Category: Environment
Katy Perry Video Sparks Investigation Over Potential Environmental Damage!
- Katy Perry video environmental damage is under investigation by Spanish officials for potential harm to protected dunes during filming in Ibiza.
- The Balearic regional government stated that Perry’s production company did not seek required authorization for the shoot.
- Filming in the region is permitted, but failure to request permission has led to preliminary investigation actions.
- The environmental ministry clarified that the filming does not constitute a “crime against the environment.”
- Perry has not yet commented on the investigation, which adds to the negative publicity surrounding her recent album.
Jabiluka Uranium Mine to Merge with Kakadu National Park in Landmark Victory for Mirarr Traditional Owners
- Jabiluka uranium mine lease not extended, to be absorbed into Kakadu National Park, a historic win for Mirarr traditional owners
- Federal government rejects Energy Resources Australia’s application for a 10-year extension on the undeveloped uranium lease
- Prime Minister Albanese announces permanent protection of Jabiluka site, preventing future uranium mining
- NT government blocks renewal of mineral lease for Jabiluka, transitioning the area to “general reserved land”
- Stakeholders, including ERA, accept the decision to reject the lease extension, focusing on rehabilitation of Ranger Uranium Mine
Murray-Darling Basin water buybacks put out to tender by government to boost environmental efforts
- Government goes to tender on major water buybacks to help environment in Murray-Darling Basin
- Federal government seeks to buy back water entitlements from farmers in the southern Murray-Darling Basin to boost the environment
- Tender to seek rights to up to 70 gigalitres of water from willing sellers in the southern Basin
- New laws allow Commonwealth to pursue water entitlements for environmental purposes through buybacks
- Concerns raised about potential impact on farming communities and industries, with fears of rising water prices and reduced farm production
Electric vehicle battery fires pose ‘catastrophic’ threat as first wave of EV batteries reach end-of-life in waste sector
- Waste sector fears ‘catastrophic’ electric vehicle battery fires as first wave of EV batteries reach end-of-life
- Isolated incidents of EV batteries in landfills increasing, posing risk of catastrophic fires
- Urgent need for intervention to prevent small consumer batteries in landfills causing fires
- EV and home batteries deemed inherently dangerous, leading to calls for nationwide ban on landfill disposal
- Industry calls for government regulation and coordination to address growing risk of battery fires
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-29/waste-electric-vehicle-battery-landfill-fire-risk/104006608
Links to additional Resources:1. https://www.wastedive.com/ 2. https://www.recyclingtoday.com/ 3. https://www.waste360.com/…
Container Deposit Scheme Debate in Victoria Sparks Controversy Over Including Wine and Spirit Bottles
- Calls for Victoria’s container deposit scheme to include wine and spirit bottles have sparked debate, with the wine industry expressing concerns over potential costs and compliance issues
- Victoria’s container deposit scheme, launched in November, does not currently accept wine and spirit bottles for refund, unlike schemes in other states like Queensland
- Jeff Angel of the Total Environment Centre advocates for the inclusion of wine and spirit bottles in the scheme to improve recycling rates, citing Queensland’s successful implementation as a model
- The Australian Grape and Wine association opposes the inclusion of wine bottles, citing potential financial burdens on the industry and the need for harmonization across states
- The Boomerang Alliance urges the Victorian government to aim for an 80% return rate for beverage containers, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement and inflation-adjusted refund levels to enhance the scheme’s effectiveness
Used tyre disposal in Australia: Millions produced annually, but proper disposal lacking
- Australia produces millions of used tyres annually, with a significant portion ending up in landfills or being illegally dumped.
- A large stockpile of over a million used tyres near Longford, Tasmania highlights the challenges of proper disposal and lack of processing facilities in Tasmania.
- Tyre Stewardship Australia reported that 58% of used tyres were recovered in 2023, but the number of tyres heading to landfills is increasing.
- EPA teams in Victoria work to prevent illegal tyre dumping, targeting mechanics and tyre stores where illegal operators often offer cheap disposal services.
- The responsibility for disposing of dumped tyres falls on local councils, emphasizing the need for a consistent regulatory framework to ban unprocessed tyres from landfills and increase demand for recycled tyre products.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-13/australia-produces-millions-of-used-tyres-a-year/103694962
Links to additional Resources:1. https://www.tyrewise.org.uk/ 2. https://www.tyrerecovery.org.uk/ 3. https://www.environment.gov.au/protection/waste-resource-recovery/tyres…
Asbestos Mulch EPA Notices Alarm Hobsons Bay Council with Fears of Asbestos Contamination
- Asbestos-contaminated mulch in parks prompts EPA to issue notices to Hobsons Bay council
- EPA orders council to inspect all parks and gardens that received mulch in past 18 months
- Mulch at Altona North’s PA Burns Reserve found to be contaminated with building waste
- EPA conducts inspections at various parks in Hobsons Bay and Merri-bek council areas
- Premier Jacinta Allan emphasizes importance of safe asbestos removal and proactive EPA inspections
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-07/mulch-parks-melbourne-epa-hobsons-bay-council-/103679802
Links to additional Resources:1. https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/ 2. https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ 3. https://www.asbestos.vic.gov.au/…Asbestos contamination at Melbourne parks sparks ongoing investigations by Council and EPA
- Asbestos contamination found in playground mulch at four Melbourne parks prompts ongoing Council and EPA investigations.
- An asbestos removal expert expresses shock at the lack of regulations surrounding mulch, suggesting commercial and industrial waste without asbestos removal may be the source.
- Concerns raised about the lack of regulations around mulch production and the potential risks to public health, especially for children.
- Calls for the establishment of an asbestos taskforce in Victoria to prevent further illegal dumping of asbestos in public areas.
- EPA emphasizes stringent requirements for waste and recycling industry to prevent harm from asbestos contamination, urging public to report any suspicious materials and avoid handling them.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-06/vic-asbestos-expert-playgrounds-mulch-waste-removal/103677702
Links to additional Resources:1. https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/ 2. https://www.health.vic.gov.au/ 3. https://www.asbestos.vic.gov.au/…
Music festival waste reduction: Young Australians leading the charge in battle against waste at music festivals
- Music festival waste reduction is a significant issue, with two kilograms of waste per person generated per day at Australian events.
- Volunteers play a crucial role in managing waste at festivals, with up to eighty percent of waste coming from campsites.
- Initiatives like Good Intentions Camping collect abandoned gear, refurbish it, and rent it out at future festivals to combat campsite waste.
- E tū E tū repurposes abandoned camping gear into fashionable bags, promoting sustainability and running workshops for students.
- Consumers are urged to invest in quality camping equipment to reduce waste, with rental options also recommended for a more positive environmental impact.
Coal mine climate change case shakes up government’s ‘drug dealer’s defence’ on emissions.
- Coal mine climate change case challenges the government’s use of ‘drug dealer’s defence’ on emissions
- Queensland environmentalists challenge Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek over coal mine extensions
- Arguments of “drug dealer’s defence” and “drop in the ocean” used to justify coal exports
- Minister’s arguments face scrutiny in climate litigation due to global shift away from fossil fuels
- International cases show rejection of similar arguments, highlighting the global impact of emissions