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Moths: Britain's under-threat nocturnal treasures – in pictures
Artist Sarah Gillespie’s prints of moths represent the culmination of an 18 months-long project designed to attract attention to the plight of the insect, whose numbers have dropped 60-70% since the 1970s, but whose survival is vital for numerous bird populations. Gillespie’s mezzotints and silverpoint drawings are exhibited at Kestle Barton in Cornwall, a venue that boasts more than 60 species of moths in its gardens, 12 September to 31 October.
Continue reading...'War on plastic' could strand oil industry's £300bn investment
Major oil firms plan to grow plastic supply to counter impact of shift against fossil fuels
The war on plastic waste could scupper the oil industry’s multi-billion dollar bet that the world will continue to need more fossil fuels to help make the petrochemicals used in plastics, according to a new report.
Major oil companies, including Saudi Aramco and Royal Dutch Shell, plan to spend about $400bn (£300bn) to help grow the supply of virgin plastics by a quarter over the next five years, to compensate for the impact of electric vehicles and clean energy technologies on demand for fossil fuels.
Continue reading...Oil explorer Pilot Energy mulls huge 1,100MW offshore wind farm in W.A. transition play
Oil and gas explorer Pilot Energy launches a study into a massive 1,100MW offshore wind farm which could form part of major wind and solar hub in West Australia.
The post Oil explorer Pilot Energy mulls huge 1,100MW offshore wind farm in W.A. transition play appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Hydro Tasmania announce new CEO
Hydro Tasmania’s Chairman, Grant Every-Burns, is pleased to announce Evangelista Albertini has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer.
The post Hydro Tasmania announce new CEO appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Victoria says new transmission vital as second wind and solar tender attracts “strong” interest
D’Ambrosio says VRET2 will be formally launched in “coming weeks”, although investors concerned about network capacity and connection risk.
The post Victoria says new transmission vital as second wind and solar tender attracts “strong” interest appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Tesla VPP expands to add virtual Big Battery to South Australia grid
Another 3,000 Powerwall batteries take Tesla SA VPP to 54MWh of combined storage to act as a single “power plant” offering services including synthetic inertia.
The post Tesla VPP expands to add virtual Big Battery to South Australia grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Foresight says Queensland solar problems to be resolved soon, falling prices take toll
Foresight hopes to have problems at two of its Queensland solar farms resolved by the end of the year, but its revenues have been squeezed by falling prices.
The post Foresight says Queensland solar problems to be resolved soon, falling prices take toll appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Morrison government plan to scrap water buybacks will hurt taxpayers and the environment
CP Daily: Thursday September 3, 2020
Under the cloak of Covid, the government is rushing ill-considered changes to Australia's environment laws | Geoff Cousins
It seems our leaders don’t want tricky environmental matters elevated to them, so they plan to flick responsibility to the states
What a cruel irony it is that just when our prime minister is bemoaning the fact that state governments can adversely affect the economy by closing their borders, his government seeks to pass the health and welfare of our environment and natural world into the hands of these very same states.
Despite the dramatic and tragic impacts of the last bushfire season on the Australian community, both physically and economically, and the just released interim report of the royal commission into them, the government seeks to rush ahead with ill-considered changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. This report is peppered with references to the need for national initiatives. It raises the prospect of the national cabinet managing future natural disasters, calls for the immediate rollout of a national emergency warning system and highlights the need for a national app for all such disasters.
Continue reading...Ibex population thrives in French Pyrenees a century after being wiped out
A bumper litter of kids has helped the distinctive, long-horned wild goats to prosper after being introduced from Spain
The population of ibex recently introduced to the French Pyrenees is thriving more than a century after the native species was wiped out in France.
Officials have counted 70 newborn ibex this year at the Pyrenees national park and nearby Ariege regional park in the craggy mountains that separate France and Spain.
Continue reading...Solar River solar and battery project still confident, despite loss of Alinta contract
Delayed Solar River solar and battery project looking to lock in new contracts and finance soon following the withdrawal of Alinta Power from PPA.
The post Solar River solar and battery project still confident, despite loss of Alinta contract appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Higher price of electric cars a concern for more than half of UK consumers
Cost deterrent ‘risks UK being in slow lane’ in transition from fossil fuel vehicles, says car industry body
Expensive prices for electric cars could hold back the UK’s transition from fossil fuel vehicles, the industry has warned, amid signs that demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is waning.
Related: Electric cars: five best buys, from new models to used bargains
Continue reading...Spilled energy: Mining giant looks to take next step to 100% renewables
Oz Minerals has drawn up plans to power a $1 billion mining project with 80 per cent renewables, but wants to take the next step to 100 per cent wind, solar and storage.
The post Spilled energy: Mining giant looks to take next step to 100% renewables appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Covid-19 hasn’t fixed Australia’s emissions tug-of-war
Covid has barely made a dent into the tug of war between the things that are pulling Australia's emissions down - mainly, renewables - and things pulling them up - mainly transport and fossil gas.
The post Covid-19 hasn’t fixed Australia’s emissions tug-of-war appeared first on RenewEconomy.