How long will we keep fiddling while our homes burn and drown?

In the first 2024 episode of ‘Aussie Fiddler on the Roof’, our heroes – resilient Aussie families – are found perched atop their roofs with dark clouds ominously rising behind them.

This is the latest chapter in the decade-long saga of climate policy fiddling in Australia, which began back in 1988.

Yep, that’s more than 35 years ago, and nine million young aspiring members of the Australian community had not even been born yet at that time, when the Aussie government and scientists first got together and pulled the alarm on climate in public.

Fast forward 35 years, and the Australians, known for their love of ‘big things’ – big bananas, big prawns, you name it – are now grappling with Big Weather.

Yet, amidst record-breaking floods and scorching bushfires, the most important realisation remains elusive for our ever-resilient Aussie heroes: These aren’t ‘natural disasters’ – they are ‘fossil disasters’. This escalating calamity is provided to us courtesy of our fossil-fuelled follies, particularly Big Coal and Big Gas.

Only very few want to talk about this, and instead the media will find people who give us (mind blowingly misinformed) statements on tv news such as, “The power of Mother Nature is incredible!”

As if this destruction was the making of ‘Mother Nature’, when scientists have been warning us over three decades that this – exactly this! – would be what we could expect unless of course if we quickly would find a way to wean ourselves off our addiction to burning fossil fuels. …Which we didn’t.

Some, of course, may have realised the connection, but then they decided to just ignore it, because they felt that such a heavy responsibility would have to rest on their political leaders – and also, importantly, they felt unsure what “taking action” would mean in reality, and most importantly: what it would cost.

Here’s where the irony strikes harder than a summer hailstorm. Once safe from the rising floodwaters, our roof-fiddler heroes, who saw their cars destroyed by the waters, will now start looking for their next even bigger gas- and petrol-guzzling vehicles, perpetuating the vicious cycle of calamity production.

The cycle of buying, flooding, burning, and buying again spins faster than a cyclone. And every time another 1,000 tons of fossil carbon is burned, one more person is killed.

Reaping the storm
There’s an old saying which goes, ‘When you sow the wind, you reap the storm.’ In Australia, decades of environmental disregard and short-sighted policies have ‘sown’ a formidable wind.

A calamatous storm is now upon us, Australia, and as it is inflicting painful, self-inflicted climate wounds and deaths, it is bringing along some particularly ugly-looking friends.

In our climate-themed version of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’, the Bad are represented by denialists and delayers, misled by misinformation, greenwashing, and lies. And the Ugly? These are the shadowy figures behind the curtain, fanning the flames of climate conspiracy for their own profit.

This episode of ‘Aussie Fiddler on the Roof’ now transcends the image of Australians stranded on rooftops amidst fallen trees and extreme weather. It’s evolving into a dire battle for survival, not just for Aussies but for life across the entire planet.

As the lines between politics, conspiracies, and science have become increasingly blurred, the fight intensifies, crossing national borders.

The crucial question looms: Will Australians rise from their rooftops to turn the tide, and join the global efforts to turn the tide – or will they remain characters in their own absurd tragedy?

Democracy farewell
Most likely, significant change won’t occur until a revolutionary government, elected with a strong and popular mandate to prioritise climate, enacts new laws mandating change. Then, everyone will simply have to adapt.

But there’s a significant ‘but’ here: we’re not currently heading in this direction. More floodwaters, bushfires, tornadoes, and record-breaking temperatures are likely to lead to empty supermarket shelves, a cycle of rising living costs, increased poverty, unemployment, frustration, and anger.

This situation casts a dark shadow over the rooftops, reminiscent of events in 1930s Germany. Predictably, someone will scapegoat a minority group for the fiddlers’ misery, leading down a ‘call-for-freedom’ path, and promising prosperity and a return to a ‘greater’ Australia.

This scenario spells a potential farewell to democracy and climate action, threatening an era dominated by the politics of fear and the prevalence of guns.

The Teal journey
In our climate western, the stage is now set for the ‘Good’ to emerge: They are our progressive cross-benchers in the Senate, and especially the ‘Teals’ – the so-called community independents who are championing environmental sanity.

These are not mere characters of fiction. They are real and determined individuals. In the last Australian election, a number of them were elected into Parliament, marking the beginning of a political revolution grounded in integrity, equality, and, crucially, climate action.

