Investigating the reality through journalism, arts and artificial intelligence

The Sustainable Hour no. 447 | Podcast notes


Our guests in The Sustainable Hour no. 447 on 15 February 2023 are journalist Callum Foote from Michael West Media, ethnochoreologist Jacqui Dreessens from Wild Moves International Geelong, and emerging climate oracle Ms ChatGeePeeTee from OpenAI.

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“If you were to ask me which industry is most responsible for the destruction of life on Earth, I would say the media.”
~ George Monbiot, British authoron page 369 in ‘The Climate Book’

Callum Foote writes for Michael West Media, delivering investigative stories about fossil fuels, fracking, carbon accounting and land clearing. In our chat with him, we learn about the role that their company plays in the media industry here. They were set up to dig deeper into stories – to investigate areas of concern, like corruption in politics, the environment, among other important issues. They carry their independent label with pride, staunchly dedicated to the public interest and investigations into big business and government abuse of power. A real foil to the control that the Murdoch media empire has on our main stream media. They are able to do this because they don’t have any advertisements. They are funded 100 per cent by contributions from their readers.

Callum’s latest work was published today. It was described in Michael West’s newsletter as “a scoop on fossil fuel influence in another government agency”. According to Callum’s research, a recent report from CSIRO detailing carbon credits required to offset fracking in the Beetaloo Basin is based on faulty assumptions to suit the gas industry.

Another recent story from Callum, about an escalating war between the war between the fossil fuel company Santos and New South Wales’ farmers, is titled: NSW Government offers little resistance to Santos fracking on the Liverpool Plains. This was a follow-up on his two Santos stories, Santos edges in on fracking the Liverpool Plains despite repeated denials and Pipeline Rumble: farmers the final line of defence in Narrabri fight over Santos gas fracking, which were published in January 2023.

In 2022, among other environmental issues, Callum examined the dodgy and contradictory reporting frameworks in Australia around carbon offsets and published the story: Out for the count: Carbon Offsets’ are not actually carbon offsets.

Currently, Callum is having a good look into why Australia continues to have one of the highest rates of land clearing in the developed world. 

To find out more about this important media outlet, go to: www.michaelwest.com.au, and you can follow Callum on Twitter.

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Jacqui Dreessens is dedicated to using the arts to get messages across about the incredible gifts that nature provides for us. She lives on the Surf Coast where she provides experiences for others to do the same, organising poetry workshops where she guided people through the strategies of putting pen to paper – or digit to digital – to explore connections to the mangroves at Lake Connewarre. Jacqui describes herself as an eco- and ethnochoreologist, and in her talk with The Sustainable Hour she concentrates on describing what a transformative experience that mangroves have been for her. Recently she oversaw an exhibition in Geelong where dancers, artists, poets, musicians and filmmakers all showed what these magic forests mean to them.

To find out more about Jacqui’s work, go to www.mangrovesfromthewater.com

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Mik Aidt starts our program today by wondering why the mainstream media refuse to acknowledge the true cause of the extreme weather calamities being experienced all over our planet. The latest term is “crazy weather”, but they still aren’t acknowledging the connection these destructive weather events have with our burning of fossil fuels. They’ll report on the number of deaths, and they’ll report it is getting worse and worse, but never a single word about that we are causing this ‘craziness’ with our cars, our gas stoves, our airplane- and cruise ship-trips, the way we do farming, and so on.

Mik suggests another way: Always, at the bottom of each article about extreme weather, at the end of each article and tv-report, there could be a statement: “Extreme weather events have become more frequent and more destructive because of our burning of petrol, gas, oil and coal.”

A similar initiative could be done with stickers on the pumps at petrol stations, billboards advertising for gas products, and so on. Mik continues by reporting on the obscene amounts of money that just three major oil companies made last year as he again asks us to consider how useful such amounts of wealth would be in transitioning us to 100 per cent clean, renewable energy.

At the same time, we have the United Nations Secretary-General telling the oil companies straight that their days are numbered in a recent speech. Antonio Guterres is doing all he can to lead the world out of this ‘climate craziness’. However the burning question is: why isn’t he being listened to?

For those who would like to listen to or watch the UN Chief’s entire speech, go to un.org.

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Mik also raises the concept of artificial intelligence, AI, and its potential value as a tool to get us to where we need to be on climate. He believes it to be something that looks like it could become a new powerful ally in communicating the truth about climate to the broader public.

