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Australian research questions soil carbon fundamentals
Telstra retires 1.5 mln CERs to hit carbon neutral target
Current policies will bring ‘catastrophic’ climate breakdown, warn former UN leaders
Three former UN climate heads say gap between government promises and actions will change environment irreversibly
The policies currently in place to tackle the climate crisis around the world will lead to “catastrophic” climate breakdown, as governments have failed to take the actions needed to fulfil their promises, three former UN climate leaders have warned.
There is a stark gap between what governments have promised to do to protect the climate, and the measures and policies needed to achieve the targets. At the Cop26 summit last November, countries agreed to bring forward plans to limit global heating to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels – the limit of safety, according to scientists. They have so far submitted pledges that would limit temperatures to under 2C.
Continue reading...For 50 years, governments have failed to act on climate change. No more excuses | Christiana Figueres et al
Conflict and Covid make these troubling times, but national leaders must cooperate and take action now
At the end of February this year, the world’s governments signed on to a statement that was startling in its strength and clarity. “The cumulative scientific evidence is unequivocal: Climate change is a threat to human wellbeing and planetary health,” reads the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report. “Any further delay in concerted anticipatory global action on adaptation and mitigation will miss a brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all.’”
You might think that political leaders could have no higher priority than securing a “liveable and sustainable future”. Is that not what all of us, in every country, need and want for ourselves and for future generations? It is true that other issues are causing grave concern in many societies: governments worldwide are tackling poverty and hunger, wars and civil conflicts, the rising cost of food and energy, health systems and economies crippled by Covid-19.
Christiana Figueres was executive secretary of UNFCCC from 2010 to 2016
Yvo de Boer was executive secretary of UNFCCC from 2006 to 2010
Michael Zammit Cutajar was executive secretary of UNFCCC from 1991 to 2002
Continue reading...4 reasons our gas and electricity prices are suddenly sky-high
Why did gas prices go from $10 a gigajoule to $800 a gigajoule? An expert on the energy crisis engulfing Australia
Geese, skuas, cranes and even foxes: avian flu takes growing toll on wildlife
One ecologist counted 160 dead wild birds while walking round a Scottish loch, and figures from other countries are just as worrying
As he walked along the shoreline of a Highland loch on a fine May evening, ecologist and wildlife photographer Peter Stronach could hardly believe what he was seeing. The beach was littered with dead and dying birds: male eider ducks, several species of gulls, a gannet, a puffin and no fewer than 26 pink-footed geese, which should by now have been on the way back to their Icelandic breeding grounds.
In all, Stronach recorded 72 individual birds of 17 species at Loch Fleet national nature reserve on the east coast of Scotland on that one day, plus many more in the following days.
Continue reading...Bowen says Coalition left energy markets “ill-prepared,” as prices spin out of control
Bowen's first press conference as climate and energy minister focuses on energy crisis, and the right mess left by the Coalition.
The post Bowen says Coalition left energy markets “ill-prepared,” as prices spin out of control appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Ex-fire chief predicts Labor will strengthen 2030 climate target after meeting minister
Greg Mullins says Chris Bowen’s invitation to meet with experts is a ‘stark contrast’ to outgoing Coalition government
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The longest-serving former fire commissioner in Australia, Greg Mullins, has predicted the Albanese government will ramp up its 2030 emissions reduction target over the coming years, because Labor is prepared to take advice from experts.
Mullins made the prognostication after meeting the new climate change minister Chris Bowen in Canberra on Thursday.
Continue reading...“Golden age of renewables” hailed at official launch of Australia’s biggest wind project
Acciona hails the "golden age of renewables" at the official ceremony to mark construction of Australia's biggest wind farm.
The post “Golden age of renewables” hailed at official launch of Australia’s biggest wind project appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Australian developer eyes PNG blue carbon project under IPCOS
How going 100 pct renewables will shield one part of Australia from surging power prices
With the electricity market in crisis, one Australian jurisdiction could be shielded from higher prices thanks to buying 100 per cent renewables.
The post How going 100 pct renewables will shield one part of Australia from surging power prices appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Australia need lots of storage, more transmission, and regulators who can factor in emissions
Australia's regulators have been cut off at the knees, forced to ignore the biggest cost of electricity (GHG emissions) in infrastructure projects designed to reduce them.
The post Australia need lots of storage, more transmission, and regulators who can factor in emissions appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Wind power meets and beats Denmark’s total electricity demand – two days in a row
Windy conditions in northern Europe provided more than 100% of Denmark’s electricity consumption for two days in a row in May.
The post Wind power meets and beats Denmark’s total electricity demand – two days in a row appeared first on RenewEconomy.
CP Daily: Wednesday June 1, 2022
Can Australian gas help the world navigate the climate crisis? Or is it just more hot air? | Temperature Check
The path to net zero is plagued by claims that LNG is less dirty than coal, but there is practically no evidence to back them up
Is Australia’s multibillion dollar gas industry going to help the region and the world decarbonise, as its supporters and the industry claims?
Neat soundbites that gas is less dirty than coal, or factoids suggesting liquefied natural gas exports are pushing out those of more polluting coal, are plentiful and slip easily from the tongue, but are almost always bereft of detail.
Continue reading...Life extensions and “predictive” maintenance could save wind farms millions
Australia’s first wind farms are nearing retirement but "predictive maintenance" could extend their life and save millions, new study finds.
The post Life extensions and “predictive” maintenance could save wind farms millions appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Industry super fund snaps up 10 pct stake in Australia’s biggest offshore wind project
Industry super fund makes first investment in offshore wind with a 10 per cent stake in Star of the South, Australia's biggest and most advanced project.
The post Industry super fund snaps up 10 pct stake in Australia’s biggest offshore wind project appeared first on RenewEconomy.