Toxics and pollution

Fukushima-Daiichi radiation levels still highLink to full story

New Scientist

Six months after the Japan’s March 11 earthquake and tsunami, radiation levels remain high at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant. It was expected that the radioactive iodine, caesium and plutonium from Fukushima would disperse into the Pacific Ocean, however current levels indicate that contaminated water could still be leaking into the sea from the nuclear plant, or that the contamination is being trapped in the area by ocean currents.

Agricultural expansion threatens Great Barrier ReefLink to full story

WWF

A newly launched policy in Queensland promising more than a billion dollars in dams and other infrastructure to increase agricultural production could be a fatal blow for much of the Great Barrier Reef, according to conservation group WWF. “Massive agricultural expansion will mean a new wave of pollution being dumped on the Great Barrier Reef over the coming years, at a time when the Reef’s resilience to climate change and extreme weather events are at an all time low,” said the group’s Freshwater Policy Manager Sean Hoobin.

Tourist icon under threat from pesticidesLink to full story

ABC News

Pesticides are harming the Great Barrier Reef according to a study of water quality in the area. Dangerous levels of pesticides have been found up to 60 kilometres inside the World Heritage area, and threaten coral and sea grass beds. The WWF has called for limiting the use of pesticides including a ban on using Diuron. The report says that practices can be improved in the horticulture industry, but also in the sugar cane industry.

Australia sets ambitious emissions reduction targetLink to full story

ABC News

ABC News breaks down the key numbers in Australia’s brand new carbon price policy, including a fresh target of an 80% reduction in carbon pollution by 2050 (from 2000 levels). Interestingly, only 500 big polluters are expected to meet the initial criteria and thresholds required to pay the carbon price. Follow the link for all the key figures.

Multi-billion dollar tax cuts accompany carbon priceLink to full story

Sydney Morning Herald

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard today announced that a fixed $23 per tonne carbon price will come into effect from July 1, 2012, with a market-based emissions trading scheme to replace it from July 1, 2015. The Government also announced $15 billion in tax cuts, primarily to help low and middle income families cope with cost of living increases caused by the new policy.

Thousands rally to support carbon priceLink to full story

ABC News

Thousands of people around the nation’s capital cities have rallied at ‘Say Yes’ campaigns in support of the Federal Government’s plan to set a price on carbon pollution. But CEO of the Climate Institute, John Conner, says the rallies are not a simple endorsement of the proposed carbon tax, because Australians also want policies for clean energy and energy efficiency. Details of the Government’s carbon pricing scheme will be finalised in early July before legislation is brought into Parliament in September and fixed carbon pricing is introduced in 2012.

Majority support renewable energy shiftLink to full story

GreenPages

A national poll by the Australian Conservation Foundation has found that 87% of Australians want revenue raised by taxing pollution to be invested in renewable energy innovation; and 84% want that revenue to be used to rehabilitate our environment.

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