Red Bluff

Fellowships at the Centre for Sustainability Leadership

2012-02-02T09:31:00.000+11:00

Want to save the world? Then the 2012 Fellowship Program run by the Centre for Sustainability Leadership might just be for you.

According to their website:

The Fellowship Program focuses on attracting passionate individuals who are committed to forging a more sustainable future and can demonstrate they have the vision and potential to drive sustainable change.

The Fellowship Program is best suited to those who:
are in their early to mid career in any field (although there is not an age limit)
have demonstrated leadership potential
are driven to see a sustainable future
are flexible, adaptable and open to new thought and challenges
have the courage to step up and out to make positive change happen
are able to commit the time required by the Fellowship Program
are able to demonstrate their determination, resilience and active involvement in sustainability projects, programs or campaigns
are within weekly commutable distance to Melbourne or Sydney for the duration of the program

There is an information session in Melbourne on 14 February and Sydney on 15 February.

An alternative is their Leadership Rewired online program:

Leadership Rewired from CSL on Vimeo.

Worth a look!

Fury Follows Aboriginal Tent Embassy Protest

2012-01-29T11:14:00.000+11:00

From Australia Day: Fury Follows Aboriginal Tent Embassy Protest - my roundup for Global Voices:

Australia Day ceremonies are usually the dullest of events. But not when Australia’s political leaders are together just walking distance from a gathering at the contentious Aboriginal Tent Embassy. When the crowd there heard a report that earlier in the day Opposition leader Tony Abbott had suggested its removal, a spontaneous protest took place at the Lobby restaurant where Prime Minister Julia Gillard was awarding emergency medals.

The fracas quickly turned to farce. Developments have included: that Mr Abbott’s remarks were misreported; the original tip-off came via Tony Hodges, one of the PM's media advisors (who has since resigned); accusations of a media beat-up of violence; a shoe lost by Ms Gillard was returned after suggestions of an ebay auction; a go-between was named followed by strong denials. At least that’s the best guess at the moment.

...Perhaps modern politics is more about image than about reality. And a contest amongst both media and commentariat to be the most outraged. Ironically too many were ready to chastise the tent embassy crowd for reacting hastily to incorrect information, only to do the same thing themselves to media reports.

Kochie on Racism: Same Story Same Ignorance

2012-01-20T12:22:00.000+11:00

David Koch's Angels panel discussed racism on Thursday this week on Seven's Sunrise.

It's not the first time that Kochie has run the line that we are less racist than other countries, in particular our neighbours:

"Every nation is racist. Every nation has an element of racism. We live in a region surrounded by mono-cultures. Talk about racism. Go to Japan. Go to Malaysia. Go to the Philippines. No comparison. We're pretty tolerant." When Ignorance Equals Racism.

He's even using the same songbook: "Every country's racist , Bec. It's just the degree. We're surrounded in this region by monocultures. Japan is way more racist than we are. The Indonesians are. That's not to say it doesn't happen here and it's still unacceptable."

The idea that we are surrounded is clearly emotive piffle. Images from the 1960s of the yellow hordes spring to mind. His definition of culture is unstated but if it includes ethnicity, language or religion then his ignorance of nations such as Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines is astounding. If he is to judge Japan then Koch should also include India.

A few stats from the CIA World Factbook:

Ethnic Groups

Indonesia: Javanese 40.6%, Sundanese 15%, Madurese 3.3%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Betawi 2.4%, Bugis 2.4%, Banten 2%, Banjar 1.7%, other or unspecified 29.9% (2000 census)

Malaysia: Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, others 7.8% (2004 est.)

Philippines: Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000 census)

Singapore: Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census)

India: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000)

Religions

Indonesia: Muslim 86.1%, Protestant 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 3.4% (2000 census)

Malaysia: Muslim (or Islam - official) 60.4%, Buddhist 19.2%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 2.6%, other or unknown 1.5%, none 0.8% (2000 census)

Philippines: Catholic 82.9% (Roman Catholic 80.9%, Aglipayan 2%), Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)

Singapore: Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000 census)

India: Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.1% (2001 census)

Languages

Indonesia: Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects (of which the most widely spoken is Javanese)

Malaysia: Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai
note: in East Malaysia there are several indigenous languages; most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan

Singapore: Mandarin (official) 35%, English (official) 23%, Malay (official) 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil (official) 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (2000 census)

Philippines: Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

India: Hindi 41%, Bengali 8.1%, Telugu 7.2%, Marathi 7%, Tamil 5.9%, Urdu 5%, Gujarati 4.5%, Kannada 3.7%, Malayalam 3.2%, Oriya 3.2%, Punjabi 2.8%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.2%, other 5.9%

Koch added that, "We have to work hard to get better at being more accepting." Part of getting better is to work at overcoming our ignorance of other countries, rather than just lumping them together as monocultures.

Ecowar: “All wars are fought over natural resources”

2012-01-17T09:50:00.001+11:00

“All wars are fought over natural resources”

Benno Hansen’s self-published book Ecowar: Natural resources and conflict explores this proposition in his usual energetic and thought-provoking manner. Readers of his blog Ecowar ‘Notes on links between conflict and natural resources’ will be familiar with the territory he explores.

The book covers:

an historical review,
a look at current conflicts influenced by natural resources,
an overview of academic research,
and a prognosis for future development.

It’s available in hardcopy and as an e- book. Details are available here.

Historical review

The historical review is wide and by its nature very selective: from Akkadian droughts to the slave trade; from the spice trade to the Opium Wars, from he U.S. dust bowl to Rommel’s North Africa oil campaign. He looks at correlations between climate changes and war. Ironically for a climate change advocate, he maintains that the highest war frequency has occurred in cold phases. However, he notes that the current mixture of anthropogenic and natural causes of global warming is different and “highly unpredictable”.

Current conflicts influenced by natural resources

More recent hotspots range across the continents including:

the Himalayan glaciers,
oil drilling in Peru,
the impact of global warming on the Arctic region,
Somali pirates,
the worldwide land grab spawned by bio-fuels and the food crisis.

Benno explores research into causality and theories related to peace and war. Recent events have given added relevance these remarks about the Dutch Disease:

"…before Nigeria began exporting oil it had a thriving agricultural sector and was a food exporter. Now they have only the oil and email scamming, it seems."

Prognosis

The concluding sections of Ecowar look at possible future scenarios and some predictions. Is the choice between dystopian ecowar and utopian ecopeace? War for oil, water disputes, nuclear issues, “peak everything’ and climate change are some of the challenges he confronts.

Benno concludes:

"Resource scarcity is beginning to affect our lives and our geopolitical choices. And everyone knows. Everyone from activists and experts to journalists and bike repairmen knows - or should be able to realize: All wars are fought over natural resources."

Fact as fiction

Spinkled though the analysis are eight semi-fictional pieces or ‘Interludes’. My favourite was the strange death of UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld in 1961, seemingly at the hands of the British. His Danish roots ensure that there are ample references to matters Scandinavian.

Benno’s love of a conspiracy theory should not frighten potential readers away. This is a treatise without inflexible dogma. He is not “trying to prove the dominant role of any single root cause of human conflict”. He is asking us to engage with his tentative diagnosis of the origins of conflict and war, not to accept easy answers or solutions.

If you don’t know, then get a copy of Benno Hansen’s Ecowar – Natural resources and conflict.

Politician Sprayed over Migrant Deodorant “Dog-Whistle”

2012-01-12T16:16:00.000+11:00

From my Global Voices roundup:

Australia: Politician Sprayed over Migrant Deodorant “Dog-Whistle”

Cartoonist Jon Kudelka: "Opposition spokeswoman Teresa Gambaro has cracked the age-old question of why we all can’t just get along, and the answer turns out to be deodorant. Seriously. You can’t make this stuff up."

Australian Women Writers 2012 Challenge

2012-01-07T18:01:00.000+11:00

I'm joining the Australian Women Writers 2012 Reading and Reviewing Challenge

My level: Franklin-fantastic (read 10 and review at least 4 books) Dabbler (more than one genre)

Bayside Council Library has 8 copies and 56 reserve requests for Anna Funder's All That I Am, so I'm looking for another starter. Any suggestions?

Please consider being a part of the challenge.

Evotourism: Selective Itineraries

2012-01-05T23:38:00.000+11:00

Evotourism

There is something just a little unsettling about trademarking evolution. The involvement of the Smithsonian Institution with a commercial travel arm also seems a touch bizarre. Welcome to the world of EVOTOURISM.

Fittingly, they have 6 classifications: families, history, fossils, urban, adventure and photography. Australia's Kangaroo Island is tagged for History Buffs but really is a must for the image conscious, whilst England's Jurassic Coast rates five tags.

Darwin's Home

Missing from their initial promotion is Down House, Darwin's home and laboratory. It was one of the highlights of our recent U.K. trip.

Secular Cathedral

A place not to be missed is the Natural History Museum - the atheist's secular cathedral where the larger than life statue of the great man sits be-throned atop the stairs.

Debating Our Origins

Another real gem is the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, which describes itself as a 'cathedral of science'. It's in front of the wonderfully eccentric and eclectic Pitt Rivers Museum collection of archaeology and anthropology.

A dramatic piece of science history was locked behind this door:

The plaque beside the door to the Radcliffe Library of the Oxford MNH reads:

A MEETING OF
THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION
HELD 30 JUNE 1860
WITHIN THIS DOOR WAS THE SCENE
OF THE MEMORABLE DEBATE
ON EVOLUTION BETWEEN
SAMUEL WILBERFORCE
BISHOP OF OXFORD AND
THOMAS HENRY HUXLEY

Take a trip with science!

Rio +20: Earth Mover or Green Economy Carnival?

2011-12-21T10:52:00.000+11:00

From my post at AllVoices on next year's Earth Summit, Rio +20:

When we go to Rio De Janeiro in June next year, lots of emotional capital will be invested in the success of the Rio +20 Earth Summit. It’s the twentieth anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Brazil’s iconic city. This time those two elements are brought together as the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

...Rio +20 needs to be more than a dream. It must come up with more than a platform to negotiate an agreement. It must deliver more that the bare bones ‘institutional framework’.
The summit can be a game changer, an earth mover. It’s over to you!
Rio +20: Earth Mover or Green Economy Carnival

Global Voices Online: Who We Are

2011-12-20T21:53:00.000+11:00

Global Voices: Who We Are from Global Voices on Vimeo.

A message from Georgia Popplewell:

'2011 has been an extraordinary year for online content.

Global Voices has been there as revolutions happened, dictatorships fell, and network effects rippled through the cities and neighborhoods of our contributors reporting from around the world.

You can help our 530 authors do even more in 2012: globalvoicesonline.org/donate
Thanks in advance for your support.

This video was created, edited, and produced by Global Voices Managing Director Georgia Popplewell. CC Images were sourced with the help of many, many Global Voices contributors - that's how we roll.'

PS. I am a GV author.

Durban Youth: Get it done!

2011-12-10T13:53:00.001+11:00

COP17 Durban:

'Anjali Appadurai, a student at the College of the Atlantic in Maine, addressed the conference on behalf of youth delegates. Just after her speech, she led a mic-check from the stage -- a move inspired by the Occupy Wall Street protests.

"It always seems impossible until it's done. So, distinguished delegates and governments around the world, governments of the developed world: Deep cuts now. Get it done," Appadurai says.' Democracy Now

For more from youth activists: Durban: Gen Y women doing it for the planet

Gen Y Women Champion Climate Justice

2011-12-09T10:37:00.001+11:00

One of my posts at AllVoices:Durban: Gen Y women doing it for the planet:

This week in Durban young citizen journalists are challenging the popular stereotype of Generation Y. Gen Ys are supposed to be: self-obsessed; apathetic; disengaged; with limited attention spans; shallow online chatterers and gamers; little concerned for the future of the planet they’ll be inheriting.

Move over baby boomers! The twentysomethings are at the gates, in particular a new generation of committed and skilled young women activists. Many of them are in South Africa to cover the current United Nations COP17 climate change conference.

These web warriors are not just reporting the story. Increasingly they are the story, as they lobby to bring about climate action. Meet three of them.

Please click the link to meet Andrea, Kodili and Gemma in Durban.

Across Africa: John Vidal's Road to Durban

2011-12-06T20:17:00.001+11:00

From Democracy Now:

Interview with The Guardian's Environment editor, John Vidal, about his trip from Egypt to COP17 in Durban South Africa.

What Global Carbon Emissions? Just Brainfarts!

2011-12-05T13:25:00.001+11:00

The National Journal clearly anticipated the latest global emissions news:

The impact of the global financial crisis on reducing carbon dioxide emissions was short-lived, with emissions quickly rebounding to a record level.

