In a watershed moment for the global climate movement, the International Court of Justice has ruled that nations must protect people from the harms wrought by climate change – or face legal consequences.
The case was instigated by law students from Vanuatu, and while the decision is not legally binding, it will likely influence climate litigation around the world.
As Wesley Morgan and Gillian Moon write, it means all nations – including Australia, which sided with high emitters such as the United States, China and Saudi Arabia during the case – must set emission-reduction targets that are consistent with the best available science.
Laggard nations that don’t act to reduce emissions could be sued by other countries – or even by their own citizens – for failing to help ensure a safe climate, as Jacqueline Peel explains.
Against this backdrop, it’s all the more dispiriting to see Canberra politicians still bickering about net zero. Michelle Grattan says the Nationals’ freshly sown doubts over the 2050 climate targets is turning into a diabolical situation for the Coalition.
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Nicole Hasham
Energy + Environment Editor
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Wesley Morgan, UNSW Sydney; Gillian Moon, UNSW Sydney
The landmark ruling means Australia must reduce emissions in line with the best science, and regulate the fossil fuel industry to prevent further harm.
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Jacqueline Peel, The University of Melbourne
Countries have wide-ranging obligations to adequately tackle climate change, the International Court of Justice has found. Those who don’t could be legally liable.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
The Nationals antics on climate targets put the new Coalition leader in a diabolical situation. Ley should act now to lessen the inevitable political damage.
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Felicity Deane, Queensland University of Technology
Has Australia’s beef industry been sold out for the benefit of a trade deal with the United States? Or is this just a poorly timed announcement?
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John Hawkins, University of Canberra
Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock needs to keep the bank’s focus on unemployment as well as inflation.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Business, universities, and investors have jointly urged the federal government to commit to cutting the cost of red tape by 25% by 2030.
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Joseph Steinberg, The University of Western Australia
Siang Lu has won the Miles Franklin Literary Award for his absurdist, ‘strikingly new’ novel about dictators in parallel cities – which dials the satire up to 11.
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Jean-Nicolas Bordeleau, Flinders University
New research reveals people aged under 35 are more likely to believe conspiracy theories due to political alienation and low self-esteem.
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Santosh Tadakamadla, La Trobe University; Tan Nguyen, Deakin University
Some people are waiting for up to three years for public dental care.
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Harriette Richards, RMIT University; Jon Hewitt, RMIT University
B Corp certification is given to businesses who score well for social impact and environmental benefit. But ultrafast fashion is inherently unsustainable.
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Politics + Society
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
We’re joined on this podcast by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen who outlines Australia’s ongoing energy transition.
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Popi Sotiriadou, Griffith University
Despite faster, fitter athletes and advancements in technology, cycling’s governing body wants to slow things down.
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Health + Medicine
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Milad Haghani, The University of Melbourne; Clara Zwack, Swinburne University of Technology
The fatal jet ski accident in Sydney this week reminds us how dangerous these personal watercraft can be.
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Environment + Energy
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Michael Stewardson, The University of Melbourne; Neville Crossman, Flinders University; Samantha Capon, Griffith University; Seth Westra, University of Adelaide
Restoring the basin to health requires more than just more water. Coordinated local efforts to restore rivers and the surrounding land are desperately needed.
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Science + Technology
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Alexander Kaurov, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Naomi Oreskes, Harvard University
An AI audit of scientific research would likely expose some fraud and widespread inconsequential work. But we need to be careful it doesn’t discredit science in general.
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Benjamin Pope, Macquarie University
The stars are wreathed in a huge spiral of dust, like a snake eating its own tail.
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Arts + Culture
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Kim Dovey, The University of Melbourne
The Bingin Beach settlement has proven sustainable for more than 50 years, and has become an integral part of the local heritage.
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Books + Ideas
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Natalie Harkin, Flinders University
In an extract from her new book, Narungga poet and researcher Natalie Harkin reveals intimate truths about the shameful history of Aboriginal domestic labour.
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The gender gap debate often misses the mark
"The obsession with earnings as the measure of success ignores what many of us actually value: time with our children. Yes, I’ve taken a pay cut to reduce my hours—and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made. It brings me more joy and meaning than anything in the office. I’ve deliberately chosen roles that allow part-time work. Kids grow up fast. The push to get women back into full-time work—as if that's the pinnacle of progress—risks creating a generation of mothers with deep regrets. No one lies on their deathbed wishing they spent more time at their desk. Of course, support women who want to work more. But don’t assume that’s all of us. I’d like to
see a report that actually asks women what they want—not just what the economy wants from them."
Sarah E
Taliban beliefs
"I read with interest Yvonne Breitwieser-Faria's excellent article about the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against the Taliban on charges of gender persecution. In the article, the Taliban was quoted as saying the allegations and warrants were a 'clear act of hostility [and an] insult to the beliefs of Muslims around the world'. It should be noted that the vast majority of Muslims do not share the Taliban's views. Respected Muslim scholars and activists across different countries have explicitly condemned the Taliban’s denial of education for women, reaffirming that Islam advocates the pursuit of knowledge for all, irrespective
of gender."
Jonathon Piasente
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