jumps containment lines 

The fire near Cecil Plains has burnt through about 1,000 hectares since it was sparked by lightning on Tuesday. 

What imperils the Great Barrier Reef? If you ask Murdoch media, it’s a solar farm 70km away 

A solar farm proposed for central Queensland’s Calliope renewable energy zone has found itself the subject of some bizarre news reports this week. 

Tropical island paradise school becomes completely powered by renewables 

An island home to an environmental education centre used for student camps is now powered by the largest renewable energy system built on a state school site. 

Dam modelling shows Brisbane region could face water restrictions next year if dry conditions continue 

Long-term modelling shows water grid storage levels could drop to the trigger point for restrictions by the end of next year. 

South Australia 

Flatlining Adelaide needs to grow up, not out 

Luke Lombe  

Adelaide’s heart lacks a pulse and the State Government’s plans for urban sprawl will only make this worse. 

Tasmania 

It may not have the friendliest face, but $2.1m has just been spent to save it 

The maugean skate, a species of ray, is only found in one waterway and it is thought there are fewer than 1,000 left. 

Guy Barnett referred to Privileges Committee over Marinus costs fudge 

Media release – Dean Winter MP, Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Assembly 

In a clear message that the Parliament is fed up with the Liberals’ lack of transparency, debate is underway to decide whether Minister Guy Barnett will be sent to the powerful Privileges and Conduct Committee. 

Stanley backed for inclusion in National Heritage List 

Kerry Houston 

Each year, the Australian Government calls for nominations of places with outstanding significance to the nation for inclusion in the National Heritage List. 

Northern Territory  

Sun Cable: Mike Cannon-Brookes takes charge of ‘world-changing’ solar project 

Billionaire says renewables will drive Australia’s next commodities boom as his Grok Ventures finalises acquisition 

Western Australia 

Woodside halts seismic blasting off WA coast after eleventh-hour court injunction 

Woodside Energy has agreed to delay seismic testing for its $16.5 billion Scarborough gas project off the Pilbara coast after an eleventh-hour legal bid. 

How ancient horticulture helped First Nations people create southern WA’s ‘water trees’ 

Pruned and trimmed for hundreds of years by the region’s Menang traditional owners, these unique marri trees provide a critical source of water. 

Sustainability 

One tiny change to food delivery apps could eliminate millions of tonnes of plastic waste 

An analysis of data from China’s second largest food delivery service shows that adding a “green nudge” could eliminate more than 3 million tonnes of single-use plastic. 

Plastics treaty draft takes first step to reduce production 

On Monday, September 4, the United Nations Environment Programme published the zero draft of the new global plastics treaty. The text, based on previous negotiations, lays the foundation for a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution and could help confront some of the harmful impacts of plastics on the environment and protection of human rights. 

This 3D-printed ‘living waffle’ could help solve water pollution 

It looks like a bizarre, green waffle, but the 3D printed structure could offer a sustainable way to clean pollutants from water, say University of California San Diego researchers. 

Is ‘big oil’ the real problem? 

Jeremy Webb  

While big oil is being trenchantly criticised for expanding oil and gas output it is acting in response to market forces. Much more attention therefore needs to be given to the failure of governments to end their subsidisation of oil companies, to ending the greenwashing of gas, and to redirecting investment to renewables. 

Green energy growth impressive in China amid its slow economy 

Christine Loh 

China’s economic growth rate may have slowed, but its global market competitiveness should not be underestimated. 

Nature Conservation 

‘Nearly 20 Sydney Harbours of material flying along the sea floor’: Tongan volcano’s destruction revealed 

In January 2022, a mega explosion from the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano generated a coast-battering tsunami and vivid sunsets. Now we know the extent of the eruption’s devastation below the waves. 

Some fish species are shrinking, scientists say, probably due to global heating 

Analysis of thousands of species finds some invertebrates and plants also getting smaller, while others are increasing in body size 

What we get wrong about the fight against invasive species 

Invasive species cost hundreds of billions each year. But the division between “alien” and “native” isn’t so clear. 

The vast bog that helps fight climate change 

To the untrained eye it looks like a vast expanse of empty moorland, but the Flow Country holds a secret. Beneath the surface it contains more than double the carbon of all UK forests combined.