The ‘Teals’ represent a beacon of hope in a landscape marred by inaction and corporate interests. Their election is a testament to the growing awareness and desire for change among Australians. It signals a shift towards valuing our environment and seeking sustainable solutions.

But their journey has only begun. We stand at a critical juncture, in a race against time. To establish a government with a strong and popular mandate to prioritise climate, we must act swiftly and decisively. The window of opportunity is narrowing as climate calamities threaten to unravel the very fabric of society. If we delay, we risk reaching a tipping point where the ‘Bad’, financed by the ‘Ugly’, gain the upper hand in shaping our future, and an out-of-control planetary emergency.

More than ever, it is imperative for every Australian to recognise their individual role at this pivotal moment. This is not just a political battle – it is a fight for our planet, our children, and our future.

The ‘Teals’ have shown us that change is possible. They have demonstrated that when a community comes together, driven by a shared vision of a better future, real change can occur. Now, it is up to us to carry this momentum forward.

Preparing for the next election
We must search for – and build support for – new Teal candidates who align with the values of integrity, transparency, accountability, common sense intelligence and a call for strong action on climate, circular economy and sustainability.

We need to engage with our local communities in open, honest conversations about fossil fuels and their impact on our lives.

And at the same time, we have to think broader than just getting excited about “the Teal Revolution”: It is time to put aside political affiliations of the past and unite under a new common goal of preserving a livable planet. Many parties on the left side of politics have been advocating for climate action for as long as they existed: The Greens, the Socialists, the Animal Justice party and some of the micro parties – these parties also share the call for bolder climate action. A number of them have now endorsed the Climate Rescue Accord, which raises the bar on calling for what is actually needed to restore a safe climate.

As you look towards that horizon of dark clouds, stop being mere spectators in this unfolding drama. We have to become the architects of a new story – one where our actions pave the way for a sustainable, safe and secure future for generations to come.

Let’s not “hope” for a brighter future – let’s actively build it.

We are all enrolled in humanity’s Climate Roulette. It’s time to turn the tide by coming together and kickstarting a positive and transformative energy, emissions and election revolution in our own local neighbourhoods, towns or communities.

Could this be your role in the climate revolution?

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If you live in the Geelong area, the Corangamite electorate, and would like to join Voices of Corangamite to help change the outcome of the next election, send an email to info@climatesafety.info

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“History shows us that true leadership will not come from those who benefit from the system remaining unchanged. True leadership will come from those who have everything to lose; but also, everything to gain.” 
~ Clover Hogan

The Teals in Australian Politics

The “teals” refer to a loosely-aligned group of community independent politicians in Australian politics who emerged prominently in the 2022 federal election. They are characterised by:

• Focus on climate change action: Advocating for strong action to mitigate climate change through emissions reduction.
• Political integrity and accountability: Pushing for greater transparency and anti-corruption measures in government.
• Social progressivism: Supporting progressive stances on issues like gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights.
• Moderate economic policies: Generally aligning with centre-right positions on economic matters.

These independents often run in traditionally Liberal-held seats, campaigning on a platform of combining progressive social policies with responsible fiscal management. Their teal colour branding symbolises the merging of blue (Liberal) and green (environmental) values.

Recommendations for websites about the Teal movement

Choosing a neutral website about the Teals can be tricky as they are a relatively new and controversial topic. However, here are some options with varying perspectives:

→ ABC about the Teals: latest stories
ABC is a trusted national broadcaster with comprehensive coverage of Australian politics.

→ Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teal_independents
Extensive information on the teals, including their policies, candidates, and impact. Open source, which means it can be subject to editing bias and inaccuracies.

→ The Conversation – 30 November 2022:
Networks and money: the inside story of how the teals won Australia’s six richest electorates
“The Conversation is an independent platform hosting articles from academics and experts across the political spectrum.”

→ The Energy Mix Weekender – 22 January 2024:
This is the Year We’ve Been Training For
“It’s make or break time for climate action. With elections coming up in more than 50 countries this year and climate on the ballot, will the results speed up carbon cuts or bring new obstacles?”

