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An object lesson in thrush hunger

The Guardian - Tue, 2017-01-17 15:30

Rockland, Norfolk It’s not uncommon to see two fight over fruit for minutes on end, each lunging alternately at the other

Our neighbours grow apples commercially and their five acres supply both the community in autumn and the thrushes during winter. Recently I fulfilled a long-held promise to erect a hide and watch the birds among the windfalls there. First I had to gather several barrowfuls of my own, which was itself a memorable exercise. While I raked the wasp-mined Bramleys my boots mulched down the flesh, sending up a sweet foetor and leaving geometrically patterned cakes of apple mud underfoot.

Once I’d tipped 100lb of fruit in a sunlit heap by the hide, I retired to steep the whole scene in silence, before returning next day.

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Australia should invest in coal power to reduce emissions, minister says

The Guardian - Tue, 2017-01-17 14:07

Economists and energy analysts question environmental and economic case for Matt Canavan’s coal push

Research touted by the resources minister that reportedly suggests Australia can rely on coal to meet emissions reduction has been attacked by experts and appears to have been misreported.

The Australian reported on Tuesday that research conducted by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science – and commissioned by Matt Canavan, the federal minister for resources – showed Australia could cut its emissions by 27% if it replaced its existing coal power stations with the more efficient “ultra-supercritical” technology.

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NSW government to assist companies aiming to go 100% renewable

RenewEconomy - Tue, 2017-01-17 13:32
NSW government to provide up to $10,000 to help companies to go 100% renewable or to achieve zero net emissions.
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Australian renewables investment bucks global trend to grow 49% in 2016

RenewEconomy - Tue, 2017-01-17 13:10
After two disastrous years, investment in large scale renewable energy finally rebounded in Australia in 2016, and actually went against the global trend with a 50 per cent increase.
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Trump warming to reality of climate change, says senior Chinese official

The Guardian - Tue, 2017-01-17 12:58

Beijing’s chief climate negotiator, Xie Zhenhua, talks down fears that joint leadership shown by China and the US will be reversed under new president

China’s chief climate negotiator has attempted to calm fears that Donald Trump’s arrival in the White House will spell disaster for the fight against climate change.

Trump, who has dismissed climate change as “bullshit” and a Chinese hoax, will become the first climate sceptic to occupy the highest office in the US when he is sworn in on Friday.

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Australia rooftop solar market recovers late in 2016, but falls short of target

RenewEconomy - Tue, 2017-01-17 12:56
The Australian rooftop solar market made a strong recovery late in 2016 to slightly beat the 2015 figure, and the early indications look for for the new year.
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Leopard shark makes world-first switch from sexual to asexual reproduction

The Guardian - Tue, 2017-01-17 12:37

Leonie the shark astounds researchers by producing live hatchlings after being separated from her mate in 2012

A leopard shark in an Australian aquarium has reproduced asexually after being separated from her mate.

It is the first reported case of a shark switching from sexual to asexual or parthenogenetic reproduction and only the third reported case among all vertebrate species.

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No Minister, Australia doesn’t need last century’s expensive, outdated energy

RenewEconomy - Tue, 2017-01-17 12:01
Resources Minister's suggestion Australia could meet its climate targets by replacing ageing power stations with emerging ‘low emission’ coal-fired technology is an unrealistic fantasy.
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Renewable energy production stagnates in Germany in 2016

RenewEconomy - Tue, 2017-01-17 11:47
There were only minor changes in the share of renewables in Germany last year. The most surprising being the change in natural gas..
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Concerns over first snow and common leopards found in same area

BBC - Tue, 2017-01-17 11:02
Video footage showing snow leopards and common leopards sharing the same habitat causes alarm.
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Giant alligator strolls past tourists in Florida – video

The Guardian - Tue, 2017-01-17 11:02

A video posted by Kim Joiner to Facebook shows an enormous alligator crossing in front of a group of tourists waiting with their smartphones ready

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Australia's bees and wasps revealed to be as dangerous as its snakes

The Guardian - Tue, 2017-01-17 10:56

More than half of deaths from bites and stings between 2000 and 2013 the result of anaphylactic shock, analysis shows

Of all Australia’s venomous animals, bees and wasps pose the biggest threat to public health, causing more than twice the number of admissions to hospital as snake bites and the same number of deaths.

The first national analysis of 13 years’ data on bites and stings from venomous creatures has found that just over one-third (33%) of almost 42,000 admissions were caused by bees and wasps, compared with 30% by spiders and 15% by snakes.

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Broken Hill solar plant viewing platform poses a $10,000 challenge

RenewEconomy - Tue, 2017-01-17 10:35
How do you make the viewing platform for the Broken Hill solar plant a design and educational landmark? That’s the challenge AGL Energy Limited (AGL) is setting for artists, designers, architects and engineers.
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Energy innovators invited to join world first accelerator program

RenewEconomy - Tue, 2017-01-17 10:35
The Free Electrons global accelerator program is seeking the next generation of ideas in energy innovation, and will connect the people with these ideas to major utilities currently serving more than 70 million customers in 40 countries.
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Households cash in on solar during heatwave

RenewEconomy - Tue, 2017-01-17 10:35
Yesterday’s high temperatures saw Queensland Reposit Power customers take the heat off their electricity bills by earning GridCredits, a world first energy storage trading system that are earned when energy is sold back to the National Electricity Market (NEM) or network utilities.
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Sonnen wins US$1.5 million Zayed future energy prize

RenewEconomy - Tue, 2017-01-17 09:03
German battery manufacturer receives US$1.5 million award at opening ceremony of World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.
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Gene Cernan, last man to walk on Moon, dies aged 82

BBC - Tue, 2017-01-17 08:36
US astronaut Gene Cernan, commander of Apollo 17, has died, his family and Nasa announce.
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How airlines can fly around new carbon rules

The Guardian - Tue, 2017-01-17 07:30

Aircraft are gradually becoming more fuel efficient, but that’s not happening fast enough to keep up with the boom in flying

The world’s airline industry adds to climate change. It burns the equivalent of more than 5m barrels of oil a day, adding up to around 2.5% of all carbon dioxide pollution, in addition to nitrogen oxides, soot and water vapour, which place an even bigger burden on the world’s climate.

Aircraft are gradually becoming more fuel efficient, but that’s not happening fast enough to keep up with the huge boom in flying – since the 1970s, global air traffic has doubled in size roughly every 15 years. Flying is still cheap and budget airlines make it even more attractive, partly thanks to an international agreement reached in 1944 that prohibits tax on aviation fuel for international flights.

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Breaking down the cost of renewables

ABC Environment - Tue, 2017-01-17 07:05
Can we really continue our transition toward renewable energy without any extra costs?
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Venus wave may be Solar System's biggest

BBC - Tue, 2017-01-17 05:16
A giant wave in the atmosphere of Venus may be the biggest of its kind in the Solar System.
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