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Date: 28 February 2024 at 09:00:52 GMT+11
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Feb 28
Post of the Day
Intifar Chowdhury
Climate crisis deniers beware! These days, the environment and other traditionally left-leaning issues are more likely to be front of mind when Australians – young and old – head to the polls
On This Day
Climate Change
Pumped up: will a Dutch startup’s plan to restore Arctic sea-ice work?
As the Arctic warms, devastating the climate and ecosystems, an old idea used to create skating rinks could be deployed to restore melting ice caps, despite scepticism from some experts
The word “unprecedented” is losing impact as the world lurches from one crazy weather event to the next. The term “climate change” doesn’t do enough to describe what is happening.
Climate change threatens to unearth US nuclear waste abroad
Rising sea levels and melting ice sheets may expose nuclear waste from U.S. projects in Greenland and the Marshall Islands, posing environmental and health risks.
Climate change alters life at Amazon’s edge
In Brazil’s Bailique Archipelago, rising ocean levels and river changes disrupt local life.
We are taking a devastating risk with the green energy sector – one that might cost us our future
Brett Christophers
Relying on private companies to solve the climate crisis means that the planet’s fate rests in the hands of asset managers
Geological discovery upends politically correct climate science
Tom Harris
When we were at the coldest period in the past half billion years about 450 million years ago, CO2 levels were considerably higher than today.
National
Coal comfort in exports to China rebound
A dramatic surge in shipments after a two-year ban imposed by Beijing comes as producers predict strong demand ‘for decades to come’.
CEC calls for big budget spend on renewables, and net zero grid by 2035
Clean Energy Council calls on federal Labor to ramp up investment “with a view to …full decarbonisation of the electricity sector by 2035.”
Seagrass: A natural barrier against heavy metal pollution in Australia’s waters
In a significant ecological discovery, seagrass meadows in Australia’s Spencer Gulf have been found to trap thousands of tons of heavy metals, safeguarding marine environments.
The air is blowing hard and hot in the offshore wind debate
Scott Riches
The air is blowing hot with commentary from would-be born-again environmentalists like Donald Trump and Peter Dutton about the supposed (as distinct from apparent) risk to the environment from the offshore wind power generation industry.
Timothy Weber and Andrew Blakers
The world is rapidly moving towards a renewable energy future. To support the transition, we must prepare back-up energy supplies for times when solar panels and wind turbines are not producing enough electricity.
As Varroa spreads, now is the time to fight for Australia’s honey bees – and you can help
Alexander Mikheyev
A tiny foe threatens Australian beekeepers’ livelihood, our food supply and the national economy. First detected in New South Wales in 2022, the Varroa mite is now established in Australia.
News Corp continues to endorse climate change nonsense
Steve Bishop
An article in The Australian has proven once again how out of touch the Murdoch press is with the real threat of climate change.
Victoria
Hot temperatures and strong winds are expected in Victoria and South Australia, with hundreds of firefighters deployed to contain potential outbreaks.
How hot will your suburb get? Effects of climate change on Melbourne revealed
Sustained high temperatures would make parts of Australia essentially uninhabitable for months of the year, according to new analysis. Search the impact on your area.
This lizard was thought to be extinct. Its re-discovery has stalled 310,000 home builds
A tiny lizard rediscovered in Melbourne’s west has delayed planning in growth areas and sent authorities scrambling.
Do you have a chorus of crickets in your backyard? Here’s why
Ary Hoffmann
There’s an explosion of crickets and other insects in Melbourne, here’s why we should embrace these swarms as a cycle of nature
New South Wales
Australian-first ‘ethically sourced’ cobalt project hits major speedbump due to global oversupply
Cobalt Blue will undertake a strategic review of its Broken Hill Cobalt Project after the price of cobalt dropped. Originally set to create 400 jobs, that number will now fall.
No progress on $43 billion renewable energy zone as mine closures loom
The Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone attracted $43 billion worth of potential projects that were forecast to create more than 8,000 jobs, but a year after it was declared not a single project is in the pipeline.
SafeWork NSW referred to ICAC over monitoring of killer stone after ‘shock’ report
A scathing report into SafeWork NSW has found despite international knowledge about the “heightened health risk” of deadly engineered stone products since at least 2010, the NSW workplace regulator did not begin proper compliance until 2018.
Neighbours from hell: Why flying foxes are driving Sydney batty
Fruit bats are causing mayhem across Sydney, but should local councils cut down trees or using sound devices to drive them away?
ACT
Number of Canberrans who left for coast during Black Summer bushfires ‘worrying’, inquiry hears
An ACT government adviser has told an inquiry into bushfire preparedness that the number of Canberrans who travelled to the South Coast during the Black Summer bushfires showed a lack of awareness of the dangers.
Fire trail maintenance has gone ‘down hill’, former parks director says
Fire trails in the ACT are in poor condition due to a lack of maintenance and there is little interest in fire management in the upper echelons of the environment and planning directorate, a former senior director of ACT Parks has told an inquiry.
Australian National University academic Dr Weliton Menário Costa’s elaborately choreographed video Kangaroo Time (Club Edit) explaining his study of social behaviour in kangaroos wins the worldwide Dance Your PhD competition.
