The article does not explain why “at least 50,000 tonnes of beef are required to be in line with EU competitors, instead of the 30,600 on offer” but I for one, am happy there is less demand for beef. The whole world should be transitioning away from so much meat consumption for climate and ecological reasons (and animal welfare).

As a boomer, I agree with much of what younger generations say. I’d also like to remind you that it was the Boomer generation who advanced a number of movements that questioned ‘the establishment’ and made the world less constricting: feminism, gay rights, civil rights, indigenous land rights, the Green movement and environment protection laws, broader access to higher education, to name just some. Not all people of my generation are selfish old farts. I’d say the old farts at the top of the economic ladder ARE selfish (to be polite) and I’d also add that the younger farts that lick their boots are just as selfish and seek to be where their bosses are. I’d like you to picture, for example, the potus and his band of merry warmongers and environment destroyers and you will see that most are Gen X & Y. Ditto for most big industry. Hey, just remember the Tech bros and their energy-guzzling projects, like the Data Centres and what they are costing the Earth.

Everyday people did not understand (and many still don’t) that they were causing climate change. They just swallowed the consumer narrative very adeptly churned out by big polluting and health-poisoning industry and their political counterparts. I could almost guarantee that if younger generations had been born when Boomers were born, you would have done what they did.

Being a generational ‘racist’ does not help any of us to change this deranged, exploitative system. We must work together as much as we can for the sake of not just you but of your children who are going to face an even worse situation and for Nature which is struggling to keep the place, our home, liveable.

And those who don’t care are mostly those who have not been exposed to thinking about the world and the economy in ways other than the constant mainstream narrative which is about consumption and self-centredness, about competition and lack. Look at the world situation right now. It’s a result of that mindset taken to the max. Those of us who do care must keep up the message that a saner society is possible. Perhaps what we’re going have to face in the next few years will teach our wasteful societies a lesson.

I’d say that many people don’t.

Within entrenched patriarchal systems this is to be expected. Doesn’t matter whether leaders are in business suits or clerical robes (also remember the Vatican and its extensive world-wide real estate portfolio). The wealth travels to the top while ordinary people mostly struggle. The Chinese (at present) seem to be the only power structure which keeps excesses under control (I am happy to be corrected or for further discussion to ensue).

Trump could be the best thing yet for emissions reductions /s

Not if he gives orders to blow up nuclear facilities and Iran returns the favour (but I really hope you are right).

Vale Rhoda. I remember hearing her speak on TV about current indigenous issues and I was blown away by her honesty and willingness to talk about these issues in ways that went beyond common politics.

🤣

All for the Sugar Tax and for subsidising fresh and less processed food for financially disadvantaged people.

I must be too old or too naive but you’re talking here as if these were toys. These can be used to kill. Horrifying.

I don’t think so. The article is from 17 March.

I wouldn’t poison our beautiful wildlife.

I agree with you. It’s just that many people have been conditioned to eat convenience food which often appears cheap and there is less effort in preparing it or buying take away, but it’s actually more expensive than eating a nutritious, simple, home-made plant-based meal.

You’re absolutely right. The truth is not surprising at all but the author has fallen into lazy convenience as well. It’s easy for all of us to do so.

Look at the state of the ME. It’s become a near-disaster across many countries. Among these countries, most have been taking refugees for decades even though their economies are not necessarily well-off. They are unlikely to be able to take more in high numbers. Here’s a map that shows where ME refugees tend to go (to countries near by): https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/how-many-refugees/2/

Our country has been first off the rank to approve the bombing of Iran by Israel and the US. Iranian voices had already warned before the attack what this would mean to the region. If we are going to support unsanctioned bombing of civilians, their homes, schools, hospitals, we should have the decency to care for some of the survivors who are not to blame for the catastrophe.

Our govt needs to put more effort into our own manufacturing for sure. Mind you, Australian manufacturers chose (and still choose) to make their stuff in China because of the lower wages. We have to be willing to pay more if we want products to be made in Australia. Recently the govt launched a ‘made Right Here’ campaign:
https://www.minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/timayres/media-releases/made-right-here-campaign-kicks

🩷 😴 👏

Depending on where you live and what you like to do you can get involved in regular activities that don’t require much money at all. You can volunteer with community groups to do all manner of jobs and projects from outdoor citizen science, to helping restore beautiful old machines, from driving people to medical appointments to taking care of historical buildings and gardens, from planting trees for wildlife to planting community vegetable and fruit gardens for community use, from visiting isolated people to volunteering with local sporting facilities and on and on… More money may come your way if you volunteer in areas related to the kind of employment you like.

Having an addictive personality can be used for doing positive activities really well.

It IS precisely imv focusing on the the supermassive companies for the obvious reason they get a lot more than they need.

Off topic. This article is about too much subsidised fuel. It is not about comparing with the NDIS costs. It’s saying that if there were less fuel subsidy there’d be more for the NDIS and I’d add other social and environmental investment needs.