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Hopes of mild climate change dashed by new research

The Guardian - Thu, 2017-07-06 04:00

Planet could heat up far more than hoped as new work shows temperature rises measured over recent decades don’t fully reflect global warming already in the pipeline

Hopes that the world’s huge carbon emissions might not drive temperatures up to dangerous levels have been dashed by new research.

The work shows that temperature rises measured over recent decades do not fully reflect the global warming already in the pipeline and that the ultimate heating of the planet could be even worse than feared.

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Plan bee: parliament to produce honey to sell in shop and give to dignitaries

The Guardian - Thu, 2017-07-06 04:00

Parliamentary triangle is ideal for bees because Canberra’s centre is relatively free from pollution and has a good range of plants

It is a fact that Canberra has its fair share of honey-tongued politicians but parliament is about to produce its very own product.

Three beehives have been installed in the grounds around Australia’s Parliament House in Canberra to produce honey for sale in the shop and to give as gifts for visiting dignitaries.

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Bringing nature into your backyard

BBC - Thu, 2017-07-06 03:26
How urban gardens are connecting with nature to bring wildlife into the city.
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Latest legal challenge to Tory air pollution plans fails

The Guardian - Wed, 2017-07-05 23:14

High court instructs ministers to publish full proposals by the end of July

The government has won the latest court challenge over the UK’s air pollution crisis.

Environmental lawyers ClientEarth had argued that ministers’ draft proposals to improve air quality – which contributes to tens of thousands of deaths each year – were unlawful.

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Why the Republican Party's climate policy obstruction is indefensible | Dana Nuccitelli

The Guardian - Wed, 2017-07-05 20:00

It’s unscientific, fails basic risk management, is bad for the economy, and immoral

Two weeks ago, Senator Al Franken (D-MN) had an exchange with Trump’s Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry about climate change.

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Animal rights groups criticise New Zealand's war against possums

ABC Environment - Wed, 2017-07-05 18:25
A recent incident has got some animal rights groups fired up about this issue.
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Inquiry into effects of fracking launched after Blackpool tremors

The Guardian - Wed, 2017-07-05 15:36

Investigation is part of an £8m research project examining impacts on land, water and air of the extraction technique

Scientists will investigate how fracking can affect drinking water and its role in earthquake tremors of the kind caused by shale gas operations near Blackpool, as part of a taxpayer-funded £8m research project.

The programme, backed by the Natural Environment Research Council and Economic and Social Research Council, will examine hydraulic fracturing’s environmental impacts on land, water and air, as well as public attitudes to the controversial extraction technique.

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Sadiq Khan pledged to help cyclists – so why is he such a stick in the wheel?

The Guardian - Wed, 2017-07-05 15:15

Subverting superhighways with sorry quietways; preserving motor vehicle capacity even if it brings conflict with cyclists – the mayor must do better

Do you remember that Blackadder scene where General Melchett proudly unveils a map representing the territory gained by his troops? Dimensions: 17 sq ft. Scale: actual size. London mayor Sadiq Khan’s cycling programme – formerly Britain’s bike flagship – is starting to feel a bit like that.

More than a year since he took office pledging to “make London a byword for cycling”, “accelerate” the existing programme and “triple” to 36 miles the length of segregated cycle superhighways, the mayor has by my count opened 80m (260 ft) of new segregated lane. Work is progressing, extremely slowly, on another half-mile or so. And that is about it.

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Exotic paradox in the herbaceous borders

The Guardian - Wed, 2017-07-05 14:30

Powis Castle, Wales A dangerous beauty stolen by European adventurers and hinting of vast plains a world way

The anchor plant, Colletia paradoxa, with its geometric architecture, looks like trouble among the summer flowers in the herbaceous borders on the terrace gardens. And yet its very oddness makes it fit with an assembly of plants few, if any, of which would grow together in the wild. A paradox indeed.

Plants from the Americas, the far east and Europe grow cheek by jowl according to an aesthetic based on colour and form rather than geography. Although many do share similar ecological characteristics, some appear suited for other planets.

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Collinsville 42.5MW solar farm underway as site works begin

RenewEconomy - Wed, 2017-07-05 13:41
Works begin on Ratch Australia's 42.5MW solar farm, which is being constructed on the site of a former coal power plant.
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Energy Efficiency market report: Predictably unpredictable

RenewEconomy - Wed, 2017-07-05 13:15
Things are becoming predictable in the Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificate market, even if that is supply side’s ability to surprise. Meanwhile, in NSW, a stunning development.
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How the far Right have hijacked Australia’s energy policy

RenewEconomy - Wed, 2017-07-05 13:07
Last week's speech by NSW energy minister Don Harwin was exactly the sort of thing Malcolm Turnbull used to say about climate and energy policies, before he became master of all he surveyed – apart from his own climate and energy policies.
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Cities to get more sustainable with smart communities code

RenewEconomy - Wed, 2017-07-05 12:43
“the Code for Smart Communities will set new benchmarks for smart cities and communities across Australia, New Zealand and beyond, by providing important guidance on how to use technology, data and intelligent design to accelerate more efficient, liveable and sustainable development projects"
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Transmission: We need to building now to deal with wind and solar boom

RenewEconomy - Wed, 2017-07-05 12:36
With renewable investment accelerating way faster than most anticipated a year ago, it's likely parts of the transmission grid will become constrained. We need action, not more analysis.
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Raw waste water use on farms is '50% higher' than estimated

BBC - Wed, 2017-07-05 12:12
Farmers are using far greater amounts of untreated waste water on crops, posing risks to public health.
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As one home heads off grid… many more are choosing not to connect

RenewEconomy - Wed, 2017-07-05 12:07
One home in the heart of the Latrobe Valley goes off grid. But more than half of the new homes in the area are not even bothering to connect to the network in the first place, using rooftop PV and storage to look after their own needs.
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Solar and battery storage to power Victorian coal mine museum

RenewEconomy - Wed, 2017-07-05 11:58
In neat illustration of the clean energy transition, a Victorian NGO has won state government funding to power a historic coal mine site with solar and battery storage.
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Climate Change Authority loses last climate scientist | Planet Oz

The Guardian - Wed, 2017-07-05 10:35

David Karoly says without an expert to replace him, the CCA will struggle to fulfil its legal mandate

Imagine, if you will, a government board to champion Australian arts without any artists on it, or an agency to advise on medical research without any medical researchers.

Or perhaps even, imagine a government authority set up to provide expertise on climate policy without any actual climate scientists.

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Coal giant Vattenfall creates solar plus storage business unit

RenewEconomy - Wed, 2017-07-05 09:45
Swedish power utility ramps renewable energy activity in recent weeks, spinning out a new photovoltaics & battery business unit from its business area wind.
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Elon Musk says Tesla Model 3 production will begin Friday

RenewEconomy - Wed, 2017-07-05 09:43
Elon Musk says production of Model 3 will begin this Friday, and rump up to 20,000 a month by December.
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