Glass Wings Blog: December 2023

<https://theconversation.com/the-beetaloo-gas-field-is-a-climate-bomb-how-did-csiro-modelling-make-it-look-otherwise-215711>

"Even as Australia braces for a summer of projected extreme heatwaves and
bushfires amid the intensifying climate crisis, the fossil gas industry is
gearing up for a truly enormous new fracking project in the Northern

Australia was not big enough to vote for the voice, Stan Grant says

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 12:08:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/30/australia-was-not-big-enough-to-vote-for-the-voice-says-stan-grant>

"The journalist and academic Stan Grant has spoken of his feelings of
disappointment and rejection at the defeat of the Indigenous voice referendum,
critical that public figures who talk about racism in Australia are

We could see thunderstorm asthma in south-eastern Australia this season – here’s how to prepare

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 12:09:56 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/we-could-see-thunderstorm-asthma-in-south-eastern-australia-this-season-heres-how-to-prepare-215793>

"Victorians have been warned to prepare for the possibility of thunderstorm
asthma again this season.

Emissions of Beetaloo Basin gas projects ‘significantly underestimated’ by government, analysis finds

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 12:11:14 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/31/emissions-of-beetaloo-basin-gas-projects-significantly-underestimated-by-government-analysis-finds>

"Fracking to extract gas from the Northern Territory’s Beetaloo Basin could
lead to much larger greenhouse gas emissions than the territory government has
claimed, according to new analysis.

Some people think income tax is illegal. It’s pseudolaw, and it’s damaging the legal system

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 12:12:01 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/some-people-think-income-tax-is-illegal-its-pseudolaw-and-its-damaging-the-legal-system-214847>

"Judges have described it as “gibberish”, “obvious nonsense”, “largely
incoherent, if not incomprehensible” and “gobbledygook”.

Australia’s support to Pacific surges as China focuses on ‘friendly’ states, aid map shows

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 12:13:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/31/australias-support-to-pacific-surges-as-china-focuses-on-friendly-states-aid-map-shows>

"Australia dramatically increased its overall support to the Pacific in 2021,
while Beijing is targeting its development financing to “the most
China-friendly Pacific island states”, the latest Lowy Institute Pacific Aid

We need a single list of all life on Earth – and most taxonomists now agree on how to start

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 19:44:19 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/we-need-a-single-list-of-all-life-on-earth-and-most-taxonomists-now-agree-on-how-to-start-216006>

"Species lists are one of the unseen pillars of science and society. Lists of
species underpin our understanding of the natural world, threatened species
management, quarantine, disease control and much else besides.

World Bank warns oil price could soar to record $150 a barrel

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 19:45:17 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/oct/30/world-bank-warns-oil-price-could-soar-to-record-150-a-barrel>

"Oil prices could soar to a record high of more than $150 a barrel if the war
between Israel and Hamas leads to a repeat of the full-scale conflict in the
Middle East witnessed 50 years ago, the World Bank has warned.

Fire-smart farming: how the crops we plant could help reduce the risk of wildfires on agricultural landscapes

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 19:45:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/fire-smart-farming-how-the-crops-we-plant-could-help-reduce-the-risk-of-wildfires-on-agricultural-landscapes-215703>

"Destructive wildfires continue to threaten lives, property and the environment
throughout the world.

Dust drove dinosaurs’ extinction after asteroid impact, scientists say

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 19:46:43 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/oct/30/dust-drove-dinosaurs-extinction-after-asteroid-impact-scientists-say>

"In the end it was the dust that did it for the dinosaurs. At least that is the
finding of computer simulations of the aftermath of the asteroid impact that
reshaped life on Earth 66m years ago.

Everything You Think You Know About Politics Is Wrong

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 19:47:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:https://medium.com/illumination/everything-you-think-you-know-about-politics-is-wrong-dc59abbf952e>

"There are many myths about politics still circulating in our popular
imagination. One is that the Left stands for change, even revolutionary change,
while the Right stands for order and tradition.

Bridging the divide: 12 groups working for Israel-Palestine peace

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 19:48:22 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.positive.news/world/groups-working-for-israel-palestine-peace/>

"Peace has perhaps never felt so distant for Israel and Palestine as it does
now. But amid the horrors of this war, it’s easy to forget that out there – on
both sides of the border – are ordinary people working tirelessly in their

County Down woman ‘ecstatic’ to be crowned top in UK Comic Con with Totoro costume

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 04:45:12 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/co-down-woman-ecstatic-to-be-crowned-top-in-uk-comic-con-with-totoro-costume/a1795632914.html>

"A Co Down woman has been crowned the top cosplayer in the UK with her
seven-foot-tall Totoro costume — which she and her husband made entirely from
scratch — inspired by the title character in the 1988 Studio Ghibli animation

Amazon Alexa is a graduate of the Darth Vader MBA

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 04:48:36 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://doctorow.medium.com/amazon-alexa-is-a-graduate-of-the-darth-vader-mba-1eeeb93a51fc>

"If you own an Alexa, you might enjoy its integration with IFTTT, an easy
scripting environment that lets you create your own little voice-controlled
apps, like “start my Roomba” or “close the garage door.” If so, tough shit,

Burned-out parents seek help from a new ally: ChatGPT

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 04:50:32 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.axios.com/2023/10/14/chatgpt-parents-ai-chatbot

"ChatGPT's latest job is to be mom and dad's brilliant sidekick. Parents of
kids of all ages are using the chatbot to help raise their children.

The story of the Dumpling emoji 🥟

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 04:51:49 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:https://uxdesign.cc/the-story-of-the-dumpling-emoji-da02bb2b29ff>

"The description on Wikipedia of a “dumpling” begins:

“Dumpling is a broad class of dishes that consist of pieces of cooked dough

The Sociopaths Among Us—And How to Avoid Them

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 04:53:21 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/10/dark-triads-toxic-personalities/675683/>

"We all have stories of meeting people who appeared wonderful at first but
turned out to be just awful. Perhaps it was a charming suitor, or a charismatic
colleague, or a fascinating new friend. They attracted you on initial

The US just issued the world’s strongest action yet on regulating AI. Here’s what to expect

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 04:54:14 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/the-us-just-issued-the-worlds-strongest-action-yet-on-regulating-ai-heres-what-to-expect-216729>

"On Monday US President Joe Biden released a wide ranging and ambitious
executive order on artificial intelligence (AI) – catapulting the US to the
front of conversations about regulating AI.

Major multinational port operator paid zero tax in Australia while raking in billions

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 12:32:56 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/01/dp-world-port-operator-australia-zero-tax>

"DP World, one of Australia’s two largest port operators, has paid no tax in
Australia despite generating revenue of more than $4.5bn over eight years.

Health Star Rating only on about a third of Australian supermarket products that should carry it, report shows

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 12:33:59 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/01/australia-health-star-rating-system-failures-issues>

"The government’s flagship initiative to improve Australians’ diets is “working
great” as a marketing tool for food manufacturers, but is not helping people
make healthier choices, new research has found.

Deepfakes will attack our most precious memories. Are we ready?

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 12:34:58 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://joanwestenberg.medium.com/deepfakes-will-attack-our-most-precious-memories-are-we-ready-3d7aeefb31e9>

"Alzheimer’s has haunted my family for generations. I witnessed my
great-grandmother’s excruciating descent into oblivion as her memories slowly
eroded, leaving behind a hollow shell of the human being I remembered. The

Yang Hengjun’s family urges Albanese to negotiate with China for jailed Australian writer’s release

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 12:41:31 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/01/yang-hengjuns-australian-writer-jailed-china-family-plea-albanese-negotiate-release>

"The children of jailed Australian writer Yang Hengjun, detained for more than
four years in China, have pleaded with Anthony Albanese to negotiate his
release in Beijing this week, telling the prime minister his situation is

Global Fund partnership achieves record breaking results, with 59 million lives saved since 2002, thanks to U.S. investments

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 12:42:34 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theglobalfight.org/global-fund-partnership-achieves-record-breaking-results-with-59-million-lives-saved-since-2002-thanks-to-u-s-investments/>

"Washington, DC – The Global Fund partnership has saved over 59 million lives
since 2002 and is achieving record breaking impact through its HIV, TB and
malaria programs. The annual Global Fund Results Report, released today,

Denver experimented with giving people $1,000 a month. It reduced homelessness and increased full-time employment, a study found.

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 12:43:48 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.businessinsider.com/ubi-cash-payments-reduced-homelessness-increased-employment-denver-2023-10>

'It doesn't necessarily buy happiness, but both personal experience and
academic research suggest that when people have more money, they're more likely
to lead a pleasant life. That's the premise of a social experiment in Denver,

The First Rule Of Owning A Toyota Tundra In Australia Is You’re Not Allowed To Talk About Your Toyota Tundra

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 20:23:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.techdirt.com/2023/10/30/the-first-rule-of-owning-a-toyota-tundra-in-australia-is-youre-not-allowed-to-talk-about-your-toyota-tundra/>

"Here are two things that cannot simultaneously be true: a company is very
confident in the product it produces and that same company is very afraid of
public discussion of its product on social media. This is generally true of

People Search Data Brokers, Stalking, and ‘Publicly Available Information’ Carve-Outs

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 20:33:06 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Editor’s note: As a content warning, this article contains discussion of
stalking and gendered violence.

"In August, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced that it
was undertaking new rulemaking related to data brokers, or companies (in the

What $500 Means to Zinida Moore

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 20:34:12 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/october-2023/what-500-means-to-zinida-moore/>

"Zinida Moore sits on her plush brown couch on a Tuesday afternoon in November.
The sounds of the busy Englewood thoroughfare outside seep into her two-bedroom
apartment. She keeps her phone next to her, and it dings regularly. Most people

“New era:” SunDrive wins funds to scale up Australia made solar cell production

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 20:35:24 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reneweconomy.com.au/new-era-sundrive-wins-funds-to-scale-up-australia-made-solar-cell-production/>

"Australian solar innovator SunDrive is a step closer to realising its vision
of producing 5GW of modules a year, after securing an $11 million grant to
scale up its solar cell production line to a commercial level.

Why Norway — the poster child for electric cars — is having second thoughts

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 20:36:43 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/23939076/norway-electric-vehicle-cars-evs-tesla-oslo>

"OSLO, Norway — With motor vehicles generating nearly a 10th of global CO2
emissions, governments and environmentalists around the world are scrambling to
mitigate the damage. In wealthy countries, strategies often revolve around

Why the urban legend of contaminated Halloween candy won't disappear

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 20:37:47 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.npr.org/2023/10/31/1208459235/why-urban-legend-contaminated-halloween-candy-wont-disappear-razor-blade-poison>

'Halloween is one of the most dangerous holidays of the year for kids. It has
more child pedestrian deaths than any other day of the year. Kids also get
tangled in their costumes and injure themselves. But there's something that

Satin Velvet - Trey Magnifique

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 04:37:23 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-6jsyddQ_I

Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***

Persistent protection efforts lead to significant growth in nation's mangrove forests

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 04:38:30 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202308/29/WS64ed3fc0a31035260b81eb66.html>

'China has seen its mangrove forests significantly expand since the start of
the new millennium, as the country undergoes consistent improvement in its
marine environment, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said.

The Prison-to-Hollywood Pipeline Is the Stuff of Cinematic Dreams

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 04:39:30 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://reasonstobecheerful.world/hollywood-jobs-film-tv-manifestworks/

"Four years ago, Leslie was on the edge of homelessness. “Everything was going
wrong. I was sleeping on the floor of relatives’ living rooms with my two
kids,” she remembers.

The EU ban that spurred a crackdown on illegal fishing

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 04:41:06 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.fairplanet.org/story/eu-ban-illegal-fishing-chinese-trawlers-cameroon/>

'In January 2023, the European Union Commission imposed a ban on imports of
fishery products caught in Cameroon's waters or by ships registered there, due
to the country's non-cooperation in combating illegal, unreported and

The Floating Health Clinics Delivering Care to Isolated Island Dwellers

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 04:41:57 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reasonstobecheerful.world/india-boat-clinics-health-care-solar-panels/>

"As the first rays of sunlight fell over the banks of the Brahmaputra River and
birds began to chirp, Riturekha Barua, a district program officer (DPO) for a
solar-powered boat clinic, was busy ensuring that she had enough medicines,

Government announces six new South Island marine reserves

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 04:43:02 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/election-2023/499457/government-announces-six-new-south-island-marine-reserves>

"The government has announced plans for six new marine reserves between Timaru
and the Catlins, expected to come into force in the middle of next year.

How France Brought Brown Bears Back to the Pyrenees

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 12:24:45 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reasonstobecheerful.world/brown-bears-french-pyrenees-reintroduction/>

"Leading the way through a shaded canopy of conifer trees, Adrien Dérousseau
arrives at a cluster of branches with a tuft of brown fur caught in it. The
bearded Frenchman then gestures for his followers — a class of elementary

New law will ban rat poison that was harmful to wildlife

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 12:27:03 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://westobserver.com/news/united-states/new-law-will-ban-rat-poison-that-was-harmful-to-wildlife/>

"Wildlife advocates are hailing the passage of Assembly Bill 1322, which
expands a moratorium on rat poison, as a win for mountain lions, coyotes and
other animals that live in and around urban areas across California.

Where Every Feather Counts

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 12:28:10 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reasonstobecheerful.world/sacred-feathers-repository-native-american-traditions/>

"In a small room tucked away in the back of an Arizona-based wildlife
rehabilitation center, Robert Mesta sits surrounded by displays of feathers of
all sizes and colors, taxidermied birds and Native American implements crafted

No back door for 5 years: remote community’s High Court win is good news for renters everywhere

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 12:28:50 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/no-back-door-for-5-years-remote-communitys-high-court-win-is-good-news-for-renters-everywhere-216821>

"It took seven years, but a tiny remote community in the Northern Territory had
a major legal win yesterday.

Actor and Sydney peace prize winner Nazanin Boniadi urges Australia to sanction key Iranian officials

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 12:29:59 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/02/sydney-peace-prize-winner-nazanin-boniadi-urges-australia-iran-sanctions>

"An Australian-educated Iranian government minister behind internet shutdowns
in Iran should be sanctioned, the winner of the 2023 Sydney peace prize says.

Queensland’s fires are not easing at night. That’s a bad sign for the summer ahead

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 12:30:44 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/queenslands-fires-are-not-easing-at-night-thats-a-bad-sign-for-the-summer-ahead-216732>

"This week, dozens of fires have burned across Queensland. More homes have
burned in the state than during the 2019–2020 Black Summer – 57 so far this
year, compared to 49.

Fire on the doorstep: how residents and firefighters from two states combined to save NSW-Qld border towns

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 19:26:47 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/02/it-could-still-turn-relief-shortlived-at-nsw-queensland-border-towns-saved-from-bushfires>

"The lawn outside David Kelly’s home is black. A bushfire on Tuesday evening
consumed almost every blade of grass right up to the Tenterfield house’s
concrete slab. With a bit of luck, and a lot of hard work, the house survived.

Extreme weather is landing more Australians in hospital – and heat is the biggest culprit

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 19:27:42 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/extreme-weather-is-landing-more-australians-in-hospital-and-heat-is-the-biggest-culprit-216440>

"Hospital admissions for injuries directly attributable to extreme weather
events – such as heatwaves, bushfires and storms – have increased in Australia
over the past decade.

Choice shames Coles and Woolworths with Shonky award for ‘cashing in during cost-of-living crisis’

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 19:28:46 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/01/choice-shames-coles-and-woolworths-with-shonky-award-for-cashing-in-during-cost-of-living-crisis>

"Australia’s two major supermarkets have been named and shamed for “cashing in
during a cost-of-living crisis” by consumer advocates Choice. Coles and
Woolworths were among the recipients of Choice’s Shonky awards, an annual list

A monster eddy current is spinning into existence off the coast of Sydney. Will it bring a new marine heatwave?

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 19:29:49 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/a-monster-eddy-current-is-spinning-into-existence-off-the-coast-of-sydney-will-it-bring-a-new-marine-heatwave-216625>

"Right now, there’s something big spinning off the coast from Sydney – a giant
rotating vortex of sea water, powerful enough to dominate the ocean currents
off south-eastern Australia.

‘Go hard and go big’: How Australia got solar panels onto one in every three houses

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 19:31:06 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/01/how-generous-subsidies-helped-australia-to-become-a-leader-in-solar-power>

"For a brief period over several weekends this spring, the state of South
Australia, which has a population of 1.8 million, did something no other place
of a similar size can claim: generate enough energy from solar panels on the

What makes an ideal main street? This is what shoppers told us

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 19:32:19 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/what-makes-an-ideal-main-street-this-is-what-shoppers-told-us-214554>

"A lot of dedication and effort goes into making main streets attractive. Local
governments, planners, place makers, economic development managers, trade
associations and retailers work hard to design, improve and revitalise main

‘We never thought we’d have a Monet on our farm’: $174m artwork heads to regional Australian gallery

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 04:18:40 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/nov/02/we-never-thought-wed-have-a-monet-on-our-farm-174m-artwork-heads-to-regional-australian-gallery>

"In late October an armoured van travelled through the flat cane fields of the
Tweed Valley, in northern New South Wales. Carrying its precious cargo past
tractors ploughing the earth after the cane burn-off, the fortified van came to

Climate crisis: carbon emissions budget is now tiny, scientists say

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 04:19:47 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/30/climate-crisis-carbon-emissions-budget>

"The carbon budget remaining to limit the climate crisis to 1.5C of global
heating is now “tiny”, according to an analysis, sending a “dire” message about
the adequacy of climate action.

‘Unreasonable, unjust, oppressive’: how a police program targeted Indigenous kids

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 04:20:34 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/unreasonable-unjust-oppressive-how-a-police-program-targeted-indigenous-kids-216627>

"“Unreasonable, unjust, oppressive or improperly discriminatory in its effect
on children and young people.”

Study reveals how SARS-CoV-2 alters mitochondria, leading to energy outages and organ failure

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 04:22:57 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231031/Study-reveals-how-SARS-CoV-2-alters-mitochondria-leading-to-energy-outages-and-organ-failure.aspx>

'The lungs were once at the forefront of SARS-Cov-2 research, but as reports of
organ failure and other serious complications poured in, scientists set out to
discover how and why the respiratory virus was causing serious damage to the

Bioprospecting the unknown: how bacterial enzymes encoded by unknown genes might help clean up pollution

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 04:23:59 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/bioprospecting-the-unknown-how-bacterial-enzymes-encoded-by-unknown-genes-might-help-clean-up-pollution-216080>

"Enzymes are biological nanomachines. They make almost all of life’s chemistry
happen, when and where required.

The 2023 BirdLife Australia photography awards – in pictures

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 04:26:34 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2023/nov/02/the-2023-birdlife-australia-photography-awards-in-pictures>

"Mid-air fights, jabbering gang-gangs and villainous magpies are some of the 68
finalists from more than 6,000 entries in this year’s competition, with the
winner to be announced in November. All proceeds go towards bird conservation

Using social media for your holiday ‘inspo’ can be risky and even dangerous – here’s why

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 12:22:58 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/using-social-media-for-your-holiday-inspo-can-be-risky-and-even-dangerous-heres-why-216434>

"How do you choose your next travel destination? Social media platforms like
Instagram and TikTok are handy tools for holiday research, full of #inspo for
new and beautiful places to go.

The hidden culprit driving America’s apocalypse of boarded-up storefronts

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 12:37:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.businessinsider.com/bank-financing-urban-planning-pandemic-retail-apocalypse-vacant-storefront-2023-10>

'You've probably seen it in your own neighborhood. Some restaurant or dry
cleaner or hardware store closes because it can't make rent, and the space just
sits there, empty, for months. Years, even. The pandemic boarded up so many

Basic income 'unlocked dozens of doors for me,' supporter says amid call for national program

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 12:39:51 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/basic-income-research-1.7014989

'Basic income was life-changing for Jessica Topfer.

The Cannington, Ont. resident was a student at Trent University in 2017 when

Bennelong and Phillip: wrestling with our historical assumptions through the entangled lives of two very different men

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 12:46:24 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/bennelong-and-phillip-wrestling-with-our-historical-assumptions-through-the-entangled-lives-of-two-very-different-men-215423>

"Review: Bennelong & Phillip: A History Unravelled – Kate Fullagher (Simon &
Schuster)

How Microsoft is making a mess of the news after replacing staff with AI

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 12:47:44 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/02/tech/microsoft-ai-news/

"False claims that President Joe Biden fell asleep during a moment of silence
for victims of the Maui wildfire. A conspiracy theory that the latest surge in
Covid-19 cases is being orchestrated by the Democratic Party ahead of the

Recent acceleration in global ocean heat accumulation by mode and intermediate waters

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 12:50:48 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-42468-z

"The ocean absorbs >90% of anthropogenic heat in the Earth system, moderating
global atmospheric warming. However, it remains unclear how this heat uptake is
distributed by basin and across water masses. Here we analyze historical and

Wasabi Boosts Cognitive Ability in Older People, Study Shows

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 20:06:29 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.sciencealert.com/wasabi-boosts-cognitive-ability-in-older-people-study-shows>

'A new study shows that the traditional Japanese spice wasabi can improve some
types of cognitive function in those aged over 60, offering a straightforward
and rather tasty way of looking after our brains as we get older.

The Southern Hemisphere Is Slowly Drying Out, Scientists Report

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 20:08:02 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.sciencealert.com/the-southern-hemisphere-is-slowly-drying-out-scientists-report>

"It is a well-known fact that water is the key to life on Earth. But it is less
well known that only about 1 percent of all water on the planet is fresh water
available to humans, plants, or land-based animals.

Calls grow in Europe for wealth tax to finance the green transition

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 20:08:56 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/calls-grow-in-europe-for-wealth-tax-to-finance-the-green-transition-216212>

"Slowly but surely, calls for a wealth tax to finance the green transition are
picking up in Europe, with a number of initiatives from different political
movements put the issue (back) on the political agenda.

Young, female voters were the key to defeating populists in Poland’s election – providing a blueprint to reverse democracy’s decline

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 20:09:54 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/young-female-voters-were-the-key-to-defeating-populists-in-polands-election-providing-a-blueprint-to-reverse-democracys-decline-216397>

"The results of Poland’s parliamentary elections held on Oct. 15, 2023, have
been lauded as a blow against populism – and they may also hold important
lessons for reversing democracy’s decline.

Australian academics apologise for false AI-generated allegations against big four consultancy firms

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 20:10:55 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/02/australian-academics-apologise-for-false-ai-generated-allegations-against-big-four-consultancy-firms>

"A group of academics has offered an unreserved apology to the big four
consultancy firms after admitting they used artificial intelligence to make
false allegations of serious wrongdoing in a submission to a parliamentary

Great Fire of London: how we uncovered the man who first found the flames

Mon, 4 Dec 2023 20:11:40 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/great-fire-of-london-how-we-uncovered-the-man-who-first-found-the-flames-214443>

"If you had been in London on September 2 1666, the chances are you’d remember
exactly where you were and who you were with. This was the day the Great Fire
began, sweeping across the city for almost five days.

Whose job will AI replace? Here’s why a clerk in Ethiopia has more to fear than one in California

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 04:32:38 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/whose-job-will-ai-replace-heres-why-a-clerk-in-ethiopia-has-more-to-fear-than-one-in-california-216735>

"Artificial intelligence is changing the world – and one of the main areas it
will affect in the short-to-medium term is the workforce.