Emissions from fossil fuel burning and cement production grew by 5.9 per cent last year to a record high of more than 9 billion tonnes of carbon, preliminary figures show. This increase overwhelmed the 1.4 per cent reduction recorded in 2009.
Emissions hit record as effect of financial crisis eases (The Age 4 Nov 2011)

I've been looking for a definition of a brainfart - certainly found a perfect illustration of the collective version.

COP17: Fossils of the Day in Durban

2011-12-04T18:15:00.001+11:00

Awarded to the countries who do the most to block the UN Climate Change talks. Hosted by the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.

Climate Change and the Food Crisis: ActionAid

2011-12-02T08:32:00.001+11:00

The message: support women farmers.

Climate Change and the World Food Crisis: A Solution is an ActionAid video:

The UN Climate Conference in Durban needs to support women farmers in order to tackle the growing global food crisis. Agriculture is being increasingly threatened by climate change.

Small scale farmers produce half the world's food and most of them are women. With access to training, technology, financial services and markets - the number of people going hungry could be cut by 15%. With 7 billion people on the planet this year, this solution is more important than ever.

For more, visit HungerFREE or visit the Activista bloggers.

The Real Mining Story?

2011-11-28T20:13:00.001+11:00

This satirical video of the mining industry in Australia is not very subtle but... then the AMWU has never pretended to be that subtle.

This is the real story - A paid Extra

The public link has been removed. Have to settle for this:

This is the real story - Ship in, Fly out

Andrew Charlton: Balancing Progress and the Planet

2011-11-24T15:05:00.000+11:00

A binding agreement on carbon emissions is a totally unrealistic expectation of next week's Durban COP17 climate change conference. So what are the alternatives?

Adam Morton, Environment editor at The Age, explored some solutions with Andrew Charlton, author of the Quarterly Essay Man-Made World: Choosing between progress and planet at the Wheeler Centre on 23 November 2011.

“Progress has its price. Each step of human advancement has left a footprint on the planet. Today our two defining challenges are managing climate change and eliminating global poverty. In Copenhagen we learned that these challenges are inseparable.”

According to Charlton the lesson from Copenhagen is that changing geopolitics mean that the needs of the developing world must be met, as well as those of the developed world.

This will require an enormous effort globally of an unprecedented scale. On climate change, he argues that we need a total re-engineering equivalent to the Second World War. Similar action is required to double food production during this century as world population continues to climb.

He sees ingenuity as the key to the kinds of solutions necessary in both areas. Power needs to be less expensive but more available in developing countries by making clean energy cheaper than fossil fuels.

Current technologies such as wind and solar cannot deliver the kind of cutbacks in greenhouse gases that the Greens believe possible. Nor can carbon prices by themselves. Alternative solutions will necessitate a massive shift in focus to research and development of breakthrough technologies.

Charlton was not without some optimism. He believes that China is misunderstood. Its leaders are driven by four motives that together offer hope:

overcoming poverty through development
obtaining energy security
reducing air pollution
tackling climate change

Most of the big gains in technology will happen overseas. Australia needs to collaborate with countries like China on the technological solutions. When questioned about our carbon legislation he stressed that it is necessary, though even the 5% reduction from 2000 levels by 2020 is ambitious since it represents a 30 - 40 % decline from projected emissions.

He emphasised that the 'balance of risks' has moved on both climate change and poverty. Despite his misgivings that the risks are real, nuclear power must be part of the solution for many countries. Similarly GM crops have the capacity to meet the food challenge, as organic farming cannot deliver the necessary increases. We must be alert to the possible dangers without ruling out these unpopular options.

Needless to say, Andrew’s views were not popular with many in the audience, especially those supporting approaches such as the Beyond Zero Emissions plan, which he contested during the session.

Political leadership will be a decisive factor. Our leaders must focus on the cost of not acting.

Charlton’s presentation had the desired effect. It will be weekend reading. Watch this space or buy a copy.

Climate Caravan Concert in Uganda

2011-11-16T08:28:00.000+11:00

Latest post from Kodili in Kampala, Uganda about the arrival of the Trans African Climate Caravan on its way to COP 17 in Durban:

One of the events carried out was the climate justice concert. This was mainly to attract the attention of young people and educate them about climate change as they were being entertained. This concert was graced by the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda who pledged his government’s support in addressing the effects of climate change.
The power of music in saving the climate 15 Nov 2011

View The Trans African Caravan of Hope in a larger map

Love to be there!

Taking Hope on the Trans African Climate Caravan to Durban

2011-11-15T09:02:00.001+11:00

Benadette Chandia Kodili is a Swarm Blogger with ActionAid Activista from Uganda. It has been my pleasure to work with her as part of the Global Voices youth mentoring project.

She is the Secretary for Female Affairs Uganda National Youth Council and a Member of Activista International.

This is her latest post:

Is there hope for me?

Sunday 13 November 2011

The African Caravan of Hope is finally in Uganda. The Caravan team is made up of a number of Community Organisations that are moving by road from Burundi to South Africa for the COP 17. It set off on the 9th November and arrived in Kabale on 11th November 2011. When in Kabale we had a march through the town to the Municipal council grounds. Here we had a chance to interface with a number of people on climate change issues and have them speak up for climate justice.

SPEAK UP FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE!

This they did by signing a petition to be presented in Durban during the COP 17 to the world leaders.

I spoke with Alex Byamukama, a 17-year-old first born boy to a mother of two. He told me that his mother had to spend money on water for domestic use. The family used to rely on rain water harvest. But because the rains were no longer regular they were left with no choice but to buy water which is expensive for his mother.

In addition, Alex explained how neighbours and friends have all been complaining of a general decline in production, especially in sorghum which is one of the stable foods in Kabale, due to low rain fall.

To deal with the situation Alex's mother had resorted to being a house girl since their father died two years ago. After the death of his father Alex’s Uncle took over the little land his father had left, leaving Alex’s mother nowhere to cultivate any food. When Alex is olde enough, ownership should pass to him but until then Alex, his brother and mother remain landless.

"You told me you are going to South Africa to a climate conference. How does that benefit me?" Alex asked me. I had spoken to him as an adult, but this question all of a sudden made me see him as little boy. If only the world leaders would listen to the voices of those whose lives are a constant struggle and whose future is so uncertain, such as this brilliant boy, it might help them remember to reflect on the plight of the individual common person and consider the effects their decisions have on ground level before prioritising their own selfish interests.

My simple answer was, "We hope the World Leaders will sign a fair and legally binding climate agreement."

"What would you tell them if you could make it to South Africa?" I asked.

Alex replied,

"They should use other methods of development other than the ones polluting the environment!"

"I will carry this message to Durban, Alex" I said.

Good luck, Kodili!

Remembering the Twin Towers

2011-09-09T15:13:00.000+10:00

A repost from 2008: Man on Wire: Twin Towers Tightrope

Frenchman Philippe Petit walked between the World Trade Center twin towers in August 1974. He had not asked permission of course. He was arrested and handcuffed. The authorities wanted to know why he did it and sent him for a psychiatric assessment. Watch this documentary in a cinema if possible. It's the last question you'll ask yourself.

Philippe had practiced between the pylons of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the towers of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

It was one small step...

One Saturday morning in August 1980 I took these photos from the second top floor of one of the towers. I was visiting Bill Gates, a teacher mate from Up-State New York. We stayed at a Manhattan apartment of one of his friends whose husband worked on that floor. It was a long weekend so we had the place to ourselves. We were parked on the street opposite the buildings in the first picture. While we enjoyed the view, someone stole the car radio. I dragged out the old photos because the Statue of Liberty resonated so strongly with ones from the film.

I'll spare you our tourist snaps from the top of the bridge and the cathedral.

More film reviews at Cinema Takes

Jay Rosen Video: Why Political Coverage is Broken

2011-09-01T18:33:00.000+10:00

From the Melbourne Press Club:

Professor Jay Rosen, one of the leading thinkers in new media and the founder of the public journalism movement in the USA, explains why he thinks political reporting is broken.

This speech was delivered at Melbourne's BMW Edge on August 26, 2011, as part of the Melbourne Writers Festival and the Public Interest Journalism Foundation's New News Conference.

The Melbourne Press Club filmed and livestreamed a number of New News sessions over the two days of the conference. Watch them on our website.A transcript of Jay Rosen's speech is available on his blog, Pressthink.

Women Writin’ Science For Themselves

2011-08-31T18:38:00.000+10:00

One panel session that was easily overlooked but a real gemat this year’s Melbourne Writers Festival was Writing in Lab Coats :

Dr Elizabeth Finkel (The Genome Generation), journalist and publisher Jane McCredie (Making Girls and Boys) andaward-winning Age journalist Jo Chandler (Feeling the Heat) talk to Radio National's NatashaMitchell about what makes great science writing (and what makes great science).

The Cube at ACMI was packed with a very appreciativeaudience for these three authors. The sessiontitle seemed a misnomer. So did the asymmetrical venue that is cramped, darkand much smaller than the presenters deserved.

None of the authors works in a lab. Elizabeth was aprofessional research scientist in biochemistry before becoming a sciencejournalist with publications such as Cosmos Magazine. Jo and Jane are both journalists withextensive backgrounds working in the media. Neither claims to be a scientist.

In fact Jane spoke of the need to find her voice and establish “authority” as a non-scientist. Her time as an editor at the Australian Doctor must have helped. She sees herself as a critical friend of science, aquestioning observer. Jane’s book has a descriptor ‘inside the science of sex’but it’s the nature of gender that she explores. What is gender identity? Whatmakes us boys or girls?

Elizabeth spoke of the amazing “new universe” that we’vebeen catapulted into since the mapping of the genome. Her book, which has yet tobe released, is an exploration of its “new cosmic laws”, as old scientificdogmas have been left by the wayside. She aims for a "judicious, calm voice" likea “judge in a courtroom… weighing evidence”. Easier done than seen to be done. Sheis no stranger to the “combative corner” as her earlier work into organic foodand genetically modified foods copped criticism for its findings.

When researching her book on climate change, Jo sometimes felt“like a non-scientist asking dumb questions”. That research took her to the rain-forests in Namibia and stunning vistas of Antarctica. She asked "what isbalance in coverage and what is authentic storytelling". She rejected the “objectivity lie”where the journalist tries to leave the self out. In her “overcorrecting” Johas tried to go into her research as “confused”, like war correspondents going to thefront without a particular agenda. There are parallels with embedding as she“inserted into research teams” in the field. She described it as “an epicadventure… going off the edge of the known universe”.

From Chapter 3 Buried Treasure:

The modern quest to dig into the ice is driven by the urgentneed to see into the future, to track how the planet has behaved throughhistory when the atmospheric composition has swung through sometimes dramaticcycles of change, when tipping points have been crossed. Here the consequencesof change are written in mysterious script into the chemistry of the ice.

I haven’t had the opportunity to read their books, exceptfor the sample chapter of Feeling the Heat that is online. Put these three writers who are ‘ringing on their own bells’ in yournon-fiction shopping cart for some spring/summer reading.

(Unfortunately there was no video but hopefully ABC RadioNational will broadcast it later in the year.)

Australian Media in the Broken Looking Glass

2011-08-30T14:12:00.002+10:00

The past week has seen the media at its worst: Channel 9staff dismissed for faking a helicopter cross; radio shock-jock Alan Jonesabusing all and sundry including journalists and police; The Australiannewspaper apologising to the Prime Minister for a sleazy slur by seniorjournalist Glenn Milne.

You’d think that it’s time to spotlight these roilingrabbits. Hardly. “The community should look in the mirror… If you’re dissatisfiedwith the media, then fundamentally you’re saying you’re dissatisfied withyourself.”

That was Fairfax CEO Greg Hywood’s advice to the audience atthe Australian Media Leaders Held to Account panel. Their groans said it all.The session on Saturday was part of the New News Conference at the MelbourneWriters Festival. Also on stage were chair Maxine McKew, Mark Scott (ABCManaging Director), Sophie Black (Editor of Crikey) and myself representing Our Say members.

Jay Rosen in his keynote presentation, Why Political Coverage is Broken, and numerous other New News presenters and audience membershad surveyed our bleak mediascape for two days thanks to the Public Interest Journalism Foundation. Rosen argued:

By the production of innocence I mean ways of reporting thenews that try to advertise or “prove” to us that the press is neutral in itsdescriptions, a non-partisan presenter of facts, a non-factor and non-actor inevents. Innocence means reporters are mere recorders, without stake or interestin the matter at hand. They aren’t responsible for what happens, only fortelling you about it. When you hear, “don’t shoot the messenger” you arehearing a journalist declare his or innocence.

