It is not difficult to understand, nor to agree, with the growing numbers of thoughtful people who argue that humanity is on the brink of extinction. And that, without transformational change in the way, we think, and live, our descendants are doomed. The size of our human population, the way we operate the economy, the Continue reading »
climate
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese makes great play of his ambition to establish Australia as a Renewable Energy Superpower, a laudable ambition if it can be pulled off. But if ambition is to become more than platitudes, the Prime Minister needs to fundamentally reset current climate policy. Rather than sticking to the government’s inadequate 2022 election Continue reading »
“It’s looking like the entirety of the Southern Hemisphere is probably going to bleach this year,” one scientist said. Driven by sustained climate-fuelled oceanic heating, the planet is on the brink of another mass coral bleaching event that marine biologists warn could kill large swaths of tropical reefs including significant areas of Australia’s Great Barrier Continue reading »
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is nailing nuclear energy for Australia to his economic renaissance mast. His earlier thought was that the electricity generating transition should be confined to SMRs (small modular reactors) conveniently placed in the basements of factories around Australia. He then expanded his concept to include the construction of large industrial reactors of Continue reading »
Renewables are about to supply the annual increase in electricity usage globally but cryptocurrency’s power demands are surging. Most industrial fishing vessels are untracked, including those around Australia. Climate change has already caused 4 million deaths. Mapping industrial activity in the oceans 70% of Earth’s surface is ocean. More than a billion people rely on Continue reading »
The top scientific body that monitors the world’s tropical coral reefs, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has warned that “We are literally sitting on the cusp of the worst bleaching event in the history of the planet.” Dr Derek Manzello, Coordinator of NOAA’s Coral Watch Program, told Reuters that “It’s looking like Continue reading »
Economic theory supports a price on carbon but implemented schemes struggle to deliver emissions reductions. China firmly in the EV driving seat. Climate action is failing to meet its targets globally. Do carbon pricing mechanisms work? Almost every economist agrees (see Michael Keating and St Ross) that the most efficient, most effective, lowest cost, most Continue reading »
“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt. We must educate and act urgently on these problems. The continuing decline of the life support system of ecosystem services and biodiversity is a crisis needing urgent, Continue reading »
As Western Australia endures another extreme heatwave, with temperatures soaring up to 47 degrees Celsius in the Pilbara, the reality of the impacts of climate change is becoming impossible for Australia to ignore. Escalating and unprecedented heat is harming our communities, ecosystems, and economy. Last week Victoria was battered by fires and storms that destroyed Continue reading »
Richest 1% produce as many greenhouse gases as the poorest 66%. Climate denialists have a new lyric: ‘sure, it’s happening – so what?’ but Australians are concerned about climate change and want action. No, it’s not OK to shoot a hippo. Climate Equality: A planet for the 99% … is the title of a report Continue reading »