Australia mourns beloved climate scientist

Tributes have flooded for Professor Will Steffen, who died in Canberra on Sunday aged 75. Professor Steffen made incredible contributions to science policy, serving as executive director of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, and was a contributor to five Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. He will be remembered by his colleagues and friends as a generous and courageous pioneer for climate action.

Today Victorians will be hit with particularly high gas prices that will slug some customers an extra $1000 over the next 12 months. Major retailers have warned households to expect average price jumps of about 25 per cent, adding up to $480 to their yearly bill and even more for larger families. By comparison, NSW, Queensland and South Australia have been told to expect increases under $100.

International research from Princeton University and Colorado State University found greenhouse gas emissions from the United Kingdom's offshore oil and gas industry to be about five times higher than the number reported. The report cited outdated or incorrect emission factors and incomplete data to be behind the inaccurate numbers.

Australia loses brave climate scientist
Social media tributes have flooded for Professor Will Steffen, who died in Canberra on Sunday aged 75. Professor Steffen made incredible contributions to science policy, serving as executive director of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, and was a contributor to five Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. He will be remembered by his colleagues and friends as a generous and courageous pioneer for climate action. Read more about Professor Steffen’s legacy on the Climate Council website.

Gas becomes more expensive in Victoria
Today Victorians will be hit with new gas prices that will slug some customers an extra $1000 over the next 12 months. Major retailers have warned households to expect average price jumps of about 25 per cent, adding up to $480 to their yearly bill and even more for larger families. By comparison, NSW, Queensland and South Australia have been told to expect increases under $100. Victoria is typically more reliant on gas than other states. Pressure is mounting on governments to develop a winter plan to help manage this problem, with a cap on prices not expected to trickle through until 2023-24.

UK offshore fossil fuel emissions ‘severely’ underreported
International research from Princeton University and Colorado State University found greenhouse gas emissions from the United Kingdom's offshore oil and gas industry to be about five times higher than the number reported. The report cited outdated or incorrect emission factors and incomplete data to be behind the inaccurate numbers. Environment group Friends of the Earth claims infrastructures off Australia's coast have also experienced under-reported methane leaks which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

World’s biggest wealth fund loses billions
Norway’s $1.8 trillion sovereign wealth fund reported its biggest loss since the 2008 financial crisis. The fund that manages Norway’s fossil fuel wealth lost equivalent to $232 billion in 2022. It’s the world’s biggest single owner of equities, and its returns are highly dependent on market movements. Looking to spend Norway’s oil and gas proceeds to fuel a green transition, the fund is considering investments in renewable energy storage and transmission going forward.

Rhino poaching increases in Namibia
Namibian authorities say poachers killed 87 rhinos last year, almost double the number killed in 2021. The country is home to the world's largest free roaming black rhino population. Conservationists say poachers seeking rhino horns for Asian markets are targeting Namibia's commercial farms. Uri-Khob, chief executive officer of the Save the Rhino Trust, said there have been almost no incidents of rhino poaching in Namibia's rhino conservancies for the past 30 months, with poachers turning to private land.

Energy Management Systems industry to reach $158b in 2030
The global energy management systems market size is expected to reach USD 111.86 billion (158b AUD) by 2030. The industry is anticipated to grow at a rate of 13.3% from 2023 to 2030. Installation of Energy Management Systems is an important practice to enhance the performance of sustainable energies.

New York devoid of snowfall
New York City has been snow-free for the longest time in recorded history this winter. On Monday, January 29, the city surpassed the previous date of the longest amount of time without snowfall in a winter season, beating out a record set in 1970. Climate change is contributing to warmer temperatures — as well as more intense snow falls when they actually do happen.

Changing your super is a great way to go green
Switching to an ethical super fund is the third most effective thing people can do to fight climate change on an individual level, according to new research. The study from UTS Business School found the top five ways for individuals to go green are installing solar panels, switching to a renewable energy plan, switching your super to an ethical fund, living car-free and switching to a hybrid or electric car - in that order.