If you watch the video of the panel session, you’ll hearthose very words. My Our Say question, ‘What skills will be essential forjournalists in the newsroom of 2050?’ was intended as a starter for exploringhow the mainstream media should foster a working culture where youngjournalists can learn their trade. An environment where they can learn how toresist unethical behaviour when it’s expected of them, speak up within theirorganisations when it’s unpopular, challenge tired norms and refuse to producewhat Julia Gillard called “crap”.

Some of broken bits raised during the two day conferenceincluded:

opinion as news;
fabrication, distortion, manipulation or just plain inaccuracy;
phoney balance such as the climate change coverage; agenda-driven news and vendettas;
24 hour news cycle – one hour repeated 24 times;
personality politics and trivialisation;
lack of in-depth treatment of issues and policies;
politics as entertainment or a game;
savvy insiders as control filters.

Afterwards I met a first year journalist who has worked withone of the large media organisations for three months. Her response: Whattraining, what mentoring, what professional development. Her reality wasconfirmed later by a media graduate who works for an NGO. Her peers are cryingout for the kind of support that should be the common experience. I suspect theABC is one of few with a structured development program for its journalists.

Mark Scott is optimist, “You’re going to have more voicesand more choices. Tremendous opportunities for audiences”. We have a long wayto go if those opportunities are going to mean quality journalism.

Of course the elephantine cliché in the auditorium, NewsLimited, was not represented despite being asked. Except for the electronicmedia, they are arguably the worst offenders in Australia. Jay Rosen suggestedthat there is a worldwide culture of denial amongst Murdoch staff. Indeed, TheAustralian’s usually sharp George Megalogenis was not just defensive at anotherFestival event, The Spin Cycle. He also belittled Fairfax as a lifestylecompany who send dating emails to their subscribers.

At the Journalists and Trauma session Marysville residentand survivor of the Black Saturday bushfires, Di James, shared her mixedexperiences of the media coverage of thse tragic events. On balance she waspositive but still cannot forgive the ongoing use of video of people’s housesand photographs of dead bodies. She believes that reporters who askedinsensitive and “stupid” questions immediately after the fires desperately needtraining.

Jay Rosen’s four quadrants (facts v. arguments, realities v.appearances) for presenting political coverage struck a cord with his audience.Easy to place Jones, Bolt and many others. Perhaps it will make a useful toolfor young journalists and those not yet consumed by cynicism.

Personal disclosures: I’m a Crikey subscriber and sometimecontributor (that’s not why I’ve spared Sophie); The Age is home-delivereddaily for the incredible sum of $99 thanks to a deal between Fairfax and the St Kilda FC (how long can that last?) and we’re ABC junkies at our place (HiFran!)

Australian Media Leaders Held to Account

2011-08-29T16:09:00.000+10:00

Melbourne Writers Festival's Australian Media Leaders Held to Account panel:

Maxine McKew (Chair) Mark Scott (Managing Director, ABC), Greg Hywood (CEO, Fairfax Media) and Sophie Black (Editor, Crikey) answer questions from the public, joined by Red Bluff's Kevin Rennie, whose question for the three media leaders asked on oursay.org received the most votes.

The session was part of the New News Conference. The elephantine cliché certainly applied to News Limited's absence. Video thanks to the Melbourne Press Club.

Many thanks to all those who supported my question at Our Say. It was a real hoot being on the panel!

New News Conference Day 2

2011-08-27T09:56:00.003+10:00

Journalists and Trauma

Dr Denis Muller of the Centre for Advanced Journalism and bushfire survivor Di James host journalists who report trauma, the survivors of disasters and the public.

Denis Muller

2009 Victorian bushfires research: Black Saturday: In the Media Spotlight

Ethical dilemmas

Impact of media on survivors'consent and survivor autonomy"

"informed consent' impossible in "considered' sense
surprise at being in media, unaware that personal info given
'instinctual' consent
Q of recognition &amp; respect of autonomy (eg getting them to cry)
autonomy a 'crucial factor'
survivors dependent on others not much left but autonomy
research: survivors believe that exposure to media more good than harm

Di James

Agrees with DM's finding

Overall positive feelings in months after bushfires

Focus on first 48 hours:

Stayed in Marysville during fires - too late to leave

Left own house, went to neighbours, lost phone, drove to oval where large group gathered, spent night there, some 'catatonic', some 'hyped on adrenalin' incl Di. Helicopter came but not emergency services but media chopper. Evacuated by convoy.

First contact with journalists on oval - approach gentle and appropriate. What was broadcast was the tears.

Debris all over the road. Car stopped. Mic and camera through car window, followed by stupid Q and sharp reply. Q broadcasts with Di's closeup image in back seat - seen by son at Adelaide airport who was shocked. Very distressing experience. Images of Di comforting neighbour used for 6 months as publicity. family still shocked by recent use.

Photos of dead bodies from bushfires in the media still traumatising, esp for families of dead.

Media's reporting intensely important but needs to be balance with sensitivty and awareness. What does the public need to know?

Swing in front garden. Di desperate to remove it before the media got into Marysville. Fortunately this happened.

Discussion:

Good Qs?? About experiences, about what happened, not feelings.

How do we teach ethics to journalists?

How do we get media to focus on what happened not people's private trauma?

What does the public need to know, not just want to know?

Democratic Media - Populism or powershift?

How do we balance public participation in news media without pandering to populist prejudices and political hacks? How do we inspire the community to promote and prioritise the issues they are concerned with and have politicians and CEOs publically respond to those issues? Come and contribute ideas to the team behind oursay.org, a website connecting you with the people in charge. Discussion led by OurSay.

Latest Climate Change Questions: attempts to hijack for own agendas (eg Andrew Bolt) interesting development.

Security & privacy issues?? Very personal. How anonymous?

First comment moderated last week.
Getting people to own and take responsibility for their own Qs.

How to move this kind of online forum into the real world?

Make incentives for participation.
Public events like Brunswick State election forum.
Breaking into traditional media.

Is Our Say open to being hijacked by groups with own "facts" such as Tea Party-like organisations? Is it open to manipulation?

Risks and perceived risks can cause outrage
Transparency & engagement as weapons

How to avoid gossip and opinion that are not fact-based? Is it too rational?

People who answer the Qs??

Chosen and publicised beforehand.
Choice could be risky.
Roles change eg Lindsay Tanner resigned.

New News Conference 2011: Day One

2011-08-26T09:23:00.003+10:00

Opening:

Margaret Simons (Public Interest Journalism Foundation)

Tipping points:

NotW - end of Murdoch era; Future of 70% of papers owned by News Ltd?
Journos and trauma
Crisis for journalists/media?

PIJF Positives for new media:

Arab spring
Wikileaks
Open govt
Possibilities for journalism and its audience

Twitter: #newnews #newnewsA #newnewsB

NEW NEWS: POLITICAL JOURNALISM - WHAT'S BROKEN, WHAT WORKS?

Panel: Lindsay Tanner, Samantha Maiden, Greg Jericho, Jay Rosen, Steve Harris (MC)

JR (PressThink):

Toxic elements: politics as entertainment, management of impressions (appear to be doing things when cant' take action) permanent campaign, managing (spin) the story as content, politics as a game

These are starting to substitute for real politics.

Verification in reverse: creating doubt eg climate denialism, secrecy via complexity - political dialogue can't cope with the complex

Media: audience makers, content - attention, business - advertising

Murdoch party line: news not in conspiracy with editorial line

Echo chamber: flight to those who agree with you may be search for authority by both media and audience

LT (Former Labor Member for Melbourne):

Not a conspiracy. Nature of modern media. Routine for media to distort for entertainment, personality/celebrity politics, little serious discussion of issues
"Unions officials at war" a beat up - Health Services Union split business as usual
Regular impugning of good character without evidence eg Nick sherry & bank guarantee

No absolutes - still lots of good things
Fragmented rather than common areas fo discourse. Parallel worlds.

GJ (Grog's Gamut):

Easy out for poor journalism - politicians give them crap. No necessity to take crap as truth.

Daily Telegraph: Julia's shoes not up to wearing out shoe leather; Swan ruling out congestion tax ignored in scare story

Next election shaping up as the worst thanks to media crap.

24 hour news cycle - one hour 24 times.

SM (New Ltd):

What's working: freedom of information laws; internet cuts both ways but great for reporters and readers - more/faster; use of 'new' data eg cost of living;informing people eg child care rebate entitlements and proposed changes.

Not all frivolous or trivial.

Fortress Australias - Unhealthy to only read/watch what reflects your views. (GJ Fortress Australian?)

Phoney online MSM blogs without real audiences and interaction.

Global Voices: Malaysia No Solution to ‘Boat People' Politics

2011-08-12T17:44:00.000+10:00

My latest web roundup for Global Voices Australia: Malaysia No Solution to ‘Boat People' Politics:

The Australian government’s attempt to take a hard line on people smugglers and asylum seekers arriving by boat has hit a major snag. In December 2010 approximately 50 asylum seekers were drowned at Christmas Island when their boat was smashed on the rocks. A legal challenge has postponed a swap of refugees with Malaysia.

Activista Swarm: Some Fresh Faces

2011-08-08T12:21:00.000+10:00

Meet some fresh faces from the Activista Blogger Swarm who are doing their bit for our collective future.

Powerland: Namibia's Clean Energy Minigrid

2011-08-06T11:30:00.001+10:00

Some clean energy good news from Global Post:

New widget: U.S. High Temperature Records

2011-08-04T11:05:00.000+10:00

A new U.S. High Temperature Records widget via PBS News Hour:

'Using data collected by the NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, the PBS NewsHour has set out to track the number of high temperature records set each day of the year across the United States. We've built this widget so our viewers can understand the significance of the heat, not only in terms of raw degrees, but in a format that compares today's temperatures to previous record highs. The widget is built to be embedded into any website, and the data behind it will be updated every day.'
New Widget Tracks Record-Breaking High Temperatures

It's just data - people can draw their own conclusions (and will).

Herald Sun: Be Afraid, Very Afraid!

2011-08-02T17:59:00.000+10:00

It's not easy being an expert with an agenda. At the Herald Sun today, Terry McCrann's prediction of a rate rise fitted very well with their hip pocket scare campaign:

THE 'solving' of the US debt crisis leaves the Reserve Bank with no choice. It must lift its official cash rate today and I'm confident it will.
Debt deal should unleash rate rise

In case you missed it, his confidence was misplaced. But if you were one of the Hun's battlers with a hefty mortgage, you might have had a troubled morning before the reserve Bank left interest rates on hold:

PEOPLE battling soaring bills will learn today if they face more pain from an interest-rate rise.

Industry groups have warned of a "perfect storm" if the Reserve Bank defies expectations and increases the cash rate, potentially putting jobs at risk, ...

St Vincent de Paul Society president Tony Tome said increased mortgages would hit Victoria's growing number of "working poor".

"It's just another straw on the camel's back and for some it certainly will be the straw that broke the camel's back," he said.
Battlers Warned As Rate Rise Looms

Of course, it wouldn't matter if this 'crap' was buried in the Business section but it was Page 3 in the print version if my memory is accurate.

Anyway they can trot out the doom and gloom next month. Perhaps Terry will have better luck next time.

Activistas: Blogging for Their Future

2011-08-02T11:44:00.001+10:00

Some excellent news amidst all the gloom lately. Introducing the Activista Blogger Swarm:

Today we announce the names of 10 Global Voices bloggers and 11 activists who will be working together virtually over the next months as part of a new mentoring initiative developed by Global Voices and Activista, the youth network of international development organization, ActionAid.

Activista has selected activists from 10 countries on five continents to form part of a “Blogger Swarm”which will be blogging on the Activista website over the next 12 months. Their goal is to get youth around the world involved in discussions about development, and especially food and climate justice
Global Voices Bloggers to Mentor Youth Activists from 10 Countries

It is my pleasure and privilege to be mentoring one of the bloggers, Benadette Chandia Kodili, from Uganda. Kodili's first post on the Swarm is not about climate change or the food crisis but another aspect of food altogether:

For a moment I wished people who are out there advocating for women’s rights were here to witness this magical moment: we were being served by an African man as the women looked on!

It may be a small gesture, but for those who know how women have always been treated in most African traditions, men as the boss and women as servants. This moment was precious.
What makes a man a real man?

Please support the Activistas by reading and joining in their conversations.

Australian Media Leaders on the Spot

2011-07-27T17:24:00.001+10:00

Please excuse this promo but it’s too good to pass up.

Our Say (Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport) has a challenge:

Senior executives from media organisations will answer the most voted question at the 2011 New News Conference on Saturday 27th of August.

