Date: 18 December 2023 at 9:13:42 am AEDT
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Dec 18
Post of the Day
The planet will get to 10.4 billion people, then drop. When will we reach peak human?
India overtook China as the world’s most populous nation in 2023 but far bigger population shifts are transforming the world. Where will all the people be in 2100?
On This Day
Climate Change
Secrecy and the climate disinformation industry
Lucy Hamilton
The Atlas Network’s main goal has been to spot and train global talent in the ultra free-market libertarian field and connect it to the free-flowing money that the alliance functions to assist. They now have at least 515 partner organisations in over 100 nations. Secrecy is key for the corporations and plutocrats funding this model,
COP28 deal confirms what Australia already knows: coal is out of vogue and out of time
At the COP28 climate summit in Dubai this week, nations agreed to “transition away” from coal, oil and gas . After 30 years of COP meetings, the world has finally committed to weaning itself from these carbon-based drivers of climate change.
Take a natural approach to carbon capture [$]
Paul Ronalds
When offsets are paired with ethical and transparent ‘nature-based solutions’, they form an essential part of the weaponry with which to fight climate change.
Cop28 has finally named fossil fuels as the climate problem. But do leaders have the will to act?
Adam Morton
The UN summit’s deal heralds the end of coal, oil and gas. The real test is whether producers back it up with action
The weasel text of false consensus [$]
Saturday Paper editorial
At the end of the mealworm drafting, the key clause is described as a pathway. There is no mention of the “phase out” of fossil fuels. Despite majority support, and undeniable need, it was deemed too strong a phrase.
When the world burns, China will be driving the fire engine
Alan Kohler
The 28th meeting to deal with climate change was the 26th waste of time. The agreement that came out of it is being hailed as a breakthrough, but it wasn’t even an agreement, let alone a breakthrough.
The heat is on – but who are the good guys on climate? – cartoon
Fiona Katauskas
National
Timber industry grants to increase high-value Australian production, but is it enough?
A scientist has argued the federal government needs to add another zero to its $70 million package to accelerate the timber industry’s transition to more sustainable practices.
Cutting corners on ebike Christmas gifts could be ‘disastrous’, experts warn
Authorities say lithium-ion battery fires happen every week across Australia and poorly built buys could lead to new wave of damage
‘Even the smallest town has electricity’: how to plan an outback Australian road trip in an EV
With some forward planning – and a portable charger and extension cord – you can take your electric vehicle off the beaten track
Some of Australia’s strategically important coral islands at great risk of vanishing, study finds
Fate of more than a dozen islands ‘hangs in the balance’ because of climate crisis, with vexed questions about maritime jurisdiction
Australia’s plan to phase out expanded polystyrene packaging was never workable, industry groups say
The plan is more than a year behind schedule, with peak bodies saying there is ‘no viable alternative’ to the material
Power stations closing faster than planned, so how do we keep lights on?
Urgent investment is needed to support new sources of affordable electricity in the coming decade, when 90 per cent of coal-fired generation will cease.
Now engineered stone is banned, should you worry if it’s in your home?
Health experts are divided on whether engineered stone benchtops can be safely modified or removed from hundreds of thousands of homes.
EV slump triggers lithium exports fall [$]
Mining exports are on track to plunge from a record $466bn to $348bn as prices for lithium, LNG and thermal coal soften and supply pressures drive global demand for iron ore and uranium.
Go harder, Albanese urged on carbon [$]
The PM is under pressure from unions and Labor members to adopt a 2035 emissions reduction target of more than 70 per cent.
Are Christmas beetles disappearing? We need your help to find out
Tanya Latty et al
In eastern Australia, the arrival of the summer holidays has traditionally been heralded by big iridescent beetles known as Christmas beetles. How many are there this year?
Emails reveal Labor caved in to Santos [$]
Mike Seccombe
The government has been accused of giving in to pressure from Santos – as revealed by a series of emails from its chief executive.
A merger for desperate fossil fuel giants [$]
Marc Moncrief
Woodside and Santos are considering joining forces to create an Australian behemoth in a deal that could amount to a lifeline for the country’s big polluters.
Stopping new coal and gas exports won’t reduce emissions [$]
Janaline Oh
As Australia braces for another summer of bushfires and world leaders gather at COP28 in Dubai, it is clear the world needs to accelerate away from fossil fuels
Benjamin J Richardson et al
As the federal government attempts a major overhaul of national environment law, all options must be on the table to prevent the fast deterioration in Australia’s natural
places. And more than ever before, the efforts of private landholders should be front and centre.
