Around The Web

The World Health Organization warns high air pollution could be a risk factor for severe Covid-19 cases.

The General Manager, Corporate Governance and Services will create the infrastructure and systems to enable the Commission to deliver on its goals and objectives. You will be responsible for the design and implementation of organisational policies, processes and systems, together with business planning to support the governance and corporate support functions.

Reporting to the Chief Executive and joining a new senior leadership team, The General Manager, Strategic Engagement and Planning will build a high-performing team, set the culture and create the systems and approaches to deliver the Commission's strategic and engagement objectives.

Reporting to the Chief Executive and as a member of a new senior leadership team, the Chief Science Advisor will set the scientific culture and ethos of the Commission and create the robust framework within which research and analysis will ensure high-quality and fit-for-purpose advice.

Major pork plant closed after hundreds of workers contract coronavirus, while speeding up of poultry production lines raises concerns over standards

• Coronavirus – latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

The US government is accelerating controversial regulatory rollbacks to speed up production at meat plants, as companies express growing alarm at the impact of Covid-19 on their operations.

Last week Smithfield shut down one of the largest pork plants in the country after hundreds of employees contracted the coronavirus. The plant in South Dakota – whose output represents 4–5% of US pork production – is reported to be the largest single-source coronavirus hotspot in the US, with more than 600 cases. In response, the company said it was “critical” for the meat industry to “continue to operate unabated”.

Now it has emerged that as a wave of plants announce closures, US meat plants are being granted permission to increase the speed of their production lines. This comes despite warnings that the waivers for higher speeds on slaughter and processing lines will compromise food safety.

Continue reading...

Councils in England can now ban cars from streets more easily to allow space for social distancing.

You will be expected to manage a global portfolio of carbon credit generating projects. You will be working in a rapidly evolving business area, often in challenging regulatory and legal environments, requiring you to be agile and perform well under pressure.

Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator has distributed 355,000 new carbon credits, keeping up its issuance rate amid the COVID-19 crisis.

The convergence of the climate and coronavirus crisis will be catastrophic. Now is the time to deploy a green stimulus

The Covid-19 epidemic is ravaging our tattered healthcare system and shredding our economy. In the past month, over 22 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits, compounding the fear that unemployment could breach 32% absent massive public action. This is an unmitigated human disaster, recalling the horrors of the Great Depression. And it gets worse. We’re also facing the climate emergency. Immediate relief is necessary – but not sufficient. To tackle all these crises at once, we need a Green Stimulus that creates jobs and lifts up communities in ways that also slash carbon pollution, increase resiliency, and develop a just, modern economy.

No one can predict when Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Donald Trump will turn their full attention to economic recovery. But behind the scenes, the planning has already begun. It’s not a question of whether we spend big on stimulus, but what kind of stimulus.

Continue reading...

Largest number of nests of leatherbacks found in two decades as beaches emptied

• Coronavirus – latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

Thailand has discovered the largest number of nests of rare leatherback sea turtles in two decades on beaches bereft of tourists because of the coronavirus pandemic, environmentalists say.

From wild boars strolling through the Israeli city of Haifa to deer venturing into London suburbs, lockdowns are drawing wildlife into many emptied areas.

Continue reading...

The ninth circuit court of appeals is being asked to overturn the EPA’s approval of a Monsanto herbicide that is allegedly a threat to farm crops across the US

The US Environmental Protection Agency is due in federal court on Tuesday to answer allegations that it broke the law to support a Monsanto system that has triggered “widespread” crop damage over the last few summers and continues to threaten farms across the country.

As farmers prepare to plant a new season of key American food crops, farmer and consumer groups are asking the ninth circuit court of appeals in San Francisco to review and overturn the EPA’s approval of a Monsanto herbicide made with a chemical called dicamba.

Continue reading...

NZUs rose slightly on Monday to their highest levels in a month as some emitters remain happy to get their hands on supply below NZ$25 and the government said its virus lockdown will be eased next week.

Market operator predicts an additional 2.5GW of large scale wind and solar could be built in South Australia in coming years after new link to NSW.

The post South Australia could reach stunning 87 per cent wind and solar in four years appeared first on RenewEconomy.

New modelling shows that Europe could reach climate neutrality before 2050 through a 100% renewable energy scenario.

The post Europe can reach net-zero by 2050 with 100% renewables, study shows appeared first on RenewEconomy.

ANU researchers warn that fossil fuel interests will use Covid-19 crisis to pressure governments for repeal of environmental regulations and climate laws.

The post Fossil fuel lobby to use Covid-19 to push for weaker climate laws appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Coronavirus pandemic could help to create a "perfect storm" for the wholesale electricity market, with the potential for lower demand, lower gas prices and new renewable projects to depress electricity prices,

The post Why Covid-19 could create “perfect storm” for wholesale electricity prices? appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Stubbo Solar Farm proposed for construction on sheep grazing land 115km east of Dubbo, in an area with “excellent potential” for large-scale solar generation.

The post UPC/AC scopes 400MW solar farm in NSW renewable energy zone appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Australian Tesla drivers who also own Powerwalls will soon benefit from update that balances charging in the event of a blackout.

The post Upcoming Powerwall update refines Tesla EV charging in blackout events appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The hope is blood from coronavirus survivors could treat hospital patients ill with Covid-19.

The output at one of Australia's landmark solar projects, and one of the biggest solar farms in Queensland, has been hobbled by "performance issues."

The post “Performance issues” hobble output at ground-breaking solar farm appeared first on RenewEconomy.