Crackdown on environmental activists in Western Australia

A Western Australian journalist who was taking photos of the removal of ancient rock art from the site of a fertiliser plant says she was repeatedly stopped by police and eventually had the images seized during a raid. The police action comes amid a crackdown on environmental activists in the state.

Elsewhere, the Electric Vehicle (EV) and trucking industries are calling on the government to urgently introduce a strategy to increase uptake of zero-emission trucks, after medium and heavy vehicles were mostly left out of the national EV strategy released last month. This comes in the wake of a new report showing that switching to zero emission trucks would be the fastest and most efficient way to cut emissions.

And Jubilee Australia has released research warning that Australia risks unnecessary environmental harm by over-mining minerals needed for clean energy whilst ignoring alternatives such as improved battery recycling.

Top stories:

WA police seized photos of ancient rock art being removed from home of journalist
Journalist Eliza Kloser says she was stopped by police while photographing the art’s removal from Burrup peninsula and then had images seized from her Karratha home

Electrifying commercial delivery vehicles is the fastest way to decarbonise, report find
Most of the decarbonising transport discussion has been about electrifying light vehicles, such as passenger cars. But a new report has found that switching to zero-emission trucks would be the fastest and most efficient way to cut emissions. 

Australia warned of ‘over-mining’ risk in race to secure minerals needed for clean energy
Jubilee Australia research says mining boom to support renewable energy risks ‘significant social and environmental damage’ if not managed correctly

Santos strikes deals to bury carbon dioxide under the Timor Sea
However, the technology is strongly opposed by the Greens and many climate advocates, who argue it diverts focus from shifting the economy to cleaner energy, and fear it could be used to prolong the consumption of harmful fossil fuels.

Snowy Hydro 2.0 project hit by delay of up to two years and another cost blowout
The multibillion-dollar Snowy Hydro 2.0 development, billed as vital to support the transformation of Australia’s east coast electricity grid, will be delayed by up to two years and face another cost blowout.

Northern Territory clears way for fracking to begin in Beetaloo Basin
Environmental groups and scientists say this move will have an unacceptable impact on the climate and have called for a ban.

Australia still in electric car 'slow lane,' expo hears
Australia is "still in the slow lane" on electric vehicle adoption and the federal government will need to introduce bold vehicle pollution caps or risk missing its climate target, a Sydney energy conference has heard.

25 Billion Times The Energy of a Nuclear Bomb Trapped by Global Warming Since 1971
Now the planet’s average surface temperature is about 1.2°C (2.16°F) hotter than in the pre-industrial era.

Saving the Franklin River
What does it take to win an environmental campaign? We look back at Australia’s biggest-ever environmental victory. 

Rare albino echidna spotted Bathurst region
Locals have been asked to look but not touch following the discovery of a rare albino echidna in central-western New South Wales.