Daily Links mar 15

Post of the Day

How China’s big dreams will wipe out the world’s climate gains

David Fickling

Global greenhouse pollution hit a new record last year. That was almost entirely a China story.

On This Day

March 15

Ecological Observance

International Day of Action for the Seals

Climate Change

Effects of geoengineering must be urgently investigated, experts say

Impact on ecosystems must be predicted before technology is used, US atmospheric science agency chief says

Shell waters down emissions cut pledge despite crucial climate decade

Energy company now says it aims for 15-20% reduction by 2030, rather than previous target of 20%

GOP’s climate change stance remains largely symbolic

As the climate crisis commands global attention, a narrative surfaces every so often about Republicans’ purported shift toward environmental action. Yet, despite the creation of entities like the Conservative Climate Caucus, substantial action remains elusive, signaling more of a strategic rebranding than a genuine pivot.

Nearly all states embrace EPA’s climate initiative

In a sweeping movement, 45 states have rallied behind the Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program, embracing more than $250 million in federal grants to combat greenhouse emissions, with only five states sitting out.

‘Cosmoclimatology’ may explain the real drivers of climate change

Tom Harris

So, when the Sun is in a strong phase, with a stronger magnetic field, less galactic cosmic rays enter the Earth’s atmosphere and we have less clouds. This then amplifies the warming.

National

Snow cover days in the Australian Alps may decline by 78 per cent this century, German researchers find

Some 13 per cent of the world’s ski areas are predicted to lose all natural snow cover by 2100, but Australia’s rate of decline is tipped to be the highest when compared to six other major global skiing regions.

The competing agendas threatening to derail nation’s renewable rollout

Chris Bowen’s goal of meeting Australia’s climate targets by 2030 collides with Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s role protecting the ecosystem from large developments.

‘No longer a novelty’: massive rise in Australian EV sales, industry report finds

EVs represent about 1% of light vehicles in Australia – but Electric Vehicle Council warns there is ‘more work to be done’ to reach 2050 emissions targets

David Pocock fears Labor trying to work around First Nations consultation on offshore gas projects

Independent senator shares Tiwi Islanders’ concern over changes they argue would allow companies to ‘ignore’ their views

The tax tolls for thee: Free ride by electric cars needs overhaul [$]

An unstoppable surge in electric vehicle drivers escaping fuel excise payments is triggering top-level calls for fuel excise reforms.

 Like Peter Dutton, John Gorton once had a nuclear plan. It didn’t end well

Michelle Grattan

If history had taken a different turn, Australia might now not be debating nuclear power but have had it up and running for decades.

Large old trees are vital for Australian birds. Their long branches and hollows can’t be replaced by saplings

Stanislav Roudavski et al

When we make roads, houses or farmland, we often find large old trees in the way. Our response is often to lop off offending branches or even cut the tree down.

Dutton’s nuclear push could take on political life of its own [$]

Phillip Coorey

The zero-emissions power source adds up on some fronts, but there’s still a whiff of crazy about the whole push.

Authoritarian nature of climate action comes with risks [$]

Graham Lloyd

There is a danger that removing proper planning oversight will become the norm for governments everywhere. Don’t expect environment groups to object.

PM may lose election on Bowen’s dire energy policies [$]

Robert Gottliebsen

There’s a major risk of history repeating itself (after 2018’s franking credits fiasco) that Chris Bowen’s botched energy policies could lose Labor the next election.

Meet the kowari: a pint-sized predator on the fast track to extinction

Katherine Moseby and Katherine Tuft

Australia is home to more than 350 species of native mammals, 87% of which are found nowhere else on Earth. But with 39 of these species already extinct and a further 110 listed as threatened, there’s every chance many will vanish before you even knew they existed. So here’s one we think you simply must know (and save), before it’s too late.

Large old trees are vital for Australian birds. Their long branches and hollows can’t be replaced by saplings

Alex Holland et al

When we make roads, houses or farmland, we often find large old trees in the way. Our response is often to lop off offending branches or even cut the tree down.

