Renew Economy - March 2012

The Draft Energy White Paper displays a grave misunderstanding of energy issues in the 21st century. Energy policies which, in the past century, brought us a new and healthier life, particularly in the Western nations, are now recognised as the fundamental cause of global changes that have to be arrested if civilisation is to prosper in the true sense of the word.

The Conversation - March 2012

Tens of thousands of Australians live and work close to coal-fired power plants. The cocktail of gaseous and particulate pollutants arising from coal power generation is injurious to human health. All are associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke in the days after exposure and subsequently with the development of chronic cardiopulmonary diseases.

ABC The Drum - January 2012

If it comes to pass, will the Great Barrier Reef with all its beauty, tourism and fishing, be exchanged for short-term fossil-fuel profits, royalties and the temporary balancing of budgets?

Med J Aust 2011; 195 (6): 333-335

Australia’s coal conundrum is that all political parties say they are concerned about climate change while sanctioning an unprecedented expansion of coalmining and coal seam gas extraction in Australia.

ABC The Drum - August 2011

Enough evidence has emerged at the Senate Inquiry into coal seam gas to merit significant reform orchestrated by the Federal Government.

Climate Spectator - July 2011

Coal seam gas mining (CSG) is developing rapidly in New South Wales and Queensland and is commencing in other states. The legal and administrative protections are inadequate to ensure that public health is not harmed and that environmental damage does not leave a legacy for generations.

Climate Spectator - June 2011

Coal mining, processing, transport, combustion and deposition of waste products all contribute to the release of fine particles, oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide and heavy metals which damage the human body. There is no ‘safe’ level for fine particles.

The Conversation - May 2011

Coal seam gas is indeed a potential disaster if present attitudes and lack of regulatory control prevail. An important part of public health is to enact precautions based on potential impacts. The CSG industry may have hidden impacts on health that have not been assessed. What are the concerns?

Climate Spectator - May 2011

Leading public health organisations and the peer reviewed health literature have increasingly recognised the serious impacts for our health and quality of life should we fail to tackle climate change.

ABC The Drum - April 2011

The potential for harm to human health from coal seam gas operations has become much more apparent with the release of a comprehensive report from the National Toxics Network (NTN). NTN calls for a moratorium on drilling and on ‘fracking’ chemicals until all chemicals have been fully assessed by the industrial chemicals regulator.

ABC The Drum - Feb 2011

Last night's ABC Four Corners program on coal seam gas can be a first important step in reform to protect the public’s health. It raises the question of why an advanced wealthy country is so compelled to sacrifice the integrity of swathes of productive land for financial gain from exporting a resource which we don’t need for our own energy needs.

ABC The Drum - December 2010

With 15 new power stations planned or approved for Australia, the Prime Minister has assured us that we will "never again have a dirty power station built".

ABC The Drum - February 2010

Coal is an expensive form of energy. The costs of its pollution will be paid for by this and future generations. Its pollutants affect all major organs in the body and contribute to four of the five leading causes of mortality - heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic respiratory diseases. Read...

Crikey
Rural communities that will sustain Australia in a world of increasing population and food shortage need a People’s Bank. Current Big Banks are not a secure means to run a life support system, the production of food, nor is it reasonable to have security and sustainability of production under the ethos of short term financial gain rather than long term investment. Is it reasonable to subject this production to market interest rates at the behest of speculative systems? Is it credible to have ventures such as managed investment schemes take out their needs on productive land and people? Read more…

On line Opinion - January 2008

Perhaps the most significant news last week on the climate change front was the announcement that plastic shopping bags will be banned in China in six months’ time. Let me analyse why this is so significant.

Open Democracy - November 2007

In 2007 a number of factors could be identified which were derailing action on climate change. This article identifies these impediments and it will become clear to the reader that they still operate today though climate change is now even more threatening than it was in 2005-2007. A fundamental conflict remains - the fusion of democracy and market - cannot survive without economic growth, and neither can the politician. Read more…

On Line Opinion - March 2005

Last month has seen a celebration of the commencement of the Kyoto Agreement to reduce greenhouse emissions. It would be equally appropriate to have a wake for the past decade of argument needed to introduce this tiny step. Its target is a few per cent reduction compared to the scientific consensus of a 60 per cent reduction needed if greenhouse emissions are to be stabilised.

British Medical Journal
This article in one of the world’s leading medical journals described the knowledge of climate change and its threats in 2002 when it was difficult to have such articles published in the Australian media or medical journals. It is remarkable how little was accomplished in the following 20 years. Read more…

British Medical Journal
With A N Limmer
This article celebrated the 50th birthday of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. Read more…

British Medical Journal
This story of Mawson’s epic journey to Antarctica was written from Mawson’s personal diary preserved by the University of Adelaide to whom I am grateful. Read more…