Latest news with #Kyte
The Advertiser
15-05-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
Killing fields: powerful owls the latest victims of region's development boom
The deaths of two powerful owls have been blamed on rapid urban growth and infrastructure development across the Lower Hunter. The owls, listed as vulnerable under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, are the largest of all Australian owls. Males grow to 65 centimetres in height and weigh up to 1.7 kilograms. Typical habitat is densely wooded areas such as those that have recently been destroyed around Minmi and Rankin Park. Hunter Bird Observers Club committee member Rob Kyte was alerted to a distressed owl in Hudson Park, Kotara, last week. The rescued male bird, which had a damaged eye, beak and wing, initially showed promising signs of recovery, but eventually died. The next day, Mr Kyte found a female owl that had been hit by a vehicle on the side of Hillisbrough Road. "It was quite sad because it probably means there is a tree hollow somewhere that has eggs or young that wouldn't have survived," he said. "To have two birds taken out of the system at this time of year is a massive hit for species." "Powerful owls are an apex predator, they need mature woodland, tall trees and a dark environment, and we are losing that a lot in Newcastle at the moment." Mr Kyte's comments echo those of Hunter Wildlife Rescue, which has been called to rescue increased numbers of koalas and other native animals over the past 18 months. Government bureaucrats and developers routinely responded to community concerns about habitat loss with reports and studies that argue impacts on native fauna will be minimised, despite increased instances of dead and injured wildlife appearing in suburban streets. Mr Kyte said he suspected the two owls had been pushed out of their homes and had been struggling to survive. "There's just not enough room for them; a peer in another territory is not going to tolerate them moving in, so they are going to find it tough going," he said. "They may end up taking alternative prey, like a rat that has been poisoned, which will end up killing the owl." He said he doubted the Lower Hunter powerful owl population would recover given the widespread clearing that was occurring. "We have definitely seen a decline in established populations," he said. "It takes over 100 years for a hollow to form in a tree. From a powerful owl perspective, it's probably about 150 years because they need a large hollow. "With these mature trees being taken as they are, there's just nowhere left for them to go." "To have an Apex predator like that in the environment is a sign of a healthy environment. When we start to take out trees and the birds disappear then it's a real cause for concern." The deaths of two powerful owls have been blamed on rapid urban growth and infrastructure development across the Lower Hunter. The owls, listed as vulnerable under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, are the largest of all Australian owls. Males grow to 65 centimetres in height and weigh up to 1.7 kilograms. Typical habitat is densely wooded areas such as those that have recently been destroyed around Minmi and Rankin Park. Hunter Bird Observers Club committee member Rob Kyte was alerted to a distressed owl in Hudson Park, Kotara, last week. The rescued male bird, which had a damaged eye, beak and wing, initially showed promising signs of recovery, but eventually died. The next day, Mr Kyte found a female owl that had been hit by a vehicle on the side of Hillisbrough Road. "It was quite sad because it probably means there is a tree hollow somewhere that has eggs or young that wouldn't have survived," he said. "To have two birds taken out of the system at this time of year is a massive hit for species." "Powerful owls are an apex predator, they need mature woodland, tall trees and a dark environment, and we are losing that a lot in Newcastle at the moment." Mr Kyte's comments echo those of Hunter Wildlife Rescue, which has been called to rescue increased numbers of koalas and other native animals over the past 18 months. Government bureaucrats and developers routinely responded to community concerns about habitat loss with reports and studies that argue impacts on native fauna will be minimised, despite increased instances of dead and injured wildlife appearing in suburban streets. Mr Kyte said he suspected the two owls had been pushed out of their homes and had been struggling to survive. "There's just not enough room for them; a peer in another territory is not going to tolerate them moving in, so they are going to find it tough going," he said. "They may end up taking alternative prey, like a rat that has been poisoned, which will end up killing the owl." He said he doubted the Lower Hunter powerful owl population would recover given the widespread clearing that was occurring. "We have definitely seen a decline in established populations," he said. "It takes over 100 years for a hollow to form in a tree. From a powerful owl perspective, it's probably about 150 years because they need a large hollow. "With these mature trees being taken as they are, there's just nowhere left for them to go." "To have an Apex predator like that in the environment is a sign of a healthy environment. When