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Category: General news
Managing director of Ebono Institute and major sponsor of The Generator, Geoff Ebbs, is running against Kevin Rudd in the seat of Griffith at the next Federal election. By the expression on their faces in this candid shot it looks like a pretty dull campaign. Read on
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What stories should we tell James Randerson, The Guardian
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The John James Newsletter 84
1 of 51The John James Newsletter 84
Inboxx John James
8:15 AM (21 minutes ago)to JohnThe John James Newsletter 8410 October 2015When those who are honestly mistaken learn the truth, they will either cease being mistaken, or cease being honest. They cant do both.AnonymousFiji PM Warns Of Syria-Style Refugee Crisis If Rich Nations Don’t Do More On ClimateFrank Bainimarama has taken aim at advanced nations for ignoring the plight of Pacific Islanders in pursuit of short-term economic growth.Sanders Condemns ‘Disastrous’ TPP as Ministers Seal Deal for Corporate EliteCritics say the pact will raise the price of essential drugs, drive industrial scale agribusiness, and threaten workers rights. Most of the global economy will be subject to corporate courts in which governments can be sued for protecting the public interest from corporate greed; Medicine prices will rise as Big Pharma gets more power to monopolize markets; Small farmers will suffer from unfair competition with industrial scale agribusiness.No wonder this has been agreed in secret.TPP agreement slammed as ‘betrayal’ of environment, boon for fossil fuelsWhat Sovereign Rights Did We Just Sign Away?The Greens worry the deal will expose Australia to litigation from multinational corporations under its Investor-State Dispute Settlement clauses.Pro-Corporate TPP Could Kill the InternetGlobal Internet censorship will criminalise online activities, censor the Web, and Internet Service Providers would be required to ‘police’ YOU, take down Internet content, and cut you off from Internet access.China’s 3,000-Acre Aircraft Carriers Could Change the Balance of Power in the PacificThus far — and construction continues — China has created nearly 3,000 acres of land out of the ocean. Just consider that the highly touted and massive US aircraft carriers (from which can launch a wing of more than 70 jets and helicopters) are only 5 acres of flattop. Are these artificial islands similar to hundreds of unsinkable aircraft carriers in the South China Sea? That shifts the balance between the two competing militaries.In South China Sea, a Tougher US StanceRejecting China’s “Great Wall of Sand,” the US Navy concludes that failing to sail and fly close to the outposts would signal that Washington tacitly accepts Beijing’s far-reaching territorial claims.Half of Europe opts out of new GM crop scheme14 countries and three regions would make two-thirds of Europe’s population and arable land GM-freeSolar Company Announces Huge Step Forward In EfficiencyResidential solar company SolarCity announced Friday that its Buffalo, New York “gigafactory” will be producing solar panels that are more efficient — and 30% more powerful — than its previous version.Syrian Battle Lines Create Tough Questions In GeopoliticsWhatever news is coming from the region bears uncertainty and increased tension with far-reaching implications in geopolitics. Many of the major geopolitical-players in the region are finding it difficult to estimate the total account.US, Allies Blast Russia For Attacking Al Qaeda In SyriaObama says Russia “doesn’t distinguish between ISIL and a moderate Sunni opposition that wants to see Mr. Assad go… From their perspective, they’re all terrorists.”Is Russia Repeating Cold War Mistakes in Syria?US reluctance to be more assertive in Syria: A strategic necessity born out of war weariness and a lack of attractive options or an overall strategic retreat from the region.Putin Risks Enraging ‘the Entire Sunni World’Russia’s stepped up efforts in the country have infuriated the Sunni Arab governments of the region, which have long called for Assad to step down and pressured the US to bolster support for Syria’s rebels.Iran claims Russia has started delivery of S-300 missile defence systemThe S-300 is capable of tracking multiple planes at once and some versions have an interception range of 200 kilometers. It is considered to be one of the most sophisticated anti-aircraft weapons in the world.Russian ‘volunteer’ forces headed for Syriamore than 600 Russian military personnel were already on the ground in Syria, not counting aircrews, and that tents for nearly 2,000 people had been seen at Russia’s air base near Latakia.Israeli gunfire injures roughly 500 Palestinians during West Bank clashesViolent clashes have erupted between Palestinian youths and Israeli troops in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.Palestine: A Land in