Storm Ciarán: Seven people killed and dozens injured in Europe

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 04:33:51 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/02/storm-ciaran-people-killed-injured-storm-ciaran-batters-europe-wind-rain>

"At least seven people have been killed and dozens injured as Storm Ciarán
battered north-west Europe with torrential rain and winds of up to 200km/h
(124mph), damaging homes and forcing schools to close and airlines and train

How John Steinbeck tricked his kids into reading great books

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 04:34:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://heypop.substack.com/p/how-john-steinbeck-tricked-his-kids

"My son has finally found his confidence as a reader. He’s comfortable in so
many other aspects of childhood. He can handle himself on the pitcher’s mound,
for instance, staring down a batter while facing a full count with the game on

AI chatbots are coming to your workplace but are not necessarily coming for your job

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 04:35:37 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/ai-chatbots-are-coming-to-your-workplace-but-are-not-necessarily-coming-for-your-job-216433>

"Artificial Intelligence chatbots are everywhere. They have captured the public
imagination and that of countless Silicon Valley inventors and investors since
the arrival of ChatGPT about a year ago.

Is nuclear the answer to Australia’s climate crisis?

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 04:36:25 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/is-nuclear-the-answer-to-australias-climate-crisis-216891>

"In Australia’s race to net zero emissions, nuclear power has surged back into
the news. Opposition leader Peter Dutton argues nuclear is “the only feasible
and proven technology” for cutting emissions. Energy Minister Chris Bowen

Zuck’s gravity-defying metaverse money-pit

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 04:38:31 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://doctorow.medium.com/zucks-gravity-defying-metaverse-money-pit-364530ddec0b>

"Think of everything that makes you miserable as being caught between two
opposing, irresistible, irrefutable truths:

Meta’s failures contributed to abuses against Tigrayan community during conflict in northern Ethiopia

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 14:05:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/10/meta-failure-contributed-to-abuses-against-tigray-ethiopia/>

"Meta, the parent company of Facebook, contributed to serious human rights
abuses against Ethiopia’s Tigrayan community, Amnesty International said in a
new report published today.

I was a geriatrician on Old People’s Home for Teenagers. Here’s why I joined this TV experiment

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 14:08:10 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/i-was-a-geriatrician-on-old-peoples-home-for-teenagers-heres-why-i-joined-this-tv-experiment-215074>

"Many people will have heard about “intergenerational practice” via the TV.

This is the purposeful bringing together of different generations, aiming to

I was a ward of the state. The horrors of the Parramatta Girls’ Home were legendary

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 14:10:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/i-was-a-ward-of-the-state-the-horrors-of-the-parramatta-girls-home-were-legendary-214567>

"Readers are advised this article discusses sexual abuse.

In the Sydney suburb of North Parramatta sits a cluster of very old buildings

Never fly again? Go vegan? It was too hard. But I still cut my emissions by 61% and it made life simpler and better

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 14:10:58 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/04/never-fly-again-go-vegan-it-was-too-hard-but-i-still-cut-my-emissions-by-61-and-it-made-life-simpler-and-better>

"I’ve been worried about climate change my whole life. When I was a kid we
called it the greenhouse effect and I assumed that, by the time I grew up,
someone else would have fixed it. But no one did.

Friday essay: jilted lovers could once sue for breach of promise – did we lose something in abolishing this law?

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 14:15:56 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-jilted-lovers-could-once-sue-for-breach-of-promise-did-we-lose-something-in-abolishing-this-law-214840>

Just a few lines to my ever dear Beattie.
My dear love. I am nearly mad.
Dear love, I love the ground you walk upon.

Base Load Solar Power Beamed WIRELESSLY From SPACE?! 🤯

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 14:16:44 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuvNLtai_54

"Wireless, extra terrestrial, constant renewable energy. Sounds both too good
to be true and totally made up?! We thought so too! Only it turns out that, not
only is it real, it's also technically and economically feasible. In fact, we

Taming wild northern rivers could harm marine fisheries and threaten endangered sawfish

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 23:03:51 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/taming-wild-northern-rivers-could-harm-marine-fisheries-and-threaten-endangered-sawfish-212690>

"Australia’s tropical northern rivers still run wild and free. These relatively
pristine areas have so far avoided extensive development. But this might not
last. There are ongoing scoping studies exploring irrigating agricultural land

All Bigotry Is Ignorance, But Not All Ignorance Is Bigotry

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 23:05:13 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://freedium.cfd/https://medium.com/our-human-family/all-bigotry-is-ignorance-but-not-all-ignorance-is-bigotry-ef0a181f112d>

"Here's an exchange that I see often:

Proud father: "My perspective on women changed when I had a daughter."

Whakaari/White Island court case will change the level of accepted risk in NZ’s tourism industry

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 23:06:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/whakaari-white-island-court-case-will-change-the-level-of-accepted-risk-in-nzs-tourism-industry-216817>

"An Auckland court has found Whakaari Management Limited (WML) guilty of
breaching workplace safety laws relating to the Whakaari/White Island eruption
in 2019. This decision could have implications for anyone involved in adventure

A taxonomy of corporate bullshit

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 23:09:56 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://doctorow.medium.com/https-pluralistic-net-2023-10-27-six-sells-youre-holding-it-wrong-8ba5047abf99>

"There are six lies that corporations have told since time immemorial, and Nick
Hanauer, Joan Walsh and Donald Cohen’s new book Corporate Bullsht: Exposing
the Lies and Half-Truths That Protect Profit, Power, and Wealth in America*

Post Mortem on Cloudflare Control Plane and Analytics Outage

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 23:11:09 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://blog.cloudflare.com/post-mortem-on-cloudflare-control-plane-and-analytics-outage/>

"Beginning on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 11:43 UTC Cloudflare's control
plane and analytics services experienced an outage. The control plane of
Cloudflare consists primarily of the customer-facing interface for all of our

Regulating political misinformation isn’t easy, but it’s necessary to protect democracy

Tue, 5 Dec 2023 23:12:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/regulating-political-misinformation-isnt-easy-but-its-necessary-to-protect-democracy-216537>

"The recent open letter to the prime minister and parliamentarians broke the
week-long silence from Indigenous leaders after the country rejected the
proposed First Nations Voice to Parliament. The letter emphasised the damage

How to Prepare to Lose Your Home in a Climate Disaster

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 05:24:31 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://medium.com/@climatesurvivor/preparing-for-a-climate-disaster-9701e3c644a4>

"Unless you’ve been living under a rock (most of us aren’t that smart), you’ve
probably become aware that climate disasters can happen anywhere and at almost
any time.

Earth is getting extra salty, an ‘existential threat’ to freshwater supplies

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 05:26:43 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://grist.org/science/salt-pollution-study-drinking-water-supplies/

"Humanity is messing with the Earth’s “salt cycle,” with potentially dangerous
consequences for drinking water supplies, crop production, and ecosystems.
That’s according to a new study published in the journal Nature Reviews Earth

When the natural gas industry used the playbook from Big Tobacco

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 05:28:40 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://arstechnica.com/health/2023/11/when-the-natural-gas-industry-used-the-playbook-from-big-tobacco/>

"In 1976, beloved chef, cookbook author, and television personality Julia Child
returned to WGBH-TV’s studios in Boston for a new cooking show, Julia Child &
Company, following her hit series The French Chef. Viewers probably didn’t

Our children are victims of road violence. We need to talk about the deadly norms of car use

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 05:29:45 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/our-children-are-victims-of-road-violence-we-need-to-talk-about-the-deadly-norms-of-car-use-214476>

"The deaths and injuries caused by car drivers are an everyday occurrence. This
road violence has become normalised. We take it for granted as the price we
have to pay to use our cars.

Carbon Pricing Is A Big Broom That Sweeps Up A Lot Of Climate Problems

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 05:30:51 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://freedium.cfd/https://medium.com/the-future-is-electric/carbon-pricing-is-a-big-broom-that-sweeps-up-a-lot-of-climate-problems-cb9792e107bf>

"Pricing our global greenhouse gas emissions isn't the only answer to
addressing climate change, but it's a requirement for any serious climate plan.
And large parts of the world have stepped up, including most of Europe, big

The Black Gold Tapestry

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 05:31:34 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.theblackgoldtapestry.com/

"Sandra M Sawatzky has made a 21st century work of art relating the saga of
oil, global societal change, and energy transition through the power and beauty
of 67 metres of hand embroidery."

The Next Six Years Will Make or Break Our Climate Goal of 1.5°C Warming

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 12:33:35 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.sciencealert.com/the-next-six-years-will-make-or-break-our-climate-goal-of-1-5c-warming>

"If humanity wants to have a 50-50 chance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C,
we can only emit another 250 gigatonnes (billion metric tonnes) of CO₂.

More than 120,000 acres set aside in Idaho as conservation area

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 12:34:48 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/politics-government/2023-08-23/idaho-bennett-hills-backcountry-conservation-area>

"Backcountry Conservation Areas are a relatively new creation of the Bureau of
Land Management, and a large new area was just established in our region.

A Place For Autistic Youth To Play And Disabled Adults To Work

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 12:36:47 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/a-place-for-autistic-youth-to-play-and-disabled-adults-to-work>

"When Tiera Turner’s first son was diagnosed with autism in 2019, “there was
not a place where we felt we could be comfortable, or I felt I didn’t have to
apologize for my child,” she says. Now with two sons diagnosed as autistic,

EU bans microplastics added to consumer products

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 12:39:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.dw.com/en/eu-bans-microplastics-added-to-consumer-products/a-67019552>

'From the depths of ocean trenches to the peaks of the highest mountains, from
our food and water to human blood and stool, there are few places microplastics
have not been found. Indeed, the United Nations estimates there is more of it

Energy Agency Sees Peaks in Global Oil, Coal and Gas Demand by 2030

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 12:40:28 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/24/climate/international-energy-agency-peak-demand.html>

"For more than a century, the world’s appetite for fossil fuels has been
expanding relentlessly, as humans have continued burning larger amounts of
coal, oil and natural gas almost every year to power homes, cars and factories.

Indonesia backs global fight against plastic waste

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 12:41:32 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://en.antaranews.com/news/296637/indonesia-backs-global-fight-against-plastic-waste>

'Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has voiced its full support for
the global agenda to combat plastic waste polluting land and seas, according to
the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK).

Extreme modding project adds a 61 TB SSD to Valve's Steam Deck

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 19:51:16 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.techspot.com/news/100716-extreme-modding-project-adds-61-tb-ssd-valve.html>

"The Steam Deck presents an enticing option for fans of portable PC gaming, but
the console does have room for improvement. One of the system's major
weaknesses lies in its storage capacity, with the high-end model sporting a

Conservation Area in Ecuador Achieves National Protected Status as a ‘Wildlife Refuge’

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 19:53:01 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.andesamazonfund.org/country/manchangara-tomebamba-achieves-national-protection-as-wildlife-refuge-ecuador/>

"On September 22, 2023, Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment, Water, and
Ecological Transition (MAATE using the Spanish acronym) officially designated
the Machángara-Tomebamba conservation area a ‘Wildlife Refuge’, upgrading it to

How might we build trust in an untrusting world?

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 19:53:54 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://richardgingras.medium.com/how-might-we-build-trust-in-an-untrusting-world-4192ac2868af>

"We live in a divided world. My country is fractured. Your country is
fractured. Everywhere I’ve been of late, from Brazil to Italy, from the
Philippines to Nigeria, I see struggles to address fractured societies. Deep

‘A Yellowstone for Europe’: Romania’s ambition for a vast new wilderness reserve

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 19:55:02 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2023/oct/22/a-yellowstone-for-europe-romanias-ambition-for-a-vast-new-wilderness-reserve>

"Up on the hill we spy them: dark, imposing forms moving through the dense
forest. It’s a group of bison wandering wild in Romania’s Făgăraș mountains. I
stand silently with my guide Răzvan Dumitrache as the animals graze.

What 2,500 years of wildfire evidence and the extreme fire seasons of 1910 and 2020 tell us about the future of fire in the West

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 19:56:01 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://medium.com/the-conversation/what-2-500-years-of-wildfire-evidence-and-the-extreme-fire-seasons-of-1910-and-2020-tell-us-about-e1241411faa7>

"Strong winds blew across mountain slopes after a record-setting warm, dry
summer. Small fires began to blow up into huge conflagrations. Towns in crisis
scrambled to escape as fires bore down.

Wildcats thriving in Scottish Highlands conservation project

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 19:57:02 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-67100886

"Wildcats released in the UK for the first time are thriving with only one
death, say conservationists.

The Best Inventions of 2023

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 04:41:52 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2023/

"Every year for over two decades, TIME editors have highlighted the most
impactful new products and ideas in TIME’s Best Inventions issue. To compile
this year's list, we solicited nominations from TIME’s editors and

Human-to-lion COVID transmission confirmed: Singapore study rings alarm bells for endangered species

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 04:45:06 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231030/Human-to-lion-COVID-transmission-confirmed-Singapore-study-rings-alarm-bells-for-endangered-species.aspx>

"Human-to-animal transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
2 (SARS-CoV-2) delta variant was detected at a Singapore zoo in 2021.

Why native Hawaiians are being "pushed out of paradise" in their homeland

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 04:47:40 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hawaii-native-hawaiians-moving-cost-of-living/>

'Doreen Hall is among the thousands of native Hawaiians who decided to leave
the state with her family because of rising prices in the area. Each year,
15,000 native Hawaiians leave the state for the mainland, which now boasts a

‘Every square inch is covered in life’: the ageing oil rigs that became marine oases

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 04:49:12 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/15/california-abandoned-offshore-oil-marine-life-fish-sanctuary>

"On a recent August afternoon, Ann Scarborough Bull motored out two miles from
the coast of Santa Barbara onboard a research vessel called the Danny C. The
marine biologist and her colleagues had an unusual destination in their sights:

Oklahoma has restored nearly 100 unhealthy streams thanks to water monitoring, regenerative agriculture

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 04:50:49 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.kosu.org/energy-environment/2023-06-12/oklahoma-has-restored-nearly-100-unhealthy-streams-thanks-to-water-monitoring-regenerative-agriculture>

'It only took a few minutes for Wes Shockley and his colleague to pull a dozen
species of fish (and one small turtle) out of Pryor Creek. Shockley has been a
Water Quality Monitoring Expert with the Conservation Commission for three

Fresh COVID wave threatens Christmas for third year in a row

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 12:09:10 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-02/nsw-sydney-covid-christmas-fresh-wave/103051190>

'Sydney could be facing a "COVID Christmas" for the third year in a row as a
fresh wave of the virus pushes through the community, according to New South
Wales Health.

Projects hijacked by ‘political actors like Peter Dutton suddenly pretending to care about whales’

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 12:10:47 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/wind-farms-misinformation-peter-dutton-climate-change-20231101-p5egvn.html>

"Associate professor Michelle Voyer was startled to see an article from the
internationally esteemed academic journal Marine Policy asserting that wind
energy projects proposed for the waters off the Illawarra and Hunter Valley

Do you trust AI to write the news? It already is – and not without issues

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 12:11:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/do-you-trust-ai-to-write-the-news-it-already-is-and-not-without-issues-216909>

"Businesses are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate
media content, including news, to engage their customers. Now, we’re even
seeing AI used for the “gamification” of news – that is, to create

Can we eat our way through an exploding sea urchin problem?

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 12:14:34 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/can-we-eat-our-way-through-an-exploding-sea-urchin-problem-214389>

"Longspined sea urchins are native to temperate waters around New South Wales.
But as oceans heat up, their range has expanded more than 650km, through
eastern Victoria and south to Tasmania. Their numbers are exploding in the

Open Source Is Struggling And It's Not Big Tech That Is To Blame

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 12:16:27 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://freedium.cfd/https://medium.com/@jankammerath/open-source-is-struggling-and-its-not-big-tech-that-is-to-blame-cfba964219f8>

"I was at an evening reception in Germany together with people from the German
software community, business owners, government and associations. Beside
interesting discussions, I met a couple of people from organizatiojns

The UN is calling the Israel-Hamas war a ‘graveyard of children’. In an adult conflict, the young are suffering most

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 12:17:29 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/the-un-is-calling-the-israel-hamas-war-a-graveyard-of-children-in-an-adult-conflict-the-young-are-suffering-most-216633>

"Too often, it’s the most vulnerable who suffer most in the throes of war.

This remains true, with children accounting for many of the deaths and

Humans Find AI-Generated Faces More Trustworthy Than the Real Thing

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 19:27:25 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/humans-find-ai-generated-faces-more-trustworthy-than-the-real-thing/>

"When TikTok videos emerged in 2021 that seemed to show “Tom Cruise” making a
coin disappear and enjoying a lollipop, the account name was the only obvious
clue that this wasn’t the real deal. The creator of the “deeptomcruise” account

Is Now and Then really a Beatles song? The fab four always used technology to create new music

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 19:28:48 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/is-now-and-then-really-a-beatles-song-the-fab-four-always-used-technology-to-create-new-music-216981>

"Over the past few weeks, Paul McCartney has been touring Australia to play
through three hours of his musical legacy – from Beatles and Wings favourites
to solo material, and some unexpected deep cuts.

Toyota has built an EV with a fake transmission, and we’ve driven it

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 19:29:47 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/10/toyota-has-built-an-ev-with-a-fake-transmission-and-weve-driven-it/>

"Electric cars do a lot of things well. They're smooth. They're quiet. They're
easier on the environment, and they're even scientifically proven to be less
stressful. But what they don't tend to be is engaging, at least not in the way

What Could Go Right? 7 pieces of equal-rights progress

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 19:32:24 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://theprogressnetwork.org/same-sex-marriage-world/

"One piece of feedback about this newsletter that we receive more than I would
have expected is a request to cover LGBTQ issues less often. That request could
be coming from a variety of places. But I do wonder if it’s sometimes because

Birds of east Africa: new book reveals their extraordinary diversity and changing behaviour

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 19:33:07 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/birds-of-east-africa-new-book-reveals-their-extraordinary-diversity-and-changing-behaviour-216994>

"101 Curious Tales of East African Birds is a new book that uses academic
research to tell fascinating stories about the tropical birds of east Africa,
from well-known species to rare ones. It also explores changing bird behaviour

White Arkitekter designs stormwater pond that "celebrates the joy of being part of nature"

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 03:31:57 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.dezeen.com/2023/10/22/white-arkitekter-exercisfaltet-stormwater-pond-sweden/>

'Swedish practice White Arkitekter has completed the Exercisfältet Stormwater
Pond in Uppsala, Sweden, providing water purification and flood protection
while also creating a biodiverse landscape for local residents.

The World's Largest Forest Wilderness Seems to Be Shrinking

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 03:38:02 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.sciencealert.com/the-worlds-largest-forest-wilderness-seems-to-be-shrinking>

"Earth's boreal forests circle our planet's far northern reaches, just south of
the Arctic's treeless tundra. If the planet wears an Arctic ice cap, then the
boreal forests are a loose-knit headband wrapped around its ears, covering

World Energy Outlook 2023

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 03:41:17 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/26ca51d0-4a42-4649-a7c0-552d75ddf9b2/WorldEnergyOutlook2023.pdf>

"Today, 50 years on from the oil shock that led to the founding of the
International Energy Agency (IEA), the world once again faces a moment of high
geopolitical tensions and uncertainty for the energy sector. There are

China’s Return to Coal Looks Set to Be Short-Lived

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 03:42:36 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/energy/2023/10/18/china-s-return-to-coal-looks-set-to-be-short-lived/3a8a49c6-6df5-11ee-b01a-f593caa04363_story.html>

"One of the vagaries of zero-carbon power as the world approaches its emissions
peak is the way small year-to-year changes can mask the scale of the
transformation underway.

How did Uruguay cut carbon emissions? The answer is blowing in the wind

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 03:43:55 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.npr.org/2023/10/06/1197954251/uruguay-green-energy-carbon-emissions-climate-change>

'Back in 2007, Uruguay had a massive problem with no obvious fix. The economy
of this country of 3.5 million people was growing, but there wasn't enough
energy to power all that growth. There was energy rationing, and people's power

Why are US politicians so old? And why do they want to stay in office?

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 03:44:58 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/why-are-us-politicians-so-old-and-why-do-they-want-to-stay-in-office-217024>

"When former President Bill Clinton showed up at the White House in early 2023,
he was there to join President Joe Biden to celebrate the 30th anniversary of
the Family and Medical Leave Act. It was hard to avoid the fact that it had

A Revolution in Computer Graphics Is Bringing 3D Reality Capture to the Masses

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 09:55:38 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://singularityhub.com/2023/11/06/a-revolution-in-computer-graphics-is-bringing-3d-reality-capture-to-the-masses/>

"As a weapon of war, destroying cultural heritage sites is a common method by
armed invaders to deprive a community of their distinct identity. It was no
surprise then, in February of 2022, as Russian troops swept into Ukraine, that

Dolly Parton: Rockstar Forever

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 09:57:07 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://consequence.net/cover/dolly-parton-rockstar-hayley-williams/

"Dolly Parton, we’re told, is chronically early, and despite the fact that we
aren’t gathering until mid-morning, the word is that she has been awake since
3:00 a.m. When she makes her entrance, heels clicking and blue eyeliner

Electrification is efficiency: The world will need less energy after the transition

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 09:58:13 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com/p/electrification-energy-efficiency>

"When we electrify our energy systems, a magical thing happens: large
inefficiencies vanish. As the International Energy Agency puts it:
“Electrification is efficiency”.

In early 2029, Earth will likely lock into breaching key warming threshold, scientists calculate

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 09:59:34 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-early-earth-breaching-key-threshold.html

'In a little more than five years—sometime in early 2029—the world will likely
be unable to stay below the internationally agreed temperature limit for global
warming if it continues to burn fossil fuels at its current rate, a new study

Ocean Acidification

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 10:01:07 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.savecoastalwildlife.org/ocean-acidification

"Ocean acidification is a term used to describe a reduction of the average pH
in the ocean. pH stands for potential or power of hydrogen with the “p” meaning
potential or power and the “H” standing for hydrogen. The pH scale is a common

World-first Zero Debris Charter goes live

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 10:02:29 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Clean_Space/World-first_Zero_Debris_Charter_goes_live>

"More satellites were launched in the last few years than the entire six
decades of space exploration. 130 million pieces of space debris larger than a
millimetre orbit Earth, threatening satellites now and in the future. Once a

A Navajo teacher is among the first Colorado educators to revive Indigenous language in the classroom

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 19:26:20 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://coloradosun.com/2023/11/06/colorado-navajo-language-durango-high-school/>

"Some of the students in Elfreida Begay’s class timidly sound out the syllables
of a language they had never heard uttered in school before this year. Others
are more forceful as they test out the sharp edges of the Indigenous words

Almost 2 million Workforce Australia payments have been suspended in the past year, with devastating impact

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 19:27:11 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/almost-2-million-workforce-australia-payments-have-been-suspended-in-the-past-year-with-devastating-impact-216752>

"Last year the federal government replaced the jobactive employment support
program with what was expected to be a more flexible and improved support
system for jobseekers, Workforce Australia.

Tasmanian salmon farms could face restrictions to save endangered fish

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 19:28:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/07/tasmanian-salmon-farms-could-face-restrictions-to-save-endangered-fish>

"Tanya Plibersek has written to the Tasmanian government to flag she may
reconsider the future of decade-old salmon farms in Macquarie Harbour due to
concern about their impact on a critically endangered species.

A 4-day week might not work in health care. But adapting this model could reduce burnout among staff

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 19:29:23 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/a-4-day-week-might-not-work-in-health-care-but-adapting-this-model-could-reduce-burnout-among-staff-213554>

"The COVID pandemic saw a mass exodus of health-care workers across developed
countries, exacerbating an existing health-care staffing crisis.