Queensland
‘There’s no way to get home’: the public transport deserts on Brisbane’s northern fringe
Two-thirds of households in Caboolture have at least two cars – and locals say that’s because both public transport and cycling infrastructure is lacking
Asbestos-laced compost discovered in Qld [$]
A stockpile of asbestos-laced compost has been discovered in Queensland, with authorities unable to say whether any of the material has been distributed around the state.
Landowners invited to host gigawatts of solar and wind along 930km “clean energy corridor”
Landholders in Queensland are being invited to register interest in hosting renewables projects along the path of a 930km new transmission line.
South Australia
State government brings forward net zero renewables target to 2027
The Malinauskas Government will bring forward South Australia’s net zero electricity target from 2030 to 2027, arguing the more ambitious deadline is possible due to investment in hydrogen and other renewables.
Tasmania
Alliance formed to end duck hunting
Animals Tasmania, Animal Justice Party Tasmania, RSPCA Tasmania, and Tasmanian Greens are combining their efforts to bring an end to the senseless killing of Tasmanian native waterbirds.
Jenkins Hire Pty Ltd convicted of causing material environmental harm
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) welcomes the guilty plea and sentencing last week by Jenkins Hire Pty Ltd and Mr Tim Jenkins in relation to a number of environmental offences, including causing material environmental harm, relating to the discharge of liquid controlled waste into the Plenty River in September 2020.
Why calls are mounting for cycleway on busy CBD street [$]
Hundreds of people have united in a push for a new bike route to be established on a bustling Hobart street, arguing the move would convince more people to take up active transport.
Recipients for Women in Energy Scholarships to boost energy sector [$]
Brighte announces recipients for Women in Energy Scholarships to boost energy sector as Tasmania makes its way to net zero targets.
Calls for federal intervention on salmon industry antibiotics scandal
Media release – Neighbours of Fish Farming
Tasmania’s major political parties must declare to voters whether they will continue to allow massive dumps of antibiotics by the salmon industry into public waters.
Northern Territory
Central Land Council to appeal NT Supreme Court water decision
The Central Land Council will appeal a decision by the NT Supreme Court to dismiss a legal challenge to a controversial water licence at Singleton Station.
Western Australia
Calls to extend shark fishing beyond Perth so it includes entire WA coastline
A regional WA mayor is worried bait used for shark fishing off Busselton’s jetty will attract more sharks to where the council is openly encouraging diving and snorkelling.
Woodside climate goals face next investor test
Energy giant Woodside has pointed to long-term deals locking in future sales of Australian gas to Japan as a sign of the world’s enduring need for the fossil fuel, as the company heads for another clash with climate advocates over its pursuit of new projects.
Perth council axes policy to protect its urban forest over safety concerns
This area was one of the hottest places in Perth during February’s heatwave conditions, so why did councillors vote to revoke its policy to stop trees of significance from facing the chop?
Bushfire downgraded as threat to Australind homes reduced
A bushfire emergency warning has been issued for people in a housing estate to the north of Australind.
Decision to go it alone on coffee cup ban costs consumers [$]
Warren Reynolds
As WA approaches the hard deadline for the phase-out of plastic coffee cups and plastic lids, I can’t help but think Australia has missed an opportunity to implement a national strategy more broadly.
Forrest adds more gig dates to his Take No Prisoners energy tour [$]
Bernard Keane
Not all WA billionaires are fossil fuel addicts. Andrew Forrest is prepared to tell the truth about gas and coal, and call out bullshit along the way.
Sustainability
London is most exposed city in world to air pollution from aviation, study finds
Six airports put UK capital ahead of Tokyo and Dubai, with Heathrow second-worst global airport for climate impact
Environmentally friendly heat pumps hit slump in Europe, says lobby group
Sales fell 5% over 14 countries for which data exists, according to the European Heat Pump Association
UN nations gather in Kenya to address global environmental challenges
Members were urged to work toward making “a tangible difference to people’s lives.”
Nanotechnology in agriculture: A double-edged sword
Nanotechnology’s foray into agriculture with nano-enabled pesticides promises enhanced crop protection with minimal environmental impact, but raises significant environmental and health concerns.
Do electric cars have an air pollution problem?
In part seven of our series exploring myths surrounding EVs, we look at claims friction on brakes and tyres will affect air quality
Electric vehicles will crush fossil cars on price as lithium and battery prices fall
Daniel Bleakley
If it wasn’t already clear, the writing is now well and truly on the wall for the fossil car makers: Just a week after BYD launched its $US15,000 “Corolla killer” and with the world’s largest EV battery maker recently announcing it’s on track to cut battery costs in half this year, new research suggests the decline in EV prices may by happening faster than thought.
Nature Conservation
Growing calls to recognize ‘ecocide’ as an international crime in light of Israel-Gaza conflict
Amidst environmental concerns in the Israel-Gaza conflict, there’s a push to classify ‘ecocide’ as a global crime, a move that could reshape international law.
Maelor Himbury | Library Volunteer
Australian Conservation Foundation | www.acf.org.au
1800 223 669
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