Scientists concerned over impact of Woodside seismic blasting on marine life

Scientists say seismic blasting in gas exploration can have subtle but critical effects on marine life as concerns rise over Woodside's Scarborough gas project in Western Australia's north. Greenpeace senior campaigner Sophie McNeill questioned the approvals given to Woodside by the offshore petroleum regulator to begin seismic blasting "how can Woodside be trusted to build massive new fossil fuel projects right in the middle of endangered whale habitat?"

Climate change and the way the world responds to it “may be the most profound driver of change” for Australia’s economy over coming decades, according to the latest intergenerational report released by treasurer Jim Chalmers. The cost of extreme weather events has been estimated at $130 billion however only bushfires, tropical cyclones, floods and storms are included with drought and heatwaves not receiving a mention. 

And, the Albanese government’s promise to introduce a fuel efficiency standard for cars has been “overwhelmingly” supported by a public consultation process, Labor says. Labor will now complete an impact analysis and release details of its preferred model for a standard “before the end of this year”.

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Woodside's Scarborough gas project faces legal challenge as scientists concerned over seismic blasting in WA
In July, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) granted approval for Woodside to carry out seismic surveys at its Scarborough gas project.

The intergenerational report says climate is a ‘profound’ risk to Australia. But the full picture may be even worse
The report is easily the most comprehensive attempt to quantify risks and opportunities, with an entire chapter devoted to climate change and energy. There is a fivefold increase in references to “climate change” versus the 2021 IGR, a similar ratio for “disasters” and triple the naming of “renewable”.

Public consultation ‘overwhelmingly’ supports fuel efficiency standard for cars, Labor says
The Albanese government has promised but not yet introduced a fuel efficiency standard. Australia stands alongside Russia as one of the few developed nations without one.

NSW environment protection laws unlikely to succeed without major overhaul, damning review finds
Laws meant to protect the environment in New South Wales are failing and unlikely to ever succeed unless substantially changed, according to a scathing review that warns half of the species under threat in the state are on course to become extinct within the next 100 years.

Australia at risk of $270bn export loss if it fails to capitalise on clean energy transition
If Australia capitalises on the global race for net-zero emissions, it can reap a $435 billion economic reward by 2050 according to Deloitte. However, this will require Australia needing to build new infrastructure “on an unprecedented scale for our country”.

The sea ice around Antarctica is melting, and with it, the habitat of baby emperor penguins
Thousands of baby emperor penguins drowned last year in Antarctica as sea ice broke up early and reached record lows, British researchers say, reinforcing dire predictions about the future survival of the species.

Tropical forests nearing critical temperatures thresholds
Global warming is driving leafy tropical canopies close to temperatures where they can no longer transform sunlight and CO2 into energy, threatening total collapse if the thermometer keeps climbing, according to a study Thursday.

Australian fossil fuel subsidies costing taxpayers $65 billion a year: IMF
Australia subsidises fossil fuels by $65 billion a year, or 2.5 per cent of GDP, mostly through the government’s failure to recoup the associated environmental and health costs from polluters.