The Great Social Media–News Collapse

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 19:30:52 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2023/11/social-media-news-readership-decline/675890/>

"Over the past decade, Silicon Valley has learned that news is a messy,
expensive, low-margin business—the kind that, if you’re not careful, can turn a
milquetoast CEO into an international villain and get you dragged in front of

Fieldwork can be challenging for female scientists. Here are 5 ways to make it better

Fri, 8 Dec 2023 19:35:00 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/fieldwork-can-be-challenging-for-female-scientists-here-are-5-ways-to-make-it-better-214215>

"Women coastal scientists face multiple barriers to getting into the field for
research. These include negative perceptions of their physical capabilities,
not being included in trips, caring responsibilities at home and a lack of

The Profound Loneliness of Being Collapse Aware

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 05:33:41 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://medium.com/@CollapseSurvival/the-profound-loneliness-of-being-collapse-aware-28ac7a705b9>

"“Is something wrong?” James asked.

I blinked at him. “What?”

How Phar Lap’s skin, bones and heart became ‘holy relics’ in colonial Australia and New Zealand

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 05:35:21 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/how-phar-laps-skin-bones-and-heart-became-holy-relics-in-colonial-australia-and-new-zealand-216530>

"When the legendary Phar Lap won the Melbourne Cup in 1930, the big chestnut
horse didn’t just live up to his Thai name, which means “lightning”. He also
brought together strands of colonial history and mythology that are only now

A new Silicon Valley manifesto reveals the bleak, dangerous philosophy driving the tech industry

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 05:55:11 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/a-new-silicon-valley-manifesto-reveals-the-bleak-dangerous-philosophy-driving-the-tech-industry-216894>

"In 1993, Marc Andreessen was an undergraduate at the University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, where he also worked at the US-government funded National
Center for Supercomputing Applications. With a colleague, the young software

Global EV Sales Hit A Near-Record 1.2 Million Sales In August 2023

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 05:58:44 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://insideevs.com/news/691469/global-ev-sales-august2023/

"In August, global sales of plug-in electric cars exceeded 1.2 million units,
which was the third-best result ever (almost a new record).

Our minds handle risk strangely – and that’s partly why we delayed climate action so long

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 05:59:24 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/our-minds-handle-risk-strangely-and-thats-partly-why-we-delayed-climate-action-so-long-213761>

"We now have a very narrow window to significantly and rapidly slash greenhouse
gas emissions to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, with just
an estimated six years left before we blow our carbon budget to stay below

Second Infection Hikes Long COVID Risk: Expert Q&A

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 12:18:50 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/998107

"People infected multiple times with COVID-19 are more likely to develop long
COVID, and most never fully recover from the condition. Those are two of the
most striking findings of a comprehensive new 3-year research study of 138,000

Hydrogen Ladder Version 5.0

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 12:20:20 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hydrogen-ladder-version-50-michael-liebreich/>

"The Hydrogen Ladder is my attempt to synthesise all the information known to
me about all the factors driving technology uptake across all sectors of
the economy in all countries of the world. Not ambitious at all!

Flooded and forgotten: How Europe's disused coal mines are successfully being used to heat our homes

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 12:21:39 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/10/14/flooded-and-forgotten-how-europe-s-disused-coal-mines-could-help-heat-our-homes>

"An old coal mine has been providing an English town with green energy for the
last six months.

Editor of scientific journal says fake study linking whale deaths to wind farms is 'deliberate misinformation'

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 12:23:13 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-07/editor-blasts-fake-study-linking-whale-deaths-to-wind-farms/103069922>

'The federal government's resolve to establish an offshore wind industry is
being tested by the emergence of community opposition which the government
claims is being influenced by misinformation.

Singapore Is Fighting Rising Seas to Save $50 Billion in Real Estate

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 12:25:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-10-09/singapore-is-saving-50-billion-in-real-estate-from-rising-seas-climate-change>

"During a half-century of independence, Singapore has fought to expand its
territory, inch by hard-won inch. On the tip of the Malaysian peninsula, the
island city-state piled up sand to expand its coastline and reclaim land from

Incredible Experiment Reveals How Rats Use Their Imagination

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 19:24:05 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.sciencealert.com/incredible-experiment-reveals-how-rats-use-their-imagination>

'Rats use their imaginations in a similar way to humans, a new study shows –
meaning their thoughts aren't always fixed on what's immediately in front of
them, but can also travel in space and time.

Heat Pumps Are Not Fair Weather Friends Any More

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 19:25:10 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://cleantechnica.com/2023/11/07/heat-pumps-are-not-fair-weather-friends-any-more/>

"Heat pumps have emerged as the unsung heroes of the decarbonization movement,
offering an all-electric alternative to conventional oil and gas HVAC systems.
However, here in the US there’s a catch. Over the years, heat pumps have

The rise and fall of antibiotics. What would a post-antibiotic world look like?

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 19:25:50 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-antibiotics-what-would-a-post-antibiotic-world-look-like-213450>

"These days, we don’t think much about being able to access a course of
antibiotics to head off an infection. But that wasn’t always the case –
antibiotics have been available for less than a century.

Almost 200 asylum seekers returned by Albanese government since May 2022

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 19:27:05 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/08/australian-government-border-protection-stats-boats-turned-back>

"The Albanese government turned vessels back or returned asylum seekers aboard
them on seven occasions in its first nine months in office, quietly continuing
the Coalition’s Operation Sovereign Borders policy.

Alarm Bells Sounded For Greenland's Ice Sheet, After The Collapse of 3 Ice Shelves

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 19:28:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.sciencealert.com/alarm-bells-sounded-for-greenlands-ice-sheet-after-the-collapse-of-3-ice-shelves>

'The last remaining Northern Greenland ice shelves bracing the region's vast
ice sheet have lost a third of their volume in the last four decades,
researchers said on Tuesday, warning of the risk of "dramatic" sea level rise.

How do bacteria actually become resistant to antibiotics?

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 19:29:46 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/how-do-bacteria-actually-become-resistant-to-antibiotics-213451>

"“What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger”, originally coined by Friedrich
Nietzsche in 1888, is a perfect description of how bacteria develop antibiotic
resistance.

Luminous ‘mother-of-pearl’ clouds explain why climate models miss so much Arctic and Antarctic warming

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 03:35:17 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/luminous-mother-of-pearl-clouds-explain-why-climate-models-miss-so-much-arctic-and-antarctic-warming-217066>

"Our planet has warmed by about 1.2°C since 1850. But this warming is not
uniform. Warming at the poles, especially the Arctic, has been three to four
times faster than the rest of the globe. It’s a phenomenon known as “polar

Making money green: Australia takes its first steps towards a net zero finance strategy

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 03:37:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/making-money-green-australia-takes-its-first-steps-towards-a-net-zero-finance-strategy-214063>

"Just north of Jamestown in South Australia, 70 kilometres east of the Spencer
Gulf and next to a wind farm of nearly 100 turbines, stands the world’s first
big battery.

Global Warning: 2023 Will Be The Hottest Year On Record

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 03:38:29 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://freedium.cfd/https://medium.com/the-new-climate/global-warning-2023-the-hottest-year-on-record-3c7c2604f3b3>

'After a cooler start to 2023, four months have seen unprecedented global
temperatures, with September being the hottest month ever recorded. But
sweltering temperatures baking the globe on land and sea have been piling up

Researchers warn we could run out of data to train AI by 2026. What then?

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 03:39:50 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/researchers-warn-we-could-run-out-of-data-to-train-ai-by-2026-what-then-216741>

"As artificial intelligence (AI) reaches the peak of its popularity,
researchers have warned the industry might be running out of training data –
the fuel that runs powerful AI systems. This could slow down the growth of AI

Japan's Mitsubishi Chemical to slash solar panel recycling costs 20%

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 03:40:54 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Environment/Japan-s-Mitsubishi-Chemical-to-slash-solar-panel-recycling-costs-20>

"TOKYO — Mitsubishi Chemical Group has developed technology that recycles
glass and metals from solar panels, reducing costs by 20% to 30%, Nikkei has
learned, in what could become a link in Japan's sustainable renewable energy

By reviewing the name of the Baden-Powell Award, Scouts Australia is grappling with its colonial past

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 03:41:52 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/by-reviewing-the-name-of-the-baden-powell-award-scouts-australia-is-grappling-with-its-colonial-past-216172>

"Scouts Australia is considering changing the name of its most prestigious
youth award, the Baden-Powell Scout Award.

Rivian R1T is the first EV to win the longest off-road competition in the US

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 11:29:49 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://techcrunch.com/2023/10/22/rivian-r1t-is-the-first-ev-to-win-the-longest-off-road-competition-in-the-us/>

"Motorsports and off-road competition isn’t the typical fodder over here at
TechCrunch — unless, of course, there also happens to be a podium-winning
team driving an all-electric 2023 Rivian R1T.

This Japanese city is piloting EV wireless charging at traffic lights

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 11:31:08 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://electrek.co/2023/10/20/this-japanese-city-is-piloting-ev-wireless-charging-at-traffic-lights/>

"The pilot is being run in Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City by the Universities of
Tokyo and Chiba, along with nine companies, including tire maker Bridgestone
and auto parts makers NSK and Denso. (Kashiwa Smart City is named that because

Where Raspberry Pis are made

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 11:32:17 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://magpi.raspberrypi.com/articles/where-raspberry-pis-are-made

"Pencoed is not a big town, having a population of under 10,000. However, big
things come out of there. It’s where you’ll find the Sony UK Technology Centre,
one part factory where the vast majority of Raspberry Pis are made, alongside

First malaria vaccine slashes early childhood mortality

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 11:33:38 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://web.archive.org/web/20231024233155/https://www.science.org/content/article/first-malaria-vaccine-slashes-early-childhood-deaths>

"In a major analysis in Africa, the first vaccine approved to fight malaria cut
deaths among young children by 13% over nearly 4 years, the World Health
Organization (WHO) reported last week. The huge evaluation of a pilot rollout

‘There’s still beauty’: a national park bounces back after California’s biggest single fire

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 11:35:07 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/23/lassen-volcanic-national-park-dixie-fire-greenville-california>

"The fire was coming.

Roughly 30 miles of dense forest withering under extreme drought stood between

Ending the neglect: lessons from a decade of success in responding to Neglected tropical diseases in Africa

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 11:37:14 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/373550/9789290235040-eng.pdf

"Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of diseases with
distinct characteristics found mainly among the poorest populations of the
world. These diseases share a common stranglehold on those populations left

11 Asian, S American nations sign declaration to save rare river dolphins

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 19:30:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501381904/11-asian-s-american-nations-sign-declaration-to-save-rare-river-dolphins/>

"KARACHI – Eleven Asian and South American countries signed a declaration
Tuesday to save the world’s six surviving species of river dolphins from
extinction.

How a Melbourne recycling program is using old hotel soap to solve a global health problem

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 19:31:38 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-09/used-hotel-soap-recycling-program-melbourne/103074122>

'What looks like a potato peeler whizzes across a tiny cube of soap, removing
the outer layer, before it's lobbed into a pile.

A theory of jerks

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 19:33:08 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://aeon.co/essays/so-you-re-surrounded-by-idiots-guess-who-the-real-jerk-is>

"Picture the world through the eyes of the jerk. The line of people in the post
office is a mass of unimportant fools; it’s a felt injustice that you must wait
while they bumble with their requests. The flight attendant is not a

In a crisis, Optus appears to be ignoring Communications 101

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 19:34:25 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/in-a-crisis-optus-appears-to-be-ignoring-communications-101-217265>

"Millions of Optus customers are in the wilderness of a nationwide network
outage that began at 4am.

Pacific Islands Forum: Australia under pressure to rein in fossil fuel subsidies

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 19:35:52 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/08/pacific-islands-forum-australia-under-pressure-to-rein-in-fossil-fuel-subsidies>

"Australia is facing fresh pressure to rein in fossil fuel subsidies, with new
figures showing just a fraction of that spending could fully fund the shift to
clean energy in eight Pacific island countries.

Plastic waste ‘spiralling out of control’ across Africa, analysis shows

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 19:37:21 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/08/plastic-waste-spiralling-out-of-control-across-africa-analysis-shows>

"Plastic waste is “spiralling out of control” across Africa, where it is
growing faster than any other region, new analysis has shown.

26 years ago, Howard chose fossil fuels over the Pacific. What will Albanese choose?

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 04:51:59 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/26-years-ago-howard-chose-fossil-fuels-over-the-pacific-what-will-albanese-choose-217258>

"Hot on the heels of trips to Washington and Beijing, Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese is now in the Cook Islands for the Pacific Island Forum. There, he
will aim to strengthen relations with Pacific countries and reaffirm

Do you think you have a penicillin allergy? You might be wrong

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 04:52:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/do-you-think-you-have-a-penicillin-allergy-you-might-be-wrong-212874>

"Penicillins are the most prescribed class of antibiotics in Australia.
Originally derived from a fungus, penicillin antibiotics such as amoxicillin
are used to treat common infections, including chest, sinus, ear, urinary tract

Fika, four-week holidays – and zero overtime: Sweden’s stunningly healthy work culture

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 04:54:31 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/nov/08/fika-four-week-holidays-and-zero-overtime-swedens-stunningly-healthy-work-culture>

"Gym classes, massages, mood boosting hobbies; it’s no secret that staying
“well” can be prohibitively expensive. But not necessarily in Sweden, where
many employers offer their workers a so-called “wellness allowance”: up to

Is capitalism dead? Yanis Varoufakis thinks it is – and he knows who killed it

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 04:56:21 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/is-capitalism-dead-yanis-varoufakis-thinks-it-is-and-he-knows-who-killed-it-213992>

"Review: Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism – Yanis Varoufakis (Bodley
Head)

Is the web actually evaporating?

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 04:57:58 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.garbageday.email/p/is-the-web-actually-evaporating

"Buried down in a recent CNN piece about how the Biden administration is
struggling with the complex generational politics of the current conflict in
Israel and Palestine is an interesting tidbit about TikTok: “[The White House

Heat, cold, pollution, noise and insects: too many apartment blocks aren’t up to the challenge

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 04:58:44 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/heat-cold-pollution-noise-and-insects-too-many-apartment-blocks-arent-up-to-the-challenge-215990>

"The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the impacts of air quality on high-rise
living. However, apartments face a range of atmospheric challenges. These
include air and noise pollution, temperature and weather extremes, bushfire

Changing Lives and Livelihoods in Tanzania, One Electricity Connection at a Time

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 12:08:19 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2022/06/28/changing-lives-and-livelihoods-in-tanzania-one-electricity-connection-at-a-time>

"The Tanzania Rural Electrification Expansion Program (TREEP) has helped
Tanzania achieve one of the fastest access expansion rates in Sub-Saharan
Africa over the past decade. Since its implementation began in March 2017,

Who will write the rules for AI? How nations are racing to regulate artificial intelligence

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 12:09:08 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/who-will-write-the-rules-for-ai-how-nations-are-racing-to-regulate-artificial-intelligence-216900>

"Artificial intelligence (AI) is a label that can cover a huge range of
activities related to machines undertaking tasks with or without human
intervention. Our understanding of AI technologies is largely shaped by where

Hong Kong court rules that same-sex couples hold equal inheritance rights

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 12:10:11 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/hong-kong-court-rules-that-same-sex-couples-hold-equal-inheritance-rights-2023-10-24/>

'HONG KONG, Oct 24 (Reuters) - A Hong Kong court dismissed on Tuesday a
government bid to deny same-sex married couples' inheritance rights, saying the
refusal of such rights is "an unacceptably harsh burden".

Dead saplings reveal climate risks to forests

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 12:11:28 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.futurity.org/saplings-forests-climate-change-2997242-2/

"As climate scientist Don Falk was hiking through a forest, the old, green
pines stretched overhead. But he had the feeling that something was missing.
Then his eyes found it: a seedling, brittle and brown, overlooked because of

British king acknowledges colonial atrocities in Kenya – here’s what could happen next

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 12:12:30 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/british-king-acknowledges-colonial-atrocities-in-kenya-heres-what-could-happen-next-216966>

"On his official visit to Kenya, King Charles III acknowledged Britain’s
colonial era “wrongdoings”. He also paid tribute to Kenyan soldiers who had
participated in the first and second world wars on behalf of Britain. His visit

What drives people to panic buy during times of crisis: A new study sheds light on the psychology of consumers

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 12:13:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/what-drives-people-to-panic-buy-during-times-of-crisis-a-new-study-sheds-light-on-the-psychology-of-consumers-215972>

"Fear can cause people to behave irrationally in times of uncertainty. During
the pandemic, this took the form of panic buying as people flocked to stores to
stock up on essential goods. Some even sought to profit off of shortages by

Taiwan draws hundreds of thousands in East Asia’s largest Pride march

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 19:17:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/10/29/taiwan-pride-march-east-asia/

"Organisers estimate that at least 176,000 people took to the streets on
Saturday (28 October) for Taiwan Pride, according to the Central News Agency,
many of whom were foreign visitors.

Overcoming the climate crisis with trade-based strategies

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 19:18:21 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/overcoming-the-climate-crisis-with-trade-based-strategies-213618>

"Global warming is making weather patterns more extreme and increasing
inequalities across regions. However, economic growth is still possible, with
economies showing a range of responses to the impacts of global heating.

New Caledonia expands strictly protected coverage of its swath of the Pacific

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 19:19:29 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/new-caledonia-expands-strictly-protected-coverage-of-its-swath-of-the-pacific/>

"The government of New Caledonia recently announced that it would highly
protect 10% of its ocean to safeguard ecologically important marine areas for
sea turtles, sharks, dolphins, whales and seabirds.

Indigenous Reserve in Colombia Achieves Major Expansion, Advancing Territorial Rights for Four Indigenous Communities

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 19:20:54 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.andesamazonfund.org/country/la-libertad-indigenous-reserve-expanded-in-leticia-colombia/>

"Andes Amazon Fund celebrates the expansion of the Titanho Nijaamu La Libertad
Indigenous Reserve or Resguardo in the Amazonas department of Colombia.
Located along the Amazon River near the intersection of the Colombian,

Artist Creates Relatable Comics Illustrating The Struggles In Digital Design Career (30 New Pics) Interview With Artist

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 19:24:31 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.boredpanda.com/comics-tech-product-designer-designthinkingcomic-part-2/>

'Working as a designer in a fast-paced tech industry full of the daily grind of
transforming ideas into innovative and catchy products? Having to deal with
uncaring management, toxic leadership, the threats of AI, and more? You might

More than one journalist per day is dying in the Israel-Gaza conflict. This has to stop

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 03:27:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/more-than-one-journalist-per-day-is-dying-in-the-israel-gaza-conflict-this-has-to-stop-217272>

"According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Gaza-Israel war has
been the deadliest conflict for media workers since the organisation began
counting statistics in 1992.

Viral Epidemics Could Kill 12 Times as Many People by 2050. Here's Why.

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 03:28:49 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.sciencealert.com/viral-epidemics-could-kill-12-times-as-many-people-by-2050-heres-why>

"Pathogens once contained in isolated animal populations have sparked deadly
epidemics at an exponential rate over the past half a century, according to a
new study, setting a trend that is likely to only worsen in coming years.

The unsafe Safeguard Mechanism: how carbon credits could blow up Australia’s main climate policy

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 03:29:45 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/the-unsafe-safeguard-mechanism-how-carbon-credits-could-blow-up-australias-main-climate-policy-213874>

"A time bomb is ticking inside the Albanese government’s climate policy. When
it explodes, Australia will fall short of its climate targets and leave a
gaggle of investors shirtless.

Jess Wade

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 03:31:36 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jess_Wade

"Jessica Alice Feinmann Wade BEM (born October 1988) is a British physicist in
the Blackett Laboratory at Imperial College London, specialising in Raman
spectroscopy. Her research investigates polymer-based organic light emitting

Friday essay: if the world’s systems are ‘already cracking’ due to climate change, is there a post-doom silver lining?

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 03:33:44 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-if-the-worlds-systems-are-already-cracking-due-to-climate-change-is-there-a-post-doom-silver-lining-213890>

Heard about the guy who fell off a skyscraper? On his way down past each
floor, he kept saying to reassure himself: So far so good … so far so good …
so far so good …

Overwhelmed by group chat messages? You’re not alone

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 03:34:48 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/overwhelmed-by-group-chat-messages-youre-not-alone-215879>

"For many of us, group chats are part of the texture of our social lives. These
groups, formed on apps like Messenger or Whatsapp, can be as large as a hundred
people or as small as three.

Optus went down and the smart lights came on. And then Marayke was stranded in bed

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 12:10:40 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/10/optus-went-down-and-the-smart-lights-came-on-and-then-marayke-was-stranded-in-bed>

"Marayke Jonkers first realised something was wrong when all her bedroom lights
turned on early in the morning. All the devices in the Paralympian’s home are
smart – they need the internet to work. When the internet went down, the lights

Australia to immediately begin releasing people held in indefinite immigration detention

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 12:11:31 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/10/australia-faces-rush-of-demands-to-release-people-held-in-indefinite-immigration-detention>

"The Albanese government will immediately begin releasing people from
indefinite detention after receiving a flurry of demands from long-term
detainees to be set free due to Wednesday’s landmark high court ruling.

EU legislators vote to slash the use of pesticides

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 12:14:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.lemonde.fr/en/environment/article/2023/10/24/eu-legislators-vote-to-slash-the-use-of-pesticides_6200083_114.html>

"EU legislators on Tuesday, October 24, voted to slash the use of pesticides by
half across the bloc, despite opposition from some conservative groups. But
green politicians regretted the rejection of a proposed symbolic declaration

Coalition’s nuclear SMR poster boy cancels flagship project due to soaring costs

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 12:21:12 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reneweconomy.com.au/coalitions-nuclear-smr-poster-boy-cancels-flagship-project-due-to-soaring-costs/>

"NuScale, the controversial proponent of nuclear small modular reactor designs
that has been championed by the federal Coalition and technology ideologues
around the world, has had its flagship project cancelled because of rising

Islamophobic and antisemitic incidents record large spike in Australia, advocates say

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 12:22:15 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/10/islamophobic-and-antisemitic-incidents-rise-in-australia-advocates-say>

"Islamophobic and antisemitic incidents in Australia have risen substantially
since Hamas’s terror attacks on Israel on 7 October and the subsequent Israeli
attacks on Gaza.

Barnaby Joyce among politicians gifted trips to Jordan Peterson-led conservative conference

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 12:23:17 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/10/barnaby-joyce-among-politicians-gifted-trips-to-jordan-peterson-led-conservative-conference>

"High-profile conservative politicians, including Barnaby Joyce, were among
those gifted fully funded trips to attend the recent conference of the Alliance
for Responsible Citizenship (ARC), led by controversial Canadian psychologist

Canberrans urged to be cautious as eighth COVID wave sweeps nation

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 19:32:43 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8416245/canberrans-urged-to-be-cautious-as-eighth-covid-wave-sweeps-nation/>

'The last time Jacinta Zander had COVID, it came with a bout of glandular
fever, rendering the barista unable to work for two months and forcing her to
burn through her savings.

After a record year of wildfires, will Canada ever be the same again?

