Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Professor, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland

The Great Barrier Reef will continue to deteriorate, largely to climate change, and the window to secure its future is rapidly closing. That is the sobering conclusion of a major new report into the state of the reef.

The report was released by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. It confirms what scientists have long known: humanity is killing the Great Barrier Reef, and other reefs around the world, by failing to curb the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.

Earlier this year, I visited parts of the southern Great Barrier Reef where mass coral bleaching and death had just occurred. The picture was devastating. Vast swathes of coral were bleached a ghostly white. It was interspersed with bright flashes of pink and blue: a final, heartbreaking release of coral pigment as the organism makes a last-ditch effort to survive. I’ve since learned much of that coral is now dead.

Anyone who knows anything about coral reefs would have been upset by what I saw. The world’s largest reef was in very, very bad shape. As I swam, in the back of my head was the knowledge that 2023 was Earth’s hottest year on record. In fact, the Great Barrier Reef is the warmest it has been for at least 400 years.

Unless humanity takes dramatic action to halt climate change, we will lose the beautiful, complex reefs that have existed on Earth for millennia. As this latest report shows, even governments and officials now acknowledge this fact.

Make no mistake: the reef is in dire straits

The 2024 Great Barrier Reef Outlook report, released late on Friday, is the fourth in a series of five-yearly reports on the reef’s health.

It found warming oceans and severe tropical cyclones are compounding other threats such as crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, poor water quality and unsustainable fishing.

The report said the condition of some coral species has improved over the past five years – from “very poor” to “poor”. We shouldn’t get too excited about this. It means a few fast-growing coral species are bouncing back.

Make no mistake: the reef’s overall prospects remain dire. As the report states:

While recent recovery in some ecosystem values demonstrates that the reef is still resilient, its capacity to tolerate and recover is jeopardised by a rapidly changing climate.

It’s also important to note that the report covers the five years to December 2023. It does not capture the damage caused by the mega-bleaching event up and down the reef last summer.

As my colleagues and I wrote recently, the Great Barrier Reef has suffered five mass bleaching events in the past nine summers.

Bleaching occurs when corals become so heat-stressed they eject the tiny algae living inside their tissues. These organisms give coral some of its colour and help power its metabolism. In mild bleaching events, corals can recover. But in the severe events that are becoming more common, corals do not survive.

Analysis by others shows the mortality in stark detail. The left-hand image below shows coral at Lizard Island “fluorescing” or releasing bright pigment in March this year. This protective measure aims to limit the damage to remaining microalgae.

The image on the right, three months later, shows more than 97% of the same corals had died.

Climate change is not the only threat

The report said climate-driven disturbances are compounding the effects of other chronic damage to the reef from:

• unsustainable fishing
• pollution
• sediment runoff
• outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish.

Among other key findings of the report were that:

• most populations of marine turtles have declined
• species such as seabirds, sharks, rays, dugongs and seagrasses have recovered in some areas and plateaued or declined in others
• populations of estuarine crocodiles are recovering
• many species in declines are listed as threatened or protected.

Strong leadership is needed

I first visited the Great Barrier Reef in 1980, as a university student. My interest in it has never waned. It’s one of those incredible bits of nature that defies description.

The reef’s World Heritage listing is proof of its outstanding global value. Australians love and feel pride in this vast and stunning place. The reef supports the livelihoods and wellbeing of many, including Traditional Owners who have cared for it over thousands of generations. It sustains all of us: economically, culturally and spiritually.

You might see a photo of healthy-looking coral and think the reef must be doing well. But I have seen the problem first-hand over many years. The reef is suffering badly – and every fraction of a degree of global warming compounds the harm.

Humanity must take urgent action to limit global temperature rise. But we are failing. We are failing the Great Barrier Reef and indeed, coral reefs across the planet.

There was a time when governments and reef managers were not willing to admit the extent of the problem. I don’t think that’s the case anymore. As the report states:

2024 opens a new chapter for the reef. Future warming already locked into the climate system means
that further degradation is inevitable. This is the sobering calculus of climate change.

Climate change is a global problem, but Australia is undeniably part of it. This nation cannot export fossil fuels to be burnt overseas if we want to save the Great Barrier Reef. Dealing with this will take strong political leadership, from the prime minister down.

Humanity has all the facts in front of us. Earth is in an unchartered time of very rapid change. If we don’t respond, we will lose the Great Barrier Reef.

Ove Hoegh-Guldberg is affiliated with the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

– ref. ‘Humanity is failing’: official report warns our chance to save the Great Barrier Reef is fast closing – https://theconversation.com/humanity-is-failing-official-report-warns-our-chance-to-save-the-great-barrier-reef-is-fast-closing-237441

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Geetanjali Saluja, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, University of Technology Sydney

In the immediate aftermath of last month’s shocking assassination attempt on US presidential candidate Donald Trump, search engine giant Google found itself in hot water. The reason? A technical issue with its auto-complete function.

Search terms relating to the assassination attempt appeared to be omitted from automated suggestions in Google’s search bar. Conservative social media users were quick to pile on, accusing the tech giant of political bias and active censorship.

These claims turned out to be unfounded – a content moderation feature was to blame – but they were hardly new. Many tech companies, including Google, have long been perceived as left-leaning.

But certainly not all of them. Elon Musk, chief executive of both X (formerly Twitter) and electric car maker Tesla, recently announced his full endorsement of Trump, who in turn declared his own support for electric vehicles.

Getting political is nothing new for brands, and extends well beyond tech companies. It can range from taking a stance on key social issues to backing individual parties or candidates.

But it is not clear whether engaging in “brand activism” actually helps companies overall, leaving many marketers and chief executives hesitant to do so.

Taking a stand on issues that consumers care about can obviously help build stronger brand connections – but what happens when a brand’s political views don’t align with those of its customers?

Read more:
Trump is plain ‘weird’: how Kamala Harris’ meme-fied campaign is leveraging social media and Gen Z culture

The risks of getting political

Our previous research has found that consumers’ political allegiance – whether they identify as liberal, conservative or somewhere in between – can affect their attitude towards brands that engage in activism.

Much of this is in line with what you’d expect. Liberal-leaning consumers tend to like brands that promote progressive causes such as supporting immigration. Conservative consumers, on the other hand, generally like brands to either be silent on, or oppose, progressive issues.

However, both liberal and conservative consumers dislike brands that seem inauthentic in the position they support. That offers a cautionary tale to brands who might seek to “jump on the bandwagon” and performatively support a particular social issue.

Always mean what you say

Brands that try to play both sides of the fence on a given social or political issue can end up alienating everyone.

Last year, American beer brand Bud Light faced a backlash from conservatives after hiring transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney to promote the brand. Conservative consumers were quick to target Mulvaney on social media and boycotted the brand in response to the campaign.

But in this aftermath, Bud Light was criticised for failing to stand behind Mulvaney, who said the company failed to offer her support after the backlash. This cost it some of its liberal customer base as well.

Build a purposeful connection

Our research shows that while it can help brands if their public stance on an issue aligns with the political views of their target consumers, they must also demonstrate it is more than lip service.

Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, for example, enjoys a a loyal customer base among liberal-leaning millennials and Gen Z consumers. It has also been vocal in its support for several progressive issues, such as climate action, refugee rights and racial justice.

The company has become famous for such activism, and largely been rewarded for it by consumers, despite some recent tension with its parent company Unilever.

Ben & Jerry’s work on racial justice, for example, has involved issuing detailed statements and action plans on what it believes real societal change would require.

Done right, consistent alignment of views across a brand’s whole public “character” can instil a deep sense of pride amongst the brand’s consumers and stronger identification with the brand’s values.

Stand with conviction

A brand’s public stance should be a genuine reflection of its core values, not something that adjusts to suit the zeitgeist. Brands that demonstrate such conviction are often rewarded.

In 2018, Nike supported civil rights activist and former footballer Colin Kaepernick and his stance on Black Lives Matter by launching the “Believe in Something” campaign. The move came despite serious backlash from conservative consumers as well as then-US president Donald Trump.

An initial backlash and fears of a boycott saw Nike’s share price fall. But the company held firm on the campaign, its share price soon recovered, and sales soared.

If you can’t be authentic, don’t be anything at all

Our research suggests that brands without an authentic position on a societal issue might be better off not taking sides. When a brand is seen as flip-flopping on an issue, it risks alienating everyone.

Brands should absolutely feel empowered to take on social and political stances that align with their underlying vision and mission. But if issue-based support doesn’t genuinely align with the brand’s image – and isn’t reflected through meaningful actions – the danger of appearing insincere means it might be better to stay silent.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Should brands take a stance on social and political issues? – https://theconversation.com/should-brands-take-a-stance-on-social-and-political-issues-235688

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Esterman, Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of South Australia

Western Australia and Victoria both issued health alerts this week over cases of mpox. WA has seen two cases, while Victoria has recorded 125 cases so far this year. New South Wales, which has had 135 cases, also published a public health notice on mpox this month.

Around the country, 306 cases have been recorded so far in 2024 – 198 of those since the beginning of July. By comparison, there were 144 cases for all of 2022, and 26 in 2023.

The mpox cases in Australia are a different type to those spreading in Africa which prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a public health emergency of international concern last week.

Fortunately, people infected in Australia have a milder strain of the virus. But it’s still important to know what to look out for.

A look back

Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It comes from the same family as smallpox. Symptoms include fever and a rash, which tend to affect the anal and genital areas, chest and back, face and head, and hands and feet.

Until relatively recently, mpox was almost always found in western and central Africa. There have been outbreaks outside this area, such as one in the United States in 2003. But in May 2022, there was a major outbreak of mpox that spread rapidly to many countries, including some where mpox is not typically found, such as Australia.

As a result, in July 2022, the WHO declared the outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern.

The emergency classification was lifted in May 2023, because there was a significant decline in cases after countries increased control measures, such as surveillance and vaccination.

So the declaration of a public health emergency last week is actually WHO’s second for mpox. But it relates to a different strain of the virus.

Clades and subclades

The mpox virus can be divided into two variants or “clades”: clade I and clade II. Clade I, found mainly in central Africa, is a much more severe disease with a death rate up to 10%. Clade II is found mainly in western Africa and is much milder, with a death rate below 1%.

Clade II can be further divided into clade IIa and clade IIb. It’s clade IIb mpox, which caused the major outbreak in 2022, that we’re currently seeing in Australia.

In the latter half of 2023, a new subclade of clade I was discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Clade Ib has primarily affected the DRC, with around 70% of suspected cases there in children under the age of 15. The outbreak has also spread to neighbouring East African countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.

The death rate from the clade Ib outbreak is still being worked out. But in the DRC, 7,851 cases and 384 deaths were reported up to late May. This suggests a fatality rate of about 5%.

Outside Africa, cases have recently been found in Sweden and Thailand.

Due to the rapid spread of clade Ib cases in Africa, and the potential for it to spread more widely, the WHO declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on August 14.

Clade I versus clade II

In line with the higher mortality rates, clade I infections tend to be more severe overall. They’re said to be associated with higher rates of complications such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), pneumonia, respiratory distress and secondary bacterial infections. Patients often experience more intense skin rashes, larger lesions and more swollen lymph glands.

In the laboratory, the different clades are distinguished using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a similar technique to that used to test for COVID.

As for mode of spread, clade I has a higher rate of person-to-person transmission, especially through respiratory droplets and close contact.

Clade II has a lower rate of person-to-person transmission. It’s mostly sexually transmitted, primarily affecting men who have sex with men. All but one of the 476 cases of mpox recorded in Australia since 2022 have been in men.

Should we be worried?

Clade IIb mpox, which first hit us in 2022, is on the rise in Australia again, but public health authorities should be able to bring it under control. The more severe clade Ib is likely to hit Australia in the next few months. It could spread into the heterosexual community, or children, but the risk appears low. And fortunately, mpox is far less transmissible than COVID.

Australia’s public health system is strong and forged excellent relationships with the LGBTQ+ community during HIV. With testing at-risk groups (including sex workers), good contact tracing and vaccination, we were able to control the 2022 outbreak. There’s no reason a similar response won’t work should we see an outbreak of clade Ib mpox in Australia.

An effective vaccine is available against smallpox and all variants of mpox. Although there appears to be a worldwide shortage of mpox vaccines, we do currently have supplies in Australia.

Here the vaccine is recommended for groups at risk of exposure to the virus, including sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men, and sex workers.

The most prominent feature of mpox is the rash, which could include fluid-filled blisters, a small raised area on the skin that contains pus, pimples, ulcers or lesions. Other symptoms may be similar to a COVID or a flu infection. If you’re unwell and have potentially been exposed to mpox, consult your GP.

