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What do the recent Townsville floods and Tasmanian heatwave have in common? Both were caused by weather systems that stayed put for days or weeks on end. And global warming could worsen that trend. Steve Turton, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Geography, CQUniversity Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The latest blow? Legal opinion suggesting federal government would need to get funding for new fossil fuel generation through parliament for it to have any legal force.

The post Coalition’s last minute energy policy continues to unravel before its eyes appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Engie and Yara Pilbara Fertilisers agree to $3m feasibility study into converting existing ammonia plant to produce renewable hydrogen.

The post Engie advances Pilbara green hydrogen plans to make “sun shine at night” appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Snowy 2.0 gets green light for exploratory works, amid concerns about the environmental impact on the Kosciuszko National Park, and "scepticism" from within Coalition ranks.

The post Snowy 2.0 approved for early works amid environmental concern – and LNP dissent appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Clean Energy Council calls for policy reset on energy, starting with acknowledgement that Australia's power should be 50% renewable from solar, wind and hydro by 2030.

The post Put down the big sticks and face facts on renewables, says CEC appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Oregon utility and US energy company announced this week plans to develop the United States’ first major energy facility which would co-locate wind, solar, and battery storage.

The post Oregon utility plans first combined wind-solar-storage facility in US appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The 10 MW/10 MWh grid-connected energy storage system could pave the way for wider energy storage adoption in India.

The post India’s first grid-scale battery storage project comes online
 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Marine park authority fear freshwater bleaching after scientists report ‘extensive’ flood plumes and drop in water salinity

Freshwater bleaching of corals could occur this year as a result of flood waters from Queensland’s overflowing rivers pouring into the Great Barrier Reef, the marine park authority has warned.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority told Senate estimates hearings in Canberra on Monday that there is a chance corals hit by mass bleaching in 2016 or 2017 could be damaged again by one of several impacts from the flooding disaster.

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Low-income households are adversely affected by high energy prices and barriers which prevent them from accessing energy efficient technology that would help them avoid extra costs.

The post A place by the fire: Energy efficiency and equal access to energy services appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Campaigners say retailers want fees to only apply to smaller containers, rather than all plastic bottles.

Ancient alcohol making a comeback; grape stomping competition marks the start of harvest; waterhole springs back to life as Indigenous rangers tackle feral buffalo damage; historic farm in the centre of Hobart provides food for Government House guests.

How sustainable are your fashion habits? Take our quiz.

Government owned Snowy Hydro leads long list of major retailers choosing to pay "shortfall" penalty on renewable energy target.

The post Snowy Hydro leads retailers failing to meet renewables target in 2018 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Labor aims to build another 7GW renewables in NSW by 2030, using reverse auctions and new state-owned generator. It adds to 2GW of rooftop solar additions.

The post NSW Labor to add 7GW renewables by 2030, to create state-owned generator appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Drive to ‘reduce, reuse, recycle and cut waste’ could include plastic tax and deposit scheme

Millions of homes could have their food waste bins collected weekly, if new proposals from the environment secretary are implemented in the wake of a government consultation on the UK’s waste system.

Michael Gove’s proposed measures to ensure consistent recycling collections come after a number of councils cut the frequency of collections, leaving residents with overflowing bins.

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A new study released today by environmental finance group Market Forces reveals many of Australia’s largest ‘climate risk-exposed’ companies continue to defy regulators and investors by failing to effectively manage risk.

The post Australia’s top companies’ failure to manage climate risk highlights investor and regulator weakness appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Shell snaps up battery maker Sonnen in challenge to Tesla Powerwall and LG Chem, while BP sees renewables becoming dominance source of global power supply by 2030.

The post Shell snaps up battery maker Sonnen as it seeks to challenge Tesla and LG Chem appeared first on RenewEconomy.

It's easy to whip out the fly spray, but our fondness for pesticides can bring knock-on effects such as increased resistance, and harming beneficial insects in and around our homes. Lizzy Lowe, Postdoctoral researcher, Macquarie University Cameron Webb, Clinical Lecturer and Principal Hospital Scientist, University of Sydney Manu Saunders, Research fellow, University of New England Tanya Latty, Senior Lecturer, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

• Encouraging sign for the critically endangered species
• Only about 450 North Atlantic right whales remain
  

Seven rare right whale calves have been spotted so far this winter off Florida’s Atlantic coast, an encouraging sign for the critically endangered species but one which one expert said “still isn’t enough”.

Related: No North Atlantic right whales killed in Canadian waters in 2018

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Scientists say roast meal can make household air dirtier than in sixth most polluted city

Cooking a Sunday roast can drive indoor air pollution far above the levels found in the most polluted cities on Earth, scientists have said.

Researchers found that roasting meat and vegetables, and using a gas hob, released a surge of fine particles that could make household air dirtier than that in Delhi.

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