From: Maelor Himbury <M.Himbury@acfonline.org.au>
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2026 at 8:49 am
Subject: Daily Links Sep 14
To:
Post of the Day
Australia must double down to meet our climate targets. Our new study shows how
Bill Hare
Within the next five years, global warming is set to breach the 1.5°C threshold at the heart of the 2015 Paris Agreement. This will have dire consequences, from rapidly melting ice sheets to ghostly white coral reefs.
On This Day
Exaltation of the Cross – Western Christianity
Ganesh Chaturthi – Hinduism
Climate Change
Nepal estimates reconstruction after deadly floods to cost nearly $7 billion
Nepal says nearly $7 billion is needed for it to recover from the deadly August 26 floods, arguing wealthier countries should treat the climate change-fuelled disaster as a “shared responsibility”.
‘Recovery becomes self-propelling’: Five positive tipping points that can save the world
“For too long a sense has prevailed that solutions to the climate and nature are out of reach. This new research explodes that myth once and for all.”
Global warming is breaking a 400-year climate link between two oceans
The Indian and Pacific oceans have been climatically linked for centuries, but scientists say that connection is now breaking down in an exceptional way. Ancient climate records suggest volcanoes disrupted the relationship in the past, while today human-caused warming appears to be driving a much more unusual shift.
Wildfires, permafrost thaw in Canada causing even more climate change, new study shows
New research says current climate models don’t account for warming-induced emissions
Helen Pilcher
The complacency is staggering: just another hot summer, a flooded street, a crop failure. We are accepting this extraordinary deterioration as normal
National
Rabbits are the biggest threat to Australia’s native species. Why are their numbers booming again?
Scientists say good rainfall and growing resistance to viruses are to blame for increasing rabbit populations around the country
Federal environment department tells industry representatives the government does not want to ‘exacerbate cost of living pressures’
Australian fuel prices set to rise by 30c as global markets react to ‘deadly cocktail’
Global oil price at its highest since May while investors dump stocks and bonds after Donald Trump’s $5,000 ‘dividend’ promise
One Nation immigration plan to cut 750,000 over three years [$]
The proposal comes before details are released by the party’s rivals about how they will address voter dissent over overseas arrivals.
Fires caused by vapes and other battery products are a daily occurrence in waste facilities
There is ‘no evidence’ koala vaccine works [$]
Nearly $1m in public funding has been sunk into a koala chlamydia vaccine that a University of Queensland scientist says shows ‘no evidence’ of effectiveness.
Labor mulls new fuel excise cut as Mid-East war flares [$]
Petrol prices could surge toward their previous $2.60 peak, forcing the Albanese government to weigh another costly fuel excise cut despite economists warning it fuels inflation.
Citizen scientist drone pilots to monitor coastal erosion
As the sea changes coastlines, experts want locals to take to the air to track erosion.
‘Transformative’ herbicide set for Australian farms in war on weeds [$]
A new farm chemical promises to transform Australian agriculture, but critics claim the nation is being treated as guinea pig on health and safety.
Should ageing coal generators be fed carrots or sticks? – Energy Insiders Podcast
Smart Energy Council CEO David McElrea on LNP ideology, how to close coal fired generators, and the next policy goals for solar, batteries and EVs. Plus: CEC gives voice to mayors on community benefits.
Greens capitulated to corporatism on forests [$]
Christine Milne
On Thursday the Senate voted not to disallow Labor’s Improved Native Forest Management method, which is designed so big polluters can use forests for carbon offsets rather than having to invest in expensive decarbonisation.
Data centres in Australia: your questions answered
Alexandra Hansen and Signe Dean
Community opposition to large-scale data centres is growing. Critics are calling for a pause on data centre development, in line with other jurisdictions such as New York, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled this out.
Labor has had 12 years to fix Victorian roads. Turning to ‘pothole populism’ now may be too late
Benita Kolovos
Potholed roads are ‘devastating political advertising’ for the Victorian government – but Ben Carroll has made them the focus of his campaign
Population growth, environment and Australia’s economy
Mark Diesendorf
Australia’s population debate cannot be separated from environmental decline, inequality and economic wellbeing. With continued growth adding pressure, zero population growth deserves a serious place in the national conversation.
Bowen must address nuclear ban if Australia is to power up in region [$]
Piers Akerman
A Pacific island nation is racing ahead of Australia on nuclear energy, with Fiji’s Prime Minister confirming his commitment to Micro Modular Reactors.
Victoria
‘Insane’: Entire Melb road turned into dump
Victoria’s illegal dumping crisis is spiralling out of control as Melbourne’s fast-growing fringe suburbs are turned into literal “dumping fields”.
The battle over trees is heating up, and the future of cities is at stake
As we build more homes to tackle the housing crisis some worry trees will become collateral damage. But as our climate changes, isn’t now the time we need trees most?
Bendigo, Geelong urged to join light rail revolution
Almost 20 years ago, transport expert Peter Newman called for Bendigo’s trams to be used as public transport. Now, Bendigo and Geelong are among several cities across Australia looking to adopt light rail as a potential transport solution.