FragmentsMore than 200 Israeli farms occupy the West Bank, plus military zones and highways. The West Bank is no longer a viable or contiguous state. The Palestinians are being squeezed out like pips.Why the violence? Watch how their land has been annexed and eaten away leaving the Palestinians without identity or governance. What’s left?Deforestation, ArgentinaA series of NASA then and now images of the 1972-2009 period of agricultural “annexation” of the Amazon.NSW town provides blueprint for 100% renewable energy communitiesUralla has outlined plans to go 100% renewable energy, in a government-sponsored blueprint that could become the model of many other towns. The Zero Net Energy Town – the Uralla Case study – describes a two-stage process that the town could adopt “zero net energy”. Two dozen towns in the state have already expressed interest.Hunt says “inevitable” large numbers will quit grid with battery storageHunt will use the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to help accelerate the deployment of battery storage in Australia.Counting the lost, one by one, in Syria’s Book of the DeadYou can say ‘100,000 people have died’ in two seconds, but will take 72 hours to read all their names.”Ruminations of an Afghan Girl Burning to Death in a Hospital BedPhysical pain makes clear-thinking and generous thinking more difficult, until death appears in front of you, and then the physical pain is as nothing.The Chinese are taking over the movie business by sheer force of numbersChina is opening 100 new screens each week, and has grown by an average of 30% every year for the last 10 years. The US has 40,000 screens and its once mighty domestic movie market is shrinking, Chinese could grow to 160,000 screens in the next 30 years. China is already the number two movie market in the world, behind US domestic (which includes Canada). Five years ago, China was eighth.10 Million at Risk of Hunger Due to Climate Change and El NiñoThe production of maize, Malawi’s staple food, has dropped by 30% in 2014, while prices have risen 100%.Denmark: Poverty And Inequality Are On The RiseThe number of homeless people has increased by 23% since 2009. Denmark is losing its egalitarian luster.We Need To Fight The Coup PlottersSouth America’s largest country, Brazil, has been rocked by a political crisis fuelled by a mass protest movement calling for the dismissal of centre-left president Dilma Rousseff. The protests come as the country officially moves into recession, with Brazil’s economy expected to contract this year by 2%.The Gun Smuggler’s LamentLibya is torn apart by two warring governments and a web of rival militias. This is the story of a failed revolution and the people it engulfed. If you wonder what the recent history has been of that sorry country, read hereThe World Beard and Moustache Championships -
Massive underwater heatwave Gemma – Fight for the Reef info@fightforthereef.org.au via cmail19.com
More1 of 30Massive underwater heatwave
Inboxx Gemma – Fight for the Reef info@fightforthereef.org.au via cmail19.com
7:11 PM (31 minutes ago)to meThey’re calling it the “White Death”.No Images? Click here 
Hi NEVILLE, They’re calling it the “White Death”.
Scientists are alarmed that this summer the Great Barrier Reef could be hit by a massive coral bleaching event. They predict this could damage up to fifty percent of the Great Barrier Reef. [1]
This is the impact that global warming is having on our Reef.
This is the impact that the mining and burning of coal is having on our Reef.
Scientists say that the most corals in the Reef could recover, but only if we tackle global warming and stop other threats to the Reef. That means halting further industrialisation and reducing water pollution.
Now is not the time to be pushing new coal export projects like Adani’s Abbot Point port expansion, which will lead to increased dredging and shipping on the Reef. Adani’s mega mine will also add to global warming, which means more frequent coral bleaching events like the one we face this summer.
But it’s not all bad news.
Just this morning we heard Australia’s new Minister for Resources and Energy Josh Frydenberg on Radio National say that “Adani is a commercial project… it needs to stand on its own two feet.. it wouldn’t be a priority”
This is the first time a Turnbull Government Minister has come out and said Adani’s coal mine, rail and port development is not a priority for government.
Although these comments are promising, we need them to completely rule out using any taxpayer funds to bail out this disastrous Reef-wrecking project.
The mining and burning of coal is a leading contributor to global warming, causing the waters to warm and become more acidic.
Bleaching happens when the Reef’s waters remain too hot for too long.
The Reef is clearly under stress and the Turnbull Government needs to do more to help reduce impacts on the Reef, including stopping mega-ports, dredging, the Carmichael project and pollution.
