The current discussions about nuclear energy from 7 power stations around Australia look at energy output, transmission and cost. The availability of gigalitres of water for cooling (not for nothing are reactors often coastal) and the sleeping issue of safe storage of radioactive waste on what amounts to a geological time-scale have to brought into the question of nuclear or not.
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From: Maelor Himbury <M.Himbury@acfonline.org.au>
Date: 27 June 2024 at 9:06:59 AM GMT+10
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Jun 27
Date: 27 June 2024 at 9:06:59 AM GMT+10
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Jun 27
Camille Mellin and Damien Fordham
Unless greenhouse gas emissions are cut to slow global warming, our new research shows that, by 2080, coral bleaching will start in spring, rather than late summer. Some events will last into autumn. The Great Barrier Reef’s maximum annual heat stress will double by 2050 if emissions do not slow.
On This Day
Climate Change
Boom in air cargo due to shoppers’ expectations of speedy delivery and shift in post-pandemic economy, researchers say
World’s first emissions tax on agriculture will require farmers to pay for greenhouse gas pollution from livestock
Study finds carbon credits could raise billions for climate action but only with changes, such as rigorous standards
National
Both France and the United States have built nuclear reactors this century. What can Australia learn about a potential nuclear transition from overseas?
The Coalition insists it sees a central role for wind and solar power after comments by the Nationals leader rattled the industry
BHP is reducing emissions by buying renewable energy, electrifying its diesel-guzzling fleet of mining vehicles and cutting fugitive coal mine methane emissions.
Anthony Albanese has warned the Coalition’s nuclear energy policy would undermine the nation’s ‘energy sovereignty’ and work against his flagship Future Made in Australia agenda.
Chris Bowen on ‘calling out’ claims about the energy transition’s cost – Politics with Michelle Grattan podcast
The climate wars have been reignited with the Coalition’s release of its controversial plan for nuclear power, an option totally rejected by the government.
Greg Jericho
How can Australia get to net zero by 2050 while approving projects that will run for decades beyond that date?
Peta Credlin
Labor’s response to Dutton’s nuclear proposal – including the rushed appointment of a turncoat Liberal to a supposedly independent climate authority – shows just how debauched our public debate has become.
Jenny McAllister
Nearly two years ago, Peter Dutton said he wanted an intelligent conversation on nuclear energy.
Bruce Mountain
The opposition and the government fail to answer critical questions on their respective nuclear stances. It is time to get the experts in.
Rosemary Hill and Ian Lowe
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s pledge to build seven nuclear energy plants, if elected, has triggered heated political debate – mostly about the costs and timetable of the plan. But the concept of nuclear energy in Australia must overcome an arguably even bigger hurdle: how to dispose of high-level nuclear waste.
Paul Gregoire
The media is abuzz with Dutton’s Nationals-inspired plan to go nuclear in terms of electricity, due to “aging coal plants” shutting down, as Insiders host David Speers put it on Sunday, yet he neglected to note that another reason coal’s no longer viable is its emissions are cooking the planet.
Norm Sanders
The Coalition’s push for nuclear energy appears to be an attention grab for votes, based on little to no scientific knowledge.
What a time to be three-eyed! Labor lets Dutton use nuclear as a flim-flam political culture war [$]
Guy Rundle
The Coalition’s nuclear policy may have been the projection of internal politics outwards, but the means of selling it was culture war.
Ketan Joshi
Labor will hit its 2030 emissions reduction target. It will also allow the continued burning of fossil fuels without any discontent.
Victoria
A cattle station owner’s plan to build a hydroelectric power station on his property raises broader questions about land and water use, and the responsibility of authorities to take cultural values into account in granting permits for projects.
Work on a 1700km national freight rail line connecting Melbourne and Brisbane is set to ramp up, with construction contracts inked for Victoria’s portion of the mega project.
Energy experts are warning that any delays to controversial transmission projects could lead to energy shortfalls, as coal fired power stations close and the state faces serious gas shortages.
New South Wales
An independent review has found significant failures in the NSW government’s brumby rehoming program are to blame for the death of more than 250 horses at an alleged illegal knackery in the Riverina.
Carmel Marks is among a growing number of people making a transition from traditional gardens, saying the planting of natives on her property was the self-sustaining answer she had been searching for.
Looking for an environmentally useful alternative to a traditional burial or cremation? In an Australian first, this all-natural burial cemetery might just be your idea of heaven.
Climate campaigners and scientists disturbed over claims about global warming found in document obtained through Gipa laws
The plans from a consortium behind the city’s light-rail network include about 21 stops along the new route.
The world’s biggest coal port in the Hunter has been plagued by chaos in the last 48 hours with climate activists causing multiple disruptions and the NSW Premier is fearful it could cost a life.
Queensland
Senex Energy will build more than 120 new coal seam gas wells in southern Queensland after Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek green-lit the project.
Long-awaited detail into the breakdown of a major Queensland coal power station in 2021 has added fuel to claims about its role in increased power bills.
CS Energy issued warnings that maintenance was being neglected just two years before a major explosion tore through Callide Power Station.
A damning report on a catastrophic power plant explosion has sparked calls for the sacking of a Queensland minister.
Electric excavators and battery haul trucks, not hydrogen or hybrid options, are preferred to displace diesel in iron ore mining, BHP says.
Aboriginal corporations have moved to claim freehold ownership of public land in 15 townships across Queensland – but the state government won’t say where.
Koalas are facing “death by a thousand cuts” after more than 150 gas wells backed by mining billionaire Gina Rinehart gained approval, environment groups say.
Jane Williamson
Last summer, the Great Barrier Reef suffered its worst mass coral bleaching event. Our new data show the devastating damage the bleaching caused to a reef at Lizard Island – a finding that does not bode well for the rest of the natural wonder.
South Australia
A day after the state government announced water bill hikes for thousands of SA households, it now says the extra cost will be partly offset for concession card holders. An increased water concession of about $50 a year for about 190,000 eligible customers will come into effect from July 1.
Adelaide City Council will raise rates by 5.9 per cent in a budget that prioritises renewing council assets, capital works and upgrading park lands buildings and sports facilities.
Tasmania
Salmon producer Huon Aquaculture is expanding its southern Tasmanian operations with a $110m boost.
UTAS researchers are harnessing new AI technology to scan through wildlife camera footage to monitor the spread of facial tumour disease.
Electric vehicle drivers are raising concerns about EV charging station etiquette after someone in Launceston disconnected and damaged another driver’s cable while the car was still charging.
Northern Territory
A CDU professor is suing the Development Consent Authority, arguing it wrongly rejecting a complaint made of the Lee Point project.
Western Australia
The state putting solar panels on hundreds of public houses was billed as a substantial win for tenants.
Sustainability
Higher PFAS exposure could cause lactation to slow or stop altogether within six months, new research finds
Jeffrey Frankel
Global demand for renewable energy is surging so why make solar panels, wind turbines and EVs dearer for western consumers?
Adam Creighton
Voters throughout the developed world are beginning to realise how duped they’ve been by years of unscientific, uneconomic nonsense spouted by much of the media and the so-called ‘experts’.
Nature Conservation
Anthony Waddle
All over the world, frogs are being wiped out by the chytrid fungus. At least 500 species have declined, including as many as 90 species now presumed extinct.
Maelor Himbury | Library Volunteer
Australian Conservation Foundation | www.acf.org.au
1800 223 669
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