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Ending logging in Victoria now would save taxpayers $192m, budget office estimates
The Greens asked officials to calculate the cost of shutting down the native forest timber industry immediately rather than 2030 as planned
Ending native forest logging in Victoria immediately, rather than phasing it out by 2030 as the state government plans, would save taxpayers $192m over the next decade, according to an estimate by the state’s independent budget office.
The Victorian Greens asked the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) to calculate what it would cost to shut down the native forest timber industry in the state now, including bringing forward the government’s promised $120m transition package for the industry and workers.
Continue reading...The Guardian view on the climate and coronavirus: global warnings | Editorial
Steep falls in emissions have been the pandemic’s immediate effect. But what’s needed is a green recovery
So far, discussions of a coronavirus exit strategy have mainly focused on the steps that could bring an end to the lockdown. In the short term, both in the UK and elsewhere, there is nothing more desirable than letting people resume their lives, once it is safe to do so.
But the speed of the “return to normal” is not the only thing that matters. The manner in which the world’s leaders manage the colossal economic and political shocks caused by the virus is also of the utmost importance. And at the top of their list of priorities, alongside human welfare, must be the biosphere and its future.
Continue reading...Global carbon emisions could fall by record 2.5bn tonnes in 2020
Reduction of 5% would represent biggest drop in demand for fossil fuel on record
Global carbon emissions from the fossil fuel industry could fall by a record 2.5b tonnes this year, a reduction of 5%, as the coronavirus pandemic triggers the biggest drop in demand for fossil fuels on record.
The unprecedented restrictions on travel, work and industry due to the coronavirus is expected to cut billions of barrels of oil, trillions of cubic metres of gas and millions of tonnes of coal from the global energy system in 2020 alone, according to data commissioned by the Guardian.
Continue reading...Why does President Trump want to mine on the Moon?
Your pictures on the theme of 'insects'
Ex-Disney animator brings Antarctic story to life
Surely the link between abusing animals and the world's health is now clear | Nick Cohen
This pandemic can be traced to our disregard for animal welfare. But our politicians won’t dare make the connection
The boast that “when the facts change, I change my mind” is a proud one. “When the facts change, I reinforce my prejudices” is truer. If you want proof, look at the coronavirus that has changed everything and consider the undisputed fact that it spread because of humanity’s abuse of animals.
Imagine a world where facts changed minds. The United Nations, governments and everyone with influence would now be saying we should abandon meat or at a minimum cut down on consumption. Perhaps my reading is not as wide as it should be, but I have heard nothing of the sort argued. Making the case would be child’s play and would not be confined to emphasising that Covid-19 probably jumped species in Wuhan’s grotesque wet markets. The Sars epidemic of 2002-04 began in Guangdong, probably in bats, and then spread to civet cats, sold in markets and eaten in restaurants. The H7N9 strain of bird flu began in China, once again, and moved to humans from diseased poultry.
Continue reading...Extraordinary portraits of ordinary bugs - in pictures
Daniel Kariko uses microscopes to create vivid portraits of ordinary insects, including wasps, beetles, silverfish and moths. More than 60 photographs in his new book show these creatures up close, most of them found near where he lives in North Carolina. Aliens Among Us is published by WW Norton
Continue reading...'It's positively alpine!' Disbelief in big cities as air pollution falls
Delhi is one of many capitals enjoying improved air quality since restrictions were introduced due to the coronavirus
The screenshots began to circulate on Delhi WhatsApp groups last week, captioned with varying expressions of disbelief. Having checked the air quality index, something of a sadistic morning ritual among residents of India’s capital, most could not believe their eyes.
Gone was the familiar menacing red banner, indicating how each intake of breath is really just a toxic blast on the lungs, replaced instead by a healthy, cheerful green. Could it really be that Delhi’s pollution levels now fell into the category of … “good”? “It’s positively alpine!” exclaimed one message.
Continue reading...The week in wildlife – in pictures
The pick of the world’s best flora and fauna photos, including Indian monkeys and a Parisian duck
Virus impact prompts Netherlands to delay carbon tax on ETS-covered industry -media
California’s carbon floor price set to rise by at least 5% in 2021, despite inflation cut
CN Markets: Pilot market data for week ending Apr. 10, 2020
Draft China energy law pushes carbon emissions cuts, but vague on policy
Scottish fishermen turn to food banks as Covid-19 devastates industry
Crisis destroys foreign sales of shellfish and supermarkets close fish counters causing slump during traditional Easter boom period
Scottish fishermen are turning to food banks and welfare organisations, as the coronavirus crisis has led to plummeting demand for seafood, leaving many unable to work to feed their families.
Worst-hit are lobster and crab fishermen in Scotland’s south-east and west coasts, according to the Fishermen’s Mission, a Christian welfare charity. Staff at the charity have also identified “pockets of need” in Shetland and as far south as Newlyn in Cornwall. This comes just before the Easter holiday, traditionally a period of increased demand.
Continue reading...High winds kill thousands of migrating birds in 'disaster' over Greece
Swallows and swifts on their annual flight from Africa to Europe have been found dead across Greece
Thousands of swallows and swifts migrating from Africa to Europe have been left dead by high winds battering Greece, bird watchers say.
The birds have been found in the streets of Athens, on apartment balconies in the capital, in the north, on Aegean islands and around a lake close to the seaport of Nauplia in the Peloponnese.
Continue reading...CP Daily: Thursday April 9, 2020
Coronavirus: Great apes on lockdown over threat of disease
Cities struggling to boost urban tree cover
NA Markets: California allowances retrace gains amid further volatility, RGGI finds support
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