The poster is political: how artists are challenging climate change
May 05, 2016 06:50 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature
We all have a poster we remember. Mine was taped to a bookshop window in the Melbourne suburb of Prahran. A stark black and white image of a boy as young as I was then, about 13, stared out at me. He was naked from the...
Budget repair, climate risks and global concerns all ignored in this conflicted effort
May 05, 2016 06:37 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics Economy
This Federal Budget was crafted with multiple, sometimes conflicting, objectives. To repair the budget, to neutralize some of the Oppositions initiatives, to address some tax pressure points-such as bracket creep, globally...
River on fire: even if it's not coal seam gas we should still be concerned
May 03, 2016 07:12 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature
Astonishing footage of a river in Queensland on fire has once again stoked the coal seam gas (CSG) debate. The video shows NSW Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham setting fire to methane seeping from the Condamine...
World's biggest investors risk another more severe global financial crisis
May 02, 2016 02:42 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature
Financial markets are again misunderstanding or ignoring risk, and are certainly under-pricing it, both as individual institutions and systemically. The risk is another global financial crisis. The GFC of 2008 had its...
Scientists need to engage more with the public to secure funding
May 02, 2016 01:48 am UTC| Insights & Views Science
We live in an age when society is crying out for scientific solutions to global problems. Just a few of the many considerable challenges we face include the urgent need to transition to a carbon-free economy, the need for...
Phasing out fossil fuels for renewables may not be a straight forward swap
May 02, 2016 01:34 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature
To have any chance of preventing dangerous climate change, the world needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero or even negative by mid-century. Many experts suggest this means we need to completely phase out...
How London’s next mayor could fix air pollution – and save lives
Apr 29, 2016 15:16 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics Nature
Each year, nearly 9,500 people die due to Londons air pollution. Its one of the biggest challenges for the capitals next mayor literally a matter of life and death. The problem has been around for decades. In fact,...
Johannesburg in a time of darkness: Ivan Vladislavić’s new memoir reminds us of the city’s fragility
Why Germany ditched nuclear before coal – and why it won’t go back
Labour can afford to be far more ambitious with its economic policies – voters are on board
Sudan: civil war stretches into a second year with no end in sight