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African elephant recognised as two separate species – both endangered
‘Red list’ assessment of two separate African species exposes ‘critically endangered’ status of forest elephants, down 86% in 31 years
The first ever “red list” assessment of the African elephant as two separate species – the forest elephant and savanna elephant – has found that both are threatened with extinction, according to an updated review of the world’s most at-risk plants and animals.
Poaching and the “silent killer” of human-driven habitat loss have caused sharp declines, with forest elephant numbers falling by 86% in the past 31 years and savanna elephants by about 60% in the past half-century.
Continue reading...Africa’s forest elephant has been largely overlooked. Now we need to fight for it | Lee White
This critically endangered ‘gardener’ of the forest has been ‘red listed’ independent of its famous savanna relative for the first time. It’s time to take its plight seriously
Science and conservation politics have finally agreed that Africa is home to two elephant species: the savanna and forest elephant. The debate lasted about two decades, with the politics of elephant conservation and the ivory trade delaying the decision, but the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has finally concluded its evaluation.
Africa’s most recognisable pachyderm is the savanna elephant, Loxodonta africana, the largest land mammal, reaching up to 4 metres at the shoulder. Their huge ears are the shape of the African continent. Their majesty, combined with the open habitat they roam, means that virtually every elephant photo we see is of the savanna species. One of my first memories is of a big savanna bull in the water above Murchison Falls in Uganda where I grew up. No African safari is complete without an elephant encounter.
Continue reading...UK ‘flying blind’ on levels of toxic chemicals in tap water
Government is not testing drinking water for PFAS, which studies have linked to numerous health issues
The UK government is not testing drinking water for a group of toxic manmade chemicals linked to a range of diseases including cancers, while across the world people are falling sick and suing for hundreds of millions of dollars at a time after finding the substances in their tap water.
Known collectively as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), or “forever chemicals” because they are designed never to break down in the environment, the substances are used for their water- and grease-repellent properties in everything from cookware and clothing to furniture, carpets, packaging, coatings and firefighting foams.
Continue reading...The US military is poisoning communities across the US with toxic chemicals
The Department of Defense has ordered the burning of 20m pounds of AFFF – despite risks to human health
One of the most enduring, indestructible toxic chemicals known to man – Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), which is a PFAS “forever chemical” – is being secretly incinerated next to disadvantaged communities in the United States. The people behind this crackpot operation? It’s none other than the US military.
As new data published by Bennington College this week documents, the US military ordered the clandestine burning of over 20m pounds of AFFF and AFFF waste between 2016-2020. That’s despite the fact that there is no evidence that incineration actually destroys these synthetic chemicals. In fact, there is good reason to believe that burning AFFF simply emits these toxins into the air and onto nearby communities, farms, and waterways. The Pentagon is effectively conducting a toxic experiment and has enrolled the health of millions of Americans as unwitting test subjects.
Continue reading...Hopes rise for US climate shift with Deb Haaland at interior helm
Experts say new interior secretary will renew focus on climate emergency and public lands after years of cuts under Trump
After four years under an administration that denied the climate crisis, opened public lands to oil and gas drilling and stripped protections from national monuments, the US interior department will look radically different with Deb Haaland at its helm.
Haaland, the first Native American cabinet secretary in US history and a member of the Laguna Pueblo, was sworn in to her post last week and has vowed to be a “fierce advocate” for public lands. Wildlife, parks and climate advocacy groups have hailed her confirmation as a major win for public lands and say that under Haaland’s leadership the interior department will renew its focus on fighting the climate emergency.
Continue reading...Lava, floating rocks and the Blob: the mystery behind the deaths of millions of seabirds
Almost a decade ago 3 million shearwaters arrived on Australian beaches and died. Now researchers know why
Scientists finally know why millions of seabirds wound up dead on Australian beaches after unravelling a complex tale involving floating rocks, an underwater volcano and possibly something called the Blob.
Back in 2013, the carcasses of short-tailed shearwaters, commonly known as muttonbirds, were found en masse along Australia’s east coast.
Continue reading...New Alan Turing £50 note design is revealed
No biggie or bin job: Solar advocates react to export tax proposal
As detail from the AEMC's draft determination on solar export charges is sifted through, reactions range from ‘no biggie,’ to ‘needs more work,’ to ‘needs to be thrown in the bin.’
The post No biggie or bin job: Solar advocates react to export tax proposal appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Rio Tinto to power mine with solar thermal technology backed by Bill Gates
Heliogen says its technology can reach temperatures of more than 1000 celsius, which it claims is a game changer for the niche form of solar power.
The post Rio Tinto to power mine with solar thermal technology backed by Bill Gates appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Is rooftop solar really causing a network bottleneck?
Has the AEMC been gullible in accepting frivolous claims about bottlenecks associated with the connection of rooftop solar?
The post Is rooftop solar really causing a network bottleneck? appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Modelling: How the proposed rooftop solar tax will affect solar households
What would the implementation of a solar tax mean for rooftop solar returns? We look at the AEMC modelling.
The post Modelling: How the proposed rooftop solar tax will affect solar households appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Taylor requests yet another review of future grid needs, to deal with “intermittents”
The Morrison government instigates yet another inquiry into the energy system, and it has already backed coal and sidelined renewables before it even started.
The post Taylor requests yet another review of future grid needs, to deal with “intermittents” appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Energy Renaissance, CSIRO join forces on “defence grade” battery management system
Company behind Australian battery giga-factory has joined forces with the CSIRO and IMCRC to develop a home gown, “defence grade” battery management system.
The post Energy Renaissance, CSIRO join forces on “defence grade” battery management system appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Australia’s first mass-made electric trucks go into production
SEA Electric announces launch of first locally-assembled volume-produced electric trucks, the SEA 300 and SEA 500.
The post Australia’s first mass-made electric trucks go into production appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Bowen pitches Labor’s new gas-friendly climate platform, and an end to “toxic politics”
Chris Bowen tells forum in Canberra that Labor is the only one capable of taking Australia to zero net emissions, and sees important role for gas.
The post Bowen pitches Labor’s new gas-friendly climate platform, and an end to “toxic politics” appeared first on RenewEconomy.
CP Daily: Wednesday March 24, 2021
'Still far too low': Australia's electric vehicle industry says fourfold imports jump not enough
Latest EV results welcomed as signal of growing demand and recovering economy but growth achieved off very low base
Australia has recorded the largest bump ever in electric vehicle imports over the first two months of the year but industry figures say the result is still not good enough.
Import figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Wednesday show the dollar value of electric vehicle (EV) imports has grown $104m to $125m in the first two months of 2021, representing an increase of 485% on figures recorded at the same time last year.
Continue reading...NSW floods bring chaos and destruction – in pictures
Guardian Australia photographer Mike Bowers has spent the week documenting one of the state’s worst-hit areas, the mid-north coast. The deluge and its aftermath have been horrific, particularly for farmers. WARNING: this gallery contains images of dead animals
- Weather eases but major flooding still occurring across state
- ‘Couldn’t get out’: man who drowned in car stayed on the phone to emergency services for 40 minutes
Why cutting down trees can be good for the climate
Australians could be charged for exporting energy from rooftop solar panels to the grid
Proposed changes to the national energy market rules aims to prevent ‘traffic jams’ of electricity on sunny days
Australian households with rooftop solar panels could be charged for exporting electricity into the power grid at times when it is not needed under proposed changes to the national electricity market.
The recommendation is included in a draft deliberation by the Australian Energy Market Commission that is designed to prevent “traffic jams” of electricity at sunny times that could destabilise the network.
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