AI’s dirty secret: data centre boom threatens resources
Artificial intelligence could use three per cent of global energy by the end of the decade, the UN warns, and use 10 times more land than Mexico City.
environmental issue
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
economy, business and finance
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Shifting gears: electric cars surge during fuel crisis
Australian motorists bought a record number of electric and hybrid vehicles for the third month in a row, while petrol and diesel vehicle sales slowed.
Tardy approvals leaving clean energy dollars in limbo
Australia's most populous state and biggest energy user still ranks among the slowest approval times for renewables, suggesting further reform is needed.
AI to hit Aussies as data centres push up energy costs
Urgent action must be taken to regulate power and water used by data centres to avoid burdening Australian households with higher costs, a study has found.
Hungry data centres could break energy records by 2040
Australia needs to regulate data centres urgently amid predictions the artificial intelligence hubs will strain the nation's electricity grid.
Electric truck U-turn could let them pull their weight
Australian companies are missing out on opportunities to save money and pollution with electric trucks due to a lack of support and inconsistent rules.
Manufacturer gears up for $2b ‘forever chemicals’ fight
Australia is seeking billions in damages from a leading manufacturer, claiming it concealed information over the risks of PFAS-containing firefighting foam.
consumer goods
consumers
environmental cleanup
environmental issue
environmental pollution
inquiry
road transport
transport
waste
waste management and pollution control
Mandatory recycling could help tyres go round and round
Australia's roads could be paved using rubber from abandoned tyres, an inquiry has been told, but only if regulators can find a way to fund it.
Heatwave shatters records and brings deaths in Europe
A spring heatwave is scorching parts of Western Europe, breaking "mind-bogglingly crazy" temperature records and triggering government warnings.
economy, business and finance
energy
environmental issue
politics
renewable energy
report
science and technology
technology (general)
Data centre power concerns spark moratorium call
A report by Greenpeace has challenged claims Australia's AI-fuelled data centre boom can support rather than undermine the clean energy transition.
Global capital eyes $50b water market, raising stakes
International investors are wading into Australia's water market, and while scarcity ensures decent returns, droughts could leave some producers high and dry.
Renewable projects set records but still face headwinds
Wind farms and solar panels are producing more of Australia's electricity than ever, but slow approvals and investment commitments could stall progress.
business (general)
computing and information technology
construction and property
economy, business and finance
energy
energy and resource
energy resources
environmental issue
inquiry
it/computer sciences
politics
renewable energy
research
software
water
‘Like a sneeze’: AI data centre boom spreads concern
More organisations are calling for a moratorium on data centres as their impact on water, energy and local communities remains in question.
Coral protest takes aim at needless reef harvesting
Chipping off healthy Great Barrier Reef corals to sell to private aquariums no longer passes the pub test, according to a green group opposed to the practice.
Petrol price hikes fuel record electric vehicle sales
The soaring price of petrol is sending more Australian drivers to electric cars and the trend could change the worldwide automotive market.
environmental issue
environmental politics
global warming
international organisation
mining
nature
politics (general)
In danger: more reef funding amid dreaded ruling threat
Another rescue plan for the Great Barrier Reef has been unveiled as critics warn new mining approvals are fuelling destructive marine heatwaves.
Nationwide casting call for four-legged koala protector
The search is on for a ball-obsessed rescue dog to help save endangered koalas from fires and floods, after a beloved veteran retired.
Climate agencies to ask AI to predict future disasters
Artificial intelligence could play a major role in predicting natural disasters around Australia but authorities warn they do not understand it well enough.
Aussie tech to tell heavy electric trucks where to go
How far and how fast can a battery-powered prime mover go? One Australian start-up is doing the sums so freight businesses don't have to.
Climate change risks billions in roads, hospitals bills
A state has been warned climate change-linked weather hazards endanger almost a fifth of the value of major infrastructure assets.
Aussie artificial intelligence may give robots a leg up
A new, water-efficient artificial intelligence hub could help robots make important decisions without delay.
Invasive fire ants continue march into inner-city park
The discovery of fire ants in an inner Brisbane park raises questions about efforts to contain the spread of the invasive species ahead of the Olympics.
budgets and budgeting
diesel fuel
economy, business and finance
environmental issue
environmental politics
politics
Green groups warn climate courage missing from budget
Budget announcements for green industry and nature protection fall short as climate costs mount and opportunities to extract more fossil fuel income go missed.
Aussie-made cane toad leather almost ready for market
It won't be long before Australian-made leather goods, produced from one of the country's most notorious invasive species, are available to purchase.
Gas project model pours cold water on emissions goal
Modelling examining a $30 billion-plus offshore gas proposal has drawn conclusions on the likelihood of a major state reaching a 2050 emissions target.
‘No more tests’: One Nation basks in by-election bliss
A historic by-election win for One Nation has sent shock waves through Australian politics, legitimising the party as a right-wing force.
business enterprises
computing and information technology
construction and property
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy resources
environmental issue
heavy construction
inquiry
internet
it/computer sciences
politics
politics (general)
Noisy, smelly and thirsty: call to pause data centres
Australia is on track to become a world leader for data centres powering the AI revolution but experts say their approvals need greater scrutiny.
Gas tax hopes flicker as reservation scheme revealed
Big gas companies will need to inject more LNG into the Australian market under a plan aimed at bringing down prices and shoring up supply.
End of the free ride: studies call for road user charge
Two transport groups say fuel excise is no longer running smoothly and the government needs to charge motorists based on how far they drive.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
politics (general)
road transport
transport
Electric car sales surge ahead amid fuel uncertainty
Australian drivers have broken the record for electric car sales again, as petrol and diesel-powered vehicle sales stall.
Stalled methane fight risks climate, energy security
Concerted efforts to curb methane from fossil fuel production in Australia and around the world could benefit both the climate and energy security.