News for July, 2026

Welcome to this roundup of July's environment related articles. It is a mere fraction of what was published.

The biggest talking point has been the diabolical heat wave that has been gripping, not just Western Europe, but most of the Northern Hemisphere. That, and the resulting fires.

Australia is no stranger to vast palls of smoke generated hundreds of kilometers away, or the images of boats fleeing as wildfires burn down to shoreside settlements (as in Canada), or of entire regions being evacuated (as in the Bordeaux region in France). The only positive thing that can be said of such awful experiences is that they underscore, like nothing else, the effects that climate change is now having on our environment.

On the Beach: climate deniers consider their 'plan B' options. (Photo Maximilien Lamy/AFP/Getty Images)

If Australia's experience is any guide, most people will understand the portents. However, the usual suspects in right wing media are paid not to, and are redoubling their efforts to prevent climate action. The above article (from The Times) with its ironic, iconic, accompanying photograph is but one example. Following the 'five stages of climate denial', the tone has pivoted from denying there's a problem so nothing need be done, to admitting there's a problem while asserting there's nothing that can be done.

This is untrue, of course: there is plenty to be done to minimise further damage. However, it should come as no surprise that the news articles for this month are a bit on the grim side.

Environment

the Ugly

What do endangered species need habitat for, anyway? Under Trump, the EPA has rolled back such 'woke' affectations. Get mining, guys!
As predictably as a broken record, Trump has once more shrunk the area covered by Grand Staircase and Bears Ear National Monuments.

the Bad

I usually avoid discussing warfare, since it gets more than enough coverage as it is. However, it is worthwhile considering the environmental costs of conflict.
Norfolk Island marks the southern extreme of coral reefs, where they face a triple threat.

the Good

Last September, Woodside's North-West shelf gas project was granted an extension that allows it to continue operation until 2070. The ACF have just launched a legal challenge. Here's how that's been going.
A variety of articles honouring projects preserving endangered species, such as:

numbats
wallabies (of several species)
mahogany gliders
red-finned blue eyed fish
red wolves
the scottish rain forest (the ecosystem)

Not a horror/SF movie, but giant earthworms have been discovered in South Australia.
Mussel farming, to restore marine habitat.
A nice example of animal assistance in the wild: dolphins guide a trapped southern right whale out of an estuary in WA

Climate

the Ugly

Oil execs seek Trump's help in weakening the EU climate regulations.

the Bad

Is this fine? El Nino temperature variation for 2026

The current El Nino event is shaping up to be the strongest on record.
Heat kills. The record summer temperatures that Western Europe has been enduring for the past two months coincides with 10,000 more deaths than usual being reported.
People are finding it difficult to sleep.
... and they are having a predicted follow on effect, with massive wildfires in France, Spain, and the UK (even Scotland).
... but none of that matters, so long as sporting events like the Tour de France are unaffected...oh, wait!
Not that the rest of the Northern hemisphere is getting off lightly, with heat and fires reported in India, China, Tibet, and Canada
'kokushobi': it's the word Japan has adopted to refer to extreme heat waves. (it translates as 'cruel heat day')
Ironically, Northern Europe may become a much cooler place in future, as the Gulf Stream (powered by ice formation in the Arctic) threatens to shut down entirely. (This means the heat won't get away from the Equator as readily).
While Australia isn't suffering such extremes, yet, snow fields had almost no snow in June. While there were some falls at the start of July, snowfields have also experienced record high temperatures in the same period.

the Good

The current US administration has been going about removing sources of information about climate science (indeed, *any* science) for some time. Climatologists are ensuring this data remains available.

Energy

the Ugly

Carbon capture technologies continue to be touted as the best way to offset the emissions of industries that can't readily switch to renewables. They are a scam.
Subversive activities. Report finds school sports are extensively patronised, and influenced, by the fossil fuel industry. We already know about the museums.
Pressure to resume gas an oil exploration is increasing, with AustralianSuper reversing its 2020 pledge, and reinvesting in coal.
Meanwhile, the new UK PM is getting off to a good start by announcing plans for new gas and oil development in the North Sea... all backed by 63 editorials in the UK newspapers (ie Murdoch)

the Bad

Good news, or is there a problem here?

Gas is not as cheap as it's made out to be.
Some are still trying to promote nuclear as a solution, although it certainly isn't.
While renewables are meeting most of the increasing demands for energy, it is becoming a problem that fossil fuel emissions are not yet reducing significantly.

the Good

Ten years ago, the IEA forecast that India's coal demand would triple by 2040. A year later, they gave a modest cough, and replaced the word 'coal' with 'energy'. Today, there are times when 50% of India's energy demand is being met by renewables.
Australian Government is coming under increasing pressure to properly tax gas exports.
Even with solar panels on the roof, we are conditioned to think of our energy needs as being provided for by a few centralised companies. This Volts podcast discusses whether a more democratic 'bottom-up' approach is possible.

