Month: June 2020

The refusal of this mob to deal with climate change and the real world consequences we face is breathtaking. Read Joelle Gergis’s article in The Monthly and you too will stay awake at night in worry about government inaction. And it’s not just inaction, there are actions that cause worry also. Remember, it was old Bookshelves Brandis as Attorney General who closed down the Australian Emergency Management Institute. It is seriously scary when government policy and programs pose danger to our country.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-30/natural-disaster-bushfire-mitigation-fund-untouched/12402960

All too often conservation and animal welfare collide. Of course we should minimise individual suffering, but protecting species maintains the biodiversity that is essential to resilient ecosystems. To argue against playing God to determine which species lives or dies but leaving out the biggest threat of all, the human species, means we are already playing God. And why wouldn’t we, we played God in our release of mice in the first instance that caused the damage we are wanting to undo. There’ll be arguments in favour of protecting brumbies next.https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jun/28/should-we-cull-one-species-to-save-another-huge-mice-killing-birds-gough-island

Within the mostly horrible 2020, there’s the occasional bit of good news. This land purchase for the national estate is most welcome. NSW Minister Matt Kean could show a few others how a Minister FOR the Environment should act.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-27/narriearra-station-sold-to-become-national-park-in-nsw/12400344

The Coal Curse, Quarterly Essay No. 78, is proving to be a good read. I’ve finished Judith Brett’s discussion on the history of free trading and protectionism, industry policy and Hockey driving vehicle manufacturing out of the country. I’m up to the revolving door that links the mining industry to political offices and the senior bureaucracy that Guy Pearse first wrote about those years ago in Quarterly Essay No 33. It has only become worse. Even so, knowing how we got here should help in plotting where we need to be.https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jun/27/forgotten-farmers-mining-and-anti-green-invective-how-the-nationals-became-a-party-for-coal

A properly resourced and enforced EPBCAct could wonders for our environment. Instead, cut off support, ignore when possible and frame ‘environmental protection’ as ‘green tape’ and the self-interested, the vandals and the fossil fools have open slather. Watch out for the Samuels’ review interim report next week and be prepared to be an unquiet Australian.https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jun/25/morrison-government-has-failed-in-its-duty-to-protect-environment-auditor-general-finds

Albo, don’t be gamed by this mob. Look for deeds rather than words before signing on to bipartisanship. Angus ‘Fantastic’ Taylor is hardly a credible source on climate policy. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jun/24/anthony-albanese-vows-to-set-new-medium-term-emissions-reduction-target …

When you next contact your local federal member, after you’ve mentioned your disgust at the attacks on the humanities, reduced funding for the ABC and the myriad other issues that need attention, tell them that you are appalled at the conflict of interest facing members of the National COVID19 Coordination Commission. You might then go on to describe the urgent need for a robust National Integrity Commission. Unless you tell them that you disagree with what they’re doing, they’ll continue in their default position of thinking they’re doing a great job.https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/gas-stench-permeates-the-covid-19-commission,14024

Arctic temperatures (see this and another article in today’s list) are ‘off the scale’, we’re in positive feedback territory there and that is truly scary. That ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ comes to mind, with consideration of Universal Basic Income, a Green New Deal and programs such as Thriving Tasmania. Can we have a Thriving Australia.

Bipartisanship is a good thing in some contexts – but when donor developers act in their hasty self-interest, a close watch, alternative approaches and an Opposition prepared to stand up to an acquiescent government is essential. Policy approaches to environmental protection provide one such context.https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6800769/dont-rush-to-compromise-on-australias-environment/?cs=14246#gsc.tab=0