Coronavirus is not so much a disease as a vaccine. If we take the crisis seriously we will learn skills and establish procedures that will allow us to cope with much greater existential crises. Remember these words – you will hear other people say them in the months and years to come.
Post of the Day
What existential risk can teach us about the coronavirus pandemic
Humans face unprecedented peril from new technologies and from our own actions, according to a new book by Toby Ord. By Ord’s reckoning, humanity has a 1-in-6 chance of suffering an existential catastrophe this century.
On This Day
Ecological Observance
Earth Hour to unite the world in darkness
Australians are being urged to join Earth Hour online for a quarantine-friendly version of the global, annual ‘hour without power’ event on Saturday.
Coronavirus Watch
Confirmed cases: 3180. Deaths: 13
Dangerous cures and viral hoaxes: common coronavirus myths busted
With so much misinformation about Covid-19 circulating online, we’ve factchecked some of the more common fallacies
Climate Change
Why public health experts support these youth suing the US Government over climate change
The unfolding climate crisis comes with significant health hazards, and children are particularly vulnerable, according to these medical experts.
Climate change set to make extreme heat more common – and costly
Dangerous heat and humidity could affect 1.2 billion people by the turn of the century if global warming goes unchecked, scientists say.
The virus ignited action worldwide. Why warming hasn’t
Experts in psychology explain why so many people are willing to disrupt their lives to contain the coronavirus, but not climate change.
With the climate crisis and coronavirus bearing down on us, the age of disconnection is over
Tim Hollo
We can no longer pretend that we’re separate from each other and from the natural world
National
Energy giants to defer bills and disconnections as job losses spiral
Australian energy giants have pledged to extend payment terms and suspend disconnections for customers under financial strain due to the worsening coronavirus emergency, amid fears up to 2 million Australians could end up jobless.
Coronavirus: toilet paper panic sees a new problem surface
As panic buying continues to empty shelves across the country, the nation’s plumbers have found themselves in murky waters, battling blockages from non-flushable alternatives.
May we discuss ‘net zero’ 2050?
Stephen Saunders
Seventy nations have signed up, for net zero emissions 2050. Before COVID-19 became the only topic, Australia buzzed with it. But what does it mean?
New South Wales
Snowy Hydro 2.0 will cost more and deliver less than promised, 30 experts say
Group calls for independent review of project it says would permanently damage Kosciuszko national park
NSW land-clearing approvals increased 13-fold since laws relaxed in 2016
Independent MP calls for approvals pause as Natural Resources Commission report shows more than 37,000ha approved last year
‘Devastating biodiversity loss’ made worse by rise in land clearing
Approvals for clearing trees in NSW soared 13-fold after the Berejiklian government loosened land-clearing laws in 2016.
Queensland
‘Ipswich not Tipswich: Anti-dump lobby calls for new council to show leadership on dumps
As Ipswich locals prepare to elect a new council this weekend, many hope it will be an opportunity to move beyond the city’s reputation as a waste capital and a fresh start after the Queensland Government stacked the former council due to corruption allegations.
Northern Territory
Infrastructure funds in the works to ease NT tourism hit
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is working with the NT Government to shortly roll out several “shovel ready” infrastructure projects in the Territory, following the closure of major tourist attractions Kakadu and Uluru.
Sustainability
Issues of the environment: Chemical impacts in fighting the spread of COVID-19
The coronavirus pandemic has lead to major changes for homes and businesses, including more frequent use of chemicals and disinfectants. While they do help, some can be dangerous to human health and the environment.
We took the Great American Road Trip—and we did it carbon-free
A cross-country journey in electric cars reveals how alternative energy sources could help power us into a sustainable future.
A bailout for the oil and gas industry? Here’s why experts say it’s not a long-term solution
Canada’s efforts to support the oil and gas industry through a major stimulus package might overlook the real challenges plaguing the industry.
World could witness ‘huge backlash’ in pollution after outbreak
A dramatic reduction in air pollution might seem like a silver lining in global efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, but the world could see a “huge backlash” in emissions once the crisis comes to an end.
What existential risk can teach us about the coronavirus pandemic
Humans face unprecedented peril from new technologies and from our own actions, according to a new book by Toby Ord. By Ord’s reckoning, humanity has a 1-in-6 chance of suffering an existential catastrophe this century.
Journal of a plague week: from death to rebirth as better humans
Elizabeth Farrelly
No one expected plague. No one knows how, or if, this will end. But one thing is proved. We can live smaller, cleaner lives.
Seeing past and beyond ‘population versus consumption’
Mark Allen
A peaceful compromise between environmentalists and populationists would be a step towards a progressive society.
Even for cyclists, the best move now is to stay home
Heather Drugge
Biking for transit is still a good option, but you don’t want to end up in the emergency room.
Nature Conservation
How these threatened animals could bounce back
From hairy rhinos to squirrel-size monkeys, these species are poised to survive thanks to conservation efforts.
Maelor Himbury
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