Around The Web

Queensland explores potential to convert state’s water storage dams into hdyro-power generators, after switching back on Somerset Dam and Hydro Electric Plant.

The post Queensland looks to extra hydropower from water storage after reboot of Somerset Dam appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The links between the Coalition and the coal lobby grow ever tighter, as new Minerals Council chair Helen Coonan seeks to fast-track new coal mine approvals.

The post Coal industry closes embrace with Coalition as ex minister becomes MCA chair appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Labor's good policy suite was destroyed by a crap sales job; but now that he is returned, will Angus Taylor listen to key institutions?

The post Know your NEM: Good policy destroyed by a crap sales job appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Get ready for six more years of mind-numbing arguments, as two climate change deniers gain a public platform thanks to their election to the Australian Senate.

The post Queensland voters sends two climate change deniers to Senate appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Backyard beekeepers microchipping bees, community using social media to connect families in need with kind strangers, artist turning beach rubbish into marine-themed sculptures, couple show off collection of antique sewing machines.

German battery manufacturer Sonnen has launched its “bill shock” busting solar and storage energy package, SonnenFlat, in Victoria.

The post Sonnen’s battery + solar fixed price energy deal launched in Victoria appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Official certification for Tesla Model 3 in Australia indicates two versions available when sales begin, and towing capacity.

The post Tesla Model 3 certified for Australian market, with two variants and towing capacity appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The first 100% electric hard waste collection trucks in Australia hit the streets in Melbourne's outer city council of Casey.

The post Australia’s first fully electric rubbish trucks begin collections in Victoria appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Contracting group Tempo extends suspension of shares for another two weeks as it seeks a deal over cost over-runs at its first major solar project.

The post Tempo shares still suspended as it seeks deal on solar farm cost blowout appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Torres Strait Islanders argue the government has violated their rights to culture, family and life. Kristen Lyons, Professor Environment and Development Sociology, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

To solve our global problems we must learn to think beyond our tribes. Jutta Beher, Spatial analyst in conservation and ecology, University of Melbourne Darren C Fisher, Lecturer, Swinburne University of Technology Leonie Seabrook, Landscape Ecologist, The University of Queensland Winnifred Louis, Professor, Social Psychology, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A travel article on a wildlife trip to the Chernobyl disaster zone failed to highlight the continuing radiation threat to people, animals and plants, write David Lowry and Ian Fairlie

Tom Allan’s report of his holiday inside the Chernobyl exclusion zone (Nuclear reaction, Travel, 25 May) was both misleading and dangerous in its assertions. He gives the impression that the radiation dangers are minimal: “less radiation risk than on a single transatlantic flight”, according to his ornithologist Belarusian guide, Valery Yurko.

The problem around Chernobyl is not average radiation exposure but the millions of highly radioactive hotspots of radioactive particles spewed from inside the destroyed Chernobyl reactor core. The entire exclusion zone area has suffered from serious forest fires in the 33 years since the catastrophe, re-suspending these hot particles into the atmosphere and spreading them around.

Continue reading...

Britain free of Xylella fastidiosa, known as cuckoo spit, but experts are on high alert

Scientists are calling for thousands of keen-eyed volunteers to report findings of frothy spittle, often called cuckoo spit and found on plants across the UK, in a pre-emptive strike against a deadly plant disease.

Xylella fastidiosa, is described by the European commission as “one of the most harmful pathogenic bacteria worldwide”. It arrived in Europe six years ago and has already struck several countries, devastating olive groves in southern Italy, and spreading to other EU countries including parts of France and Spain.

Continue reading...

Angus Taylor to combine energy and emissions reductions, while Melissa Price dumped from environment and replaced by Sussan Ley.

The post Taylor gets energy and emissions portfolio, Price dumped from environment appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Hundreds of Extinction Rebellion demonstrators, many dressed as endangered animals, rally in Brisbane

Around 250 environmental activists have laid down among the dinosaurs at the Queensland Museum on Sunday, in the first large Extinction Rebellion event in Brisbane.

Protesters, many dressed as endangered animals, laid on the floor of the museum’s Lost Creatures exhibit amid fossils and dinosaur reconstructions, including the state’s famous Muttaburrasaurus.

Continue reading...

Australian science agency says there are a ‘negligible number of human deaths’ from snake bites in Australia

The popular suggestion that Australia is home to the world’s deadliest snakes is largely a myth, with the risk of bites and death far greater across Asia, Africa and South America, the nation’s science agency has said.

Herpetologist Ruchira Somaweera from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) said the myth was born a few decades ago and came out of a study of the relatively high toxicity levels found in Australian species, such as brown snakes.

Continue reading...

Scientists want thousands of volunteers to help record sightings of "spittle" and spittlebugs across the UK.

Hear about a plan to turn the air-conditioners of the world into a network of carbon-sucking fuel producers. Learn about a new licencing system for open-source seeds. Get the low down on who really lives in “tiny houses” and why.

BBC's Megha Mohan finds out why voice assistant technologies often have female voices.

Shadow attorney general condemns Met’s plans to to charge 1,100 protesters

Shami Chakrabarti, the shadow attorney general, has accused police of stepping out of line by announcing plans to push for the prosecution of more than 1,100 Extinction Rebellion protesters.

Deputy assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor said on Friday that the Metropolitan police had a team of 30 officers preparing cases against those arrested during the protests over Easter, and that he anticipated putting “all of those [cases] to the Crown Prosecution Service for decisions”.

Continue reading...