Glass Wings Blog

The Glass Wings mailing list and blog is for general idle chit-chat about things we find interesting, especially humor, animation or other subjects relevant to the Glass Wings web site at glasswings.com.au. Subscribe at https://glasswings.com.au/subscribe.html

Balcony solar takes US by storm, as 27 states announce new plug-and-play PV laws

Wed, 4 Mar 2026 11:09:03 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reneweconomy.com.au/balcony-solar-takes-us-by-storm-as-27-states-announce-new-plug-and-play-pv-laws/>

"Lauren Phillips’ balcony just became a power plant. A very small, carbon-free
one.

AEVA launches register of EV-friendly apartment buildings in Canberra

Wed, 4 Mar 2026 11:07:38 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://thedriven.io/2026/02/27/aeva-launches-register-of-ev-friendly-apartment-buildings-in-canberra/>

"In a significant move for apartment dwellers looking to make the switch to
electric transport, the ACT branch of the Australian Electric Vehicle
Association (AEVA) has launched a public register of EV-friendly strata sites

From high‑tech greenhouses to fruit netting: how protected cropping can shield crops from climate extremes

Wed, 4 Mar 2026 11:06:25 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/from-high-tech-greenhouses-to-fruit-netting-how-protected-cropping-can-shield-crops-from-climate-extremes-272162>

"For many of us, food is something we buy at a supermarket or order at a cafe.
We usually give little thought to the complex systems required to produce and
deliver it – until they stop working.

How will datacentres affect Australia’s power prices, water supply and emissions?

Wed, 4 Mar 2026 11:04:58 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/02/datacentres-australia-power-prices-water-supply-emissions>

"Our online lives are increasingly reliant on digital data, whether it’s asking
an AI chatbot a question, generating a video or transcribing an online meeting.

New study finds 6 types of ‘discouraged’ workers in Australia – and why they stop job‑hunting

Wed, 4 Mar 2026 11:04:01 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/new-study-finds-6-types-of-discouraged-workers-in-australia-and-why-they-stop-job-hunting-276758>

"When we hear that Australia’s unemployment rate is low, it sounds like good
news. The Australian Bureau of Statistics defines an unemployed person as
someone who is not working but is actively looking for a job and available to

‘Less lethal’ deaths: courts examine role of controversial police weapons before three Australians died

Wed, 4 Mar 2026 11:02:47 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/02/australian-police-guns-less-lethal-weapons-ntwnfb>

"At least three people died within four months of one another after being shot
with “less lethal” projectiles and stun guns at their homes, sparking a series
of inquests and civil cases that could overhaul how police officers use force.

Neither preemptive nor legal, US‑Israeli strikes on Iran have blown up international law

Wed, 4 Mar 2026 03:14:47 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/neither-preemptive-nor-legal-us-israeli-strikes-on-iran-have-blown-up-international-law-277173>

"The joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran represent a further erosion of the
international legal order. Under international law, these attacks are neither
preemptive nor lawful.

Supporting ‘illegal aggression’ against Iran ‘the worst thing’ Australia could do, international law experts say

Wed, 4 Mar 2026 03:09:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/01/supporting-aggression-against-iran-the-worst-thing-australia-could-do-international-law-experts-say>

"International law experts have criticised Australia for “rolling over” and
backing what they say is an illegal attack by Israel and the US on Iran.

Ed Sheeran caught the train to Melbourne to protect the climate. But what about his thousands of fans?

Wed, 4 Mar 2026 03:07:42 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/ed-sheeran-caught-the-train-to-melbourne-to-protect-the-climate-but-what-about-his-thousands-of-fans-276971>

"This week, images on social media showed global superstar Ed Sheeran alighting
from the overnight train from Sydney into the decidedly utilitarian surrounds
of Southern Cross Station in Melbourne.

Portugal's 80% Renewable Surge Cuts €703M Off January Energy Bills

Wed, 4 Mar 2026 03:06:32 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theportugalpost.com/posts/portugals-80-renewable-surge-cuts-703m-off-january-energy-bills>

"The Portugal grid operator REN has confirmed that renewables supplied 80.7% of
all electricity consumed on the mainland last month, a milestone that slices
hundreds of millions off energy bills and nudges the country within touching