Climate
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Political attacks on climate cases undermine the rule of law
The courts are an intrinsic part of Australian democracy, despite attacks from conservative critics, write Isabelle Reinecke and Oliver Ray. Continue reading »
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Charities muzzled when climate action advocacy is most needed
Blocking charities from lobbying on “political” issues such as climate change is a blow to a liberal democracy and to our children’s futures. Continue reading »
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Sunday environmental round up.
On land and sea, humans need to do a better job protecting the environment … and our rights to enjoy healthy environments. Continue reading »
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Why Australia’s electric vehicle strategy is going nowhere
The soaring cost of raw materials for batteries and production challenges mean rising prices will push electric vehicles out of the reach of most Australians for many years. Continue reading »
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Australia’s bare-minimum emissions plan rates zero all-round
Australia’s net zero plan is a techno-optimist thought-bubble: it has an inappropriate objective, no clear priorities, and no realistic costing. Continue reading »
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Climate emergency: Australia must come in from the cold
As the consequences of global warming worsen, countries that are laggards on climate action risk facing sanctions or bullying from powerful nations. Continue reading »
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‘Can do capitalism’: An outdated, selfish narrative
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been promoting ‘can do capitalism’, when what Australia needs is policies that treat all citizens equally. Continue reading »
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The endless civil war among conservatives over nuclear power
The case for nuclear power in Australia is overwhelmingly weak, but that doesn’t deter the culture warriors in the Morrison government or the Murdoch media. Continue reading »
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Gasbagging in Glasgow: COP26 and phasing down coal
After a succession of drafts, the climate pact trod a delicate path. There was greenwashing and subversion, triumphs and laments … and “lifestyle”. Continue reading »
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Sunday environmental round up.
COP26 is finished but are we any closer to reducing emissions? Global temperatures rising and supplies of fresh water falling. Continue reading »
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The climate bottom line: rich nations must step up
Financing lies at the heart of the rupture between wealthy and poor nations on climate: a levy-based framework to provide funding is now crucial. Continue reading »
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It will take more than a Green New Deal to save a planet in peril
As the climate crisis worsens, some progressives have seized on a way to save capitalism from itself. But that task is impossible. Continue reading »
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Climate change strategy must be adaptable to withstand new era
If the new climate change strategy is to succeed, it will need to be a living document, to be adapted and enhanced. Continue reading »
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The earth is now warming itself — it may be too late for humanity
Only the complete cessation of all human carbon emissions within this decade and removing carbon from the atmosphere will save us from immolation. Continue reading »
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The unspoken lesson from the government’s climate modelling
The government’s modelling leaves some legitimate concerns unanswered, but it does suggest a more ambitious emissions reduction target for 2030 is viable. Continue reading »
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Scott Morrison’s cruel indifference to pleas for climate action
Too much is at stake to be timid in critiques of the Morrison government’s outrageous ‘Australian Way’ of addressing climate change. Continue reading »
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Sunday environmental round up.
Fossil capital (grateful nod to Andreas Malm) holds up climate action in Glasgow and Canberra, a fishy resuce, the vicious CO2 circle. Continue reading »
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Tough environment policies are good for the economy
Melbourne Institute research found that while there might be a short-term hike in cost, countries whose governments implement strong environmental regulations reap the productivity rewards and economic growth in the long term. Continue reading »
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Selfishness emerges as the planet’s greatest existential threat
Global policymakers’ selfishness could prove terminal, driving the relentless exploitation of the planet’s natural resources. Continue reading »
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Australia knows how to legislate a carbon price, and we can do it again
The Gillard government’s ill-fated clean energy bill was passed 10 years ago. Australians are ready for an even better successor. Continue reading »
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Fixation on climate change has blinded us to a deadly chemical tsunami
Humanity’s chemical emissions are poisoning the earth and killing 25,000 people a day — and pose as much of an existential threat as global warming. Continue reading »
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The Queen nails it at Glasgow, Scott Morrison does not
Scott Morrison could learn from the Queen’s speech at COP26 in Glasgow. This is the speech he should have given. Continue reading »
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Indonesia’s Widodo lacks the will, let alone ability, to fight climate change
Our near neighbour faces a colossal task in keeping the lights on while reducing emissions. Even some solutions create problems. Continue reading »
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Sunday environmental round up
COP, COP, COP and COP … focusing on forests and migration. Continue reading »
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Climate facts: Debunking Scott Morrison’s COP26 speech
Some of Scott Morrison’s claims in his COP26 speech were dubious, so the experts at the Climate Council have done his homework for him. Continue reading »
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Ghosts seen in a Glasgow graveyard during COP26
When you’ve seen the horrors of global warming first-hand, you become more frightened than if you have seen a ghost. Continue reading »
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How Scotty from Marketing seeks to deceive about climate change
The Morrison government’s proposed response to the threat of climate change tries to reconcile different interests by deceiving them both. Continue reading »
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Free trade reckoning awaits Australia after Morrison’s Glasgow copout
The PM was on the front foot in Rome and Glasgow, but his troubles with the rest of the world over Australia’s emissions target are just beginning. Continue reading »
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COP26: An observer’s view of the first few days
Duncan MacLaren joined the crowds to attend the first day of COP26. He recounts what he found when he got in. Continue reading »
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An exceptional nation, for routine deception
Emmanuel Macron’s swipe at Scott Morrison shows our allies are fed up with Australian politicians’ routine deception and obfuscation. Continue reading »