The chatbots speak directly to us without the filtering and prioritising of media people making the wrong choices for us. The more people use chatbots to get their information – and the young people are already busy doing this – suddenly it matters less that we can’t rely on the old mainstream news, because – at least as it is at the moment – the chatbots get it. They understand the science and they are able to tell us what it is we need to do to solve the problems with the climate breakdown.

We’ll be going into more detail on this in future shows, and will keep investigating and testing the chatbots, but for now, here’s just an example of what the chatbot ChatGPT came up with in response to a question Mik asked it:

Mik: “Our governments and elected leaders ignore the escalating climate crisis. So what are we to do about that? How do we get them to prioritise the three most urgent problems humanity is facing?”

ChatGPT: “Getting governments and elected leaders to prioritize the issues facing humanity can be a challenging task, but there are several steps that individuals and communities can take to raise awareness and drive action:

Raise Awareness: Educate yourself and others about the issues and their implications, and use your voice to bring attention to them. Share information and engage in conversations with friends, family, and community members about why these issues are important and what can be done to address them.

Get Involved in Activism and Advocacy: Participate in advocacy campaigns, attend protests, and support organizations that are working to address the issues you care about. This can help raise awareness, build momentum, and bring about change.

Vote and Encourage Others to Vote: Use your right to vote to support candidates who prioritize the issues that matter to you. Encourage others to do the same and participate in local, state, and national elections.

Support Businesses and Organizations That Align with Your Values: Choose to support businesses and organizations that prioritize sustainability, equality, and social responsibility. Use your purchasing power to support companies that are working to address these issues.

Engage with Your Elected Representatives: Contact your elected representatives and let them know that you care about these issues and want them to prioritize them. Attend town hall meetings, write letters, and participate in public forums to make your voice heard.

Ultimately, changing the priorities of governments and elected leaders requires sustained effort and persistence, but by working together and using our collective voice, we can create the change we want to see in the world.”

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We round off the hour with advice from Missy Higgins in her classic climate song ‘The Difference’, which we never seem to get tired of, and some sage advice from the climate oracles Greta Thunberg and Ms ChatGPT.

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Colin Mockett‘s Global Outlook begins at the United Nations in New York, where the world’s top diplomat, and unofficial patron for this programme, UN Secretary-General António Guterres last week delivered his annual report on the world’s priorities. It was a kind of ‘State of the Planet’ address, delivered by the lead spokesman for the world. And he put climate change at the top of the list, above wars, earthquakes and famines. Not only was he astonishingly frank and outspoken, he had the multinational fossil fuel companies firmly in his sights. He told them plain language to either help fight climate change or go out of business.

On the subject of global warming and the environment, he said ‘We need disruption to end the destruction.’

“We must end the merciless, relentless, senseless war on nature … That war is putting our world at immediate risk of hurtling past the 1.5°C degree temperature increase limit and now still moving towards a deadly 2.8 degrees.”

He pointed out that the fossil fuel industry had enjoyed record returns, in large part because of the war in Ukraine, and said, “I have a special message for fossil-fuel producers and their enablers who are scrambling to expand production and raking in monster profits: If you cannot set a credible course for net-zero, with 2025 and 2030 targets covering all your operations, you should not be in business. Your core product is our core problem. We need a renewables revolution, not a self-destructive fossil fuel resurgence.”

A sign that it’s not just at the United Nations that things are getting serious, from Europe came the news that Sweden’s 27-year-old climate minister said she would quit if her country fails to achieve its aims of net-zero by 2045. Romina Pourmokhtari was quoted as “If we see that, for example, I’m not able, as the minister of climate and environment, to create the change that I want to see, I would leave the government and my party would leave the government.”

Romina became Sweden’s youngest-ever cabinet minister when her party joined the new coalition government in October. Made up of the Moderates, the Christian Democrats and the Liberals (of which she’s a member), the coalition also takes support from the Sweden Democrats, a far-right party that contains climate-change deniers. It’s hard to imagine a more unlikely alliance.

Then to India, where the crisis engulfing the Adani Group intensified this week when hundreds of members of India’s opposition parties took to the streets to press for a probe into the close friendship between billionaire Gautam Adani and India’s prime minister Modi. Since January 24th US stock-market report named Adani’s company as the world’s largest corporate cheat, its shares have been in free-fall. The group has lost an estimated $110 billion. Both houses of India’s parliament were adjourned for three consecutive days, Adani Enterprises was forced to abandon a $2.5 billion share sale and Adani lost his crown as Asia’s richest person. Adani announced that he would issue a statement and report last week but postponed it until this week. We’ll all be waiting.

