Environment facing a perfect storm
Some very important reports about the environment have just been published. Missed it? We nearly did too. With COVID, the US elections and the tensions with China all taking out the number-one spot for newspaper headlines, some other big stories were easily overlooked. Here, we look at some of them.
Will we see a 180 on climate policy?
Industry leaders with close ties to the government are calling for an urgent climate response. Will threats to Australia’s prosperity mean we will finally see action on climate change? Signs indicate that might just be the case…
Sheer beauty belies unfolding tragedy
Greenland lost more than a million tonnes of ice every minute in 2019. This photo diary shows the haunting contrast between Greenland’s astonishing beauty and the devastation at its surface – an alarming trend that could see sea levels rise by 6 metres if it were to melt away entirely.
Keeping connected in challenging times
Even though we are living through one of the toughest times in our lives, we still have trouble admitting that we’re lonely – even to ourselves. Here, we are looking at our need for connection, how to recognise signs of loneliness and what you can do to manage it.
Closer to tackling climate change
The world has pulled to a stop but the fight to tackle climate change is rolling on. This week, we step away from the COVID-19 doom and gloom to highlight some of the positive contributions made to help the planet take a turn for the better.
Black summer’s carnage revealed
Nearly three billion koalas, kangaroos and other native Australian animals were killed or displaced by last year’s black summer bushfires, a study by the WWF shows. It is almost three times an earlier estimate released in January.
Rebuilding Australia post-pandemic
Australia is facing two major crises: COVID-19 and climate change. Now, a new report says tackling recession and climate change could create 76,000 Australian jobs. Created over three years they would focus on 12 areas including creating large-scale renewable energy projects and retrofitting inefficient public buildings.
Fixing Australia’s biodiversity laws
ICYMI: a review of Australia’s environment laws has been handed over – just not to the public. That didn’t stop a stream of critics speaking out: our environmental protection laws are failing badly and must be overhauled urgently.
Indigenous culture and ancient heritage sites
With archaic and outdated heritage protection laws, it will only be a matter of time until another ancient site is allowed to be destroyed by a company acting in self-interest rather than that of all Australians. Meet those fighting to preserve history for future generations.
Averting the megafires
Whatever 2020 will throw our way next, it won’t be another extreme bushfire season. That doesn’t mean there won’t be any bushfires at all, but they’re not likely to be as extensive and severe – and won’t be for the next three to five years. It’s great and very welcome news.
