Archived News for Green Sector Professionals - February, 2014
Environmentalists are celebrating a decision by building giant Lend Lease to pull out of the planned expansion of a Queensland coal port.
Native title hands back old Army lands
The Federal Court has made a significant native title ruling over land taken for military use in the 1940s.
Coca-Cola to continue funding sugar supply improvement
A surprising allegiance has continued between environmentalists, the Federal Government and Coca-Cola, which is aimed at reducing cane farm chemical run-off into the Great Barrier Reef.
Dredge conflict claims cleared, questions over Reef assessment
Two members of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority board have been cleared from conflict of interest accusations, after approval for dredge dumping was given by men with links to mining companies.
Fish fight in the Pacific sees locals muscled-out
Tuna fishing zones in the Western and Central Pacific are being slammed by international fleets seeking the swimming gold.
Funding taps opened to break the strain of drought
The Federal Government has announced the details of its long-awaited assistance package for drought-affected farmers in Queensland and NSW.
Lack of evidence prompts deeper look for wind farm effects
The National Health and Medical Research Council says there is no evidence that wind farms cause adverse health effects in humans, re-iterating the findings of virtually all credible studies on the matter.
Leaks and spills in the past, Japan plans tomorrow
Japan is beginning to turn a corner after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, releasing its first energy policy since the event and allowing some residents to return to their homes in evacuated areas.
Locals to help BHP assess water levels for coal plan
Some of the strongest opponents to coal mine developments have agreed to work with mining giant BHP Billiton on exploration assessments.
Narrabri CSG finds itself in fast-lane
The New South Wales Government has fast-tracked approvals for a proposed coal seam gas project at Narrabri.
Spinning nano-crystals find their own forms
Simply making certain nanoparticles spin causes them to leap into life, of a sort.
Chicken eyes give better view on new state of matter
The light-sensitive cells in the eye of a chicken represent the first known biological occurrence of a potentially new state of matter.
Rock finding sets back the clock on Earth, oceans and life
The oldest piece of the Earth’s crust ever seen has been uncovered in Western Australia.
Closed talks continue on medical, intellectual and economic future
A new round of Trans-Pacific Partnership talks have begun in Singapore, where trade ministers from twelve nations carve out the final parts of the far-reaching deal.
Industry fears massive cost if RET is reached
Reports this week claim the Australian electricity market is at “breaking point”, and that half of all generators are losing money.
Carbon tax scenario shows cost of delay
The seemingly imminent repeal of the carbon tax is being prevented while Labor and the Greens hold the balance of power in the federal Senate, and new research has investigated how the efforts to end the carbon price may be hurting energy investments.
Devil destruction gives clues on cancer evolution
As Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) continues to ravage the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial, researchers say the treatment program is providing insights on influences for cancer evolution.
Ocean-going gourd spotted across the Atlantic
The bottle gourd has revealed itself to be a globe-trotting explorer, crossing the Atlantic Ocean several times to find work as a water-carrying device for early humans.
Oil study fills bacterial gaps in 'boring billion' years
For about a billion years of Earth’s history all life consisted of little more than a layer of slime, but then about 550 million years ago evolution burst back into action and provided it with the stunning array of species from which humans have evolved.
Power-saving water-cleaner sees desert success
A trial site has seen successful tests for a new way to desalinate water, making it drinkable for about half the cost of traditional methods.
Forest of protestors take toll from Santos, costs consumers
One major gas supplier says ongoing protests mean they will charge more when the gas is flowing.