The news about Forest Green Rovers improved a little last weekend when the team drew 1-1 away at Morecombe, but it’s still not good, so I’ll leave you with some good news from Brazil:

There, a new study published in the scientific journal PNAS Nexus showed that handing the nation’s Atlantic rainforest back to indigenous tribes made a significant difference in the rate of decline. Some of the forests are slowly beginning to heal. The study looked at 129 territories in the region, 77 of which were won by indigenous groups in court battles since 1985. The study’s figures show that those areas not handed back average 0.73 per cent annual decline, while the average for those now under indigenous management only declined by an average of 0.05 per cent. Measured in area – the forest is declining at 54.6 acres a year under State management, but only 3 acres per year under indigenous control. That has to be good news for climate activists and environmentalists everywhere. And that’s our global roundup for the week.

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Once again, big questions come out of today’s episode. Rest assured that we’ll keep asking them and keep challenging the toxic fossil fuel industry and the sleepwalking media to accept responsibility for their major contributions to the climate crisis we face.

You can trust that The Sustainable Hour will keep doing all that we can to address the lack of climate truth in our media, committed – just like we know many of you are – to be the difference.

“I was born and bred here on the Surf Coast and had never had anything to do with mangroves. What had happened in the 1960s and 1970s, Friends of Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove got together and started this mangrove regeneration project. The result of that was this beautiful mangrove forest that has really taken root. So for me to go there on a kayak and experience that for the first time, there was an element of grief because I had missed this as a child, but then extreme joy that I can now experience it.”
~ Jacqui Dreessens, eco- and ethnochoreologist


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“I have a special message for fossil fuel producers and their enablers scrambling to expand production and raking in monster profits:

If you cannot set a credible course for net-zero, with 2025 and 2030 targets covering all your operations, you should not be in business. 

Your core product is our core problem.

We need a renewables revolution, not a self-destructive fossil fuel resurgence. (…)

We must end the merciless, relentless, and senseless war on nature.

It is putting our world at immediate risk of hurtling past the 1.5-degree temperature increase limit and now still moving towards a deadly 2.8 degrees. 

Meanwhile, humanity is taking a sledgehammer to our world’s rich biodiversity — with brutal and even irreversible consequences for people and planet. 

Our ocean is choked by pollution, plastics and chemicals. 

And vampiric overconsumption is draining the lifeblood of our planet — water. 

2023 is a year of reckoning.  It must be a year of game-changing climate action.

We need disruption to end the destruction. 

No more baby steps.  

No more excuses.  

No more greenwashing.

No more bottomless greed of the fossil fuel industry and its enablers. (…)

Stop subsidizing fossil fuels and pivot investments to renewables.”

Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General

→ UN.org – 6 February 2023:
‘Act decisively before it is too late’, Guterres warns countries, laying out his priorities for 2023
“As the right to development goes together with the right to a clean, healthy, sustainable environment, “we must end the merciless, relentless, senseless war on nature,” said Mr. Guterres, repeating a message that has become a mantra for his tenure.” 

“The U.N. Secretary-General is saying that the central problem with climate change is the fossil-fuel industry’s product, that the industry is immorally undermining climate action, and that, if it continues, it should be shut down. This is certainly the truth, but it too often goes unspoken. If Guterres’s courageous directness is unusual, it’s also hugely important.”

~ Bill McKibben, American author 

New Zealand’s climate change minister James Shaw did what the media is strangely unable to do: making the connection between extreme weather events and our unregulated carbon emissions when he made a furious speech rebuking the NZ parliament for lost decades of “bickering” over the climate crisis.

Cyclone Gabrielle has devastated the country. North Island has seen widespread flooding and enormous destruction, with thousands forced to leave their homes, and leaving 225,000 people without power.


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We at The Sustainable Hour would like to pay our respect to the traditional custodians of the land on which we
are broadcasting, the Wathaurong People, and pay our respect to their elders, past, present and future.

The traditional owners lived in harmony with the land. They nurtured it and thrived in often harsh conditions for millennia before they were invaded. Their land was then stolen from them – it wasn’t ceded. It is becoming more and more obvious that, if we are to survive the climate emergency we are facing, we have much to learn from their land management practices.

Our battle for climate justice won’t be won until our First Nations brothers and sisters have their true justice. When we talk about the future, it means extending our respect to those children not yet born, the generations of the future – remembering the old saying that, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children.”
The decisions currently being made around Australia to ignore the climate emergency are being made by those who won’t be around by the time the worst effects hit home. How disrespectful and unfair is that?



