Bushfire threat to vital koala habitat
Salamander Bay bushfire threatens homes, vital koala habitat in Port Stephens, ABC 11 Dec 18 An entire koala population in Port Stephens could be wiped out after a fire devastated their habitat near Port Stephens, an animal rescue group fears.
An estimated 16 hectares of the Mambo Wetlands, north of Newcastle, was scorched on Monday night, according to Port Stephens Koalas.
The reserve is about 40 per cent of the vital koala habitat.
The blaze broke out near the Salamander Bay shopping centre about 6:30pm and dozens of firefighters spent the night backburning to protect homes.
It burnt away more than 80 hectares of swampy scrub, which made access difficult for fire crews.
The fire flared up to a watch and act level at 3:00am, but weather conditions eased in the early hours and the blaze was brought under control.
Carers from the rescue group today surveyed the damage and fielded calls about stranded and injured wildlife.
Simone Aurino, senior carer at Port Stephens Koalas, said the reserve was one of the most important areas in the Tomaree Peninsula.
“It has a viable breeding population and its central to all the other habitats,” she said.
“It’s a really, really essential habitat.”
Ms Aurino said the blaze would lead to significant flow-on effects which may not be known for some time.
“It has the potential to wipe out the population in this area, it’s really quite devastating,” she said.
“The habitat’s been changed, so the animals are going to move…….https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-11/bushfire-threatens-vital-koala-habitat-in-port-stephens/10605160
Australia’s Liberal Coalition govt cosying up to coal megaminer Adani
Adani met with environment department 40 times in six monthsCoalition ‘holding Adani’s hand’ through mine approvals, Greens senator says, Guardian, Lisa Cox and Ben Smee, Tue 11 Dec 2018
The environment minister, Melissa Price, and energy minister, Angus Taylor, met the company once each in Canberra. The meetings occurred between 7 May and 7 November this year and were tabled by the department in response to questions on notice from the Greens senator Larissa Waters.
Waters had asked at an estimates hearing in October if the department, minister or assistant minister had “met with Adani representatives or lobbyists in the past six months”.
She said on Tuesday the number of meetings suggested the department was “holding Adani’s hand through the approvals process”.
The number of meetings was evidence of the “cosy relationship” Adani had with the federal government, Waters said.
“The environment department is supposed to be a regulator and protector of our environment yet it’s holding Adani’s hand through the approvals process to get this mega coalmine off the ground.
“It shouldn’t be facilitating the development of a new dirty coalmine, it should be standing up for the best interests of our people and planet.”
The company announced late last month it would self-finance its controversial coalmine but it still requires approvals from state and federal governments for its groundwater-dependent ecosystem management plan and its management plan for the black-throated finch before significant work can start at the site.
The Queensland government is also under renewed pressure to rule out two potential subsidies to Adani.
The Mackay Conservation group released polling of marginal central Queensland electorates on Tuesday that showed 60% of people oppose any form of government subsidy. Only 22% supported subsidies, and 18% were unsure.
An Australia Institute report has found a potential royalties deferment deal would effectively be a low-interest loan to Adani, worth up to $385m.
The report also looked at $100m in road upgrades being considered by the Queensland government. It analysed approval plans for the Carmichael mine and found Adani’s vehicles “would be nearly all of the traffic on the road”.
Researcher Tom Swann, the author of the report, said: “The Queensland government has said repeatedly that it will not provide taxpayer funds to Adani, but Queenslanders are on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars because of these deals.”
The state government’s public statements on Adani have been sceptical in recent weeks since the announcement it would self-fund a slimmed down version of Carmichael.
The premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said last month, “We will believe it when we see it”.
