Date: 2 October 2023 at 8:58:47 am AEDT
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Oct 2
Post of the Day
What ending fossil fuel extraction across the world would look like
What if the entire world stopped extracting fossil fuels? Here’s what it would take to phase out oil, gas and coal.
On This Day
Birth of Prophet Muhammad and of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq – Iran
Labour Day – ACT, NSW, SA
King’s Birthday – Qld
Sukkot (until Oct 6) – Judaism
Ecological Observance
Climate Change
Biden to sell three oil and gas leases over five years, angering climate advocates
Administration releases plan, which represents lowest number of lease sales since 1980, but is still set to increase oil production
Big Oil, heavy industry discuss emission curbs ahead of COP28
Major oil and gas company chiefs held discussions with heavy industry bosses on Sunday in the United Arab Emirates in an effort to agree a firm commitment to reduce carbon emissions ahead of a United Nations climate summit next month.
Climate change, poor planning make India’s monsoon season devastating
Sanjay Chauhan witnessed monsoon rains lash down over his home and farm in the Indian Himalayas this year with a magnitude and intensity he’s never experienced before.
Climate change spells cultural extinction for Nepal’s nomadic herders
The nomadic herders of Mustang who’s livestock have grazed the pastures in the Nepalese Himalayas for generations, fear the dramatic change in weather patterns may consign their traditions to the history books forever.
A revelation about trees is messing with climate calculations
Trees make clouds by releasing small quantities of vapors called “sesquiterpenes.” Scientists are learning more—and it’s making climate models hazy.
EU faces ‘make or break moment’ for green transition, report says
Researchers see political risks to decarbonisation plan across forthcoming elections, but also suggest steps to win support.
National
Offshore wind zones are being established right around Australia, but some communities say there are too many unknown risks.
Pro-climate group defends content push on sceptics [$]
The Australian Youth Climate Coalition’s campaign has been compared with phishing and malware but it insists its campaign is morally acceptable.
Offers to talk over gas plans rejected [$]
The latest court decision has sparked warnings that Australia’s energy security and investment attractiveness could be at stake
Vaping held responsible for toxic waste and even landfill fires
The millions of Australians who vape are leaving the nation with a toxic mountain of waste and so far there’s no national strategy to deal with it.
‘Urgent’: Batteries recalled on fire risk
Homeowners with solar panels are being warned some popular energy storage batteries could catch fire, cause serious injury or even death.
The class action will be decided by a single judge and could be a ‘genuine problem for Monsanto and Bayer if we’re successful’, lawyer says
Coal shipments have worst August for five years [$]
Demand for Australian exports is expected to pick up from September as countries in the northern hemisphere stock up ahead of winter.
Sydney heat records tumble as fires burn in Victoria
Locals and campers have been told to flee an out-of-control bushfire in Victoria’s Gippsland region as Sydney sweats through its hottest October day on record.
Experts predict there will be fewer than 100 individuals of the species by 2031 as the rate of decline in population grows faster
Broken system: ‘Billions at risk’ in energy logjam [$]
The peak oil and gas lobby has warned the nation faces a heightened threat of sovereign risk unless it urgently fixes the approvals process in the oil and gas sector.
Labor, Greens’ anti-nuclear stance ‘bordering on irrational’: Holmes à Court
One of the key backers of the teal movement argued nuclear energy could conceivably play a role in Australia in the 2040s, though he described the Coalition’s energy policy as fanciful.
The fight to end native logging [$]
Bob Brown
Anthony Albanese is taking a big electoral risk by continuing Howard-era native forest logging agreements.
Government revisits trade clause that allowed Clive Palmer lawsuits [$]
Patricia Ranald
Clive Palmer’s move to sue the government in a secretive international tribunal highlights the need to amend Australia’s trade policy to prevent claims that could hamper emissions reduction efforts.
Climate change and the fire season ahead [$]
Greg Mullins
Recently, I tried to help organise hazard reduction burns in my fire-prone local area. For months it was too wet to burn, due to three years of rain. When it finally seemed as if it was dry enough last week, it was too hot, windy and dangerous. That was the same week Sydney experienced the hottest three consecutive days ever recorded in September.
Stop complaining about fuel prices and consider an EV [$]
James Gerrard
New generation electric vehicles are finally price comparable with traditional fuel-powered cars and as petrol keeps rising now is a good time to consider flicking the switch.
