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Good decisions start with good information. But there’s at least one area where the link between good information and good decisions seems to have broken down: climate change.
The problem is not the quality of scientific information itself, it’s the inability of the media to convey the gravity and certainty of the problem, and of our political systems to rise to the challenge. It is a failure of journalists and journalism, of those who see climate stories as a turn-off, and of those who confuse impartiality with repeating false claims. It’s a failure fuelled by cynical social media companies that use algorithms to drive division and make money out of muddying the waters.
We need to build a better form of media, a trusted source that communicates complexity to a wide audience. The Conversation was created to do just that. We only publish academic experts who are writing in their area of expertise. We team them with professional journalists who are committed to upholding high ethical stands, and who also know how to communicate effectively to a wide audience.
Our lead stories this morning offer three cases in point: first, international relations professor Matt McDonald offers a clear-eyed assessment of what it would mean for Australia’s Paris Agreement commitments if we were to abandon our 2030 emissions target, as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has hinted at doing. In the second, our economics editor Peter Martin, a fellow at ANU’s Crawford School of Public Policy, draws on behavioural economics to explain what motivates political leaders to put things in the
too-hard basket. And finally, public health experts led by Hannah Mason share a sobering reminder of the potentially deadly toll that extreme heat can take on sport – one of our most cherished communal activities.
For there to be any hope policy-makers will make better decisions, we first need to arm them with reliable information from bona fide experts. And to do that, we need your help.
The Conversation exists to provide the vital information we need to make better decisions, for free, for whoever needs it. You can help us by making a donation of whatever you can afford so we can ensure that everyone has access to the information they need to make better decisions.
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Misha Ketchell
Editor
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Matt McDonald, The University of Queensland
Significant diplomatic and economic repercussions would result from Australia watering down our 2030 targets.
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Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Human beings are so keen put off things off (as the Coalition wants to with our 2030 emissions target), economists have come up with a name for it – hyperbolic discounting.
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Hannah Mason, James Cook University; Amy Peden, UNSW Sydney; Anthony Leicht, James Cook University; Jemma King, James Cook University; Richard Franklin, James Cook University
Here’s how to reduce heat-related health risks during major sporting events, from the Summer Olympics to test cricket. Athletes, officials, spectators and volunteers all need to take responsibility.
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Ian A. Wright, Western Sydney University
Should Australian authorities follow the US lead and impose lower limits on ‘forever chemicals’ in our drinking water?
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Dutton on Tuesday reaffirmed the opposition was committed to the net zero by 2050 target but said they would only announce its medium term emission reduction targets after the next election.
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Marika Sosnowski, The University of Melbourne
Arguably, the more specific and detailed terms of this resolution is a positive compared to previous resolutions, but actions speak louder than words.
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Dr Nicole Shackleton, RMIT University
Many people agree freedom of speech has its limits and the law has some role to play in prohibiting harmful speech. But what should these laws look like?
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Brendan Coates, Grattan Institute; Trent Wiltshire, Grattan Institute
The system isn’t working well – and among the biggest losers are state governments themselves.
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Chris Zomer, Deakin University
Measuring student engagement through online platforms may sound like a good idea. But we need a much clearer understanding of what we are actually measuring here.
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Claudia Rozas, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
A ministerial working group is charged with identifying what knowledge matters in secondary school English. But we need a national conversation about what that means in a modern, multicultural society.
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Hal Swerissen, La Trobe University
The federal government caps the number of home care packages it provides. When demand exceeds supply, waiting times blow out.
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Alexander Crooke, The University of Melbourne
We didn’t stop climbing mountains when chair lifts were invented. Similarly, there will always be something uniquely special and valuable about human music-making.
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John Hawkins, University of Canberra
Burn Book is is a witty and engaging account of the rise (and often fall) of internet companies and the often dysfunctional talents behind them, told by an exceptionally well-connected outsider.
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Kathryn Holmes, The University of Western Australia
For dolphins, childish play may be useful practice for adult life.
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Politics + Society
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Park Thaichon, University of Southern Queensland
While price is important, it’s not the only thing that matters in clinching a deal. Buyers can do a number of things to improve their chances of securing a property.
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Simon Davies, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Clare-Ann Fortune, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Karen Salmon, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Linda Fatialofa, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Evidence shows the links between punishment, discipline and behaviour change are weak at best. Good rehabilitation has a therapeutic focus – but this is less popular with politicians and the public.
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Health + Medicine
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Mona Nikidehaghani, University of Wollongong
Better provider records, more NDIA staff and well-funded disability advocacy could stem fraud in our national disability scheme.
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Peta Stapleton, Bond University
What if you’re neither an introvert or extrovert – or you’re a bit of both? Another category might fit better: ambiverts. They’re the middle of the spectrum and are also called ‘social introverts’.
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Science + Technology
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Lisa M. Given, RMIT University
There are various methods for estimating or verifying an online user’s age, none of them foolproof. Importantly, is this the social media future we want?
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Books + Ideas
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Astrid Edwards, The University of Melbourne
Khin Myint’s memoir explores family trauma and chronic illness, through the lens of his sister’s illness, childhood bullying and a brutal breakup that sparked a court case.
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Business + Economy
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Ann Kayis-Kumar, UNSW Sydney
Whether you use a tax agent or do your own, getting your tax return right is important. Mistakes or fraudulent claims may come back to bite you.
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James Cook University
Cairns QLD, Australia
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