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 19:33:43 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/09/canada-wildfire-record-climate-crisis>

"Canada’s extraordinary year of wildfire finally appears to be slowing down,
leaving behind a weighty legacy of charred northerly forests, acrid smoke and a
huge pulse of carbon emissions that will have reverberations for the climate

Fuel Subsidies: Governments' Dirty Secret

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 19:34:58 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://freedium.cfd/https://medium.com/the-new-climate/fuel-subsidies-governments-dirty-secret-39f71f1d5206>

"On one of many sun-drenched days I found myself driving along the coast of the
Grand Harbour. The historic bastions of Valletta cast their golden hues onto
the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, creating a breath-taking view. As I

Honduras Takes Key Steps in Ocean and Coastal Conservation

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 19:36:24 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2023/10/23/honduras-takes-key-steps-in-ocean-and-coastal-conservation>

"For the first time, the Central American country of Honduras has announced a
national stance on ocean management. The statement is a way of acknowledging
the importance of the country’s ocean resources and the threats they face as

The world has made substantial progress in increasing basic levels of education

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 19:37:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://ourworldindata.org/global-education

"Access to education is now seen as a fundamental right – in many cases, it’s
the government’s duty to provide it.

City compost programs turn garbage into ‘black gold’ that boosts food security and social justice

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 19:38:31 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://medium.com/symbiotica/city-compost-programs-turn-garbage-into-black-gold-that-boosts-food-security-and-social-justice-4c477053cc17>

"Almost overnight, the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed many Americans’
relationships with food. To relieve some of the stress associated with shopping
safely for groceries and ensure food security, many people are once again

Fostering Innovation in Web Security

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 06:13:46 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2023/11/fostering-innovation-in-web-security/>

"I’ve always created growth by focusing on free. It started back in 2003 when I
launched WorkZoo in London. WorkZoo was a job search engine that ended up being
one of Time Magazine’s top 50 websites of 2005. These days we take free

The Pandemic Isn’t Over

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 06:15:00 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.normalcyfugitive.com/p/the-pandemic-isnt-over

"What would the world look like if the pandemic never ended, if Covid was
causing widespread, long-term illness, and if all this was being covered up by
the government?

‘The money that’s needed’: B.C. announces $300-million Indigenous conservation fund to protect old-growth forests

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 06:16:13 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://thenarwhal.ca/bc-old-growth-indigenous-conservation-funding/

"The British Columbia government took a significant step towards protecting
old-growth forests and creating new protected areas today with the announcement
of a $300-million fund for Indigenous conservation.

Universal Access to New Vaccines in 2023: A Necessity for Public Health

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 06:17:52 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://whn.global/joint-statement-vaccines/

"Respiratory virus season in 2023-2024 is a significant challenge in the fight
against COVID-19. We know that even mild cases of COVID-19 may affect people’s
daily lives for several days or weeks, and we all have seen—even among

São Paulo nurseries bring the city’s rare and forgotten trees back to life

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 06:20:07 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/sao-paulo-nurseries-bring-the-citys-rare-and-forgotten-trees-back-to-life/>

"“One of the greatest pleasures I had when I came here was telling my friends,
‘Today I planted 5,000 fig tree seeds,'” says Yacov Kilsztajn. “Planting seeds
here at the nursery is one of the actions that has the greatest impact when we

Rick Astley - Forever and More (Official Video)

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 06:21:28 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJjrf9RkzGo

"Directed by Simon Pegg"

Abandoned golf courses are being reclaimed by nature

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:19:43 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/27/world/abandoned-golf-courses-reclaimed-by-nature-c2e-spc-scn-intl/>

"Golf courses, despite occupying large green spaces, are not necessarily good
for the environment. Land is often cleared to make way for a fairway and
maintaining the pristine turf often requires a lot of water, regular mowing and

Now we know how COVID attacks your heart

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:21:28 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://web.archive.org/web/20231107161231/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/covid-19-risk-heart-attack-stroke>

'Scientists have noticed that COVID-19 can trigger serious cardiovascular
problems, especially among older people who have a buildup of fatty material in
their blood vessels. But now a new study has revealed why and shown that

As Bird Kills from Buildings Mount, Cities Look for Solutions

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:23:37 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://e360.yale.edu/features/bird-window-collisions

"Most early mornings in the spring and fall, as he has done for more than four
decades, David Willard goes out to gather the dead. A retired curator of birds
at Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History, Willard walks the mile from his

Haunting Animation Shows All The Fires Burning in Northern Australia The Past 2 Months

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:24:55 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.sciencealert.com/animation-puts-australias-latest-wildfires-into-shocking-perspective>

"The devastating scope of wildfires raging in Australia's Northern Territory
for the past two months has now been graphically depicted in an animation.

Monaspace: An innovative superfamily of fonts for code

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:27:01 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://monaspace.githubnext.com/

"Texture healing works by finding each pair of adjacent characters where one
wants more space, and one has too much. Narrow characters are swapped for ones
that cede some of their whitespace, and wider characters are swapped for ones

There are new scientific insights into long Covid – but political will is waning

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:24:28 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/07/boris-johnson-may-not-believe-in-it-but-long-covid-is-real-and-underfunded>

"Among the more sobering moments at the UK Covid-19 inquiry over the past few
weeks was the palpable dismay and affront shown by the mild-mannered NHS
respiratory consultant Prof Chris Brightling, when he noted that Boris

Number of sea turtle nests on Florida coasts exploding, even tripling in some regions, conservationists say

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:27:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://abcnews.go.com/US/number-sea-turtle-nests-florida-coasts-exploding-tripling/story?id=104280070>

"Turtles are once again proving that slow and steady wins the race.

Decades after initiating protections for the turtles that nest on Florida's

'Endemic' SARS-CoV-2 and the death of public health

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:28:55 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://johnsnowproject.org/insights/endemic-sars-cov-2-and-the-death-of-public-health/>

"SARS-CoV-2 is now circulating out of control worldwide. The only major
limitation on transmission is the immune environment the virus faces. The
disease it causes, COVID-19, is now a risk faced by most people as part of

‘A joy to watch’: UK rewilding brings endangered species back from brink

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:31:22 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/26/a-joy-to-watch-uk-rewilding-brings-endangered-species-back-from-brink>

"Vast expanses of rolling hilltops may be easy on the eye. But look a bit
closer and many are in fact bleak landscapes – overgrazed and mostly devoid of
diverse natural life. Shortsighted agricultural practices, habitat destruction

One Huge Contradiction Is Undoing Our Best Climate Efforts

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:32:35 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2023/11/climate-change-policies-contradictions/675967/>

"You’d be forgiven for thinking that the fight against climate change is
finally going well. The clean-energy revolution is well under way and exceeding
expectations. Solar is set to become the cheapest form of energy in most places

Scientists caution against a reliance on mechanical devices to clear water bodies of plastic

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:33:42 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://phys.org/news/2023-11-scientists-caution-reliance-mechanical-devices.html>

"An international group of scientists has cautioned against reliance on
mechanical cleanup devices as a means of addressing the plastic pollution
crisis.

Life expectancy goes backwards for the first time in 30 years

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 04:50:12 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/life-expectancy-goes-backwards-for-first-time-in-30-years-20231108-p5eii8>

"Life expectancy in Australia has gone backwards for the first time in more
than 30 years, falling by 0.1 years in the 2020-2022 period due to more than
10,000 COVID-19 deaths last year.

Analysis: Global CO2 emissions could peak as soon as 2023, IEA data reveals

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 04:52:00 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-global-co2-emissions-could-peak-as-soon-as-2023-iea-data-reveals/>

"Global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from energy use and industry could peak
as soon as this year, according to Carbon Brief analysis of figures from the
International Energy Agency (IEA).

Saving Brazil’s golden monkey, one green corridor at a time

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 04:53:03 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://apnews.com/article/monkey-forest-brazil-conservation-environment-primate-darwin-f538442c9d8c0e34ad6a202b1ed0e585>

"RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Dozens of young people kneeled under the scorching sun
this week in Rio de Janeiro’s rural interior, planting a green corridor that
will be a future safe passageway for the region’s most emblematic and

U.S. solar generation has grown 12x in a decade

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 04:54:18 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2023/10/23/u-s-solar-generation-has-grown-12x-in-a-decade/>

"The past decade has shown a rise in renewable energy from an alternative
source to an increasingly important feature in the United States energy mix.
Environment America showed in its Renewables on the Rise annual report that

The enshittification of garage-door openers reveals a vast and deadly rot

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 04:55:58 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://doctorow.medium.com/the-enshittification-of-garage-door-openers-reveals-a-vast-and-deadly-rot-eed85da5b0ba>

"How could this happen? Owners of Chamberlain MyQ automatic garage door openers
just woke up to discover that the company had confiscated valuable features
overnight, and that there was nothing they could do about it.

Why A Few Bad Quarters Won’t Spell Doom For The Electric Car Revolution

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 04:57:22 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://insideevs.com/news/693887/tesla-ford-gm-ev-downturn/

"If you went into 2023 thinking this year would mark the permanent rise of
electric vehicles along some perfect, up-and-to-the-right growth curve, a
gloomy tide of recent news may have you wondered how and when, exactly, you

Billionaires Should Not Exist — Here’s Why

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 13:19:23 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/billionaires-should-not-exist

"In a fair society, there would be no billionaires. Bernie Sanders says they
shouldn’t exist and Elizabeth Warren sells mugs of their tears. I’m talking
about billionaires and making the case that an economic system that allows them

Dawit Dersolign creates art pieces with discarded materials in creative war on waste

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 13:21:32 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-12/dawit-dersolign-art-pieces-discarded-material-war-on-waste/103010090>

"Dawit Dersolign is turning discarded items into captivating art in his
Glenorchy garage.

How the Mindset of Rural Tribalism Has Held Me Back My Entire Life

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 13:23:06 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://freedium.cfd/https://medium.com/on-reflection/how-the-mindset-of-rural-tribalism-has-held-me-back-my-entire-life-5407c9d73969>

'Back when I was in high school, I thought it would be funny to show up for the
homecoming celebrations while wearing the jersey of the visiting team. This is
the kind of reckless social experiment that most people can't even imagine. I

Hear that? It’s the sound of leaf blower bans.

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 13:25:50 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://grist.org/solutions/leaf-blower-bans-air-pollution-noise/

"For more than 100 million years, trees have dropped their leaves every fall,
creating a protective layer of duff that provides cover for snails, bees, and
butterflies. Decaying leaves fertilized the soil and gave nutrients back to the

How did we get Covid so disastrously wrong?

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 13:26:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://eastangliabylines.co.uk/how-did-we-get-covid-so-disastrously-wrong/>

"The Covid Inquiry is uncovering distressing evidence of how politicians and
civil servants behaved during the pandemic. But equally important is the
question of what explanations policymakers and health professionals were

Shipping Contributes Heavily to Climate Change. Are Green Ships the Solution?

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 19:37:07 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://web.archive.org/web/20231030101006/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/30/business/economy/shipping-climate-change-green-fuel.html>

"On a bright September day on the harbor in Copenhagen, several hundred people
gathered to welcome the official arrival of Laura Maersk.

Pluralistic: "Brand safety" killed Jezebel

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 19:40:56 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/11/ad-jacency/

'Progressives: if you want to lose to conservatives, all you need to do is
reflexively praise and support everything conservatives turn into a culture-war
issue, without considering whether they might be right. Because

There’s another wildfire burning in Hawaii. This one is destroying irreplaceable rainforest on Oahu

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 19:42:17 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-oahu-native-forest-wildfire-e676c5bd5384554bc100ca5208bacf43>

"HONOLULU (AP) — A wildfire burning in a remote Hawaii rainforest is
underscoring a new reality for the normally lush island state just a few months
after a devastating blaze on a neighboring island leveled an entire town and

Some deaf children in China can hear after gene therapy treatment

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 19:43:36 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/10/27/1082551/gene-treatment-deaf-children-hearing-china/>

"Here’s the easy game Li Xincheng has been playing at home. Her mother says a
few words. Then the six-year-old, nicknamed Yiyi, repeats what she heard.

How Tiny Wetlands in the Midwest Are Combating the Gulf of Mexico’s ‘Dead Zone’

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 19:44:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reasonstobecheerful.world/farmland-constructed-wetlands-healthier-watersheds/>

"On a corner of one Fulton Farm field in Saunemin, Illinois, a small green
wetland is a crossroads for local wildlife. James Fulton, whose family has
farmed in this town since 1893, has seen a nesting pair of ducks, egrets and

China gives Ehang the first industry approval for fully autonomous, passenger-carrying air taxis

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 19:45:57 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/13/china-lets-ehang-operate-fully-autonomous-passenger-carrying-air-taxis.html>

"BEIJING — Self-driving air taxis are one step closer to reality in China.

Guangzhou-based Ehang on Friday said it received an airworthiness “type

Vaccine hesitancy affects dog-owners, too, with many questioning the rabies shot

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 04:05:41 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.npr.org/2023/10/12/1205361332/vaccine-hesitancy-affects-dog-owners-too-with-many-questioning-the-rabies-shot>

"A survey finds more than half of U.S. dog owners question the safety, efficacy
or usefulness of the vaccine for rabies, which is a lethal disease. (Story
aired on All Things Considered on Oct. 11, 2023.)"

Who’s lobbying whom? When it comes to alcohol, tobacco, food and gambling firms, we’re in the dark

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 04:06:38 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/whos-lobbying-whom-when-it-comes-to-alcohol-tobacco-food-and-gambling-firms-were-in-the-dark-216835>

"Alcohol, tobacco, food and gambling industries are among those that lobby
government ministers and their advisors to help shape public policy.

The alarming rise of the new fascism

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 04:09:01 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.pmp-magazine.com/2023/11/11/the-alarming-rise-of-the-new-fascism/>

"The world is becoming a very dark and dangerous place. It’s not only the
continuing war in Ukraine and the destruction and death being wrought in the
Middle East, but there is also the alarming rise of fascism in Western

Australia’s offer of climate migration to Tuvalu residents is groundbreaking – and could be a lifeline across the Pacific

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 04:10:22 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/australias-offer-of-climate-migration-to-tuvalu-residents-is-groundbreaking-and-could-be-a-lifeline-across-the-pacific-217514>

"For many years, I have been calling for the Australian government – along with
other governments – to play its part in assisting Pacific communities affected
by the adverse impacts of climate change and disasters.

Canada must stop treating climate disasters like unexpected humanitarian crises

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 04:11:09 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/canada-must-stop-treating-climate-disasters-like-unexpected-humanitarian-crises-216153>

"Two years after devastating wildfires razed 90 per cent of Lytton, B.C.,
reconstruction is slow and residents remain displaced and angry about it.

We need a global treaty to solve plastic pollution – acid rain and ozone depletion show us why

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 04:12:00 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/we-need-a-global-treaty-to-solve-plastic-pollution-acid-rain-and-ozone-depletion-show-us-why-207622>

"After years of discussion, international negotiations on a global plastics
treaty resume this week in Nairobi, Kenya, at the UN Environment Programme
headquarters.

Australia has more native bird species than almost anywhere else. What led to this explosion of diversity?

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 12:23:16 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/australia-has-more-native-bird-species-than-almost-anywhere-else-what-led-to-this-explosion-of-diversity-215809>

"When you went out today, did you see any birds? A galah perhaps, or a crow?

If you did, there’s a decent chance the bird you saw lives nowhere but

‘Enough is enough’: former Coalition environment minister joins push for a national ban on native forest logging

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 12:24:19 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/13/enough-is-enough-former-coalition-environment-minister-joins-push-for-a-national-ban-on-native-forest-logging>

"The Howard-era Coalition frontbencher Robert Hill and prominent Labor figure
Peter Garrett are among several former environment ministers who have signed on
to a campaign to ban native forest logging across Australia.

About 1 in 6 older Australians experiences elder abuse. Here are the reasons they don’t get help

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 12:25:23 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/about-1-in-6-older-australians-experiences-elder-abuse-here-are-the-reasons-they-dont-get-help-216827>

"Each year, many older Australians experience abuse, neglect or financial
exploitation, usually at the hands of their adult children or other close
relatives.

Residents of volcano-threatened Icelandic town allowed brief visit home

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 12:26:21 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/12/iceland-experts-predict-feared-volcanic-eruption-could-destroy-town-near-reykjavik>

"Some of the more than 3,000 residents evacuated from an Icelandic fishing town
have been allowed to return briefly to their homes to collect pets and
essential belongings, as experts warned that a volcano could erupt within days

SUV and ute sales slowed due to NZ’s Clean Car Discount – expect that to reverse under a new government

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 12:27:11 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/suv-and-ute-sales-slowed-due-to-nzs-clean-car-discount-expect-that-to-reverse-under-a-new-government-215983>

"With National, ACT and NZ First locked in coalition negotiations, various
urgent and climate-related transport challenges hang in the balance.

Countries meet in Kenya to thrash out global plastic pollution treaty

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 12:28:21 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/12/countries-meeting-nairobi-kenya-global-plastic-pollution-treaty>

"Government delegations will gather in Nairobi, Kenya, to hammer out details of
what could be the first global treaty to tackle the plastic pollution crisis.

‘I have no rights’: what happens to stateless people in Australia after the High Court’s ruling?

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 19:44:58 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/i-have-no-rights-what-happens-to-stateless-people-in-australia-after-the-high-courts-ruling-217363>

"The decision by the High Court of Australia this week overturning the legality
of indefinite immigration detention marks a watershed moment in Australian
legal history.

From excessive drinking to a ‘self-care journey’: how the schoolies tradition is shifting

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 19:46:01 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/13/schoolies-australia-2023-wellness>

"When Eleena Li and her friends finish their exams this month, they’re not
packing their swimsuits for a raucous schoolies trip to Byron Bay or the Gold
Coast. They’re hitting Japan for two weeks of theme parks, shopping and

We’re in a new COVID wave. What can we expect this time?

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 19:46:51 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/were-in-a-new-covid-wave-what-can-we-expect-this-time-216820>

"Australia is now into its next COVID wave. We’ve seen hints of this for a
while. Case numbers and indicators of severe disease began rising in Victoria
in August. But it has taken several months for a consistent pattern to emerge

A media literacy handbook for Israel-Gaza

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 19:48:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://doctorow.medium.com/a-media-literacy-handbook-for-israel-gaza-c3d801ae13bc>

"Media explainers are a cheap way to become an instant expert on everything
from billionaire submarine excursions to hellaciously complex geopolitical
conflicts, but On The Media’s “Breaking News Consumers’ Handbooks” are

Why are dead and dying seabirds washing up on our beaches in their hundreds?

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 19:49:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/why-are-dead-and-dying-seabirds-washing-up-on-our-beaches-in-their-hundreds-217349>

"In October and November, horrified beachgoers often find dead and dying
muttonbirds washing up in an event called a seabird “wreck”.

Will Musk's Starlink satellites lead to Kessler syndrome?

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 19:50:20 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://freedium.cfd/https://medium.com/starts-with-a-bang/will-musks-starlink-satellites-lead-to-kessler-syndrome-b8becc3edf70>

"Over the course of the 2020s and 2030s, the night sky and the volume of space
that surrounds the Earth are both poised to become very different than they've
been for all of human history. As of 2019, all of humanity had launched an

Perth’s Optus Stadium has drawn more consumer anger after the outage. Another case of the ‘stadium curse’?

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 04:27:48 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/perths-optus-stadium-has-drawn-more-consumer-anger-after-the-outage-another-case-of-the-stadium-curse-217369>

"Looming over the Swan River in Perth, a shiny sporting structure boldly
declares “OPTUS STADIUM Yes”. After the disastrously prolonged communication
outage this week, many will have shouted “No”, or other words requiring

Recognizing fake news now a required subject in California schools

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 04:30:00 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.ijpr.org/media-society/2023-11-10/recognizing-fake-news-now-a-required-subject-in-california-schools>

"A new law requires K-12 schools to add media literacy to curriculum for
English language arts, science, math and history-social studies. Among the
lessons will be recognizing fake news.

‘We can’t carry on’: the godfather of microplastics on how to stop them

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 04:30:54 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/13/godfather-microplastics-richard-thompson-how-to-stop-them>

"In September 1993, during a beach clean on the Isle of Man, Richard Thompson
noticed thousands of multicoloured fragments at his feet, looking like sand.
While his colleagues filled sacks with crisp packets, fishing rope, plastic

Getting an Itemized Hospital Bill Is Basically Impossible

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 04:32:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.thedailybeast.com/getting-an-itemized-hospital-bill-is-basically-impossible>

"There are two things I don’t recommend ever having to experience if you can
avoid them.

Moody Andean Bear Portrait Wins Nature Photographer of the Year 2023

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 04:33:30 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://petapixel.com/2023/11/13/moody-andean-bear-portrait-wins-nature-photographer-of-the-year-2023/>

"Canadian nature photographer Jacquie Matechuk has won the prestigious Nature
Photographer of the Year 2023 competition for her incredible photo, “He Looks
to the Heavens,” which depicts a beautiful spectacled bear, also known as an

Teens wrote plays about gun violence — now they are being staged around the U.S.

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 04:34:54 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.npr.org/2023/11/13/1212098799/gun-violence-teens-theater

'American high school students, who were born after the massacre at Columbine
High School in 1999, are grimly accustomed to shooting drills and regular, if
not daily, reports of gun violence on the news.

There's an Unsettling Racial Bias in How Well AI Faces Can Fool Us

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 12:29:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.sciencealert.com/theres-an-unsettling-racial-bias-in-how-well-ai-faces-can-fool-us>

"Does ChatGPT ever give you the eerie sense you're interacting with another
human being?

A Code Red for Our Democracy

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 12:30:21 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://statuskuo.substack.com/p/a-code-red-for-our-democracy

"I’m not an alarmist. I study facts and weigh trends, and I pay attention to
signals. Many of those signals are positive, despite a few worrisome polls and
general economic malaise. And I have uplifted those positive signals here in

His Wealth Has Made Him Dog-Gone Crazy!

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 12:31:56 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://notalwaysright.com/his-wealth-has-made-him-dog-gone-crazy/308840/>

"This took place a long time ago and has been condensed because the admin and
legal stuff would honestly take up pages and pages.

Umbilical Brothers - It's a New Dawn

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 12:32:54 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu82qW9Met0

"Some people think we are mimes. Well, here we are with a song. That's right -
music from mimes - wrap your heads around that one internet."

Amiga ASCII art

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 12:34:08 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://blog.glyphdrawing.club/amiga-ascii-art/

"In my thesis, I study Amiga ASCII text art. Amiga ASCII is a form of text art
where the composition of letter characters set in the Amiga computer's font
forms a two-dimensional representation or image. The Amiga scene is a

UN’s ‘global stocktake’ on climate offers a sobering emissions reckoning − but there are also signs of progress

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 12:34:52 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/uns-global-stocktake-on-climate-offers-a-sobering-emissions-reckoning-but-there-are-also-signs-of-progress-217093>

"When this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference begins in late
November 2023, it will be a moment for course correction. Seven years ago,
nearly every country worldwide signed onto the Paris climate agreement. They

How Russian disinformation toppled government after government in Africa

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 19:37:31 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/21/percepto-africa-france-russia-disinformation/>

"When Israeli businessmen Royi Burstien and Lior Chorev touched down in the
busy capital of the West African nation of Burkina Faso, they had an urgent
message for the country’s embattled ruler.

Japan’s haiku poets lost for words as climate crisis disrupts seasons

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 19:38:38 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/14/lost-to-the-climate-crisis-japan-haiku-poets>

"Wooden tablets dotted along a path between office buildings and the Sendaibori
river in eastern Tokyo mark the start of a journey by Japan’s most revered poet
that would result in his greatest collection of verse.