Adrian Esterman receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the National Health and Medical Research Council, and the Medical Research Future Fund.

– ref. Mpox cases in Australia are less severe than in Africa. Here’s what to know about the strain spreading here – https://theconversation.com/mpox-cases-in-australia-are-less-severe-than-in-africa-heres-what-to-know-about-the-strain-spreading-here-237324

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Professor and Director Academic Excellence, Macquarie University

Australia currently finds itself in the unusual position of being both in an opioid epidemic and experiencing a shortage of these critical medicines.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has placed eight oral morphine products on its shortage list. It doesn’t expect supply for these products to be resolved until around October or November this year.

This is a problem for the near 100,000 people receiving palliative care who may rely on opioids, such as morphine, to manage their daily chronic pain.

So why are we short and what are clinicians and patients doing instead?

Opioids are critical for those in palliative care

Palliative care aims to ensure quality of life for people who have illnesses with little or no chance of being cured. Anyone can need palliative care, including babies, children and teenagers, not just adults and elderly people.

Patients may be in palliative care for days, weeks or even months and they usually experience daily chronic pain. Opioid medicines, such as morphine, are commonly used to relieve their pain, distress and discomfort.

Morphine is a strong pain-relieving medicine often used once other medicines, like ibuprofen and paracetamol, are no longer effective. It works to block the pathways in the brain that register pain sensation.

Morphine can be taken as a tablet, capsule or oral liquid, as an injection, or via a pump the patient controls. The eight morphine products Australia has placed on the short list are all oral forms (tablets and liquids).

Oral liquid forms of morphine are an important formulation for those who may not be able to use tablets, including young children or elderly patients and people who have trouble swallowing.

Why are we having shortages of these medicines?

Since COVID, we have seen rolling shortages of many medicines, due to supply chain disruptions and other issues. There are currently 377 medicines on the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s shortages list. But the shortage of morphine medicines do not appear to be due to COVID.

In June last year the international company Mundipharma, which produced the only registered brand of liquid morphine used in Australia, Ordine, advised the government it was discontinuing supply. An Australian company, Arrotex Pharmaceuticals, is scheduled to take over. However, supply is not expected to return to normal until their products become available – likely in late 2024.

While the current shortage is for oral morphine, other opioids are going out of stock as well, such as fentanyl (six products on the short list) and oxycodone (three products). This is because when there is a shortage of one medicine, like morphine, it pushes up the demand for similar medicines.

Can you substitute one opioid for another?

There are lots of different types of opioid medications, meaning when one is not available a patient may be switched to another. Which drug is substituted – and in what dosage – is important.

Because of the way opioids are metabolised by the body, the dose of one drug may have work more or less effectively when compared with the same dose of a different opioid. In these cases, the pharmacist needs to calculate what is called the “equivalent analgesic dose” when switching opioids.

In addition to calculating the equivalent dose, when changing to a different opioid, the doctor may also reduce the dose by 50%. This is because stronger opioid medicines, like fentanyl, are very risky in higher concentrations, and have a higher chance of leading to breathing difficulties and even death.

Adjusting the dose according to the way the drug is administered is also important. For example, the dose needed when morphine is injected is usually much lower than when it is taken by mouth as a tablet or liquid.

What’s being done about this shortage and where to from here?

The Australian government has approved three overseas substitute products to fill the gap until supply returns to normal. These are being sponsored by the Australian company Medsurge Healthcare and include two liquid formulations of morphine sulfate and one liquid formulation of morphine chloride. Both work the same way and are just as effective for pain.

Where patients still aren’t able to access opioid medicines within the Australian healthcare system, there are reports some are paying up to $4,000 to source their own supply from overseas.

But these are stop-gap measures, similar to the solutions being employed for the current IV fluids shortage, and is just another example of why the Australia government needs to invest in local manufacturing of medicines.

If you, or a person close to you, needs palliative care pain relief, there are still many options. Talk to your healthcare provider to work out the best approaches to ensure you, or your loved one, are free of pain.

Nial Wheate in the past has received funding from the ACT Cancer Council, Tenovus Scotland, Medical Research Scotland, Scottish Crucible, and the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance. He is a fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, a member of the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Nial is the chief scientific officer of Vaihea Skincare LLC, a director of SetDose Pty Ltd (a medical device company) and was previously a Standards Australia panel member for sunscreen agents. Nial regularly consults to industry on issues to do with medicine risk assessments, manufacturing, design, and testing.

Associate Professor Tina Hinton has previously received funding from the Schizophrenia Research Institute (formerly Neuroscience Institute of Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders). She is currently a Board member of the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists.

– ref. Australia is running low on oral morphine. What does that mean for pain relief in palliative care? – https://theconversation.com/australia-is-running-low-on-oral-morphine-what-does-that-mean-for-pain-relief-in-palliative-care-237310

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paula Gerber, Professor of Human Rights Law, Monash University

It’s been a case closely watched by the transgender community and legal minds alike. Today in the Federal Court of Australia, a judge ruled in favour of trans woman Roxanne Tickle in her anti-discrimination case against a social media app.

Much of proceedings have centred around what constitutes a woman under Australian law, and whether someone’s sex can be changed.

Federal Court Justice Robert Bromwich found Tickle was indirectly discriminated against on the basis of her gender identity when she was removed from women-only social media app Giggle for Girls.

But the decision’s ramifications extend far beyond the key players in the case. It’s a landmark decision in favour of protecting the human rights of transgender people nationwide.

What was the case about?

Tickle is a trans woman who was initially allowed to join Giggle for Girls.

Seven months later, that decision was reversed by the app’s founder and chief executive Sally Grover, after she looked at Tickle’s photo and formed the opinion that Tickle was a man.

Tickle then took Giggle for Girls to court, alleging discrimination on the basis of her gender identity: cisgender women were allowed to join Giggle, transgender women were not.

What did the judge find?

In addition to finding Tickle had been indirectly discriminated against on the basis of her gender identity, Justice Bromwich ordered the respondents, Giggle for Girls and Grover, to pay Tickle A$10,000 compensation. This is well short of the $200,000 Tickle was claiming.

The court also ordered the respondents pay Tickle’s legal costs, capped at $50,000.

Tickle had also sought an apology, but the judge declined to order that on the basis it would be “futile and inappropriate to require an inevitably insincere apology to be made”.

Grover may choose to appeal the decision.

Defining ‘sex’

The decision provides much needed clarity around the meaning of “sex”, a word not defined in the Sex Discrimination Act. Importantly, Justice Bromwich stated that “in its contemporary ordinary meaning, sex is changeable”.

He also noted the concept of sex has broadened over the past 30 years, especially as people can change the sex listed on their birth certificates. He said:

The acceptance that Ms Tickle is correctly described as a woman, reinforcing her gender identity status for the purposes of this proceeding, and therefore for the purposes of bringing her present claim of gender identity discrimination, is legally unimpeachable.

The court unequivocally rejected the argument that sex is immutable: that the sex that was presumed and assigned to a person at birth is the sex someone will always be. Justice Bromwich stated:

the sex of a person may take into account a range of factors, including biological and physical characteristics, legal recognition and how they present themselves and are recognised socially.

The court found Grover did not actually know that Tickle was transgender. She excluded her from the app based on her opinion that Tickle was a man. Justice Bromwich stated:

Of course, given Ms Grover’s views, her decision almost certainly would have been the same had she been aware of Ms Tickle’s gender identity. For Ms Grover, there is no legitimate distinction between transgender women and cisgender men.

A cisgender person is someone whose gender identity corresponds with their sex assigned at birth.

This judgement means it’s unlawful for a person to make decisions about whether someone is, or is not, a woman based on the sex that was originally recorded on their birth certificate, or based on how feminine they appear.

It will constitute discrimination if a person is required to have the appearance of a cisgender woman as a prerequisite to accessing a particular service.

Constitutional claim thrown out

It was also argued by Grover and Giggle for Girls that Tickle’s claim of discrimination in breach of the Sex Discrimination Act should fail because that legislation is unconstitutional.

They argued this on the basis that the Commonwealth has no power under the Australian Constitution to make laws relating to anti-discrimination.

This argument was roundly rejected by Justice Bromwich. He found the foreign affairs power in the Constitution authorises the government to enact laws giving effect to Australia’s international treaty obligations.

The Sex Discrimination Act was enacted to give effect to Australia’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Article 26 of the Covenant reads:

[…] the law shall prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection against discrimination on any ground such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

The judge held the words “other status” include discrimination on the basis of gender identity. Thus, the Sex Discrimination Act, including the amendments made in 2013 to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity, are constitutionally valid.

The judgement in this case provides much needed clarity around the legal recognition of trans women as women. It also better defines the meaning of gender identity discrimination in various sections of the Sex Discrimination Act.

It is a victory not just for Tickle, but for all trans women, who now know with certainty that federal sex discrimination laws protect them as women from discrimination based on their gender identity.

Paula Gerber is Chair of Kaleidoscope Human Rights Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that advocates for the rights of LGBTIQA+ people in the Asia Pacific region.

– ref. Roxanne Tickle’s win in the federal court is a historic victory for transgender women – https://theconversation.com/roxanne-tickles-win-in-the-federal-court-is-a-historic-victory-for-transgender-women-237309

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University

Few things are more wonderful than well-written and produced children’s books. They captivate kids, families and classrooms, leaving lifelong impressions. They shape our world. But for the most part, engaging and scientifically accurate children’s books on Australian animals – particularly the lesser-known species – are sorely lacking.

In contrast, books about animals from the northern hemisphere abound. They dominate the shelves in our libraries and bookstores.

Failing to appreciate and celebrate Australian natural history has serious consequences. In the midst of Australia’s biodiversity crisis, it is crucial Australians learn about the remarkable species that call this large and diverse continent home.

Connecting with nature during childhood instils the importance of caring for wildlife and their homes. Once established, this responsibility can carry into adulthood. By helping us fall in love with Australia’s amazing wildlife and ecosystems, children’s books can help transform Australia and its dire conservation record.

National Science Week and Children’s Book Week ran back-to-back this year. What better time to encourage more collaboration between authors and scientists?

A short reading list

Fiction featuring Australian animals, such as Possum Magic, The Magic Pudding and Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, were personal favourites. The children in our lives adore Diary of a Wombat.

But picture books depicting Aussie wildlife are rarer than they should be. So many truly amazing and unique creatures are just waiting to be brought into our homes.

It’s even harder to find accurate books in which the biology and ecology of species is correct. We have sought them out for our kids. Happily, some shining examples include:

• Ingenious Insects, Jumping Joeys and Busy Beaks (Sarah Allen)
• Bouncing Back and Saving the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect (Rohan Cleave and Coral Tulloch)
• Where are all the Christmas beetles? and Wonderful Wasps (Suzanne Houghton)
• Eyes on Flies (Bryan Lessard)
• Bijil Ba Wudhi Deberra – Bijil and Moths (Aunty Loraine Padgham, Taungurung)
• My Little World (Julia Cooke and Marjorie Crosby-Fairall)
• Searching for Cicadas (Lesley Gibbes and Judy Watson)
• Slim and Flash the Garden Lizards and others by Katherine Morris.

The problem

People’s biases created through literature can persist into adult life. Many Australians know and care more about honeybees, bullfrogs, squirrels, elephants, bears and robins than native wildlife such as dinosaur ants, blue banded bees, bogong moths, giant cuttlefish, corroboree frogs, pygmy possums, tree kangaroos, thorny devils and palm cockatoos.

The Australian national anthem states:

Our land abounds in nature’s gifts,
of beauty rich and rare

And yet mainstream Australia doesn’t celebrate, emphasise, or connect with nature nearly enough. The consequences of that disconnect can be seen across Country.

Inaccuracies in children’s literature across the world

When wildlife does make an appearance in children’s literature, we often find inaccuracies. For example, bats are not blind. Whales don’t blow fountains of water out of their blowholes – this would be very bad news for a whale!

Poisonous animals are toxic when eaten, while venomous ones inject poison when they bite, sting or spear others. Spiders are not insects but arachnids. Ants and termites are wildly different creatures. Whales are not fish, they are mammals. And, speaking of mammals, echidnas and the platypus are not marsupials, they are monotremes – they lay eggs!

These errors matter because basic scientific literacy shapes our understanding of the world. They may be partly due to unnecessary oversimplification that underestimates children’s capacities to learn complex concepts and language. But that’s not the full story.

Scientific accuracy can be difficult to achieve. Authors are often constrained by money and time. And scientific literature is dense and, regrettably, often inaccessible behind paywalls.

