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News for October, 2026

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The news, this month, has been dominated by the fallout from the Northern Summer, and the huge El Nino event that is currently underway. Oh, yes, and the US mid-term elections. While they are still to be held, early exit polls (and, indeed, some earlier elections elsewhere) are promising a glimmer of light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel. ... and, it seems we still have Bogong moths.  Bogong moth. By Donald Hobern from Canberra, Australia - Agrotis infusa, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4936674 Environment The Ugly The UK had a plan to better prepare for wildfires. 'Had' being the operative word: it was quietly dropped .  Trump (who else?) has taken an axe to the Endangered Species Act Since Trump considers information to be an inconvenience to the narrative, the EPA is about to delete its web archive  (one can only hope that a discrete backup has been made.) The Bad When was the last time you saw the 'Dark Emu'? The Milky Way, even?...
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News for September, 2026

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Welcome to another month of what's going on with this weird and wonderful planet of ours. One thing that sticks out is the number of species in the news, both for coming and going. It therefore seemed apt to lead with the eerie meeting depicted in the winner of Australian Geographic's Nature Photography award for 2026.  Environment 'Ethereal Encounter'  A swordfish and turtle off the Pilbara coast. Matt Deakin's winning entry for the 2026 Australian Geographic Nature Photography award The Ugly Australia's new Environmental Protection Agency is not off to a good start: approving a coal mine extension to 2055 Chemical regulations have been eased in the UK . The decision is being challenged. Australian government shelves plans for packaging standards cutting plastic waste. Under Trump's aggressive ostrich stance, NOAA recently announced it would no longer release the annual Arctic Report Card. Fortunately, others will . The Bad A concerning number of  wildlife ...
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News for August, 2026

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Welcome to what's been going on over August. For an introductory image, I thought I would post this cartoon with a message commemorating the life and work of writer and activist Wendell Berry . Vale Wendell Berry. The stories about 'climate hushing' this month suggest some won't like this sentiment, but most will. I did not know of him until recently, but a number of people whose opinions I respect have been mourning his passing, and the sentiment conveyed seems appropriate to the theme of this blog. So, what *has* been happening?  Environment The Ugly: When expert studies are commissioned, adopting their recommendations might escape consideration.  Thus, as rising seas have the predictable effect on coastal erosion , isolated remediation efforts by local councils and governments continue to have the same ineffective and destructive outcomes as was predicted fifty years ago . The Bad: Bushfires, algae, and now bird flu: inhabitants of Kangaroo Island are feeling un...
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