COP28: a year on from climate change funding breakthrough, poor countries eye disappointment at Dubai summit

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 19:39:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/cop28-a-year-on-from-climate-change-funding-breakthrough-poor-countries-eye-disappointment-at-dubai-summit-217198>

"At the COP27 summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, an agreement to establish a
loss and damage fund was hailed as a major breakthrough on one of the trickiest
topics in the UN climate change negotiations. In an otherwise frustrating

Kora: in search of the origins of west Africa’s famed stringed musical instrument

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 19:40:35 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/kora-in-search-of-the-origins-of-west-africas-famed-stringed-musical-instrument-216287>

"“How come we’ve never heard of this beautiful instrument until now?” This was
posted by a first-year college student to my world music course discussion
board recently. He voiced what many of his peers probably felt after watching

Animals to be recognised as sentient beings under proposed Victorian cruelty laws

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 19:41:40 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/14/animals-sentient-beings-victorian-cruelty-laws>

"The Victorian government will follow the Australian Capital Territory and
could become the first Australian state to recognise that animals are sentient
beings, under a draft overhaul of cruelty laws to be released in the coming

Major cyberattack on Australian ports suggests sabotage by a ‘foreign state actor’

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 19:42:40 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/major-cyberattack-on-australian-ports-suggests-sabotage-by-a-foreign-state-actor-217530>

"A serious cyberattack has disrupted operations at several of Australia’s
largest ports, causing delays and congestion. Late on Friday, port operator DP
World detected an IT breach that affected critical systems used to coordinate

Insecure renting ages you faster than owning a home, unemployment or obesity. Better housing policy can change this

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 03:30:18 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/insecure-renting-ages-you-faster-than-owning-a-home-unemployment-or-obesity-better-housing-policy-can-change-this-216364>

"People’s experiences of private rental housing are linked to faster biological
ageing, our recent research finds.

‘It’s Warlpiri identity’: Indigenous photos, drawings and sacred objects come home after 60 years

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 03:32:05 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/14/its-warlpiri-identity-indigenous-photos-drawings-and-sacred-objects-come-home-after-60-years>

"A group of Warlpiri men contemplate a black and white photo of a lean
Aboriginal man. He sits, his hat at a jaunty angle, his beard neat, the
scarification lines on his chest stark.

We can still prevent the collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet – if we act fast to keep future warming in check

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 03:33:19 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/we-can-still-prevent-the-collapse-of-the-west-antarctic-ice-sheet-if-we-act-fast-to-keep-future-warming-in-check-215878>

"Projecting when and how fast the West Antarctic Ice Sheet will lose mass due
to current and future global ocean warming – and the likely impact on sea level
rise and coastal communities – is a priority for climate science.

Natural Gas Is Bringing Down Big Oil

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 03:34:21 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://medium.com/@sarahmiller_22747/natural-gas-is-bringing-down-big-oil-5790b2ec35b9>

"Natural gas has fallen off a cliff towards international obscurity over the
nearly two years since Russia invaded Ukraine. Conventional wisdom has long
been that natural gas would be the longest-living of the three main fossil

Ultra-white ceramic cools buildings with record-high 99.6% reflectivity

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 03:36:02 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://newatlas.com/materials/ultra-white-ceramic-cools-buildings-record-high-reflectivity/>

"Scientists in Hong Kong have demonstrated a new ultra-white ceramic material
that can drastically cool buildings by reflecting sunlight and heat at record
highs. The beetle-inspired material gets its ability from its nanostructure,

Pink to Give Away Banned Books at Florida Tour Stops

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 03:37:31 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pink-give-out-banned-books-florida-shows-1234876749/>

"Pink announced Monday she plans to hand out 2,000 banned books during her four
concert dates in Florida. “Books have held a special joy for me from the time I
was a child, and that’s why I am unwilling to stand by and watch while books

Fire is consuming more than ever of the world’s forests, threatening supplies of wood and paper

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 12:04:30 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/fire-is-consuming-more-than-ever-of-the-worlds-forests-threatening-supplies-of-wood-and-paper-216643>

"A third of the world’s forests are cut for timber. This generates US$1.5
trillion annually. But wildfire threatens industries such as timber milling and
paper manufacturing, and the threat is far greater than most people realise.

How to fix the internet

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 12:05:42 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/10/17/1081194/how-to-fix-the-internet-online-discourse>

"We’re in a very strange moment for the internet. We all know it’s broken.
That’s not news. But there’s something in the air—a vibe shift, a sense that
things are about to change. For the first time in years, it feels as though

An Off-Grid EV Camper Van

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 12:06:41 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://hackaday.com/2023/11/14/an-off-grid-ev-camper-van/

"Despite our predilection for creature comforts like electricity, it can be
nice to get away from it all from time-to-time. Students from Eindhoven
University of Technology developed Stella Vita to let you glamp from the power

Australia’s media classification system is no help to parents and carers. It needs a grounding in evidence

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 12:18:11 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/australias-media-classification-system-is-no-help-to-parents-and-carers-it-needs-a-grounding-in-evidence-216004>

"In the era of proliferating streaming platforms, choosing what to watch on
family movie night can be hard.

Murray-Darling water buybacks won’t be enough if we can’t get water to where it’s needed

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 12:19:22 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/murray-darling-water-buybacks-wont-be-enough-if-we-cant-get-water-to-where-its-needed-203142>

"When it was clear the Murray-Darling Basin Plan could not be completed on
time, Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek announced a new agreement (without
Victoria) to deliver in full the plan’s aim of restoring the health of this

Go Ahead and Call Me a Climate Change Doomer

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 12:21:14 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://freedium.cfd/https://medium.com/bouncin-and-behavin-blogs/go-ahead-and-call-me-a-climate-change-doomer-e8277c53e9f8>

"When I was a child, I had a little jar in the kitchen of my family's
apartment.

Growing NZ cities eat up fertile land – but housing and food production can co-exist

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 19:41:23 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/growing-nz-cities-eat-up-fertile-land-but-housing-and-food-production-can-co-exist-215706>

"Auckland Council recently voted to decrease the amount of city fringe land
available for development, citing flood risks and infrastructure costs.

Social cohesion lowest on record as Australia reels from cost of living, inequality concerns and voice debate

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 19:42:45 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/15/social-cohesion-lowest-on-record-as-australia-reels-from-cost-of-living-inequality-concerns-and-voice-debate>

"Relentless cost-of-living pressure, rising interest rates, uncertainty about
the direction of the economy and growing concern about inequality has
undermined Australia’s sense of social cohesion, according to authoritative new

We Have to Protect the Trees We Have Left

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 19:43:31 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://thenib.com/deforestation/

"Without reducing the global rates of deforestation, humanity probably can’t
prevent the worst impacts of the climate crisis."

I Made the Most Banned Book in America

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 19:44:54 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://thenib.com/i-made-the-most-banned-book-in-america/

Via Muse.

Has the cyberattack on DP World put Australia’s trade at risk? Probably not … this time

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 19:45:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/has-the-cyberattack-on-dp-world-put-australias-trade-at-risk-probably-not-this-time-217533>

"Australians getting ready for Christmas this week had reason to believe even
the best of preparations were not enough after a cyberattack hit all its major
ports.

Renewables predicted to avert risk of blackouts as scorching summer looms for Australia

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 19:46:51 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/15/renewables-predicted-to-avert-risk-of-blackouts-as-scorching-summer-looms-for-australia>

"Heatwaves should lift electricity demand to decade-highs this summer, but
regulators are confident extra renewable generation capacity will reduce the
risk of blackouts.

Conflict pollution, washed-up landmines and military emissions – here’s how war trashes the environment

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 04:50:40 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/conflict-pollution-washed-up-landmines-and-military-emissions-heres-how-war-trashes-the-environment-216987>

"When armed conflict breaks out, we first focus on the people affected. But the
suffering from war doesn’t stop when the fighting does. War trashes the
environment. Artillery strikes, rockets and landmines release pollutants, wipe

The 2023 Nature Conservancy photo contest winners – in pictures

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 05:00:27 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2023/nov/14/the-2023-nature-conservancy-photo-contest-winners-in-pictures>

"Here are some of the standout images from the 2023 Nature Conservancy
photography contest. Entries from more than 80,000 photographers in 191
countries and territories were judged across 12 categories"

Welcome to The Sick Times, a letter from our co-founder Miles W. Griffis

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 05:04:05 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://thesicktimes.org/2023/11/14/welcome-to-the-sick-times-a-letter-from-our-co-founder-miles-w-griffis/>

"It’s not mysterious. A highly contagious airborne virus has spread around the
world for the past four years and continues to infect people as I write.
SARS-Cov-2 has killed an excess of 23 million people worldwide and plagued over

COP28 Climate Stocktake: An Alarming Reality Check

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 05:04:46 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://theplanet.substack.com/p/cop28-climate-stocktake-an-alarming

"Like in any complicated process, from running a grocery store on the corner of
your street to saving our planet from overheating, it is good to sometimes stop
for a moment and take stock. That is what all countries have been working on

New report reveals shocking state of prisoner health. Here’s what needs to be done

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 05:05:35 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/new-report-reveals-shocking-state-of-prisoner-health-heres-what-needs-to-be-done-217558>

"A new Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report on the health of
people in Australian prisons makes for sobering reading.

ISPs Launch Legal Attack On Italy’s ‘Pirate Shield,’ Blocking Law

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 05:06:41 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.techdirt.com/2023/11/13/isps-launch-legal-attack-on-italys-pirate-shield-blocking-law/>

"The copyright industry’s war on the Internet and its users has gone through
various stages (full details and links to numerous references in Walled
Culture the book, free digital versions available).

Project aims to make concrete ‘ultra green’

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 12:38:32 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.futurity.org/ultra-green-concrete-cement-carbon-emissions-2998802/>

"Concrete is the most widely used building material worldwide, providing the
foundation of our modern society’s infrastructure. It is partially recyclable
and can even absorb CO2 from the atmosphere during the curing process.

How social media is breathing new life into Bhutan’s unwritten local languages

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 12:39:23 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/how-social-media-is-breathing-new-life-into-bhutans-unwritten-local-languages-210280>

"Dechen, 40, grew up in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Her native
language was Mangdip, also known as Nyenkha, as her parents are originally from
central Bhutan. She went to schools in the city, where the curriculum was

The incredible shrinking heat pump

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 12:41:09 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theverge.com/23951214/heat-pump-nycha-public-housing-electric-sustainable>

"For now, the window heat pump in apartment 1D sticks out like a sore thumb.
Set between off-white lace curtains, it looks like a brand-new oven installed
in a grandma’s living room.

Promotional techniques on junk food packaging are a problem for children’s health – Australia could do better

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 12:42:13 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/promotional-techniques-on-junk-food-packaging-are-a-problem-for-childrens-health-australia-could-do-better-216538>

"Too many Australian children are eating diets high in added sugars, saturated
fats, salt, energy and ultra-processed foods. And often they’re not getting
enough fruits, vegetables and wholegrains.

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 12:43:49 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.techdirt.com/2023/11/14/copyright-leads-to-internet-fragmentation/>

"The EU Copyright Directive is arguably the most important recent legislation
in the area of intellectual monopolies. It is also a failure, judged purely on
its own terms as an initiative to modernize and unify copyright across the

Why Western countries share the blame for the plight of 1.7 million Afghans being deported from Pakistan

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 12:44:47 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/why-western-countries-share-the-blame-for-the-plight-of-1-7-million-afghans-being-deported-from-pakistan-217532>

"On November 1, Pakistan began a nationwide operation to deport over 1.7
million Afghans it says are living in the country illegally. There are now an
estimated 10,000 people returning to Afghanistan each day.

Community Fridges Combat Both Hunger and Climate Change

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 19:40:56 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reasonstobecheerful.world/community-fridges-hunger-climate-change/>

"Dan Zauderer and his in-laws had eaten plenty of pizza one evening in early
October, and they still had seven slices left. What to do? “Well, we could just
chuck it,” Zauderer thought. Instead, he and his fiancée wrapped the slices in

From COVID to gastro, why are cruise ships such hotbeds of infection?

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 19:41:44 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/from-covid-to-gastro-why-are-cruise-ships-such-hotbeds-of-infection-217534>

"Dual outbreaks of gastro and COVID on the Grand Princess cruise ship that
docked in Adelaide on Monday have now been declared over by the doctor on
board.

The Biden administration is encouraging the conversion of empty office space to affordable housing

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 19:42:57 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://apnews.com/article/biden-office-conversion-affordable-housing-e1ff0306f4ea1ae3913d7bf6cb3eaef1>

"WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is launching a multi-agency effort
to encourage states and cities to convert more empty office buildings into
housing units, with billions of federal dollars available to help spur such

Here’s how a TV series inspired the KeepCup revolution. What’s next in the war on waste?

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 19:43:51 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/heres-how-a-tv-series-inspired-the-keepcup-revolution-whats-next-in-the-war-on-waste-210718>

"Changing habits can be hard. So when a single episode of an Australian
television show prompted a national shift in behaviour, as behavioural
researchers, we took notice.

How big are the fires burning in Australia’s north? Interactive map shows they’ve burned an area larger than Spain

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 19:44:39 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/ng-interactive/2023/nov/15/bushfires-in-australias-north-this-year-have-burned-an-area-larger-than-the-size-of-spain>

"Huge bushfires have burned a significant amount of northern Australia in
recent months, with the collective area burned larger than many countries,
including Spain.

Restoring ecosystems to boost biodiversity is an urgent priority – our ‘Eco-index’ can guide the way

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 19:45:28 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/restoring-ecosystems-to-boost-biodiversity-is-an-urgent-priority-our-eco-index-can-guide-the-way-217092>

"Biodiversity continues to decline globally, but nowhere is the loss more
pronounced than in Aotearoa New Zealand, which has the highest proportion of
threatened indigenous species in the world.

Machinery & Electronics wolf fursuit

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 04:17:34 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd3EHQb54Lk

"A 19-year-old furry from China named Vauk has been building an extremely
advanced wolf costume. It has motion-detecting eyes, a night vision mode, a
quad-core processor inside of it, and an internal cooling system. Oh, it also

How could Australia actually get to net zero? Here’s how

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 04:18:25 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/how-could-australia-actually-get-to-net-zero-heres-how-217778>

"Every bit of warming matters if we want to avoid the worst impacts for climate
change, as the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
shows.

India to extend free food grains programme by five years, says Modi

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 04:19:39 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-extend-free-food-grains-programme-by-five-years-says-modi-2023-11-04/>

"MUMBAI, Nov 4 (Reuters) - India is planning to extend its free food grains
programme by five years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, as the
government tries to shield consumers from rising prices of cereals ahead of a

Russia planned to steal grain and starve Ukrainians ahead of invasion, evidence shows

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 04:21:29 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://kyivindependent.com/russia-planned-to-steal-grain-and-starve-ukrainians-ahead-of-invasion-evidence-shows/>

'New evidence compiled by human rights law firm Global Rights Compliance shows
that Russia prepared to steal grain supplies, target food infrastructure, and
starve the Ukrainian population months before the full-scale invasion, the

We’re burning too much fossil fuel to fix by planting trees – making ‘net zero’ emissions impossible with offsets

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 04:22:22 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/were-burning-too-much-fossil-fuel-to-fix-by-planting-trees-making-net-zero-emissions-impossible-with-offsets-217437>

"The idea that we can mitigate current carbon emissions by “offsetting” them
with carbon reduction initiatives elsewhere has become central to government
and business responses to climate change. But it’s an idea we need to seriously

Odisha's turnaround in disaster management has lessons for the world

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 04:23:30 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/opinion/2023/11/03/odisha-s-turnaround-in-disaster-management-has-lessons-for-the-world>

"It has been twenty-five years since the Super Cyclone ravaged Odisha. Around
18 million people were affected, more than 10,000 precious lives were lost, and
the economy was devastated.

Generational tensions flare as Japan faces the economic reality of its ageing baby boomers

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 12:35:25 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/generational-tensions-flare-as-japan-faces-the-economic-reality-of-its-ageing-baby-boomers-217289>

"In 2024, the youngest of Japan’s baby boomers will turn 75. The boomers are
called the “bunched” generation in Japan because they were born in a short
spurt in the late 1940s, in the aftermath of the end of the second world war.

Northeast Corridor secures $US 16.4bn in US federal government funding

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 12:41:20 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.railjournal.com/financial/northeast-corridor-secures-us-16-4bn-in-us-federal-government-funding/>

"THE United States’ Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded $US
16.4bn in funding for 25 passenger rail infrastructure improvement projects
along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) through the Federal-State Partnership for

‘I was told to return to work as soon as I regained consciousness.’ Why only a third of assaulted nurses report it to police

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 12:42:05 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/i-was-told-to-return-to-work-as-soon-as-i-regained-consciousness-why-only-a-third-of-assaulted-nurses-report-it-to-police-217288>

"Violence against nurses is pervasive. They are more likely to experience
physical violence than any other health-care professionals. Violence against
nurses occurs in the context of violence against women, with 87.5% of

London's Low Emission Zones improve air quality, health, and people's well-being, says new analysis

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 12:43:40 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-11-london-emission-zones-air-quality.html>

"The introduction of London's Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in 2008 and subsequent
Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) from 2019 has significantly improved air
quality, benefiting Londoners' physical and mental health, according to new

Please Don't Ask if an Open Source Project is Dead

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 12:44:43 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://minimaxir.com/2023/11/open-source-dead-github/

"Over the past few months, I’ve had an existential crisis about my work in open
source AI on GitHub, particularly as there has been both increasingly toxic
backlash against AI and because the AI industry has been evolving so rapidly

Even experts struggle to tell which social media posts are evidence-based. So, what do we do?

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 12:47:10 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/even-experts-struggle-to-tell-which-social-media-posts-are-evidence-based-so-what-do-we-do-217448>

"The debate on how to combat social media misinformation is as relevant as
ever. In recent years, we’ve seen medical misinformation spreading alongside
COVID, and political misinformation impacting the outcome of elections and

Regeneration

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 19:47:08 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://regeneration.org/

"Regeneration is the radically new approach to the climate crisis, one that
weaves justice, climate, biodiversity, and human dignity into a seamless
tapestry of action, policy, and transformation that can end the climate crisis

It sounds like science fiction. But we can now sample water to find the DNA of every species living there

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 19:47:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/it-sounds-like-science-fiction-but-we-can-now-sample-water-to-find-the-dna-of-every-species-living-there-216989>

"Figuring out what species live in an ecosystem, and which ones are rare or
just good at hiding is an essential way to understand and care for them. Until
now, it’s been very labour intensive.

CONGO: Conkouati-Douli park gets 2,900 km2 marine extension

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 19:49:13 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.afrik21.africa/en/congo-conkouati-douli-park-gets-2900-km2-marine-extension/>

"In the Congo, the government has approved the extension of the Conkouati-Douli
national park towards the Atlantic Ocean. This decision will strengthen the
conservation of marine fauna, in particular marine turtles, dolphins and

We won’t get real equality until we price breastmilk, and treat breastfeeding as work

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 19:49:59 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/we-wont-get-real-equality-until-we-price-breastmilk-and-treat-breastfeeding-as-work-216623>

"The Australian Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce delivered a major report
last month drawing attention to what it called the “motherhood penalty” – the
55% cut in earnings for Australian women in the first five years after having a

BC just announced a game-changer for old-growth forests

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 19:50:51 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.straight.com/city-culture/conservation-financing-is-a-game-changer-for-bcs-old-growth-forests>

"Last week, BC Premier David Eby announced a new $300 million “conservation
financing mechanism.” Based on a startup contribution of $150 million from the
Province and $150 million from the BC Parks Foundation (the charitable partner

Sweden’s Tesla Blockade Is Spreading

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 19:51:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/sweden-tesla-strike-cleaners

"Swedish workers are uniting against Tesla. From tomorrow, cleaners will stop
cleaning Tesla showrooms, electricians won’t fix the company’s charging points,
and dockworkers will refuse to unload Tesla cargo at all Swedish ports. What

Supreme court rules Rwanda plan unlawful: a legal expert explains the judgment, and what happens next

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 04:26:47 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/supreme-court-rules-rwanda-plan-unlawful-a-legal-expert-explains-the-judgment-and-what-happens-next-217730>

"The UK supreme court has unanimously ruled that the government’s plan to send
asylum seekers to Rwanda is unlawful.

How governments use IMF bailouts to hurt political opponents – new research

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 04:36:09 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/how-governments-use-imf-bailouts-to-hurt-political-opponents-new-research-217390>

"Sri Lanka received a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in
March amid soaring inflation, debt and a sovereign default.

Migratory Birds yet again find haven in revived Wullar Lake

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 04:39:05 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://kashmirconvener.com/2023/11/01/migratory-birds-yet-again-find-haven-in-revived-wullar-lake/>

" Bandipora, Nov 01 The arrival of migratory birds at Asia’s one of the largest
freshwater lakes, Wullar Lake in northern Kashmir paints a vivid picture as
vibrant Black-headed Gulls adorn the surface, signalling the onset of a

Cop28 host UAE breaking its own ban on routine gas flaring, data shows

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 04:40:21 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/17/cop28-host-uae-breaking-its-own-ban-on-routine-gas-flaring-data-shows>

"State-run oil and gas fields in the United Arab Emirates have been flaring gas
virtually daily despite having committed 20 years ago to a policy of zero
routine flaring, the Guardian can reveal.

As school students strike for climate once more, here’s how the movement and its tactics have changed

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 04:41:12 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/as-school-students-strike-for-climate-once-more-heres-how-the-movement-and-its-tactics-have-changed-217663>

"On Friday, students will once again down textbooks and laptops and go on
strike for climate action. Many will give their schools a Climate Doctor’s
Certificate signed by three leading climate academics.

5 things we need to see in Australia’s new nature laws

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 04:41:58 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/5-things-we-need-to-see-in-australias-new-nature-laws-217271>

"Australia’s abysmal rates of extinctions and land clearing since European
colonisation are infamous globally. Our national environmental legislation has
largely failed to protect biodiversity, including many threatened plants,

The rogue rewilders taking Britain’s biodiversity into their own hands

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 12:58:49 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.positive.news/environment/the-rogue-rewilders-taking-britains-biodiversity-into-their-own-hands/>

"Reintroducing lost species into nature-depleted Britain is ‘not a priority’,
the government said last week. Enter a growing movement of guerrilla rewilders,
who are secretly breeding butterflies, birds and beavers, and illegally

A Coder Considers the Waning Days of the Craft

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 13:00:46 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://archive.md/n3rpA

"I have always taken it for granted that, just as my parents made sure that I
could read and write, I would make sure that my kids could program computers.
It is among the newer arts but also among the most essential, and ever more so

Study: 58% of world's richest companies quietly lobby against climate policies

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 13:01:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2023/11/17/net-zero-greenwashing-58-large-corporations-lobby-against-climate-efforts/7141700219198/>

'Nov. 17 (UPI) — Pledges by the world's largest corporations to fight climate
change frequently do not align with their lobbying efforts, with more than half
of companies at risk of engaging in misleading practices known as "net zero

Meet Guard Dog

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 13:02:59 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://mutts.com/pages/guard-dog

"Guard Dog made his debut in the MUTTS comic strip in 1995 and quickly became
one of the strip’s most beloved characters. As a chained dog longing for
freedom, he’s played an important role in raising awareness about the cruelty

Engineered stone kills tradies. Bunnings and IKEA stopping its sales is a big win for public health

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 13:03:40 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/engineered-stone-kills-tradies-bunnings-and-ikea-stopping-its-sales-is-a-big-win-for-public-health-217791>

"Major retailers Bunnings and IKEA have announced this week they will
discontinue selling engineered stone. While this might mean you have to rethink
your plans for your new kitchen benchtops, it’s a positive step that will

‘I feel like I’ve been able to create more awareness’: what is it like for Indigenous men at top-ranked universities?