Unfortunately, information on readily accessible websites is often inaccurate – but detecting errors can be very difficult for non-experts. What can authors reasonably do? Our suggestion is to reach out to scientists.

The solution

Joining forces can create literature filled with accurate yet accessible and engaging information spanning the complexity and nuances of Australian ecology. Many scientists want to work with authors to help tell stories about the plants, animals, fungi, slime moulds, microbes, other lifeforms, and ecosystems they know and love.

There are many ways to facilitate mutually beneficial relationships between scientists and authors. These could include inviting each other to conferences and writers’ festivals, establishing scientist- or author-in-residence programs, or establishing online communities where people can find each other.

We argue science communication has a key role to play too. This is how we formed collaborations with Australian author and illustrator Sarah Allen. Reflecting on her journey, Allen has said:

I’ve had an interest in environmental education for a long while and I love non-fiction picture books. One night, I was up late illustrating a unicorn book, and heard ecologist Professor Euan Ritchie talking on Radio National about Australia’s extinction crisis. The interview literally stopped me in my tracks. I put my pen down from the unicorns and thought… I have to do something about this. I set about researching and writing a book about marsupials.

Working together is a win-win

The arts and sciences are inherently creative pursuits — both create and convey information — so it’s a natural pairing. Artists are master communicators and scientists often want to maximise the impact of the knowledge they’ve created, to reach people and audiences they may not be equipped to. Collaborations here are a win-win.

Australian author, comedian and musician Tim Minchin, put it best when he said the separation between the arts and sciences is a “recent, stupid and damaging idea”. But we can fix this. Working together will benefit our children, wildlife, environment and society.

Euan Ritchie receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action. Euan is a Councillor within the Biodiversity Council, a member of the Ecological Society of Australia and the Australian Mammal Society, and President of the Australian Mammal Society.

Kate Umbers receives funding from Australian Research Council, the Hermon Slade Foundation, the Centre for Biodiversity Analysis, and Western Sydney University. Kate is a Councillor on the Biodiversity Council, Managing Director of Invertebrates Australia, The Department of Climate Change Energy, Environment, and Water, the Holsworth Society,

– ref. Here’s why more Australian scientists should team up with authors on books about animals – https://theconversation.com/heres-why-more-australian-scientists-should-team-up-with-authors-on-books-about-animals-230211

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Graham Edgar, Senior Marine Ecologist, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania

When fish are taken from our oceans faster than they can reproduce, their population numbers decline. This over-fishing upsets marine ecosystems. It’s also bad for human populations that rely on fish for protein in their diets.

To manage fishing areas sustainably, we need accurate data on how many fish exist and how abundant they will be in future. Fisheries scientists use complex mathematical models to determine this.

But an investigation by my colleagues and I, published today in the journal Science, casts serious doubt on the accuracy of these models.

We studied 230 fisheries around the world. We found populations of many overfished species are in far worse condition than has been reported, and the sustainability of fisheries was overstated. Urgent action is needed to ensure our oceans are not fished below their capacity to recover.

Alarming findings

A sustainable fishing operation would ensure the numbers of fish caught does not outstrip the capacity of a fish population to reproduce. In cases where an area has been overfished, stocks should be given time to rebuild.

To determine appropriate catch rates, computer models are used to assess fish stocks. The models are fed data such as fish biology, catch history, and rates of fish breeding, growth and death.

Our investigation tested how accurate estimates of fish stocks actually are. It involved examining data from 230 of the world’s largest fisheries, spanning 128 fish species. They include fishing areas off Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada, Argentina and South Africa.

We focused on the depletion in the “biomass”, or total weight, of fish stocks. When fish catch falls to below 10% of its biomass when fishing began, the fish stock is widely said to have collapsed.

For each fish stock, we took data that provided the best estimate of stock depletion at a given year in the past. The data was produced by scientists and reported to fisheries managers and databases.

We compared this historical data to updated modelling produced years later. The updated data was the most recent assessment of that fish stock, but was also “backdated” to the same year as the historical data. The more recent estimates should be more accurate because they are based on data collected over a longer period, and after improvements in the modelling process.

So what did we find? The earlier stock assessments were often too optimistic about the number of fish in the ocean.

For sustainably fished stocks, the earlier estimates were generally accurate. But for stocks that were overfished, most earlier data turned out to be substantially overestimated. In many cases, fish stocks were regarded at the time to be recovering when they were in fact declining.

Among over-fished stocks, we estimated the number of collapsed stocks was likely 85% larger than currently recognised.

How has this discrepancy come about? The models used to make stock assessments are complex and involve many inputs. This can lead to uncertain or inaccurate results – a problem that accumulates each time a value is entered into the model.

As I outline below, the consequences can be devastating.

The case of the jackass morwong

The jackass morwong (also known as deep sea perch) is found off southern Australia and New Zealand. In 2009, models estimated the total stock size for south-eastern Australia at 4,680 tonnes – 22% of the 21,200 tonnes that existed when fishing began. This estimate informed decisions by fisheries managers about how many fish could sustainably be caught in future years.

But modelling in 2014 indicated stock size in 2009 was more likely to have been 3,330 tonnes, and the initial stock size was probably about 28,800 tonnes. That means in 2009, stocks were likely to have depleted to 12% of original levels, not 22%.

The inaccurate estimates mean the “total allowable fish catch” set by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority for jackass morwong is likely to have been unsustainable. Fishing continued with little constraint and the morwong population continued to decline for a decade.

By 2022, however, the declining fish numbers were clear. That year, the authority announced five ocean areas would close to trawl fishers, in a bid to protect the jackass morwong and other fish species. The federal government also allocated about A$24 million to buy back fishing vessel permits.

This probably could have been avoided if accurate stock models had been applied and the full extent of depletion recognised a decade earlier.

Fundamental change is needed

Our research shows the global problem of overfishing is far worse than currently recognised. So what should be done?

Clearly, scientists should try to improve the accuracy of models used to assess fish stocks.

And management of fisheries should be far more cautious, to protect fish stocks around the world. This is vital for sustainable fisheries, healthy oceans, and our own food security.

Graham Edgar does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Investigation reveals global fisheries are in far worse shape than we thought – and many have already collapsed – https://theconversation.com/investigation-reveals-global-fisheries-are-in-far-worse-shape-than-we-thought-and-many-have-already-collapsed-237306

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vaughan Cruickshank, Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, University of Tasmania

Eating oranges at half-time has been a popular and long-standing tradition at junior sports in countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

They are also regularly eaten by professional athletes in competitions such as the Australian Football League, as well as the National Basketball Association and National Football League (NFL) in America.

In fact, the NFL’s game operations manual states each home team must provide “three dozen sliced oranges for half-time” for the visiting team, as well as other things like ice, coffee and gum.

But why do we do this? And how did it start?

Origins of oranges in sport

The exact origins of this relationship between oranges and sport are hard to pin down.

According to US business Florida Fruit Shippers, eating oranges has been a tradition in England since the 1950s.

Another suggested origin story, from the America Youth Soccer Organisation, is the tradition was started by a donation from a supportive local citrus growing business.

It has also been suggested that in Australia and the UK, it may have emerged during the second world war, linked to government concerns about poor nutrition after rationing.

Similar to school students being given free milk to help prevent diseases such as rickets, they were also given oranges to assist with vitamin c and iron deficiencies, as vitamin c has been shown to enhance iron absorption from plant sources.

Benefits of eating oranges

Fruits like oranges contain carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals; carbohydrates are important in providing energy while vitamins and minerals are important in growth and development.

Together these nutrients help contribute to good health.

In Australia, only about two-thirds of children up to the age of 18 eat the recommended serves of fruit. For good health, you should try to eat at least two serves of fruit every day.

Encouraging children to eat fruit could help improve their health and sports performance.

To help children perform in junior sports it is important to provide healthy snacks that help them to play at their best.

Choosing fruit at half-time (or quarter-time) is a great way to increase fruit intake. There are also benefits from eating oranges over lollies, which contain only added sugars.

One benefit is oranges (along with watermelon, strawberries or grapes) is that they contain large amounts of water. This can help with staying hydrated, which is vital in all sports at all ages.

Another benefit is oranges contain natural sugars to provide energy during exercise. This makes them ideal half-time snacks.

An average sized orange will provide around 10-12 grams of carbohydrate via natural sugars. This carbohydrate is easy to digest to provide sustained energy.

In sports with shorter durations, additional bursts of energy are not always essential, as muscle stores are less likely to be as depleted.

So although oranges aren’t essential in shorter duration sports that go for less than 75 minutes, they can assist with hydration, provide a release of energy and include key nutrients to help children stay healthy.

Plus, their natural sweetness can make them enjoyable.

Are there any downsides?

Despite the benefits of eating oranges, 15 years ago, Netball Queensland reportedly banned them at half-time.

The concern? Potential damage to children’s teeth due to the acidity of oranges. Coaches were encouraged to promote fluids instead of oranges to keep players hydrated.

While it’s true that increased consumption of fruits and fruit juices can harm teeth, eating a few orange slices at half-time is unlikely to cause significant damage.

In fact, dehydration is more of a concern for dentists due to the resulting lack of saliva production.

Saliva helps to protect the teeth from tooth decay and erosion – when saliva production is reduced, so too is the protection of teeth.

Recently, some South Australian soccer clubs have also banned oranges, with some teams replacing them with lollies. This shift seems to have evolved from parents talking to each other and deciding a sugar hit is beneficial.

But lollies are often sticky, causing them to adhere to the tooth’s surface and remain there for extended periods. This prolonged exposure to sugar increases the risk of tooth decay.

A fact sheet endorsed by Nutrition Australia and Australian Dental Association states eating lollies is not recommended for junior players.

Not everyone has given up on the orange though.

The Victorian government’s Vic Kids Eat Well program still promotes the idea of “refuel with fruit”, encouraging junior players to snack on easy-to-prepare fruits such as sliced oranges and apples.

They also suggest lower-acidity alternatives like watermelon or bananas.

So while it’s difficult to know exactly how, where and why oranges became so ubiquitous in sport, they do seem to serve a purpose for athletes of all ages and abilities.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. How and why did half-time oranges in junior sports become a tradition? – https://theconversation.com/how-and-why-did-half-time-oranges-in-junior-sports-become-a-tradition-234919

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan Harvey, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, Auckland University of Technology

The significance and solace of poetry is closer than you think, I tell budding authors as they arrive at class with headphones on, glued to TikTok trends, or scrolling through Instagram feeds.

Given their youth, they begin to air archaic ideas about what poetry is: something that’s difficult to decipher, hard to write.

Asked to name a poet, their minds often retreat into the historical darkness where they locate Shakespeare. Perhaps a name surfaces from an era a little closer to our own – Emily Dickinson, say, or Sylvia Plath.

It’s then I offer them Dua Lipa and Benson Boone, and screen YouTube videos of “New Rules” and “Beautiful Things”.

Poetry originated in oral narrative, after all. Long before Gutenburg invented the printing press, long before the Sumerians and others developed script, humans entertained and educated, connected and comforted one another through the lyrical word.

Whether short, memorised stories exchanged between the poor and uneducated, ancestral endeavours retold at community gatherings, or epics recited for the delectation of royal courts, poetry was global and democratic. It still is.

Poetic celebrity

Poetry was also a forum for messaging with a significant reach. Sex, sexuality, love, morality, law, wrongdoing, mutiny … nothing was taboo for poetic exploration and dissemination.

Yes, even false, imagined or speculative portrayals of the proclivities of the powerful and privileged. Fake news indeed.

Publishing eventually set stories on the page and bound them within book covers. This confined poems and other forms of storytelling to the minds and mouths of the educated. But poetry overcame this challenge through continual development.

In form (sonnet, villanelle, elegy), music (rhythms, rhyme-schemes, poetic metre), tone (serious, sarcastic, sombre, sensual) and subject matter, it proliferated. More than this, across the centuries it remained accessible because of its ability to keep delivering concise, resonant narratives.

It was this relevancy that allowed poetry to generate the forerunners of celebrity culture. Take the drop-dead-gorgeous, rebellious, brooding and outspoken Lord Byron. Like contemporary rock stars and influencers, he understood how to enthral audiences by self-consciously “performing” a persona through his poems.

Verse in the digital age

Of course, the halcyon Byronic epoch is long gone – isn’t it? No. It’s 200 years since his death, but the limberness of poetry he fully embraced and showcased endures.

It’s there, for instance, in the lyric that modern pop stars employ in all musical genres – rock, rap, hip hop, rhythm and blues, country. It’s all poetry.