You can help today by SHARING this photo on Facebook and tagging @JoshFrydenberg.
Thanks for standing up for the Reef,
Gemma Plesman
on behalf of the Fight for the Reef team -
Why can’t we talk about this? Ellen Sandell MP
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Why can’t we talk about this?
Inboxx Ellen Sandell MP
2:17 PM (3 hours ago)to meDear Neville —
The footage we’re seeing of bushfires this week is shocking and incredibly sad. But so far nobody has said the one thing that needs to be said: extreme weather like this in October is exacerbated by climate change, and the Victorian Government is failing to properly address it. Read my thoughts in The Age on the link with climate change.
My dad was a firefighter. I know what it feels like to wait up for him and hope he comes home safely. But the conditions we’re seeing now are worse than when I was growing up.Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley has said such high temperatures and winds speeds have never been seen this early in October. While I want to know our Government is keeping us safe, I also want to know they’re addressing the root cause of the problem, not just the symptoms. Click here to read my article in The Age about climate change and fires.
Unless we drastically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, end our dependence on polluting brown coal for power, and build clean, renewable energy, the unusually risky conditions and extreme temperatures we are seeing could become the norm.
Read my thoughts on what failing to address climate change will mean for bushfire risk.
My thoughts are with the brave firies and residents saving lives and properties right now.
Let’s not let every season become bushfire season.
Ellen
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Adani’s sinking liferaft Sam R – GetUp!
The conversation has been marked as not important.More1 of 42Adani’s sinking liferaft
Inboxx Sam R – GetUp! Unsubscribe
12:50 PM (5 minutes ago)to meSomething exciting just happened, NEVILLE.Indian mining company Adani is seeking a lifeline for their Reef-destroying, climate-damaging project – and we have the chance to sink it.
This morning on Radio National, Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg was asked if he would be prepared to give huge handouts for Adani’s coal project. His answer? “Adani needs to stand on its own two feet… it wouldn’t be a priority project for the Commonwealth.”1
It’s a major shift from the Government, who have repeatedly nominated Adani as a candidate for hundreds of millions of dollars worth of handouts to prop up their Reef-destroying, climate-damaging project.
They’re encouraging words, but it’s far from a concrete promise.
But if enough of us reach out right now, we can show Minister Frydenberg just how popular a solid commitment not to fork out Government money for Adani would be. It could be enough to get him over the line.
Here’s the really exciting thing. Without a government lifeline, Adani could be cooked. Top financial analysts have said the market for thermal coal will never recover, and Adani’s coal will likely never find a market.2
Major banks won’t touch it. Already, 15 of the world’s 20 biggest banks have ruled it out because of financial or environmental concerns.
Simply put, the Carmichael Mine and Abbot Point might never get off the ground without this funding.
Can you help grab this golden opportunity with both hands? https://www.getup.org.au/nohandouts
With hope,
Sam R and Adam, for the GetUp team
PS – There’s never been a more important time to act. Just this morning, we heard the Great Barrier Reef is facing the worst bleaching event in history. This summer, up to 10% of the Reef’s coral risks dying. We need to do every single thing we can to protect our precious Reef. Here’s the first step: https://www.getup.org.au/nohandouts
References
[1] Big ideas for the top end, ABC Radio National, 9 October 2015
[2] Why more banks should be wary about coal, Sydney Morning Herald, 13 September 2015 -
THE GLOBAL CONVEYOR BELT
Currents
The Global Conveyor Belt 1 2 3
Thermohaline circulation begins in the Earth’s polar regions. When ocean water in these areas gets very cold, sea ice forms. The surrounding seawater gets saltier, increases in density and sinks.
Winds drive ocean currents in the upper 100 meters of the ocean’s surface. However, ocean currents also flow thousands of meters below the surface. These deep-ocean currents are driven by differences in the water’s density, which is controlled by temperature (thermo) and salinity (haline). This process is known as thermohaline circulation.
In the Earth’s polar regions ocean water gets very cold, forming sea ice. As a consequence the surrounding seawater gets saltier, because when sea ice forms, the salt is left behind. As the seawater gets saltier, its density increases, and it starts to sink. Surface water is pulled in to replace the sinking water, which in turn eventually becomes cold and salty enough to sink. This initiates the deep-ocean currents driving the global conveyer belt.
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