Time moves on

 Another hiatus of a few years with this very on and off blog.

My focus over the last few years was surviving COVID-19 and the many lockdowns that were inflicted on Victorian residents, especially in Melbourne. It was a very interesting time and I was able to work from home when needed.

However, being a sociable type, it became really necessary to go into work and seek out my friends and families.

I caught COVID for the first ( and so far as I know only time) in July 2022 after all restrictions had ended and Australia opened up to the world. My eldest child gave it to me and we spent the 7 days isolating at home in front of the TV watching re-runs on Netflix. Our Tangelo tree was in full fruit and I spent that time squeezing fresh juice for us both and drinking lots. My 30+ year old son was sicker than me so spent a few uncomfortable days with nausea before getting on top of the virus.

2022 was the year Australia's excess deaths peaked at about 11% above previous levels. Contrary to the anti-vax narrative, the deaths were in the older elderly (>80yrs) and related to Covid Infection waves NOT vaccination waves. If you don't believe me check out the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Actuaries Institute who still write a Covid-19 Blog where they calculate excess deaths. Actuarial people are skilled in calculations, forming the backbone of developing risk for insurance industries.

A link for you to their very informative methods and result is here: https://www.actuaries.digital/category/covid-19-blog/

I have spent quite a bit of time over the last few years following the social media debate over the vaccination and deaths, plus other issues. The recycling of anti-vax memes relates much to ideology and business interests of these proponents and it is sad that so many people get taken in by their arguments.

The latest indicators are that the excess death rates have lowered and COVID-19 is now coming in smaller but still regular waves. It will be around for a while and joins the winter pantheon of colds, flus, RSV to stress our hospital and health systems.

The cost of COVID-19 measures has been immense, particularly in Victoria, along with the inflationary effects of the extra money released into our economy due to the pandemic plus the horrible wars in Ukraine and now Gaza.

Now safely in 2024, I am swinging back to the various climate debates, that sadly inflict our Australian news on a very regular basis. The right-wing, pro-coal and gas agenda is very clear. Now with added impetus of a Nuclear agenda. But more of that later.

Hopefully not in another 4 years. The damage to our climate and systems are immense.

Fair Use and Stupidity

After attending a recent training on Australia's antiquated Copyright laws I have been waiting to see if the latest submission to the Federal Government regarding Fair Use will be accepted. We have only been waiting 6 years for a decision!
But alas it seems not,  Common sense has not prevailed. A predictable response from Senator Brandis in assuring content providers that our stupid laws will continue.

Instead, in a country where copyright violation in some form occurs across the entire population, we will get more draconian views and become criminals by watching "Game of Thrones" at the same time as the Northern Hemisphere. We will not be able to copy DVD's we legally own to back them up, not be able to participate legally in meme making, not keep up with digital technology in any meaningful way.

Instead, our Government will look at making Internet Service Providers (ISPs) impose more restrictions. I'm sure my son will have something to say about that as an employee of an ISP
Welcome to the new world of the brave and the free, Australian style.
Try this 2011 Infographic

Angry Summer Report

Labelled the "Angry Summer", this report from the Climate Commission details the heat experienced during the recent Australian Summer.

This week, the notional start of Autumn, is predicted to be above 30 degrees Celsius the whole week. While my water tanks are now nearly full, from a moderate rainfall on the 27th February, we will still be watering for a large part of March. My family in NZ are doing the same as our weather wafts across the Tasman Sea to provide drought conditions in the North Island of New Zealand.

As our confident Coalition plans the axing of the Carbon Tax, China is experimenting with an Emissions Trading Scheme reported to cover 250 million people.
I hope their scheme is successful because that may actually have a small effect in ameliorating the increasing energy in the climate system from global warming.

The Executive Summary of "Carbon Markets and Climate Policy in China", Oct 2012 for the Climate Institute by Climate Bridge, indicates that "China has reduced its energy intensity, become a world leader in renewable energy, and is rapidly establishing carbon trading systems. These actions not only have positive impact on the climate, they also drive economic growth, reduce fuel dependency and create export 
opportunities. "

Something Australia needs also to do.
Does this weather make you angry? 

4 Corners "The Carbon War" and "At Home With Julia"

If you didn't watch this program on Monday night I suggest you do so
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2011/09/15/3318364.htm
or watch it on Youtube

At least the ABC has got the gumption to stand up and provide some much needed "balance" on the political hysteria surrounding the Climate War, Carbon Tax and our political system.
I noticed the vast majority of people on the show can be said to belong to the WASP older electorate demographic. When I ask younger people what they think, they want the whole debate over and done with and a price on carbon.
If we couldn't do it when the nation was doing so well then its disingenuous to put off the idea now that there may be some tough times ahead. After all the Stern report warned strongly that the cost of doing nothing is even higher. (1% now vs 20% later).
As far as I know most elections produce a Government who then proceeds to govern, not asking us to vote again for another 3-4 years, and certainly not asking us to vote on every big issue that comes up.
And most scientists I know (and I know several) will argue the science with far more accuracy than those climate deniers featured here.
BTW its also the same demographic that is outraged by "At Home With Julia" - Tim and Julia G characters under the flag, in her office, having a cuddle! Give us a break, have a bit of a laugh and remember your history- see Crikey's list of Badly Behaved Pollies to see our finest with feet of clay.
People in glass Houses etc etc
After all we are supposed to be able to laugh at ourselves!

Hailstorm hits Melbourne

A tropical storm hit Melbourne yesterday. It caused chaos in a wide band through the Melbourne CBD and suburbs. We weren't in its path but nearby suburbs reported heavy damage after golf ball sized hail and lashing rain hit cars, windows and flooded streets. Enjoy!

Oil Rig on Fire

Like many people, I too am concerned about the Oil Rig on fire in the Timor Sea. I have sympathy for the company trying to plug the oil and gas leak. After all it is a remote area and they probably have only "budgeted" for events that are more likely. Extreme events which are very unlikely are hard to effectively plan for.
The response by both the Company and Federal Government should come as no surprise to anyone. After all Australia's "culture" has been one of development no matter the cost later. Wildlife and the Envronment has been low on this list largely because the $$$ are hard to calculate (bean counters are everywhere in government and companies) and the possible consequences are incalculable and largely in the future. Something companies and governments have great difficulty with.
Good luck to all the environment groups who are trying to clean up the mess. Lets hope the future for the area is not that similar to the environment around the Alaskan Sound where the Exxon Valdez spill occurred.
Call me a cynic but we will be hearing about the effects for the next 25 years and living with the economic consequences of these actions for longer.,