‘Technically possible’ does not come within a bull’s roar of ‘practically feasible’. How much more research is needed before we can lay CCS, this biggest of red-herrings, to rest? The fossil fools will try to keep this a live debate as a smokescreen for business as usual.
Post of the Day
New research has found limits to how quickly we can scale up technology to store gigatons of carbon dioxide under the Earth’s surface.
On This Day
Ecological Observance
Arbor Day – Argentina
Climate Change
Lobbyists from Airlines for America argued against European Commission draft rules to report cocktail of pollutants, freedom of information requests show
The permafrost is melting and scientists are racing to collect ancient viruses trapped in the ice to understand how they’ve adapted to shifting climate over millennia.
Climate group boosts Harris campaign but withholds endorsement over policy concerns
A new, biomass-based material can be used to repeatedly capture and release carbon dioxide. The material is primarily made from lignin, an organic molecule that is a main component of wood and other plants, and it can take up carbon dioxide (CO2) from concentrated sources or directly from the air.
Speaking during the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, the United Nations secretary general, Antonio Guterres, said fossil fuels must be phased out and all G20 countries must pursue a ‘drastic reduction of emissions’.
George Monbiot
Why have politicians outsourced the most important issue of our time to private agencies and individuals? We can’t do it all – this way lies disaster
National
The recent hot spell may feel unfamiliar, but weather extremes are quickly becoming the norm, as climate change up-ends the winter seasons.
Australia’s power market operator says the outlook has improved for the country’s biggest grid, but the risks of delays to new projects loom large.
The retailer updated its sustainability target, shifting from an existing net-zero deforestation goal, to become “deforestation-free” by the December 2025.
While competing hard for readers, Australia’s major print news outlets, including Nine and News Corp, have collaborated for years to ensure their product is clean and green.
Weeds have been the bane of green thumbs’ existence for as long as they’ve been tending to gardens. But if you take the right approach, having a weed-free garden shouldn’t be an expensive or laborious undertaking.
Australia’s peak energy user group and one of its biggest retailers sound the alarm on complex power prices, saying they’re not working and may be harming.
Investments in solar, wind, batteries, pumped hydro and transmission links must be delivered ‘on time and in full’
Australian study of guppies shows that pharmaceutical pollution could threaten species’ long-term survival
Graham Readfearn
Australia needs more gas in the short term because of our sluggish transition to renewables – but at worst the shortfall may lead to some rationing
Graham Lloyd
Australia’s energy transition is spluttering to an uncertain future.
Nyunggai Warren Mundine
Economic development is the only way forward for Indigenous Australians, but Anthony Albanese has no idea what it is or what is required to achieve it.
Michelle Hamrosi
As a family doctor, I often sit across from young people grappling with profound decisions about their futures.
Erin Roger et al
Across Australia and around the world, citizen scientists are protecting species by recording sightings, surveying landscapes and collecting samples. No job is too big or too small. As wildlife ecologists, we are indebted to this army of volunteers.
Richard Broinowski
On 22 August, Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned of the deadly effect a military attack on Russia’s nuclear power complex at Kursk would have on civilian communities in Russia, Ukraine and potentially across Europe. He had previously warned of the consequences of such attacks on Ukraine’s nuclear reactors at Zaporizhzhia.
Wesley Morgan
Long a regional laggard on climate action, Australia must convince Pacific leaders it’s serious about moving away from fossil fuels.
Joe Morrison
As over 600 Indigenous people gather on Larrakia Country this week for the First Nations Land and Water Management Forum Dangkal Gwo’yal-wa 2024, it’s time to recognise a fundamental truth – in a world grappling with climate change challenges and ecological collapse, Indigenous leadership offers the clarity and direction desperately required to steer a clear path forward.
Victoria
A dam-wall upgrade for one of the city’s key water sources has left residents locked out of a beloved park for a decade – even though the work was completed years ago.
Shaun Carney
Within 30 years, Melbourne will have to house 8 million people. Every Victorian should know that number now, when we need to start planning for it.
New South Wales
The Medlow Dam in the Blue Mountains has been disconnected by WaterNSW as a “precautionary measure” as investigations continue into the presence of PFAS, known as “forever chemicals”, in the water.
Tanya Plibersek alleges she rejected the McPhillamys gold mine proposal fearing it could be comparable to the destruction of Juukan Gorge in 2020.
Manly Cove is one of the worst hotspots in Australia, with every square metre of sand containing more than a thousand tiny particles of plastic.
A local Aboriginal land council warned authorities not to let other groups to “hijack” a planned a $1 billion gold mine, as it causes a rift within the Labor Party.
Minns has doubled down on his criticism of federal Labor Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, saying he believed the decision to knock back the proposal had been made in error.
ACT
New laws will give people the power to complain about failures to protect and maintain the environment in the ACT.
Queensland
Traditional owners say World Heritage listing would help preserve Australia’s largest archaeological site, an elaborate network of stone walls designed to trap fish at low tide in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Wildlife rangers are urging visitors not to feed cassowaries after shooting video of a pair of the big and potentially dangerous birds getting too close for comfort.
The Brisbane bus metro will be expanded through the city to provide “permanent and legacy” public transport ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.
Courtney Kruk
Few animals elicit as much contempt as the “bin chicken”. But maybe we should embrace this misunderstood bird as an icon of the city rather than a stain on our name.
South Australia
More than 700 homes in the townships of Angle Vale, Virginia, Roseworthy and the suburb of Riverlea are having their sewage transported up to 40 kilometres by road to Adelaide’s main wastewater treatment plant.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian public has been offered a glimpse of the state’s ‘Next Iconic Walk’, which could rival the popular Overland and Three Capes tracks.
Northern Territory
Energy Resources of Australia claims the decision to refuse its Jabiluka mineral lease was unfair and that the Resources Minister Madeleine King met with the company for just 10 minutes before the decision.
Crocodile culling an ineffective and expensive way to reduce attacks, Northern Territory study finds
Education campaigns to change human behaviour and relocation of problem reptiles are better ways of managing risk, researchers say
Western Australia
WA Premier Roger Cook has criticised state-owned utilities Western Power and Synergy for failing to ensure adequate back-up supplies were in place before undertaking major works on the state’s main power grid.
New mining technology is being put to the test in Western Australia with trials of “clean, green, cheaper” trucks now underway.
Aboriginal elders with connections to WA’s Burrup Peninsula are unhappy with the amount of industrial plants that have been built near culturally important sites.
Sustainability
Philip Oldfield et al
Buildings are one of our biggest contributors to global heating. They produce 37% of all greenhouse gas emissions from energy use and production processes. Building emissions are made up of two parts: operational carbon (from energy used to heat, cool and power buildings) and embodied carbon (due to material use and construction).
Sarah Hellewell et at
Plastic is in our clothes, cars, mobile phones, water bottles and food containers. But recent research adds to growing concerns about the impact of tiny plastic fragments on our health.
Nature Conservation
Extinct in central Europe for 300 years, 36 northern bald ibis are following an ultralight aircraft on their long-forgotten migration route from Austria to Spain
Anne Rolton Vignier and Kirsty Smith
The global ocean continues to warm at a concerning rate.
Maelor Himbury | Library Volunteer
Australian Conservation Foundation | www.acf.org.au
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