Post of the Day
How $1 billion of ethical retirement savings ended up with oil, gas and coal companies
An ABC investigation into the financial disclosures of sustainable or ethical-labelled super options finds extensive investments for in shares of companies in the fossil fuel, gambling, alcohol and weapons manufacturing industries.
On This Day
Ecological Observance
National Energy Conservation Day – India
Chernobyl Liquidators Day – Ukraine
Climate Change
Indigenous people and climate justice groups say Cop28 was ‘business as usual’
Developing countries call agreement to transition away from fossil fuels ‘unfair’ and ‘inequitable’
Arctic warming threatens wider world with rising seas – US report
The Arctic experienced the warmest summer on record this year, contributing to extraordinary wildfires and melting glaciers while threatening the rest of the world with problems including higher sea levels, a U.S. report said on Tuesday.
Climate insights: Views from our experts on the COP28 UAE consensus
Media release from the Climate Group
COP28 summit wraps up with fossil fuels and renewable energy at forefront of global leaders’ minds
Daniel Mercer
The key takeaways from the summit are a transition away from fossil fuels, a tripling of renewable energy and committing to stop adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere by mid-century.
Rich countries are desperate to convince us their hollow Cop28 deal is a triumph. They’re lying
Asad Rehman
The agreement on fossil fuel phase-out is full of loopholes, but those of us fighting for climate justice won’t give up
Matt McDonald
As negotiators stagger towards their beds in Dubai and another year’s climate talks come to a close, it’s time to take stock. Did COP28 achieve the big breakthrough the world needs on climate change?
Ben Jennings on the decision taken at Cop28 to move away from fossil fuels – cartoon
National
‘The age of fossil fuels will end’: Australia’s Chris Bowen hails Cop28 agreement
Climate change minister says deal is not perfect but ‘transition away’ from oil and gas sends clear message to investors
Engineered stone has been banned due to the silicosis risk. What happens next?
This week, Australia became the first country in the world to announce a ban on engineered stone. We look at why it’s being banned, what alternatives there are, and what it could mean for your next home renovation.
‘Disappearing’: Fight to save Aussie insect
Many Aussies insist Christmas beetles are vanishing in huge numbers, but there’s something you can do to save the iconic insect.
Cars will need to be twice as green to avoid luxury tax
Motorists will have to choose cars that use half as much fuel to avoid a vehicle tax in future after changes in a federal budget update.
For all the talk of urgency, stone ban still too late for many
Angus Thompson
Compare action on engineered stone to the speed with which the government rushed through complex legislation to re-detain some of the people released from indefinite detention after last month’s High Court decision.
We need to talk about the water supply we’re squandering
Buddhi Wijesiri
When it rains, stormwater runs down surfaces like streets and parking lots and into drains. Most of the time, we see it as a problem because it can cause floods. Recent storms across eastern Australia created huge amounts of stormwater and flooding.
Our cities will need to harvest stormwater in an affordable and green way – here’s how
Buddhi Wijesiri
Too much stormwater is disappearing down the drain. Here’s how our cities can make more of their last untapped water source.
Victoria
Melbourne’s electric dirt bike scourge [$]
Alarming videos of electric dirt bikes on busy Melbourne roads have flooded social media with authorities cracking down, issuing infringement…
Anti-duck hunting activists ignore key fact [$]
The RSPCA and other animal welfare groups have cranked up their campaign to end duck hunting in Victoria despite a surge in duck numbers.
New South Wales
Court rules parts of NSW protest laws are ‘invalid’ after challenge by Knitting Nannas activists
The laws, passed in April 2022 after a series of climate protests, meant people could be fined $22,000 or jailed for two years for causing a major facility to be closed or if someone using the area had to be redirected.
Councils ask to repurpose golf courses, share school ovals for public sports
The future of sprawling golf clubs is once again under the microscope as mayors in Sydney’s northern suburbs look for more open space.
‘Surprise’: Three lemurs born out of the blue as search for mystery father begins
The black-and-white ruffed lemur triplets will undergo DNA testing after zookeepers at Altina Wildlife Park in southern NSW were caught “very unaware” by their arrival.
“A decade is far too long:” Major investors slam planning delays in NSW
Clean energy investors slam delays for renewable and storage projects in NSW, noting that the only wind farm approved in the last five years took nearly a decade to get over the line.
