Category Archives: Environment

Both bad climate policy and no policy will see Australia lose jobs and investment overseas

Brian Wilcox, the chief executive of the national employer association, the Australian Industry Group (AI), wrote the following article (The Guardian  16 October 2021). He puts the case for Australia embracing a carbon neutral policy direction. Whether one believes that the Morrison government is moving in this direction or not, it remains that from the viewpoint of  much of Australian business, to not keep up with the pace of other nations will inevitably mean loss of trade and investment, a blow to the economy, and a loss of jobs and income for many. He says that the transition means paying due attention to the mass application of new technologies through the economy, providing suitable incentives, and the involvement of  in making this a reality. Brian Wilcox speaks for those he represents within the context of division in the Coalition, and some of what he says may not be in accord with everyone’s views. Nevertheless, he makes good points that should be taken seriously.

Continue reading Both bad climate policy and no policy will see Australia lose jobs and investment overseas

Coal companies are being helped to sidestep protection of the environment

From New South Wales

Australia has been lied to. Environmental protection rules are being pushed aside to help new coal mines to operate with impunity. A key centre is New South Wales, where the federal and state governments have allowed companies to push back deadlines to meet deadlines on their sites. Continue reading Coal companies are being helped to sidestep protection of the environment

Central banks helping funnel trillions of dollars into fossil fuels despite climate pledges

Theodore Whyte (Resilience 26 August 2021) argues that central banks across the world are being less than honest about pledges to pull out of the fossil fuel industry when they are doing the opposite. A campaign marketing to build a positive image for  population concerned about the climate crisis, is not the same thing as acting on it.

Continue reading Central banks helping funnel trillions of dollars into fossil fuels despite climate pledges

Climate crisis report puts reality about climate on centre stage

By Joe Montero

The world has just received the strongest wake up call yet on the threat of the climate crisis. It comes in the form of a report by the  Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC), which says the situation is even worse than previously thought. If humanity does not respond appropriately,  and do it now, the planet faces catastrophe. Continue reading Climate crisis report puts reality about climate on centre stage

Europe’s flooding shows climate solutions must be driven by people power

Lesley Rankin is a researcher at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). She wrote the following article (Open Democracy 28 July 2021), and argues that the failure to do enough to tackle the climate crisis is a failure of political leadership and the to involve the population as active participants. This means that dealing with the environmental challenge and preparing for future shocks are inseparable from the battle for justice.  

Continue reading Europe’s flooding shows climate solutions must be driven by people power

The UN is moving to list the Great Barrier Reef as threatened by global warming

By Jim Hayes

United Nations officials have begun moves to put Australia’s Great Barrier Reef on the UNSCO list of “in danger” world heritage sites. Being on the list would pressure the Australian government to do much more to protect it. If this goes through, it will be the first time a world heritage site has been on the list because of the threat of global warming. Continue reading The UN is moving to list the Great Barrier Reef as threatened by global warming

Australians want action on climate and there’s no excuse to look backwards

Matt Kean, the NSW Minister for Energy and the Environment wrote this opinion piece (Sydney Morning Herald 28 October 2020), where he makes it clear that climate change is not only a reality but something that a big majority of Australians recognise and want to be acted upon. The minister expresses his support foe an ‘orderly transition”. What remains is for government to walk the walk and not just talk the talk. Nevertheless, Matt Kean’s does contribute towards the debate and the process towards a meaningful change. And it shows how broad the climate change movement has become. Continue reading Australians want action on climate and there’s no excuse to look backwards