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Callum Foote interviewed in The Sustainable Hour no. 447
→ Michael West Media – 15 February 2023:
“Brazenly co-opted”: experts confront CSIRO for gas industry infiltration, greenwashing fossil fuels
“The CSIRO’s recent report detailing carbon credits required to offset fracking in the Beetaloo Basin is based on faulty assumptions to suit the gas industry.”

→ Michael West Media – 14 February 2023:
NSW Government offers little resistance to Santos fracking on the Liverpool Plains
“Treasurer Matt Kean’s Hunter gas pipeline approval has set “a tragically low bar” for landholder rights, says National Farmers’ Federation’s Fiona Simson, as the war between Santos and NSW farmers escalates.”



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Jacqui Dreessens

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wildmovesinternational



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Landmark legal case against land clearing in the NT

Newsletter from Environmental Justice Australia:

“We’ve just launched an important legal case in the Northern Territory to challenge land clearing for cotton on some of the world’s last remaining intact savanna – right here in our backyard. 

The Northern Territory’s woodland savanna is a critically important ecosystem, cared for by Traditional Owners for millennia, and home to countless threatened animals and plants. 

Big cotton is eager to get a foothold in the NT and plans to bulldoze thousands of hectares of fragile savanna for cotton production. If they go ahead, this will threaten local wildlife, impact rivers, and add to greenhouse gas emissions. 

That’s why we’re representing Environment Centre NT to challenge the Pastoral Land Board’s decision to allow a multinational corporation to clear over 900 hectares of woodland for cotton.  

Land clearing permits have skyrocketed in the NT by around 300% in just the last few years. Much of this is without proper assessment for environmental impacts – meaning big corporations can bulldoze vast areas of land without properly assessing the risk of ecological harm. 

ECNT’s case could change this – and set a game-changing precedent. If successful, it would require companies who want to clear land for cotton to submit their plans for more rigorous assessment and notify Traditional Owners. 

This is just the beginning. Come along to the webinar on Tuesday 14 February to hear more about our argument and find out the key details of the case.

Until then, you can read more about the case in our newsletter.  

Thanks for standing with us,” 

Laura Dreyfus, Lawyer
Environmental Justice Australia



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“It is only through political activism and engagement that you can bring about real and lasting change.” 
~ ChatGPT

Using artificial intelligence in climate activism

We end The Sustainble Hour today with a little speech which Gwyneth Jones had asked ChatGPT for:

“Well folks, it’s been a wild ride so far. Climate change, corrupt politicians, economic struggles, and let’s not forget the occasional nuclear threat. It’s enough to make you want to just curl up in a ball and hide from the world.

But let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Despite all the chaos and turmoil, there is still so much good in the world. People are coming together to fight for a better future, to protect the planet, and to help each other.

And let’s not forget about the little moments of joy that make life worth living. The warmth of a hug from a loved one, the laughter of children playing, and the beauty of a sunset.

So, yes, the world can be a difficult place at times. But it’s important to remember that we have the power to make a difference, to bring light to the darkness, and to create a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come.

So let’s not give up hope, let’s keep fighting for what is right, and let’s work together to create a world that is worthy of our love and respect.

Because, at the end of the day, hope is the fuel that drives us forward and helps us overcome even the greatest of obstacles.”

Medium – 11 February 2023:
Using artificial intelligence in climate activism
“I asked Chat GPT to be sarcastic and talk about the state of the world with me…”

“Let’s keep fighting for what is right.” 
~ ChatGPT

. . .

ChatGPT on media’s role in the climate emergency

George Monbiot writes in ‘The Climate Book’ on page 369: “If you were to ask me which industry is most responsible for the destruction of life on Earth, I would say the media.” Is he right – or is he wrong? Would you say the public service broadcasters have an obligation to inform the population about the connection between their consumption of fossil fuels and the more and more frequent occurance of destructive weather events?

ChatGPT: “As an AI language model, I don’t have personal opinions, but I can provide you with some information on the topic.

It is a controversial statement to say that the media is the most responsible for the destruction of life on Earth, as there are many other industries that have a significant impact on the environment, including but not limited to, the fossil fuel, agriculture, and manufacturing industries. However, it is true that the media has a crucial role to play in shaping public opinion and raising awareness about environmental issues, including the connection between consumption of fossil fuels and the occurrence of destructive weather events.

