Economic lockdown causes strong reduction in air pollution globally

No, dolphins and swans didn't return to the canals of Venice to swim in clear water as an unexpected side effect from the pandemic – these claims were shown to be fake.

But new research reveals it is true the grinding halt on global economic activity has had a remarkable effect on ground and atmospheric pollution.

Using satellite images and data from thousands of air quality stations, European researchers have found a 20 per cent decrease in air pollution – including ground-level nitrogen dioxide (usually caused by car pollution), ozone, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) - during the first two weeks of lockdown in 27 countries around the world.

Read the story from The Age by Miki Perkins - “Economic lockdown causes strong reduction in air pollution globally.”

Turnbull warns of 'catastrophic' future if we don't move to net zero

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has slammed the "false" and "misleading" claims in Parliament about the risk of achieving net zero emissions, rebuking his former colleagues for ignoring the cost of inaction on climate change.

Malcolm Turnbull - warnings of a "catastrophic future".

Mr Turnbull warned of a "catastrophic" future if Australia and other countries did not move to net zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, throwing more weight behind a 2050 deadline for target.

In a blunt speech to the Informa conference of energy executives, he fired a series of warning shots at Prime Minister Scott Morrison by warning the "bubble" debate in Canberra put the country in danger from inaction on climate change.

"We've got to stop this false debate, this misleading debate about whether getting to net zero emissions by 2050 ... is something that's optional," he said in Sydney on Tuesday.

Read the story from The Age by David Crowe - “Turnbull warns of 'catastrophic' future if we don't move to net zero.”

Angus Taylor's claim LNG exports reduce global emissions 'likely wrong' – climate expert

Claims by the energy and emissions reduction minister, Angus Taylor, that Australia’s liquefied natural gas exports are reducing global emissions are “grossly exaggerated”, one of Australia’s most renowned climate scientists has said.

Angus Taylor.

Bill Hare, who has worked in climate science for 30 years, including on UN negotiations, has questioned Taylor’s statement that Australia’s LNG exports cut global emissions by up to 148m tonnes because they replace higher-emission alternatives such as coal.

“Government claims that Australia’s LNG exports are reducing emissions globally are grossly exaggerated and, depending on the real level of methane leakages, reservoir CO2 venting and losses, and where the LNG is coming from in Australia, likely to be wrong,” Hare said.

Read the story from The Guardian by Lisa Cox - “Angus Taylor's claim LNG exports reduce global emissions 'likely wrong' – climate expert.”

'Conflict of interest': Calls for Barnaby Joyce to sell CSG-linked land

Barnaby Joyce has been accused of a conflict of interest due to claims he could personally benefit from the Turnbull government's push to develop coal seam gas near land owned by the Deputy Prime Minister.

Property owned by Barnaby Joyce near Gwabegar,
described by locals as "mongrel country", fit for goats
 and not much else.

Mr Joyce, who is also the Resources Minister, missed a media event on Monday where the government demanded NSW accelerate approval of the Santos project at Narrabri, north-west of Sydney, to ease a looming gas shortage. He lists land at Gwabegar, west of Narrabri as part of his pecuniary interests.

While Mr Joyce said on Tuesday there is no prospect of gas being extracted on his land, local activists opposed to coal seam gas development say petroleum exploration licences all through the region depend on progress at Narrabri.  

The Nationals leader bought two blocks of about 1000 hectares in "mongrel country" of poor economic value in 2006 and 2008 for a reported $572,000.

Read Peter Hannam’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “‘Conflict of interest': Calls for Barnaby Joyce to sell CSG-linked land.”