New data shows Great Barrier Reef suffering underwater bushfire on par with Black Summer

New data shows the Great Barrier Reef has suffered through its worst-ever heat stress with more than 80% of reefs enduring dangerous levels of heating (more than four Degree Heating Weeks), as scientists grapple to quantify the irreparable, cumulative damage from repeated such events.

Surveys show widespread coral bleaching affecting an area likened in size to the land burned during the Black Summer fires. Marine scientists have reported coral bleaching at greater depths of the ocean than previously recorded, and centuries-old corals succumbing to the extreme heat.

Deep impact: New data shows Great Barrier Reef suffering underwater bushfire on par with Black Summer
New data shows the Great Barrier Reef has suffered through its worst-ever heat stress with more than 80% of reefs enduring dangerous levels of heating. 

Top environmental groups say some of Labor’s new laws could take conservation backwards
The Albanese government is backing away from a promise to substantially transform how nature is protected in Australia and is planning some changes that would make things worse, according to eight of the country’s top environment groups.

Renters could save $1300 a year with solar rollout
Australian households could save $9.3 billion on energy bills each year by investing in the untapped solar potential of residential rooftops across the nation, a new report has found.

Electric cars and trucks can slash Australia’s $60 billion fossil fuel import bill
Last year, Australians paid over $60 billion to import petroleum products. On top of that we paid tens of billions of dollars for storage, distribution and sales of these products, often to overseas-owned businesses. Efficient electrification can dramatically reduce this substantial drain on our economy as well as reduce consumer costs and deliver other benefits. 

QLD initiates $500m Aldoga solar farm construction
Queensland is taking a major step forward in its renewable energy transition, as construction gets underway on a $500 million solar farm near Gladstone.

Plans for invasive weeds to fuel biomass generator
Owners of a former coal-fired power station in rural Australia are looking to weeds to fuel its life ahead. Verdant Earth Technologies plans to transform the Redbank Power Station in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley into a bioenergy hub.