Aaron Simmons et al
Australia’s plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 relies heavily on carbon credits.
An injured galah taught me that what makes something beautiful is also what makes it fragile
Natasha May
Perhaps it’s naive not to imagine that all of life itself is about accepting the fragility of how easily things break
The road is long and time is short, but Australia’s pace towards net zero is quickening
Anna Skarbek
The marks of industry have forever changed the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, edged by the Blue Mountains to the south and ancient rainforests to the north. Coal has been mined here for more than 200 years, providing generations of people with good livelihoods and lives. But the end of coal in the Hunter does not spell the end of communities. Quite the opposite.
Too hard basket: why climate change is defeating our political system
Judith Brett
It may already be too late to save the world as we know it. Coral reefs, low-lying atolls and coastal strips, glaciers, Arctic summer sea ice, will all likely be gone in the near future with predictable and unpredictable consequences for the life that depends on them, including ours.
Green’s ‘solution’ to energy transition is rolled gold ridiculous [$]
Vikki Campion
Could we really melt down our grandmother’s engagement rings for the renewable revolution? That’s what Cate Faehrmann appears to think.
Voice and climate bullies must be called out [$]
Andrew Bolt
It’s increasingly clear some causes are just licenses to people to unleash their inner bully, and it’s time we point that out because we are never safer when bullies win.
Labor falls for koala hypocrisy in renewables crusade [$]
Nick Cater
The blatant double standards in the application of land clearance rules between agriculture and mining on the one hand and renewable energy on the other is fuelling community anger.
Energy future at mercy of regulatory grey zone [$]
Samantha McCulloch
Regulations that provide certainty for industry are desperately needed. In its federal budget, the commonwealth promised a review of environmental management regulations. This review must be fast-tracked by the government.
Wasting energy: our approach to building homes must fundamentally change [$]
Gareth O’Reilly
Most Australian homes were designed to building codes that didn’t address energy efficiency, simply because most people didn’t believe it necessary at the time.
Those who need solar’s benefit most are still locked out [$]
Heidi Douglas
The key to lower energy costs is as close as your roof. Trouble is, while the sun might shine equally on all of us our ability to harness its energy and use it to drive down our power costs is anything but equitable.
Victoria
This council approved a 3.5-kilometre bike lane in a busy area. A day later, it was scrapped
Cycling advocates were elated when Maribyrnong City councillors voted to approve a two-year trial of a 3.5-kilometre bike lane along Summerhill and Rosamond roads, a busy arterial between Footscray and Maribyrnong. But the joy was short-lived after mayor Sarah Carter moved a rescission motion the following day.
The Maribyrnong River flood warnings that receded, then went unheeded
With the anniversary of last October’s Maribyrnong flood approaching, residents are ratcheting up pressure on authorities to better prepare for the next deluge.
How flying taxis will land on the Yarra River [$]
Electric air taxis would land at a “vertiport” on the north bank of the Yarra River under a bold new plan to reimagine transport in Melbourne.
Daniel Andrews was a visionary leader on climate change but neglected Victoria’s natural environment
Jono La Nauze
The former premier who resigned on Tuesday introduced comprehensive climate legislation but his obstruction of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan deprived native fish and birds of clean rivers
I’m a suburban Melbourne renter. Here’s how I weaned my home off gas and saved money on energy bills
Nelli Stevenson
After ditching central heating and focusing on power efficiency, we’ve cut our gas usage by 83% and are well on the way to paying off our new appliances
Allan must bin Andrews’ most expensive folly: the Suburban Rail Loop
Natasha Bradshaw
Did the Andrews government think carefully before promising to pile a generation’s worth of infrastructure investment into one project? Nope.
New South Wales
Scientists rush to save Australia’s loneliest tree from extinction
The Mongarlowe mallee – which had its heyday in the last ice age – now has just six known survivors, but ecologists say it could be rescued in a plan reminiscent of the Wollemi pine.
ACT
Central ACT environment hub vital to provide security, maximise impact [$]
The Conservation Council is urging the ACT government to create a sustainability hub for climate and environment organisations in Canberra, calling the current facilities unsuitable and claiming unaffordable rent is hindering their impact.
Queensland
The search for the plains-wanderer will involve AI and bio-acoustic recorders to detect it and other highly vulnerable species.
Fight brews over Smoky Creek solar farm
Project to power 200,000 Qld homes set to stoke concerns of Coalition MPs who have labelled Labor’s water buyback plan a ‘dog act’. SUBSCRIBE to read the full story.
