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Researchers tethered 50 long-spined and 50 short-spined urchins outside lobster den and sharks were observed ‘smashing the whole thing’

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An experiment designed to investigate lobster predation on sea urchins unexpectedly found that Port Jackson and crested horn sharks ate the spiky animals instead.

The research, led by University of Newcastle marine ecologist Jeremy Day, involved tethering sea urchins at the entrance to a lobster den – home to at least 20 large eastern rock lobsters – near Wollongong on the south coast of New South Wales.

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An experiment designed to investigate the role lobsters play in regulating sea urchin numbers unexpectedly found sharks were eating them instead. The research, led by the University of Newcastle marine ecologist Jeremy Day, involved 50 long-spined and 50 short-spined sea urchins tethered to the entrance of a lobster den on the south coast of NSW. Over the course of 25 nights, sharks ate 45 of the urchins, while lobsters ate only four. Sea urchins are native to NSW but have become are a pest in Tasmania, where they are threatening local ecosystems

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The best of this week’s wildlife photographs from around the world

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The stars of 367 Collins Street have welcomed baby birds to the nest. Two hungry chicks are taking meals after entering the world on a Melbourne skyscraper. Last year’s eggs were unable to hatch after the mother stopped incubating – likely due to a territorial dispute – making the stakes all the higher this year

• Good eggs: fans delighted as new peregrine falcon chicks hatch on Melbourne skyscraper

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Snowy Hydro seeks to play down use of diesel at its controversial Hunter Valley power project, which is still waiting for a connection to the gas network.

The post Snowy plays down diesel allowance for Kurri Kurri, but gas pipeline problems persist appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Kenneth Newcombe, formerly CEO of C-Quest Capital, indicted over allegations of carbon credit manipulation

A former carbon offsetting executive has been charged with fraud by US federal authorities, who allege that he helped to manipulate data from projects in rural Africa and Asia to fraudulently obtain carbon credits worth tens of millions of dollars.

Kenneth Newcombe, former CEO of C-Quest Capital LLC and a leading figure in the offsetting industry, was indicted on Wednesday in New York with commodities and wire fraud.

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The largest operating wind farm in Australia, has marked a significant milestone, with the first export of renewable energy to the national electricity market.

The post Australia’s largest operating wind farm sends first power to Sunshine State grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Renewable records fall for the third time in five days, and likely more to follow as coal fired generators learn how to switch off and then back on again.

The post Renewable penetration record falls for third time this week on Australia’s main grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Sharks easily consumed large, spiky sea urchins – sometimes in just a few gulps. See it for yourself, in our new Footage from the Field Series. Jeremy Day, PhD researcher, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Bosses say cost of complying with zero-emission vehicle mandate is ‘astronomical, and unsustainable’

UK electric car sales hit a record high in September, even as bosses from big carmakers told the chancellor that government targets were putting too much pressure on the industry.

The British industry sold 56,300 electric cars during the month, the highest on record, according to preliminary data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a lobby group.

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Aula Energy has jumped on board the plans to build a more than 600 megawatt wind farm in south-western New South Wales.

The post Macquarie’s Aula jumps on board plans to build massive wind farm in New South Wales appeared first on RenewEconomy.

IEEFA's recent research on the cost of building nuclear is detailed and extensively referenced, with the methods laid out transparently. Dismissing it as "cherry-picked" and "nonsense" is not good enough.

The post If Peter Dutton has a better understanding of the cost of building nuclear, then let’s see it appeared first on RenewEconomy.

David Crisafulli reminds voters that an LNP government in Queensland does not mean Peter Dutton can bank on the state's support for building nuclear power plants.

The post “Differences of opinion:” Queensland state LNP insists it will not sign up to Dutton’s nuclear plan appeared first on RenewEconomy.

An Australian investment manager is raising A$6.6 million ($4.5 mln) for a fund that purchases agricultural land for carbon and biodiversity offset projects.

University launches hydrogen research, demonstration, testing and training hub on key transport corridor linking industries, communities and resources.

The post “Agile and industry facing:” University launches first of a kind hydrogen R&D hub appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Anticipation for the next stage in ETS rulemaking lifted California Carbon Allowance (CCA) prices in the secondary market over the last five sessions, while the $10 rally over the last two weeks in Washington Carbon Allowances (WCAs) continues to confound traders.

A major cement producer commissioned Thursday a $38 million low-carbon fuel facility at its Alberta cement plant, anticipated to replace up to 50% of the site’s gas usage and reduce 30,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.

The WCI compliance instrument surplus once again picked up in Q3 ahead of the November true-up deadline, although account holders declined over the timeframes in light of general market participants' exit.

One of the largest climate funds in the world announced on Thursday that it would invest up to $1 billion in technologies that reduce emissions from the industrial sector in developing countries.

The quality of carbon credits generated by forest carbon projects in Mexico are not meeting the market’s new demands for high quality offsets, a Mexican project consulting firm said Thursday.