Environment
How little the fossil fuel industry gives to Australia
As Christmas is the season of giving, it is perhaps an opportune time to check how much – or how little – the fossil fuel industry actually contributes to the Australian economy and government revenues that fund essential public, community and welfare services.
As holiday spending increases, so too does waste
In 2024, The Australia Institute found that Australia’s are likely to buy over $1 billion worth of unwanted gifts, much of which is likely to end up in landfill. There is no reason to think this year will be any different.
Federal Government announces gas reservation policy
80 per cent of Australia’s gas is currently exported – including two thirds of gas produced on the east coast. This has tripled the cost of gas on Australia’s east coast over the last ten years.
Extreme heat inflames inequality
The people most vulnerable to extreme heat either live below the poverty line, have a long-term health issue, and/or are aged 65 and older.
Queensland Museum urged to axe Shell deal after study finds distorted climate education for students
The Queensland Museum is being urged to terminate its partnership with Shell’s QCG gas business following claims its branded teaching materials are misleading students on climate change.
Welcome to the Anthropocene: The Vanishing Act
Across the globe, an amazing orchestra of animal life is playing out in wondrous, quirky detail, revealing the resilience and spectacle of nature.
Lawfare in the Forests: How SLAPP suits and legal barriers damage democracy
Environmental groups do not have the capacity, financial resources or institutional incentives to pursue frivolous litigation. When community groups or conservation organisations bring a case, it is because significant environmental or procedural issues are at stake, and because all other channels for accountability and protecting the environment have failed.
The value humans place in intellect at the expense of other forms of intelligence
Humans are bad at valuing the things we are not good at. We bundle our strengths together and call them intelligence, then say that intelligence is the best thing to have. And we valorise sight above all the other senses. Hearing once meant much more to us, but we have pushed it to the periphery of our lives.
The devil is in the devolution: are the states mounting an EPBC takeover?
Speaking to the press after passage of amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act last Thursday, Western Australian Premier, Roger Cook, indicated that he expected federal powers would be devolved to the state within a “matter of months”.
Labor’s COP30 fossil fuel phase-out doublespeak
You could be forgiven for thinking Australia’s support last week for the COP30 declaration on a “transition away from fossil fuels”, means the Australia Government is, or at least intends to transition away from fossil fuels.
