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Focusing on activists detracts from what we should be angry about – failure to tackle the most urgent problems of our age

Disruptive political activism, from strikes to boycotts to road occupations, always makes enemies. That’s part of the point: confrontations and controversies mean publicity. More ambitiously, stunts and provocations by activists are also meant to remind the public that the status quo itself is built on disruptions. Even supposedly cautious governments are constantly altering the distribution of power and wealth, and the environment itself.

Four years since the founding of Extinction Rebellion, known by its highly committed members as XR, climate activists in Britain and many other countries are still launching waves of protests: blocking roads, throwing food over famous artworks, gluing themselves to surfaces in public places and spray-painting banks that invest in fossil fuels. New groups have appeared with XR-style tactics and goals: Just Stop Oil, Insulate Britain, Animal Rebellion, Youth Climate Swarm. A steady stream of activists from teenagers to pensioners are prepared to face arrest and imprisonment in order to press governments, businesses and voters to change their behaviour.

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About a third of Victoria’s land-based plants, animals and ecological communities face extinction. We look at what the political parties have promised ahead of the state election. Sarah Bekessy, Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning, Leader, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group (ICON Science), RMIT University Brendan Wintle, Professor in Conservation Science, School of Ecosystem and Forest Science, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Why Australia might still be facing a carbon border tax in EU. Matthias Buck from Agora Energiewende explains.

The post Energy Insiders Podcast: “Fit for 55″: EU climate package could tax Australia appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Two Korea power plant operators sign MoUs to develop several large green hydrogen and green ammonia projects in Australia.

The post Korea power companies sign MoUs for huge green ammonia projects in Australia appeared first on RenewEconomy.

BHP to take a lead role in landmark clean energy projects through its now approved bid for fellow miner Oz Minerals, and securing bigger role in battery metals.

The post BHP clinches $9.6 billion bid to buy OZ Minerals to gain more control over EV battery metals appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Corporate net zero targets are spreading like wildfire, but many ring hollow and are no more than vague statements of intent. Here's how to unpick them.

The post How to unpick a company’s net zero target in 7 steps appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A major Australian bank has announced its first carbon prepayment deal as it seeks to ease carbon market access for agribusinesses.

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Osmi Australia confirms that state approvals for its 200MW Delburn wind farm are being challenged in court, with a hearing date set for February 2023.

The post Latrobe Valley pine plantation wind farm confirms Supreme Court challenge appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Virya Energy proposes 220 of wind turbines, up to 300MW of solar PV and a 500MW/500MWh battery north-west of Jerilderie.

The post Another giga-scale wind, solar and battery project jostles for a spot in new renewable zone appeared first on RenewEconomy.

AEMO shuffles its cards as it seeks to maintain grid stability in South Australia, switching off the biggest gas generator to contain the risk to rooftop PV.

The post Biggest gas unit in South Australia closed in midday sun to help keep lights on appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The embryo is frozen in liquid nitrogen until a suitable female donkey is found to grow it into a baby. Andres Gambini, Senior Lecturer, School of Agriculture and Food Science, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Clashes over cash for poor countries are dominating as talks at COP27 in Egypt go down to the wire.

California Carbon Allowance (CCA) values slid early in the week ahead of the Q4 WCI auction before rising after state regulator ARB published the final Scoping Plan update, while RGGI Allowance (RGA) prices held in a narrow range amid few drivers.

A probe into the offsetting of the upcoming FIFA World Cup football tournament in Qatar has shone a light on GCC’s governance, with the carbon project certifier insisting that its conflict of interest safeguards are robust despite links between two of its steering committee members and the handful of projects it has so far registered ahead of hundreds in the pipeline.

An airline and an aircraft manufacturer have invested in a Canadian direct air capture (DAC) technology firm.

Australia’s energy minister has met with China’s climate envoy on the sidelines of negotiations at COP27, agreeing to cooperate on climate issues, as he used a plenary session to support the EU’s establishment of a loss and damage fund.

The EU shifted against a longstanding deadlock at UN climate talks on Thursday by proposing to establish a loss and damage fund for the most vulnerable countries, using money that could be raised partly by a levy on aviation, shipping, or fossil fuels.

A group of seven East African nations are successfully using Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) activities to generate climate finance, however the sheer scale of new finance required raises questions on how to expand and transition to Article 6, according to a report launched at the COP27 conference on Thursday.

Community members and campaigners have hailed the move as a win for vulnerable marine ecosystem and wildlife

Canada has rejected a mine expansion project in the Arctic after years of uncertainty and fierce protest, in what community members and campaigners say is a win for the vulnerable marine ecosystem and wildlife.

Baffinland Iron Mines’ planned expansion to its Mary River site would have seen it double output to 12m tonnes of iron ore. To bring the ore to market, the mine also said it needed to build a 110km railway to a port near the community of Pond Inlet as well as doubling its shipping.

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