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Tim Flannery has been speaking about climate change for decades – but he’s finding it harder and harder to be the bearer of bad news

Being a bearer of bad news is never easy. I’ve been writing and talking about climate change for decades now. Constant exposure hardens one to even the most horrific reality, and I’ve coped by acting like a jolly hangman – or at least not giving in publicly to the helplessness I sometimes feel as I relate the latest findings.

But as the news darkens, I’m having difficulty talking to young people about it. I can tell an optimistic story about developing technologies and the role they can play in helping avert the worst of the crisis. But we have now left action so late that some very severe climate impacts seem unavoidable. When I try to imagine how I, as a young person, would react to such news, I find it hard to continue my work.

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EUAs rose on Tuesday as wider markets continued to rebound from last week's COVID-related declines, breaking above a key technical level following another strong auction further as traders kept a cautious eye on today's US election.

The initiative had been part of the government’s aim to achieve a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030

The Danish government has reversed its ban on state canteens serving meat for two days every week after a backlash from employees.

Officials had proposed to introduce two vegetarian days a week in the canteens, as well as limiting beef or lamb to once a week. However, trade union objections forced a U-turn on the policy after barely a week.

The government has now said it would be up to individual workplaces to decide whether or not to introduce meat-free days.

Denmark had been attempting to make reductions in the nation’s diet-related footprint to help meet its ambitious new climate targets. Last year it approved a new climate law to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030.

Related: Danish bacon: what happens when you push pigs to the limit?

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America's carbon future rests on today's election decision, with impacts around the world

The post The US election is a climate moment like no other appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Offset trading in China’s national ETS could hit 250-500 million units in the market’s first year once the government finalises rules and begins issuing new credits, according to traders and analysts.

Time is running out to act on global heating. Electing Donald Trump the first time cost us dearly; a second term would be catastrophic

All American elections determine the character of the country for the next four years. And they have a lot to say about what the world will feel like too – that’s what it means to be a superpower.

But this election may determine the flavor of the next four millennia – maybe the next 40.

That’s because time is the one thing we can’t recover, and time is the one thing we’ve just about run out of in the climate fight. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its 2018 report made it clear that we had until 2030 to make fundamental transformations in our energy system – which they defined as cutting by half the amount of carbon that we pour into the atmosphere.

Read that sentence again. Because it carries deep political implications. Very few of the problems that government deals with are time limited in quite the same fashion. Issues like housing or education or healthcare last throughout our lifetimes, and we take bites out of them when we can, hopefully moving two steps forward for every one we retreat.

Related: Six steps we are taking to confront the climate crisis

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Ocean Conservancy’s climate program is expanding. The senior manager will help build, shape, and execute its work, which will include creating and implementing climate and ocean-climate initiatives and increasing demand for action.

With the expansion of the Carbon Pricing Unit we are currently seeking a Senior Officer to be the Program Manager primarily for the design phase of the DAPA Program. This will require leading the in- country implementation of the programs across at least 2 countries, likely more.

The Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics is pleased to invite applications to the above post.

Despite the US on the verge of leaving the Paris Agreement, international pressure on Australia to lift its game on climate has never been higher.

The post Whoever is elected US President, Morrison faces intense global pressure on climate appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Water experts and conservationists condemn government handling of fast-tracked dam plan as a ‘disgrace’ and terrible for environment

The cost of raising the wall at Wyangala dam, the centrepiece of the federal and New South Wales governments’ water infrastructure plans, has blown out from $650m to nearly $1.5bn before the project has even been granted approval.

While no business case or environmental impact statements are yet complete, project managers have been appointed and calls for tender went out in June.

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Australia's main grid reaches more than 50 per cent renewables share on Tuesday, despite closure of seven solar farms and a major wind farm for grid maintenance.

The post Australia hits 50pct renewables again, despite shut down of seven solar farms appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Vestas is to take full ownership of its offshore wind venture with Japanese corporate heavyweight Mitsubishi, with its eyes firmly on the green hydrogen future.

The post Vestas takes full control of offshore wind venture with eye on green hydrogen plans appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A shake up in ACT ministeries, with chief minister Andrew Barr and Greens leader Shane Rattenbury splitting ministries for climate and emissions.

The post ACT chief minister takes on ‘climate action’, while Rattenbury tackles ‘energy and emissions reduction’ appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Over fifty Australian businesses have now signed up to the Australian Hydrogen Council (AHC), signalling tremendous growth and optimism in the sector.

The post Australian hydrogen sector swells across entire hydrogen supply chain appeared first on RenewEconomy.

With LNG worse for the climate than coal, Australia must adjust to the fact that its export markets are shrinking.

The post Australia’s gas-led recovery is flogging a dead horse appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A daily summary of our news plus bite-sized updates from around the world.

This is an edited transcript of the Oct 29 episode of the Energy Insiders podcast, featuring China coal expert Ryna Cui

The post Transcript: Energy Insiders Podcast with China coal expert Ryna Cui appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Sonnen launches new rewards program in Australia, offering cash payments to battery customers participating in a new VPP providing grid stability services.

The post Sonnen to pay cash to households with batteries to help stabilise the grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The 50MW Bokpoort concentrated solar power plant in South Africa becomes first renewable project on African continent to complete a full week of continuous operation.

The post South Africa solar thermal project breaks continental generation record appeared first on RenewEconomy.