Nor has it shed those past means of expression and appeal. The in-person performances that elevated Byron to stardom are alive in popular weekly poetry readings starring Aotearoa’s best and brightest verse-makers, from north to south.

Similarly, poetry has adapted and found opportunity in the digital age, reinventing itself in local webpages such as Best New Zealand Poems, Poetry Archive and Poetry Foundation, and particularly on TikTok, where short and concise verse very much suits the new media.

Poets now get to bypass the “slush pile” and silence of conventional publishers to reach millions keen for succinct, stimulating writing.

Perhaps inevitably, given the unregulated world of social media, the trend has been accompanied by complaints of plagiarism. As Big Tech evolves, the death knell is being rung for the arts and artists. AI-generated poetry has provided an early warning of the possible philistine future.

Heart, mind and imagination

It’s right, of course, to decry the simulated creation of an art form as traditional and personal as poetry. As an author, I recognise the threats from loss of work, loss of voice, value, royalties and returns. It’s a loss, fundamentally, of the unique identity Aotearoa offers the world through its art and artists.

But while I have no faith in the multinational tech titans and their prioritisation of profit over creative integrity and originality, as a writer with a 30-year career, I have – and always will have – faith in the word.

AI can help anyone generate a poem, no doubt. But poetry – that channel for the expressive and emotional – has remained resilient because it is sourced not from the screen but the heart, mind and imagination. To these persistent allies it belongs.

No artificial intelligence will ever experience, let alone truly reflect, that human essence. Nor can it ever comprehend the mobility and metamorphosis of poetry I write of here. It can only replicate.

So, whether it’s on National Poetry Day or any other date, try to experience poetry created, crafted and performed by people. Online too. But most of all, in a way no algorithm can match, experience poetry created, crafted and performed by yourself.

Don’t overthink it – within you lie the words, meanings, cadences, repetitions and experiences only you can unleash.

National Poetry Day, August 23, will see readings and poetry-themed events throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas. See the calendar for details about your region.

Siobhan Harvey does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Dua Lipa is a poet too – on National Poetry Day, let’s celebrate the power of words to move us – https://theconversation.com/dua-lipa-is-a-poet-too-on-national-poetry-day-lets-celebrate-the-power-of-words-to-move-us-235587

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Denis Muller, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne

The resignation of David Anderson as managing director of the ABC has the potential to be a watershed moment in the history of the national broadcaster.

It offers the opportunity to reset the organisation’s editorial culture by facing down the relentless attacks on its journalists from right-wing political interests, principally Liberal-National Party politicians and their mouthpieces at News Corporation.

It may also mean a revision of the five-year plan inaugurated last year, a significant part of which was a transition from a combination of traditional and digital platforms to what has been called an “integrated digital operation” in which traditional radio broadcasting in particular would play a smaller role.

The role of managing director also incorporates the role of editor-in-chief, and Anderson’s legacy should be assessed by reference to both.

Read more:
Kim Williams is right to criticise how the ABC covers news, but there’s a change he needs to make to fix it

He came into the job in 2018, in the wake of a crisis surrounding the ABC’s editorial independence.

The previous managing director, Michelle Guthrie, had been sacked over perceived failures of management. But just before the axe fell, she circulated a dossier to the board containing an email in which the then chair Justin Milne reportedly directed her to “get rid of” the ABC’s chief economics correspondent at the time, Emma Alberici. Her dossier also included notes she had taken of a telephone call with Milne, which recorded him as telling her to “shoot” the ABC’s then political editor Andrew Probyn. These revelations forced Milne to resign.

This issue of editorial independence has cast a long shadow over Anderson’s tenure as editor-in-chief.

He said in a post-resignation interview on ABC News TV that his tenure has been marked by difficult challenges. He did not spell them out, but it is clear from events that have taken place on his watch that one of them has been continuing pressure on ABC journalists from a range of external sources.

There have been times when Anderson has stood up strongly in defence of his journalists. One notable example was when he defended Louise Milligan in the face of fierce criticism from the Morrison government over her 4 Corners program Inside the Canberra Bubble, which lifted the lid on sexual misconduct in Parliament House.

But there have been other times when he has not stood up, or not done so soon enough. An example was the failure to defend Stan Grant when he was attacked for his contribution to a panel discussion about the role of the monarchy and its effect on Aboriginal people, on the occasion of King Charles’ coronation.

A deeper problem is the cowed editorial culture exemplified by the recent case of Laura Tingle, who is not only the chief political correspondent for the 7.30 program but also the staff-elected member of the ABC board.

At the Sydney Writers’ Festival, Tingle had said in a panel discussion that had nothing to do with the ABC that Australia was a racist country, always had been and it was very depressing. She came under sustained attack from News Corporation, and at Senate estimates shortly thereafter Anderson was questioned about this by Liberal senator and former ABC journalist Sarah Henderson.

Anderson’s response was ambiguous. He said he was not embarrassed by what Tingle had said but wished it hadn’t happened.

Tingle put an end to the episode by issuing an apology, and on hearing of Anderson’s decision to resign made a statement thanking him for standing up for his people.

However, there have been other cases where the culture has not been robust enough. Antoinette Lattouf, now found by the Fair Work Commission to have been sacked over a social media post drawing attention to a human rights report on Gaza; Nicole Chvastek terminated as part of a settlement after a complaint of bias from a National Party MP, although the complaint was formally dismissed.

Ambiguity is not a strong weapon in an editor-in-chief’s arsenal. Williams, who took over as chair in March, has shown no hesitation in taking the fight up to News Corp in particular, whose relentless criticism of the ABC and individuals like Tingle he has called “unbalanced” and “fairly unhinged”.

In his role as managing director, however, Anderson has proved to be the right person to stabilise the organisation after the chaos of the Guthrie-Milne period. He has also steered the ABC through the repeated challenges of the digital revolution, although whether his navigational skills are appreciated by Williams is an open question.

Notably, Williams has reversed the strategic decision to start reducing the ABC’s radio networks as part of the shift to digital. Anderson said last year that the audience on some AM services such as Radio National and NewsRadio would be so small “that we’ll look at rationalising that over time.”

Williams has taken the opposite view:

It is not available to the ABC to simply withdraw a variety of broadcast services, like for example Radio National or ABC Classic or Triple J. They are part of our responsibility.

He has also been critical of the ABC’s online news choices, saying these are prioritising lifestyle stories over hard news.

None of these issues may have anything to do with Anderson’s decision to resign: he has said that Williams tried to talk him out of it. However, it would be naïve not to at least draw attention to them, especially since Anderson has given no reason beyond a vague statement that it is time for change.

Indeed it does seem that a climate of change is occurring at the ABC. How far it will go is unclear, but a more robust editorial culture, preferably led by an editor-in-chief not encumbered by the responsibilities of a managing director, would be strongly in the national interest.

Denis Muller does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. David Anderson’s resignation as ABC managing director could be a watershed moment for the broadcaster – https://theconversation.com/david-andersons-resignation-as-abc-managing-director-could-be-a-watershed-moment-for-the-broadcaster-237323

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

Australia has a much better-functioning governmental system than the United States, but for political tragics it’s the American scene that’s the riveting must-watch this year.

The battle between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris showcases the differences between presidential and Westminster systems, and the contrasts between the US and Australia in money, campaigning and razzmatazz.

Australia is moving towards capping federal election spending – in the US, it’s off the charts. Australian party conferences are mind-numbing, albeit in Labor’s case with the odd gritty moment. In the US, they’re Hollywood extravaganzas.

Voters in both countries share the modern cynicism that characterises western democracies, although the US is further down the road of disillusionment. In the US, it’s all about “getting out the vote”; Australia’s (highly desirable) compulsory voting drives the debate towards the centre.

Current Australian politics lacks real excitement (no, it won’t come with next year’s federal campaign); high drama infuses US politics, now even more than is usual in a presidential election year.

Star power is absent in Australia, likely for the better. Definitely for the better, there is no Trump-type figure vying for the top job.

But Joe Hockey, Australia’s former ambassador to the US and now a lobbyist in Washington, who has been at this week’s Democratic National Convention, does find some likeness between Harris and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Asked on The Conversation podcast who would be Harris’ match on the Australian political spectrum, Hockey says she has “very similar views to Anthony Albanese”, whom he describes as Australia’s “first left-wing Labor prime minister”.

Notably, he doesn’t suggest a match-up with Julia Gillard, a woman from the left. “I think Julia Gillard had to pander to the right in the Labor Party more than Anthony Albanese has had to. And that’s because she had the constant threat of Kevin Rudd, whereas prime minister Albanese hasn’t got that threat”.

If Harris wins in November, we can assume Albanese will be anxious to secure an early visit to Washington, although this might be difficult before his own election, due by May.

For now, Albanese’s immediate attention has to be laser-like on the local.

The just-finished parliamentary sitting saw the government tick off some of its to-do list. At the same time, Albanese’s performance was lacklustre in question times that focused primarily on visas for Gazans and national security.

Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt secured, with opposition support after some amendments, his bill to begin bringing the CFMEU’s construction division under control. Predictably, the defiant union is considering whether to mount a court challenge.

Bill Shorten finally saw his NDIS reform legislation passed. This also came courtesy of a deal with the Coalition, as well as another with the states and territories. The latter was achieved with a helping hand from South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, a pragmatist who is shaping up as one of the most impressive politicians in country.

An agreement with the opposition on aged care legislation was close but not formally sealed; the introduction of this legislation will now have to wait for the September sitting.

Bipartisanship on NDIS reform and aged care is important to both sides. The government wants to limit opposition for reforms that have losers and could cost votes. The Coalition wants difficult changes in place by the time it reaches power (whenever that may be) rather than needing to undertake them itself, with the political costs that would involve.

There’s another area where the government and opposition are in broad agreement, although it hasn’t come to a head yet. That is reform of gambling advertising. Each side supports limited reform, that would leave some room for advertisements on commercial television – neither favours a total ban.

Labor is due to announce its policy within weeks but its unwillingness to go to a full ban has upset some backbenchers. So did the government’s briefing stakeholders before caucus members.

There’s a broader question here. The government makes a big point about “consultation” with stakeholders, which is all to the good. But that has also involved a rigorous use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Those briefed have to abide by strict confidentiality. This limits the amount of information in the public domain ahead of decisions, and also the ability of these stakeholders to publicly debate the issues. From the government’s point of view, hands are conveniently tied.

In question time in the past fortnight, the opposition’s near-total concentration on the government’s hasty granting of vistor visas to Gazans came with risks. The Coalition departed from the bread-and-butter issues of more concerns to most voters.

But the tactic did expose Albanese as somewhat slipshod in his answers (for example selectively quoting the ASIO chief) and once again scratched at the issue of Labor’s processes and competence in the contested immigration area.

It did bring forth one piece of positive news for Immigration Minister Tony Burke. In his Sydney seat of Watson, Burke has a large Muslim population and faces a Muslim candidate who’s running as an independent. Peter Dutton’s tough stand on Gazan refugees (he wants them all banned for the time being) suggests there is no chance the Liberals would preference the Muslim candidate over Burke, ensuring he is a shoo-in.

One effect of the deals between the government and opposition on several big issues has been to push the Greens (as well as other Senate crossbenchers) to the margin.

The Greens have played hardball on legislation, seeking to differentiate themselves from Labor, which they threaten in some urban seats.

The party hit a high-water mark in 2022. It is hard to judge whether its increasing radicalism (especially on Gaza) will take it forwards or backwards in 2025. For some voters who might be attracted to the Greens, progressive independents are a competing option.

Back at the Democratic National Convention, Hockey wasn’t the only Australian observer watching keenly in Chicago. Labor’s Deputy Senate Leader Don Farrell has also been there, at the invitation of the National Democratic Institute, in his capacity as special minister of state.

“This forum, held in the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention, brings together world leaders, officials and organisations with an interest in protecting our democratic institutions,” he said ahead of the visit.

“I’m very privileged to be the first Australian minister invited to a Democratic convention and a witness to the great celebration of American democracy,” he told Sky on Wednesday. Pressed on what he was doing there, Farrell, who is also trade minister, said, “Fortuitously, there’s an opportunity to speak with all of my counterparts in trade and commerce”. He was also, he said, talking to Republicans.

A prudent bet each way.

Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Grattan on Friday: Presidential battle showcases the differences between US political system and ours – https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-presidential-battle-showcases-the-differences-between-us-political-system-and-ours-237313

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

This year’s Democratic National Convention has been an event filled with excitement and optimism, a far cry from where the Democrats were just weeks when Joe Biden was their presidential candidate.

