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Date: 4 March 2024 at 08:50:23 GMT+11
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Mar 4
Post of the Day
The National Electricity Market wasn’t made for a renewable energy future. Here’s how to fix it
Vikki McLeod and Marcus Foth
Rooftop solar is Australia’s cheapest source of electricity. The consumer can get electricity from rooftop solar at less than a fifth of the average cost per kwh of buying it from a retailer.
On This Day
Saint Casimir’s Day – Lithuania, Poland
Ecological Observance
World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development
Climate Change
Ski resorts’ era of plentiful snow may be over due to climate crisis, study finds
US ski industry is losing billions as average season has become five to seven days shorter in past half century
National
These little invaders have a tale of survival that could help save Australia’s native bees
Too few to reproduce, a single Asian honey bee queen and her workers defied the odds to establish thousands of colonies. How they did it could help bring others back from the brink, but not without a cost.
With electricity bills still high, we’ve compiled a list of the energy-draining appliances that may be spiking your power bill and how to cut costs.
Energy reboot is set to advantage consumers
Australia’s trajectory has the nation falling short on the 2030 emissions reduction target, officials have warned energy and climate ministers.
Coalition wants to cut migration intake for ‘better, not bigger’ Australia
A senior politician is calling for Australia to slash its migrant intake but refused to answer one key question.
Dutton to flick nuclear switch in pre-budget battle [$]
The Opposition Leader is set to unveil the Coalition’s signature energy policy, including a plan identifying potential sites for small modular nuclear reactors.
National allergy bodies are calling for a more widespread and immediate eradication program for fire ants, with fears up to 174,000 people could develop severe allergic reactions to their bite if they became endemic in Australia.
Who sets Australia’s fossil fuels policy? [$]
Mike Seccombe
Changes to Australian laws after pressure from foreign and domestic fossil fuel giants highlight the success of lobbying by the industry’s biggest players.
On fisheries, Australia must be prepared for New Zealand as opponent rather than ally
Lynda Goldsworthy
On February 1, senior Australian and New Zealand ministers signed a Joint Statement of Cooperation, acknowledging the long history of collaboration between the two nations.
Australia hopes to co-host COP31 but do we have what it takes? [$]
Melanie Pill, Georgia Hammersley
The Australian government is looking to play a much bigger global role in pushing forward global climate action. After a decade as an international climate laggard, Australia is bidding to co-host the world’s most important climate negotiations summit in 2026 – the 31st Conference of the Parties or COP31 – together with our Pacific Island neighbours.
Climate policy puts brake on Albanese’s Dunkley joy [$]
Nick Cater
Albanese will claim the Dunkley win was an endorsement of his government. Yet Labor MPs in marginal seats have been rattled.
Victoria
Victoria’s independent infrastructure advisory body is calling on the government to put a dollar value to carbon emissions stemming from major construction projects.
Lawn disorder: Collingwood locals lash council on pocket park backflip
Collingwood residents are fighting to save Melbourne’s most maligned children’s playground, accusing Yarra city councillors of caving in and sacrificing their scarce new patch of lawn over a media-driven public pile-on.
Residents rubbish plan for tip where they were pledged a park [$]
A community in Melbourne’s south-east that was told for years that the smelly landfill site near their homes would be turned into parkland once it closed is fighting plans to build a waste station.
Morwell’s blaze: ‘I shouldn’t have gone down there’ [$]
Martin McKenzie-Murray
Ten years ago, Martin McKenzie-Murray saw the destruction of Morwell’s coal mine fire. Its legacy is a community disillusioned and abandoned by a corporate disaster.
New South Wales
The sparkling waters hold many untold stories; from the saltwater custodians who’ve cared for this place for thousands of years to the fishermen and boatbuilders whose livelihoods depend on it.
Culling of Kosciuszko brumbies may be ramped up, federal government says
The federal government responds to recommendations following an inquiry into feral horses across Australia’s Alps.
Devastating bushfires left koalas no chance of survival in 2002 but confirmed koala spottings in the area are signalling a population bouncing back.
ACT
Deadline looms for installation of Canberra’s new bus ticket system [$]
The ACT faces being unable to effectively collect public transport fares unless its long-awaited new ticketing system is installed before a 3G network shuts down.
Anglers devastated to find carp now breeding in ‘jewel in the crown’ of Canberra fishing scene
Googong Dam was considered mostly carp free until recently, and though the invasive species poses no threat to Canberra’s drinking water supply, anglers fear the popular freshwater fishing spot will suffer.
South Australia
Farmers show support for deer culling despite hunters’ protest against SA program
A plan to eradicate feral deer in South Australia by shooting them from helicopters using thermal imaging is generating controversy as farmers applaud the program and some hunters want it stopped.
Green investment a real power-pack [$]
Recognised as a crucible of industry, the cities of Whyalla, Port Augusta and Port Pirie are reinventing themselves into green powerhouses
Green energy rising from ashes of the past [$]
A new project is cementing a more sustainable future for the Upper Spencer Gulf
Tasmania
‘It’s a climate crime’: Forestry wars reignite in Tasmania – podcast
The Liberal Party is promising to unlock part of a “wood bank” set aside 10 years ago. Environmental groups are promising to protest the move, and some in the industry are raising concerns too.
Election energy policy confusion
Ruth Forrest
If you’re having trouble understanding the electricity policies of parties as they vie for your vote, you’re not alone.
Northern Territory
It’s one of Australia’s most famous photos, but the birthplace of land rights has seen better days
Gurindji traditional owners want schoolkids and tourists to be able to walk the old fence line Vincent Lingiari and his people followed in the 60s. But they say the heritage area’s condition is “really sad”.
Western Australia
Study sheds light on how mining in the Pilbara is impacting northern quolls
Research from Charles Sturt University and the University of Western Australia shows quolls living close to mines are more vulnerable than those in undisturbed habitats.
WA’s plastic ban: How a single-use coffee cup could now cost you up to $5,000
Western Australia is the first state to ban single-use, non-compostable coffee cups with individuals and businesses who fail to comply threatened with hefty fines.
NSW, Victoria ‘laggards’ as WA races ahead in banning plastic coffee cups
While Western Australian imposed a ban on single-use coffee cups on Friday, eastern states are being accused of dragging their feet on reducing plastic waste.
National park fees AXED in win for WA tourism operators
A decision by the State Government could see tourism operators in national parks saved $400 a year.
Goldfields blackout prompts calls for power reliability and fairer compensation
In January, thousands of Goldfields, Wheatbelt and Perth Hills residents were left without power after a supercell thunderstorm crumpled critical transmission infrastructure. Now, Friday’s two-hour blackout has reignited calls for improved power reliability.
Sustainability
Every project starts with an idea and the drive to make a change. But how do you even start? Five young people give advice on how to get started and how to turn an idea into reality.
AI’s craving for data is matched only by a runaway thirst for water and energy
John Naughton
The computing power for AI models requires immense – and increasing – amounts of natural resources. Legislation is required to prevent environmental crisis
Environment: Putting a price on carbon: is it worth all the trouble?
Peter Sainsbury
Economic theory supports a price on carbon but implemented schemes struggle to deliver emissions reductions. China firmly in the EV driving seat. Climate action is failing to meet its targets globally.
Nature Conservation
Researchers say ‘northern green anaconda’ species discovered in Ecuador is world’s largest snake
A video shared online shows the scale of these reptiles as one of the researchers swims alongside a 200-kilogram specimen.
Maelor Himbury | Library Volunteer
Australian Conservation Foundation | www.acf.org.au
1800 223 669
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