Flirting with the dangers of nuclear ‘Down Under’
Binoy Kampmark
It was a policy that was bound to send a shiver through the policymaking community.
Marles is wrong – Australia is taking US and UK nuclear waste!
Rex Patrick
As Defence Minister, Richard Marles is uninspiring. He’s not across his brief. His recent statement saying Australia will not be taking US or UK nuclear waste under the AUKUS program, he is plainly wrong and contradicted by his own Department.
Is Albanese on track to deliver proposed net migration reductions?
Abul Rizvi
After letting net migration blow out to around 518,000 in 2022-23, the Albanese Government has announced it wants to bring net migration down to 375,000 in 23-24 and 250,000 in 24-25
Most ‘green’ jobs unlikely to last [$]
Australian editorial
Being a renewable energy ‘superpower’ may not benefit workers.
Rinehart’s common sense crucial to green mining transition
AFR editorial
Policy-makers need to heed the calls by two prominent female resource sector leaders not to hobble the upstream mining sector on which the nation’s prosperity rests.
Victoria
‘Great frustration’ as budget for Victoria’s most costly road project surges by $10 billion
Premier Jacinta Allan says the cost of the North East Link project has increased to almost $26 billion, due to additional works for the road and tunnel project as well as increased pressures on the budget.
The low-profile minister who is reshaping Victoria [$]
When she was appointed as planning minister last year, Sonya Kilkenny quickly became one of the most influential people in Victoria, holding the prominent position at a time of a national housing crisis.
Yet another multibillion-dollar cost blowout? It’s a mockery of democracy
Jago Dodson
Victorians can’t make a fair political choice when they are forced to vote on rushed projects for which costs are badly miscalculated.
New South Wales
Thousands of electric vehicle rebates unclaimed ahead of scheme’s end
NSW residents looking at purchasing an electric vehicle soon might want to get it done before New Year.
NSW bushfire reaches emergency level
A fire burning in New South Wales has reached an emergency level.
‘Crappy’ decision risks beaches going untested for pollution [$]
A blame game has broken out over who decided to cut funding to the Beachwatch program which tests beaches for contamination including faecal matter.
We’re running out of road in Sydney, so think twice about that new car
Greg Baker
The number of vehicles on NSW roads is growing by about 100,000 per year. The road system can’t catch up, so it’s time to change tack.
ACT
Why more flying foxes are making their way to the ACT [$]
Like many other infants, Bertie the flying fox pup needs bottle feeding, bedding changes and plenty of cuddles
Life in the slow lane: Is this really the best way forward for Canberra?
Simon Copland
The ACT government has just released plans to upgrade cycling infrastructure in Kingston, particularly around the lake.
Queensland
Warning of further life-threatening flooding for Far North Queensland
Warning of more heavy rain for Queensland, with risk of life-threatening flooding from Cairns to Cooktown.
Queensland sets new 2035 climate emissions reduction target
Steven Miles says one of his first tasks as the new state premier will be legislating a 2035 emissions reduction target of 75 per cent. He says the new goal “sets a floor for the federal target”.
Call to cut visitors to K’gari with fears kids ‘running amok’ could lead to fatality [$]
It is only a matter of time before a visitor on K’gari will be fatally injured amid a spate of dingo attacks, unless visitor numbers are curbed on the island, an advocacy group says.
Offences surge among hardcore youth crims despite more in jail [$]
New data has revealed Queensland’s most hard serious youth offenders are committing more crimes, with the government’s tough new laws landing more kids in jail without making the community safer.
Brisbane’s 10 most dangerous roads for cyclists mapped [$]
The 10 most dangerous Brisbane roads for cyclists have been mapped on a new app, with an inner-city road notorious for a lack of safe bicycle lanes taking out top spot.
New Premier stands by coal, gas [$]
Queensland’s new Premier is adamant that coal and gas projects can be green-lit under the state government’s radical emissions reduction scheme.
South Australia
A hunter says he wants to make sure the government department and contractors shooting South Australia’s feral deer are held accountable.
Duck hunting set to stay legal in SA but with stricter regulations
The Select Committee on Hunting Native Birds recommends stricter regulations for hunters and harsher penalties for those who break laws aimed at preventing animal cruelty but no ban on duck hunting.