With Kamala Harris as their nominee, the Democrats have gained support in the polls and with a big surge in donations and volunteers. A question lingers, however, about whether they can maintain their momentum, as Harris still hasn’t faced a major press conference or TV interview.

We’re joined on the podcast by former Australian ambassador to Washington, Joe Hockey, who’s been attending the convention in Chicago.

Asked who would be Harris’ match on the Australian political spectrum, Hockey says:

I think Kamala Harris has very similar views to Anthony Albanese, I think the difference is that America is a little more conservative than Australia, in some ways. And that’s not Australian ‘conservative’, that’s American ‘conservative’, believing in the right to bear arms, going to church, not once, but twice a week, and a fierce defence of state rights.

That’s a challenge for her, particularly coming from California.

On the mood in the convention room and how the race has changed since Biden dropped out:

There’s a combination of relief and unbridled enthusiasm. The relief comes from the fact that there was just total despair at the inability of Joe Biden to cut through, and people knew that he was not going to win.

It was like a death march to the polls. When he decided to go, there was this massive gasp of relief from the Democratic base but, at the same time, enthusiasm around a new energetic woman of colour who could beat Donald Trump.

On Trump’s campaign team, which has been unable to get a clean attack on Harris, Hockey says:

I know his senior team and a range of others, from Lindsey Graham through to a number of his own family are saying to him, focus on the issues. Narrow down your attack points, get back to the policy issues that matter. You know, the cost of living and immigration and so on. He can’t help himself. He just hasn’t got any discipline. He talks too long, he meanders, he’s obsessed with issues that are absolutely irrelevant to his vote or the voters he needs to win.

Hockey highlights why the American elections impact on countries like Australia:

Washington DC is the modern Rome, and everything that happens here has an impact in the far reaches of the earth and beyond and the Americans, despite everything you think, and you listen to the rubbish coming out of Paul Keating and Gareth Evans and so on. America is still the best friend we can possibly have, and we want to keep that friend. I mean, they’re blood relatives and their values, not identical to ours, but […] they’re fingers on the same hand.

And so if we can influence them in a positive way, […] if we can do that, then we’re making the lives of Australians much better every day.

Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Politics with Michelle Grattan: Joe Hockey says Kamala Harris and Anthony Albanese share views – https://theconversation.com/politics-with-michelle-grattan-joe-hockey-says-kamala-harris-and-anthony-albanese-share-views-237316

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Tuffley, Senior Lecturer in Applied Ethics & CyberSecurity, Griffith University

For Australian breaker Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, the 2024 Paris Olympics were marred by an outpouring of online trolling. Gunn’s performance was met with a savage backlash on social media.

Viral videos and memes mocking Gunn’s unconventional style quickly spread, along with a barrage of racist, sexist and body-shaming comments. Trolls accused her of “disgracing” the Olympics and called for her disqualification. Days after the event was over, anonymous online critics continued to attack Gunn’s appearance, talent and identity.

The Raygun incident perfectly demonstrates how a combination of high-profile events, social media platform design and human psychology can reinforce each other to create a storm.

The factors that lead to trolling are complex, but they also point us towards a solution.

Algorithmic acceleration

At the heart of the issue is the way social media platforms are designed. Algorithms that prioritise engagement and virality can rapidly amplify and spread content, both good and bad.

It can turn an initial handful of trolls into a mob. Posts and memes that generate strong emotional reactions, whether positive or negative, are more likely to be shared and commented on. This fuels their momentum and reach. As the criticism of Raygun spread across platforms, more people piled on.

Such “algorithmic acceleration” creates echo chambers where extreme views become normalised. In an echo chamber, users are only shown information that reinforces their existing beliefs.

This can intensify negative sentiments and lead to a more hostile online environment. Dissenting voices tend to be silenced.

Anonymity, disinhibition and dark leisure

The relative anonymity of online spaces also plays a key role. People feel emboldened to say things they would never dare say in person. This “online disinhibition effect” lowers their restraints and empathy, and makes trolling more likely.

Surprisingly, the role of “fun” is also significant in trolling. Trolls are not solely motivated by malice. For some, trolling serves as a dark form of leisure.

They derive enjoyment from humiliation, causing pain and eliciting reactions from victims and others. This often leads trolls to seek out topics and spaces in which to “play” and express their sadistic nature.

Meme culture and virality

The viral spread of content such as memes is another distinctive feature of online trolling. Trolls weaponise the visual language of memes, creating satirical or derogatory images that are easily shareable and remixable.

These can quickly take on a life of their own, becoming embedded in the cultural consciousness and making the original target of the abuse even more visible.

In Raygun’s case, the trolls seized on her mode of dress and mannerisms, turning them into endlessly reproduced caricatures. Such meme-driven harassment amplifies the personal nature of the attacks.

How can we combat trolling?

Tackling online trolling is a complex challenge. Platforms, policymakers and communities must approach this from various angles.

Technological solutions

Improved moderation tools. Social media platforms are investing in AI-driven tools to detect and remove harmful content. However, these tools can struggle with context, leading to false positives and false negatives.

Strengthened user reporting and blocking features. To empower people to manage their online interactions more effectively, we need better reporting mechanisms, and the ability to mute and block trolls.

Behaviour change

It’s equally critical to take into account the psychology of human behaviour. If we want people to change their behaviour online, whom should we target and how?

Psychological support services. Providing mental health resources for individuals targeted by online abuse can help mitigate the personal impact of trolling.

Educational campaigns. Raising awareness of the impact of trolling and promoting digital literacy can help users and society in general navigate online spaces more safely. This includes understanding how algorithms work and recognising the signs of echo chambers.

Positively engaging bystanders. Research highlights the critical role of bystanders in limiting violent behaviours, including trolling. When trolls can’t be directly stopped, a social media community can establish rules and expectations. Harmful behaviours can be called out by engaged bystanders, setting a positive tone that discourages bad behaviour.

Regulatory measures. Policymakers should consider implementing strict regulations to discourage individuals from engaging in online harassment and trolling.

All these changes can be difficult to implement. It’s hard to change human behaviour at scale, and providing widespread psychological support requires resources. But the measures above would likely keep infrequent trolls away from this nasty behaviour.

Where to from here?

The solutions above can offer some relief, but they have limitations. Educational campaigns may not reach all users. The global and decentralised nature of the internet makes it challenging to enforce regulations consistently across jurisdictions. Bystanders may be reluctant to get involved.

To combat trolling, we need tech companies, governments and everyday internet users to work together to create safer online environments.

This includes developing more sophisticated AI moderation tools, fostering cross-platform cooperation to limit trolling, and promoting a culture of accountability and respect online.

Gunn has spoken up about the “devastating” effect of the online hate she experienced in the wake of the Olympics. It’s just one incident among many, but it underscores the urgent need for better methods to combat toxic online behaviour on a global scale.

The work of this project is supported by the Disrupting Violence Beacon, a research initiative of Griffith University.

David Tuffley is affiliated with the Australian Computer Society.

Sameer is a theme leader in Griffith University’s Disrupting Violence Beacon.

Rory Mulcahy does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Social media accelerates trolling – just look at Raygun. How can we stop viral moments from spiralling? – https://theconversation.com/social-media-accelerates-trolling-just-look-at-raygun-how-can-we-stop-viral-moments-from-spiralling-237215

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Helen Dickinson, Professor, Public Service Research, UNSW Sydney

The Senate has passed a bill that will pave the way for sweeping reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The bill will now return to the House, where it’s expected to be passed later today.

In late March many in the disability community were surprised when the government introduced a new piece of legislation to get the NDIS “back on track”. The route of the bill through parliament has not been easy and many in the disability community have been highly critical of it, even calling for the current reforms to be scrapped altogether.

On Wednesday, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten said agreement had been reached with states and territories about how they will work together regarding the scheme. The provision of “foundational” disability support and services outside the NDIS has been a sticking point.

Why has this bill been so controversial? And now amended reforms have passed the Senate, what will happen next?

A long and winding path

When the legislation to reform the NDIS Act was tabled there had been no exposure draft released beforehand. This meant there had not been public discussion and although some Disability Representative Organisations had been given details, they had been asked to sign non-disclosure agreements to prevent them talking about it. This was at odds with NDIS review recommendations that rules and changes should be co-designed with people with disability and adhere to the principle of “nothing about us, without us”.

When the bill was introduced to parliament there were also two major processes – the NDIS review and the disability royal commission – that had delivered recommendations about disability services and supports and had not yet been responded to by the government.

Since then, there has been a response to the disability royal commission widely panned as “lacklustre and disappointing”. But we still haven’t seen a government response to the NDIS review recommendations released at the end of last year. This means the government is legislating before outlining what changes it will make in response to the review.

Further investigation

The bill was referred to a senate committee for further investigation. In what would become an ongoing theme, submission deadlines were tight with hearings held in late May and a final report due mid June. Yet hundreds of submissions were received from the disability community.

A staggering number of amendments to the legislation followed including how NDIS supports are defined and how human rights are considered.

The bill passed the House of Representatives in early June but the government did not have enough support to pass it in the Senate and it was referred for a second committee hearing.

Again, hundreds of submissions were received with people and groups pointing out the limitations of the bill and urging it should not be passed. The committee recommended the bill should pass promptly, despite renewed push back from the Greens.

Today, that has happened.

Read more:
Lists of ‘eligible supports’ could be a backwards step for the NDIS and people with disability

Concerns over cost shifting

Given the government’s goal of containing the scheme’s costs and growth, the disability community is worried this will result in cuts to services and supports.

Some in the community has accused the government of whipping up public outrage about the scheme with talk about significant fraud and money being spent on things like sex services, which only a small number of people are approved to receive under the scheme.

One solution to reducing the costs of the scheme suggested by the NDIS review was that a foundational supports strategy should be developed that would take some of the pressure off. In December of last year National Cabinet agreed to share the costs of these supports equally between the Commonwealth and states and territories and in January the Commonwealth committed $11.6 million over two years to support the development and implementation of the foundational supports strategy.

Meanwhile, the states and territories have spoken out against the bill from the start. This is likely due to concerns changes to the scheme would shift aspects of services and supports from the NDIS to states and territories.

The disability community also shares concerns around foundational supports. Given these are not in place and have five years to transition in, NDIS changes could leave service and support gaps and disabled people going without.

Minister Shorten has dismissed fears and said he was ready to force states to take on extra responsibilities. This process has caused a significant rift with important partners in this and other policies and programs.

This week the government admitted participants might have to pay for required NDIS needs assessment. This would amount to significant costs for participants and might mean some go without access to the NDIS, creating a significant equity issue.

Up until the very last minute groups such as Every Australian Counts and People with Disability Australia called on the government to pause or reject the bill for fear of causing harm to NDIS participants.

What’s next?

The government has lost a lot of political currency with the disability community. It is likely any future legislation or changes to scheme rules will encounter significant opposition.

And now the legislation has passed there will need to be significant action to work out what these reforms look like in practice. The government has said it will co-design these with the community, but many remain doubtful given the journey so far.

These fears have been realised with the current consultation on how eligible supports should be defined in the NDIS. While these details have significant implications for how the scheme operates, the consultation period was initially set for a mere fortnight. It has since been extended by a week. This brief window for consultation on such an important issue could lead to changes that significantly limit the innovation and independence of participants.

Unless the government really starts listening to people with disability we will see the NDIS go backwards and some of the gains made for the disability community in recent years will be significantly eroded.

Helen Dickinson receives funding from the ARC, NHMRC and CYDA

– ref. The Senate has passed the NDIS reform bill – will it get things ‘back on track’ for people with disability? – https://theconversation.com/the-senate-has-passed-the-ndis-reform-bill-will-it-get-things-back-on-track-for-people-with-disability-237024

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hannah Dawson, Postdoctoral Research Associate in oceanography, University of Tasmania

The remote icy wilderness at the bottom of the world is exposed to pollution and foreign organisms on floating ocean debris.

Recognising the threat to Antarctica’s remote coastline and unique marine ecosystems, we wanted to find out where this material is coming from. It turns out it’s travelling further than you might think.

Using ocean modelling techniques, we show floating objects such as kelp, plastic and other debris can drift to Antarctica from South America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Our new research shows Antarctica’s coastlines more connected to land in the Southern Hemisphere than previously thought. Cold and icy conditions may have prevented foreign organisms from colonising Antarctic waters to date. But these conditions are changing rapidly.

Antarctica’s unique environment

Antarctica’s coastal waters are extremely cold and mostly covered by sea ice. Yet these waters are also home to a surprisingly wide range of unique species found nowhere else on Earth.

