Around The Web

Little surprise that the Coalition is mixing its message on climate, but overall it's clear to see our current leaders are unwilling to part with the financial support of Australia’s coal barons.

The post Lip service and lies: Coalition’s response to the IPCC report appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Hawaiian utility talking to developers of seven solar-plus-storage projects as it seeks to fast-track transition to 100 per cent renewable energy.

The post Hawaii to add more than 1GWh of storage as it heads to 100% renewables appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Beware the latest rooftop solar scare campaign from the networks. There are more important things to do than to demonise solar households.

The post Here comes the sun, but don’t panic appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Alex Turnbull says cheap renewables means no trade-off between lowering power bills and reducing emissions. If only his dad had said that.

The post Turnbull’s son hails cheap renewables, urges no vote for “crazy” Liberals appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Five southern koalas have been flown from Australia to the UK to create a back-up population.

Group, which received surprise $443m government grant, seeks more money by highlighting possibility for companies to enhance reputation

The Great Barrier Reef foundation has announced plans to raise up to $400m on top of its controversial $433m federal government grant, including from fossil fuel companies and other corporate donors who give money for “reputation scoring”.

The foundation has consistently made it clear it will not play a role in pushing for stronger emissions reductions targets, despite consistent and repeated scientific warnings that no reef program will be worthwhile without action on climate change.

Continue reading...

Telstra's 68MW solar farm begins production, marking another big shift of Australian corporates choosing renewables to lock in low prices.

The post Telstra’s first solar farm up and running as other projects join the grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The word's largest solar tower and storage is completing its final tests. Our correspondent was there to take a look at the solar future.

The post World’s biggest solar plus storage plant goes through final testing appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Scientists say that more than 100 thousand varieties of rice have been safeguarded for the future.

Cars, planes, heating, fracking and food will come under scrutiny as the UK bids to keep climate change to 1.5C.

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

The administrator of the California-Quebec carbon market amended its by-laws on Thursday to account for Ontario’s summer departure from the programme, and approved in principle work to help account for cross-border compliance instrument transfers.

RGGI allowances continued to find support at higher prices this week due to heightened interest from speculators, while California allowances stagnated on the secondary market.

Strict new standards in Canada aim to end winter smogs caused by wood burning that have plagued cities such as Montreal

This October the city of Montreal will draw a line under a 20-year air pollution problem that started with the 1998 ice storm. Considered one of the worst disasters in Canadian history, around 35 people died and nearly 1,000 were injured. At its peak, more than 3 million people were without electricity as pylons and power lines collapsed under the weight of encrusted ice. Some homes had no power for many weeks. People rushed to install wood burners to keep warm and to be prepared for a repeat of the crisis.

Continue reading...

A decade ago, only a third of farmers accepted the science of climate change. But surveys show attitudes have shifted in recent years as the farming community begins to confront what the future holds. Sarah Ann Wheeler, Professor in Water Economics, University of Adelaide Céline Nauges, Research Director, INRA Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The latest UN climate report makes it clear that the task of limiting climate change is urgent and huge. We must start to transform our economy today, but it will bring rewards as well as challenges. Alan Finkel, Australia’s Chief Scientist, Office of the Chief Scientist Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Exclusive: Kingvale station’s proposed clearing of 2,000 hectares could be held up for months

Federal approval to clear more than 2,000 hectares of Queensland native forest in the catchment for the Great Barrier Reef could potentially be held up for months after the Environmental Defender’s Office launched court action to prevent it.

The federal court proceedings against the state environment minister and the owners of Kingvale station come as the federal environment minister, Melissa Price, extended the time to make a decision on the controversial Kingvale proposal to 31 October.

Continue reading...

If you believe the red-tops, these colourful creatures are heading for our bedrooms. But, can they be all bad? Here’s why we should try and live peacefully with them

‘Invasion of cannibal ladybirds carrying STIs wreaks havoc,” screams the Sun. Should we scoff at such sensationalism? Well, the red-tops are mostly correct. Except for the havoc bit.

There are plenty of ladybirds about this autumn and many are flying into our homes. Unlike our native letterbox-red ladybirds, these creatures are often orange or yellow and possessing many spots, or none.

Continue reading...

Seven multinationals unite in drive to improve supply chain standards, though campaigners warn only firm commitments will make an impact

Pressure from consumers and investors has pushed seven of the largest names in the food industry to join forces in improving animal welfare standards, the first industry-led coalition of its kind.

The members of the Global Coalition for Animal Welfare (GCAW) are Aramark, Compass Group, Elior Group, Ikea Food Services, Nestlé, Sodexo and Unilever, which jointly serve 3.7bn customers daily, and have combined revenues of $165bn (£124bn).

Continue reading...

Ongoing animal slaughter must be treated with same severity as drug and people trafficking, say leaders from 80 nations gathered in London

The mass trafficking of wildlife impoverishes everyone in the world and must be treated with the same severity as drug and people trafficking, according to leaders from 80 nations gathered at the Illegal Wildlife Trade conference in London on Thursday.

“The illegal wildlife crime makes us all poorer, not just those countries robbed of their wildlife, natural habitat and resources, but all of us who are cheated of our natural inheritance, the rich diversity of our living world,” said Theresa May, UK prime minister, on Thursday. “We need to treat this billion-dollar criminal enterprise in the same way we do other serious and organised crimes.”

Continue reading...