Around The Web

Degeneration of soils, genetically modified and patented seeds, and the threat of severe droughts as well as floods, are all affecting food security

• Follow the Australia news live blog
• Get our free news app; get our morning email briefing

In the northern New South Wales town of Kyogle last week, locals as well as residents of Nimbin and Lismore descended on the IGA supermarket – if they had petrol – in the hope of buying a bagload of groceries.

By lunchtime, many of the shelves containing fresh fruit and vegetables, and even the freezer aisles, were empty.

Continue reading...

Campaigners say community energy groups can help reduce country’s dependence on Russian fossil fuel

The UK should “mobilise an army of volunteers” to transform the country’s energy landscape and reduce its dependence on Russian fossil fuel by setting up community energy groups, say campaigners.

With energy prices rising, local schemes such as solar panels, locally-funded wind farms and even hydroelectric dams could be crucial to helping generate energy.

Continue reading...

Analysis of satellite observations show forest is losing stability with ‘profound’ global implications

The Amazon is approaching a tipping point, data shows, after which the rainforest would be lost with “profound” implications for the global climate and biodiversity.

Computer models have previously indicated a mass dieback of the Amazon is possible but the new analysis is based on real-world satellite observations over the past three decades.

Continue reading...

Switzerland and Chile last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, reinitiating discussions on carbon credit transfers between the two nations.

EUAs plunged more than 10% on Monday as traders adopted a "risk-off" approach amid a spike in energy prices after reports emerged that the US and EU are considering an embargo on energy products from Russia.

For the first time, a IPCC report has acknowledged the role of misinformation. But it still doesn’t name the culprits

People who do not spend their days reading climate reports or scouring the archives of oil companies are often surprised to hear that the fossil-fuel industry has been part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) since its inception. And it’s not just the IPCC. Oil companies have been involved in the entire international effort on climate change since it began in the late 1980s – and here’s a pro tip: they’re there for a reason, and it’s not decarbonisation.

The second part of the IPCC’s most recent report was published last week, and it finally acknowledged the oil industry’s biggest contribution to the climate space thus far: misinformation. This was followed closely by another new-to-the-IPCC topic: maladaptation, which refers to measures ostensibly geared towards warding off climate change, but which “may lead to increased risk of adverse climate-related outcomes, including via increased greenhouse gas emissions, increased or shifted vulnerability to climate change, more inequitable outcomes, or diminished welfare”, according to the IPCC.

Continue reading...

A new blockchain venture sold only a modest number of carbon tokens over its three-day fundraising event that closed Saturday, an outcome participants said was a result of difficult overall market conditions rather than a signal that crypto’s inroads into carbon are coming to an end.

China has eased its tone on energy control efforts in this weekend’s annual government work report, focusing instead on achieving its GDP growth targets.

Australia’s independent Climate Change Authority (CCA) on Monday launched its review of the use of international carbon credits, while the market remained quiet as traders continued to ponder the implications of last week’s Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) exit option announcement.

Nigel Morris has downgraded his rooftop solar forecasts for 2022, while SMA’s Boris Wolff shares his take on the Australian and global market, and the shift towards grid forming inverters.

The post Solar Insiders Podcast: New year solar gloom, and SMA’s big inverter plans appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Labor’s Chris Bowen discusses his new Tesla Model 3, what it means for Labor’s EV policy, and shares his views on the latest moves to accelerate coal closures.

The post The Driven Podcast: Chris Bowen on his new Tesla and Labor’s EV policy appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Research shows that governments and individuals making small changes can have a huge impact in reducing emissions

• Six promises you can make to help reduce carbon emissions

People in well-off countries can help avert climate breakdown by making six relatively straightforward lifestyle changes, according to research from three leading institutions.

The study found that sticking to six specific commitments – from flying no more than once every three years to only buying three new items of clothing a year – could rein in the runaway consumption that is partially driving the climate crisis.

Continue reading...

Nine projects in the Latrobe Valley share in state government funding, including floating solar, and portable solar and storage for emergency services.

The post Floating solar, locally made batteries, share in grants for Latrobe Valley ventures appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Keith Pitt provides another $7.5 million handout to the gas industry to drill for gas in the Beetaloo Basin, using Europe energy crisis as justification.

The post Pitt uses Russian invasion to justify another handout for gas drilling in Beetaloo Basin appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Cannon-Brookes' and Brookfield may have downed pens for now. But it won't be for long because analysts are already turning against AGL's plans.

The post AGL blinded by the short term, but Cannon-Brookes bid has changed future of energy appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Reporting to the Head of Carbon Markets, this role will join a dynamic and fast-paced environment and work with cross-functional teams to design, build and roll-out products that deliver the company’s vision and strategy.

By following moisture from the oceans to the land, researchers worked out exactly how three oceans conspire to deliver deluges of rain to eastern Australia. Chiara Holgate, Hydroclimatologist, Australian National University Agus Santoso, Senior Research Associate, UNSW Sydney Alex Sen Gupta, Senior Lecturer, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Global Green Growth Institute is looking for a program manager to support preparedness for Article 6 cooperation.

Australian carbon credit units lose a quarter of their value in a single day, after the Morrison government announced a surprise intervention.

The post Australian carbon market routed after Taylor’s shock intervention appeared first on RenewEconomy.

We are living through a revolution in energy policy in Australia. I cannot recall when last I sat down to write a column with as much relish as this one.

The post Victoria’s offshore wind plan is biggest thing since Loy Yang. Shame the media missed it appeared first on RenewEconomy.