On February 1st Malcolm Turnbull will make a major speech on the Coalition’s climate and energy policy at the National Press Club.In his last public utterance on the topic, at the Sydney fish market in December last year, he spilt coffee , perhaps trying to douse the flames caused by Josh Frydenberg’s declaration that carbon pricing would... Continue Reading →
Why we are toast: Aussie Corporate perspectives on #climate innovation
Mikler, J and Harrison, N. 2013. Climate Innovation: Australian Corporate Perspectives on the Role of Government. Australian Journal of Politics and History, Vol. 59, (3), pp.414-428. Nothing I have learnt in the last two years of reading a lot (no, even by my OCD*-ish standards) has so much as grazed - let alone dented -... Continue Reading →
“Learning Curve” briefing on OECD and #coal subsidies decision #climate #roadtoparis
On Tuesday the OECD will be meeting. It's the rich countries' club, a useful talking shop for elite decision makers. On the agenda is what to do about the awkward fact that while we SAY we want to stop the world getting more than two degrees warmer, at the same time we are allowing public... Continue Reading →
Tony Abbott and his #climate record since becoming Prime Minister 2 years ago #auspol
“By their fruit ye shall know them.” Since September 7th 2013 Tony Abbott has done his best to undermine Australia’s response to climate change. Here’s a guide to the ruins, under the following headings Opposing robust climate action Attacking green groups In favour of coal Undermining renewables Symbolic action [If I've missed anything, please let me know!... Continue Reading →
#Australia and #climate – a book, ‘Environmental Boomerang’ warning in 1973…
So, when climate change burst onto the scene in 1988, I doubt too many hardcore environmentalists were surprised.(1) Carbon dioxide gets a few pages in the 1972 'Limits to Growth' book, which went through numerous printings. The earliest Australian book I have been able to find (so far!) is this - 'Environmental Boomerang', published in... Continue Reading →
For “success”? Timing and conformity as key. Barry Jones, #Keynes and #climate
Barry Jones was the Australian Science Minister between 1983 and 1990, and a key figure in the coming of climate awareness to that country. He is also a pretty smart guy (didn't help him as a politician, naturlich). Keynes said something different but similar - We needed to be transruptive [another of my shoddy neologisms],... Continue Reading →
Propaganda for beginners – Australian government pre-Kyoto conference
So, at the September 1997 "South Pacific Forum" in the Cook Islands some of the locals/hosts were mildly peeved that Australia was opposing emissions reductions. Ms McDonald, who headed the greenhouse task force in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, last week took on officials from Pacific island countries who feared their low-lying atolls... Continue Reading →
Of the Australian iron ore price plummet and mining’s “social licence to operate”
Iron Ore royalties leave, just when we needed them most… All is not well in the great Southern quarry that tourists know for its koalas and Ramsay St. For the last ten years selling iron and coal (and building infrastructure to sell ever larger tonnage) kept Australian mining companies busy, and rich. But since early 2011... Continue Reading →
What Australia knew about #climate change… and buried (Book Review)
When PhD candidates review a book in 'their field' they face multiple dilemmas. If the book isn’t helpful to their research, they’ll be tempted (fairly or unfairly) to be dismissive. It’s too helpful, they’ll be resentful because someone else has Gotten To Their Topic first. And regardless, they may feel tempted (or scared) to slag... Continue Reading →
On the Stepper: 13th January: Climate reports, Stockholm syndrome and Green Bans
On an "Australian science/politics in the 70s and onwards" binge at mo' (trying to be more systematic in my PhD reading). Garratt, JR, Webb, EK and McCarthy, S. (2011) Charles Henry Brian Priestley. Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society 57, 349-278. Didn't read all of this, but the bits that relate to his... Continue Reading →
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