Is the melting Arctic poised to release catastrophic quantities of methane? Actually, that’s one thing we don’t have to worry about, says Anil Ananthaswamy in a New Scientist article (paywalled). I’ve read the article, and I haven’t quite stopped worrying. Not quite. Continue reading Dealing with the methane time bomb
Climate clippings 142
1. Charts to understand climate change
Shrink That Footprint has published 11 charts to help understand climate change. Here are two of them. Continue reading Climate clippings 142
Portugal decriminalised drugs, from cannabis to crack
Back in 2001 an expert panel recommended that Portugal decriminalise drugs, from cannabis to crack. The government did and went one step further. As British author Johann Hari put it:
“let’s spend all the money we currently spend on arresting drug users, trying drug users, imprisoning drug users, and just put all that money to reconnect drug addicts with society. To give them a purpose in life.”
Continue reading Portugal decriminalised drugs, from cannabis to crack
Saturday salon 6/6
1. Vale Joan Kirner, 1938-2015
- She will be remembered for her tireless work promoting women’s rights, conservation, and education, and her love of Essendon Football Club.
In 2012, Ms Kirner was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for her work in advancing equality for women, and for her political achievements in the 1980s and 1990s. Continue reading Saturday salon 6/6
Mobilising to effect transformative climate change
There’s a new kid on the block in terms of climate activism – called The Climate Mobilization or TCM for short. Climate Code Red has reprinted a long and wordy post, The transformative power of climate truth. In fact they are dedicated to vigorous and direct action targeted at political candidates and politicians within the US context. Their raison d’etre is best stated on their Pledge to mobilize: Continue reading Mobilising to effect transformative climate change
Poll stuff: Abbott edges ahead of Shorten
Newspoll now has Abbott ahead of Shorten 41-37 as better PM. Michelle Grattan says that back in February Shorten had an 18 point lead. Continue reading Poll stuff: Abbott edges ahead of Shorten
Climate clippings 141
1. Indian heat wave
At Climate Progress Extreme Heat Wave In India Is Killing People And Melting Roads. Temperatures have reached 122°F (50°C), that’s 1°F less than the all-time record. Continue reading Climate clippings 141
Gittins on the budget and sundry matters
Phillip Adams in interviewing Ross Gittins recalled that Paul Keating described Ross Gittins as the only economics commentator worth feeding. Continue reading Gittins on the budget and sundry matters
Saturday salon 30/5
1. Hockey in a tangle over tampons
On Q&A Hockey was asked by a young woman why pads and tampons should carry a GST while “condoms, lubricants, sunscreen and nicotine patches are all tax-free”. Of course economic orthodoxy says they should all be taxed, but Hockey agreed with her and has undertaken to put the matter to the states. Continue reading Saturday salon 30/5
Stripping citizenship is simplistic and dangerous
Abbott has been in several kinds of trouble over his latest idea about stripping terrorists of their citizenship. Continue reading Stripping citizenship is simplistic and dangerous
Climate clippings 140
1. January-April hottest ever
We’ve just broken some more global warming records. January-April was the hottest on record and May 2014–April 2015 was the hottest 12-month period on record. Continue reading Climate clippings 140
The future of electricity in Queensland
As noted in Climate Clippings 139 (Item 5) the new Queensland Labor Government has committed to a 50% renewable energy target by 2030 so I was interested to attend a public forum last week on the future of electricity in Queensland, chaired by John Davidson as convenor of the West Brisbane Branch of the Queensland Greens. Speakers were John Foster, Professor of Economics at Queensland University, Murray Craig, Managing Director of Solar Centre and Charles Worringham, spokesperson for the Queensland Greens. Continue reading The future of electricity in Queensland