Not only that, the person who asks the question voted most popular will be invited to join the media leaders on the panel (click here for details). Ask and vote for questions, you want answered by the people who run our media organisations.

You could be sitting with Mark Scott (Managing Director of ABC), Greg Hywood (CEO of Fairfax Media) and Sophie Black (Editor of Crikey) to discuss issues with media, journalism and the coverage of politics in news. This is a unique opportunity for you to keep Australian media leaders to account.

My question: ‘What skills will be essential for journalists in the newsroom of 2050?’

You could vote for it here or post your own question.

GetUp! Ad: Don't Be fooled

2011-07-22T15:02:00.002+10:00

GetUp! Ad: Don't Be fooled by Mining Billionaires

Glad I Don't Pay for the Herald Sun

2011-07-21T13:52:00.001+10:00

Is the Herald Sun's Miranda Devine indulging in eating some of Rupert Murdoch’s humble fare?

Trying to silence opposition by smear and slander, abuse and suppression of unpleasant facts is just treating the public like suggestible morons.
Juila Gillard's declaration out of line

Good heavens no, she’s attacking the government. The Herald Sun isn’t running a ruthless anti-Gillard campaign for regime change in Australia. They are just telling both sides of the story fearlessly. If you believe that, then your head must be stuck in the wrong end of the proverbial dead bear.

Perhaps Devine wouldn’t have had the chance to read the ‘news’ piece on page 3: Prime Minister Julia Gillard under fire for Christine Nixon's book deal

It’s a classic piece of agenda journalism. Former Liberal Premier and current AFL football club president is an unbiased source of the lowest order:

Mr Kennett said he was surprised Prime Minister Gillard was launching the book. "I guess one could only explain it as the sisterhood at work," he said.

Perhaps his jockstrap was too tight during the interview.

There was some kind of balance with two against and one supporting Nixon/Gillard. This one would have to be a swinging voter:

Flowerdale mother of four Laine MacDonald said of Ms Nixon: "I don't have anything nice to say ... It's a disgrace that she is getting people like that (Ms Gillard) to back her." My emphasis.

Incidentally, according to their own story, the PM is under fire for attending the book launch not for anything to do with the ‘book deal’ itself as the headline implies.

Nothing personal intended, of course.

Anyway, this bit of sycophantic sludge should get Miranda a Christmas bonus:

In any case, the Murdochs' contrite appearance at the UK hearing was a triumph of decency, humility and lessons learned.

And while they spoke, News Corp shares rose 5 per cent. So there.

Tony Abbott: Carbon dioxide 'weightless'

2011-07-21T11:23:00.003+10:00

When I read this artcile by Barry Jones in The Age this morning, it seemed worth checking the quote. Not that you can't trust journalists to be accurate, of course:

People are better educated than ever yet debate is dumbed down.

AN ARTICLE by The Age's Michael Gordon titled 'He says She says' last week, included a disturbing paragraph in which he quoted Tony Abbott, in South Dandenong, answering a question about how CO2 emissions are calculated: ''It's actually pretty hard to do this because carbon dioxide is invisible and it's weightless (my emphasis) and you can't smell it.''

This striking observation probably reflects his understanding. If carbon dioxide is invisible, odourless and weightless, in a world outside measurement or analysis, then attempting to control or limit it is pointless.

He appears to take a mediaeval scholastic view of how the universe works. He has forgotten that legislation setting strict standards for emission accounting was passed under the Howard government, in which he was a senior minister.

Intelligent discussion all but extinct

Found quick corroboration but at an unlikely source:

On the Liberal Party's website:

JOHN LAWS:
And imagine the administration costs of doing that? What’s the point of it if you take it away with one hand and give it back with the other?

TONY ABBOTT:
Exactly right. Even if they were trying to give it all back to you, there would still be the deadweight costs, all the extra bureaucrats. See, one of the things that people haven’t quite twigged to is that carbon dioxide is invisible, it’s weightless and it’s odourless. How are we going to police these emissions…

JOHN LAWS:
I don’t know.

TONYABBOTT:
…I mean, how are we going to police these emissions? This carbon cop is going to be an extraordinarily intrusive instrumentality, running around trying to make sure that all these businesses aren’t actually emitting given that you can’t actually see, smell or touch what’s going on.

JOHN LAWS:
Well, I just don’t know how it can be measured.

TONY ABBOTT:
Well, it can be measured but it’s a very difficult process.

Tony Abbott interview with John Laws - Julia Gillard’s carbon tax; live cattle export ban

It's great to know that Party Headquarters are so proud of their Tony's Science homework, even the mistakes. It gives extra meaning to 'snollygoster' when applied to Abbott.

Oz Politics: Some Gems on the Net

2011-07-19T14:50:00.000+10:00

Some Australian politics gems from the last week that shouldn't be missed:

A couple of blog posts

Australiar and the f*cking idiot dilemma by Geoff Lemon of Heathen Scriptures

There are definitely times when you wonder if light-fingered alien doctors have been handing out mass lobotomies while we sleep. Or there really is something in the water.

I am confused, I do not understand by 'Catching up' at Café Whispers

I am a little confused about Australian politics today. The following is what I understand the situation to be.

We have a legit elected minority government that on all accounts is performing well. We have a strong economy, employment, trade balance and stable interest rates.

There are problems with a two or multiple speed economy. I believe the proposed tax on miners is important in bringing some balance to the economy.

We do have a problem with lack of confidence in the economy. I wonder how much of this lack of confidence can be sheeted home to the negative and down talking of the economy of the leader of the Opposition. There are concerns of what is occurring overseas, in Europe. The Asian region which we are a part of is still seen as going strong.

...Have Australians become too lazy or disinterested, that they refuse to take the time or effort to listen for themselves and accept unquestioning much of what is written and said in the media.

From the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Radio National's Background briefing - The Lord Monckton roadshow 17 July 2011

The Scottish peer Lord Monckton has been raising hell against the carbon tax in barnstorming rallies and public meetings around the country. But just who is Lord Monckton and who are the forces behind him? Chief amongst them a mysterious group called the Galileo Movement and mining magnate and now media player Gina Rinehart. Reporter Wendy Carlisle

Audio and transcript available.

Media Watch Personal or policy? You be the judge 18 July 2011

A look at the very unbalanced radio station 2GB.

Video and transcript available.

Regime Change Rupert Murdoch Style

2011-07-17T18:39:00.000+10:00

My latest post for Global Voices:

Australia: Regime Change Rupert Murdoch Style

It is a sign of the times when John Hartigan, News Limited’s head in Australia, has to defend his newspapers’ aggressive approach to the Gillard government. Murdoch’s Oz media have been accused of abusing their power with a campaign for regime change. The announcement of the carbon pricing and emissions trading scheme is the latest battleground.

Murdoch Press Ignore 4 Degrees Climate Change Conference

2011-07-16T15:49:00.000+10:00

Try googling 'Four Degrees or More' or 'Schellnhuber' to see how much coverage the FOUR DEGREES OR MORE? Australia in a Hot World conference received this week. Fairfax had a series of articles and the ABC interviewed him on TV and radio.

The sole contribution from Rupert Murdoch's News Limited stable ignored the science and picked up on the sensational. The story in today's Australian is headed: Climate anger dangerous, says German physicist If you were expecting some of his global warming tipping point scenarios, forget it. Somehow they heard about the stoush at his Keynote address on Tuesday night:

ANGER against scientists involved in the climate debate is reaching dangerous levels and it's only a matter of time before one is murdered, says leading German physicist Hans Schellnhuber.

...While he was opening a recent climate conference in Melbourne, a man in the front row waved a noose at him. "I was confronted with a death threat when I gave my public lecture," Professor Schellnhuber said.

"Somebody got to his feet and showed me a rope with a noose.

"He showed me this hangman's rope and he said: 'Mr Schellnhuber, welcome to Australia'."

The man and three friends went on to interject during the lecture.

It's amazing that it took two journalists, Brendan Nicholson and Lauren Wilson, to write such a short piece.

They could have had the exclusive if they'd turned up, but reporting the arguments in favour of strong climate action is not part of Murdoch's agenda to destroy the carbon tax and the Gillard government.

Shame! Rupert, Shame!

Even Fairfax's Maribyrnong Weekly had coverage: Too hot to handle: can we afford a 4-degree rise?

The Jackboot's On the Other Foot

2011-07-14T15:11:00.006+10:00

Recently Lord Monckton, displaying a swastika, called Ross Garnaut a fascist. If you’re German and a climate scientist then you’ve probably come to expect the term Nazi to be thrown at you but not necessarily a noose.

The scene:

Melbourne University 7 PM 12 July 2011

The event:

The Critical Decade, the keynote address for the FOUR DEGREES OR MORE? Australia in a Hot World conference

The speaker:

Professor Schellnhuber, Head of the Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research and Chair of the German Government's Advisory Council on Global Change

The protestors:

4 Citizens Electoral Council members

The Stoush:

As we entered the building, people were handing out leaflets for and against climate action. It didn’t take much grey matter to work out there would be some political theatre coming up. As the good professor began to speak, a protestor leapt to his feet in the second row and waved a very large noose. He yelled about a climate conspiracy involving Queen Elizabeth, the royal family, and green Nazis. He was taken by the arm by a senior academic who vigorously escorted him from the auditorium.

A series of interruptions followed. Next up was Doug Mitchell, a familiar face from Ross Garnaut’s recent talk at Melbourne University about the 2011 Update to his 2008 Climate Change Review. Mitchell had started a provocative verbal assault on Garnaut during question time but was relieved of the microphone by another assertive academic before getting to his question. I captured the incident on video:

This time he ran down the steps towards the stage, yelling slogans and accusations. He too was removed.

There were two more subdued outbreaks. They had obviously either skipped or failed Agitator Histrionics 101. As indicated in an earlier post, Professor Schellnhuber is clearly used to this kind of protest and seemed a bit surprised that the count stopped at four. Unfortunately, I could not find the incidents on the official video of the address.

As they were ejected, they accused the organisers of not letting them speak. The audience applauded when they were forcibly removed. It seems they came to listen to rational discussion not hysterical insults. The use of the noose was a reminder that some of the scientists in the hall have recently received death threats. To their credit the protestors were not hiding behind anonymity. Nor do I mean to imply any connection between them and the death threats.

Was it a case of quashing political dissent or a defence of the right to speak in public without harassment or abuse? More likely it’s just a healthy, if somewhat bizarre, part of our democracy. Both sides undoubtedly thought that the jackboot’s on the other foot. We lowered the bar of public behaviour when highly offensive and personal comments were not loudly condemned during the Murray Darling plan consultation meetings in October 2010.

But as they say, if you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the limelight. Most of the audience seemed more concerned with the threats posed by the global warming scenarios explored by the professor.

When I edited my video Million of Low Carbon Jobs, I left out the incident above. The mainstream media are already obsessed with theatrical sideshows and stunts without adding more. Fringe dwellers like the CEC don’t need extra oxygen or carbon dioxide for that matter. But after Tuesday night, it seems impossible to ignore the low level of ‘debate’ that Australian politics has descended to. A couple of examples from their literature should suffice:

Anyway it wasn’t the most dramatic piece of stagecraft I’ve seen at a political meeting. WhenJohn Gorton launched his 1970 half-Senate election campaign at Springvale Civic Centre, a group of anti-Vietnam war demonstrators displayed large cardboard coffins they had snuck into the hall in pieces. Some Young Liberals attacked them. Guess who was arrested? A very young Laurie Oakes told me that he had threatened to make the police front-page news on The Sun newspaper if they didn’t release the protesters. Which they did.

Some of the more extraordinary views that surface during public debates, such as those of the CEC, are cause for reflection. What tortured paths bring one to the realisation that global warming is a monarchist, green nazi conspiracy. Why are some people drawn to gurus such as the CEC’s idol Lyndon LaRouche?

Just goes to show that there’s no such thing as normal.

Climate Change: Critical Decade or Fumbled Future

2011-07-13T15:37:00.002+10:00

If the world manages to achieve the kind of international agreement that is needed on global warming, it could be down to the fact that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is a physicist. According to Professor Hans Joachin Schellnhuber, she even understands some of the mathematics.

The Critical Decade, the keynote address for the FOUR DEGREES OR MORE? Australia in a Hot World conference, was not all doom and gloom but it is difficult to recall the optimistic bits.

The Professor maintains there is “something revolutionary happening in Germany”. It has taken a U-turn on nuclear power as the answer to reducing carbon emissions but “will honour its climate protection pledges” through renewable energy and other measures. He hopes this "post fossil-fuel/nuclear era" will be a step in the transition to a low carbon world.

