There is no greater treachery than this failure to face up to the climate crisis. How can we now fend off despair? The Independent Planning Commission’s published reasons for approving the largest coalmine in New South Wales history in the context of mounting death, disaster and despair brought on by global heating reads like a hostage statement. In its decision, the commission accepts that the extension of the Hunter Valley Operations’ mine for a further 19 years – resulting 809m tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution – will materially worsen global warming. The panel members cite CSIRO’s finding that climate change is having a growing effect on the lives and livelihoods of all Australians and that the severity of that impact “will depend on the speed at which global greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced”. They reject the idea that keeping HVO’s coal in the ground would make no difference to global warming. Continue reading...

The Cornell 7. I think we may need a follow the money on some of these Ivy Leagues.

Octopuses are among the most extraordinary animals on Earth. They solve puzzles, use tools and even recognise individual people. But octopus farming would subject these intelligent animals to a lifeti

European diplomats say they were surprised and disappointed that Australia baulked at joining a UK-led move to impose trade sanctions on West Bank Israeli businesses.

Here’s a question you’ve probably never asked yourself: Why does Nauru Airlines exist? There’s a simple answer – Australia’s offshore detention regime. Australia’s “resettlement” program in Naoero req...

Several MPs also banned from Israel after UK steps up condemnation of settlements and announces sweeping sanctions

Israel’s defenders are pressuring Australian institutions and governments to adopt and enforce the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. Kenneth Stern, […]