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The South American wetland, which falls within Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, would be vulnerable to biome loss and increased wildfires

• ‘Losing Noah’s Ark’: Brazil’s plan to turn the Pantanal into waterway threatens world’s biggest wetland

Dozens of scientists are sounding the alarm that carving a commercial waterway through the world’s largest wetlands could spell the “end of an entire biome”, and leave hundreds of thousands of hectares of land to be devastated by wildfires.

The Pantanal wetland – which falls within Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, covering an area almost half the size of Germany – is facing the proposed construction of a commercial waterway, as well as the expansion of industrial farming and spread of intense wildfires. A cohort of 40 scientists say the waterway development represents an existential threat to the ecosystem: reducing the floodplain, increasing the risk of fires and transforming the area into a landscape that could more easily be farmed.

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Australia cannot risk any further declines in its biodiversity resulting from harvesting native forests, or actions that bring further risks to its emissions-reduction goal. David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Brendan Mackey, Director, Griffith Climate Action Beacon, Griffith University Heather Keith, Senior Research Fellow in Ecology, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australian scientists have joined an elite club of just eight around the world, making a perovskite solar cell that can hit 30 per cent efficiency. 

The post Australian solar team beats perovskite efficiency milestone, joins elite global club appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Plans to "repower" an ageing wind are seeking the all-clear from the federal environment minister, in what would be a significant first for Australia's wind industry.

The post One of Australia’s oldest wind farms could nearly double capacity by “repowering” with bigger turbines appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A Thousand Thorns is a project by photographer Deepti Asthana documenting women’s changing aspirations in rural India through the story of two young female forest guards in Rajasthan’s Thar desert. Theirs is a scenario playing out in millions of homes – of the fight for equality and independence in a deeply patriarchal society

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Li-S Energy is making a powerful, lightweight battery for aviation and eVtol craft and plans to make as many parts in Australia as possible.

The post Australian battery maker opens first facility in Victoria, lands federal funds for expansion appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Rooftop solar helps push minimum operational demand to record low levels in the middle of winter, in a challenge to "baseload" coal and the Coalition's nuclear fantasies.

The post Rooftop solar meets 80 pct of state’s electricity demand – in middle of winter appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A Shanghai- and Hong Kong-listed securities firm has issued a call for expressions of interest in Mainland China projects seeking status as Other Effective land-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) as part of the country’s efforts to meet its commitments under the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

Plans to build a 600MW solar farm and two-hour big battery have joined the queue for assessment under the federal EPBC Act.

The post Huge NSW solar farm and big battery seeks federal green tick appeared first on RenewEconomy.

An Australian investment joint venture has launched a carbon credit fund focusing on reforesting agricultural land after securing A$80 million ($52 mln) in its initial close from some of the country’s largest miners and airlines.

Australia’s global fossil fuel carbon footprint is three times larger than its domestic footprint. Around 80% of the damage is done overseas.

The post Australia is doubling down on fossil fuel exports, and helping to blow global carbon budgets appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Coal and gas exports expected to remain roughly at current level until at least 2035 with 4.5% of emissions linked to Australia, report finds

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Australia’s coal and gas exports cause more climate damage than those from any other country bar Russia, according to a new study that argues the country is undermining a global agreement to transition away from fossil fuels.

The analysis, commissioned by the University of New South Wales’ Australian Human Rights Institute, found Australia was the third biggest fossil fuel exporter on an energy basis in 2021, trailing only Russia and the US.

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Just over a month ago, the Grosvenor coal mine in Queensland exploded, causing a massive methane plume and doing more damage in an hour that 10,000 tree saplings could offset in 10 years.

The post Huge methane plume from Queensland coal mine explosion underlines case for rapid closure appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Water companies that miss standards should pay customers more compensation, the government proposes.

Australia’s contribution to global warming and its share of the world’s carbon budget is much higher than it appears and within just over a decade could amount to 77 billion tonnes of CO2e, a report from one of Australia’s leading climate scientists cautions.

A new report reveals Australia’s fossil fuel exports threaten the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C Bill Hare, Adjunct Professor of Energy, Murdoch University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research underscores the need to counter the effects of urban growth on drought by ensuring cities have enough green spaces to keep them liveable. Ian A. Wright, Associate Professor in Environmental Science, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Discovery of 20-year-old Leticia A Castillo’s body marks third reported death in national park since 31 July

A 20-year old woman was found dead in the Grand Canyon following a multi-day search.

In a statement, the National Park Service (NPS) announced that it had located a body below Twin Overlooks along Desert View Drive on Tuesday. The body was transported to the rim and transferred to the Coconino county medical examiner’s office.

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Project to study all 11,000 species of butterflies and moths finds ‘two species in the act of being created from one’

The chalkhill blue has some surprising claims to fame. For a start, it is one of the UK’s most beautiful butterflies, as can be seen as they flutter above the grasslands of southern England in summer.

Then there is their close and unusual relationship with ants. Caterpillars of Lysandra coridon – found across Europe – exude a type of honeydew that is milked by ants and provides them with energy. In return, they are given protection in cells below ground especially created for them by the ants. Chalkhill blues thrive as a result, though their numbers are now coming under threat.

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Paapa Essiedu and Stephen Dillane also sign open letter urging theatre to end Royal Bank of Canada’s support over its shares in fuel and arms

Actors including Mark Rylance, Paapa Essiedu and Stephen Dillane have signed an open letter calling on the Old Vic theatre to cut ties with a major sponsor over its links to fossil fuels, the Observer can reveal.

Signed by dozens of actors, playwrights, directors and other creatives, the letter calls on the historic London theatre to end links with its principal financial partner, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). The contract is up for renewal this year.

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