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Date: 11 April 2024 at 08:57:56 GMT+10
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Apr 11
Post of the Day
What does the Swiss climate decision mean for Australia?
Bianca Hall
In a landmark ruling, Europe’s top human rights court has ruled the Swiss government violated the human rights of its citizens by failing to do enough to combat climate change. But what happens next?
On This Day
Climate Change
World Bank must take ‘quantum leap’ to tackle climate crisis, UN expert says
Simon Stiell calls for reform at development banks to enable governments to provide more climate finance to developing world
Zambia grapples with the fallout of climate change
In Zambia, a country heavily reliant on rainfall, the ongoing climate crisis starkly highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions and international support.
The heat is on: what we know about why ocean temperatures keep smashing records
Alex Sen Gupta
Over the last year, our oceans have been hotter than any time ever recorded. Our instrumental record covers the last 150 years. But based on proxy observations, we can say our oceans are now hotter than well before the rise of human civilisation, very likely for at least 100,000 years.
National
PM says public funds should fuel clean energy and tech investment
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wants to funnel taxpayer-funded incentives towards advanced manufacturing and clean energy projects, as Australia tries to compete with US President Joe Biden’s massive spending plans.
Energy chief questions pursuit of nuclear ‘unicorns’ as transition challenges pile up
Jeff Dimery, the straight-talking boss of major energy firm Alinta, has poured cold water on the immediate prospects of nuclear in Australia as he warns on prices.
Minister flags faster environmental decisions
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek says legislative reforms will add clarity to development guidelines and avoid projects waiting in limbo.
Australians want more renewables faster
Almost nine in 10 Australians want a faster or moderate transition to clean energy, the national science agency says.
Nuclear strategy costs put to the test [$]
The nation should focus on building large-scale nuclear reactors from an established design at a limited number of locations to prevent costs blowouts, new analysis shows.
Could a white powder deliver the holy grail of low cost green hydrogen exports?
Shipping hydrogen as a powder could deliver a lot more energy, at a fraction of the cost, says Australian university spinoff.
‘Off-grid living not for wimps’: Are Australians ready for the great green transition?
More and more Australians choose to live off-grid, but one electrical engineer warns it is expensive and “not for wimps”.
Labor’s grand vision is big government and radical change [$]
Simon Benson
Anthony Albanese’s election proposition is now one that unapologetically gives a greater role to the state in transitioning Australia to a decarbonised economy.
Pathway to a clean energy future lies in our forests and land [$]
Lyndon Schneiders
We are at a critical moment. We can have it all, but only with the right policy settings.
The Government must abandon its gas policy
David Shearman
For every thousand tonnes of fossil fuels mined, one person dies. As climate science provides increasing evidence of accelerating warming, we must recognise that gas is our main threat and stop producing it.
Dutton’s decaying nuclear energy plans have the briefest half-life [$]
John Quiggin
Every time the opposition leader starts down the nuclear path, he hits another dead end.
Australia could be one of world’s biggest carbon credit factories, but must be wary of hype
Marion Rae
A carbon market industry report released on Wednesday forecasts Australia will become one of the world’s largest producers of carbon credits, with demand to jump to nine million in 2024 and peak at 31 million units in 2031.
Victoria
Six asbestos parks confirmed as council at centre of saga calls for taskforce [$]
The Allan government has come under fire over the mulch issue, with the opposition demanding a statewide audit of asbestos on public land.
The stakes are too high for dragging our feet over asbestos mulch [$]
Tess Dickie
As a parent who has seen the devastating effects exposure can have, my worst nightmare is my children playing at a park and coming into contact with asbestos.
New South Wales
Veteran campaigner leads fresh push to halt NSW logging in future Great Koala National Park
Businessman Geoff Cousins has been involved in many successful environmental campaigns and has now turned his attention to the logging of native forests on the Mid North Coast.
Rozelle Interchange warnings ignored and traffic chaos to last years, inquiry told
Mayors in Sydney’s inner west tell an inquiry their early warnings of Rozelle Interchange traffic chaos were ignored and the problems are now likely to remain for years.
Zen Energy’s tunnel project to power half a million homes
An eight-metre wide tunnel connecting Lake Burragorang to a reservoir built into the pit of a disused coal washery will create hydropower for 500,000 homes.
ACT
‘Blatant lie’: Electric bus ad says there are 106 but there’s a big problem [$]
Electric buses in Canberra splashed with the words: “1 of 106 zero-emission electric buses” has been slammed as a “blatant lie” as there are only 12 buses currently on the road.
Queensland
Judith Hoyle
Once a trickle, the movement to save Queensland’s Toondah Harbour has become a tidal wave – and a testament to the power of community in environmental conservation
Northern Territory
Chief to southern Senators: Leave ‘petty politics’ out of Middle Arm [$]
In a preview of her address to a Middle Arm inquiry, Eva Lawler tells the committee to ‘build perspective’ on the development she believes is a cornerstone of the NT’s future.
Western Australia
A community group is celebrating after the state government refused to let an exploration company clear habitat vital to the endangered Carnaby’s black cockatoo. But the company has vowed to appeal.
Ecologists warn of second ‘forest collapse’ event in WA as record dry spell continues
It’s been likened to coral bleaching, but on land — and experts are fearful dry conditions have Western Australia on the brink of another devastating ‘forest collapse’ event.
Sustainability
US imposes first-ever limits on levels of toxic PFAS in drinking water
EPA takes action for first time in 27 years against ‘forever chemicals’ feared to be contaminating water for over 200 million
Swapping red meat for herring, sardines and anchovies could save 750,000 lives, study suggests
Switch could also cut prevalence of disability linked to diet-related disease and help tackle the climate crisis, researchers found
Ten of the world’s quirkiest public transport options
Never mind the boring old bus. Ramp up your excitement levels on these eccentric modes of public transport for a more unpredictable transit experience.
These rusting shipwrecks are a big drawcard for divers. They’re also ticking time bombs
An untold amount of black, toxic oil is contained within the corroding wrecks of World War II ships scattered around the Pacific. And it’s leaking into the ocean.
Nature Conservation
A report by a team of 40 experts outlines a new approach to forest stewardship that “braids together” Indigenous knowledge and Western science to conserve and restore more resilient forestlands.
Octopuses could lose eyesight and struggle to survive if ocean temperatures keep rising, study finds
Heat stress from global heating could lead to impaired vision and increased deaths of pregnant mothers and their unborn young, Australian researchers say
Deforestation harms biodiversity of the Amazon’s perfume-loving orchid bees
A survey of orchid bees in the Brazilian Amazon state of Rond nia, carried out in the 1990s, is shedding new light the impact of deforestation on the scent-collecting pollinators, which some view as bellwethers of biodiversity in the neotropics.
Bill Laurance
One of Brazil’s top scientists, Eneas Salati, once said, “The best thing you could do for the Amazon rainforest is to blow up all the roads.” He wasn’t joking. And he had a point.
Maelor Himbury | Library Volunteer
Australian Conservation Foundation | www.acf.org.au
1800 223 669
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