PR firms rake it in on fossil fuel spin. Can we stop them? ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Have you heard that offshore wind turbines kill whales or that natural gas is clean? If so, you’ve encountered climate misinformation – false claims which spread widely.

This week, an Australian Senate inquiry heard testimony from experts about the scale of the problem. One of these experts was Christian Downie, who observes the problem with misinformation is that it often works to cast doubt on the alternatives to fossil fuels and erode public support for change.

Where does misinformation come from? Downie’s research has followed the money trail between oil, gas and coal companies and public relations firms. The problem is only going to grow. The question now is what to do about it.

P.S. Jane Goodall has died aged 91, after a lifetime inspiring and advising world leaders, celebrities, scientists and conservationists. We share reflections from a friend.

Doug Hendrie

Deputy Environment + Energy Editor

PR firms are spreading climate misinformation on behalf of fossil fuel companies. Could Australia stop them?

Christian Downie, Australian National University

This week, Australian policymakers heard about the real and growing problem of climate misinformation. Stopping it would mean regulating the PR industry.

What will it take? The sweeteners Australia could offer Turkey to snatch COP31

Wesley Morgan, UNSW Sydney

Australia and Turkey are locked in a contest to host the global COP31 climate summit. What could Albanese offer Australia’s rival to retire?

Jane Goodall, the gentle disrupter whose research on chimpanzees redefined what it meant to be human

Mireya Mayor, Florida International University

Without formal scientific training, Goodall upended the study of animal behavior. She also inspired countless people to protect nature.

The controversial GST deal with the states is under review. There are better alternatives

Stephen Bartos, University of Canberra

While simply scrapping the 2018 deal might not be feasible, moving to an altogether new system could be a way forward.

With extra study, nurses will be able to prescribe medications. Here’s what to expect

Marie Gerdtz, La Trobe University

After completing studies in prescribing, registered nurses will be able to prescribe a range of medicines – in collaboration with a doctor or nurse practitioner.

Kamala Harris’ candid memoir reveals her ‘ideal’ vice president – and why she thinks she lost

Bruce Wolpe, University of Sydney

In her campaign memoir, Kamala Harris reveals her true thoughts on Joe Biden, takes us behind the scenes of her presidential candidacy and dishes the occasional dirt.

We teach kids to look after their bodies - here’s how to do the same for a healthy mind

Amy Dawel, Australian National University

The food pyramid can help us think about mental health. We need big helpings of social connection in real life. But social media should be like a ‘sometimes food’.

One in two Nigerians live in poverty: why relief programmes have failed

Moyosoluwa Dele-Dada, Covenant University

The absence of strong accountability turns anti-poverty programmes into symbolic gestures rather than vehicles of real change in Nigeria.

Dangerous, overpriced, crammed full: poor housing for seasonal workers revealed

Tod Jones, Curtin University; Amity James, Curtin University; Michael Volgger, Curtin University; Salome Adams, Curtin University; Sara Niner, Monash University

Seasonal workers are often considered to be expendable, cheap labour. New research across three states has found they’re also subject to crowded accommodation.

Politics + Society

Health + Medicine

Business + Economy

Science + Technology

Arts + Culture

Books + Ideas

Cheap cigarettes
“I’m an 87-year-old pensioner and I smoke. To my surprise I found out that I can buy a carton of cigarettes for $160 whereas I had paid $560 earlier. Why would I not purchase the cheaper version and save $400? You tell me. I think it’s wrong that the government makes money out of my pleasure. If I were to ask for $400 extra to my pension, do you think they would give it to me? I am very pleased with the current social-economic system in Australia. But to charge so much for cigarettes – my only enjoyment in my old age – is just too much!”
Name withheld

Bring back oral tests
“Given the AI revolution, it’s totally sensible and practical to introduce oral exams, rather than stick with the anachronistic closed book written format. I can tell exactly what each student knows, relative to subject learning objectives, much more accurately in a 10-minute discussion than reading their essays or exam papers. Assessment problem solved.”
Professor Danny Samson, Department of Management and Marketing, University of Melbourne

Sovereign individuals
"The so-called 'sovereign individual' is not sovereign at all, but dependent on a society they disdain. Their ideology masks fear and privilege as virtue. By withdrawing from shared responsibility, they undermine the very conditions of their own security. In the long run, selfish withdrawal is self-defeating: no bunker or blockchain can substitute for trust, cooperation, and community."
Ang Ung

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