Yes, the atmospheric climate is changing. But here at Crikey we think something just as potent has happened over recent months: finally, the social and political climate that informs the climate change debate is being transformed.
So what has changed this year?
- The federal government has ended its climate denial rhetoric — a symbolic but telling response to public outrage at its inaction.
- The world’s biggest mining company, Glencore, has announced a retreat from coal mining.
- The Reserve Bank has formally declared that climate change is a fundamental economic risk.
- School kids are marching in the streets around the globe.
That’s on top of the unambiguous, active support for action on climate change from just about every reputable institution, industry and profession: the courts, scientists, the military, the insurance industry, the accounting profession, NASA, meteorologists, most big public companies. (All except for one institution, of course: News Corp.)
Yes, the climate is changing irrevocably. That’s why it’s the only subject we’re writing about at Crikey today.
Read our full series, Slow Burn, here.
Everyone else knows about it, but not this bastard fossil-fueled government – and the troglodyte neanderthals pulling it’s strings – and they’ve been “in control” for the last 6 years they’ve wasted.
Thank you Crikey. It is so important that we keep talking about this, keep it in the news and keep the pressure on politicians and business to take real, meaningful action, and reporting like this is crucial. When climate change is not reported on, it seems like less of a problem (or a niche problem, something for the environmentalists to worry about); and if people don’t feel concerned about it, media are less likely to report on it. Although this has been the trend for the past few years, this cycle can be reversed, where greater media prominence increases awareness and hence public demand for action. Schoolkids around the world are doing their part and I’m very glad to see Crikey on board as well.
AT LAST!!! Thank you, Crikey. I hope with all my heart (and don’t dare call me “a bleeding heart”) that we can still mitigate this damage. We ALL have to work very hard and change our life styles.
Now we can sit back and watch as the ‘changed rhetoric’ moves to ‘as we have always held, climate change is real and we need to be taking active steps to address it. That is why I announce today…’ because, as night follows day, that flip is just a presser or two away!
Orwell covered that fancy footwork in 1984 – Oceania was not after all at war with Eurasia. Oceania was at war with Eastasia. Eurasia was an ally.
“A Rumplestiltskin of a man, contorted with hatred…” who would be that exemplar in our current rogues gallery?
So many to choose from, none guiltless.
Interesting inclusions in “reputable” institutions – “..the military, the insurance industry, the accounting profession..,” – none of which would have made my first 100 list.