Federal government makes gas deal with Woodside

The federal government has signed two new gas deals with major exporters Woodside and Esso in order to boost domestic supply across the east coast where shortages are forecast to drive up energy costs for businesses and households.

A leading scientist has urged the Albanese government to pay closer attention to abrupt changes in Antarctica, which are likely to affect temperature and rainfall patterns across Australia in different ways – changes that could transform communities and affect the viability of some agricultural industries – and hasten sea level rise along the coast.

More plants, animals and habitats were added to the national list of threatened wildlife in 2023 than in any year since the list was established, according to the Australian Conservation Foundation. A total of 144 animals, plants and ecological communities were added to the list, five times more than the yearly average and double the previous record year back in 2009.

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Gas deals between Woodside, Esso and Labor government shore up near term supply as shortages loom
The federal government has signed two new gas deals with major exporters Woodside and Esso in order to boost domestic supply across the east coast where shortages are forecast to drive up energy costs for businesses and households.

Australia not prepared for how Antarctic ice changes will pummel economy, scientist warns
A leading scientist has urged the Albanese government to pay closer attention to abrupt changes in Antarctica, which are likely to affect temperature and rainfall patterns across Australia in different ways – changes that could transform communities and affect the viability of some agricultural industries – and hasten sea level rise along the coast. “Antarctica is seen as an environmental problem, but it is an all-of-government problem,” Prof Matt King said.

More Australian wildlife added to threatened species list in 2023 than ever before, conservationists say
More plants, animals and habitats were added to the national list of threatened wildlife in 2023 than in any year since the list was established, according to the Australian Conservation Foundation. Among the species listed for the first time were the pink cockatoo, listed as endangered, the northern blue-tongued skink (critically endangered) and the Jardine River turtle (critically endangered).

Rejected offshore wind project in Melbourne's south-east prompts calls for legal overhaul
The federal government rejected a Victorian proposal for an offshore wind farm on the grounds that it would harm wetlands and marine wildlife. Now, advocates say federal environment laws could be overhauled to allow consideration of the potential for projects to mitigate climate change.

Megafires are increasing with climate change — but could the emissions they pump out change the climate also?
The extreme nature of the northern hemisphere fire season of 2023 prompted an international group of leading scientists to make a change to their annual Global Carbon Budget for last year. For the first time, the carbon dioxide emissions from wildfires were presented in the budget breakdown. This begs the question, have these megafires contributed to climate change themselves?

Meet the young Australians using their inheritance to save the planet
What would you do if you had millions of dollars in family wealth at your disposal? For an increasing number of younger Australians, the answer is obvious: tackle the climate crisis.

New soil-powered fuel cell to power sensors and communication devices
Imagine a world where electronic devices are powered by the very soil beneath our feet. A team at Northwestern University has developed a novel fuel cell that draws energy from microbes in the soil, potentially revolutionising how we power certain devices.