So Here We Are

 The April roundup of news coincides with Donald Trump hitting his stride after 100 days in office. The resulting craziness is best understood from the notion that 'governing a country' is not his intention. As a consequence, the 'ugly' sections of this post are a little more lengthy than I would like. Nevertheless, they need to be noted: memory holing is a dictator's secret sauce. Indeed, a theory I have as to why Trump was allowed in a second time involves the stress induced amnesia of several years of Covid lockdowns. Consecutive social media postings can sometimes exhibit a snarky synchronicity But 'in' he is and, with him going all in to destroy the economy for his own benefit this time (an intention he stated in 2014), it is more important than ever to note the good, inspiring, even slightly silly things that are happening. As Alex Steffen once said: "Cynicism is obedience. Optimism is a political act" .   So with the caveat that 'Pollyan...

Welcome to the March roundup of environmentally focussed news from Australia, where an election for May 3 has just been called. I'm sure plenty of other folk are waiting to fill you in on that, so I'll hold off on that until next month. Meanwhile, on with the show... Environment: The Albanese Government started its term by seeking to implement recommendations of the Samuel report on the EPBC Act in full. After some progress was made on framework, the delays started. Last year, the whole thing got put it in the 'too hard' basket. In the meantime, coal and gas project extensions got approved because 'there was no mechanism for stopping them on environmental grounds'. Now we have legislation hurriedly passed to allow an ailing industry to continue at the expense of the environment. The Ugly: Environment Minister has been taken to Court for not fulfilling responsibilities to 11 threatened species  ACF Kelly O'Shannessy spells out just why the salmon amendments ...

Welcome to the collection of news articles gathered throughout February. The overriding theme for this month has undoubtedly been the rise of the 'broligarch'. Anyone with a smattering of history will be aware that the chief official of the Italian city states of the fifteenth Century was referred to as the 'Doge', which Elon Musk has appropriated for his canine currency, and 'Department of Government Efficiency'. The efficiency clearly refers to the application of wrecking balls rather than effective running. Many stand appalled. Many are fighting back. Since autocracies have no interest in the fate of the planet, I have added a new section: the Resistance, which may refer to good political initiatives as well as bad. I hope you find items here interesting, and some nuggets of hope because, in the end, the only thing looking out for us is the rest of us . Okay, dive in where you like: Environment: The Ugly: Possibly a case of 'monkey see, monkey do', bu...

Welcome to the inaugural post in this blog. It is an extension of the news links I have been adding to the newsletter for the local group of the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF). They have been threatening to take over the content of late, so I thought I would try separating them out. Besides, a wider audience might appreciate them (... or not. Comments are not enabled.) As I'm drawing from articles noted over the last couple of months, this post will be a little longer than usual. I will be experimenting with layout and structure. For now I am grouping articles according to title of the old Morricone western "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly". However, I am reversing the order in the hope that you leave with a more optimistic take than when you arrive. Anyway, let's get on with it... Environment: The Ugly:  Heeding pleas from the WA Premier and the mining lobby, Albanese snatched defeat from the jaws of victory when he vetoed the deal reached with the Greens ...