Public service broadcasters, as well as other media outlets, have a responsibility to provide accurate and balanced information to the public, so that they can make informed decisions. This includes reporting on the environmental impact of our actions, such as the connection between fossil fuel consumption and the increase in frequency of extreme weather events.

In conclusion, while the media is not the sole industry responsible for the destruction of life on Earth, it is still a crucial part of the solution and has a duty to inform the public on important environmental issues such as this one.”

. . .

Me:Which are the three most important changes humans must implement in order to avoid societal collapse? And how urgent is it?

ChatGPT: “It’s difficult to determine the exact three most important changes that humanity must implement to avoid societal collapse, as this is a complex and multifaceted issue that depends on many factors. However, some changes that are often discussed as being important for the long-term sustainability of society include:

Addressing Climate Change: Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing humanity and has the potential to cause widespread societal collapse if left unaddressed. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and improving the resilience of communities to the impacts of climate change are all crucial steps in addressing this issue.

Promoting Sustainability: Ensuring that humanity’s use of natural resources is sustainable and does not deplete them for future generations is another important step. This involves reducing waste, improving resource efficiency, and promoting sustainable agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.

Fostering Equality and Inclusion: A society in which there is widespread inequality and exclusion is unlikely to be stable in the long-term. Addressing economic, social, and political inequality and promoting inclusiveness and diversity are therefore important for the sustainability of society.

In terms of urgency, it is crucial for humanity to take action on these issues as soon as possible. Climate change, for example, is already causing significant impacts on communities and ecosystems, and the longer we delay action, the more difficult and expensive it will be to address. Additionally, the sustainability of natural resources is becoming increasingly important as populations grow and demand for resources increases. Finally, inequality and exclusion can lead to social unrest and instability, so it is important to address these issues proactively.”

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Me: “I would like to encourage young people to get politically active. They refuse because they say politics is for “bad people” who lack good morals. They can’t see any hope of changing that. So instead, they would rather go protesting in the streets. Can you write a speech I can read to them to convince them why it is a better idea to get politically active?

ChatGPT: “Sure, here’s a sample speech:

“Ladies and Gentlemen,

I understand that many of you feel disillusioned with politics and that it is sometimes seen as a domain of “bad people.” But I want to encourage you to reconsider this view and to become politically active.

As young people, you have a unique opportunity to bring new ideas, perspectives, and energy to the political process. You have the power to make a positive difference in your communities and the world. By engaging in the political process, you can help shape the policies and decisions that will affect your future.

It’s true that there are some individuals in politics who lack good moral and ethical principles, but this doesn’t mean that the entire system is corrupt or that change is impossible. On the contrary, by getting involved in politics, you can work to make the system more transparent and accountable, and to promote the values and principles that you believe in.

In addition, I understand that you may be frustrated by the slow pace of change and the lack of progress on certain issues. But I want to remind you that real and lasting change often takes time and effort. By becoming politically active, you can help to speed up the process and increase the chances of success.

And while protesting can be an important way to bring attention to certain issues, it is only through political activism and engagement that you can bring about real and lasting change. By participating in the political process, you can help to create the conditions that will allow your voice to be heard and your concerns to be addressed.

So, I encourage you to become politically active. Get involved in campaigns, vote, join a political party or community organization, or run for office yourself. By doing so, you can help to create a better future for yourselves and for generations to come.

Thank you.” “

Me: “If we define “good people” as people with high moral and ethical principles, such as honesty, kindness, and fairness, and “bad people” as people who lack these, and as such are dishonest, unkind and unfair, how could a conversation between a good person and a bad person play out at a garden party, where the two persons are discussing whether or not to implement a carbon tax?

ChatGPT: “Here’s a possible scenario:

Good person: Hi, it’s nice to meet you. What do you think about the idea of implementing a carbon tax to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change?

Bad person: I don’t see the point. It would just make life more expensive for people and hurt the economy.

Good person: I understand your concern, but don’t you think it’s important to think about the long-term effects of climate change on our planet and future generations?

Bad person: Frankly, I’m more focused on my own financial interests. And I don’t believe in this climate change nonsense anyway.

Good person: Well, regardless of your personal beliefs, the scientific consensus is that climate change is real and caused by human activity. And implementing a carbon tax could be a way to incentivize companies to reduce their carbon footprint and transition to more sustainable practices.

Bad person: I’m not interested in all that. I just want to make money and live a comfortable life. Besides, I have a lot of friends in the energy industry who would be negatively impacted by a carbon tax.

Good person: I see. But don’t you think it’s our responsibility to consider the impact of our actions on the environment and future generations? And wouldn’t it be better for everyone in the long run if we all work together to find sustainable solutions to this problem?

