Climate
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There’s no escaping a hothouse earth
A couple of months ago I set off with my partner to the northern hemisphere for a prolonged stint in Canada. I’ll admit I was excited and relieved to be getting away from the rain-soaked Northern Rivers. The region had been robbed of sunlight for months on end and the trauma of the floods earlier Continue reading »
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Facing “Hothouse Earth”, will Labor continue half-a-century of inaction?
In a new book, Hothouse Earth, Bill McGuire depicts “the coming climatic catastrophe” and argues “that there is now no chance of us avoiding a perilous, all-pervasive climate breakdown”. Continue reading »
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Environment: UN declares right to a healthy environment
Global right to a healthy, sustainable environment declared but governments conspire to hide the truth about climate change, Tassie sanctions the killing of native wildlife and Brazil encourages dangerous mining deep in the Amazon. Continue reading »
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Notes from Nomadia
Thousands of ‘grey Nomads’ are travelling endlessly around Australia contributing in a small way to the destruction of the very environment they apparently admire. Good luck to them. Continue reading »
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Environment: Australia’s natural environment – sick and getting sicker
Australia’s environment needs better governments and more respect. Mexican asparagus: nice but very naughty. Continue reading »
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The maths of 43%…
Labor’s commitment to reduce Australia’s emissions 43% by 2030 is hotly debated. It is important that we understand what that 43% means; what it includes; and, crucially, what it excludes. Continue reading »
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Environment: Prescribed burning makes bushfires worse
Prescribed burning does more harm than good, as do fossil fuel subsidies. How to protect wild species. Continue reading »
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Climate emergency actions are needed not just promises
Labor didn’t so much win the election gaining only 32% of the primary vote – they just didn’t lose it quite as badly as the Coalition, scraping into government because they were not as reprehensible on climate and integrity. Continue reading »
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Environment: Supreme Court gives the world a climate headache
US Supreme Court favours ‘democracy’ over climate action. Overshooting 2oC of warming will be bad news for ecosystems. Space tourism preparing for launch. Continue reading »
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Environment: Enormous environmental consequences of the war in Ukraine
The conflict in Ukraine is destroying environments and not only in the war zone. Cartoon characters combat ecofascism and Global South nations outline their expectations of November’s COP meeting in Egypt. Continue reading »
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Environment: Can capitalism deliver the future we want?
We need to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions, not just CO2. Solar and wind slowly replacing coal as Australia’s source of electricity. Sydney and Canberra middle of the pack for sustainability. Continue reading »
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The Teals will force the Greens to get smart at last
John Menadue asks whether the Greens can avoid the perfect obstructing the good. The Teals will force the Greens to Get Smart. Continue reading »
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Environment: Can astronomical phenomena inspire us to solve earthly problems?
Forget war, climate change, famine and dysfunctional economics for five minutes, lift your eyes to the pre-dawn skies and see five of our planetary neighbours. Continue reading »
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Ecological services are essential for the sustainable future of our planet home
This a plea for understanding of the crucial functioning of ecological services, a complex issue requiring the interrelationship of many disciplines and most importantly a fundamental reform of economic ideology. These services must be central in the promised Independent Environmental Protection Agency. Continue reading »
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KEITH MITCHELSON: Media advocacy for tax-avoiding, transnational behemoths – the international fossil-fuel companies
The web of international trade has been lauded for a century as a positive binding force connecting nations, making the world a safer place. Who would think it could also do the opposite. Continue reading »
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Are Labor just coalition lite on climate?
Australian voters were ecstatic to be rid of the Coalition, but have we jumped out of the frying pan into the fire on climate? Continue reading »
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Environment: Global climate report and watery things
The global climate in 2021 was not looking good, nor were dams, rivers, the Reef or seagrass. Continue reading »
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KEITH MITCHELSON. Satisfying Expectations
Winning a ‘climate election’ where neither major party presented nor discussed their policy details with electors has generated a blank screen of individual expectations. Can Anthony Albanese’s government satisfy their diverse hopes. Continue reading »
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The Great Barrier Reef: the ultimate test of an ambitious climate policy
France’s Ambassador to Australia Jean-Pierre Thébault has called the Albanese Government’s climate position ambitious. But is it enough for the survival of the Great Barrier Reef? Continue reading »
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KEITH MITCHELSON: Becoming a rooftop superpower
Our household rooftop solar panel network helps fulfil international commitments of the Australian government, yet it also represents a hidden taxation that citizens do not seem to recognise. Can the new Labor government rectify this and other larger taxation anomalies? Continue reading »
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Environment: An asset for profit or a space for children to thrive?
Is the natural environment to be commodified for profit or cherished to help children and adults thrive? How to decarbonise Australia’s transport systems. Continue reading »