South Australia
Clothes and tyres driving plastic presence in SA waterways
The presence of microplastics in South Australia’s waterways is largely due to fibres from synthetic clothing — and particles from tyres — entering rivers, creeks and the ocean, researchers say.
Sterilisation, contraception considered for koala population damaging Kangaroo Island
South Australia’s environment minister says her department will consider all available options, including sterilisation, contraception and relocation in developing a new plan to manage the growing number of koalas on Kangaroo Island.
Adelaide council’s bin overhaul causes a stink [$]
An Adelaide council has flipped its bin collection service – but the move has been rubbished by local residents and ratepayers.
The discovery of a spotted-tail quoll in South Australia this week was the first in 130 years, but a researcher suspects it may not be alone, with hopes a small population has been happily existing undetected.
Tasmania
Residents of Flinders Island community told to watch bushfire
Residents and visitors at a Flinders Island holiday hotspot have been told to keep an eye on emergency advice as a bushfire burns.
How a humble seaweed inspired Sam to build an innovative solution to climate change
Seaweed, cows and cutting-edge science: This is how Sam Elsom swapped fashion for farming to spearhead a revolutionary climate change solution. But he’s facing a major obstacle.
1h ago1 hours ago
Northern Territory
The brothers behind Australia’s biggest meat industry biodiversity study look to the future
Scientists and environmentalists are given unique access to measure and report on how cattle giant Hewitt has been refining its production practices and land management with a greener focus.
Exasperated residents take animal control into their own hands [$]
Barkly residents have been forced to deal with the issue of a growing feral dog problem with little help from council
Western Australia
Paying a bus or train fare with cash could soon be on the nose under Transperth overhaul
Perth commuters are one step closer to being able to tag on to public transport with their phones, as Transperth begins to slowly roll out technology it first mooted six years ago.
WA banishes loggers from old growth native forests
Western Australia has joined Victoria in banning commercial logging of native forests from next year.
Bushfire downgraded as firefighters work to contain blaze
An emergency-level bushfire in WA’s Great Southern region has been downgraded to watch and act as firefighters work to contain the blaze, about 20 minutes from Albany
This tiny bird has just flown 10,000km. Getting it on camera was a miracle
Rangers and scientists capture the moment a bird no bigger than a walnut completes a migration from the Arabian Sea to a coastal town in WA’s south-west.
Sustainability
At least 2.8 million cranksets globally are set to be the subject of an inspection and review program launched this week by Shimano, the largest manufacturer of bicycle components in the world.
Spring Cleaning – 10 tips for an environmentally-friendly refresh
Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to not only refresh your living space. Here are 10 tips for environmentally-friendly cleaning during this year’s spring clean.
Vietnam detains energy thinktank chief in latest arrest of environmental expert
Ngo Thi To Nhien detained over charges of ‘appropriating documents’, a government spokesperson confirmed
US finalizes plans to phase out single-use plastic on public lands
The agency that oversees one-fifth of U.S. lands said on Thursday that it had finalized plans to phase out single-use plastics in public spaces like national parks and wildlife refuges within the next decade.
Environment: If ‘green growth’ is the answer, humanity needs a new question
Peter Sainsbury
‘Green growth’ withers in the heat of evidence. Humanity’s demands are creating a ‘global land squeeze’.
Alan Pears et al
Researchers and policymakers are advocating all-electric housing to reduce energy bills and emissions. Using energy-efficient reverse-cycle air conditioners is a core element of the shift from gas.
Nature Conservation
Mass death of Amazonian dolphins prompts fears for vulnerable species
Rising temperatures could be passing tolerance threshold for endangered animals as Lake Tefé reaches 39C
Macedonians plead for protections of the bear essential kind
House break-ins by bears are becoming increasingly common in North Macedonia as the population of the protected animals grows, forcing villagers to carry firecrackers to defend themselves.
Thousands of salmon escaped an Icelandic fish farm. The impact could be deadly
Aquaculture is bringing jobs and money to rural regions, but a huge escape of farmed fish in August could devastate local salmon populations.
Maelor Himbury | Library Volunteer
Australian Conservation Foundation | www.acf.org.au
p | 1800 223 669 t | @AusConservation
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Maelor Himbury | Library Volunteer
Australian Conservation Foundation | www.acf.org.au
p | 1800 223 669 t | @AusConservation