In recent years, some non-native species have been found in Antarctic waters. They can arrive on ships, either in ballast water or encrusted onto ship hulls, or on drifting ocean debris.

Some of these species, including kelp, are known to drift from islands just north of the Antarctic continent. But it’s been unclear whether species can reach Antarctica from further afield, until now.

Why does this matter?

In a warming world, Antarctica is one of the few refuges for slow-growing, cold-water specialist species. If foreign species were to successfully establish in the cold polar waters, they could compete with native species and dramatically change marine ecosystems.

Aside from a small number of research stations and tourist hotspots, much of Antarctica’s coastline remains untouched. The arrival of foreign species and other human-made debris threatens this unique wilderness.

The amount of plastic and other debris in the ocean is increasing each year. This could mean more non-native species are finding ways to hitch a ride to the icy continent.

Identifying the sources of drift objects rafting to Antarctica helps us better understand the risks to native species.

Southern Ocean circulation

Antarctica is encircled by a giant ocean current – the Antarctic Circumpolar Current – which flows eastward around the icy continent, separating it from warmer waters to the north.

The strength of this strong eastward flow and the associated sharp oceanographic fronts was previously thought to isolate the polar continent from drifting objects to the north. Yet the Antarctic Circumpolar Current is also eddy-rich and subject to powerful storm systems. Both provide possible pathways for these objects to cross.

Virtually generated drifters

Previously, rafts reaching Antarctic waters have been genetically tested to reveal their source location. These analyses confirmed kelp could drift from sub-Antarctic islands including South Georgia and the Kerguelen Islands.

But not all objects can be tested this way, and only a small fraction of the Antarctic coastline is visited by scientists each year. Scaling up such an approach to determine all possible source locations is not feasible.

Instead, we turned to ocean modelling. We considered the known source locations around the Southern Ocean islands and also landmasses further north, such as Australia, New Zealand, South America and South Africa.

Both ocean currents and surface waves control the drift of objects across the Southern Ocean towards Antarctica. So both of these influences were factored in to our model.

In our virtual world, we released millions of drift objects into the ocean and watched them move around the globe.

We tracked these objects for three model years or until they arrived at the Antarctic coastline – whichever came first.

These simulations revealed floating objects can drift to Antarctica not only from the sub-Antarctic islands, but also from New Zealand, Tasmania, South America and South Africa.

Only a tiny fraction of the simulated particles actually make it to Antarctica, but they do so every year. This suggests floating objects are regularly arriving at Antarctic coastlines, and have done for some time.

But as the world warms and ice melts, any invasion of foreign organisms may be more successful.

Warmer waters and lower sea ice spells trouble

The modelling allows us to assess which regions of the Antarctic coastline are most at risk from these rafting non-native species.

Concerningly, most of the simulated rafts arrive at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. This region has relatively warm ocean temperatures where the coastline is ice-free for long periods each year.

Cold ocean temperatures and abrasive sea ice present a natural barrier to foreign invaders seeking homes around Antarctica. But with little sea ice at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, there’s a greater chance non-native species will settle in.

What does this mean for the future?

Antarctic sea ice has shown a dramatic decline in recent years. In addition, the Antarctic Peninsula has already warmed more rapidly than most places around Antarctica, with record high temperatures in recent years.

Dwindling sea ice and a warming Antarctic coastline means remote species could have more opportunities to colonise the icy continent. If this were to happen, we could see dramatic shifts in some Antarctic coastal ecosystems.

Hannah Dawson receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC).

Adele Morrison receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC).

Ceridwen Fraser receives funding from the Royal Society of New Zealand.

Matthew England receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC).

– ref. Rafts of garbage, kelp and other debris could transport alien invaders to a warming Antarctica – https://theconversation.com/rafts-of-garbage-kelp-and-other-debris-could-transport-alien-invaders-to-a-warming-antarctica-237226

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aaron Gilbert, Professor of Finance, Auckland University of Technology

The Commerce Commission’s banking market study has concluded more competition is required to reduce the profits of the big four banks. But the report suggests increasing competition may be ineffective unless customers are easily able and willing to switch between banks.

In 2023, the four Australian banks operating in New Zealand made approximately NZ$7.1 billion in profit, representing $1,400 per person. Despite many customers struggling due to increasing mortgage costs, the banks’ profits rose.

The previous government commissioned the market study to look into whether competition for personal banking services in New Zealand was working.

The report highlights a lack of true competition, with Kiwibank under-capitalised and the slow rollout of open banking.

Though open banking is on the horizon, it may also prove less than effective unless we can demystify the financial system and make switching less costly and less time-consuming.

The hurdles to changing banks

One barrier to competition is consumer disengagement. This results in many people staying with their bank despite being charged more than those shopping around. The commission’s report notes 54% of customers have never switched banks.

The report identifies several issues that result in customers being “sticky” and disinclined to switch banks, including how difficult it can be to find the best deal.

For example, the advertised mortgage interest rate can differ from the rate you are ultimately offered. Customers must go through the mortgage application process to get a definitive rate. This is a time-consuming process that limits their incentive to shop around.

Additionally, switching banks can become a long and onerous task involving changes to automatic payments, and notifying your employer and every organisation you have financial interactions with.

The experience of KiwiSaver also raises questions about the effectiveness of competition. With over 20 providers in New Zealand, the KiwiSaver market appears competitive.

However, a 2019 report commissioned by the Financial Markets Authority concluded that, compared to similar funds in the United Kingdom, KiwiSaver fund fees were between a third and 80% higher.

Additionally, economies of scale do not appear to have been passed on to customers. Consumers’ unwillingness to engage with their KiwiSaver, essentially a set-and-forget approach, has limited the price competition you would expect to see in a competitive market.

The promise and reality of open banking

Open banking allows access to banking and transaction data via third-party service providers. New Zealand has lagged behind other countries in establishing open banking systems.

Open banking allows users to aggregate multiple bank accounts within one app, and allows lenders to directly access a person’s financial information. There is the potential for open banking apps to compare products and services from different banks using a person’s own data, making shopping around considerably easier.

With the aggregation of services from different providers in a single app, a consumer could easily have their savings and transactions with different banks, selecting the “best” product for them.

While open banking has huge potential, it will again depend on the consumer to realise this potential. Willingness to accept the third-party apps and to allow them access to personal data will be critical, at least once the infrastructure is in place.

The ongoing disengagement of many consumers to all things financial means even open banking may not improve competition in the banking sector.

Greater transparency

If the government wants to address bank profitability, it needs to enable and encourage people to change banks. So, how can this be achieved?

Firstly, information needs to be more clearly available and understandable. Advertised mortgage rates and cash back incentives, for example, are often less attractive than the rate offered at the end of the application process.

But a prospective client is unable to find that out until they have invested time and effort applying.

Secondly, the government needs to make the process of changing banks easier. Some countries have implemented systems to reduce the time and pain associated with switching accounts, such as Australia’s New Payments Program or the UK’s Current Account Switch Service.

Finally, the government needs to accelerate the adoption of open banking. This will allow consumers to centralise their financial data and to apply for different banks’ products (such as savings, credit cards and mortgages) from a single platform.

Aaron Gilbert does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Want NZ banking to be more competitive? Then make it easier to switch banks – https://theconversation.com/want-nz-banking-to-be-more-competitive-then-make-it-easier-to-switch-banks-237220

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wesley Morgan, Research Associate, Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney

Japan has a very clear vision of what the Asia-Pacific’s clean energy future looks like – decarbonisation, but done slowly and with a longer role for coal, oil and gas.

It was on full display this week as energy ministers from nine South-East Asian nations, Japan and Australia gathered in Jakarta to hash out a shared vision for Asia’s energy future, under Japan’s Asian Zero Emissions Community (AZEC) initiative launched last year.

But there’s a clear problem here. Japan’s vision clashes directly with Australia’s efforts to become a green export superpower. And worse, Japanese investment is a key reason why Australia has emerged as an unlikely gas export giant.

Energy security is front of mind for Japanese policymakers worried about keeping the lights on across their import-dependent archipelago. While Tokyo does have green energy plans, its short-term push is all about prolonging the life of fossil fuels – coupled with carbon capture.

Labor came to power promising to act faster on climate change. By decade’s end, Australia should be largely run on renewables, and Canberra wants to make clean exports a reality.

But Japan is making that harder by financing gas exploitation in Australia. This could lock our fast-growing and energy-hungry region into much longer reliance on dirty fossil fuels and questionable carbon capture plans.

There’s a real danger Australia’s green export plans could be washed away by a tide of new fossil fuels.

So what are Japan’s zero emission plans?

In 2022, the Japanese Prime Minister Kishido Fumio began promoting a triple breakthrough – efforts combining decarbonisation, economic growth and energy security. Fumio launched the Asian Zero Emissions Community to encourage the idea.

While these goals sound reasonable, the devil is in the detail. The world’s fourth-largest economy, Japan has long been dependent on imported coal, oil and gas – and more so after the 2011 Fukushima disaster forced nuclear plant shutdowns. Even as the world belatedly scrambles to tackle climate change, Japanese policymakers are still focused on keeping fossil fuels flowing. Many AZEC projects aim to use fossil fuels for electricity.

The government’s energy policies explicitly aim to secure long-term supplies of fossil fuels and encourage Japanese firms to be involved. Japan is now the world’s second-largest public financier of international fossil fuel projects, spending more than A$7 billion every year.

How does this align with net zero? Japan claims new fossil fuel plants can slash emissions by burning ammonia in coal plants, blending hydrogen with fossil gas in gas plants and ramping up carbon capture and storage.

Each of these technologies is expensive and largely unproven. They cannot cut emissions at anywhere near the scale or speed needed. And every million spent on propping up fossil fuels is a million not spent on renewables and storage.

Japanese funding makes Australian gas flow

Japan sees Australia as a friendly nation with huge fossil fuel resources and longstanding trade links.

Any changes to coal and gas extraction have been met with Japanese lobbying. When Queensland hiked coal royalties in 2022, Japan’s ambassador to Australia, Shingo Yamagami, pushed back hard. The move, he warned, could have “widespread effects on Japanese investment beyond the coal industry”.

When the federal government strengthened the Safeguard Mechanism, our main industrial emissions policy, costs increased for some gas projects. In response, Yamagami dialed up his rhetoric, warning the neon lights of Tokyo would go out without Australian energy exports.

Japan isn’t burning it all at home. It on-sells more liquefied natural gas (LNG) to other Asian nations than it imports from Australia.
Without Japan’s funding on favourable terms, our LNG producers would not be able to compete with lower-cost producers such as Qatar.

Given a global gas glut is now forecast to arrive by 2026, Australia should be looking to dial down LNG. But Japan won’t let that happen.

Just this year, Japan loaned $2.5 billion to help Woodside develop Western Australia’s massive Scarborough gas field.

Independent and green – or dependent and dirty?

Domestically, Australia is greening. Coal is retiring as renewables and storage rush in. Last year, 40% of the power in our main grid came from clean energy and more than 80% of Australia’s total power needs should be provided by renewables by 2030. But internationally, we’re now the second-largest exporter of carbon emissions from fossil fuels.

With major reserves of critical minerals (essential for renewables and batteries) and world class renewable resources, Australia is ideally placed to export green commodities to the region.

The Albanese government is promoting Australia as a “renewable energy superpower” and will invest public money through the Future Made in Australia plan to give local green industries a chance of global success.

But Japan has a different vision. Funding flows from Tokyo have already distorted Australia’s energy market and boosted demand for gas in the region. Worse, it has made it harder for Australian leaders to create future-focused industries. New gas projects pull investment, workers and supply-chain capacity away from clean energy industries.

It’s not that Japan is anti-renewable. It’s just slow to move. Tokyo has ambitious plans to become the world’s top producer of energy from offshore wind.

Recent modelling shows Japan could achieve 90% clean energy by 2035, gaining far greater energy independence and slashing reliance on expensive fossil fuels. If Japan took this route, we would likely see its Australian investments shift from gas to green exports.

But right now, Japan’s focus is on keeping fossil fuels flowing.

Australia has to help shape Asia’s energy transition. If we don’t, we risk our future being made in Tokyo.

Wesley Morgan is a research fellow with the Griffith Asia Institute and a fellow with the Climate Council of Australia.

– ref. Which future? Japan’s net zero vision for the region boosts gas and threatens green exports in Australia – https://theconversation.com/which-future-japans-net-zero-vision-for-the-region-boosts-gas-and-threatens-green-exports-in-australia-236486

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justin Keogh, Associate Dean of Research, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University

Strong men and women have been admired in many cultures for thousands of years, with stone lifting and carrying especially revered.