He stressed the pressures on traditional democracy. We need to "extend or even transcend traditional democratic processes" to take into account the interests of “the generations not yet born …across space and time”.

He stressed that these processes must be “guided by insight” - in particular the insight of science but also of economics.

He presented a number of tipping point scenarios, some involving runaway greenhouse dynamics that 4+ degrees could bring:

Collapse of the Greenland Ice Sheet
Permafrost melting
Methane Hydrates release

Each of these would be irreversible in the short term. He was talking about 1000+ years.

In response to audience questions, he contended that use of natural gas is the best transition but not for the long run without capture and storage by carbon sequestration. He also sees use of biomass as part of the solution. His view on the future of nuclear energy is that it is too expensive if all the real costs are taken into consideration.

If "generational" democracy is the key to embracing real action, the preponderance of baby boomers at the address is a major concern. Gen X and Y - where are you?

For more on the The Critical Decade, please visit Climate: Taming the Unchained Goddess

Update: Professor Schellnhuber was interviewed on ABC TV's Lateline: A carbon price label is all-important: Schellnhuber:

There is also a transcript at the link.

Climate: Taming the Unchained Goddess

2011-07-13T10:43:00.005+10:00

The Murdoch media, the shock jocks and TV breakfast shows and much of the other mainstream media are obviously too scared to leave home at night as a result of the carbon tax fear and loathing they’ve been spreading. Perhaps it's the dreaded bird-brain flu.

Or ironically it may have just been Melbourne University’s cold winter evening that kept them away. One way or the other they missed out on lots of sensational footage when Professor Hans Joachin Schellnhuber gave his public address for the FOUR DEGREES OR MORE? Australia in a Hot World conference. The Age had a report on his worst-case scenarios from earlier in the day. There was plenty of gloom mixed with formidable science:

Agricultural systems have broken down, crops yields decimated. Human health is tested by extremes beyond the endurance of many citizens. Shorelines and the island homes of Pacific neighbours - communities who have contributed nothing to rising greenhouse gases - are consumed by rising tides. Coral reefs erode and lifeless oxygen-starved ''holes'' grow in the ocean depths, the physics and chemistry of the water having been utterly changed.

Professor Schellnhuber, the director of the Germany's Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and chairman of the German Scientific Advisory Council, conjures up the future with a selection of graphs and tables composed from observations and modelling.
The end of the world is nigh? It's just a matter of degrees, says one expert (The Age 13 July 2011)

The cameras would have loved the contribution from four Citizens Electoral Council alternative thinkers whose series of loud interruptions included a very theatrical noose and accusations of a conspiracy lead by none other than Her Majesty ERII and her “green Nazis”. They underestimated the senior academic who vigorously escorted the ringleader out of the auditorium. Professor Schellnhuber is head of the Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research and Chair of the German Government's Advisory Council on Global Change. He is clearly used to this kind of protest and seemed disappointed that the count stopped at four. Anyway more about this challenged band of activists in another post.

There was lots of stuff about tipping points and runaway greenhouse dynamics but I’ll also leave that to the next post.

As we choose our future, it must be an informed choice not one based on political and economic populism and propaganda.

To finish, a little bit of Frank Capra’s 1958 The Unchained Goddess that the prof shared with us:

Update from the conference:

A media release from the CSIRO +4ºC scenarios for Australia's future climate:

A CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship climate researcher, Dr Whetton said that, compared to annual average temperatures recorded in 1850, a 4ºC warming might occur by the end of this century if greenhouse gas emissions stay high.
"Rapid global warming of 4ºC would be unlike anything experienced before by modern human societies – presenting us with huge challenges in terms of our ability to adapt," Dr Whetton said
She said according to a review of recent climate models by CSIRO and Melbourne University, Australian climate changes at 4ºC or more of global warming include:

Temperature increases of about 3ºC to 5ºC in coastal areas and 4ºC to 6ºC in inland areas
Likely declines of annual rainfall in southern Australia, particularly in winter, of up to about 50% but uncertain rainfall changes in other regions
Marked increases of potential evaporation of about 5% to 20%
More droughts in southern Australia
Snow cover duration falling to zero in most alpine regions.

Update 2: The video and audio of the address are available at: Live @ Melbourne

First Net Reactions to Carbon Pricing Package

2011-07-11T20:27:00.001+10:00

Cross post of my Global Voices roundup on the first web reactions to Julia Gillard's announcement of a carbon price and clean energy package:

Australia Unveils Carbon Pricing Package

Australians remain divided after Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s announcement of aClean Energy package with a carbon price of $A 23 per tonne and an emissions trading scheme from 2015. Crikey had an early summary, and the rest of the local blogosphere was also quick off the mark.

More

Civicus World Assembly: Make a Wish

2011-07-08T10:08:00.000+10:00

Video from Civicus World Assembly: Make a Wish

Car Insurance Fine Print a One-Way Street

2011-07-04T09:51:00.000+10:00

Catch 22 Car insurance clause. We recently had our car stolen and it was not recovered. Our insurance through APIA (Australian Pensioners Insurance Agency) was paid out. In fact they are agents for AAMI for car insurance.

When I asked if there was any refund for the remaining 7 months the answer was no. If you pay annually you lose the lot. If you pay monthly, the remainder is deducted from your pay out. It is in the Policy booklet. I was told it's not fine print. It's on Page 31. You can't transfer the leftover to a new vehicle either.

It was suggested to me when phoning to register a complaint that it would be a waste of time complaining or trying to get it changed. It's apparently LAW law. Every insurance company does it. I checked a Commonwealth Bank (CommInsure) policy booklet and they have a similar statement but it is less specific - not mentioning monthly instalments just 'unpaid premium' (Section 6.4.10).

When the insurance company takes ownership of an uncovered vehicle when they pay out, they collect the remainder of the Registration and Third Party fees. It does not get added to your pay out.

It is a one way street.

Just glad I'm a Senior and not a Pensioner.

Coal Lobby Making Wind

2011-07-01T16:59:00.000+10:00

In The Know: Coal Lobby Warns Wind Farms May Blow Earth Off Orbit

Thanks to Crikey for the link.

Facing the Fourth Degree: climate change media project

2011-06-29T09:48:00.002+10:00

Seeking funding for my Climate Change citizen journalism project - Climate Change: Facing the Fourth Degree Please help to give the Science a voice.

Choose your future.

Ross Garnaut: Millions of Low Carbon Jobs

2011-06-18T10:14:00.001+10:00

Professor Ross Garnaut talks about the 2011 Update to his 2008 Climate Change Review. Speaking to an public audience at Melbourne University on 16 June 2011, Ross predicts that millions of low carbon jobs will be created in Australia. They will come from "everywhere'.

Swear-In: Fine is a Four-Letter Word

2011-06-08T08:59:00.002+10:00

From my Global Voices post about the Victorian on-the-spot-fines for swearing :

Melbourne has just had a swear-in outside Victoria’s State Parliament to protest against new laws for on-the-spot fines for swearing.

...This issue has caused a lot of web chatter in places other than the usual suspects: mostly outrage or disbelief, mixed with a lot of humour.

The swear-in rally drew a smaller crowd than had indicated their intention to attend on Facebook. Perhaps the f**kwalk on 25 June, 2011, based on the recent slutwalk, will have more success.
Australia’s Swear-In: Fine is a Four-Letter Word

What Price Carbon Pollution - Melbourne Say Yes Rally

2011-06-06T09:10:00.002+10:00

Thousands of Melbournians rallied on World Environment Day 5 June 2011 to Say Yes to putting a price on carbon.

Speakers included MC Corinne Grant, Jenna Farrington and Don Henry (Australian Conservation Foundation).

Music by Blue King Brown.

For those who are into omens, the sun was shining. For unreconstructed rationalists like me, the arguments were compelling.

If your YouTube is blocked, please try this one:

Brazil’s Belo Monte Dam Dilemma

2011-06-03T19:34:00.000+10:00

From post for Civicus World Assembly's Climate Justice track:

Hydroelectricity, like nuclear power, is seen by many as one of the answers to reducing carbon emissions. However, negative impacts on the environment such as deforestation and river systems degradation are almost inevitably accompanied by the destruction of local communities. China’s Three Gorges Dam is a contentious example.

Mitigation, conservation and development can clash head-on, sometimes disastrously. The Belo Monte dam is shaping up as a classic dilemma.
Brazil’s Belo Monte Dam: Classic Development Dilemma

A cartoon is worth a thousand...

2011-06-01T21:15:00.001+10:00

The Age has two of the best cartoons of the year today.

Firstly, vintage Michael Leunig:

Then a very biting piece from John Spooner. It's not the state of Oz politicians or the dumbed-down media that he's ripping into - it's their audience and his:

SlutWalks Spread the Word

2011-06-01T09:16:00.000+10:00

My roundup of the Oz blogosphere for Global Voices:

Following Toronto’s lead, Australians have started a series of SlutWalks with Melbourne’s first march on Saturday 28 May. The catchcry: Make it known that those who experience sexual assault are never the ones at fault.
Australia: SlutWalks Spread the Word

Cate Blanchett Cops Flak For Saying Yes to Carbon Price

2011-05-29T20:20:00.000+10:00

This ad promoting a Carbon Price for Australia has been criticised by opponents for using Cate Blanchett. She's a rich celebrity so her view shouldn't count apparently. Rich mining magnates on the other hand can make as many ads as they like.

Journalist Arrest Over Facebook Photo

2011-05-21T10:50:00.000+10:00

My post for Global Voices re Ben Grubb arrest in Queensland:

Australian journalist arrested and iPad seized! No it’s not Julian Assange.

But Ben Grubb’s brief encounter with Queensland authorities raised several serious cyber issues including social media privacy and security, police powers of arrest and confiscation of digital devices, plus journalists’ rights.
Australia: Journalist Arrest Over Facebook Photo

Carbon Action: Say Yes Australians!

2011-05-16T16:52:00.001+10:00

Please spread the word. Time for carbon action is now!

The campaign on Facebook:

Vale Lionel Rose

2011-05-08T20:39:00.000+10:00

Boxing legend Lionel Rose dies

Lionel Rose: World Champion and 1968 Australian of the Year

From my post for the 40th anniversary of Lionel Rose's title victory:

Lionel became World Bantamweight Champion on 26 February 1968 by defeating Figthing Harada in Tokyo. He was the Australian of the year for 1968, the first aborigine in that role. He was only nineteen.

Lionel was not a political person in his youth unlike his American counterpart Muhammad Ali. Ali's boxing licence had been suspended a year earlier because of his refusal to be drafted for the Vietnam War. He was also stripped of his world title.

You didn't have to be into boxing to watch Lionel's bouts. We all did. There was no traffic in Melbourne if it was televised. His trainer was Jack Rennie - no relation, though it is a family name.

When he became the greatest boxer in Australian history, he was only nineteen.

Time to Take Carbon Action?

2011-05-04T12:12:00.000+10:00

Who thinks it's not time to take carbon action?

From Alister Doyle at Reuters:

Quickening climate change in the Arctic including a thaw of Greenland's ice could raise world sea levels by up to 1.6 meters by 2100...

The AMAP (Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme) study, drawing on work by hundreds of experts, said there were signs that warming was accelerating. It said the Arctic Ocean could be nearly ice free in summers within 30 to 40 years, earlier than projected by the IPCC.
Seas could rise up to 1.6 meters by 2100: study

Who cares? Most of us will be dead by then!

Jim Wallace: Crusading Christian Lanced by Own Tweets

2011-04-27T09:04:00.000+10:00

From my post for Global Voices about Jim Wallace's untimely tweet on ANZAC Day:

It’s not easy being an ‘expert’ commentator about both Christianity and all things military. Former commander of Australia’s SAS (Special Air Services) and the current managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby discovered the pitfalls this week. His tweet during the 25 April national ANZAC Day commemoration is certainly causing a storm.

...This seems to have been another example of that viral cyber disease: not thinking before you tweet.
Australia: Crusading Christian Lanced by Own Tweets

Kimberley Coast: Save James Price Point

2011-04-20T12:02:00.000+10:00

ABC 7.30 Program 19 April 2011

There is still time to save James Price Point near Broome. The Browse Basin gas project must locate its hub somewhere else.

Once it's gone, it's gone forever.

Bill McKibben Firing Up at Power Shift 2011

2011-04-20T08:12:00.001+10:00

At Powershift 2011, Bill McKibben gave a fiery speech about the climate movement, and outlines thoughts on 350.org's campaigns for 2011.

"The science is the easy part of this. Grim but easy."

