Cutting down of ancient Tasmanian tree labelled a “national disgrace”

Pictures of a massive, centuries-old tree on the back of a logging truck in Tasmania have sparked calls from environmentalists for the Prime Minister to visit the area to see damage being inflicted on native forests.

Meanwhile in Victoria, a sacred Indigenous birthing tree that was once at the centre of large protests over Aboriginal cultural heritage rights has been vandalised.

Almost half of the environmental experts on the social media network formerly known as Twitter have abandoned the platform - a trend that could damage climate change discourse.

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‘National disgrace’: protest after tree estimated to be hundreds of years old cut down in Tasmania
Sustainable Timber Tasmania said the giant tree had been assessed and was felled ‘for safety reasons’.

Vandals damage Indigenous birthing tree sacred to Victoria’s Djab Wurrung people
Police investigate vandalism of a tree that was set to be demolished for a major road project before large protests in western Victoria.

Climate experts go cold on platform now known as X
Almost half of the environmental experts on the social media network formerly known as Twitter have abandoned the platform in a trend one study found could damage climate change discourse.

Hawaii officials to begin releasing names of victims killed in Maui fire
So far 99 fatalities have been identified but number of dead is expected to rise as teams search devastated neighborhoods.

Despite reforms, mining for EV metals in Congo exacts steep cost on workers
After revelations of child labor and treacherous conditions in many cobalt mines, automakers and mineral companies said they would adhere to international safety standards.

Victorian Government hides bushfire risk data
Victorians are about to enter an El Nino summer with no idea of the fire danger they face from the build-up of fuel loads across the state. The Andrews Government and Forest Fire Management Victoria managers have not released any residual risk fuel load reports since 2020-21.

UQ researchers using artificial intelligence to breed plants resistant to climate change, pests
While some fear artificial intelligence could lead to human extinction, two Queensland agricultural scientists say it could hold the key to feeding the planet's growing population, which is expected to balloon to 10 billion people by 2050.

Driverless trains clock up kilometres under our feet in race to open metro
Critical testing of driverless trains is taking place deep beneath central city streets amid feverish debate about the fate of the fourth stage of Sydney’s $64 billion metro rail network. It will determine whether an underground rail line will open to passengers early next year.

Electric-car boom risks causing shortage of life-saving medicine – report
Consumer demand for electric cars – and their resource-rich batteries – could soon affect the supply of life-saving drugs, according to an overseas report.

Driving out the rainforest invaders: crackdown on illegal mining brings hope after Bolsonaro era
Ibama agent Hugo Loss says he and his team have neutralised mining equipment in Operation Xapiri