Immensely strong humans have had a long history in the circus, with the legendary performances of Paul Anderson, Louis Cyr, Minerva and Katie Sandwina still discussed and debated today.

The current sport of strongman developed out of the 1977 TV show called World’s Strongest Man, which pitted some of the largest and strongest male athletes from weightlifting, powerlifting, bodybuilding, American football and athletics against each other to determine who was actually the strongest.

Some of the most iconic events in this sport include truck pulling (where athletes pull a truck as quickly as possible over a course of 20 to 30 metres) and atlas stones (where athletes attempt to lift concrete stones often the size of Swiss balls off the ground and place them on raised platforms around chest high).

Recently, Sandra Bradley became the first woman to lift the 154kg Fullsterkur stone at Dritvik, Iceland.

Some people might look at strongman or strongwoman training and think it is more of a spectacle than a sport. However, strongman and strongwoman is now a more diverse and inclusive sport, including athletes with disabilities and women trying to build strength after having a baby.

Competitions now exist at all levels from novice to elite, with a range of bodyweight categories for teenage, masters, female and individuals with a disability.

It’s not just strong men, now

Weight training has traditionally been considered a male-dominated sport, but in recent years, this has changed. As a strongwoman competitor, I, Zyoa, have seen this growth firsthand.

Back in 2015, it was rare to find more than three women at the strongman gym, whereas today, women sometimes outnumber the men.

The benefits of weight training for women include improved strength and reduced likelihood of chronic illnesses such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Beyond the health benefits though, strength training in women has been shown to improve body satisfaction and body image.

One study of women aged 35-55 found regular strength training improved appreciation and acceptance of one’s body, as participants focused on strength and power goals rather than bodyweight and size.

A more recent study found female powerlifters had improved body image, reduced self-objectification and enhanced mental wellbeing.

The results of this study can certainly be applied to those who do strongwoman training because, like the participants of the study, strongwoman athletes engage in a similar type of training that focuses on maximising strength.

How is it different from ‘normal’ strength training?

Strongman typically involves some modified gym lifts such as deadlifts, squats and overhead presses.

However, what sets apart strongman from sports such as weightlifting and powerlifting is incorporating awkward implements that better replicate “real world” strength.

These events include historical strength feats such as stone lifting as well as “dynamic events” such as vehicle pulls, tyre flips, farmer’s walks and yoke walks, where the athlete who completes a course in the shortest time is the winner.

Not everyone trains to reach the top levels of a sport – few people will ever get close to performing a 500kg deadlift, like the legendary Eddie Hall did in 2016. However, strongman training might be substantially more effective than standard resistance training when it comes to things like the manual tasks in your job or around the home.

For example, do you find carrying groceries or a suitcase to be challenging? If so, practising the farmer’s walk (which can be simply done using dumbbells) would make this household task much less of a chore.

Similarly, lifting and/or carrying stones, kegs or sandbags would make any task in which you have to pick up heavy objects from the ground and carry it a set distance a “walk in the park”.

What are the benefits and risks?

Many male and female athletes of varying ages, sexes and abilities are now performing some versions of strongman lifts in their training, with organisations such as the United States’ National Academy of Sports Medicine now advocating the evidence-based use of some of these exercises such as heavy sleds.

In Australia, junior female rugby players perform tire flips and pushes and one of Australia’s best athletes, Tia-Clair Toomey (a six-time world CrossFit champion) regularly performs strongman lifts such as a yoke walk and sled drag.

Research is starting to reinforce why many strength and conditioning coaches use strongman lifts in their athletes’ training programs.

A 2015 training study involving 30 sub-elite rugby players indicated traditional resistance and strongman training produced similar improvements in muscle mass, strength, sprinting and jumping performance after seven weeks of training.

A more recent study from 2023 involving junior Australian football players indicated heavy sled sprints significantly improved sprint performance and various lower body strength and power measures.

A caveat to these benefits is that it’s important to learn proper technique from knowledgeable coaches and initially use loads that are easily within your capabilities, slowly progressing over time.

How would a first-timer get started?

As always, before starting any new exercise program, it is important to see a doctor to get the all clear.

The next step is to find a strongman gym, which will have equipment like atlas stones, yokes and farmer’s handles for you to get a sense of the implements.

Many of these gyms have introduction classes which may be a great place for a newbie to start.

If a gym nearby is not possible, there are many online coaches that specialise in strongman/woman training. There are many Facebook groups that are a good place to start to find a coach, too.

A coach can also help you by providing a personalised training plan that can help you build up strength slowly, teach you proper technique and help you progress safely.

Zoya Huschtscha receives funding from California Almonds.

Justin Keogh does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Strongman used to be seen as a super-human novelty sport. Now more women and novices are turning to it – https://theconversation.com/strongman-used-to-be-seen-as-a-super-human-novelty-sport-now-more-women-and-novices-are-turning-to-it-233219

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Czeslaw Tubilewicz, Senior Lecturer, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Adelaide

When Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ team vetted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate, his Midwestern roots and background as a teacher, coach and veteran distinguished him from the typical “coastal elite”. However, it’s unclear whether her team considered Walz’s ties to China to be an asset or a potential liability.

Walz first travelled to China in 1989-1990 to teach in the southern city of Foshan. In subsequent years, he organised study tours to China. By 2016, Walz had visited China some 30 times, including a honeymoon trip after marrying a fellow teacher on June 4, 1994, the fifth anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown. He also earned a nickname in his time there: 田华 or “fields of China”.

Republicans and the conservative media have viewed Walz’s China ties with suspicion. Senator Tom Cotton demanded an explanation for Walz’s relationship with China. And Senator Marco Rubio proclaimed, “Walz is an example of how Beijing patiently grooms future American leaders”.

Other conservatives labelled Walz a Manchurian candidate and called him “Totalitarian Tim”. The National Review asserted that Walz had engaged with “senior Chinese leaders” as governor. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer has even launched a probe into Walz over his China ties.

Democrats and the mainstream media, meanwhile, have sought to describe Walz’s China connections with more nuance. They have highlighted his concern for human rights in China and his meetings with the Dalai Lama and Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong.

The New York Times said Walz’s “relationship with China defies easy stereotypes”. Foreign Policy described him as a “measured critic” of the Chinese Communist Party.

But how does China view Harris’ selection as a running mate, and what could he mean for the trajectory of US-China relations?

Chinese media sees positives

Harris’ selection of Walz did not spark controversy in China. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning avoided commenting on his selection, calling for win-win cooperation with the United States.

The tightly censored media, meanwhile, downplayed Walz’s support for Tibet and a democratic Hong Kong and his criticism of the Communist Party’s human rights record. Instead, the media focused largely on three themes.

Surprisingly, Walz’s teaching in China, while duly noted in numerous reports, received the least amount of attention. An ultra-nationalist outlet, Guancha.cn, contacted his former Chinese colleague from Foshan, who described Walz as “very nice” and “well-liked”. The Beijing News highlighted Walz’s “rich life experience”, including his teaching, frequent visits and honeymoon in China, but didn’t mention his wedding date of June 4.

The Chinese press devoted more attention to explaining why Harris chose Walz as her running mate.

One outlet noted he was a “real redneck” (乡下人), referencing his ability to challenge Republican Donald Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy. The Beijing News underscored his political accomplishments, including championing progressive policies in Minnesota. The Paper, a state-owned online publication known for its liberal coverage of current affairs, focused on Walz’s appeal to independent voters and moderate Republicans.

Finally, while Chinese media analysts largely avoided discussing Walz’s stance on China, a few implied that he might advance Beijing’s agenda.

The China Daily mentioned his support for non-adversarial relations with China, praising his capacity to make “more rational and informed decisions on US-China relations”. In the same article, it noted that Vance called “China the biggest threat to the US”.

The Paper contended that Walz’s criticism of China could reflect Democratic Party “prejudices”, rather than his personal views. It concluded:

It is difficult to judge which of Congressman Walz and Governor Walz is expressing his true self in his attitude towards China, or we cannot deny the possibility that the two are not contradictory to some extent.

However, it is probably certain that Walz and his wife’s experience in China should be generally positive.

Not everyone is convinced

The China-US Focus, a publication of the China-United States Exchange Foundation, took a similar view. According to US politicians, conservative think tanks, and media reports, the organisation is a part of the Communist Party’s “United Front” influence operations to help shape foreign perceptions of the party and suppress criticisms of China.

China-US Focus examined Walz’s congressional record, his promotion of Minnesota’s relations with China and his opposition to the US-China trade war and the proposed ban of TikTok. It argued:

Walz’s unique China experience is an asset that […] will directly affect Harris’ China policy. From the Chinese perspective, Walz is a person China is willing to proactively engage with.

China-US Focus also attacked Republicans for spreading “conspiratorial” rumours and mainstream media for covering them.

Chinese “netizens”, as the country’s internet users are known, have shared the media’s broadly positive portrayal of Walz. They have praised his progressive politics and contrasted him with “Uncle Trump”, who one person referred to as a “high school bully”.

Still, not all seemed convinced about Walz’s capacity to influence US-China relations. One person commented that living in China does not automatically make someone pro-China, suggesting US politicians are generally untrustworthy. And sceptics questioned the authenticity of Walz’s friendship with China, posting his photo with Wong as evidence.

So, while some Chinese netizens remain doubtful that Walz will change Washington’s China strategy, the emerging perspective in China portrays him as the least controversial – if not the preferred – candidate in the upcoming US presidential election. Contrary to some analysts, Beijing appears to be counting on “fields of China” (田华) to lead the White House towards a more China-friendly policy.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Republicans believe Tim Walz has been ‘groomed’ by China. But how does China view him? – https://theconversation.com/republicans-believe-tim-walz-has-been-groomed-by-china-but-how-does-china-view-him-236867

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cameron Webb, Clinical Associate Professor and Principal Hospital Scientist, University of Sydney

International authorities are issuing warnings about “sloth fever”. Despite the name, it’s not contracted via contact with sloths. Rather, you should avoid contact with mosquitoes and biting midges.

So how can Australians protect themselves from sloth fever when travelling to South and Central America? And how does “sloth fever” compare with other mosquito-borne diseases, such as Zika?

What is ‘sloth fever’?

Sloth fever is caused by Oropouche virus and is formally known as Oropouche virus disease or Oropouche fever.

The virus is an orthobunyavirus. So it’s from a different family of viruses to the flaviviruses (which includes dengue, Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis viruses) and alphaviruses (chikungunya, Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses).

Oropouche virus was first identified in 1955. It takes its name from a village in Trinidad and Tobago, where the person who it was first isolated from lived.

Symptoms include fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, joint pain, nausea, vomiting and a rash. This makes it difficult to distinguish it from other viral infections. Around 60% of people infected with the virus become ill.

There is no specific treatment and most people recover in less than one month.

However, serious symptoms, including encephalitis and meningitis (inflammation of the brain and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) have occasionally been reported.

What’s happening with this latest outbreak?

In July, the Pan American Health Organization issued a warning after two women from northeastern Brazil died following infection with Oropouche virus, the first fatalities linked to this virus.

There has also been one fetal death, one miscarriage and four cases of newborns with microcephaly, a condition characterised by an abnormally small head, where infection during pregnancy occurred. The situation is reminiscent of the Zika outbreak in 2015–16.

Oropouche had historically been a significant concern in the Americas. However, the illness had slipped in importance following successive outbreaks of chikungunya and Zika from 2013 to 2016, and more recently, dengue.

How is Oropouche virus spread?

Oropouche virus has not been well studied compared to other insect-borne pathogens. We still don’t fully understand how the virus spreads.

The virus is primarily transmitted by blood-feeding insects, particularly biting midges (especially Culicoides paraensis) and mosquitoes (potentially a number of Aedes, Coquillettidia, and Culex species).

We think the virus circulates in forested areas with non-human primates, sloths and birds as the main suspected hosts. During urban outbreaks, humans are carrying the virus and blood-feeding insects then go on to infect other people.

The involvement of biting midges (blood sucking insects mistakenly known as “sandflies” in Australia) makes the transmission cycle of Oropouche virus a little different to those only spread by mosquitoes. The types of insects spreading the virus may also differ between forested and urban areas.

Why is Oropouche virus on the rise?

The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a warning about rising cases of Oropouche in the Americas. Cases are rising outside areas where it was previously found, such as the Amazon basin, which has authorities concerned.

More than 8,000 cases of disease have been reported from countries including Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Cuba.