Victoria

Police fear climate ‘martyr’ will block traffic again [$]

An activist who was jailed for blocking the West Gate Bridge has been called a “hero” and “martyr” but police are concerned she will cause more mayhem for Melbourne motorists this weekend.

“It takes too long:” Solar and wind farm blockers to be weeded out to fast-track renewable projects

Solar and wind projects proposed for construction in Victoria could see planning decisions returned within just four months, with the introduction of a fast-tracked development process the state Labor government hopes will unblock tens of billions of dollars of investment in renewables.

‘Hypocrites’: Premier blasts nuclear plans

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan promises she did not get all her views on nuclear power from The Simpsons and Mr Burns’ radioactive power plant.

Vic planning law change to fast-track renewable energy projects [$]

Victoria’s planning laws are set to be overhauled to cut red tape on renewable energy projects and strip NIMBYs of the right to hold up applications in VCAT.

Farmers furious at Victorian government for ‘accelerating’ renewable energy projects

In a bid to build $90 billion worth of developments held up in red tape and bring down energy prices, the government says they will be eligible to be fast-tracked under the Development Facilitation Program, raising the ire of rural communities.

New South Wales

Calls for major south-west Sydney housing approvals to be reviewed as koala data shortfall emerges

A south-west Sydney mayor says there is “huge” concern if approvals for developments that will bring 18,000 new homes to the region were informed by incomplete koala data.

Residents say community will be ‘destroyed’ after a legal case against NSW mine is defeated in court

Residents near a proposed silver mine in the New South Wales central west say they are “devastated” and “disappointed” by the Land and Environment Court’s decision to dismiss a legal challenge that would halt the project. 

Lithium-ion battery fires ‘becoming an epidemic’ in Sydney after two more blazes

The tally of lithium-ion battery-related fires increase in New South Wales, with two more fires sparking in Sydney

World-first ban on animal smoking, forced swim tests

Forcing rodents to swim to see how anti-depressants work will be illegal under a world-first ban of cruel science experiments.

Trains are packed again, but everyone’s avoiding one seat like the plague

There are 880 seats in one of Sydney’s Waratah trains, but on most peak-hour services you’d be lucky to find bums on 700. The legacy of the green dot lives on.

This is the future: How my EV earned $100 in two hours supporting the grid in heatwave

Stuart White

In the midst of a Sydney heatwave, my Nissan Leaf earned $100 in just two hours supporting the grid. This is the future.

It’s Snowy 2.0’s seventh birthday. Who but Malcolm Turnbull is celebrating?

Ted Woodley

The pumped hydro project never stacked up economically, technically or environmentally. The all-up costs could now be more like $25 billion.

ACT

Mulch contaminated with friable asbestos found at Canberra residential complex

WorkSafe ACT confirms a small quantity of mulch contaminated with friable asbestos was found at a residential complex in the Canberra suburb of Denman Prospect.

Transforming for human survival: a challenge to ACT Legislators

Bob Douglas

It is not difficult to understand, nor to agree, with the growing numbers of thoughtful people who argue that humanity is on the brink of extinction. And that, without transformational change in the way, we think, and live, our descendants are doomed.

Queensland

Two-hundred-year-old corals are dying in mass bleaching of Great Barrier Reef

Scientists are split on what the outcome will be but a fifth mass bleaching event in eight years on the Great Barrier Reef is not a good sign.

Asbestos-contaminated mulch accidentally given to at least 24 people at Queensland depot

Mulch contaminated by asbestos has been detected outside south-east Queensland for the first time since rigorous testing across the state began last month.

They work on humans, but K’gari dingoes might be too smart for our tracking collars

A tracking collar has been fitted on a dingo displaying concerning behaviour on a popular Queensland tourist spot – but so far the animal is staying a step ahead of K’gari rangers.

Brisbane needs 90k new homes by 2031. How would a new council do it?

With a deadline three years after the next election, much of the heavy lifting will need to be done by the next class in City Hall – whatever its shape.

Tasmania

Voters fell Liberals’ logging strategy [$]

Polling suggests the Tasmanian Liberals have misread the electorate in planning to log native forests protected under the forestry ‘peace deal’.

