This week we hear some sad animal news and how politics is both forsaking and regenerating the climate.
Koalas killed in a bulldozing rampage
A team of vets and animal rescue officers are on the ground in VIC where a large number of koalas were killed on a timber plantation. 140 acres of trees had been bulldozed when a Portland resident found the dead koalas on Wednesday and alerted authorities. 25 koalas have been euthanased and the other 120 koalas on the site are being assessed. Experts are unsure of whether the animals were in the trees when they were felled or whether they came to the site after the event. However evidence suggests that the trees were bulldozed without consideration for the koalas and the penalties for killing and disturbing wildlife are being investigated.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-02/koala-deaths-in-victorias-south-west-to-be-investigated/11922088
New Greens leader
Adam Bandt has taken over as federal leader of the Greens party and with this, he has outlined his priorities and policies for the coming year. Among these is a policy to double the number of paid fireys which they plan to pay for by increasing levies in the coal, oil and gas industries. He has also proposed a Green New Deal focussing on jobs in renewable energy and investment in transforming Australia to a clean economy. Moreover, Adam hopes to renew pressure on the government and continue to push climate change as a priority for both the government and voters at the next election.
https://greens.org.au/campaigns/green-new-deal
UK to phase out diesel vehicles
The UK has revealed a plan to move forward their goal of banning the sale of new diesel, petrol or hybrid vehicles. This restriction was originally previewed for 2040 however with scientists and experts warning this will be too late, Boris Johnson announced that it would be moved to 2035. This comes as world leaders prepare for a United Nations Climate Summit to happen in Glasgow in November.
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-51366123
Big polluters slipping through big cracks
Once again, government policies meant to limit and reduce pollution have resulted in an increase in emissions in the coal industry. Mining companies such as BHP have been permitted to increase their greenhouse emissions under a scheme known as “safeguard mechanism” which was designed to ensure that the tax-funded emission reduction fund was upheld. Experts are calling for more accountability around emissions.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/08/big-polluters-again-allowed-to-lift-emissions-without-penalty
Rain saving turtles but presenting new complications.
The heavy rain in NSW has come just in time for the endangered Manning River helmeted turtle who are dying as waterways dry up. The turtle species has been described as a living fossil and is estimated to be more than 55 million years old, the ancestor to all Australian turtles. NPWS have been rescuing the turtles from rapidly shrinking waterholes, many of which were turning into mud as rivers stopped flowing. While the water from the rain will ease the pressure on these turtles, scientists are worried about the effects of ash being washed into waterways from the bushfires. They are hoping for more rain across the catchment to flush out sediment and regenerate the turtle’s habitat.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-09/rain-saves-manning-river-helmeted-turtle-but-threats-remain/11943480
Koalas killed in a bulldozing rampage
A team of vets and animal rescue officers are on the ground in VIC where a large number of koalas were killed on a timber plantation. 140 acres of trees had been bulldozed when a Portland resident found the dead koalas on Wednesday and alerted authorities. 25 koalas have been euthanased and the other 120 koalas on the site are being assessed. Experts are unsure of whether the animals were in the trees when they were felled or whether they came to the site after the event. However evidence suggests that the trees were bulldozed without consideration for the koalas and the penalties for killing and disturbing wildlife are being investigated.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-02/koala-deaths-in-victorias-south-west-to-be-investigated/11922088
New Greens leader
Adam Bandt has taken over as federal leader of the Greens party and with this, he has outlined his priorities and policies for the coming year. Among these is a policy to double the number of paid fireys which they plan to pay for by increasing levies in the coal, oil and gas industries. He has also proposed a Green New Deal focussing on jobs in renewable energy and investment in transforming Australia to a clean economy. Moreover, Adam hopes to renew pressure on the government and continue to push climate change as a priority for both the government and voters at the next election.
https://greens.org.au/campaigns/green-new-deal
UK to phase out diesel vehicles
The UK has revealed a plan to move forward their goal of banning the sale of new diesel, petrol or hybrid vehicles. This restriction was originally previewed for 2040 however with scientists and experts warning this will be too late, Boris Johnson announced that it would be moved to 2035. This comes as world leaders prepare for a United Nations Climate Summit to happen in Glasgow in November.
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-51366123
Big polluters slipping through big cracks
Once again, government policies meant to limit and reduce pollution have resulted in an increase in emissions in the coal industry. Mining companies such as BHP have been permitted to increase their greenhouse emissions under a scheme known as “safeguard mechanism” which was designed to ensure that the tax-funded emission reduction fund was upheld. Experts are calling for more accountability around emissions.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/08/big-polluters-again-allowed-to-lift-emissions-without-penalty
Rain saving turtles but presenting new complications.
The heavy rain in NSW has come just in time for the endangered Manning River helmeted turtle who are dying as waterways dry up. The turtle species has been described as a living fossil and is estimated to be more than 55 million years old, the ancestor to all Australian turtles. NPWS have been rescuing the turtles from rapidly shrinking waterholes, many of which were turning into mud as rivers stopped flowing. While the water from the rain will ease the pressure on these turtles, scientists are worried about the effects of ash being washed into waterways from the bushfires. They are hoping for more rain across the catchment to flush out sediment and regenerate the turtle’s habitat.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-09/rain-saves-manning-river-helmeted-turtle-but-threats-remain/11943480