Cases of travellers acquiring infection in Cuba and Brazil have been reported on return to Europe and North America, respectively.

While a changing climate, deforestation and increased movement of people may partly explain the increase and geographic spread of the virus, something more may be at play.

Oropouche virus appears to have a greater potential for genomic reassortment. This means the evolution of the virus may happen faster than other viruses, potentially leading to more significant disease or increased transmissibility.

Other types of orthobunyaviruses have been shown to undergo genetic changes to result in more severe disease.

Should Australia be concerned?

Without more definitive information about the role of local biting midges and mosquitoes in Oropouche virus spread, it is difficult to assess how great the risk is to Australia.

The risk of an infected traveller bringing the virus to Australia is low. Very few cases of Zika were reported in travellers from South or Central America returning to Australia. Dengue is rarely reported from those travellers either.

The biting midges most important to the spread of the virus in the Americas are not present in Australia.

While the risks are low, authorities need to be aware of potentially infected travellers returning from South and Central America and to have appropriate testing protocols to identify infection.

Australia has its own local orthobunyaviruses and while these are known to infect people, the health risks are considered low.

What can travellers do to protect themselves?

There are no vaccines or specific treatments available for Oropouche virus.

If you’re travelling to countries in South and Central America, take steps to avoid mosquito and biting midge bites.

Mosquito repellents containing diethytoluamide (DEET), picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus have been shown to be effective in reducing mosquito bites, and are expected to work against biting midge bites too.

Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and covered shoes will further reduce the risk.

Sleeping and resting under insecticide-treated mosquito bed nets will help, but much finer mesh nets are required as biting midges are much smaller than mosquitoes.

Although no specific warnings have been issued by Australian authorities, the CDC and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control have warned that pregnant travellers should discuss travel plans and potential risks with their health-care professional.

Read more:
Mozzie repellent clothing might stop some bites but you’ll still need a cream or spray

Cameron Webb and the Department of Medical Entomology, NSW Health Pathology, have been engaged by a wide range of insect repellent and insecticide manufacturers to provide testing of products and provide expert advice on mosquito biology. Cameron has also received funding from local, state and federal agencies to undertake research into mosquito-borne disease surveillance and management.

Andrew van den Hurk has received funding from local, state and federal agencies to study the ecology of mosquito-borne pathogens, and their surveillance and control. He is an employee of the Department of Health, Queensland Government.

– ref. What is ‘sloth fever’? And how can I avoid it when travelling to South America? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-sloth-fever-and-how-can-i-avoid-it-when-travelling-to-south-america-236883

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne-Marie Broudehoux, Professeure agrégée en design de l’environnement, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)

Every summer, Canada’s major cities come alive, with the addition of pedestrianized streets, al-fresco dining, parklets and other temporary installations. The ever-growing conversion of roadways into car-free public spaces allows citizens and tourists alike to enjoy a greater portion of the streets, turning cities into a convivial, festive, and dynamic destination.

Summer also coincides with the release of Time Out’s list of the world’s coolest streets. Canadian cities are regularly featured on this list in recent years, with, for example:

• No. 1 in 2022: Montréal’s Wellington Street

• No. 5 in 2024: Vancouver’s Commercial Drive

• No. 14 in 2022: Toronto’s Ossington Avenue

• No. 27 in 2024: Montréal’s St-Hubert Plaza

What makes a street “cool?” Who is this type of ranking for and what impact can it have locally? As design professor at UQAM’s School of Design and a doctoral student at INRS-UQAM’s joint urban studies program, we looked into these issues.

Prize lists that make you dream

Headquartered in London, Time Out is a global media and hospitality company specialized in urban tourism, which operates on multiple digital and physical platforms. After over fifty years of operation, it prides itself on being “the only international brand dedicated to urban living” and vows to “inspire travel and allow people to discover the best that the city has to offer.”

Apart from cool streets, the company publishes all kinds of other lists. These include an annual compilation of the world’s top cities and of the trendiest neighborhoods, the best TV shows of all time, the best summer songs, best pasta shapes, best hangover cures, and more. A variety of travel, leisure or business magazines feature these lists in their own publications.

“Coolness” according to Time Out

Time Out relies upon a global network of journalists, specialized in the arts, gastronomy, travel and entertainment, located in 333 cities and 59 countries, to identify the 30 streets that make the list, after consulting tens of thousands of city dwellers.

Several criteria determine their degree of “coolness”, including, among other things, the local offer in terms of gastronomy, entertainment and nightlife, as well as the street’s authentic character. The cool street is a friendly place, where everyone feels welcome and wants to hang out. A mix of local residents and discerning city dwellers patronize its various bars, cafes and independent businesses. In recent years, new criteria such as outdoor terraces, pedestrianization and initiatives linked to sustainable development have also been taken into account. Although scattered across the world, these streets share the same DNA. They are generally located in cities that appear on the Time Out ‘top cities’ list.

These are also often cities where the company built one of its famous gourmet markets. There are eight Time Out Markets around the world, in Lisbon, New York, Boston, Montréal, Chicago, Dubai, Cape Town and Porto, with several more to come. This may explain the company’s interest in promoting tourism to these destinations.

The streets that appear on the list generally feature establishments that themselves appear on coveted lists: starred restaurants, clandestine bars, exclusive boutiques, renowned micro-breweries, artisan bakers, etc. They are located on the fringes of the usual tourist circuits, in areas which have yet to be conquered by gentrification and large commercial chains.

Typically, these destinations are first discovered by a local elite of artists, connoisseurs and members of the bohemian bourgeoisie, in search of “authentic” experiences, sheltered from crowds and mass consumerism, where they rub shoulders with neighborhood regulars. They are followed by influencers, on the lookout for unexplored territories, off the beaten track, who will attest to their cosmopolitanism, their audacity, discernment, and their own trendiness.

Local streets and international consumerism

They are, to a large extent, the main targets of these rankings. At a time when the greatest vectors of influence are social networks, where success, achievement and recognition are measured in the number of “likes” or subscribers, this type of compilation is intended for destination influencers.

Thus, cool streets are vehicles for the personal branding of influencers who leave in their wake the desire to consume novelty and exclusivity. In our society of spectacle and appearance, where one’s image is paramount, influencers are in constant search of distinction, seeking to position themselves as avant-garde, pioneers and trend-setters. Motivated by FOMO (fear of missing out), their subscribers emulate them in order to feed their insatiable need for celebrity capital.

Tourism agencies favor such granular content marketing strategies to secure a positive return on investment, rather than expensive targeted campaigns. Media companies like Time Out capitalize on the vast sphere of influence of these opinion makers and benefit from their wide distribution network to amplify their impact and confirm their status as city specialists.

An accelerator of inequalities

However, the enthusiasm generated for these destinations is as fragile as it is ephemeral. “Coolness” is a perishable commodity. Once a street appears on the list, this well-kept secret runs the risk of losing its exclusive character to become predictable or outdated. The resulting increase in popularity and massive arrival of hordes of tourists will undoutedly push local elites, in their neverending quest for novelty, to use their keen flair to find other territories to colonize.

These growing incursions into neighborhoods formerly sheltered from mass consumerism risk disturbing their fragile ecosystem. Ultimately, it is the local population who may suffer the most from being featured on such lists. The rising popularity of these destinations can cause prices and rents to soar, thus accelerating the sector’s gentrification and commercialization. Small independent businesses may not survive such rent hikes, having to move out and be replaced by large chains. The phenomenon is already clearly visible on Wellington Street, two years after boasting first place on the cool-street list.

With our summers becoming increasingly sweltering, another type of “cool” street should be of interest. Born out of the initiative of Libby Gallagher, an Australian doctor of landscape architecture, the Cool Streets Pilot Project aims to adapt city streets around the world to face climate change through a participatory citizen approach focused on reducing heat islands. Many other initiatives seek to transform streets into innovative convivial spaces, which do not rely on consumption. It is this kind of “cool” street, whose positive impact is not only more lasting but also beneficial for local residents, which should be celebrated.

Les auteurs ne travaillent pas, ne conseillent pas, ne possèdent pas de parts, ne reçoivent pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’ont déclaré aucune autre affiliation que leur organisme de recherche.

– ref. What makes a street ‘cool?’ These Canadian cities have the world’s coolest streets – https://theconversation.com/what-makes-a-street-cool-these-canadian-cities-have-the-worlds-coolest-streets-234354

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Geoffrey Miller, PhD Candidate in Politics, University of Otago

Tim Walz speaks Mandarin. But don’t expect to hear Kamala Harris’ running mate deploying his Chinese language skills on the US election campaign trail.

While languages are inextricably interlinked with identity, they are also becoming a political hot potato. In February, Donald Trump warned supporters that migrants “have languages that nobody in this country has ever heard of. It’s a very horrible thing”.

And J.D. Vance, now Trump’s own vice-presidential pick, last year proposed an “English Language Unity Act” to make English the official language of the United States.

Despite the potential electoral advantages of campaigning in multiple languages, the risks of alienating sections of the voting public mean candidates are wary of going too far.

Monolingual politics

English-speaking countries are now home to enormous linguistic diversity, driven by decades of immigration. Around one in five Americans speak a language other than English at home. This proportion has more than doubled since 1980, according to US census data.

The percentages are similar in Australia and New Zealand, while in Canada, 23% of people have a mother tongue other than the official languages of English and French. In the United Kingdom, the share of non-English native speakers is smaller – roughly 10% – but the upward trend is the same.

Despite these demographic shifts, however, election campaigns remain largely monolingual affairs. For example, there is little obvious sign of non-English messages in campaign leaflets uploaded to the Open Elections crowdsourcing website for the recent British election.

Exceptions largely prove the rule. For instance, in July, Republican Senator Ted Cruz launched a US$4.4 million Spanish-language campaign targeted at Hispanic voters – but only in Texas.

In New Zealand, the Labour Party translated its 2023 campaign slogan “In it for you” into the Māori language: “Māu, Mā Tātou”. But in practice the Māori version was used only sparingly, such as in the annual Māori language week that fell during the campaign period.

Majority rules

The reluctance to engage in multilingual campaigning might seem surprising. After all, modern political parties frequently resemble businesses, competing for votes in the election marketplace.

In theory, they would have much to gain by speaking to voters – their customers – in their preferred tongues. As former German Chancellor Willy Brandt reportedly said: “If I am selling to you, I speak your language. If I am buying, dann müssen Sie Deutsch sprechen.”

The reluctance of parties to mount multilingual campaigns is probably driven by one major factor: they believe it would cost them votes overall. Indeed, research suggests multilingual campaigning runs the risk of turning off majority language voters.

For instance, a 2022 Canadian study found over 90% of French speakers in Quebec were annoyed by English-only campaign signs. A 2018 US study came to similar conclusions, with monolingual English speakers becoming more hostile to candidates who ran campaign ads in Spanish.

Still, such attitudes are not necessarily set in stone. After all, legislatures themselves have undergone rapid shifts as parties reflect more diverse societies in their candidate selection.

Some 14% of MPs in the British House of Commons now come from ethnic minorities, up from just 2% in 2005. And in Washington, 25% of members of Congress now identify as non-white, double the share of 20 years ago.

The picture is similar in Australia, while ethnic minorities – including Māori – now make up over 40% of New Zealand’s parliament.

AI translation

Of course, change is not always easy. As things stand, few major parties in the Anglosphere even make their main websites available in a language other than English. And Pew Research Centre data released in June showed just 68% of all US voters were comfortable with people speaking a language other than English in public.

But the risks must be set against the potential rewards. Many of the key swing states in the 2024 US campaign are becoming more and more diverse. Around 30% of people in Arizona and Nevada, and 10% in Georgia, are Hispanic. Battleground state Michigan is home to 13% of all Arabic speakers in the US, with 190,000 living in the Detroit metro area alone.

It is true that multilingualism can be complex and costly. AI solutions and algorithm-driven micro-targeting could be partial solutions – if used wisely.

Lessons might be drawn from India’s recent election campaign, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) used AI to rapidly translate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign messages from Hindi into the country’s many other languages.

Ultimately, the chief potential benefit of genuine, two-way multilingual communication lies in its ability to help political parties understand and address the needs of more diverse populations.

Today, multilingual campaigning in English-speaking countries remains rare. But in a tight campaign, it could provide a crucial edge.

Geoffrey Miller is affiliated with the Democracy Project, hosted by Victoria University of Wellington.

Miriam Neigert does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. US voters speak many languages, but non-English campaigning remains risky for Harris and Trump – https://theconversation.com/us-voters-speak-many-languages-but-non-english-campaigning-remains-risky-for-harris-and-trump-237202