Polly Hemming

The show-and-dance around #COP31 is, quite frankly, embarrassing.

The COPs are supposed to be about collaboration, working together to figure out how we limit global warming to 1.5°.

If we can’t agree on a venue, how the hell are we going to agree on a pathway to 1.5°

Australia (an increasingly authoritarian petrostate) did quite a lot of bullying of its own. Internationally and domestically. Australia has been gaming COPs for decades. COP31 would have been no different. We are just better at greenwashing 🙂

Feeling pretty rough but having energy to post about bureacrats failing upwards is a small sign of progress ... x

Kath Rowley,who below guides staff on how to downplay gas emissions, has just been appointed CEO of the Climate Change Authority, the body providing 'independent' advice to govt

Safe appointment for a govt wanting fossil fuel expansion to remain at home in our climate institutions.
#auspol #climate

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Some, as they say, personal news from me.
After a long period of illness I’m being treated for autoimmune encephalitis, a neurological disease where the immune system attacks the brain. I’m posting this because many people here have supported my work & been a source of collaboration and inspiration.

I’m grateful for the patience, understanding and generosity people have shown while I’m offline, and I look forward to reconnecting as I can.

Many of us are struggling in different ways, and I’m not seeking sympathy. But illness collapses the distance between the abstract and the real. It’s a stark reminder that all the policy, argument and urgency come down to something simple - the ability to live, to connect, to be present.

A few weeks ago I couldn’t have articulated any of this. I could barely walk. Some days I still can’t talk. I can’t remember much of the last year. Remission is possible and while I don’t know if my brain will ever be the same I’m trying to show up every day.

I was hesitant to post something so personal, but anyone who works on climate, environment or social justice knows it’s impossible to separate the personal from the professional. Our work is about protecting what makes life itself beautiful and meaningful: trust, integrity, community, care.

Some, as they say, personal news from me.
After a long period of illness I’m being treated for autoimmune encephalitis, a neurological disease where the immune system attacks the brain. I’m posting this because many people here have supported my work & been a source of collaboration and inspiration.

UN agency says C02 levels hit record high last year, causing more extreme weather The United Nations weather agency reports that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reached record highs last year, intensifying climate change and extreme weather.

Our CEO @billhare.bsky.social called the new data “alarming and worrying.”

“Let there be no mistake, this is a very clear warning sign that the world is heading into an extremely dangerous state – and this is driven by the continued expansion of fossil fuel development, globally.”

There's a very nice new report from @climateanalytics.org on precisely this: "Hard to abate" has become its own form of subtle climate delay --->>

@billhare.bsky.social @cindybax.bsky.social

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Adani denies claims it sold ‘below-market coal’ leading to Queensland missing out on hundreds of millions in royalties Adani has strongly rejected the Australia Institute’s findings, including that customers paid an average of $102 a tonne in 2022-23

My new report is out - Adani sold coal at mates rates to India, avoiding $400m in royalty payments to Queensland

...and Qld's LNP gov doesn't seem to care.

Thread below on how they did it.

Write up in @australia.theguardian.com
@australiainstitute.org.au
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Apologies for the pile on. I clearly misunderstood your tone.

The point is I'm not pinning the extinction of the shrew on the current government and didn't say that - the announcement was a timely reminder that the current government is not stopping further extinctions despite claiming otherwise. 🙂

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For those getting outraged that I might be suggesting Labor caused this extinction, clearly that’s not the case. I’m using the announcement to highlight how little the government is doing to prevent further extinctions, despite an explicit commitment to “no new” ones.

🙄 First, the cause of its extinction is unknown. Second, it’s taxonomically distinct from the SE Asian shrew. Third, no, I’m using the announcement to highlight the hypocrisy of a hypocritical, performative media release about “no new extinctions” while the govt itself is driving extinctions

Arctic seals threatened by climate change, birds decline globally – IUCN Red List Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 10 October 2025 (IUCN World Conservation Congress) – Three species of Arctic seal have moved closer to extinction, according to the latest update of the IUCN Red List ...

Here's the IUCN announcement re the Christmas Island Shrew. Over 100 plant and animal species have been driven to extinction in Australia since 1788 (plus an estimated 9000 invertebrates).
#auspol #climate #biodiversity
iucn.org/press-releas...

screenshot from murray watt's media release https://minister.dcceew.gov.au/watt/media-releases/recognising-threatened-species-day. text captured says: Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said the Albanese Government is committed to no new extinctions. “Sadly native wildlife continue to be threatened by feral predators, climate change, natural disasters, and by illegal wildlife trade and other human activity,” Minister Watt said. “So today, on Threatened Species Day, I thank all people, researchers and groups who are supporting Australia’s threatened species. From those working directly with plants and animals, to those who are exploring new ways to tackle threats. “While some of the work being undertaken is highly-skilled, there’s things every Australian can do to help, like keeping pets from wandering, planting more native gardens, reporting illegal wildlife activities, and stopping pollution in our oceans and waterways. “We are committed to taking action to support threatened species and their habitats and that work is delivering great outcomes. “There’s a long way to go, but it’s critical we protect Australia’s amazing and diverse plants and wildlife.”

"...there’s things every Australian can do to help, like keeping pets from wandering, planting more native gardens..."
Sure, we can do that.
But it’s hard to see the point while our governments are using public money to actively fund extinction.
#auspol #climate

"The Albanese Government is investing more than $600 million to better protect threatened plants and animals."

For context the the Albanese Government gave $12billion in spending & tax concessions to fossil fuels in the year 2024-2025. #auspol #climate
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screenshot of Minister watt's media release. Text captured says: Recognising Threatened Species Day 7 September 2025 Today is Threatened Species Day, an opportunity to acknowledge the risks to Australia’s unique species and the work being done across the country to help them recover and thrive. From tree plantings and weed removal to species specific mapping and monitoring using the latest conservation technology, countless individuals and organisations help every day to support and provide hope for threatened species. It’s not just the work happening on the ground – research is finding innovative solutions to stay ahead of the game in the fight against key threats like feral cats, invasive weeds and climate change.

“The Albanese Government is committed to no new extinctions” Environment Minister Murray Watt, reaffirming Labor’s 2022 pledge on Threatened Species Day 2025

2 weeks later Australia’s only shrew is declared extinct.
#auspol #climate @australiainstitute.org.au
minister.dcceew.gov.au/watt/media-r...

What other job is done on the basis of the perks you'll get *after* the job?

screenshot of ABC article. text captured says Timor-Leste scraps lifetime pensions after student-led protests Topic:Activism and Lobbying Fri 26 Sep Friday 26 September Police officers in the street usher crowds. Police appeal to students to clear the road to await the result of the parliamentary vote. (AFP: Valentino Dariell de Sousa) In short Protests broke out last week in Timor-Leste, with thousands of demonstrators demanding parliament cancel a $4.2 million plan to purchase SUVs for lawmakers and lifetime pension for MPs and public officials. Sixty-two members of parliament voted unanimously on Friday to pass a new law that scrapped the pensions for MPs, former presidents, prime ministers and cabinet ministers.

Timor-Leste just scrapped lifetime pensions for former parliamentarians after student-led protests.

But sure — protest doesn’t work.
#auspol

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...