Pesticide residue from farms and towns is ending up in fresh oysters
Kristen Benkendorff et al
For years, oysters have been lauded as one of the most sustainable and healthy seafood options. But our food is only as healthy as the environment it is grown in.
ACT
Why Canberra should be a hothouse for ‘green’ transport skills [$]
Michael de Percy
Transport Minister Chris Steel has advised that we will have to wait until after the ACT election for the business case for stage 2B of the tram network.
Queensland
New Premier’s private climate pledge amid brewing union war [$]
Incoming premier Steven Miles will take bolder action on climate change, a shared policy position with the union powerbroker who backed him.
South Australia
Adelaide Hills residents urged not to over-clear native vegetation in preparation for fire season
Some landholders believe the heightened fears for this fire season could lead to people clearing too much native vegetation.
Free electric vehicle charging at work? It’s possible with optimum solar
The global surge in electric vehicle sales has prompted an Australian university to explore how it could offer free or nominal EV charging facilities to staff and students by optimizing its solar PV system and minimizing workplace electricity costs.
Tasmania
Government told spending money on snow-making at ski field ‘not viable’ due to climate change
For generations, Tasmanians have made the steep drive to Ben Lomond to enjoy the ski fields. But as seasons change and the snow disappears, those days may be numbered — with a report recommending government help to make snow “does not proceed”.
Northern Territory
Energy sector reacts to new ‘water trigger’ law [$]
New water trigger laws will “not impede” key Territory gas project, says one chief executive.
Western Australia
Cattle and aquaculture industry leaders say the growing number of Indonesian fishing boats operating off the Kimberley is creating the risk of lumpy skin and foot and mouth disease outbreaks in Australia.
King backs Cook in row on greens [$]
Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King has backed Roger Cook’s warning that environmental groups had infiltrated Indigenous groups.
Everything you need to know about WA’s proposed new environmental approval laws
Premier Roger Cook says the environmental approvals process in WA is “broken”, but will his government’s legislation to overhaul it create a free-for-all for resources companies?
Commonwealth green tape is putting productivity in a tangle [$]
Aaron Morey
The Cook Government’s announcement this week on environmental approval reforms reflects the power of economic leadership.
Gas shortage shows the need to cut green tape [$]
West Australian editorial
It’s a pre-Christmas surprise that will add even more stress to families struggling to balance the household budget.
AEMO says more gas needed in W.A. to cover coal exits and electrification, but maybe not
Giles Parkinson
AEMO says more gas power might be needed to cover early coal closures, but predicts longer term decline as wind, solar and storage over growing demand for electrification.
Sustainability
Polyethylene waste could be a thing of the past
Experts have developed a way of using polyethylene waste (PE) as a feedstock and converted it into valuable chemicals, via light-driven photocatalysis.
All the carcinogens we cannot see
We routinely test for chemicals that cause mutations. What about the dark matter of carcinogens—substances that don’t create cancer cells but rouse them from their slumber?
Vested interests pose threat to chemical waste and plastic pollution initiatives
Researchers warn that conflicts of interest will hinder efforts to tackle the world’s pollution crises.
PFAS exposure may have long-term impacts on bone health
Teens and young adults exposed to higher levels of PFAS had lower bone mineral density (BMD), according to a new study in Environmental Research.
Nature Conservation
Twenty-year study confirms California forests are healthier when burned — or thinned
A 20-year experiment in the Sierra Nevada confirms that different forest management techniques — prescribed burning, restoration thinning or a combination of both — are effective at reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire in California.
The configuration of green spaces in cities determines the characteristics of their birds
An international study has analyzed the distribution of 115 species of birds in spring and 72 that spend the winter in different cities. The study provides information on how to design urban areas that favor biodiversity and public wellbeing.
In real vs. fake Christmas tree debate: Consider the wildlife
It may seem counterintuitive to support the annual culling of trees, but environmentalists say Christmas tree farms have ecological benefits.
Best areas for rewilding European bison
Simulations integrate historical records, fossils, and ancient DNA to reveal why the European bison nearly went extinct, and pinpoint optimal areas for conservation.
Maelor Himbury | Library Volunteer
Australian Conservation Foundation | www.acf.org.au
p | 1800 223 669 t | @AusConservation
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