we start to take out trees and the birds disappear then it's a real cause for concern." The deaths of two powerful owls have been blamed on rapid urban growth and infrastructure development across the Lower Hunter. The owls, listed as vulnerable under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, are the largest of all Australian owls. Males grow to 65 centimetres in height and weigh up to 1.7 kilograms. Typical habitat is densely wooded areas such as those that have recently been destroyed around Minmi and Rankin Park. Hunter Bird Observers Club committee member Rob Kyte was alerted to a distressed owl in Hudson Park, Kotara, last week. The rescued male bird, which had a damaged eye, beak and wing, initially showed promising signs of recovery, but eventually died. The next day, Mr Kyte found a female owl that had been hit by a vehicle on the side of Hillisbrough Road. "It was quite sad because it probably means there is a tree hollow somewhere that has eggs or young that wouldn't have survived," he said. "To have two birds taken out of the system at this time of year is a massive hit for species." "Powerful owls are an apex predator, they need mature woodland, tall trees and a dark environment, and we are losing that a lot in Newcastle at the moment." Mr Kyte's comments echo those of Hunter Wildlife Rescue, which has been called to rescue increased numbers of koalas and other native animals over the past 18 months. Government bureaucrats and developers routinely responded to community concerns about habitat loss with reports and studies that argue impacts on native fauna will be minimised, despite increased instances of dead and injured wildlife appearing in suburban streets. Mr Kyte said he suspected the two owls had been pushed out of their homes and had been struggling to survive. "There's just not enough room for them; a peer in another territory is not going to tolerate them moving in, so they are going to find it tough going," he said. "They may end up taking alternative prey, like a rat that has been poisoned, which will end up killing the owl." He said he doubted the Lower Hunter powerful owl population would recover given the widespread clearing that was occurring. "We have definitely seen a decline in established populations," he said. "It takes over 100 years for a hollow to form in a tree. From a powerful owl perspective, it's probably about 150 years because they need a large hollow. "With these mature trees being taken as they are, there's just nowhere left for them to go." "To have an Apex predator like that in the environment is a sign of a healthy environment. When we start to take out trees and the birds disappear then it's a real cause for concern." The deaths of two powerful owls have been blamed on rapid urban growth and infrastructure development across the Lower Hunter. The owls, listed as vulnerable under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, are the largest of all Australian owls. Males grow to 65 centimetres in height and weigh up to 1.7 kilograms. Typical habitat is densely wooded areas such as those that have recently been destroyed around Minmi and Rankin Park. Hunter Bird Observers Club committee member Rob Kyte was alerted to a distressed owl in Hudson Park, Kotara, last week. The rescued male bird, which had a damaged eye, beak and wing, initially showed promising signs of recovery, but eventually died. The next day, Mr Kyte found a female owl that had been hit by a vehicle on the side of Hillisbrough Road. "It was quite sad because it probably means there is a tree hollow somewhere that has eggs or young that wouldn't have survived," he said. "To have two birds taken out of the system at this time of year is a massive hit for species." "Powerful owls are an apex predator, they need mature woodland, tall trees and a dark environment, and we are losing that a lot in Newcastle at the moment." Mr Kyte's comments echo those of Hunter Wildlife Rescue, which has been called to rescue increased numbers of koalas and other native animals over the past 18 months. Government bureaucrats and developers routinely responded to community concerns about habitat loss with reports and studies that argue impacts on native fauna will be minimised, despite increased instances of dead and injured wildlife appearing in suburban streets. Mr Kyte said he suspected the two owls had been pushed out of their homes and had been struggling to survive. "There's just not enough room for them; a peer in another territory is not going to tolerate them moving in, so they are going to find it tough going," he said. "They may end up taking alternative prey, like a rat that has been poisoned, which will end up killing the owl." He said he doubted the Lower Hunter powerful owl population would recover given the widespread clearing that was occurring. "We have definitely seen a decline in established populations," he said. "It takes over 100 years for a hollow to form in a tree. From a powerful owl perspective, it's probably about 150 years because they need a large hollow. "With these mature trees being taken as they are, there's just nowhere left for them to go." "To have an Apex predator like that in the environment is a sign of a healthy environment. When we start to take out trees and the birds disappear then it's a real cause for concern."
