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To mark Science Week, Life Matters has teamed up with the Bureau of Meteorology to examine the impacts of weather on our lives. Starting with weather and its ability to influence our mood and behaviour.

Bodangora wind farm in NSW switches on its first turbines.

Australia’s leading clean-tech business accelerator EnergyLab has partnered with Southern Cross University’s Enterprise Lab to launch an Acceleration Program for innovators in the renewable and advanced energy sectors.

After 17 days, the orca at last stops carrying her newborn and begins chasing salmon off Canada.

The animal turned on the Chinese man after he got too close with his camera at Lake Naivasha.

Papers show UK environment secretary suggested owners voluntarily end controversial practice of burning heather to head off threat of compulsory ban

Michael Gove, the environment secretary, has been accused of letting the owners of large grouse moors who are alleged to be damaging the environment off the hook.

The accusation from campaigners concerns the owners’ practice of repeatedly burning heather on their moorland estates to help boost the numbers of grouse for shooting.

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The US space agency launches a probe that aims to travel closer to the Sun than ever before.

Nasa's Parker Solar Probe spacecraft has taken off on its mission to "touch the Sun".

Inspired by the art of ikebana – a traditional style of Japanese flower arranging – Montreal-based artist Raku Inoue hand-crafts bugs using materials from his garden. He transforms his garden waste, including sticks, seeds and petals, to create his Natura Insects series. “I think about the main shape of the insect,” he says, “and try to find something to satisfy that. It’s very much like a puzzle.” As the year progresses, his creative options change. “I choose the materials according to what nature offers during that time. All four seasons offer many different materials to play with.” The series started as a morning routine over coffee to sharpen his thoughts for the day. “It was never meant to be a complex process, but rather an easygoing, morning mind-stretching exercise.”

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The new owner of the Monsanto group insists glyphosate use is safe despite a cancer payout.

