The Canopy is a weekday morning email newsletter provided by the team at Greenpeace Australia Pacific.

Australia's third offshore wind zone declared in the Southern Ocean

The Australian government has officially declared Australia's third offshore wind zone which will span 1,030-square-kilometres in the Southern Ocean off the coast of Victoria. Although it is a fifth of the size that was originally proposed, its proponents say that it has the potential to generate enough power to service more than two million homes.

Independent modelling by Grattan Institute experts has disproved claims that the cost of purchasing a new vehicle will increase as a result of the Federal Government’s proposed fuel pollution limits. Instead, the data shows that the average price increase will be as little as 1 per cent - or $500. Motorists with imported cars that meet the new standard are also set to save around $1000 in fuel and maintenance across five years.

And a purpose-built satellite has been launched by the US based Environmental Defense Fund to track methane pollution, responsible for a third of global heating. This new method of tracking dangerous methane leaks in real time will make it easier for the oil and gas industry to be held accountable.

Top stories:

Federal government formally declares Southern Ocean offshore wind zone
A 1,030-square-kilometre zone has been declared for the Southern Ocean Wind Zone off the coast of Warrnambool and Port Fairy.

Coalition’s car price hike claims questioned as pollution caps loom
Coalition and carmakers’ claims that fuel pollution limits will significantly lift the cost of new vehicles have been contradicted by independent modelling that suggests the average increase will be just 1 per cent – or $500.

Environmentalists launch satellite to track world’s worst methane leakers
Methane, an invisible yet highly potent gas, is responsible for one-third of global heating - but a newly launched satellite will now track pollutants from the sky in a move that will make it easier to hold the oil and gas industry accountable for dangerous leaks.

Boss of WA environment watchdog resigns
The chair of the WA Environmental Protection Authority Matthew Tonts has resigned for a senior job at Curtin University in another upheaval for the state’s environmental approval process.

Australian Gen Z people have major concerns about climate change, research shows
New Curtin University research has shown Australian young people have major concerns about climate change, which is having a significant impact on their lives and could have broader consequences decades into the future.

Air pollution kills 1 million a year – hundreds of whom are Australians
Short-term exposure to air pollution has been found to kill more than 1 million people globally every year, even when people are exposed to bushfire smoke, dust and other pollutants for only a few hours or days.

Victoria's first waste-to-energy plant to power Maryvale Paper Mill by burning household rubbish
Victoria's first ever waste-to-energy project has been given the green light however environmentalists are still concerned about odour, carbon emissions and possible toxic contaminants.

Birds, beetles, bugs could help replace pesticides: study
Natural predators like birds, beetles and bugs might be an effective alternative to pesticides, keeping crop-devouring pests populations down while boosting crop yields, researchers said Wednesday.

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