The royalties deal, which has not yet been signed, was premised as support for the “first mover” in a coal basin………. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/11/adani-met-with-environment-department-40-times-in-six-months
Coalition designs underwriting tender so it can choose what it wants, including coal — RenewEconomy
Coalition underwriting documents allow government to pick and choose its favoured projects and adjust the criteria to suit. Even emissions intensity may not be a factor. The post Coalition designs underwriting tender so it can choose what it wants, including coal appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Coalition designs underwriting tender so it can choose what it wants, including coal — RenewEconomy
December 12 Energy News — geoharvey
Opinion: ¶ “Trump’s Losing, Lonely Fight to Save Coal” • President Trump has stood by coal whenever he could. He appointed a former coal lobbyist to the Federal Energy Management Commission. His administration promoted coal at COP 24. And yet the industry has not yet benefited from having an energetic booster in the Oval Office. […]
1414 Degrees’ molten silicon biogas energy storage system set for trial in S.A. — RenewEconomy
A world-leading, Adelaide-made 10MWh molten silicon energy storage system is on its way to Glenelg, where it will be tested at an SA Water treatment plant. The post 1414 Degrees’ molten silicon biogas energy storage system set for trial in S.A. appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via 1414 Degrees’ molten silicon biogas energy storage system set for trial in S.A. — RenewEconomy
Know your NEM: Wind and solar is boosting competition — RenewEconomy
The wind and solar boom is clearly adding to competition, but 5GW of battery storage in coming years will really focus the minds of incumbent utilities. The post Know your NEM: Wind and solar is boosting competition appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Know your NEM: Wind and solar is boosting competition — RenewEconomy
10 days of solar: Australian rooftops can host up to 61GW of rooftop solar — RenewEconomy
New report finds there is potential for up to 61GW of solar PV installations on Australia’s residential rooftops. The post 10 days of solar: Australian rooftops can host up to 61GW of rooftop solar appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via 10 days of solar: Australian rooftops can host up to 61GW of rooftop solar — RenewEconomy
“Australia first” rooftop solar trading trial kicks off in WA — RenewEconomy
Western Australia energy minister launches world-leading active, billed, peer-to-peer trading trial allowing 40 households to buy and sell rooftop solar, across the grid. The post “Australia first” rooftop solar trading trial kicks off in WA appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via “Australia first” rooftop solar trading trial kicks off in WA — RenewEconomy
8th SNAICC National Conference- hosted by SNAICC – National Voice for our Children
2 – 5 September 2019, Adelaide Convention Centre
“The conference is hosted by SNAICC – National Voice for our Children. SNAICC is the national non-government peak body in Australia representing the interest of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
The conference is convened to assist with the achievement of the SNAICC vision: An Australian society in which our communities are empowered to determine their own future; where the rights of our children, young people and families are protected; where our cultural identity and achievements are valued; and our children and families have access to culturally appropriate services.
As the largest Conference of its type in the southern hemisphere the SNAICC Conference provides the opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, policy makers, researchers, government representatives, other non-government organisations and industry representatives to gather and make renewed commitments to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
The Conference provides a powerful and inspiring learning experience for attendees and features:
- International and local keynote speakers
- Over 70 concurrent sessions, yarning circles, panels and workshops
- Displays, poster presentations, exhibitors
- Cultural highlights and performances
- Social events and opportunities to network and connect with peers
It is expected that the 2019 Conference will again attract a diverse audience of 1000 participants from all over the country. This will provide a dynamic networking and learning opportunity for attendees. SNAICC aims to develop a program and conference experience that is culturally rich, interactive and culturally safe.”
Strong Identity, Strong Culture and Strong Connection
Our Mob, Our Lore, Our Country – Our Way
Whyalla goes greener with $145m solar greenhouse, as Gupta effect grows — RenewEconomy
In a “big reveal” alongside GFG Alliance’s Sanjeev Gupta, Whyalla City Council announces China-backed deal to build 70 hectare solar powered intensive horticulture facility. The post Whyalla goes greener with $145m solar greenhouse, as Gupta effect grows appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Whyalla goes greener with $145m solar greenhouse, as Gupta effect grows — RenewEconomy
to December 12 – Climate and Nuclear News
William Perry, formerly of the Pentagon, and former U.S. Secretary for Defense, is renowned for his work aimed at limiting nuclear weapons, and warning the world of the great threat of nuclear war.