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 13:04:29 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/i-feel-like-ive-been-able-to-create-more-awareness-what-is-it-like-for-indigenous-men-at-top-ranked-universities-217186>

"One of the top priorities of the Universities Accord process it to improve
access to university in Australia, particularly for those from underrepresented
groups.

TikTok teens aren't stanning Osama bin Laden

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 19:34:16 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.garbageday.email/p/tiktok-teens-arent-stanning-osama

"By now you have, no doubt, heard all about the dangerous new TikTok trend
sweeping the nation. China’s great and powerful cyber weapon has convinced the
innocent teenagers of America that Osama bin Laden was actually a pretty cool

In 5 years, this Australian astrophysics lab reached 50% women. Here’s how they did it

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 19:35:20 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/in-5-years-this-australian-astrophysics-lab-reached-50-women-heres-how-they-did-it-216632>

"Many organisations, from community sporting groups to the United Nations, have
set themselves a target of gender parity: ensuring half of staff or members are
women. Gender parity is desirable because training and retaining equal halves

What I Want You to Say or Do When I Tell You My Kid is Trans

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 19:36:31 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://freedium.cfd/https://pinkhairandpronouns.com/what-i-want-you-to-say-or-do-when-i-tell-you-my-kid-is-trans-ff69b6839200>

"I ran into an old friend this weekend. Hadn't seen her in years. We did the
obligatory "So, what are all your kids up to these days" kind of catch-up.

Giant eagles and scavenging vultures shared the skies of ancient Australia

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 19:37:34 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/giant-eagles-and-scavenging-vultures-shared-the-skies-of-ancient-australia-216358>

"Today, Australia is home to 17 species of hawks and eagles. But the fossil
record shows some other, rather special raptors were present in the relatively
recent past.

This Tiny Car Solves The BIGGEST Problem With Electric Vehicles

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 19:38:31 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1LHh6FkpuI

"World's tallest microcar aficionado, Jack Scarlett heads to The Netherlands to
take a spin in another new model: the Silence S04. The product of a Spanish
scooter company, this dinky vehicle promises levels of comfort and performance

It's Okay. You Are Living Through Collapse.

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 19:40:28 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.okdoomer.io/the-slow-agonizing-soul-crushing-apocalypse/

'They cleaned up San Francisco.

For a week.

Bhutan becomes first country to sterilise all stray dogs after 14-year-long project

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 05:34:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/bhutan-becomes-first-country-to-sterilise-all-stray-dogs-after-14-year-long-project-92557>

"Bhutan has declared itself the first country in the world to have completely
sterilised and vaccinated its entire stray dog population, following a 14-year
dog population control programme.

NZ wants more seasonal workers – but Pacific nations no longer want to be the ‘outposts’ that ‘grow’ them

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 05:35:13 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/nz-wants-more-seasonal-workers-but-pacific-nations-no-longer-want-to-be-the-outposts-that-grow-them-217790>

"The three party leaders currently negotiating to form New Zealand’s next
government might have their differences, but they seem to agree on one thing:
the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme needs to expand.

Sea turtle conservation project ripples into ecological and awareness gains across the region

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 05:37:17 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2023/November/05-11/Sea-turtle-conservation-project>

"Dubai’s relentless efforts to champion sustainability and a green ethos as
part of a new development paradigm have given rise to unique initiatives by
organisations across its public and private sectors. One such programme, a

Interim housing isn’t just a roof and four walls. Good design is key to getting people out of homelessness

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 05:38:02 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/interim-housing-isnt-just-a-roof-and-four-walls-good-design-is-key-to-getting-people-out-of-homelessness-216160>

"State governments across the country have plans to increase social and
affordable housing to address ballooning waitlists.

This might be the most beautiful place on Earth. But only half of it is protected — for now

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 05:39:24 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://thenarwhal.ca/torngats-inuit-marine-conservation-area/

"The worn peaks of the Torngat Mountains slope into rubble before crumbling
into the Labrador Sea. They dip into verdant valleys and shallow bowls perched
thousands of metres into the sky. The peaks grow taller as you travel north,

EU agrees law to curb methane emissions from fossil fuel industry

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 05:40:20 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/15/eu-agrees-law-to-curb-methane-emissions-fossil-fuel-industry>

"The EU has struck a deal that will force the fossil fuel industry to rein in
dangerous methane pollution.

Microplastics found in clouds could affect weather and global temperatures

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 12:28:50 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/16/microplastic-pollution-changing-weather-climate>

"Air, water, soil, food and even blood – microplastics have found their way
virtually everywhere on Earth, and now that list includes clouds.

More Semiconductors, Less Housing: China’s New Economic Plan

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 12:31:55 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/06/business/china-economy-property-crisis.html>

"China’s political leaders, under pressure to support the country’s fragile
recovery, are slowly steering the economy on a new course. No longer able to
rely on real estate and local debt to drive growth, they are instead investing

Coal use at U.S. power plants continues downward spiral; full impact on mines to be felt in 2024

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 12:35:01 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://ieefa.org/resources/coal-use-us-power-plants-continues-downward-spiral-full-impact-mines-be-felt-2024>

"This year, the use of coal by the U.S.’s power producers has been so anemic
that the fuel has not achieved a 20% market share in any month so far, and the
current outlook predicts low levels for the rest of the year. To put that into

Some houses are being built to stand up to hurricanes and sharply cut emissions, too

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 12:36:02 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://apnews.com/article/hurricanes-sustainability-resilience-homes-extreme-weather-climate-6e458edfdcc7ada5da579b110c993cae>

"When Hurricane Michael hit the Florida Panhandle five years ago, it left
boats, cars and trucks piled up to the windows of Bonny Paulson’s home in the
tiny coastal community of Mexico Beach, Florida, even though the house rests on

Tasmania Police are still mistaking family violence victims for abusers. For too many women, correcting the record is impossible

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 12:37:37 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-19/tasmania-police-misidentifying-family-violence-victims-abusers/103102134>

'When two police officers arrived at Bianca's* front door in the middle of a
cold winter's night last year, she assumed they were coming to tell her they'd
taken out a family violence order against her partner.

Cop28 host UAE has world’s biggest climate-busting oil plans, data indicates

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 12:38:28 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/15/cop28-host-uae-oil-plans-data>

"The state oil company of the United Arab Emirates, whose CEO will preside over
imminent UN climate negotiations, has the largest net-zero-busting expansion
plans of any company in the world, according to new data.

New York just made the largest state renewables investment in US history

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 20:51:57 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://electrek.co/2023/10/25/new-york-renewables-investment-us-history/>

"New York is investing in a massive 6.4 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy –
the largest state investment in clean energy in US history. Here’s how it
breaks down.

Solar adoption in India entering “accelerating growth” phase

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 20:53:06 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://ember-climate.org/insights/research/india-solar-uptake/

"India’s energy landscape is rapidly evolving, with solar and wind likely to
meet two-thirds of future demand growth by the Financial Year (FY) 2032, which
is the 12-month period from April 1 to March 31 the following year. This marks

280 million e-bikes are slashing oil demand far more than electric vehicles

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 20:54:11 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/11/280-million-e-bikes-are-slashing-oil-demand-far-more-than-electric-vehicles/>

"We hop in the car to get groceries or drop kids at school. But while the car
is convenient, these short trips add up in terms of emissions, pollution, and
petrol cost.

BMW Going With New Batteries For Its Ambitious EV Plans

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 20:56:05 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://cleantechnica.com/2023/11/01/bmw-going-with-new-batteries-for-its-ambitious-ev-plans/>

"It’s the batteries, stupid. We could repeat that rephrased wisdom again and
again until everybody understands how critical they are to not only our
rEVolution but to the energy transition in general. The thing is that in my

The EV Revolution Isn’t Only Arriving on Four Wheels

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 20:56:52 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-03/the-ev-revolution-isn-t-only-arriving-on-four-wheels>

"Cars make up only half the electric mobility picture.

There are around 1.3 billion passenger cars on the road at the moment, the vast

How bubble curtains protect porpoises from wind farm noise

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 20:58:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20231106-the-big-bubble-curtains-protecting-porpoises-from-wind-farm-noise>

'Over the past decade, a curious invention has spread across Europe's northern
seas. It's called a big bubble curtain, it works a bit like a giant jacuzzi,
and it helps protect porpoises from the massive underwater noise caused by wind

India's electric car boom: What's fuelling the soaring popularity of EVs?

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 04:44:28 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/09/01/why-are-electric-vehicles-growing-in-popularity-in-india>

"India now has millions of electric vehicle (EV) owners, with popular
motorbikes, scooters and rickshaws representing more than 90 per cent of the
vehicles.

How the country's largest ferry system is going green

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 04:46:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.axios.com/2023/11/01/seattle-america-electric-ferry-transportation-system>

'The country's biggest ferry system is going electric in what local officials
hope is an early step toward decarbonizing the broader maritime industry.

The low-carbon energy transition will need less mining than fossil fuels, even when adjusted for waste rock

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 04:47:08 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com/p/energy-transition-materials

"Back in January, I published a post looking at the amount of minerals that
were required for the low-carbon energy transition. This came from projections
in the International Energy Agency (IEA)’s The Role of Critical Minerals in

This small Finnish city will be carbon neutral in just a few years

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 04:48:25 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.fastcompany.com/90975243/small-finnish-city-carbon-neutral

"In the U.S., cities like Denver and Austin plan to be carbon neutral by 2040.
Seattle and Miami are aiming for 2050. In Finland—where the whole country wants
to be carbon neutral by 2035—one small city may get there within a few years.

The Ultra-Efficient Farm of the Future Is in the Sky

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 04:49:38 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.wired.com/story/the-ultra-efficient-farm-of-the-future-is-in-the-sky/>

"Five stories off the ground at Colorado State University, a highly unlikely
garden grows under a long row of rooftop solar panels. It’s late October at 9
am, when the temperature is 30 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind is cutting. Not

The Reappearing Forests of West Bengal

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 04:50:35 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reasonstobecheerful.world/the-reappearing-forests-of-west-bengal/>

"Three decades ago, when Mira Mahanty arrived as a bride in her husband’s West
Bengal village of Jharbagda, she immediately began to worry about the bare,
stony hills that surrounded it.

Panel Says That Innovative Sickle Cell Cure Is Safe Enough for Patients

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 12:36:50 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://web.archive.org/web/20231108195733/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/31/health/sickle-cell-fda-cure-crispr.html>

"A panel of experts said on Tuesday that a groundbreaking treatment for sickle
cell disease was safe enough for clinical use, setting the stage for likely
federal approval by Dec. 8 of a powerful potential cure for an illness that

AI Is Helping Indigenous Teens in Brazil Keep Their Mother Tongue Alive

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 12:37:54 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reasonstobecheerful.world/artificial-intelligence-teens-indigenous-language-preservation-brazil/>

"Huddled in small groups around laptops, 20 Brazilian teenagers — a group
including TikTok influencers and gamers — are using an app to build a skill
that’s vital to the future of their entire community.

How an Interactive Database Brought Earthquake Relief to Off-the-Map Villages

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 12:43:08 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reasonstobecheerful.world/morocco-earthquake-digital-database-relief-efforts/>

"Late one night in September, a shallow earthquake struck the Atlas Mountains
in western Morocco. The US Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of
6.8 with an epicenter some 72 kilometers (45 miles) southwest of Marrakech, the

Why does COVID-19 cause brain fog? Scientists may finally have an answer.

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 12:45:40 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/why-does-covid-19-cause-brain-fog-answer-immune-inflammation-synapse>

"When scientists infected brain organoids—pinhead-size bits of brain tissue
grown in the lab—with the virus that causes COVID, they found that not only
does it spread in neurons in the brain, it also accelerates the destruction of

Rāhui and the Ancient Art of Marine Conservation

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 12:51:11 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reasonstobecheerful.world/rahui-marine-conservation-french-polynesia/>

"Located in a quiet part of Tahiti, in French Polynesia, the village of Tautira
sits on the ocean’s edge, framed by black sand beaches and a turquoise lagoon.
With a population of just over 2,500, Tautira is known as the “village at the

Pain, fatigue, fuzzy thinking: How long COVID disrupts the brain

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 12:52:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/11/13/1211989263/pain-fatigue-brain-fog-long-covid-neurological-effects>

'Michelle Wilson got COVID three years ago. She's still waiting for her brain
and nervous system to recover.

Scientists warn Coldplay fans to dust off face masks ahead of Perth concerts

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 19:33:51 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.smh.com.au/national/western-australia/scientists-warn-coldplay-fans-to-dust-off-face-masks-ahead-of-perth-concerts-20231115-p5ek45.html>

"When Coldplay entertains more than 100,000 concert-goers at Optus Stadium they
will be joined by billions of other living organisms - a soup of highly
transmissible COVID variants floating around the crowd.

"Maintenance: Of Everything" by Stewart Brand

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 19:35:46 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://books.worksinprogress.co/

"Books in Progress is what we call a “public drafting tool”: Drafts will be
made available for comment from the public, allowing for direct collaboration
between author and reader.

Solar energy could power all health facilities in poorer countries and save lives, experts say

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 19:37:09 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/17/solar-energy-could-power-all-health-facilities-in-poorer-countries-and-save-lives-experts-say>

"All healthcare facilities in poorer countries could be electrified using solar
energy within five years for less than $5bn, putting an end to the risk of life
from power outages, experts will argue at Cop28 this month.

5 reasons why climate change may see more of us turn to alcohol and other drugs

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 19:37:51 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/5-reasons-why-climate-change-may-see-more-of-us-turn-to-alcohol-and-other-drugs-217894>

"Climate change will affect every aspect of our health and wellbeing. But its
potential harms go beyond the body’s ability to handle extreme heat, important
as this is.

Plants are likely to absorb more CO₂ in a changing climate than we thought – here’s why

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 19:38:46 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/plants-are-likely-to-absorb-more-co-in-a-changing-climate-than-we-thought-heres-why-217786>

"The world’s vegetation has a remarkable ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂)
from the air and store it as biomass. In doing so, plants slow down climate
change since the CO₂ they take up does not contribute to global warming.

Work has conquered every day of the week. How do we remain human in a world that worships toil?

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 19:40:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/20/work-has-conquered-every-day-of-the-week-how-do-we-remain-human-in-a-world-that-worships-toil>

"The best advice I’ve ever heard about rest also feels the most impossible: put
it in your diary before anything else. Schedule it in, as deliberately as you
would any other activity, before work colonises your entire consciousness. Like

Urban planning has long ignored women’s experiences. Here are 5 ways we can make our cities safer

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 03:42:39 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/urban-planning-has-long-ignored-womens-experiences-here-are-5-ways-we-can-make-our-cities-safer-216531>

"Women consistently raise concerns about their safety when moving through their
cities and communities.

Ten Ways AI Will Change Democracy

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 03:43:49 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.schneier.com/essays/archives/2023/11/ten-ways-ai-will-change-democracy.html>

"Artificial intelligence will change so many aspects of society, largely in
ways that we cannot conceive of yet. Democracy, and the systems of governance
that surround it, will be no exception. In this short essay, I want to move

The future of energy is community energy, and 100 per cent renewable

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 03:44:43 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reneweconomy.com.au/the-future-of-energy-is-community-energy-and-100-per-cent-renewable/>

"You are walking down your street. Your local newsletter just announced that
your community is now running on 100% renewable energy. You are thinking about
that as you walk – even though energy is largely invisible in our lives, you

Javier Milei: Argentina's far-right outsider wins presidential election

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 03:46:02 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-67470549

'Argentines have elected far-right outsider Javier Milei, 53, as their new
president.

There are too few toilets in Africa and it’s a public health hazard – how to fix the problem

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 03:47:11 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/there-are-too-few-toilets-in-africa-and-its-a-public-health-hazard-how-to-fix-the-problem-217305>

"Imagine you are miles from the nearest restroom, and nature’s call is urgent –
a situation that might raise a mild panic during a hike or at a music festival.
Now, picture that same scenario, not as a one-off inconvenience, but as a daily

The Amazon Rainforest Is No Man's Gold Mine

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 03:48:08 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://freedium.cfd/https://medium.com/bouncin-and-behavin-blogs/the-amazon-rainforest-is-no-mans-gold-mine-9bdc575b8011>

"I've never been particularly fond of gold.

I've always had a preference for silver, both to wear and to work with. During

Huge park in Melbourne’s north to be returned to traditional owners

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:52:17 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/huge-park-in-melbourne-s-north-to-be-returned-to-traditional-owners-20231116-p5ekm6.html>

"An extensive stretch of public and private land along the Merri Creek corridor
in Melbourne’s outer north will be handed back to the Wurundjeri and
Woi-wurrung people to be managed as a new park.

How to Title Your Art: Why Art Titles are Important

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:53:44 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.artbusiness.com/artists-how-to-title-your-art-pointers-guidelines.html>

'Artists often wonder whether to title their art. The answer to that question
is absolutely positively YES. To begin with, a title always adds value to a
work of art. At the very least, it gives viewers more information than they

10 Best Classic Animated Shows From Europe

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:55:02 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://movieweb.com/best-classic-animated-shows-from-europe/

"While European animated cinema and television boast an abundance of talent,
they have never quite caught up with their Japanese and U.S. counterparts. With
the international market dominated by giants like Toei Animation and Disney,

‘Where did I go wrong?’ The scientist who tried to raise the climate alarm

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:56:27 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/20/where-did-i-go-wrong-the-scientist-who-tried-to-raise-the-climate-alarm>

"“I often wonder: where did I go wrong?” Graeme Pearman says. “Why didn’t
people respond? Is that my responsibility?”

If I was feeling hopeless about the climate, what of the scientists? So I asked them

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:57:36 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2023/nov/21/if-i-was-feeling-hopeless-about-the-climate-what-of-the-scientists-so-i-asked-them>

"The longer you work on the climate change beat as a journalist, the less
surprised you are when the very bad things scientists warned would happen,
start to happen. Given we’re pumping carbon dioxide at record levels into the

The World Is Running Out of Male Sea Turtles

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:58:41 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.sciencealert.com/the-world-is-running-out-of-male-sea-turtles>

"Green sea turtles are already an endangered species, mainly due to humans
hunting them, harvesting their eggs, degrading their habitats, or entangling
them in garbage of some kind.

Hand in Hand

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 19:17:13 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://lifeisasacredtext.substack.com/p/hand-in-hand

"Now let’s look at a school system. I hadn’t originally meant to write about
them. but it strikes me that I have a set of experiences that most people
writing for an English-speaking audience don’t, and I’d be remiss, at this

Meet the Shadowy Global Network Vilifying Climate Protesters

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 19:18:51 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/meet-the-shadowy-global-network-vilifying-climate-protesters/>

"Earlier this year, news footage began making the rounds on social media of
young activists from the German climate organization Letzte Generation (Last
Generation) being assaulted as they obstructed streets in an effort to draw

75% of Software Engineers Faced Retaliation Last Time They Reported Wrongdoing

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 19:21:07 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.engprax.com/post/75-of-software-engineers-faced-retaliation-last-time-they-report-wrongdoing>

"London & Edinburgh; 20th November 2023 - As AI continued to bring public
concerns about computer systems to the forefront, earlier this year FTX’s
former Director of Engineering plead guilty to his role in wrongdoing at the

Disinformation campaigns are undermining democracy. Here’s how we can fight back

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 19:21:52 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/disinformation-campaigns-are-undermining-democracy-heres-how-we-can-fight-back-217539>

"Misinformation is debated everywhere and has justifiably sparked concerns. It
can polarise the public, reduce health-protective behaviours such as mask
wearing and vaccination, and erode trust in science. Much of misinformation is

Free-to-air group rubbishes claims Australian government wants to ‘control your TV’

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 19:23:03 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/21/free-to-air-group-rubbishes-claims-australian-government-wants-to-control-your-tv>

"Australia’s free-to-air broadcasters have hit back at a campaign from the
subscription media lobby that claims the federal “government wants to control
your TV” through its new laws for smart TVs.

Denial is over. Climate change is happening. But why do we still act like it’s not?

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 19:23:52 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/denial-is-over-climate-change-is-happening-but-why-do-we-still-act-like-its-not-212531>

"Climate-fuelled disaster is now front-page news, as record-breaking floods,
fires, droughts and storms keep arriving.

The Optus chief was right to quit but real change is unlikely at the telco until bigger issues are fixed

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 04:31:20 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/the-optus-chief-was-right-to-quit-but-real-change-is-unlikely-at-the-telco-until-bigger-issues-are-fixed-218109>

"Optus chief executive Kelly Bayer Rosmarin bowed to the inevitable on Monday
and resigned as chief executive of Australia’s second largest
telecommunications company.

Letters from an American: November 20, 2023

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 04:41:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/november-20-2023

"Yesterday, David Roberts of the energy and politics newsletter Volts noted
that a Washington Post article illustrated how right-wing extremism is
accomplishing its goal of destroying faith in democracy. Examining how “in a

What is a sonar pulse and how can it injure humans under water?

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 04:45:05 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/what-is-a-sonar-pulse-and-how-can-it-injure-humans-under-water-218116>

"Over the weekend, the Australian government revealed that last Tuesday its
navy divers had sustained “minor injuries”, likely due to sonar pulses from a
Chinese navy vessel.

Sew sisters: the Melbourne gala where ‘it’s not weird to touch each other’s clothes’

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 04:46:03 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/nov/21/frocktails-melbourne-homemade-dress-gala>

"When a bartender asks Shelley McColl, one half of Frocktails’ organising
committee, about the playlist for the evening, she tells him it doesn’t matter.
Soon the din of women talking will be too loud for anyone to hear the music.

David McBride is facing jailtime for helping reveal alleged war crimes. Will it end whistleblowing in Australia?

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 04:47:07 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/david-mcbride-is-facing-jailtime-for-helping-reveal-alleged-war-crimes-will-it-end-whistleblowing-in-australia-218108>

"The long-awaited trial of former Australian Defence Force lawyer David McBride
was short-lived.

West Aussies should prepare to get COVID three times a year, warns leading expert

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 04:49:29 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://archive.md/kqnHs

"West Aussies should expect to be hit by COVID up to three times a year if
governments fail to treat the virus seriously, a leading epidemiologist has
warned.

Where could millions of EV batteries retire? Solar farms.

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 12:26:34 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://grist.org/energy/ev-batteries-stationary-storage/

"On a 20-acre parcel outside the tiny Southern California town of New Cuyama, a
1.5-megawatt solar farm uses the sun’s rays to slowly charge nearly 600
batteries in nearby cabinets. At night, when energy demand rises, that

With COVID surging, should I wear a mask?

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 12:27:25 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/with-covid-surging-should-i-wear-a-mask-217902>

"COVID is on the rise again, with a peak likely over the holiday season.

Given this, health authorities in a number of Australian states have

Concern for the Great Barrier Reef can inspire climate action - but the way we talk about it matters

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 12:28:16 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/concern-for-the-great-barrier-reef-can-inspire-climate-action-but-the-way-we-talk-about-it-matters-216992>

"There’s no doubt you’ve heard the Great Barrier Reef is under pressure. The
main culprit? Climate change. The main solution? An urgent reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions and a shift away from fossil fuels.