Climate Debate Hitting New Lows

2011-04-19T23:00:00.000+10:00

Australian Council of Trade Unions President Ged Kearney posted about the carbon tax at the Punch this morning:

Climate change is real, and someone must pay

It is a reasoned argument whether you agree with it or not. At last count there were 435 comments. The majority were opposed to her position.

For those who value rationality and genuine debate, and have some degree of altruism, reading these responses would be a deeply depressing experience. Avoid it for your own sanity.

It was easy to identify with cosmic history (08:34am) who said:

Isn’t it weird that pretty much every single comment on here attacks the author? Where is the moderator? Are you checking their email addresses?

Its a bit hard to believe that there is no-one out there with any understanding of how a price on carbon (CO2 and other GHGs) will provide incentives for innovation & efficiencies. Where are people getting their information from? Andrew Bolt and the mining industry?

If only it were a PR conspiracy. Seems we live in parallel universes. Unfortunately they are colliding.

Twiggy Forrest Puts Up After Video Takedown

2011-04-16T08:59:00.000+10:00

Twiggy Forrest fights back with online video. From Crikey:

Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) have stepped up efforts to counter the claims made in a controversial clip of a native title meeting held in Roebourne last month by releasing their own video online.

On a website set up specifically to host the new video thetruenativetitlestory.com.au, Fortescue claim “The True Yindjibarndi Story” is a response to a “misleading, heavily edited video” and say it is “important that the facts are told”.
Fortescue releases its own native title video

FMG Great Native Title Swindle video

2011-04-14T14:28:00.000+10:00

Fortescue Mining and Twiggy Forrest are trying to stop these videos:

FMG Great Native Title Swindle

Watch it while you can.

Cures Not Cuts to Medical Research

2011-04-13T19:53:00.000+10:00

Cures Not Cuts: Video of Melbourne's Rally for Medical Research on 12 April 2011.

For more info: Melbourne Rally for Medical Research

Melbourne Rally for Medical Research

2011-04-12T08:21:00.001+10:00

From Discoveries Need Dollars:

'a grassroots campaign aimed at telling the government that protecting medical research funding is an investment in the future health of Australians.

What’s at risk if the budget is cut?

* people’s access to future health benefits
* medical research jobs
* retaining Australia’s best scientists
* reducing Australia’s future health spend
* the long-term investment previous governments have made in large research programs'

RALLIES

Tuesday 12 April

Melbourne - State Library of Victoria 12.45 - 2.00 PM

Sydney - Belmore Park

Adelaide - Steps of Parliament house

Canberra - John Curtin School of Medical Research

Twitter Rally for Research - everywhere

Thursday 14 April

Perth - Forrest Place, Murray Street Mall

DETAILS here.

The life you save...

Inconvenient Youth Speaking Out

2011-04-10T09:06:00.000+10:00

From Slater Jewell-Kemker:

Re-inspire yourself with the latest installment of An Inconvenient Youth at the UN Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico- the inspiring people driving the youth climate movement- their frustrations and hopes, the dreams we all share.

Feel free to spread the message and send this on!

Please join us on our Facebook page: facebook.com/group.php?gid=96159703134

Find us on the web at aninconvenientyouth.com

Clear Climate Communication a Non Starter?

2011-04-08T14:28:00.000+10:00

Thanks to Benno Hansen at Th!nk3: Developing World for this gem:

Click on his name for more.

Climate Research with a Twist

2011-04-07T17:57:00.000+10:00

More than a touch of irony if the rest of this project confirms these Climate Science research results:

A team of UC Berkeley physicists and statisticians that set out to challenge the scientific consensus on global warming is finding that its data-crunching effort is producing results nearly identical to those underlying the prevailing view.

The Berkeley Earth Surface Temperature project was launched by physics professor Richard Muller, a longtime critic of government-led climate studies, to address what he called "the legitimate concerns" of skeptics who believe that global warming is exaggerated.
Critics' review unexpectedly supports scientific consensus on global warming LA Times 4 April 2011

Australian blogger disappears in China

2011-03-30T08:35:00.000+11:00

An Australian blogger and spy novelist, Yang Hengjun, is missing in China. He may have been arrested by Chinese authorities.

The latest:

The Chinese government has denied any knowledge of a missing Australian author thought to have been detained by the secret police.

Australian writer Yang Hengjun went missing in Guangzhou on Sunday after telling friends he was being followed.

His colleagues believe he is being held by secret police here.
China denies knowledge of missing Aussie writer

Let's hope it's just a mistake.

Nevertheless, as the blogosphere becomes more powerful, the powerful will become more repressive.

Burka Woman's New Life with Ned Kelly

2011-03-27T13:04:00.004+11:00

After hearing Mars Drum interviewed on Bush Telegraph (ABC Radio National) we visited her exhibition "Beyond the Burka" - Oils on canvas.

Valentinian Cross

For the past few years, Mars has been producing A3 sized paintings depicting the romantic adventures of Ned Kelly and Burka Woman.

Burka Woman is a Muslim refugee whom Ned rescued from the surf. These days, they enjoy life together in Australia and even find time to go to art galleries.

Mars Drum is passionate about about the need for non-Muslims to be open to Muslims and to women wearing the Burka.
Burka Woman meets Ned Kelly (ABC Radio 14 March 2011)

Unfortunately it has finished now but if you get a chance to see her paintings, make the effort.

To listen to the interview, please click here: Bush Telegraph interview March 2011

Mars regularly wore a burka in public after 11 September 2001 for some years. For more on this, visit her blog The True History of Ned Kelly and Burka Woman 'Burka Woman builds a new life for herself in Australia, with the help of Ned Kelly'.

Tony Abbott's Revolting Pug Politics

2011-03-24T20:04:00.004+11:00

Cross post with Labor View From Bayside

I was spurred on by Bernard Keane's article in Crikey Placards not the only thing on display as the denialists gather to these thoughts on Tony Abbott and Tea Party politics:

(Photo: ABC)

It was hard not to be appalled by Abbott's performance yesterday. He chose his company deliberately. That included the other speakers. Barnaby Joyce was playing hysterical demagogue.

David Archibald, the ‘economist’ who spoke at the rally, was generally ignored by the media. In fact Melbourne's Herald Sun chose not to mention the event or the offensive signs at all. It was front page at their rival The Age: To-ny, To-ny: poster boy for a crowd of 'fine Australians'. Their photo is far more explicit:

Archibald is from the mining industry and close to the Lavoisier Group of deniers, founded by that well known friend of working people and the environment Hugh Morgan.

Closer to home, the owner of our local shoe shop was headed for the rally: Carbon tax cops kick in Bayside He’s a budding economist too: “He said a 10 per cent carbon tax would be “the final straw” for embattled small retailers.”

Doubtless many in the Canberra crowd were small business people with close links to the Liberal Party.

The evening of the revolting people’s day, Bayside Climate Change Action Group held a successful forum of 150 + with Prof David Karoly of Melbourne University:

Prof. Karoly said. "If climate change is happening, it's happening on top of - and as well as – all the natural climate variations."

"Better to ask", Prof. Karoly said, "is how much worse were the floods made by greenhouse climate change?" While much more research needs to be done, his 'best estimate' is that the floods were perhaps 20% worse than if carbon dioxide levels had remained at the levels of about 100 years ago.

While that may seem only a modest addition, Prof. Karoly said the shift to a warmer climate – signalled too in record seawater temperatures around much of Australia - means Australians had better prepare for a land of greater droughts during the dry spells and worse flooding rains in the wet ones.David Karoly + Simon McKeon @ Firbank Grammar.

The anti-carbon-tax lobby is well organised and presumably well financed. Menzies House provides many of the links to the people's revolt on their campaign website Stop Gillard's Climate Tax.

It was always going to be a dirty fight. Pug politics!

World Water Day: Under the Boardwalk

2011-03-20T11:50:00.000+11:00

Please join us on Tuesday under the boardwalk for World Water Day 22 March 2011

More: Mangrove Cove: Under the Boardwalk

You Can Build a Dam But You Can't Make It Rain

2011-03-04T01:56:00.003+11:00

If you're in one of Australia's Eastern States and have forgotten what a drought looks like, then take a look at:

North Dandalup Dam: You Can’t Make It Rain

‘Tea Party’ Style Campaign Against Carbon Tax

2011-03-01T20:04:00.000+11:00

From Th!nk5: Water updating the latest stoush surrounding carbon politics in Australia:

The so-called wisdom in Australia says that the majority of people believe that global warming and climate change are real. They just aren't prepared to pay for climate action.

If the Oz blogosphere is any indication, the next Australian Federal election will be a referendum on a proposed climate tax. And the issue has already become nasty and personal
Australia: ‘Tea Party’ Style Campaign Against Carbon Tax

Save Water - Shower with a FB Friend

2011-02-24T23:55:00.003+11:00

Please join and encourage your FB friends to join the Facebook Cause:

Save Water - Shower with a Facebook Friend

This Cause supports the Th!nk5: Water blogging competition in the lead up to World Water Day 22 March 2011.

Click for the Th!nk About It Facebook page.

Extreme Weather: Is Global Warming the Culprit?

2011-02-20T20:20:00.002+11:00

From Th!nk5: WATER

Is Global Warming the Culprit?

Carnarvon hit by worst floods since 1960. (WAtoday 21 Dec 2010)

There is endless debate about whether AGW (Anthropogenic Global Warming) is the culprit in recent extreme weather events such as floods. The floods season is still in full swing in Australia, with Carnarvon inundated for the third time in three months.

Two recent contributions to the controversy add fuel to the fire (oops! mixed disaster metaphors).

MORE

Global Voices: Dog-whistling to Islamophobes

2011-02-20T12:00:00.000+11:00

My latest Global Voices post: Australia: Dog-whistling to Islamophobes

Australian Opposition politicians have been accused of using dog-whistle politics and courting islamophobes during the last week. Two issues have collided with instant reactions in the blogosphere.

Morrison & Humphries: Dog-whistling to Islamophobes

2011-02-18T21:35:00.000+11:00

Could be a case of dog bites whistling politicians!

My post at Global Voices:

Australian Opposition politicians have been accused of using dog-whistle politics and courting islamophobes during the last week. Two issues have collided with instant reactions in the blogosphere.
Australia: Dog-whistling to Islamophobes

Can We Make ‘Water’ Sexy?

2011-02-12T12:34:00.010+11:00

From Th!nk5: Water

It’s a serious question. One of the biggest problems when blogging about water issues, especially issues such as desalination or use of aquifers, is how ‘dry’ and technical it becomes for aqua amateurs. It’s just not sexy enough for the web. Sexy in the sense of exciting, enticing, stimulating, or provoking the grey matter. We need to disturb, inspire or just plain interest a broader audience.

Is Desalination a Solution? (No pun intended)

When Australia was struggling during a decade of droughts, many State governments saw desalination plants as the answer to water shortages in the Capital cities. A number have been built, are near completion or in the planning stages.

The first was the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant in Kwinana. Unfortunately it doesn’t do public tours. It has deflected some opposition by the use of a Wind Farm for its power. The WA Water Corporation promotes desalination here.

Victoria’s plant-in-progress at Wonthaggi has been very controversial, especially after the decade long drought finally broke. It has been criticised as:

more expensive than alternatives such as water tanks
adding to greenhouse gases through its reliance on coal power generation
destroying the surrounding marine environment

One prominent opponent is Watershed Victoria. This image comes from their website:

http://www.watershedvictoria.org.au/content/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/backgrnd.png

They have tried humour and satire to gain interest. The cartoon below is from one of their bulletins:

http://www.watershedvictoria.org.au/content/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/stasitoon.jpg

Video may be the answer to reaching a wide audience. Here’s one example:

More at Th!nk5: Water

Mangrove Cove: Under Bunbury's Boardwalk

2011-02-08T11:44:00.005+11:00

Bunbury’s Mangrove Cove is one of the least likely locations for a thriving mangrove ecosystem. The estuary is smack in the middle of a fast-growing city of approximately 70,000 people. Bunbury is 200 kms south of Perth, Western Australia.

Birds, fish and insects greeted us on our morning stroll along the boardwalk this morning. This photo gallery captures some of that enjoyable experience:

More at Th!nk5: Water

Water Installation: Art Targets Pollution

2011-02-01T19:36:00.003+11:00

For Th!nk5: Water

Received this Facebook message on 31 Jan 2011 from new media artist Keti Haliori:

The “World Water Museum” installation is an artistic rendering of the vast environmental problem of the downgrading and lack of clear, potable water on the planet. The target of the project is to make the public sensitive to the problem and through the use of audio-visual means, to activate and awake the desire to hold the valuable water of the Earth in his protective arms.

This artwork project will be completed through the creation and development of human networks, all over the world, in order to send water samples from rivers and lakes from all over the planet.