Forbes
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
What You Missed At The Chatham House Climate And Energy Summit 2025
At Chatham House in London/UK- March 10th, 2022- This image has been provided by Chatham House and ... More Suzanne Plunkett (photographer). Last week, I attended the Climate and Energy Summit at Chatham House—an event that brought together policymakers, business leaders, scientists, and non-governmental organizations to talk about the future of our planet. For context, Chatham House is a think tank focused on international affairs that helps shape discussions on global security, sustainability, and environmental issues. The two-day summit, held on March 18 and 19, was structured around one big theme: how to build a resilient future in a world where climate change is accelerating. With extreme weather intensifying, conflicts growing, and global climate targets looming, the conversations felt especially urgent. The summit kicked off with a keynote address from Rachel Kyte, the United Kingdom's Special Envoy on Climate, and Ana Toni, the Chief Executive Officer of COP30—the next major United Nations climate summit, set for this November in Belém. Belém, a port city in northern Brazil near the Amazon River, is a symbolic host due to the Amazon's crucial role in absorbing carbon and supporting biodiversity—while also drawing attention to the critical issue of deforestation in Brazil. Kyte and Toni reflected on the Paris Agreement, signed almost a decade ago when world leaders committed to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit). Kyte called it 'a remarkable achievement' but acknowledged it hasn't worked for everyone. 'Now the challenge,' she said, 'is to make it work faster, more fairly, and at the scale and speed we need.' Toni echoed that point, saying climate change is no longer just an 'environmental issue'—it's now an 'economic and financial one, too,' she told the room filled with attendees. Some sessions at the summit took place under the Chatham House Rule, which allows participants to use the information shared but not identify the speakers. The rule is meant to encourage more honest and open dialogue, and in the sessions I attended, discussions felt candid and often moved beyond headlines into the details of what's working and what isn't. One of the first topics on the table was the impact of ongoing conflicts—like the war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza—on global cooperation. These crises, speakers noted, are not only pulling attention away from climate but also exposing just how fragile international systems are. What I kept hearing was the need for adaptation. People spoke about how droughts, floods, and food insecurity are no longer distant threats—they're already affecting lives. The shift, they said, is from reacting in emergencies to planning ahead. Local officials and community leaders talked about needing practical tools, reliable funding, and policies that actually help them prepare for what's no longer a future problem, but a present one. Food and water security were also front and center. As rainfall patterns shift and populations rise, experts talked about ways to keep essential systems running and ensure fair access to resources. Some of the most promising ideas involved new technologies that could improve supply chains and make resource use more efficient. Energy was the big focus on day two. There was broad agreement that the world needs to significantly scale up renewable energy and improve energy efficiency over the next several years. Artificial intelligence (AI) came up in quite a few sessions. Yes, there's serious worry about how much energy and water it uses—but experts also talked about its potential to help tackle the climate crisis by forecasting extreme weather events more accurately and effectivly. And then there's the money. How can lower-income countries get the financing they need to adapt to climate impacts and build clean energy systems was the question? Several speakers called on development banks and governments to do more to lower investment risk and unlock private capital to address some of the shortfall. Toward the end of the summit, a session called the TeX Factor brought a burst of energy, with climate tech startups pitching their solutions to the audinece and the panel. From carbon removal to off-grid solar, the innovations were forwardthinking —but so were the questions. Fiona Harvey, environment editor at The Guardian, was also on the panel, asking how these ideas would work in practice and whether they could solve some of the challenges faces by vulnerable communities. With COP30 just months away, the summit made one thing clear: climate change is already shaping how we grow food, generate power, and use water resources. The question now is whether leaders—and industries—will respond with the urgency this moment calls for.
Sky News
18-03-2025
- Business
- Sky News
Climate action will make British people 'more secure', says UK envoy, after Badenoch claimed it would hit living standards
Climate action will make British people's lives more secure, the UK climate envoy has said. Rachel Kyte's comments come after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch claimed the country's key climate target would "bankrupt" the country and drive a drop in living standards. She told an audience this morning: "This government has a clear commitment to climate leadership at home and abroad. "Why? Because this is going to make British people more secure." She was appointed as the UK's special representative for climate last year by the current Labour government after it reinstated the role that the Tories had axed under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Ms Kyte said at a conference hosted by Chatham House thinktank today that climate action would boost Britons' security by protecting them from extreme weather like flooding, which has saturated farms and homes, and by encouraging other countries to do more to slow global warming. to be "impossible". Ms Badenoch said the target "can't be achieved without a serious drop in our living standards or by bankrupting us". 10:13 The Conservative leader did not publish analysis to support these claims, but they are at odds with findings from the UK's climate advisers, the Climate Change Committee (the CCC). Last month the CCC said reaching net zero would cost on average 0.2% of UK GDP a year until 2050, requiring upfront investment before saving money. That's because clean electric technologies like heat pumps and EVs, which will eventually replace gas boilers and petrol and diesel cars, run on electricity which will be cheaper than gas or petrol and diesel. Ms Badneoch's comments come in the wake of US President Donald Trump attacking US climate laws - rolling back nature protections and wrenching it out of the landmark Paris Agreement. His actions as head of the world's largest economy and second-biggest polluter have raised fears others may be emboldened to follow suit and ditch their own attempts to go green. But Ms Kyte, who as a diplomat does not comment on specific countries or parties, said conversations she has with other countries are about how they green their economies, not if. "There are no conversations about 'well, maybe we should take a pause in the energy transition'," she said. "It's a question of 'how do we learn from what's working? How do we push it forward?'." She was speaking on a panel alongside Ana Toni, chief executive of the COP30 climate conference in Brazil this year, who said the transition from fossil fuels to clean technology is "underway. It's inevitable".