Farmed salmon certifications ‘complicit in greenwashing’

In letters to conservation groups, eco-certifications – Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) and GLOBALG.A.P. – have refused to revoke their endorsements of Macquarie Harbour salmon farms despite these farms threatening the survival of the endangered Maugean skate.

Northern Territory

‘There will be consequences’ for EDO if agreement breached: Plibersek [$]

The Environment Minister welcomed an external review into the tarnished community legal service, labelling a judge’s findings as ‘very concerning’.

Millions pledged for remote Northern Territory water projects

The Federal and Northern Territory governments have announced a water security project worth tens of millions of dollars, designed to deliver clean, reliable water to more communities

Western Australia

Explorer behind controversial NSW gas plan pursued for abandoned wells in WA

The company wanting to explore for gas off the NSW coast has significant doubts about its financial viability and is being pursued by WA authorities for not fixing old gas wells.

‘Makes no sense’: Whitby lashes nuclear power

WA’s Energy Minister Reece Whitby is no fan of nuclear energy, deeming it “expensive, slow, inflexible and unpopular”. Nor is the leader of the WA Liberals.

WA Liberals leader vows to overturn uranium mining ban if elected

Libby Mettam made the commitment at an Association of Mining and Exploration Companies breakfast in Perth on Thursday.

No bull sharks tagged a year after fatal Swan River attack

 Authorities are still yet to tag a single adult bull shark in the Swan River since teenager Stella Berry was fatally attacked more than a year ago.

WA’s abundant resources, mining jobs essential to green future [$]

Libby Mettam

While it may be an inconvenient truth for the ideologues of the Cook Labor Government, it is an inescapable fact that the wealth of our State is built on mining.

Sustainability

US study says defects create fire risk in one quarter of big batteries

US study says highest risk for battery fires comes from manufacturing defects, but the most risk is at the installation stage.

Let them eat snake: why python meat could soon be on the menu

Fancy a plate of fangers and mash? Some researchers say python farms on a commercial scale could provide sustainable alternative protein

Zambia: Government stalling on lead cleanup plan

Zambia’s government is delaying urgently needed action to clean up severe lead contamination in the city of Kabwe, the Alliance for Lead-Free Kabwe, a coalition of Zambian and international civil society organizations, said today.

Youth activists’ protection against attacks highlighted by UN

A new United Nations report emphasizes the need for enhanced protection of young environmental and human rights activists from online harassment, arrests, and violence.

Brazil’s oil ambitions conflict with environmental promises

In a striking contrast to its environmental pledges, Brazil is ramping up oil production, potentially becoming a top global producer.

Peru’s copper mine expansion meets resistance from local communities

In a recent turn of events, local communities in Peru are up in arms against the proposed expansion of the Las Bambas mine, raising concerns over environmental damage and lack of consultation.

Nature Conservation

Elephants are Thailand’s national animal but the wandering giants have become a deadly problem

Prasong Promchart lost her sister-in-law in a deadly encounter with a wandering elephant. She is one of a growing number of Thais losing loved ones as the country grapples with increasing human-elephant conflict. 

The Big Apple gets a tiny forest: 1,000 native plants coming to New York

City’s first pocket forest, aimed at increasing biodiversity, will spring up in April on 2,700 sq ft of Manhattan’s Roosevelt Island

Wildlife refuges face budget cuts, risking operations and conservation efforts

In a recent funding resolution, wildlife refuges across the US are confronting a significant $14 million budget cut, endangering visitor centers, wildlife management, and the already limited number of wildlife officers.

Tropical birds could tolerate warming better than expected, study suggests

We expect tropical animals to handle a certain degree of heat, but not wild swings in temperature. That seems to be true for tropical ectotherms, or ‘cold-blooded’ animals such as amphibians, reptiles, and insects. However, in a new study of ‘warm-blooded’ endotherms, a research team found tropical birds can handle thermal variation just fine.

Researchers can reveal illegal timber exports

A new method of timber analysis can confidently identify the location in which the tree was harvested. The method has been developed with the aim of combating illegal timber imports from Russia and Belarus.

Maelor Himbury | Library Volunteer

Australian Conservation Foundation | www.acf.org.au
1800 223 669