2023: the good, the bad and the ugly of climate action

Newsletter from Climate 200 By Byron Fay, Executive Director, Climate 200 It’s been a big year for the climate – the hottest on record. And for millions of Australians, a difficult year financially. Every single month of 2023 has broken temperature records. For the first time in recorded history, we have broken through the 1.5°C “guardrail”, and the impacts have been severe. As I write, my home state of Queensland is being wracked by catastrophic flooding. These floods have followed a category two cyclone, and bushfires. More homes have already burned in Queensland in the early start to the fire season, than burned in the terrible 2019-2020 black summer bushfires. Not to mention the many climate disasters that have hit so many countries, touching every continent on Earth, and affecting the most vulnerable the worst. While the news is frightening, it’s important to celebrate the wins we have had this year. We have just published our updated impact report – you can download it here. Many of these wins are thanks to you: the community that has supported political leadership for climate action.This year in the federal parliament we saw: The Safeguard Mechanism, which will require Australia’s biggest companies to reduce emissions by 5% year on year. The Nature Repair Bill, which will enable landholders to earn money from nature conservation activities, spurring investment in nature protection. The Water Trigger expanded to cover all mining developments on water resources, so that the federal environment minister will have to consider these impacts. Policy to accelerate investment in renewable energy so that we can reach our 82% renewable energy target by 2030. Much of this was thanks to the crossbench in parliament, pushing constantly for action for the environment. But also, it wouldn’t be possible without the support of this community, demanding and supporting bold leadership. Climate 200’s mission is to inspire and support independent leaders who will champion climate action, as well as political integrity and gender equality in parliament. We know that the fastest and most effective route to climate action is through getting climate leaders elected to Parliament. That’s why we set out to disrupt the status quo in 2022 by supporting climate and integrity-focused community campaigns. With the support of 11,200 individual donors, from every electorate across the country, we were able to give 23 values-aligned independents a fighting chance. The results have been phenomenal. You can read more about this in our impact report But there is still a long way to go. Just this week, news broke that Santos successfully lobbied the federal government into carving out special exemptions to enable them to develop their Barossa gas field – the most polluting LNG project in the world. This news came to light thanks to the advocacy of ACT Independent Senator David Pocock. This demonstrates again the power of an independent crossbench in holding the government to account. Meanwhile, since the last federal election, the government has granted approval to four new coal projects; and there are another 25 proposals for new or expanded coal mines waiting for federal government approval. To turbocharge the climate action we need, in the few years we have, we need to turbocharge strong and independent leadership. Climate 200 will continue to build on our success, and we have a plan to help this powerful movement grow at the next federal election. I’ll say more on this next year. But for now, I wish you a wonderful summer holiday with your family and friends. Warm regards, Byron Fay Executive Director, Climate 200 P.s. Download our latest impact report here, and consider supporting us by becoming a regular donor to our cause.

An ecological manifesto for the end of the world as we know it

“The way we glow when having a great conversation, building off each other’s ideas, finding solutions we can all be satisfied with. The way we spark together when marching and chanting in protest. This is living democracy.

Yes, the world looks bleak. Across our society there’s a mounting sense of desperation in the face of the climate crisis, gaping economic inequality and racial injustice, increasing threat of war, and a post-truth politics divorced from reality. Extinction is in the air.

But what if the solutions to our ecological, social and political crises could all be found in the same approach? What if it was possible for us to not just survive, but thrive?

In Living Democracy, Greens activist Tim Hollo offers bold ideas and a positive vision. It’s the end of the world as we know it, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. In fact, around the globe, people and communities are beginning an exciting new journey.

This book will inspire you, inform you, and get you fired up to co-create our common future. A living democracy.”

→ Listen for free on Soundcloud

Tim Hollo wrote:

“With thanks to the wonderful Craig Greening, who recorded and produced it with me at ANU School of Music, and to my bandmates in FourPlay String Quartet who were happy for me to use some of our music, the audiobook of Living Democracy is now live, just in time for the summer holidays.

As you’ll see, we’ve made it available for free streaming on Soundcloud, but it’s also going out through all the various audiobook sites, including Audible, Spotify, Apple Music and many more, if it’s easier for you to stream there. It’s not quite live on all of them yet, but should be any day now.

I hope that making the book available to listen to as well as read brings it to a whole lot of new people, ready to discuss and debate and deliberate around these ideas.”

