Latest news with #climate change
The Independent
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Business news live: New Nationwide house price data and latest FTSE 100 updates as stock rally stumbles
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference.
The Independent
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Top photos this week from Latin America and the Caribbean
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference.
ABC News
11 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Seawater desalination plant to shore up water supplies in Exmouth
A remote West Australian town is set to host one of the state's first regional seawater desalination plants, as thousands of visitors, a growing US military presence and a warming climate increase pressure on local supplies. It follows a lengthy investigation by the state's Water Corporation of the near-exhausted drinking water source in Exmouth, 1,230 kilometres north of Perth. About 3,000 residents are currently supplied with water by 34 production bores that are dependent on heavy rainfall to recharge local aquifers. The state-run utility forecasts Exmouth will need an additional 1.5 billion litres each year by 2060, while climate modelling shows the region is likely to grow drier. The plan has been welcomed by local government and industry groups, who are calling for a quicker turnaround to support the town's growth. The Water Corporation expects to complete the desalination plant in stages by 2030, pending environmental approval. It found additional groundwater sources south of Exmouth were insufficient to meet long-term demand and put cultural sites in the Cape Range National Park at risk. "That's why desalination is the right choice," said Evan Hambleton, general manager of assets, planning and delivery. Exmouth's population more than doubles during the peak winter months, with an average of 150,000 tourists passing through the town annually. Shire President Matthew Niikkula said the seasonal influx meant Exmouth's drinking water scheme was often operating close to capacity. "We're seeing numbers come through Exmouth like we've never seen before," he said. "It's put our infrastructure at critical bursting point for a long time." He argued that the Water Corporation should commit to a shorter time frame to deliver the project. "It is an urgent need. [The] council has been heavily advocating to government that this needs to be a one to three-year solution, not a three to five-year solution," Cr Niikkula said. While the technology has played a critical role in securing Perth's water supply, large-scale seawater desalination is a relatively new concept in regional WA. The process has been used on a smaller scale to secure farm water supplies and restore salt-damaged land. But a large-scale plant proposed for Albany prompted public outcry and was scrapped earlier this year. Another plant is under construction in Onslow, four hours north of Exmouth. Exmouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Steve Riley welcomed the decision, which he believed primed Exmouth for expansion and sewage upgrades. "There's no housing up and down the whole coastline," he said. "We literally can't build any more houses because we're out of water. "This [desalination plant] opens up that freedom a little bit to take those steps." Cr Niikkula said the desalination plant was part of a suite of technologies being rolled out in Exmouth to secure its future. The WA electricity utility Horizon Power expects to complete three-quarters of a 9.6-megawatt solar farm by mid-August. It aims to supply up to 80 per cent of Exmouth's electricity by next year. The burgeoning infrastructure will support a greater military presence in Exmouth, with the United States flagging its interest in the RAAF's nearby Learmonth base. The town's secretive Harold E Holt naval communication base, jointly run by Australian and US forces, began its first major upgrade since 1967 in March. Cr Niikkula, who also chairs the North-West Defence Alliance lobby group, said water shortages in Exmouth directly threatened national security. "We just all need to make sure that we're working together to ensure that the infrastructure is in place to be able to handle whatever comes along," he said. Hanging in the balance with these strategic interests, however, are serious environmental concerns. The Water Corporation said it had identified three potential sites for the desalination plant to the north, centre, and south of the town. Mr Hambleton told the ABC at least a year of further study would be undertaken to decide where to lay piping for seawater intake and outfalls. The facility's design will mirror what is under construction in Onslow, with water about twice as saline as normal seawater pumped back out to the ocean. "Within 30 or 50 metres of where we put the seawater back … you couldn't tell the difference between what is just regular seawater and what is the brine area."
The Independent
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
A somber tribute in photos: New York City police honor officer Didarul Islam
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference.
The Independent
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Chris Woakes suffers concerning injury in blow to England's hopes in fifth Test against India
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference.
