Claire Pontin: A betrayal of regional communities Up on the New South Wales mid-north coast, we don’t have many inner-city greenies. What we do have is a community that’s battling the worst fire conditions we’ve ever seen, and looking down the barrel of what might be the hardest week we’ve had to face. We’re in the middle of an unprecedented dry spell, with river levels sitting at the lowest they’ve ever been. This is not normally a dry area – the hotter, drier conditions that are driving the current catastrophic fire conditions have developed over the last 10 to 15 years. And the science tells us that it’s climate change causing it. The future out-of-control fires we feared are already here – this is our “new normal”, and the science tells us it’s only going to get worse unless urgent action is taken on climate change. Claire Pontin is the deputy mayor of the MidCoast Council, NSW Dominic King: We’ve never … [Read more...] about ‘This is our new normal’: regional mayors on bushfires and climate change
Climate change
Formula 1 cars on biofuels could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030
Formula 1 race cars will run on sustainable fuel in an effort to all but eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.F1 produces the equivalent of 256,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide on and off the track over a season.But under new plans, emissions will be reduced to zero where possible - and offset with schemes such as tree planting and carbon capture where not.Speaking exclusively to Sky News, F1 boss Chase Carey said biofuel would increasingly be used in race cars but he insisted the traditional internal combustion engine was here to stay.He said: "The majority of cars out there - I think one billion - are combustion engine cars. Advertisement "We can be a platform that shows what is possible in reducing emissions and creating efficiency through those combustion engines."It's an important part of solution." More from Climate Last batch of belugas held in Russia 'whale jails' released NASA unveils early version of all-electric plane Greta Thunberg: Photos of … [Read more...] about Formula 1 cars on biofuels could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030
Boris’ dad Stanley vows son will deliver Brexit ‘in a flash’ as family watch win – but Carrie Symonds stays away
BORIS Johnson's Remainer dad says he will deliver Brexit "in a flash" as the family celebrated his landslide win - but there was no sign of girlfriend Carrie Symonds. The 31-year-old was nowhere to be seen as BoJo proudly accepted the keys to No 10 after defeating rival Jeremy Hunt by twice as many votes. He vowed to "deliver Brexit, unite the country, defeat Jeremy Corbyn and energise", spelling out D.U.D.E in one of his trademark wisecracks. BoJo, 55, was supported in his speech by his dad Stanley, sister Rachel and brother Jo - despite the Johnson family sharing differing views on Brexit in the past.Stanley, 78, who appeared on I'm a Celebrity in 2017 and recently with campmate Georgia "Toff" Toffolo on Celebrity Gogglebox, was a Conservative MEP between 1979 and 1984. In April, he applied to stand in the Euro elections for the Tories - but was later rejected after "failing to catch the selectors’ eye". Speaking today, Stanley said: "I have the face of a proud … [Read more...] about Boris’ dad Stanley vows son will deliver Brexit ‘in a flash’ as family watch win – but Carrie Symonds stays away
‘OK boomer’: Abigail Disney tells those offended to ‘sit down’
Abigail Disney has hit out at people taking offence at the "OK boomer" trend, telling them to "sit... down and let the kids drive".In a thread on Twitter, the 59-year-old Disney heiress asks fellow members of the baby boomer generation when they became "so easily triggered"."OK boomer" is a viral phrase used to dismiss or mock those who seem dismissive of younger generations' concerns.Critics say the phrase is ageist. In her expletive-laden Twitter thread, Ms Disney said baby boomers needed to "face up to the fact that the world is changing fast but you are not." I made $25,000 out of 'OK Boomer' craze Why a NZ MP used 'OK boomer' in parliament The heiress giving away her Disney fortune "The more often you object to Millenials' understandable resentment toward a generation that has selfishly poisoned their water, blown past every climate warning so they could drive their stupid hummers, and looked away or worse for sexual, racial and economic injustice, the more you prove their point … [Read more...] about ‘OK boomer’: Abigail Disney tells those offended to ‘sit down’
US billionaires’ group calls for wealth tax
Some of America's richest people are urging US presidential candidates to back a wealth tax on the super-rich to improve inequality and climate change."America has a moral, ethical and economic responsibility to tax our wealth more," they said in a letter.Signatories include investor George Soros, Facebook's co-founder Chris Hughes, and Molly Munger, daughter of billionaire Charlie Munger.The group said they were non-partisan and not endorsing any candidate.The open letter said: "A wealth tax could help address the climate crisis, improve the economy, improve health outcomes, fairly create opportunity, and strengthen our democratic freedoms. Instituting a wealth tax is in the interest of our republic."Among the 18 were a descendant of Walt Disney and the owners of the Hyatt hotel chain. Many in the group have been associated with progressive initiatives on issues such as climate change and the growing wealth gap.The letter pointed out that fellow billionaire Warren Buffett has said he … [Read more...] about US billionaires’ group calls for wealth tax