Opponents shoot down duck hunting report as ‘failure’
A state parliamentary report recommending duck hunting be allowed to continue fails to address animal rights, conservation and community expectations, critics say.
Tasmania
First look: Tasmania’s ‘next iconic walk’ a step closer to reality [$]
It’s hoped a new $40m multi-day Tassie trek could rival the Overland Track and the Three Capes Track.
On the extinction of the swift parrot [$]
Bob Brown
Albanese’s choice is between the call of the parrot and the scream of the chainsaw: the rescue of the honey-eating swift parrots from extinction or the ongoing, needless destruction of their forest habitat.
Western Australia
Rare recording of ‘mysterious’ night parrot captured, described as ‘holy grail’ of ornithology
Indigenous rangers manage to record the song of the “extremely secretive” night parrot in a remote part of Western Australia.
‘Complex’ study into potential rock art damage raises concerns as researchers call for more time
Popular theories about industry emissions damaging ancient rock art in Western Australia’s Pilbara region are yet to be conclusively proven, according to a new report
Endangered possums dying after burning paws on hot roofs, solar panels
The western ringtail possum species faces a new challenge to its survival as habitat loss from development pushes the marsupials to nest in unsafe locations.
Over 700 Americans and nuclear waste management — WA AUKUS plans revealed
AUKUS documents reveal that WA will have a low-level radioactive waste management system in place as well as receiving an influx of more than 700 Americans to work on the project.
Perth commuters’ early stocking filler: free summer public transport
It’s a Christmas bonus to address the soaring cost of living and encourage people who don’t usually use public transport to give it a shot, the government says.
New York state of mind: What will it take to populate Perth’s CBD?
Our neglected heritage-listed buildings offer huge opportunities to help alleviate the housing crisis and revitalise the city. But it will need imagination, incentives and willpower to make it happen.
Why buying an EV has settled my stance on WA’s gas debate [$]
Daniel Smith
When I purchased an electric vehicle this year, I was clear-eyed about both their negative and positive impacts. This understanding also helps frame the way I see the current debate over new gas supply in WA.
Sustainability
Phthalates linked to vitamin D deficiency in women
Phthalates, a type of endocrine disrupting chemical, were associated with lower vitamin D levels in a recent study of healthy Caucasian women published in Chemosphere.
Report: Forever chemicals in single-use food packaging and tableware from 17 countries
This report from the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) finds that more than half of the samples tested contained PFAS.
The health cost of burning wood to warm homes
Experts say wood-burning is not cheaper or truly renewable and constitutes a major health risk.
Paris is saying ‘non’ to a US-style hellscape of supersized cars – and so should the rest of Europe
Alexander Hurst
From emissions to road deaths, the trend for ever-bigger SUVs is a disaster. We need regulation to turn the car industry back to smaller vehicles
Environment: Not much environmental cheer in the season of goodwill
Peter Sainsbury
Exmouth Gulf threatened with industrial development. Africa being forgotten as global economies develop. Australia’s emissions reductions likely to stall long before we get to net zero. Read on for the weekly environment update.
Nature Conservation
Indonesia delays enforcement of widely panned fisheries policy
The Indonesian government has postponed the enforcement of a new fisheries policy that drew little support from fishers and widespread criticism from experts and watchdogs.
Brazil’s congress weakens protection of Indigenous lands, defying Lula
While Brazil vows to fight climate change, lawmakers approved a law making it harder for Indigenous tribes to block deforestation, overriding a veto by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
How can Europe restore its nature?
Early 2024, the European Parliament will take a final vote on the ‘Nature Restoration Law’ (NRL), a globally unique but hotly debated regulation that aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss in Europe. An international team of scientists has investigated the prospects of the new regulation.
Trees in wetter regions more sensitive to drought
This holiday season brings surprising news about your Christmas tree. Scientists just discovered that globally, trees growing in wetter regions are more sensitive to drought. That means if your tree hails from a more humid clime, it’s likely been spoiled for generations.
Maelor Himbury | Library Volunteer
Australian Conservation Foundation | www.acf.org.au
p | 1800 223 669 t | @AusConservation
This email and any files transmitted with it may be confidential and legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you must not disclose or use the information contained in it.
If you have received this email in error, please notify us by return email and permanently delete the document.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.
We pay respect to their elders past and present and to the pivotal role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play in caring for country across Australia.