On a bit of a weather/climate-disaster novels kick at the moment ("The Sixth Winter" by Orgill and Gribbin). The Weather War is one I bought a while back and it just sat on the shelf. In short - it's fun, but nothing you need to struggle to find and read, 'less you're as strange as... Continue Reading →
Climate Change and Business Parks – a 1991 article
There are people still around in Manchester who have been campaigning - with decency and diligence - for decades. Some of them were involved in the Manchester Wildlife Group, which had a wonderful newsletter called the Magpie. The editor, Ian Brown, very kindly gave me all his copies, which I've turned into pdfs and uploaded... Continue Reading →
“Nuclear electricity” – 1978 booklet by Australian Mining Industry Council
So, the Australian government has torn up a contract it made with the French for some submarines and is now going to buy some nuclear ones. Smarter people than me (Laura Tingle, Guy Rundle etc etc) have written about the geopolitics of all this. One point, made by various commentators, is that building/operating nuclear subs... Continue Reading →
Gestural politics, security and movements. So much for the climate emergency
The short version: I went to a small-ish rally on the steps of parliament house, then navigated intimidatory security to watch… school boys and school girls ignoring the climate emergency. The longer version: Around sixty people, many aged sixty or more, gathered on the steps of the State Parliament of South Australia at 1.30 today.... Continue Reading →
Hibernation review
I wanted to like this. I wanted to be able to say “new play”…”climate change”…”thought-provoking” … “go see.” But although “Hibernation” – set in a future where to buy us more time to sort out the climate crisis, almost all the humans on earth are put into a year-long coma - is well-staged and very... Continue Reading →
Thelma and Louise and Australian COVID & Climate Responses, via Donald Horne
Just under thirty years ago, about 100m from where I am right now, I saw the wonderful Thelma and Louise. There's a short clip that stayed with me that I think we need to remember. https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/2b001c5a-43ea-41f8-9271-219994adf091 Well, I was watching Insiders (Sunday morning current affairs, mix of interviews, humour, panellists, on the national broadcaster ABC)... Continue Reading →
GroundCop Day, over and over again. COP6, COP26, whatever.
The year is 2048. COP46, delayed twice already because of the ongoing Covid-43 pandemic, is due to take place in the Dutch archipelago. Activists are encouraging everyone to join in a canoe flotilla to shout at the plutocrats and securocrats as they meet to discuss who is going to get what compensation (nobody and nothing)... Continue Reading →
“Quality” media ignoring #climate change during heatwaves
Just watched a good five plus minutes of the ABC news. After the COVID stuff there was coverage of heatwaves in South Australia and elsewhere. Temperatures of 45, 46 degrees. Warnings about swimming with friends etc. No context of how the Bureau of Meteorology has had to add two new colours to the weather maps.... Continue Reading →
Scottie is not Johnnie: Australia, #climate policy and the “English” slur
The rules of Australian climate policy are pretty straightforward The Australian government will always choose the stupidest, crudest position, at the behest of its fossil-fuel mates (this is largely bi-partisan, btw).The new low is never the new low for long: new lows will be drilled for, and found.Climate policy is green, insofar as old stupidities... Continue Reading →
Of #terrafurie, energy policy and groundhog day – #auspol #failedtransitions
I guess I have a millionth of an inkling of what it must be like to be a person of colour anywhere, but especially in the US, UK or Australia. Given that I am as whitebread as it comes, that needs an explanation. One thing that comes through in reading people of colour, listening to... Continue Reading →