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Autonomous vehicle revolution could catch out property investors

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2018-10-15 13:48

Survey finds big property owners have given hardly any thought to how they would repurpose their assets in the event of an autonomous vehicle boom.

The post Autonomous vehicle revolution could catch out property investors appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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Powerwall 2 price hike to reflect “better value,” says Tesla

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2018-10-15 13:40

Tesla confirms near 20% jump in price of Powerwall 2 battery storage systems, but says more upgrades and improvements coming.

The post Powerwall 2 price hike to reflect “better value,” says Tesla appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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Solar and storage for “cost of a coffee a day” promised in WA VPP offer

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2018-10-15 13:33

Privately funded VPP project hopes to sign up 1000 homes and businesses in south-west WA to zero up-front cost deal for solar and battery storage.

The post Solar and storage for “cost of a coffee a day” promised in WA VPP offer appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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The “other” big battery that has quietly changed thinking about the grid

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2018-10-15 13:31

Another big battery was been changing the way people think about the grid, proving that thermal generators are not required to provide inertia, and eliminating blackouts. Now, everyone wants one.

The post The “other” big battery that has quietly changed thinking about the grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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Tasdance perform in Queenstown's "pumpkin-soupy" Queen River

ABC Environment - Mon, 2018-10-15 09:40
The Unconformity, a three-day arts festival in the Tasmanian mining town of Queenstown, this year features a new work from Tasdance. It's called Junjeiri Ballun – Gurul Gaureima.
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UK steps towards zero-carbon economy

BBC - Mon, 2018-10-15 09:00
Ministers are responding to scientists' climate challenge. But are they doing enough so far?
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Selectronic launches SelectSun 3 phase grid-tie inverter and SP PRO advanced multi-phase upgrade kit

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2018-10-15 07:59

Following initial launches at the All Energy 2018 Conference and Exhibition, Selectronic are proud to add the new SelectSun solar inverter and Advanced Multi-Phase upgrade kit for the SP PRO multi-mode inverter to its product offering.

The post Selectronic launches SelectSun 3 phase grid-tie inverter and SP PRO advanced multi-phase upgrade kit appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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Big firms voice lack of faith in 'cumbersome' and 'impractical' Emissions Reduction Fund

The Conversation - Mon, 2018-10-15 05:05
The federal government has signalled its intent to prolong the Emissions Reduction Fund. But surveys of business leaders reveal widespread cynicism about a scheme perceived as politicised and bureaucratic. Jayanthi Kumarasiri, Lecturer in Accounting, RMIT University Abeyratna Gunasekarage, Senior Lecturer, Monash University Christine Jubb, Professor of Accounting, Associate Director Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Curious Kids: why do some dogs get ‘snow nose’ in winter?

The Conversation - Mon, 2018-10-15 05:04
Dog skin is exactly the same as yours and mine! It changes colour depending on how much light it's exposed to. Aaron Herndon, Senior Lecturer – Small Animal Internal Medicine, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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John Underhill-Day obituary

The Guardian - Mon, 2018-10-15 02:07

My colleague John Underhill-Day, who has died of heart failure aged 74, was an outstanding all-round naturalist who negotiated the purchase for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) of such flagship reserves as Minsmere in Suffolk and Leighton Moss in Lancashire.

During 17 years (1971-88) as deputy chief reserves officer and head land agent at RSPB head office, he was instrumental in the huge expansion of its reserves, persuading landowners to sell. He was an excellent negotiator, tough but fair. He pioneered a holistic approach to RSPB’s reserve management, for nature in general.

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Is meat's climate impact too hot for politicians?

BBC - Mon, 2018-10-15 01:18
Climate scientists say we must eat less meat but the UK government will not sell that message.
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How profit-driven inbreeding could bring the world dairy herd to its knees

The Guardian - Sun, 2018-10-14 19:00

The drive for genetic selection means cattle are increasingly vulnerable to deadly new epidemics that could emerge as the climate warms

Known for their distinctive long horns, the Ankole cattle of western Uganda have evolved over millennia to withstand their harsh environment, with its lengthy dry spells and abundance of local maladies such as trypanosomiasis, a disease spread by the tsetse fly. But after flourishing for almost 10,000 years, the Ankole have begun to rapidly disappear.

Farmland is dwindling in Uganda due to the expanding human population, and Ankole require vast areas to graze. Local herders have responded to the pressure by replacing them, cross-breeding Ankole cattle with industrial species such as the European Holstein. But while these hybrids gain favourable genetic traits from the Holstein, producing more milk and meat, and requiring less land to keep, there is a hidden cost.

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Story of unsung gardener revealed after appeal on BBC

BBC - Sun, 2018-10-14 18:18
Who was Miss Harrisson? We now know the story of the gardening pioneer denied a scholarship in 1898.
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Kangaroo attack leaves Queensland wildlife carer with collapsed lung

The Guardian - Sun, 2018-10-14 16:58

Linda Smith also suffered broken ribs and cuts after she stepped in to stop a 183cm kangaroo hurting her husband

A Queensland wildlife carer has severe injuries including a collapsed lung after she was attacked by a kangaroo. 

Experienced wildlife carer Linda Smith, 64, had a collapsed lung, broken ribs, cuts and other injuries after a 183cm kangaroo attacked after she stepped in to stop it hurting her husband near Millmerran on Saturday night.

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Fire

ABC Environment - Sun, 2018-10-14 11:05
How can we live in a fiery world?
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I'm face to face with Ningaloo's living miracles and it feels holy | Tim Winton

The Guardian - Sun, 2018-10-14 10:37

It’s a very lucky person who swims with whales – but many take heart from knowing such ecosystems exist and believe they need to be protected

I pull the outboard out of gear and let the boat’s momentum wash away until we’re dead in the water. Then I switch everything off – engine, echo sounder, even the radio – and there’s silence. Not even the sound of water lapping against the hull. Because it’s breathless out here today. The surface of the gulf is silky. The sky is cloudless, a shade paler than the water. And behind us, onshore, the arid ridges and canyons of the Cape Range are mottled pink and blond in the morning light.

There’s only the two of us aboard, and although the air and water are still enough to be dreamlike we’re not at all relaxed. In fact, each of us is craning at opposite sides of the boat, heads cocked, tense with anticipation.

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Puffin patrol: The children saving Iceland's pufflings

BBC - Sun, 2018-10-14 09:11
Puffin populations are struggling, but some young volunteers are coming to their rescue.
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Inland birds on the move in search of food as drought continues to bite

ABC Environment - Sun, 2018-10-14 08:05
Inland bird populations are being forced out of their usual habitat as the drought cripples food sources.
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Top climate scientist blasts UK’s fracking plans ‘as aping Trump’

The Guardian - Sat, 2018-10-13 21:55
James Hansen, ‘father of climate science’, accuses Britain of ignoring science

One of the world’s leading climate scientists has launched a scathing attack on the government’s fracking programme, accusing ministers of aping Donald Trump and ignoring scientific evidence.

James Hansen, who is known as the father of climate science, warned that future generations would judge the decision to back a UK fracking industry harshly.

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Rothera wharf 'kit of parts' heading to Antarctica

BBC - Sat, 2018-10-13 11:25
A team is preparing for the trip to the "most remote construction site in the world".
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