Housing

the Ugly

The heart of the housing issue is literally that: how to foster, encourage, and preserve a sense of community. The usual barriers are things like cost, availability, or opportunity. Providing these becomes even harder when you're close to a war zone, as is the case with Sumy, in Ukraine.

the Bad

Housing in Australia is less affordable than advertised.
As its population falls, and becomes increasingly concentrated in the cities, Japan's exurbs are facing a strange (but still serious) threat: an influx of bears.

the Good

It's long been known that dense walkable housing within easy walking distance of amenities is far more environmentally friendly than the greenest of 1/3 acre mansions (and is still compatible with 'green' housing design). In the US, at least, a land value tax is one way to encourage the necessary 'infilling' to achieve this.
Local governments do not actually make it easy to build higher density town houses. Melbourne is bucking the trend. (NB: this is shaping up to be a state election issue later in the year)
Could mass produced modular homes help solve the housing crisis?

Transport

the Ugly

The ugly bit is that the message in the UK newspapers has been that EV sales have been collapsing for the past ten years. In that time, sales have gone from 0.3% of the market to... 25%!?

the Bad

New things bring problems, such as gaps in consumer laws that leave car dealers having to cover the warranty of new EV brands.

the Good

The number of ICE vehicles registered in NSW peaked in February.
Meanwhile, transport is being revolutionised by the EV... bike?

Health

Resistance

ICE continues with its campaign of mass deportations but, following the all-out confrontations in Los Angeles and Minnesota, is being more circumspect about it.

the Ugly

300,000 Haitians in the US are about to have their Temporary Protection Status removed. Apart from making them a nice, juicy target for ICE deportations, it means they can no longer be employed.
US Sec. State Marco Rubio seeks to dismantle the International Criminal Court. Can't think why.
Bring us your huddled masses.... Actually, no. Just your rich white folk from South Africa will do. This has been the US immigration policy for the past six months.
Amnesty International recently published a report on the funding received by certain groups intent on denying the rights of others (trans in particular). Following a threat by JK Rowling to fund any related defamation actions brought against them, Amnesty withdrew it. The point isn't whether or not you agree, but whether one person should have that kind of suppressive power.
In a similar vein, a Victorian council (Daylesford) has been shut down by a malcontent businessman filing spurious charges against its councillors. They cannot legally sit while charges are pending, and there aren't enough for a quorum.

the Bad

Politicians being in charge of scientific research? Look up 'Lysenkoism' if you want to see how well that could go.
ICE now occupies Memphis, and is scaling up in New York
Five months after posting about an ICE officer who killed someone, an electoral worker is told to take it down by two ICE officers, at her polling booth. (they're not supposed to do that).
In Ukraine, protests continue over the dismissal of the popular Defence Minister after clashes with the Army Chief (who now has also been dismissed). It's ugly that this has happened, but good that Ukrainians can still express an opinion.

the Good

A US delegation was sent to Brazil for express purpose of impugning the election process there (seriously!). Brazilian officials said 'no'.
A universal trait of tyrants is their sheer pettiness. Trump is no exception, insisting that the disastrous outcomes to his renovations to Washington's Pool of Reflection was due to vandalism by.. an ex-olympic canoeist!? The case has collapsed, as it should, but it's one example of how much the need for control dominates Trump's psyche.

Plaigue

I started this section about a year ago to raise awareness of the issues AI raises. It seems the populace are well aware.

the Ugly

Energy reporter Ketan Joshi takes note of two recent comments underscoring that, with data centres, providing demand for a particular energy source is the goal:

"There is no future for data centres without gas.." - Ian Black, Digital Realty
"We always used to say that, look, we needed gas to bridge it until we could get to 100% renewables. It’s flipped, but right now we are actually needing renewables to bridge to gas because gas turbines, the lead times are pretty long" - Holly Adams, Beale

Emissions from high tech companies have been increasing exponentially over the past couple of years. 25% in Microsoft's case. As for Google, well... (Amazon no longer publishes its emissions data)

the Bad

Most Australian states commit to guidelines requiring data centres to recycle their water, and provide their own renewable energy source. Exceptions are Queensland and Northern Territory, because... gas!
While eBooks are convenient, there is something to be said for a solid tome. You realise it provides an anchor to reality. A reality that seems to be eroded by news that, after scraping their content, AI companies are destroying books, even rare ones.

the Good

A way of proving you're not a machine

How to poison a font so that AI 'scrapers' read gibberish.
At least the Pope's speeches are still human generated. How do I know? It might have something to do with the logo above.

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