But now, even Perry is recognising that, in some ways, climate change is an even greater existential threat to the world. He points out that nuclear catastrophe can happen quickly, but that it’s possible to prevent it. But climate change is happening slowly, inexorably, and could be irreversible.
He’s convinced me, and I had always thought that nuclear disaster was the most important danger.
With that new realisation in mind, I’m seeing the events in Poland this week – the COP24 UN Conference on Climate Change, with a more acute interest. This international meeting comes right after the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report.
AUSTRALIA
CLIMATE CHANGE. Australia’s ambassador for environment, Patrick Suckling, ridiculed as he joins USA pro coal panel in Poland.
No Australian policy on climate change as Melissa Price, Minister For Coal, heads off to U.N. climate talks. Australia quietly sabotages UN climate change message, in Poland. Dirty tricks in Poland: getting away with no reduction in greenhouse emissions. Labor backs Greens plan to block Coalition from underwriting coal power . Schoolchildren at UN climate summit, including Toby Thorpe from Tasmania. Students left hanging during Canberra trip to confront Morrison on climate change.
Students lead anti-Adani protests, vow to remove Liberal Party from power. Nationwide protests against Adani coal mine. Legal challenge against Adani coal mine plan, over water use.
Northern Territory – legal case over climate change. Queensland Supreme Court hearing Big Coal’s case aimed to shut down climate activism.
Climate change now brings bushfires to Australia’s Northern rainforests. Increased risk of bushfires in Tasmania. Evacuation orders in place as Little River grass fire burns out of control.
Health risks due to high salt content in water, in a drought town.
NUCLEAR.
- Will Scott Morrison drop support for the Iran nuclear deal, in order to curry favour with Donald Trump?
- The choice of Maralinga as nuclear bomb site – and the effects on Aboriginal people.
- Cost of rehabilitating Ranger uranium mine.
- ABC report- Kim Carr says that Lucas Heights getting full of nuclear waste: the evidence contradicts him. Bushfires near Kimba, proposed site for nuclear waste dump.
Lynas’s problem of radioactive wastes – might send them to Australia? Malaysia tells Lynas to remove rare earths radioactive waste.
RENEWABLE ENERGY Why South Australia energy transition is seen as model of success around the world. Australia in midst of $20 billion wind and solar investment boom . The technology, and new thinking, needed for 100 per cent renewable grid . Electric cars, and the hazards of rare earths used in them. The electric-car revolution is here, but is that a good thing for the environment?
Fabricated media attacks on Julian Assange. The article that a Fairfax journalist didn’t want to write, about Julian Assange. Rallies will demand that Australia insists on Julian Assange’s safe departure from UK.
****************************************************************************
Do corporations have a legal right to destroy the planet’s ecosystem?
The worst performing countries for climate action- USA and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, the US, Kuwait and Russia tried to erase meaning of UN’s report on the impacts of 1.5C warming. Coal lobby is prominent at COP24 U.N climate change conference. Climate denialist group held fringe meeting in Poland, banning access by environmental reporter.
New nuclear power plants, prolong existing ones – to solve global warming?
A wave of change is coming to our planet’s water resources.
Energy efficiency the starting point for effective climate policies.
Assessing the effects of planetary electromagnetic pollution.
Australia’s ambassador for environment, Patrick Suckling ridiculed as he joins USA pro coal panel in Poland
A Trump administration presentation extolling the virtues of fossil fuels at the UN climate talks in Poland has been met with guffaws of laughter and chants of “Shame on you”.Monday’s protest came during a panel discussion by the official US delegation, which used its only public appearance to promote the “unapologetic utilisation” of coal, oil and gas. Although these industries are the main source of the carbon emissions that are causing global warming, the speakers boasted the US would expand production for the sake of global energy security and planned a new fleet of coal plants with technology it hoped to export to other countries.
