On March 31, an Australian court began hearing arguments in a case challenging what would be the country's largest coal mine. The environmental group Coast and Country filed suit in the Land Court of Queensland against Indian mining conglomerate Adani and the company's proposed Carmichael mine. The $16.5 billion project would consist of strip and underground mining and cover about 174 square miles. Coast and Country argued that the coal mine presents an unacceptable risk to the climate, groundwater, the Great Barrier Reef, and endangered species, including the black-throated finch. The site of the mine is home to one of two known populations of the bird, but Adani has argued that the affected population could relocate. The five-week trial will culminate in a court recommendation to the Queensland government, which will make the final decision on the mine. For the full story, see http://www.smh.com.au/environment/queensland-coal-mine-could-hurt-endangered-finch-court-hears-20150331-1mcabk.html and http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-31/coast-and-country-challenge-mining-giant-adani-in-land-court/6362546.