Single-Column Responsive Email Template SENG QLD Newsletter - August 2018 Welcome to Newsletter Number 73 Dear SENG Qld members and friends, The fantastic War on Waste event was recently held in Hawken Auditorium. Four outstanding presenters delivered authoritative insights regarding the waste cycle and exciting new developments for managing it. The Sustainable Engineering Society Qld Branch wish to thank our presenters and attendees for creating an inspiring, informative and enjoyable evening. It is exciting to gather, apply our skills and systematically tackle urgent issues such as waste. It is the only way big challenges have been successfully met in the past. This month's newsletter includes: War on Waste - closing the cycle Other Events Interesting Snippets Open for comment David's Blog As always, we welcome input from members regarding topics or speakers of interest. Please contact one of the Qld committee members, or consider coming along to a committee meeting, held at Engineering House prior to each of our technical seminars. We hope to see you there! Sustainable Engineering Society Qld Branch Engineers Australia. WAR ON WASTE - Closing the Cycle, A Zero Waste Economy This fantastic event was held in Hawken Auditorium, early evening Tuesday July 3. Four outstanding presenters each delivered insightful aspects of the waste cycle and exciting new options for managing it. - Richard Denniss, chief economist at the Australia Institute, delivered an entertaining discussion on how to reduce waste by distinguishing between consumerism, the love of buying things and materialism, the love of things, and the benefits from making the distinction. - Kali Martin discussed the waste streams currently processed by NuGrow and how they are recycled into beneficial products such as compost and soil conditioners. Case studies will be presented demonstrating NuGrow’s innovative approach to closing the loop between waste and resources to achieve their vision of healthier environments supporting healthier communities. - Georgina Davis (Doctor of Engineering, Chartered Waste Manager and Chartered Environmentalist) discussed the facts behind the new waste levy in Queensland and what a new waste strategy should contain and look like. He also discussed the current state of the recycling industry after China’s ban on receiving recyclable waste, and what is needed to secure a sustainable future recycling industry. - Dr Gareth Forde , principal engineer at All Energy Pty Ltd, presented about generating energy from waste organics and how anaerobic digestion compares to other waste to energy (W2E) options. The implications of the proposed landfill levy were also considered. :: A recording of these presentations is available here !! :: The presenter's slides have been made available here !! Once again, the SENG Qld Branch wish to thank the presenters for their generous and inspiring contribution to sustainable engineering practice. Other Events Industrial Environmental Compliance Workshop 16 August 2018, 6pm - 7pm CQU Gladstone, Marina Lecture Theatre The workshop will discuss the function, structure, legislation and administration of Qld Government’s Department of Environment and Science. This includes departmental initiatives, current CQ compliance trends and systems for accessing regulatory and enforcement guidelines. Register here. Carbon Fibre from Coal 15 August 2018, 5:30pm - 7pm Engineers Australia Newcastle Suite 3 Tonella Commercial Centre Dr Stanger from University of Newcastle discusses research of key technology aspects for making carbon fibres from coal as a much cheaper alternative. Find out more and register here. . Interesting Snippets For your interest, horror and amusement. SENG makes no claims regarding the accuracy or currency of these items, but always refer to authoritative sources. Qld Paying Refunds for Containers From November 1st 2018, participating container refund points will pay 10 cents per eligible 150 mL to 3 L container. Find more details about the scheme here. The War on Waste Click here to access the ABC’s War on Waste podcasts, sign up to the email newsletter (for great waste-saving tips), and do what’s Good for your ‘Hood by downloading the Action Toolkit to fight the war on waste in your ‘hood. Thanks Auntie! Engineers Australia Report on the National Energy Plan Read here about the Finkel Report’s major shortcomings, as identified by the Chair of Engineers Australia’s Electrical College. Read about the Engineers Australia's recently released submission for the Australian Government's final draft of the NEG Detailed Design Consultancy Paper here. Linc Energy directors face criminal charges Five directors of the now-liquidated Linc Energy have been criminally charged and face up to 5 years jail for actions that may be summarised as ecological vandalism undertaken for commercial reasons. Read more about the prosecution’s outcomes regarding Linc’s failure to acknowledge the damage and attempts to hide it from the regulator, here. Weak Australian climate policy losing billions in health benefits Professor Capon of the University of Sydney explains how the implementation of less-polluting modes of transport and energy sources would significantly reduce the associated health costs, benefitting Australia's budget bottom line. Find out more here. Green economy reaches 6% of global listed equity market The chief executive of FTSE Russell has declared the green economy now holds a share of the global equity market that is equivalent to the oil and gas economy, as they increase and decrease, respectively. Find more authoritative details regarding the world’s transition to sustainable industries here. California is Exceeding its Emissions Targets Greenhouse gas pollution levels have been reduced to 1990 levels ahead of its 2020 deadline and its Carbon Intensity is down 38% from 2001 levels. Read more details here. Scotland Breaking Renewables Records According to WWF Scotland, energy harvested from wind turbines over 6 months in 2017 produced enough electricity to fulfil the entire nation’s power demands for six days. Find more encouraging statistics about Scotland’s successful transition process here. Two huge solar farms for NSW German renewable energy giant Innogy will soon begin construction of two solar farms in NSW expected to contribute 460MW to the power grid. Find out more here. Awards and Open for Comment Annual Qld Environmental Engineering Student Awards Night - October 2018 SENG and WMAA have been hosting the annual Environmental Student Award in Queensland since 1999. The event allows Environmental Engineering and Science undergraduate students from Queensland universities to showcase their thesis work to an audience of industry professionals and fellow students. This night also allows a demonstration of the directions in current environmental research and to show the diversity and quality of content in thesis studies from all over Queensland. Find out more about this fantastic honorary event here. Petition to enact legistlation to ban new investments in coal - Sign the petition here for the Queensland Government to enact legislation banning all new investment in coal, oil, and gas projects within Queensland, that contribute to global warming. Moment for Action Sign the petition David's Blog Keep up to date by reading David's Blog on the SENG website. Log in using your to post comments or questions. Join the conversation on our LinkedIn group page If you have an idea to share, an issue you would like feedback on, or just want to follow the conversation, click here to join the group. If you can't view this email click here to view online Click here to unsubscribe from this newsletter

One small public notice stating the intention to mine Ellison Reef was the seed from which the 'Save the Barrier Reef' campaign was spawned. To celebrate the Reef Diver project, we've brought this episode up form the depths of the Off Track archives.

A US jury finds the company knew its Roundup weedkillers were dangerous, but Monsanto vows to appeal.

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

Emails obtained by New York Times show workers worried that companies could get away with using asbestos in ways the EPA did not list

The Environmental Protection Agency’s own staffers objected to a controversial new US rule governing the use of cancer-causing asbestos, according to internal emails.

Related: EPA ordered to ban pesticide linked to learning disabilities

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Trainee indigenous rangers head out on country; Morwell's Repair Cafe is open for business; rediscover the joy of receiving a hand-made card; and it's cake time at the Ekka.

The Carr fire, one of 13 large fires burning in California, was ignited in late July when a trailer tire blew out and created sparks as it ground on the asphalt. It killed seven people and destroyed 1,077 homes in the small city of Redding, in the far north of the state. New photos released by the city show the extent of the damage

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Entities participating in the WCI cap-and-trade programme will see their holding limits revised downward next month to account for Ontario leaving the linked carbon market.

European carbon prices reached their highest level since May 2011 on Friday, setting a fresh seven-year peak in thin trade amid curtailed auction supply.

Prices for California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credits retreated this week as sell-side pressure reversed gains made in late July that helped notch several records.