World-first trial finds floating wetlands can cut greenhouse gas emissions
A floating garden of native plants in Victoria’s east cuts a wastewater lagoon’s emissions by about 30 per cent, with researchers now testing the approach on farm dams.
One of the last three coal-fired power plants, Yallourn, is preparing to shut down in 2028 but experts are warning the state’s power supply could be reduced by up to 20 per cent overnight. Now the heat is on the government to step in.
Victorian government and opposition betray native forests [$]
Katherine Wilson
A defeated motion in Victoria’s parliament for more transparency around state forest operations illustrates the misconception that Labor is the major party most likely to protect the environment.
New South Wales
Australian-first water recycling tech switched on in regional NSW
A new water recycling plant in Central NSW can process ’16 times’ more efficiently than existing systems, its inventor says.
Residents say they ‘can’t live without’ firewood ahead of ban
A ban on collecting firewood in two national parks, due to come into effect next month, has many residents questioning how they will heat their homes next winter.
Australia’s ‘incognito’ nuclear reactor marks 20 years of innovation
Australia’s only nuclear reactor is celebrating 20 years of producing vital ingredients for lifesaving medicine, critical electronic products and groundbreaking research.
Queensland
Australia’s northernmost incursion of varroa mite detected in Queensland
The devastating honey bee parasite Varroa destructor mite has been detected in Far North Queensland, in what is believed to be the most northern detection of the destructive pest in Australia.
New pest insect breaches biosecurity and destroys berry crops
Invasive flower thrips, detected in Australia for the first time, are destroying millions of dollars’ worth of berry crops. The pest could spread to vegetables and flowers, and increase food prices.
Govt trials new tech to save whales
A trial in Noosa is focused on giving some 50,000 humpback whales safe passage through Queensland waters.
The former leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud, says he has written to the LNP state planning minister in Queensland, asking that he “call in” an already approved wind project that has already begun early construction works in his own electorate.
South Australia
First H5 bird flu death of endangered Australian sea lion recorded amid fears for small population
South Australian authorities say case discovered on Kangaroo Island is first for species of which less than 12,000 animals remain
New images: The monster tunnel changing Adelaide’s west
The state government’s $15 billion Torrens to Darlington project is transforming the inner western suburbs forever, new aerial imagery reveals.
No safe space for trees but SA Motor Sports Board safe from scrutiny
Rex Patrick
While no trees are safe from SA Premier Peter “the wrecker” Malinauskas, his minions protect the Motor Sports Board. What’s the scam?
Tasmania
Wind farm proponent wants to build 280 turbines on public land
A plan to build a 280-turbine wind farm on public land on Tasmania’s west coast is being touted as an economic boom, but it’s also stoking fears for native wildlife.
Business sees 500pc sewage bill increase in wake of TasWater changes
Businesses have been hit with hefty bill increases by Tasmania’s water provider, leaving some wondering if they can remain open.
Company plans 700-metre jetty as part of sand export project
An upcoming proposal to mine millions of tonnes of sand for export from Tasmania’s largest farm triggers concern from Aboriginal groups.
Northern Territory
Decline in dugong population prompts calls for action in Gulf of Carpentaria
Fishing industry and Indigenous community leaders in Australia’s north are calling for further investigation into why dugong numbers appear to have declined by 50 per cent in the Gulf of Carpentaria, and what can be done to stop it.
Sustainability
‘Spraying should be the last option’: how farmers are exploring alternatives to pesticides
When pesticide proved no match for the insect, desperate Phyllis Nvuda tried a new way to save her infested orchard
Hide and chic: are clothes and apparel made from alternative leathers better for the environment?
Vegan leathers are complicated by questions of commercial viability and sustainability. How do they compare to traditional leather?
Heat on Britain to extract last dregs of North Sea oil despite climate pledge [$]
The UK government pledged a moratorium on new drilling but Prime Minister Andy Burnham could be poised to give the industry a lifeline – and appease US President Donald Trump.
The end times fascists are plotting their escape from our world. Our mission is clear
Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor
An unholy alliance is working toward an apocalyptic future from which only a chosen few will emerge unscathed. It’s becoming clear how we stop them
Nature Conservation
Inside the mission to save critically endangered orangutans from fire
On Borneo, many believe fires threatening critically endangered orangutans are being deliberately lit to clear land for palm oil plantations.
Sargassum superbloom: Seaweed scourge or ecological boon?
Stretching from West Africa to the Gulf of Mexico, a massive bloom of sargassum seaweed is swamping beaches and killing coastal wildlife. But scientists have discovered the floating algae also shelters a vast array of ocean creatures, and some are now calling for its protection.
Wasps are disappearing this summer, and scientists are worried
Britain’s wasps are mysteriously disappearing, and this summer’s extreme heat may be a major reason why.
Maelor Himbury | Library Volunteer
Australian Conservation Foundation | www.acf.org.au
1800 223 669
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