The Great Barrington Declaration and “natural herd immunity” versus public health three years later

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 12:29:12 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-great-barrington-declaration-and-natural-herd-immunity-versus-public-health-three-years-later/>

"Over the weekend, Jeffrey Tucker, founder of the Brownstone Institute, crowed
about how the Great Barrington Declaration and its recommendation of a “natural
herd immunity” approach to the pandemic changed everything three years ago.

The Environmental Pawprint of Cats

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 12:30:08 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://freedium.cfd/https://medium.com/the-new-climate/the-environmental-pawprint-of-cats-a0c55fc63405>

"Across the world, a killing machine is running a rampage through our wildlife
and shows no signs of slowing down. Inhabiting nearly every corner of the
globe, these highly adapted creatures can hunt all manner of animals during all

A Systematic Review Of COVID-19 Misinformation Interventions: Lessons Learned

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 12:31:16 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00717

"Governments, public health authorities, and social media platforms have
employed various measures to counter misinformation that emerged during the
COVID-19 pandemic. The effectiveness of those misinformation interventions is

How The DMCA Is Being Weaponized Against E-Commerce Sites

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 19:57:57 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.techdirt.com/2023/11/20/how-the-dmca-is-being-weaponized-against-e-commerce-sites/>

"The copyright system is flawed at many levels, as hundreds of posts on this
blog make clear. One particular class of problems concern takedowns. The best
known of the ‘notice and takedown’ systems, that of the US Digital Millennium

Why the US and its partners cannot afford to go soft on support for Ukraine now

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 19:59:52 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/why-the-us-and-its-partners-cannot-afford-to-go-soft-on-support-for-ukraine-now-217538>

"In recent weeks, US President Joe Biden has boldly referred to the United
States as the world’s “indispensable nation”.

The jet set: 200 celebrities’ aircraft have flown for combined total of 11 years since 2022

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 20:00:43 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/21/the-jet-set-200-celebrities-aircraft-have-flown-for-combined-total-of-11-years-since-2022>

"Private jets belonging to 200 celebrities, CEOs, oligarchs and billionaires
have spent a combined total of 11 years in the air since the start of 2022.

The Walkley awards were begun by a prominent oil baron. How do we reconcile their history and future?

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 20:01:37 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/the-walkley-awards-were-begun-by-a-prominent-oil-baron-how-do-we-reconcile-their-history-and-future-214639>

"In May this year, Belinda Noble, former journalist and the founder of Comms
Declare, an organisation representing media professionals who won’t promote the
expansion of fossil fuels, wrote on Ampol’s sponsorship of the nation’s premier

2023 ocean photographer of the year – in pictures

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 20:03:41 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2023/nov/21/2023-ocean-photographer-of-the-year-in-pictures>

"The winners and finalists of this year’s contest celebrate the blue planet but
they also draw attention to the many environmental challenges to marine life
and ecosystems – from a warming climate to human development and tourism. The

In September we went past 1.5 degrees. In November, we tipped over 2 degrees for the first time. What’s going on?

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 20:04:51 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/in-september-we-went-past-1-5-degrees-in-november-we-tipped-over-2-degrees-for-the-first-time-whats-going-on-218228>

"In September, the world passed 1.5°C of warming. Two months later, we hit 2°C
of warming. It’s fair to wonder what is going on.

Sunday Sweets: 10 Cakes With Curtain Calls

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 04:15:11 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<http://www.cakewrecks.com/home/sunday-sweets-10-cakes-with-curtain-calls-2023>

"You know I love a good cake trend, and here's one that has it all: drama,
style, and most importantly, a plethora of pun potential."

Australia’s secrecy laws include 875 offences. Reforms are welcome, but don’t go far enough for press freedom

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 04:16:20 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/australias-secrecy-laws-include-875-offences-reforms-are-welcome-but-dont-go-far-enough-for-press-freedom-218234>

"In 2019, the New York Times declared that “Australia may well be the world’s
most secretive democracy”.

Californians bet farming agave for spirits holds key to weathering drought and groundwater limits

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 04:17:19 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://apnews.com/article/california-agave-farming-9145773e0ae300964c7487f791e4f429>

"MURRIETA, Calif. (AP) — Leo Ortega started growing spiky blue agave plants on
the arid hillsides around his Southern California home because his wife liked
the way they looked.

‘Your United States was normal’: has translation tech really made language learning redundant?

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 04:20:25 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/your-united-states-was-normal-has-translation-tech-really-made-language-learning-redundant-217665>

"Every day, millions of people start the day by posting a greeting on social
media. None of them expect to be arrested for their friendly morning ritual.

A Climate Change Success Story? Look at Hoboken.

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 04:21:45 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/03/headway/hoboken-floods.html

"The city of Hoboken, N.J., once a marshy outcropping that the Lenape inhabited
only seasonally, hugs the Hudson River. Three-quarters of it occupies a flood
plain. It is, in other words, a water magnet. Some scientists have forecast

‘I didn’t feel alone’: how governments can help schools address school refusal

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 04:22:47 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/i-didnt-feel-alone-how-governments-can-help-schools-address-school-refusal-217918>

"Earlier this month, the ABC reported an alarming national poll about school
refusal. Of the 1,000 parents surveyed by the Greens-commissioned poll, 39%
agreed or strongly agreed their child had experienced school refusal in the

Live better, live longer: the retirement home that’s more like an alpine spa

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 12:05:42 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/nov/01/retirement-home-alpine-spa-appleby-blue>

"If you hadn’t walked in from a stretch of bustling city life, you’d be
forgiven for thinking you were in an Alpine spa hotel. Water runs along a
channel beside a lush bed of ferns in a sunny courtyard, before tinkling into a

Crown successfully overturns Nuremberg war crimes principles in Australian court

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 12:08:44 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://johnmenadue.com/british-crown-successful-overturns-nuremberg-war-crimes-principles-in-australian-court/>

"In direct contradiction to the 1945 Nuremberg trials, the Crown successfully
argued in the prosecution of Afghan Files military whistleblower David McBride
for breaching the Defence Forces Act that the sole duty of an Australian

The election of Javier Milei and the challenges of an impoverished Argentina

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 12:09:46 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/the-election-of-javier-milei-and-the-challenges-of-an-impoverished-argentina-218230>

"In December 2001, Argentina experienced one of the most dramatic moments in
its history. The collapse of convertibility – the monetary stabilisation plan
that established parity between the dollar and the peso – brought tens of

Gaza and Ukraine are separate conflicts, but conspiracy theorists are trying to link the two on social media: new research

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 12:10:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/gaza-and-ukraine-are-separate-conflicts-but-conspiracy-theorists-are-trying-to-link-the-two-on-social-media-new-research-215803>

"As the war between Israel and Hamas has intensified in Gaza, disinformation
and conspiracy theories about the conflict have been increasingly circulating
on social media.

The James Webb Space Telescope

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 12:12:31 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/11/05/magazine/james-webb-space-telescope.html>

"The James Webb telescope is a giant leap in the history of stargazing.

Our view of the universe will never bethe same.

Happy Holidays 2023!

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 12:16:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Thanks for reading and may you all have a peaceful holiday season.

Cheers,
*** Xanni ***

A year after Pakistan’s floods, 44% of children have stunted growth. What can be done about it?

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 19:39:23 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/a-year-after-pakistans-floods-44-of-children-have-stunted-growth-what-can-be-done-about-it-218123>

"The extensive flooding in Pakistan in August 2022 submerged one-third of the
country. This affected 33 million people, half of them children. Some 9.4
million acres of crops were destroyed, and more than 1.1 million farm animals

The EU Just Banned Microplastics. How Are Companies Replacing Them?

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 19:40:25 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reasonstobecheerful.world/microplastics-europe-ban-natural-alternatives/>

"A blue whale can ingest about 10 million pieces of microplastics per day. This
alarming fact, drawn from a recent study, underlines what has become
increasingly clear: Microplastics — solid plastic particles up to five

What are the new COVID booster vaccines? Can I get one? Do they work? Are they safe?

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 19:41:15 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/what-are-the-new-covid-booster-vaccines-can-i-get-one-do-they-work-are-they-safe-217804>

"As the COVID virus continues to evolve, so does our vaccine response. From
December 11, Australians will have access to new vaccines that offer better
protection.

Can Farmers Save the Great Salt Lake?

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 19:42:17 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reasonstobecheerful.world/great-salt-lake-farmers-voluntary-conservation-actions/>

"The Bear River flows out of Wyoming’s Uinta Mountains, winding 350 miles
through sagebrush meadows and agricultural fields in Idaho and Utah before it
fans out into wetlands 50 miles north of Salt Lake City. It’s the longest river

At OzAsia 2023, Australia’s appreciation of multiculturalism and diversity is most evident in food

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 19:43:22 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/at-ozasia-2023-australias-appreciation-of-multiculturalism-and-diversity-is-most-evident-in-food-218107>

"This year’s OzAsia festival took place from October 19 to November 5, at its
annual festival venues on the Kaurna land of Adelaide.

The Galapagos Are Going Green

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 19:44:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://reasonstobecheerful.world/galapagos-going-green-sustainability/

"Just three blocks up from a seafront packed with hooting and howling Galapagos
sea lions — adolescents chasing each other through rock pools, alpha males
snoring in the midmorning sun and mothers teaching their pups how to swim — the

Why Has America Tolerated Six Illegitimate GOP Presidents?

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 07:11:17 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/11/22/2200353/-Why-Has-America-Tolerated-Six-Illegitimate-GOP-Presidents>

"As we watch the Trump campaign prepare to replace 50,000 civil servants with
fascist toadies if he wins the White House, it’s important to remember that
Dwight Eisenhower was the last Republican president who believed in democracy,

How to Give Repairable Gifts

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 07:12:01 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.ifixit.com/News/87044/how-to-give-repairable-gifts

"As the end-of-year holidays approach, it’s a good time to reflect on the
things that really matter: Enjoying lots of quality time with the people we
love, eating enormous amounts of delicious food, and spending gobs of money on

If we do it right, we can replant trees and shrubs to store carbon – and restore biodiversity

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 07:12:56 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/if-we-do-it-right-we-can-replant-trees-and-shrubs-to-store-carbon-and-restore-biodiversity-216734>

"This is how carbon farming works. Farmers plant trees on abandoned farmland.
The trees take in carbon from the atmosphere as they grow, acting as a natural
sink to offset some emissions. For farmers, these carbon-storing plants pay off

‘Hope has to be a strategy’: the scientist who refused to let the climate warmongers win

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 07:13:50 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/23/prof-lesley-hughes-evidence-effects-hope-the-scientist-who-refused-to-let-climate-change-warmongers-win>

"“I think for most climate change scientists, we become quite good at
partitioning off bits of our brain,” says Lesley Hughes.

Long COVID stemmed from mild cases of COVID-19 in most people

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 07:14:57 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/01/long-covid-stemmed-from-mild-cases-of-covid-19-in-most-people/>

"Even mild COVID-19 cases can have major and long-lasting effects on people’s
health. That is one of the key findings from our recent multicountry study on
long COVID-19—or long COVID—recently published in the Journal of the American

This 330kW battery generator uses a giant kite to charge itself

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 07:16:13 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://electrek.co/2023/11/22/this-330kw-generator-uses-a-giant-kite-to-charge-itself/>

"If you had to read that headline twice, let me assure you: I had to read
Kitepower’s website a few times myself. The concept of harnessing the wind for
power is positively ancient, but it usually comes in the form of a fixed

New Argentinian president Javier Milei promises to ‘take a chainsaw’ to country’s crippled economy

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 13:48:13 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/new-argentinian-president-javier-milei-promises-to-take-a-chainsaw-to-countrys-crippled-economy-218155>

"When Javier Milei’s opponent in the 2023 Argentinian elections conceded
victory on Sunday night it was obvious that the maverick libertarian economist
was going to win big. And he did: once counting finished on Monday, Milei had

Albanese government to rapidly expand investment scheme for clean energy projects

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 13:49:03 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/23/albanese-government-to-rapidly-expand-investment-scheme-for-clean-energy-projects>

"The Albanese government will radically expand a taxpayer-underwritten scheme
to support new clean power generation and storage capacity, acknowledging it is
needed to meet its objective of Australia running on 82% renewable energy by

MRI study spotlights impact of long COVID on the brain

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 13:50:05 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/mri-study-spotlights-impact-long-covid-brain>

'A new study comparing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of patients with
long COVID, fully recovered COVID-19 survivors, and healthy controls shows
microstructural changes in different brain regions in the long-COVID patients.

Is it time to reconsider the idea of ‘the banality of evil’?

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 13:51:35 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/is-it-time-to-reconsider-the-idea-of-the-banality-of-evil-216737>

"After attending the 1961 trial of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann, the
philosopher and political theorist Hannah Arendt claimed what was terrifying
about this man was not his moral monstrosity. It was his sheer normality. She

Too many renters swelter through summer. Efficient cooling should be the law for rental homes

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 13:52:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/too-many-renters-swelter-through-summer-efficient-cooling-should-be-the-law-for-rental-homes-214483>

"Summer is coming – and it’s starting earlier, becoming hotter and lasting
longer. As the hot weather hits, many renters will be sweltering in their
homes.

‘Openly authoritarian campaign’: Trump’s threats of revenge fuel alarm

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 13:58:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/22/trump-revenge-game-plan-alarm>

"Donald Trump’s talk of punishing his critics and seeking to “weaponize” the US
justice department against his political opponents has experts and former DoJ
officials warning he poses a direct threat to the rule of law and democracy in

A new database of teachers on screen shows they are often portrayed as rule breakers, losers or villains

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 19:35:20 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/a-new-database-of-teachers-on-screen-shows-they-are-often-portrayed-as-rule-breakers-losers-or-villains-217917>

"The federal and state governments’ new “Be That Teacher” campaign aims to
boost enrolments in teaching degrees by raising the status of teachers.

Maersk Dual Fuel Ships Won't Decarbonize Methanol

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 19:36:31 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://freedium.cfd/https://medium.com/the-future-is-electric/maersk-dual-fuel-ships-wont-decarbonize-methanol-caa561437816>

"Major shipping firm A.P. Moller — Maersk continues to invest in green methanol
and dual-fuel ships to burn it in. The firm made the choice for green methanol
as its decarbonization strategy and is executing. While I think that green

Amazon region hit by trio of droughts in grim snapshot of the century to come

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 19:37:24 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/amazon-region-hit-by-trio-of-droughts-in-grim-snapshot-of-the-century-to-come-217652>

"The Amazon is facing an unprecedented drought that is projected to continue
affecting the region at least until mid-2024. The lowest water levels in 121
years of river-level records have been recorded in the city of Manaus. Vast

Why Electrified Classic Cars Make More Sense Than You Realise

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 19:38:09 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiAdX2pGshc

"Jack takes a drive in the Zero P1 - an EV-converted 1980s Porsche 911 -
to try to better understand why exactly someone would do this to their
old classic. Is there any sense to electrifying yesteryear's sports

Deforestation jeopardises agribusiness and food security in Brazil and worldwide

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 19:40:25 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/deforestation-jeopardises-agribusiness-and-food-security-in-brazil-and-worldwide-217505>

"The current drought situation in the Amazon, which has taken on a new level of
severity this year, is influenced by two exceptional climatic conditions: the
abnormally high temperature of the North Atlantic waters and the presence of

More states strive to make parks, trails accessible to people with disabilities

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 19:41:39 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://stateline.org/2023/11/08/more-states-strive-to-make-parks-trails-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities/>

"TWO HARBORS, Minn. — Perched high on rugged cliffs overlooking Lake Superior,
Split Rock Lighthouse dominates the shoreline. Visitors from across the country
make the 113-year-old beacon one of the most-photographed lighthouses in the

Oxygen in the St. Lawrence Estuary is decreasing – and having a major impact on small animals living there

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 03:25:49 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/oxygen-in-the-st-lawrence-estuary-is-decreasing-and-having-a-major-impact-on-small-animals-living-there-217856>

"The waters of the St. Lawrence Estuary are running out of breath. The lack of
oxygen in deep waters is affecting the organisms that live on the bottom of the
estuary.

An Innovative Financing Model Is Ensuring Everyone Can Afford a Heat Pump

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 03:26:55 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-08/washington-heat-pump-program-helps-low-income-residents-afford-climate-tech>

"The world just suffered through the hottest October on record amid a year of
unprecedented heat. That includes searing temperatures in the Pacific Northwest
this past summer. While not as extreme as 2021, when a historic heat wave

Antibiotic resistance causes more deaths than malaria and HIV/Aids combined. What Africa is doing to fight this silent epidemic

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 03:27:41 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/antibiotic-resistance-causes-more-deaths-than-malaria-and-hiv-aids-combined-what-africa-is-doing-to-fight-this-silent-epidemic-217689>

"Each year antimicrobial resistance – the ability of microbes to survive agents
designed to kill them – claims more lives than malaria and HIV/Aids combined.
Africa bears the brunt of this development, which thrives on inequality and

Tuberculosis response recovering from pandemic but accelerated efforts needed to meet new targets

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 03:28:48 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.who.int/news/item/07-11-2023-tuberculosis-response-recovering-from-pandemic-but--accelerated-efforts-needed-to-meet-new-targets>

"The World Health Organization (WHO) 2023 Global tuberculosis (TB) report
underscores a significant worldwide recovery in the scale-up of TB diagnosis
and treatment services in 2022. It shows an encouraging trend starting to

Florence Bell died unrecognised for her contributions to DNA science – decades on female researchers are still being sidelined

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 03:29:52 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/florence-bell-died-unrecognised-for-her-contributions-to-dna-science-decades-on-female-researchers-are-still-being-sidelined-217607>

"Almost 80 years ago, Florence Bell quietly laid the foundations for one of the
biggest landmarks in 20th century science: the discovery of the structure of
DNA. But when she died on November 23 2000, her occupation on her death

WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance pass the mid-point of the global 10-year strategy to eliminate yellow fever epidemics

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 03:31:00 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.who.int/news/item/08-11-2023-who--unicef--and-gavi--the-vaccine-alliance-pass-the-mid-point-of-the-global-10-year-strategy-to-eliminate-yellow-fever-epidemics>

"Following devastating outbreaks in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the
Congo in 2016 that saw exportation of cases to China, the EYE Strategy – a
global coalition of over 50 partners in 40 countries – was launched to

Pollution from coal power plants contributes to far more deaths than scientists realized, study shows

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 13:02:00 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/pollution-from-coal-power-plants-contributes-to-far-more-deaths-than-scientists-realized-study-shows-218231>

"Air pollution particles from coal-fired power plants are more harmful to human
health than many experts realized, and it’s more than twice as likely to
contribute to premature deaths as air pollution particles from other sources,

The government will underwrite risky investments in renewables – here’s why that’s a good idea

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 13:02:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/the-government-will-underwrite-risky-investments-in-renewables-heres-why-thats-a-good-idea-218427>

"Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen today announced a scheme to
underwrite the risk of investing in new renewable energy generation and
storage.

Australian government urged to guarantee three days of childcare a week for all children under five

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 13:04:01 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/23/australian-government-urged-to-guarantee-three-days-of-childcare-a-week-for-all-children-under-five>

"All children in Australia under the age of five should be able to access at
least three days of childcare a week regardless of their parents’ work and
income circumstances, the Productivity Commission has said.

Waking a sleeping language – our plan to revive the speaking of ta rē Moriori

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 13:05:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/waking-a-sleeping-language-our-plan-to-revive-the-speaking-of-ta-re-moriori-218023>

"When is a language extinct and when is it merely dormant? There are certainly
languages that have passed over that line, and many remain threatened today.
But what of those in the twilight zone – can we revive them, and what would

Dutch Muslims fearful for future after ‘shocking’ election results

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 13:06:05 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/23/dutch-muslims-fearful-for-future-after-shocking-election-results-geert-wilders>

"Geert Wilders described it as the “most beautiful day” of his political life.
But for many across the Netherlands, news that Wilders’ far-right, anti-Islam
party had emerged with the most votes in Wednesday’s election set off alarm

Drug resistance may make common infections like thrush untreatable

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 13:06:52 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/drug-resistance-may-make-common-infections-like-thrush-untreatable-213460>

"We’ve all heard about antibiotic resistance. This happens when bacteria
develop strategies to avoid being destroyed by an antibiotic.

Where there's a well, there's a way: How over 160 wells were revived and given a beautiful makeover in this Tamil Nadu district

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 20:14:00 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/where-theres-a-well-theres-a-way/articleshow/103824570.cms>

"VIRUDHUNAGAR: A novel water conservation project launched by the Virudhunagar
district administration officials called 'String of Wells', paved the way for
rejuvenation and recharge of as many as 163 defunct and abandoned open wells in

Moonlight basking and queer courting: new research reveals the secret lives of Australian freshwater turtles

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 20:14:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/moonlight-basking-and-queer-courting-new-research-reveals-the-secret-lives-of-australian-freshwater-turtles-215531>

"Australian freshwater turtles support healthy wetlands and rivers. Yet one in
three turtle species is threatened with extinction. And there is still much we
don’t know about them.

Jeep’s Electrification Game Plan: Wrangler, Wagoneer, & More Going Electric!

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 20:15:57 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://cleantechnica.com/2023/11/09/jeeps-electrification-game-plan-wrangler-wagoneer-more-going-electric/>

"Exciting times lie ahead for Jeep enthusiasts, as the iconic American
automaker is set to take a significant leap into the world of electrification.
In a tentative agreement between Stellantis and the United Auto Workers union,

Our new high-resolution climate models are a breakthrough in understanding Australia’s future

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 20:20:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/our-new-high-resolution-climate-models-are-a-breakthrough-in-understanding-australias-future-216739>

"Australia’s climate, already marked by extremes with bushfires, heatwaves,
storms and coastal flooding, is only set to worsen with the growing effects of
climate change.

Wildlife conservation program to raise public awareness

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 20:21:57 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.shine.cn/news/metro/2310275335/

"Shanghai's greenery authorities kicked off a monthlong promotion campaign on
Friday to raise awareness of wildlife conservation among the pubic, with a slew
of activities including exhibitions and science popularization classes rolled

How a focus on girls has nurtured the rebirth of one of Africa’s great wildlife parks

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 20:23:02 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-11-03/how-a-focus-on-girls-has-nurtured-the-rebirth-of-one-of-africas-great-wildlife-parks.html>

"With its emerald green floodplains, hippos wallowing in glassy water, eagles
swooping over elephant herds, lions slouched on tree trunks and impala grazing
to the shimmering horizon, Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park is an earthly

Impressive new plastic self-heals, can be recycled and feeds marine life

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 04:32:20 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://newatlas.com/materials/vpr-plastic-self-heals-shape-memory-recyclable-biodegradable/>

"Japanese scientists have developed a new type of plastic that’s strong at room
temperature, but can be easily broken down on demand into its base components.
In seawater, it starts to break down into food for marine life, and just to top

For 1st time, Indonesia government recognizes ancestral forests in Aceh — but only some

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 04:33:40 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/for-1st-time-indonesia-government-recognizes-ancestral-forests-in-aceh-but-only-some/>

"JAKARTA — The Indonesian government has recognized community claims to
ancestral forests in the Sumatran province of Aceh for the first time in
history.