The event featured prominent cheerleaders for fossil fuels and nuclear power, Continue reading
USA and Saudi Arabia the worst at curbing climate change (Australia’s pretty bad, too)
Other nations at the bottom of the list included Iran, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Russia, Turkey and Japan.
 US, Saudi Arabia back-of-the-pack on curbing climate change, Researchers have identified the United States and Saudi Arabia as the climate change laggards. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/us-saudi-arabia-back-of-the-pack-on-curbing-climate-changeThe United States and Saudi Arabia rank last when it comes to curbing climate change among the 56 nations accounting for 90 percent of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, researchers said Monday.A large number of laggards means the world is dangerously off-track when it comes to slashing the carbon pollution that has already amplified droughts, flooding and deadly heatwaves worldwide, they reported on the margins of UN climate talks in Katowice, Poland.
Only a few countries have started to implement strategies to limit global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit),” the cornerstone target of the 2015 Paris climate treaty, according to NewClimate Institute and Germanwatch, an NGO. Most governments “lack the political will to phase out fossil fuels with the necessary speed.” Continue reading |
Mark Jacobson evaluates nuclear power as a solution to climate change
Evaluation of Nuclear Power as a Proposed Solution to 
Global Warming, Air Pollution, and Energy Security In 100% Clean, Renewable Energy and Storage for Everything. Textbook in Preparation Mark Z. Jacobson December 10, 2018 Contact: Jacobson@stanford.edu; Twitter @mzjacobsonFrance: government report finds new nuclear power plants uneconomical
Building new nuclear plants in France uneconomical -environment agency https://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL8N1YF5HCGeert De Clercq, DECEMBER 11, 2018
State environment agency contradicts Macron on new nuclear
* New nuclear reactors would be structurally loss-making
* Renewables could account for 85 pct of power mix by 2050.
Building new nuclear reactors in France would not be economical, state environment agency ADEME said in a study on Monday, contradicting the government’s long-term energy strategy as well as state-owned utility EDF’s investment plans.
In a speech last month, President Emmanuel Macron said nuclear energy would remain a promising technology for producing low-cost, low-carbon energy and that EDF’s EPR reactor model should be part of future energy options.
Macron has also asked EDF to draw up a plan for building new reactors with a view to making a decision about nuclear in 2021
Two EPR reactors under construction in France and Finland are years behind schedule and billions of euros over budget.
“The development of an EPR-based nuclear industry would not be competitive,” ADEME said, adding that new nuclear plants would be structurally loss-making. bit.ly/2GlEbcT
Building a single EPR in 2030 would require 4 to 6 billion euros of subsidies, while building a fleet of 15 with a total capacity of 24 gigawatt-hour by 2060 would cost the state 39 billion euros, despite economies of scale that could bring down the EPR costs to 70 euros per megawatt-hour (MWh), ADEME said.
Renewables costs could fall to between 32 and 80 euros/MWh, depending on the technology, by 2060.
But extending the existing fleet too long, while also building new EPRs, would lead to overcapacity, compromising returns on all generation assets, including renewables.
EDF – which generates about 75 percent of French electricity with 58 nuclear reactors – declined to comment.
The ADEME report, which studied energy mix scenarios for 2020-2060, said renewables could account for 85 percent of power generation by 2050 and more than 95 percent by 2060, except if the government pushes through the EPR option anyway.
The gradual increase of renewables capacity could reduce the pre-tax electricity cost for consumers – including generation, grids and storage – to about 90 euros per MWh, compared to nearly 100 euros today, ADEME said.
ADEME director Arnaud Leroy, appointed in February, helped write the energy chapter of Macron’s election programme and was a spokesman for his campaign, but the agency is independent and earlier studies have also contradicted government energy policy.
In 2015, a ADEME study suggesting that France could switch to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 at a cost similar to sticking with nuclear was barred from publication for months by the government. reut.rs/2RLGKG8 (Reporting by Geert De Clercq; editing by David Evans)
1 This month.
Australians deserve the truth
about
AUKUS – https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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Antinuclear 