Eleven questions about climate change and Kiribati

Simon Donner.

I recently answered a series of very good questions about Kiribati’s struggle against climate change for the French photojournalism outlet Rendez Vous Photos.

Read the story by Simon Donner - “Eleven questions about climate change and Kiribati.”

Provocative Charlie Hebdo cover depicts Hurricane Harvey victims are neo-Nazis

The French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo relishes controversy, often seeming to invite offence with its provocative cover art.

One 2010 cover illustration showed a Muslim woman running naked, a burqa stuffed up her backside. "Wear the burqa," the caption read, "on the inside." Another showed the prophet Muhammad weeping because he was "overwhelmed by fundamentalists." A June cover depicted British Prime Minister Theresa May decapitated.

The newspaper's latest issue takes aim at a new target: the victims of the catastrophic Hurricane Harvey, which hit Texas on Friday, killing at least 35 people, displacing thousands and causing billions of dollars in damage.

Read Amanda Erickson’s story in rage Melbourne Age - “Provocative Charlie Hebdo cover depicts Hurricane Harvey victims are neo-Nazis.”

Solar future at Wunghnu

A solar future is on the cards for Wunghnu after French renewable energy powerhouse Neoen brought its ambitious energy proposal to Moira Shire Council.

The council last night voted to approve a planning permit for a large-scale solar farm at Wunghnu.

Clean energy: A solar farm at Parkes, NSW
run by French renewable energy company
 Neoen, which plans to build a similar
large-scale operation at Wunghnu.

If the ambitious plan goes forward to the construction stage, 350 000 solar panels will be placed at the solar farm, which will provide 100 megawatts of clean and green energy to the grid.

According to council documents, Neoen chose the site due to its easy access to the electricity grid and the hours of sunshine the area regularly gets.

The proposal was not without detractors, with the council receiving five objections from nearby landholders who were concerned about possible changes to nearby roads, impact on native plants and animals, and the visual impact on the area.

One of the objections has since been withdrawn.

The council has put forward 58 conditions to the solar farm, which include vegetation buffers, firebreaks and other environmental considerations.

The proposed site, which is located 3 km to the east of Wunghnu, covers an area of 517 ha.

Neoen has said it anticipated construction to begin next year.

The French company, which was founded in 2008, has projects in countries including Mexico, Egypt, Jamaica and El Salvador.

It recently made global headlines when the company partnered with Elon Musk’s Tesla to supply a 100 megawatt battery to help improve South Australia’s power problems.

Comment has been sought from Neoen.

Barclay White’s story in today’s Shepparton News - “Solar future at Wunghnu.”

World’s first wind farm towers featuring Indigenous art unveiled in South Australia's mid-north

The murals featured on the two wind
turbines were created by artists from the
Ngadjuri and Nukunu people.

Art on the side of Australia's iconic grain silos has taken the world by storm in recent years — but it is not just regional grain infrastructure that are being transformed into artistic canvases.

The world's first wind farm towers featuring indigenous art have been officially unveiled in South Australia's mid north last week.

The Hornsdale wind project outside Jamestown is a joint venture between French company Neoen and the Australian Capital Territory Government.

It has been estimated that it will inject $250 million into the South Australian economy and deliver clean energy to the capital.

Read the ABC Rural story - “World’s first wind farm towers featuring Indigenous art unveiled in South Australia's mid-north.”