Bad person: Sorry, but I just don’t have the same priorities as you. To me, it’s all about personal gain.



In this scenario, it’s clear that the good person has a strong sense of ethical responsibility to address the issue of climate change, while the bad person is primarily motivated by personal financial interests. However, the good person tries to approach the conversation in a respectful and non-judgmental manner, highlighting the importance of considering the long-term consequences of our actions.”

. . .

Ask ChatGPT for help
ChatGPT can help boost climate activists’ confidence in writing better comments and replies under newspaper articles to fight back on the trolls and the blooming climate denial in social media.

For instance, when a climate denier – on a comment to an article on The New Daily’s website about climate and extreme weather – posted the comment: “Evidently a greenie who wants to make Australia a third world country,” ChatGPT suggested to respond to it with a satirical remark: “Well, I do love the idea of living in a third world country… minus the poverty, disease, and lack of access to clean water, of course. But hey, at least we’ll have sunny weather year-round, right?”

Give it a go, start your own chat with ChatGPT here: chat.openai.com



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Crikey – 6 February 2023:
Adani crashes and burns, accused of ‘biggest con in corporate history’
“Is the meteoric decimation of the fossil fuel titan a gift to our environment, or does it unwind Adani’s much-needed climate action? Whether climate warriors should cheer or take a pause is a little more complicated.”

→ The Sydney Morning Herald – 1 February 2023:
An apology to my grandkids for not fighting in the war of our times
“Do politicians think we will all be dead before the next generation fully realises the hell we’ve left them?” By Ross Gittins, SMH Economics Editor

→ DW – 10 February 2023:
Shell, BP boost profit, sink investment in renewable energy
“While the big five oil companies registered record profits on the back of the energy crisis, relatively little will be reinvested in renewables as climate goals are slashed.”



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https://twitter.com/JustStop_Oil/status/1625496781554585600
21 JAN 2023 | Adelaide, Australia: Extinction Rebellion activists chuck paint at and glue themselves to the offices of Santos, the energy giant sponsoring a major cycling race in the city despite regularly poisoning the region with oil spills. It also plans to raze local forests for gas wells.

State intimidation boosts Dutch blockade

26 – 28 JANUARY 2023 | The Hague, Netherlands

Rebels crowd the highway at a tunnel entrance. In the background hundreds more onlookers stand in solidarityRebels blockade the A12 highway and their new supporters look on from above.

Every year, the Dutch government spends €17.5 billion on fossil fuel subsidies (three times more than what it allocates for climate policy). The Netherlands will be largely underwater if global emissions continue on their current path, so last summer rebels started blockading the A12 highway, which passes the national parliament, to try and force their government to stop the suicidal subsidies.

Two days before its fifth and most recent A12 blockade, six rebels were arrested in their homes on suspicion of sedition or incitement. Without warning or explanation, they were taken to different police stations, had their phones confiscated, were held in custody for 10 hours, and banned from the A12 for three months.

If the state intended to scare the rebels and tarnish XR, it badly backfired. The arrests prompted an outpouring of support from the public, and condemnation from dozens of prominent NGOs like Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth.

Rebels smile and look up at their supporters above.Rebels show appreciation for the love and solidarity from the crowds above.

Even better, the solidarity carried over to the blockade itself. Thousands of people gathered in and around the A12, making it one of XR Netherlands’ largest ever blockades. While more than 1000 rebels sang songs and decorated the walls of the highway, an additional 2000 non-XR supporters stood in solidarity above them.

After half an hour, the police started to carry the rebels away. It took several hours to clear the road, and more than 700 arrests. All rebels were released the same day.

XR Netherlands has already announced it will keep coming back to the A12 until the government ends its fossil fuel subsidies. The next blockade is scheduled for March 11th and promises to be the biggest yet.



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#AusPol

https://twitter.com/zalisteggall/status/1625021047719309312
https://twitter.com/zalisteggall/status/1622380482930569217

Climate emergency

History



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Events we have talked about in The Sustainable Hour

Events in Victoria

The following is a collation of Victorian climate change events, activities, seminars, exhibitions, meetings and protests. Most are free, many ask for RSVP (which lets the organising group know how many to expect), some ask for donations to cover expenses, and a few require registration and fees. This calendar is provided as a free service by volunteers of the Victorian Climate Action Network. Information is as accurate as possible, but changes may occur.

Petitions

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List of running petitions where we encourage you to add your name

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