Global water shortfall ‘to severely affect power generation’

Posted on March 23, 2016 by groundswellbasscoast

Image: Thinkstock

A 40% shortfall of water across the globe by 2030 could severely affect power generation. That’s the prediction of the World Energy Council (WEC), which is calling for immediate action in order to secure resilient energy infrastructure. The energy industry is the second largest user of freshwater after agriculture, it states, with water used all along the value chain in primary production as well as power generation.

Around 98% of the power currently produced needs water, it adds. The WEC’s report states the risks posed by the energy-water-food nexus will become more significant because of the growing demand. It highlights reductions in usable water capacity could impact two thirds of the 24,515 hydropower plants analysed and more than 80% of the 1,472 thermal electric power plants between 2014 and 2069.

>more> EnergyLiveNews

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Great Barrier Reef bleaching event: what happens next?

Posted on March 23, 2016 by groundswellbasscoast

Being at response level 3 basically means that the coral species that are normally most sensitive to bleaching, such as the colourful branching and table corals, have already moved from paling (and therefore some chance of recovery) to death…Furthermore, at level 3 the more bleaching-tolerant boulder corals have begun to dramatically pale at more than 10 different sites in several parts of the reef. To put it in simple, stark terms, multiple areas of the reef are now dead and dying…This is not just linked to current El Niño, which is now showing signs of waning. Response level 3 calls for continued monitoring and stronger management measures such as the tightened pollution caps discussed(!) by federal environment minister Greg Hunt in the wake of the bleaching seen over the past few days.

>more> The Conversation

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Bill Watch: High fixed network charges hit low energy consumers

Posted on March 17, 2016 by groundswellbasscoast

Surge in price of compulsory network charges is taking its toll on low energy consumers, particularly those on low incomes, single households, and pensioners. Such fixed daily charges can now be more than 50% of your bill!!

>more> OneStepOffTheGrid

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100% solar-powered buses arrive in London as UK eyes zero emissions by 2050

Posted on March 17, 2016 by groundswellbasscoast

London_bus_EveryStockPhoto_davidnikonvscanon_01

Soon to be trundling along London’s busy streets, the zero-carbon vehicle was designed and developed by China’s BYD company. Bus is 10.2m long, features full air conditioning and offers seats and standing spaces for 81 passengers. Batteries deliver 345 kWh of power and can run for up to 190 miles of typical urban driving. Recharging takes about four hours and can be completed overnight using low-cost off-peak electricity, the company said in a press release.

>more> RenewEconomy

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The Paris climate agreement and implications for Australia

Posted on March 17, 2016 by groundswellbasscoast

UntitledCIAfterParis

  1. Improve initial post-2020 pollution reduction target and commit to net zero emissions before 2050;
  2. Expand domestic policies and, in particular, have a plan to replace existing coal-fired power plants;
  3. Increase “climate finance” investment to assist vulnerable countries; and
  4. Cancel our “Kyoto carryover” of surplus carbon credits.

    Environment Minister Hunt, again, tries to tell us our emissions are nothing to worry about. Graph above shows we’re tracking to be worst in G20 except for Saudi Arabia.

>more> ClimateInstitute

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Charges laid following EPA investigation into Hazelwood mine fire

Posted on March 17, 2016 by groundswellbasscoast

Companies charged are:

  • National Power Australia Investments Limited
  • Hazelwood Pacific Pty Ltd
  • Australian Power Partners B.V.
  • Hazelwood Churchill Pty Ltd.

These charges allege that, as a result of the fire, the atmosphere in the region of the mine was so changed as to make, or be reasonably expected to make, the atmosphere:

  • noxious or poisonous or offensive to the senses of human beings
  • harmful or potentially harmful to health, welfare, safety or property of human beings
  • detrimental to any beneficial use made of the atmosphere.

>more> EPA_VIC

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WA – new modelling shows renewable-based system cheaper than fossil fuels

Posted on March 16, 2016 by groundswellbasscoast

At last, analysis premised on all fossil fuel assets needing to be replaced before 2030, which makes it a no-brainer that renewables win(unless our leaders make subsidies to fossil fuels even bigger than currently)

>more> RenewEconomy

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Hunt caught out on “peak emissions”, but he may have a cheap solution

Posted on March 16, 2016 by groundswellbasscoast

  • 445043-pollution-300x171Meanwhile, on ABC TV’s Q&A last night, Australia’s chief scientist Alan Finkel cited data from Hawaii, that the level of CO2 in the world’s atmosphere went up in 2015 by 3.05 parts per million – marking the largest annual increase in this metric since recording began more than 50 years ago…“What that says is that for all the effort we’re putting into trying to avoid increases of emissions, we’re losing. So what we’re doing with solar and wind and with changing our behaviour, we’re not winning.”

    From Comments:

    –Chris Fraser Hunt again ? … it would only take 20,000 in Flinders to vote against him … he might have mucked up the Environment Minister’s portfolio but got promotions and prizes as Minister for Everything But The Environment.

    -As letter to local paper pointed out, you could field a store dummy as a liberal candidate in Flinders and it would be elected. A store dummy……

    -True blue LibNat store dummy, of course..

 >more> RenewEconomy
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21 March QandA Dan Andrews and Frydenberg

Posted on March 15, 2016 by groundswellbasscoast

Here’s something we can do!!

click here to book your seat in  audience

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EcoCheck: Australia’s Southwest jarrah forests have lost their iconic giants

Posted on March 15, 2016 by groundswellbasscoast

UntitledJarrah

Sad reality of decimation of such important forests, ecosystem now adapted, badly out of shape. Separately, in southwest corner of WA, Tim Winton/Island Home advises it was considered a waste land for agriculture, until super-phosphate came along. Then Ag Minister declared “war on wilderness”. Aren’t we a sad species?

>more> TheConversation

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