Tim Hollo, author of Living Democracy

LETITION – THE POWER OF US COMING TOGETHER

Jenna: “In the heart of Canberra, decisions are made that shape our nation, our environment, our future. Wrong decisions: Opening up new carbon bombs. Cutting down forrests. But outside these walls, a different voice is rising. Yours. Through a powerful new tool called “Letitions”.
What is a Letition? Imagine a letter, a petition, an Open Letter – all rolled into one.
Written by the grassroots, the concerned, the guardians of tomorrow – people like you.
Each month, a new Letition letter crafted with care, passion, and a plea for real climate action, lands straight into a parliamentarian’s office. (This month it is about the Climate Rescue Accord).
They are not just words. They are the voices of the voters demanding adherence to the clarion calls from the United Nations, the IPCC, the IEA.
Every Letition sent is a vote for change, a demand for a new level of action.
Imagine, your message among thousands, more and more each month, creating a wave that cannot be ignored.
It’s about our air, our water, our earth. It’s about our children.
The power is at your fingertips. Will you send your first Letition today?
Here’s how you do it: Go to letition.org and click on the green button.
Choose your local MP.
If you don’t know who that is, look it up.
You’ll get the letition-letter sent to your inbox. Tweek it as you like, and press ‘Send’. 
Or print it, put it in an envelope with a stamp and post it.
That’s it! You are a part of the wave!
When we speak together, our leaders will HAVE to listen. Or… face losing their job after the next election. 
Your monthly letter is their mandate. Act now for our future.”

→ Watch and find out more

“If you want to change the fruits, you will first have to change the roots. If you want to change the visible, you must first change the invisible.”

T. Harv Eker

The Inner Development Goals

Given everything that is happening, and your own personal journey, what is the dream that you have yet to realise that you want to bring to life?

“Closing the Books with IDGs
Reflect on the past year and set your intentions for the year to come with the help of the Inner Development Goals framework.

→ Reconnection: Meeting the Climate Crisis Inside Out

Can democracy survive the climate crisis?
“Energy is never created nor destroyed, only ever transformed. Understanding this, wealth is never created nor destroyed, only transformed. Power is the capacity to convert natural abundance, belonging to and part of every single creature on this planet, into personal riches. I ask, then, how can we live in a democracy when a small minority have enough power to destroy the entire planet while the rest of us can only look on in horror?”
~ Rachel Donald, podcast producer

2024 will push food prices even higher, a result of the impact of the #ClimateCrisis on global food production. Hunger, climate migration and conflict over resources will push “democratic” governments further towards authoritarianism, while everyone is asleep on TikTok pic.twitter.com/Yz6gz50yi7

— George Tsakraklides (@99blackbaloons) January 1, 2024

What happened in Holland?

The Netherlands has been in the news recently after the impressive win for the far-right Freedom Party in the snap general election, its leader Geert Wilders and the party’s stance being one of near climate change denial. The Netherlands is well known to be a tolerant and forward-thinking country, which is why this election result has come as a big surprise. A national survey on citizens’ views on climate change and the energy transition, who’s results just came out might help uncover some more insights.

→ Medium / Curious Green Humans – 29 November 2023:
Climate Anxiety in The Netherlands — A Contradiction in the Making
“What a survey and an election teach us about changing attitudes to climate.”

COMMENTARY

Many of us have been concerned about of human induced global heating since the late 1980’s or even earlier. As individuals we have worked tirelessly to lead by example or, in the case of XR, by disruptive protest. Emissions have continued to rise and heating of the oceans is rising exponentially. We have generally failed here in Australia because none of our strategies have created the political will needed at a national level.

We are convinced that this political will could emerge from the creation of minority government. With global temperatures already at 1.5 degrees above the pre-industrial average, the next Federal election seems like our last chance to turn the ship around. Labor needs to be pulled back to say 70 seats to create a situation where they are compelled to negotiate the support of a progressive cross bench to form government.
~ Robert

Rob offers the carrot – we should be able to change our government for the better to fight climate change. Unfortunately, we have very little time to do this! 

Let me present the stark reality – the stick:  If we don’t act swiftly to reverse global warming, we risk the almost certain extinction of humans and most other complex life on Earth by the end of this century. This reversal has to be achieved before we lose the necessary knowledge, skills, and technological capacity to design, plan, engineer, and deploy global solutions in the inevitable social collapse prior to extinction.

Real-world physical data shows that if global warming isn’t reversed within a few years, we face global mass extinction worse than the End Permian 250,000,000 years ago. 

If you haven’t read it yet, Kim Stanley Robinsons’ sci-fi novel from 2000, The Ministry for the Future, provides a very realistically worked-out ‘how-to’ manual for reforming governments, economics, and the odd technologies to actually achieve this. The carrot and stick ideas are at the forefront. Something to think about is that today’s state of the climate is already worse than what Robinson started with – except for the million-person mass heat death in India – which could happen any time in the next few days if the weather reports are to be believed.
~ Bill