Climate Change

Australia set to bid for COP29, despite lack of climate action

Published

1 week ago

May 11, 2022

Australia is set to bid for the opportunity to host the COP29 climate conference, despite its lack of climate action recently

Australia’s opposition Labor party says it will bid to host the 2024 COP29 climate conference if they win the upcoming Federal Election.

They say it will be in partnership with the Pacific and Soloman Island Nations ‘if they want to.’

Australia has never hosted a United Nations climate conference but it could set them on the global stage as a leader in climate change action.

However, Australia has been dubbed a laggard on its climate change action and may not be equipped to host such a significant event.

“This is a real shift in Australia’s policy…For 30 years in the history of the United Nations Climate negotiations Australia hasn’t hosted a meeting… Instead it usually shys away from them”
richie merzian, the australia institute

Richie merzian, australia institute

Australia’s rocky relationship with the Solomon Islands will make the deal even more uncertain.

A recent security pact between China and the Solomon Islands has been finalised, meaning China will build a military base just Kilometres from Australia’s borders.

Australia has recently cristicised the Solomon Islands for its friendly ties to China and how that will negatively impact Australia’s national security.

Now the biggest question is do the Pacific, and the Solomon Islands, even want to partner with Australia at COP29?

“It’s a real opportunity for Australia to gear up it’s diplomacy, to demonstrate leadership of the global stage and hopefully shake of its reputation as a laggard on climate action”
richie merzian, the australia institute

richie merzian, the australia institute

Deadly heatwave

Climate change has reared its head more frequently over recent years, including wildfires, ravaging floods, and extreme weather events.

This comes as millions of people in India and Pakistan experience a brutal heat wave that has left hundreds dead.

The high temperatures have been surfacing for the last two months, with the Government unprepared to handle it.

The heatwave is causing wide sweeping water shortages, heat stroke, and power outages.

The region has reached its highest April temperatures in 122 years.

“Global warming means more extreme heatwaves, and longer heatwaves… It’s a sign of things to come.”
richie merzian, australia institute

richie merzian, australia institute

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Holly Stearnes

Holly is an anchor and reporter at Ticker. She's experienced in live reporting, and has previously covered the Covid-19 pandemic on-location. She's passionate about telling stories in business, climate and health.

Climate Change

COP26 President gives stern climate warning amid war in Ukraine

Published

2 days ago

May 17, 2022

ticker NEWS

The president of Glasgow’s COP26 climate summit has issued a warning to fellow world leaders six months after the key event.

Alok Sharma will return to Glasgow to say world leaders must show that ‘though the world has changed, our resolve has not’. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA

Alok Sharma says it would be “an act of monstrous self-harm” if nations break the environmental pledges they made at the conference.

The conference was an agreement between countries to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees.

With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine causing a spike in energy and food prices, Sharma admits the global outlook has changed drastically.

He says cutting back on climate pledges to compensate for this would be a grave mistake.

Almost 200 countries have agreed to new climate commitments agreeing to cut greenhouse gas emissions and meet the 1.5-degree goal.

Amanda Gunn contributed to this post.

Climate Change

India swelters through its hottest day on record

Published

2 days ago

May 17, 2022

ticker NEWS

Temperatures throughout northern India are soaring, with the nation’s capital of Delhi hitting a record of 49.2 degrees Celsius

It’s the city’s fifth heatwave since March, as warnings are issued for vulnerable members of the community.

Photo: Air coolers for sale in New Delhi, India. Credit: Anindito Mukherjee

India’s weather authority says temperatures will likely fall by 2-4 degrees in some areas, but there won’t be any substantial reprieve for quite some time.

March was recorded as the hottest month in history since 1901.

Severe heat waves are continuing to throw millions of lives and livelihoods into disarray, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi asks his state chief ministers to draw up plans around the impact of extreme heat on their regions.

Photo: A farmer pours water on himself while working at a wheat farm in the Ludhiana district of Punjab, India, on Sunday, May 1, 2022. Credit: T. Narayan

Amanda Gunn contributed to this report.

Climate Change

Tonga eruption sets world record for biggest explosion

Published

3 days ago

May 16, 2022

William Howard

Tonga’s January volcano eruption has been declared the largest in the world

Tonga’s most recent volcanic eruption in January was the biggest explosion ever recorded in modern history.

New data suggests the natural disaster was far bigger than any previous volcanic events and even any atom bomb test after World War II.

It’s believed only the Krakatoa eruption of 1883 rivalled the Tonga volcano, the Indonesian explosion that claimed more than 30,000 lives.

Scientists are now able to access a huge array of ground-based and space-borne instruments, allowing them to monitor the Earth across the entire light spectrum.

The Tonga explosion produced a number of atmospheric pressure waves felt in many parts of the world, even as far as Alaska.