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
World Must Prepare to Fight Climate Change Without US, UK Says
(Bloomberg) -- The world needs to prepare to fight global warming without the help of the US as the Trump administration pulls billions of dollars pledged to initiatives funding the green transition, the UK's climate envoy said. Trump Administration Plans to Eliminate Dozens of Housing Offices Republican Mayor Braces for Tariffs: 'We Didn't Budget for This' How Upzoning in Cambridge Broke the YIMBY Mold NYC's Finances Are Sinking With Gauge Falling to 11-Year Low How Sanctuary Cities Are Fighting Trump, Again This week, South Africa said the US notified it about withdrawing from a coal-transition pact to which it had committed $1 billion. In January, Washington canceled $4 billion of pledges to the Green Climate Fund, the largest of its kind globally. The fate of billions of dollars pledged by the US to green shifts in Indonesia and Vietnam is unclear. 'You plan for the worst and hope for the best,' Rachel Kyte, the envoy, said in an interview in South Africa's capital of Pretoria on Thursday. 'We have to plan for a world where the US is not transfusing funds into the green transition.' Since taking office on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump has disrupted the aid and development-finance worlds by dismantling organizations and initiatives, canceling funding and railing against efforts to combat climate change. While that's thrown those sectors into disarray, leaders from outside the US said they will continue with their programs. 'The science didn't change on Jan. 20,' Kyte said, before opening the launch of the findings of a UK-funded study into the health impacts of living near coal-fired power plants. 'Even though we see US entities green hushing or mollifying their commitments to ESG, the investment patterns outside the US remain the same,' she said referring to environmental, social and governance issues. Kyte's comments come as climate initiatives also deal with the slashing of aid and development budgets by rich European nations — including the UK — that are diverting money to defense after Trump indicated he would water down US security commitments to the bloc. A shift in focus is necessary, Kyte said. Climate-finance initiatives will need to attract more money from private investors, multilateral development banks will need reform to play a larger role and a myriad initiatives must be 'de-fragmented' to build larger pools of capital, she said. 'There has been an uptick in calls for reform to make the multilateral development-bank system, the international financial architecture, more fit for purpose,' she said. 'Bigger, bolder, better. Bigger is the question mark as we see how the US shows up in the international arena, but better and bolder is still on the table.' Kyte also cautioned that the impact of the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement international climate treaty and climate-finance initiatives should not be overestimated. While the world's largest economy has pledged billions of dollars to climate initiatives, it has delivered a lot less, she said. 'We have over many years now lived and managed our multilateral climate funds and multilateral development banks, the whole international architecture, on the basis of US pledges that have been unrealized because Congress has been on balance opposed to this kind of expenditure,' she said. We have to 'hope that it comes back one day with more than pledges.' Snack Makers Are Removing Fake Colors From Processed Foods The Mysterious Billionaire Behind the World's Most Popular Vapes Rich People Are Firing a Cash Cannon at the US Economy—But at What Cost? Greenland Voters Weigh Their Election's Most Important Issue: Trump An All-American Finance Empire Drew Billions—and a Regulator's Attention ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
World must stick to climate goals despite US, UK envoy says
By Tim Cocks PRETORIA (Reuters) - The world must carry on pursuing the greenhouse gas emissions reductions outlined in the Paris Agreement, despite the United States' withdrawal, Britain's climate envoy said on Thursday, adding that the UK was moving ahead with its targets. Last month U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the world's second biggest emitter from the agreement that aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit). See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. "Around the world people are noting that the U.S. has pulled out of Paris, but we've got to carry on," Rachel Kyte told Reuters in an interview on a visit to South Africa's capital Pretoria. "The science hasn't changed, no other country has changed its position ... the direction of travel is the same." U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Monday called pledges to achieve net zero carbon emissions a "sinister goal," singling out Britain for its clean energy targets. "(Britain's) energy security ... food security, and the well being of the British people is entirely linked to the (world's) ability ... to manage this climate crisis," Kyte said. "So it's regrettable that the United States is out ... but we're moving ahead," she said. Britain's decision this month to use its National Wealth Fund for defence spending has raised fears of reduced funds for green energy. Kyte said no decisions had been made on how funds will be earmarked. "It's not a zero-sum game," she said, because the energy transition was being driven by "using public money effectively to crowd in private investments. The United States is also withdrawing from the Just Energy Transition Partnership to help developing countries including Indonesia, Vietnam and South Africa transition from coal, Reuters reported exclusively on Wednesday. "It's too early to tell what impact that has, but all the other partners are remaining, and ... deploying capital," which will in turn attract commercial investment, Kyte said.
