BOM's first winter forecast for 2024 declares it could be one of Australia's warmest on record

The Bureau of Meteorology's first winter forecast of 2024 has confidently declared one of the warmest on record throughout Australia.

Australia could meet an “ambitious” target to cut national greenhouse gases by at least 65% and up to 75% by 2035, according to an initial assessment by the Albanese government’s climate advisory body.

And a forever chemical recently declared carcinogenic is allowed in Australia’s tap water at 140 times the maximum level the United States now considers safe after the Biden administration dramatically lowered its safe limits for drinking water.

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BOM's first winter forecast for 2024 declares it could be one of Australia's warmest on record

The Bureau of Meteorology's first winter forecast of 2024 has confidently declared one of the warmest on record throughout Australia. It has also slightly favoured above average rain across a wide swathe of the interior and the east. The BOM's modelling showed most of Australia will have both minimum and maximum temperatures of about 1-2 degrees Celsius above average.

Australia could reach an ‘ambitious’ emissions cut of up to 75% by 2035, advisers tell Labor

Australia could meet an “ambitious” target to cut national greenhouse gases by at least 65% and up to 75% by 2035, according to an initial assessment by the Albanese government’s climate advisory body. Australia’s three biggest states have each already set a 2035 target of at least 70% cut. But Western Australia is a likely drag on the national commitment, having significantly increased its carbon pollution as it backs ongoing expansion of its emissions-intensive gas export industry.

Australian drinking water now allows a carcinogen at 140 times the US rate

A forever chemical recently declared carcinogenic is allowed in Australia’s tap water at 140 times the maximum level the United States now considers safe after the Biden administration dramatically lowered its safe limits for drinking water.

Australia’s back yard chicken owners urged to implement biosecurity measures in case of bird flu outbreak

Australia remains the only continent without HPAI H5 (high pathogenicity avian influenza of subtype H5), after scavenging skua birds on mainland Antartica tested positive for bird flu in February. Symptoms for affected birds include diarrhoea, sneezing, a reduction in egg production and sudden death.

Great Barrier Reef suffering ‘most severe’ coral bleaching on record as footage shows damage 18 metres down

Concern that the Great Barrier Reef may be suffering the most severe mass coral bleaching event on record has escalated after a conservation group released footage showing damage up to 18 metres below the surface. One marine biologist said it was the worst bleaching she had seen in 30 years working on the reef, and that some coral was starting to die.

China successfully tests maglev trains in vacuum tube, eyeing future speeds of 4,000 kph

China's new high-speed train doesn't roll along railways, it flies through tubes. There are hopes it will one day connect cities and villages across the country, running at speeds of up to 4,000 kilometres per hour. The magnetic-levitation (or maglev) train can clock speeds of 623 kph in tests — almost 200 kph quicker than the fastest train in service. 

Victorian households have the highest gas usage in the country — will they turn it around?

Victorian households have the highest gas usage in the country, with almost 90 per cent using gas appliances. The Australian Energy Market Operator's most recent report highlighted Victoria's demand for gas outstripping its supply in coming years. The state government is trying to incentivise more households to switch off from gas — a recent survey suggests some "hesitancy" remains.