From Divestment to Sterilisation: Reframing climate change as an existential risk

We are three months from COP24, the 24th time governments have met to affirm their intention to address climate change. As the physical impact of climate change worsens, with global climate-related losses running at record levels, the rhetoric from most governments – and now many non-state players – is truly impressive. But the reality is that next to nothing has been done to materially address climate change.

Read the story from Responsible-Investor - “From Divestment to Sterilisation: Reframing climate change as an existential risk.”

Last year was one of Earth's hottest years on record and I can't believe I'm writing this story again

It's unanimous: 2017 was one of Earth's warmest years on record, continuing an impressive and quickening trend seen since the dawn of the industrial revolution. 

It's unanimous - 2017 was Earth's warmest year on record.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA, the UK Met Office, and other groups that monitor the planet's thermostat, 2017 was by far the warmest year to occur without an El Niño event, which can boost ocean and air temperatures and was partly responsible for propelling 2016 to the top spot on the list of warmest years. 

While each group differs slightly in their final numbers and rankings, the numbers they came up with differ mainly because of the way they calculate temperatures in data-poor regions, such as the rapidly warming Arctic.

Read the Mashable Australia story by Andrew Freedman - ”Last year was one of Earth's hottest years on record and I can't believe I'm writing this story again.”

A trio of Shepparton council candidates join us for a chat Beneath the Wisteria

City of Greater Shepparton
 Council candidate, Ian
Christoe (centre), talks
about his hopes.

An impressive number of 26 people have nominated for next month’s City of Greater Shepparton Council elections next month, but just three of those choose to join us Beneath the Wisteria on Saturday (September 29).

They were present councillor, Jenny Houlihan, and two who have nominated for the Saturday, October 27, elections, Ian Christoe and Menon Parameswaran.

It would be grossly unfair to say anything derogatory about the remaining 23, for the invitation was made only the previous day in the Shepparton News and was general, rather than specific.

Present councillor with the
 Greater City Shepparton
Council, Jenny Houlihan
 (centre), talks about what
the council has done and
what is planned.

Although there was no expectation that any of candidates would deliver any sort of presentation, each was given an opportunity to say something about any council with which they were involved would respond to the challenges our community faces as a result of our changing climate.

Nearly 20 people gathered Beneath the Wisteria for Saturday’s intellectually engaging conversation.

Views and opinions quickly sashayed around the group, and depending upon the personal prism through which the discussion was viewed, it became obvious as discussion evolved that the responsibility to address climate change rested with the people of the city, or in this instance those who gather Beneath the Wisteria.

First we have to do what we can to ensure the appropriate people are elected to the council and then engage with those elected to see that they pursue policies that will prepare our city for the unquestioned challenges ahead.