All vehicles of authority and groups of citizens are entitled to participation should they wish to be co-creators of the “World Water Museum” installation, taking into consideration the issue and ways of approaching it.

Please support by being a member, interacting and sharing

World Water Museum Facebook page

More

Cyclone Bianca: Will We Be Next?

2011-01-29T10:33:00.003+11:00

From Th!nk5: Water:

Last week I finished my post Floods Crises Send Australia Down Under “For many Australians, it's a case of 'will we be next'.” I couldn’t have dreamt that it might be us.

Intense heat and fierce winds are the stuff of Australian nightmares. The Black Saturday fires in 2009 are burned into our Victorian minds.

A fortnight ago a bushfire destroyed five houses near where we are staying ninety kilometres south of Perth. At lunchtime today, with temperatures in the high 30s and strong winds, it was impossible not to search the sky for signs of smoke.

(Photo: BOM via the ABC)

The evening television News added other dimensions to the coming weekend: Cyclones menace WA, north Queensland. A cyclone is headed our way. Its strength and exact path are still speculative (up in the air), with a likely landing on Sunday.

Suicide Mission: Goldfields Pipe Dream

2011-01-28T07:35:00.001+11:00

My latest Th!nk5: Water post

We grew up in the '50s thinking that all famous engineers were Scots, as the only encyclopaedia entries with our surname were a father and son engineering duo. Their water connections were confined to bridges, canals, lighthouses and the like. London Bridge is just one of their many famous projects. This post is about a place far from the sea or rivers, and an Irishman.

Kalgoorlie is famous for a number of things that have become part of our national ethos including:
mining, especially its Gold Mile
the water pipeline from Perth
At Primary School we were told an apocryphal tale about the engineer who built the pipeline. The story went that he had committed suicide days before the water reached its destination, believing that the system had failed.

A great story! A grand quest! A fateful tragedy!

Real life is less dramatic but sometimes just as memorable as myth. In 1902 Irish-born Charles Yelverton O’Connor killed himself less than a year before its successful completion on 24 January 1903. His suicide followed sustained criticism of the pipeline project and allegations against him of corruption.
Suicide Mission: Goldfields Pipe Dream

Perth W.A.TER: Running Near Empty

2011-01-24T10:09:00.000+11:00

From Th!nk5: Water:

Drought on a Drowning Continent

We’re staying near Perth, Western Australia’s Capital city. The last thing I expected to be doing this weekend was fieldwork for Th!nk5: Water.

As an inland sea spread across much of my home State Victoria, it rained lightly here today. It was only the second rainfall in the Perth area for the month of January.

While many parts of Oz have been experiencing record rainfall and floods, the South West of the continent is in its second major drought in recent years.

Perth’s Urban Water Supply

I’ve decided to take this opportunity to write a series of posts looking at urban water, focusing on Perth’s water resources, especially the challenges and controversies faced in securing adequate supplies. The main Perth sources are: dams, groundwater and desalination plants.

The current Percentage of Total Capacity for dams is 29.2 %.
Perth W.A.TER: Running Near Empty

THINK ABOUT WATER: Th!nk5 Blogging Competition Begins

2011-01-20T17:22:00.002+11:00

Th!nk5: Water has begun. It's a blogging competition run by the European Journalism Centre.

Register now and start blogging.

My posts are here.

Latest:

In Australia we have been grappling with the worst floods in living memory. Both rural and urban areas have experienced devastating inundations. In Queensland a flash flood turned into an inland tsunami, destroying large parts of the Lockyer valley and its towns. Twenty people are confirmed dead and many are missing.
Floods Crises Send Australia Down Under

Global Voices: Floods Continue to Devastate Australia

2011-01-10T10:09:00.000+11:00

My latest post at Global Voices:

Devastating floods on both the East and West coasts of Australia have caused a war of words over water as well as some high quality online crowdsourcing by our national broadcaster.
Floods Continue to Devastate Australia

Take Back The 20 Taken Down

2011-01-09T10:50:00.000+11:00

The files from Sarah Palin's Take Back The 20 website can be downloaded here: http://www.mediafire.com/?kkfcg57cmq1cqqh

The controversial image:

It appears to have been taken down. For more on the breaking story from Arizona: Gabrielle Giffords [Updated]

TH!NK5: Water - Blogging Competition

2010-12-27T16:48:00.004+11:00

Please join us at the TH!NK5: Water Blogging Competition, sponsored by the European Journalism Centre.

My BRAINSTORM in progress:

Click the bottom right to pop out. Please make suggestions in comments for topics, sub-topics and links.

Register for Th!nk5 here.

Oprah Down Under: Not Everybody's Cup of McCafe

2010-12-17T11:38:00.002+11:00

Cross post from Global Voices: Oprah Down Under: Not Everybody’s Cup of McCafe

Oprah Winfrey’s fans seem to have lapped up her Australian tour which finished with taping of her show at the Sydney Opera House. However her trip also has had its fair share of criticism.

... an indigenous woman has sent a video message to Oprah:

A video prepared for Oprah Winfrey by Chairwoman of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Bev Manton, …shines a light on the living conditions of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, in particular those living under the NT intervention, an Australian Government program which the United Nations has branded racially discriminatory.
YouTube: A PERSONAL JOURNEY by Bev Manton

GetUp! WikiLeaks Petition

2010-12-15T16:18:00.000+11:00

GetUp! WikiLeaks Petition

Australian Cablegate November 1975 Style

2010-12-12T15:44:00.001+11:00

The question in my post WikiWobbles: What is Julia Gillard Thinking? about what US cables might have revealed about the dismissal of the Whitlam government prodded me to troll/trawl the web for documents from the time.

All I’ve found so far are some declassified State Department communications from 1973 -75. They are kept by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). They are mostly bland rehashes of the news of the day. Many are extracts from the Financial Review or The Australian newspapers.

Somewhat unexpectedly Malcolm Fraser’s handling of the Blocking of Supply crisis receives strong criticism from the embassy. Their author did not seem to be a fan of Fraser's, relaying negative comments on his tactics of the time.

The documents include:

Gough Whitlam’s linking of Country Party Leader Doug Anthony with the CIA

From Secretary of State Henry Kissinger:

4 NOV 1975

SUBJECT: WHITLAM ACCUSES ANTHONY OF RECEIVING CIA MONEY

1. YOU ARE AUTHORIZED TO APPROACH THE GOA TODAY AT THE HIGHEST AVAILABLE LEVEL, CATEGORICALLY DENYING ON BEHALF OF THE USG THAT THE CIA PAID MONEY TO THE NATIONAL COUNTRY PARTY OR ITS LEADER DOUGLAS ANTHONY. NEITHER THE CIA NOR ANY OTHER US AGENCY HAS GIVEN OR PASSED FUNDS TO ANY AUSTRALIAN POLITICAL PARTY OR CANDIDATE FOR AUSTRALIAN POLITICAL OFFICE.

2. YOU SHOULD ADD THAT, AS A MATTER OF STANDING PRACTICE, THE USG NEITHER CONFIRMS NOR DENIES PUBLICLY ALLEGATIONS OF THE TYPE REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE PRIME MINISTER. THE USG REGRETS, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH A CHARGE AGAINST NCP LEADER ANTHONY, IF CORRECTLY REPORTED, COULD HAVE DAMAGING FALLOUT ON OTHER ASPECTS OF US-AUSTRALIAN RELATIONS.

4 NOV 1975

CALL FOR US REBUTTAL OF WHITLAM'S ACCUSATIONS

EMBASSY CANBERRA HAS BEEN RELIABLY INFORMED THAT THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE SECRETARIES WOULD WELCOME A FORMAL USG STATEMENT DENYING ANY CIA FINANCIAL INVOLVEMENT WITH AUSTRALIAN POLITICAL PARTIES. THE EMBASSY RECOMMENDS A STATEMENT BE ISSUED PROMPTLY, SINCE A DELAY WOULD ENCOURAG PRIME MINISTER WHITLAM TO CONTINUE IMPUGNING THE US THROUGH CHEAP POLITICAL SHOTS AT HIS OPPONENTS.

Comment on the blocking of Supply in the Senate by Fraser’s Coalition opposition

From Percival, US Embassy Canberra:

7 NOV 1975

SUBJECT: AUSTRALIAN POLITICAL CRISIS

6. OPPOSITION LEADER FRASER'S DECISION TO WITHHOLD THE GOVERNMENT'S SUPPLY BILLS IN THE SENATE HAS BACKFIRED BADLY. THE LONGER HE REFUSES TO BUDGE THE MORE LIKELY IT IS THAT HIS PERSONAL POPULARITY AS WELL AS THE POPULARITY OF THE OPPOSITION PARTIES WILL CONTINUE TO FALL. FRASER IS ALSO HAVING INCREASING DIFFICULTY HOLDING OPPOSITION SENATORS TOGETHER. A SENIOR SHADOW MINISTER SAID THAT FRASER WAS RELYING EXCLUSIVELY ON THE ADVICE OF COUNTRY PARTY LEADERS; ANTHONY, NIXON, AND SINCLAIR, ALONG WITH A FEW HARDLINE LIBERALS LIKE SENATOR WITHERS AND DEPUTY LEADER LYNCH AND HARDLY CONFERRING AT ALL WITH OTHER IMPORTANT LIBERAL MEMBERS OF THE SHADOW CABINET. THIS SHADOW MINISTER SAID THAT FRASER WAS QTE ONLY CONSULTING WITH FELLOW GRAZIERS END QTE AND SAID POINTEDLY QTE WHEN SNEDDEN WENT TOO FAR WE HAD TO GET RID OF HIM END QTE HE ALSO STATED FLATLY THAT AT LEAST TWO LIBERAL SENATORS WOULD REFUSE TO REJECT RATHER THAN DEFER THE GOVERNMENT'S SUPPLY BILLS IF THEY WERE ASKED TO DO SO.

8. IN OUR VIEW, WHAT FRASER HAS DONE IS TO RESCUE THE WHITLAM GOVERNMENT FROM AN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE POSITION AND TO GIVE IT A FIGHTING CHANGE TO SURVIVE UNTIL THE END OF ITS ELECTED TERM IN 1977. IN THE PROCESS HE REVEALED POOR JUDGMENT IN WITHHOLDING SUPPLY AND SHOWED THAT HE IS UNABLE TO BEST WHITLAM IN PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE. FRASER HAS A NUMBER OF POTENTIAL RIVALS WITHIN THE LIBERAL PARTY WHO MIGHT WELL BE TEMPTED TO TRY TO REPLACE HIM AS LEADER AS A RESULT OF HIS PERFORMANCE TO DATE. GIVEN THE PRESENT SORRY STATE OF THE OPPOSITION, WHITLAM MAY WELL INSIST THAT THE OPPOSITION BACK DOWN COMPLETELY AND PASS THE SUPPLY BILLS IN THE SENATE.

This is not the stuff of deep intrigue, though the reported role of the Secretaries of the Foreign Affairs and Defence departments certainly seems at odds with their own government. If the conspiracy theories about the dismissal are correct and evidence is online, it’s hard to find. I wonder how long materials held by the Intelligence organisations are kept under wraps.

Also came across this reference to the Indonesian invasion of East Timor in 1975 and the murder of the Balibo 5. The Timor cable may be of interest to Shirley Shackleton, widow of Greg Shackleton who was one of the Australian murdered journalists, though I’m sure she will have seen it.

Comment on the Missing Balibo 5 in East Timor

From Percival, US Embassy Canberra:

31 OCT 1975

SUBJECT: TIMOR

1. IN A SPEECH TO THE SENATE ON OCTOBER 3, FOREIGN MINISTER WILLESEE REVERSED THE GOA'S POLICY OF NON-INVOLVEMENT IN THE TIMOR CRISIS BY OFFERING TO HELP ARRANGE DECOLONIZATION TALKS IN AUSTRALIA. THE STATEMENT WAS IN REPLY TO LEFTIST ALP SEN. GEITZELDT'S CALL FOR THE GOA TO RECOGNIZE FRETELIN AS THE DE FACTO GOVERNMENT IN EAST TIMOR.

2. SENATOR WILLESEE SAID THAT THE GOA DEPLORED THE FIGHTING IN THE BORDER AREAS AND BELIEVED QTE THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS IN PORTUGUESE TIMOR SHOULD BE SOUGHT THROUGH PEACEFUL MEANS FREE OF INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTION. END QTE. THE GOA WAS PREPARED TO PROVIDE THE LOCALE FOR TALKS TO DETERMINE JUST WHAT THE PEOPLE OF EAST TIMOR WANT. IN A CAUTIOUS REBUKE OF INDONESIA, VIEWS IN THIS REGARD AND URGED TO PURSUE HER INTERESTS THROUGH DIPLOMATIC MEANS. END QTE.

