Around The Web

A hydro-electric power station on the state’s largest dam – Burdekin Falls Dam – to secure energy and support jobs for North Queensland moved a step closer today.

Anger deepens over politicisation of Energy Security Board and design of National Energy Guarantee that could reinforce dominance of incumbent utilities, stop large scale renewables, maintain status quo and fail emissions targets. But some say it does have potential.

Genex Power's Kidston solar and pumped hydro plant could provide 2000MWh of storage, and 8 hours of continuous generation, rather than six.

If you ask mainstream media, renewables are the key driver of Australia's rising power prices; a scourge that's at its worst in South Australia. Yeah, nah.

BNEF say new Coalition plan could see 42% renewables by 2030, the same as Finkel. But rooftop solar will account for most new installations, and large scale wind and solar could be sidelined by coal extensions. Still, BNEF describe it as innovative and elegant.

IEA says coal will be used to provide access to electricity to just 16% of those without electricity now, while renewables will account for at least 60%.

Amazon Wind Farm Texas is the company's biggest yet. To celebrate, CEO Jeff Bezos videoed himself christening it, atop one of its 100 turbines.

National Geographic’s #TellYourPollutionStory asks readers to share their images to shed light on new evidence that pollution – air, water, soil and workplace – is the leading cause of death in the world

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Landmark study finds toxic air, water, soils and workplaces kill at least 9m people and cost trillions of dollars every year

Pollution kills at least nine million people and costs trillions of dollars every year, according to the most comprehensive global analysis to date, which warns the crisis “threatens the continuing survival of human societies”.

Toxic air, water, soils and workplaces are responsible for the diseases that kill one in every six people around the world, the landmark report found, and the true total could be millions higher because the impact of many pollutants are poorly understood. The deaths attributed to pollution are triple those from Aids, malaria and tuberculosis combined.

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Researchers say UK’s enthusiasm for bird feeders compared with mainland Europe responsible for increase in beak length

The reason some birds in Britain have evolved bigger beaks over the past 40 years may be down to the country’s enthusiasm for feeding them in their gardens, researchers have said.

The report published on Thursday in the US journal Science compared beak length among great tits in Britain and the Netherlands, where bird feeders are less common.

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Tasmania's swift parrots are in trouble. Scientists are aiming to help them by keeping them safe from predators, but without better habitat protection, the species may go extinct. Dejan Stojanovic, Postdoctoral Fellow, Australian National University Matthew Webb, Australian National University Rob Heinsohn, Professor of Evolutionary and Conservation Biology, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Townsville and Rockhampton councils may pay millions more if company’s bid to sew up deal with traditional owners fails

Two local councils are paying $31m to build an airstrip for Adani’s Queensland coalmine – and could fork out millions more if the energy giant’s bid to sew up a deal with traditional owners hits a stumbling block.

Townsville and Rockhampton councils last week announced they would spend $15.5m each on the airport – hundreds of kilometres away – in a deal to secure Adani’s guarantee of 2,200 construction jobs for their residents.

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After a new study showed an alarming decline in insect populations we asked you to share your pictures of the creatures, in celebration of all they do for global ecosystems. Here are some of our favourites

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Prof Joanna Haigh from Imperial College London explains why this gas has played a crucial role in shaping the Earth's climate.

A new study finds alarming decline in insect numbers – we’d like your help celebrating what these creatures do for life on earth

A dramatic plunge in insect numbers reported in a new study has led scientists to predict what they are calling “ecological Armageddon”.

Three-quarters of flying insects in nature reserves across Germany have vanished in 25 years, the study says, with serious implications for all life on Earth.

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RN Drive helps you sort fact from fiction with the latest from the world of science.

Flying insects have declined by more than 75% in 30 years in German nature reserves, alarming ecologists.

David Yeo’s photography places naturally small species alongside animals that have been selectively bred to be tiny and cute, opening a troubling ethical debate

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How Turnbull's National Energy Target will be worse for the renewable energy sector than no policy at all.

Chinese battery and EV giant is ramping up its presence in Australia’s home energy storage market with its modular B-Box battery offering.