3. COMMENT: THE FOREIGN MINISTER'S STATEMENT MARKS A RELUCTANT CHANGE IN THE GOA'S PREVIOUS POLICY OF NON-INTERVENTION IN TIMOR WITH TACIT GOA SUPPORT FOR A GOI TAKE-OVER. AS NOTED IN REFTEL, THE ALP LEFT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY CRITICAL OF THE GOA'S TIMOR POLICY. PRESS REPORTS WIICH INDICATE THE POSSIBILITY THAT FIVE AUSTRALIAN JOURNALISTS WERE FIRST SHOT AND THEN BURNED BY INDONESIAN SUPPORTED FORCES IN TIMOR HAVE HEIGHTENED THIS CRITICISM. THE ALLEGED REFUSAL OF ANTI-FRETELIN FORCES TO PERMIT AN AUSTRALIAN OFFICER INTO THE AREA TO EXAMINE THE BODIES FURTHER AROUSED SUSPICIONS AND PUBLIC REACTION. THE GOA'S ACTION OFFERING AUSTRALIA AS POSSIBLE SITE FOR TALKS ON THE TIMOR PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY THE MINIMUM THE GOVERNMENT COULD TAKE TO PLACATE THE ALP LEFT. PROTESTS AND OPPOSITION WILL BECOME GREATER AS THE EXTENT OF GOI MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN EAST TIMOR BECOMES KNOWN. THIS WILL PRESENT THE WHITLAM GOVERNMENT WITH A MOST UNWELCOME, POTENTIALLY DEVISIVE ISSUE DURING A PERIOD OF DOMESTIC POLITICAL CRISIS.

Shirley was awarded the Best Book Award for The Circle of Silence at the 2010 Walkley Awards on 9 Dec. In her acceptance speech she says that , “our democracy is under threat because of WikiLeaks …”. The video of her speech is below.

There are lots of other documents from those years. But it’s more a job for post-grad Politics or History students than a busy citizen journalist.

WikiWobbles: What is Julia Gillard Thinking?

2010-12-11T16:44:00.003+11:00

Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard must be wondering why cyber history is repeating itself, as her government’s reaction to WikiLeaks stirs widespread and vocal resentment.

The Rudd government stubbornly pursued Senator Stephen Conroy's Internet filter proposal. Arguments about its potential misuse or its ineffectiveness aside, this policy has been a political debacle. It was not a vote winner. Its unpopularity united people from diverse backgrounds, ages and political leanings and alienated many in the party's base. It was also a major distraction from the ready vote catcher of the National Broadband Network.

For the Labor Party itself, it underscored and hastened the growing loss of faith among traditional supporters. This was especially true of those who have embraced the online world. The abandonment of the Emissions Trading Scheme following Copenhagen was the clincher for many. The ranks of the Greens swelled with former ALP members who were campaigning against the so-called clean feed and for immediate climate action.

Many party activists would have recognised familiar faces standing behind the new Greens MHR for Melbourne, Adam Bandt, during his victory speech. Ironically the retiring Member, Lindsay Tanner, was one of the few Rudd Ministers who seemed to understand the importance of the Web and he advocated its use for more open government. Another was Senator John Faulkner who is one of the three panel members on the Party review of the 2010 election.

Now we have Web Blunder 2.0.

Perhaps the Prime Minister and her Attorney General Robert McClelland have based their strident attacks on Julian Assange on genuinely held matters of principle.

Perhaps they hold a genuine belief that the leaks were a real threat to national security or endangered people’s lives.

We should expect more from experienced lawyers. If these are the motivation, they have not argued their case effectively or ethically. Moreover, they have shown scant regard for freedom of expression or the rights of Australian citizens. My posts about the Melbourne WikiLeaks Forum cover these aspects in greater depth.

Perhaps there has been some kind of political strategy behind their statements. Some possibilities are:

an attempt to neutralise leaks that may touch on Australian politicians by discrediting the source;
muddying of the waters until the United States silences Julia Assange and WikiLeaks in some way;
a desire to be seen as sticking up for our strongest ally;
a populist stance based on woeful misreading of public opinion.

As we left the WikiLeaks Forum on Thursday, I joked that Labor Party heavies believe that getting the Australian voters offside on an issue like Cablegate may not necessarily result in electoral defeat. However, it is certain that the US government can and will destroy our government if they feel antagonsied.

The Whitlam years are an ever present bogey for the ALP. The cables between Marshall Green, US Ambassador in Canberra during his government, and the State Department would make interesting reading. If anyone knows if any secret communications have been published, please let us know.

Melbourne WikiLeaks Forum Update

2010-12-11T09:25:00.002+11:00

The Age newspaper has two items today that follow up Thursday's Melbourne WikiLeaks Forum.

A MELBOURNE lawyer and former boss of Prime Minister Julia Gillard has criticised her government for its handling of WikiLeaks and its Australian founder, Julian Assange.

Peter Gordon, whose legal firm made Ms Gillard the first female partner of Slater and Gordon, said her comment that Mr Assange had broken the law was baseless.

He said the fact that people such as Ms Gillard and Attorney-General Robert McClelland - both of whom he knew to be good lawyers and decent people - could be driven to behave in this way was a sobering reminder of ''the seductive and compulsive draw of power''.
Click here to find out more!
Legal fury at 'war on free speech' (The Age 11 Sep 2010)

There is also an opinion piece by Peter Gordon:

If the WikiLeaks disclosures tell us anything, it is that no political leader, whatever their colour, is going to hesitate for a nanosecond to conflate the notion of ''national security'' with ''my own career security''. It's time to provide genuine protection for people who take the bold step of coming forward with important information. It's time to make the process cheaper and speedier.

...I always admired John Brumby. To hear him say that he needed to know certain information about the desalination plant, but we didn't, was a disappointment. Likewise Attorney-General Robert McClelland and Prime Minister Julia Gillard. I have worked with both of them and know them to be decent people. It is disappointing to me that their approaches to the WikiLeaks disclosures have seemingly lost sight of three of our democracy's real ''foundation stones'': the presumption of innocence, the right to free speech and the protection of the rights of Australian citizens abroad.
Insidious attack on free speech (The Age 11 Sep 2010)

The political implications of the Australian government's response may be far reaching. Watch this space for some reflections.

Melbourne WikiLeaks Forum Condemns Politicians

2010-12-10T12:45:00.004+11:00

Julian Burnside, well known and respected human rights lawyer, has condemned calls by United States politicians and media commentators for the assassination of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. He spoke at a forum hosted by the Law Institute Victoria in Melbourne on Thursday 9 December.

He also attacked the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and Attorney General Robert Mcclelland, for their responses to Cablegate:

It is extraordinary that our government can so lightly abandon one of our citizens.

...It is the primary obligation of any country to protect its citizens.

According to Julian Burnside, WikiLeaks has:

...cast a light into some dark corners of what governments get up to when they think no one is watching.

...if they want to avoid being embarrassed by that maybe they need to learn to stop doing embarrassing things.

Julian Assange's Australian lawyer Robert Stary chaired the crowded meeting. Jon Faine of ABC 774 radio's Mornings (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), solicitor Peter Gordon, and Liberty Victoria President Spencer Zifcak also spoke in defence of WikiLeaks.

They focused on freedom of speech, freedom of the media, and the rights of Australian citizens.

Last night Mr Stary convened a meeting of lawyers, human rights activists and criminal law advocates in Melbourne to discuss the legal issues surrounding Mr Assange and his arrest - and particularly relating to the presumption of innocence.
Lawyers demand protection for Assange (The Age 10 Dec 2010)

This newspaper report by Nick McKenzie and Paul Millar has the usual inaccuracies, naming Peter Gordon as President of Liberty Victoria. It also refers to a "small group of protesters outside". In fact a couple of people were handing out leaflets about a WikiLeaks rally in Melbourne and selling a political paper. The rally is at State Library Lawns on Friday December 10 - 4:30pm - 7:30pm.

Peter Gordon has been a legal colleague of both Gillard and McClelland and a political supporter of the PM. He expressed astonishment that power can change "good, decent people" so much.

Julian Burnside's complete speech is contained in the video above. (A link if you're not sure of the references to Philip Ruddock) Liberty Victoria has issued a media release condemning the Australian PM and Attorney General:

The civil liberties organization, Liberty Victoria, today criticized the Prime Minster and the Attorney-General regarding statements that each have made about the legal situation of the Director of Wikileaks, Julian Assange.

...The President of Liberty, Professor Spencer Zifcak, said today that it was wrong for the Prime Minister in effect to declare Mr Assange's guilt before any law he may have broken had even been identified.
Liberty Victoria Criticizes PM and AG over Julian Assange comments

One Story from Madagascar

2010-12-09T09:22:00.000+11:00

"Just one story to represent over 1.4 billion poor rural people who live on less than $1.25 a day. This is the story of Séraphine and her daughter Maria who live in rural Madagascar."

For more from the International Fund for Agricultural Development: IFAD

Cancún COP16 Live

2010-12-06T08:36:00.000+11:00

For Cancún COP16 Live, follow the OneClimate Channel:

frames not supported

Julian Assange: Outlaw in His Own Country

2010-12-05T16:25:00.010+11:00

Julian Assange is being treated like an outlaw, even by his own country. Melbourne's Sunday Age newspaper reports:

AS THE net closes around WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the notorious whistleblower has accused Prime Minister Julia Gillard of betraying him as an Australian citizen in her eagerness to help the United States attack him and his organisation.
PM has betrayed me: Assange

It's interesting that the journalist Josh Gordon doesn't seem to know the difference between the whistleblower (the person with access to the documants who leaked them) and the publisher (WikiLeaks). Media outlets such as The Guardian, the New York Times and online sites such as this one have presumably broken the same laws, if any, as Assange. And The Age!

My crosspost at Th!nk4: Climate Change and Global Voices: WikiLeaks' Julian Assange: Oz Hero or Villain looks at the Oz blogosphere's reaction:

WikiLeaks' Julian Assange is either a hero or a villain in his home country of Australia. Many people, both here and abroad, are demanding the head of the WikiLeaks founder. Others see him as a peoples' champion.
Local bloggers have focused less on the content of the cablegate disclosures and more on ethical issues and possible consequences for effective governance.

Global Voices WikiLeaks Special Coverage

2010-12-04T09:52:00.002+11:00

Global Voices Special Coverage of WikiLeaks

State secrets exposed this year by whistle-blower website Wikileaks keep causing the world to shudder. A video showing Iraqi civilians killed by U.S forces; a compilation of tens of thousands of documents about the war in Afghanistan; hundreds of thousands of documents about the war in Iraq; and now 251,287 leaked United States embassy cables.

On Global Voices, we have looked at worldwide online citizen media reactions. The leaked documents contain so much information, both journalists and bloggers have struggled to make sense of them. The initial excitement is huge. What happens next?

Selected posts about WikiLeaks on Global Voices

03 Dec - Brazil: blogosphere reacts to WikiLeaks
02 Dec - Azerbaijan: First Lady responds to Cablegate criticism?
01 Dec - Latin America & Cablegate: Analysis, Reactions & Questions

30 Nov - Africa: Cablegate: Does the US care about Africa this much?
30 Nov - Caucasus: Revelations & Confusion over Cablegate
30 Nov - Central & Eastern Europe: Initial Reactions to WikiLeaks' Cablegate
29 Nov - South Asia: The Morality Of Exposing Others' Secrets
29 Nov - Jordan: Wikileaks' “Cablegate” Raises Questions
29 Nov - Middle East: The Not-So-Secret US Embassy Secret Cables

12 Aug - Afghan Bloggers on Wikileaks War Logs
26 Jul - Liveblog of global reactions to Wikileaks Afghanistan war logs

This will be updated here: WikiLeaks and the World 2010

Climate Cablegate: Lowering Expectations at Copenhagen

2010-12-01T20:38:00.004+11:00

Climate Cablegate

Benno Hansen and myself are blogging about Cancun at Th!nk4: Climate Change. We are working together on climate change revelations in Wikileaks’ Cablegate. Benno has an introductory blog in Danish: Hvad Wikileaks lægger til COP15-skandalen

I’ve been looking at some of the cables and will post in detail later. Below are 3 cables sent in the lead up to COP15 at Copenhagen. Numbering refers to cable order. It's quite clear that the backroom game was 'lowering expectations' at Copenhagen.

More

It is just a sample of the behind-the-scenes geo-politics of climate change action. There is plenty more in the pipeline.