The Works in Progress Newsletter: Deep heat

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 04:37:41 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.worksinprogress.news/p/issue-13-deep-heat

"Our lead piece tells the story of how mathematics helped to make the modern
world. Geometry gave us perspective in painting and drawing. Algebra gave us
triangulation and measurements of the world. And the mathematic mentality also

‘It was incredible to see’: Kenyans dig deep on first national tree planting day

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 04:38:47 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/13/it-was-incredible-to-see-kenyans-dig-deep-on-first-national-tree-planting-day>

"Geoffrey Mosoku and his two daughters have been digging a seedling deep into
the ground of the Ngong forest in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

New Covid test that can detect virus before aged care staff become infectious

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 04:40:08 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.heraldsun.com.au/coronavirus/matter-of-life-or-death-for-me-melbourne-man-82-who-could-not-get-covid-booster-considered-flying-to-us-to-be-jabbed/news-story/8faf121c97951624db2d202703b363bf>

"An expert has called for Victorians to get jabbed amid the latest Covid wave —
while highlighting the state government no longer had “a clear picture of the
extent of transmission”.

The eighth COVID-19 wave is here. Could catching it trigger Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or autoimmune disorders?

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 04:41:17 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-22/covid-long-term-disease-parkinsons-alzheimers-risk/103112864>

"From the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists have raised
concerns about the potential for long-term health problems linked to SARS-CoV-2
and warned repeated infections are likely to increase the risk.

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust reveals major new Scottish rewilding project

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 12:26:58 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://channeleye.media/durrell-wildlife-conservation-trust-reveals-major-new-scottish-rewilding-project/>

"Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has secured the lease for Dalnacardoch
Estate, which sits entirely within the Cairngorms National Park, halfway
between Blair Atholl and Dalwhinnie.

Giant batteries drain economics of gas power plants

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 12:31:02 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/giant-batteries-drain-economics-gas-power-plants-2023-11-21/>

'LONDON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Giant batteries that ensure stable power supply
by offsetting intermittent renewable supplies are becoming cheap enough to make
developers abandon scores of projects for gas-fired generation world-wide.

‘A game-changer’: the 9,000 acre project reclaiming the Fens for nature

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 12:32:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/04/a-game-changer-the-9000-acre-project-reclaiming-the-fens-for-nature>

"Looking north from Woodwalton Fen nature reserve, in Cambridgeshire, visitors
get an uninterrupted view of Britain’s flattest landscape. An entire hemisphere
of sky hangs over a network of carefully drained fields that stretch to the

Australian dolphins have the world’s highest concentrations of ‘forever chemicals’

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 12:36:30 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/australian-dolphins-have-the-worlds-highest-concentrations-of-forever-chemicals-218253>

"As predators at the top of the food chain, dolphins tend to accumulate and
magnify high levels of toxins and other chemicals in their bodies. So health
problems in dolphins can be a warning that all is not well in the system as a

Mackay man put in wheelchair for months by rare case of myelitis likely caused by COVID-19

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 12:37:50 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-23/mackay-man-matthew-dillon-rare-post-covid-19-myelitis-case/103102700>

'When 43-year-old Matthew Dillon got COVID-19 at the end of 2022, he didn't
think much of it.

Farm robots ripping out weeds the old-fashioned way to reduce herbicide use, strengthen harvest

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 12:39:42 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2023-11-09/futuristic-farm-robots-killing-weeds-the-old-fashioned-way/103054634>

'They may be on the cutting edge of technology, but robots rolling out across
Australian farms are now incorporating tactics from the past to kill weeds.

Scottish Children’s Futures Are At Risk as Long Covid Takes Hold

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:26:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2023/11/17/scottish-childrens-futures-are-at-risk-as-long-covid-takes-hold/>

"Covid is often spoken about in the past tense, the blight and tragedy of a
generation, discriminating against no one, spanning all age groups, a
frightening but soon to be distant memory, but the truth is simple – Covid is

AI could predict heart attack risk up to 10 years in the future, finds Oxford study

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:27:28 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/nov/13/ai-could-predict-heart-attack-risk-up-to-10-years-in-the-future-finds-oxford-study>

"Artificial intelligence could be used to predict if a person is at risk of
having a heart attack up to 10 years in the future, a study has found.

The Cossack Hetmanate and the Birth of the Ukrainian Identity

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:28:19 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://freedium.cfd/https://medium.com/teatime-history/the-cossack-hetmanate-and-the-birth-of-the-ukrainian-identity-7e1bc21aaab9>

"I have read some articles claiming how integrated and similar Russian and
Ukrainian history and culture are all over Medium. I have been trying to combat
those misconceptions as well as I can. If Russia and Ukraine were so similar,

Feeding the Revolution

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:30:03 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.eater.com/23959807/food-sharing-disability-justice-movement-mutual-aid>

"“Oh, you want to know how you can support disability justice? MAKE SOMEONE A
POT OF SOUP!” my friend William Maria Rain, a true disability justice OG,
yelled at the audience at a disability justice panel at the D Center at the

Motor emissions could have fallen 30% more without SUV trend, report says

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:31:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/24/motor-emissions-could-have-fallen-without-suv-trend-report>

"Emissions from the motor sector could have fallen 30% more between 2010 and
2022 if vehicles had stayed the same size, a report has found.

The circular economy is coming to Europe. Here’s how

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:32:54 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.positive.news/environment/green-alley-award-circular-economy-europe/>

"The circular economy. Despite being discussed in sustainability circles and
even covered in mainstream media for more than a decade, it’s debatable how
much the term has sunk into public consciousness. What has slowly been

Millions of Aussies ruled ineligible for improved COVID vaccines

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 03:47:22 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://thewest.com.au/news/coronavirus/millions-of-aussies-ruled-ineligible-for-improved-covid-vaccines-c-12628587>

"Millions of Australians will be denied access to improved and more effective
COVID-19 vaccines despite the rising wave of infections.

The world’s largest aircraft breaks cover in Silicon Valley

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 03:49:19 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/08/the-worlds-largest-aircraft-breaks-cover-in-silicon-valley/>

"As dawn breaks over Silicon Valley, the world is getting its first look at
Pathfinder 1, a prototype electric airship that its maker LTA Research hopes
will kickstart a new era in climate-friendly air travel, and accelerate the

‘Immunity debt’ is a misguided and dangerous concept

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 03:51:15 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://archive.is/60s0p

"Respiratory syncytial virus is a little-known and hard-to-spell seasonal
scourge that, like flu, most seriously affects children and older people. It
usually triggers coughs and colds but can cause serious breathing difficulties

Why walking backwards can be good for your health and brain

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 03:53:16 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20231110-why-walking-backwards-can-be-good-for-your-health-and-brain>

'On an apparent wager to win $20,000 (about £4,250 at the time), a 50-year-old
cigar-shop owner called Patrick Harmon embarked on a curious challenge in the
summer of 1915 – he planned to walk backwards from San Francisco to New York

Who knew Queensland’s richest man is a foreign investor?

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 03:54:46 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/who-knew-queenslands-richest-man-is-a-foreign-investor/>

"Clive Palmer isn’t a noted Singaporean. The closest the Queensland billionaire
and erstwhile Australian MP seems to have got to Singapore lately is when his
super yacht ran aground off its coast.

Four delicious reasons to make Hampton Park your next dinner destination

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 03:56:36 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theage.com.au/goodfood/melbourne-eating-out/melbourne-s-most-exciting-eat-streets-are-not-where-you-might-expect-20231123-p5emer.html>

"If you listen to some people, you’d think Melbourne’s most exciting eating
happens in Flinders Lane and Gertrude Street. They might extend to Brunswick
East if pushed. Not true. Melbourne’s most fascinating and fast-changing food

Reconsidering Watership Down Going Into COP28

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 12:23:36 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://freedium.cfd/https://medium.com/the-new-climate/reconsidering-watership-down-going-into-cop28-36de50a631ee>

"Two years ago, I wrote an article called Waiting for Bigwig, using the
archetypal rabbits from Richard Adams' 1972 novel Watership Down to explain
the power dynamics of the climate crisis. "Watership is an ecological novel,"

How Life Really Works

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 12:25:03 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://web.archive.org/web/20231111110202/https://nautil.us/how-life-really-works-435813/>

"The irony seemed a bit heavy-handed, frankly. Just as I was about to publish a
book called How Life Works, my own life stopped working as it should.

Honest Government Ad | How to rig elections

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 12:26:06 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3WTlyuhDs0

"The Australien Government and the Opposition have made an ad about electoral
reforms, and it’s surprisingly honest and informative (so they're hoping you
don't see it)"

The Confucian Cure For Tiger Parenting

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 12:27:24 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.palladiummag.com/2023/10/23/the-confucian-cure-for-tiger-parenting/>

"In 2011, Amy Chua wrote Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, an ambiguous paean
to her ferocious effort to drive her daughters to academic excellence. The book
was an instant bestseller and ignited a controversy between proponents of hard

Assyrian Women of Letters

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 12:30:20 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.archaeology.org/issues/530-2311/features/11800-kanesh-assyrian-letters>

"The parents of an Assyrian woman named Zizizi were furious. Like many of their
neighbors’ children, their daughter had dutifully wed an Assyrian merchant.
Sometime around the year 1860 B.C., she had traveled with him to the faraway

The End of Retirement

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 12:32:45 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://thewalrus.ca/the-end-of-retirement/

"I’m standing on my back stoop looking out at the eighty or so people jammed
into the backyard for my retirement party. They’re here to celebrate my forty
years in journalism. There’s the gang from Domino fashion magazine, where I

Effective obfuscation

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 19:49:28 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://newsletter.mollywhite.net/p/effective-obfuscation

"As Sam Bankman-Fried rose and fell, people outside of Silicon Valley began to
hear about “effective altruism” (EA) for the first time. Then rifts emerged
within OpenAI with the ouster and then reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman, and the

Ukraine: 500 Days

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 19:52:55 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.wired.com/tag/series-ukraine-500-days/

Via Future Crunch, who wrote:

"It’s been 500 days since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and

Gender equality gains momentum in Sub-Saharan Africa

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 19:54:00 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://blogs.worldbank.org/developmenttalk/gender-equality-gains-momentum-sub-saharan-africa>

"Sub-Saharan Africa has been making remarkable strides towards achieving legal
gender equality. Between October 2021 and October 2022, seven countries in
Sub-Saharan Africa implemented positive changes that have had a profound impact

Rajasthan: Improvement in social metrics, but sustaining welfare measures can be fiscally challenging

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 19:55:01 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/data-stories/data-focus/rajasthan-improvement-in-social-metrics-but-sustaining-welfare-measures-can-be-fiscally-challenging/article67539982.ece>

"Chief Minister Gehlot of Rajasthan has garnered accolades from certain social
activists for introducing a ground-breaking Minimum Income Guarantee and
Pension scheme. This initiative ensures 125 days of work through the rural or

Yasmeen Lari on track to build a million flood-resilient Pakistan homes by 2024

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 19:56:15 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.dezeen.com/2023/11/16/yasmeen-lari-one-million-flood-resilient-pakistan-homes-designing-for-disaster/>

"After extreme floods put a third of Pakistan under water in 2022, architect
Yasmeen Lari vowed to build one million flood-resilient homes. For our
Designing for Disaster series, her foundation reveals it is a third of the way

Ditching fossil fuels improves health: Deaths from particulate pollution have dropped 16% since 2005

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 19:57:24 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://english.elpais.com/climate/2023-11-16/ditching-fossil-fuels-improves-health-deaths-from-particulate-pollution-have-dropped-16-since-2005.html>

"Fossil fuels — oil, gas and coal — are not only primarily to blame for climate
change, due to the greenhouse gases they release into the atmosphere when
burned to generate energy. They also spew out harmful particulates that

The Real Story Behind ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ is Much Worse

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 05:27:13 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/11/26/killers-of-the-flower-moon-osage-nation-00128525>

"I’ve never lived in Oklahoma and most people have no idea I’m an Osage
citizen. But my Osage ancestry has always been an important part of my life.
Recently, it’s become an obsession.

I’m a Climate Scientist. I’m Not Screaming Into the Void Anymore.

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 05:28:25 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/18/opinion/climate-change-report-us.html

"Two and a half years ago, when I was asked to help write the most
authoritative report on climate change in the United States, I hesitated. Did
we really need another warning of the dire consequences of climate change in

‘Cary Grant’s whole life was a civil war’: the TV drama unmasking Hollywood’s permatanned icon

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 05:30:14 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/13/cary-grants-hollywoods-archibald-leach-mother-archie>

"Freezing rain is lashing the roof of the movie-set trailer. Even with the
heating on full, the conditions are still shivery. But Jason Isaacs is sporting
the sort of deep tan that suggests months spent under fierce sun.

Man paints apartment building rainbow colors to get back at anti-gay neighbor

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 05:32:07 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/11/man-paints-apartment-building-rainbow-colors-to-get-back-at-anti-gay-neighbor/>

"The owner of an Omaha, Nebraska apartment complex has painted the building
rainbow at the request of his three daughters, ages five, seven, and nine.

Millions of high-risk Australians aren’t getting vaccinated. A policy reset could save lives

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 05:32:54 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/millions-of-high-risk-australians-arent-getting-vaccinated-a-policy-reset-could-save-lives-217915>

"Each year, vaccines prevent thousands of deaths and hospitalisations in
Australia.

Green growth or degrowth: what is the right way to tackle climate change?

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 05:34:03 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/green-growth-or-degrowth-what-is-the-right-way-to-tackle-climate-change-218239>

"Nearly all the world’s governments and vast numbers of its people are
convinced that addressing human-induced climate change is essential if healthy
societies are to survive. The two solutions most often proposed go by various

Baldur's Gate 3 Is Very Anxious About Automation

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 10:19:55 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Warning: spoilers for the game

<https://freedium.cfd/https://fanfare.pub/baldurs-gate-3-is-very-anxious-about-automation-7b108629ebe9>

"The videogame Baldur's Gate 3 earned accolades the moment it launched,

A major new childcare report glosses over the issues educators face at work and why they leave

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 10:20:37 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/a-major-new-childcare-report-glosses-over-the-issues-educators-face-at-work-and-why-they-leave-218515>

"The Productivity Commission has just released a major report as part of its
inquiry into early childhood education and care.

Russia and Noise

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 10:21:39 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://freedium.cfd/https://nadinbrzezinski.medium.com/russia-and-noise-2067697e19a8>

"Let's deal first with the Russian way of war and violations of the genocide
convention. Here is a genuine violation. The transfer of children is a war
crime. Russians don't care. This is about Russification and a demographic

Dabous Giraffes

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 10:23:00 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/dabous-giraffes

"In the heart of the Sahara lies the Tenere Desert, a flat, waterless
wilderness that means “emptiness” in the Tamacheck language of the local Tuareg
nomads. We are more familiar with the Arabic word with the same meaning: sahra

Casual, distant, aesthetically limited: 5 ways smartphone photography is changing how we see the world

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 10:23:49 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/casual-distant-aesthetically-limited-5-ways-smartphone-photography-is-changing-how-we-see-the-world-217926>

"Smartphones are a staple of modern life and are changing how we see the world
and show it to others. Almost 90% of Aussies own one, and we spend an average
of 5.6 hours using them each day. Smartphones are also responsible for more

What a U.S.-China Climate Deal Means for COP28

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 10:24:55 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/15/climate/us-china-climate-deal-cop28.html?unlocked_article_code=1.AE0.Z7GZ.5VNmhjoodKHr&smid=url-share>

"The United States and China announced an agreement on Tuesday evening to
sharply increase clean energy, displace fossil fuels and reduce the emissions
that are warming the planet.

Gunditjmara Community honoured with 2023 UNESCO-Greece Melina Mercouri Prize for Cultural Landscape Conservation

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 19:48:30 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://neoskosmos.com/en/2023/11/19/news/australia/gunditjmara-community-honoured-with-2023-unesco-greece-melina-mercouri-prize-for-cultural-landscape-conservation/>

"Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni presented the prestigious 2023
UNESCO-Greece Melina Mercouri International Prize for the Safeguarding and
Management of Cultural Landscapes to Australia’s Gunditjmara community, also

Taylor Swift’s Brazil concert was hammered by extreme heat. How to protect crowds at the next sweltering gig

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 19:49:11 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/taylor-swifts-brazil-concert-was-hammered-by-extreme-heat-how-to-protect-crowds-at-the-next-sweltering-gig-218341>

"Electrifying music concerts and other mass events are increasingly under
threat from severe weather events, such as extreme heat.

Look to the mainstream to explain the rise of the far right

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 19:50:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/look-to-the-mainstream-to-explain-the-rise-of-the-far-right-218536>

"Javier Milei in Argentina. Geert Wilders in the Netherlands. These are the two
latest “populist shocks” – the tip of the “populist wave” that comes crashing
against the weakened defences of liberal democracies.

Tripling Global Renewables by 2030

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 19:53:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://assets.bbhub.io/professional/sites/24/BNEF_2023-11-21_triplingrenewables_Final.pdf>

Hard, Fast and Achievable

"World leaders have been building momentum to triple global installed renewable

Climate crisis: what to consider if you’re questioning whether to have children

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 19:54:24 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/climate-crisis-what-to-consider-if-youre-questioning-whether-to-have-children-218281>

"The warnings about the disastrous impact we are having on our planet are
becoming more dire. The UN Environment Programme’s most recent emissions gap
report, which tracks our progress in limiting global warming, revealed that the

Eye on Climate Goals, China Names 15 Cities as New Energy Hubs

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 19:55:28 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1014087

"In a major push to meet its climate goals and reduce carbon emissions, China
has designated 15 cities as pilot zones to promote the use of new energy
vehicles in public transport.

Are rents rising in your Philly neighborhood? Don’t blame the baristas

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 04:01:50 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/are-rents-rising-in-your-philly-neighborhood-dont-blame-the-baristas-216887>

"Baristas who work in specialty coffee shops, along with hipsters more
generally, have been referred to as the “shock troops” of urban gentrification
– and it’s no different in Philadelphia. These servers of artisanal coffee

Clean technologies are driving job growth in the energy sector, but skills shortages are an increasing concern

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 04:02:52 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.iea.org/news/clean-technologies-are-driving-job-growth-in-the-energy-sector-but-skills-shortages-are-an-increasing-concern>

"The number of jobs in the global energy sector rose in 2022 as growing
investment in clean energy technologies drove demand for new workers in every
region of the world, according to a new IEA report that offers a benchmark for

Frozen’s 10th anniversary: how the musical reignited our love for sing-along cinema

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 04:03:52 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/frozens-10th-anniversary-how-the-musical-reignited-our-love-for-sing-along-cinema-218381>

"Ten years ago a musical phenomenon hit our screens, one which captured the
hearts of a large and diverse audience and whose songs have already become
classics. The 2013 film Frozen is now widely recognised as one of the most

Monica Lewinsky calls for presidential age limits and ban on self-pardons

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 04:05:25 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/27/monica-lewinsky-interview-presidential-age-limits-self-pardons>

"Monica Lewinsky has called for elected officials to be subject to mandatory
retirement ages and for presidential self-pardons to be banned.

Sports Illustrated Published Articles by Fake, AI-Generated Writers

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 04:07:10 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://futurism.com/sports-illustrated-ai-generated-writers

'There was nothing in Drew Ortiz's author biography at Sports Illustrated to
suggest that he was anything other than human.

The government’s Murray-Darling bill is a step forward, but still not enough

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 04:08:42 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/the-governments-murray-darling-bill-is-a-step-forward-but-still-not-enough-217002>

"This week, the Senate is debating changes to Australia’s most important water
laws. These changes seek to rescue the ailing A$13 billion Murray-Darling Basin
Plan to improve the health of our nation’s largest river system.

EU agrees law to hit fossil fuel imports with methane emissions limit

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 12:21:24 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/eu-agrees-law-track-reduce-methane-emissions-oil-gas-sector-2023-11-15/>

'Nov 15 (Reuters) - The European Union reached a deal on Wednesday on a law to
place methane emissions limits on Europe's oil and gas imports from 2030,
pressuring international suppliers to clamp down on leaks of the potent

Honeybees cluster together when it’s cold – but we’ve been completely wrong about why

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 12:22:22 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/honeybees-cluster-together-when-its-cold-but-weve-been-completely-wrong-about-why-218066>

"Honeybees in man-made hives may have been suffering the cold unnecessarily for
over a century because commercial hive designs are based on erroneous science,
my new research shows.

How your money is helping subsidise sexism in academia – and what you can do about it

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 12:23:15 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/how-your-money-is-helping-subsidise-sexism-in-academia-and-what-you-can-do-about-it-218347>

"It’s frightening to imagine where the world would be right now without mRNA
vaccines. The COVID-busting technology revolutionised vaccine development at an
internationally critical moment – with massive implications for people’s

What is the ‘sunk cost fallacy’? Is it ever a good thing?

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 12:24:02 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-sunk-cost-fallacy-is-it-ever-a-good-thing-217798>

"Have you ever encountered a subpar hotel breakfast while on holiday? You don’t
really like the food choices on offer, but since you already paid for the meal
as part of your booking, you force yourself to eat something anyway rather than

Coal Declines Amid Solar Boom in South Africa, in Five Charts

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 12:25:17 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://about.bnef.com/blog/coal-declines-amid-solar-boom-in-south-africa-in-five-charts/>

"South Africa’s coal-heavy power system will transform rapidly even in an
economics-led scenario, new BNEF modelling finds. The country needs an average
of $5.9 billion of investment in power generation per year from 2021 to 2040,

We’ve committed to protect 30% of Australia’s land by 2030. Here’s how we could actually do it

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 12:26:03 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/weve-committed-to-protect-30-of-australias-land-by-2030-heres-how-we-could-actually-do-it-217795>

"In the mid 1990s, only 7% of Australia’s land was protected for conservation.
Now, it’s more than tripled to 22%.

India looking at record high solar capacity addition at 17 GW this year

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 20:16:19 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/india-looking-at-record-high-solar-capacity-addition-at-17-gw-this-year/105173068>

"New Delhi: India is expected to add 16 gigawatt (GW) to 17 GW solar capacity
by the end of this financial year and has ‘undoubtedly’ seen highest capacities
being added to its solar power installed base last year, said industry experts.

Revealed: Big Oil given direct influence over university courses

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 20:17:20 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-money-investigations/shell-bp-equinor-totalenergies-oxford-cambridge-bristol-ucl-big-oil-gas-fossil-fuels-158m/>

"Fossil fuel companies have ploughed more than £147m into British universities
in seven years and been given “horrifying” influence over academic degree
courses.

Electric vehicle battery prices are falling faster than expected

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 20:18:22 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.goldmansachs.com/intelligence/pages/electric-vehicle-battery-prices-falling.html>

"It wasn’t long ago rising demand and component shortages sparked concern that
“greenflation” would drive up prices for the batteries used in electric
vehicles. That’s subsiding as prices cool for battery metals, which could help

Tires are saving us — and killing us, too

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 20:19:14 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/17/23951181/tires-sustainable-rubber-bridgestone-michelin>

"Tires are the most important safety component on a car, yet there’s increasing
research that they’re doing a good deal of harm, too. Slowly, surely, one mote
of black dust at a time, tires are leaving their mark on the environment.

RMI Analysis: With Smart Policy, Truck Electrification Is Within Reach

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 20:20:21 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://rmi.org/rmi-analysis-with-smart-policy-truck-electrification-is-within-reach/>

"In the United States, the transportation sector contributes more greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions than any other. Given that medium- and heavy-duty (MHD)
trucks account for only 10 percent of vehicles on the road, yet produce almost

Revealed: Saudi Arabia’s grand plan to ‘hook’ poor countries on oil

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 20:21:21 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/27/revealed-saudi-arabia-plan-poor-countries-oil>

"Saudi Arabia is driving a huge global investment plan to create demand for its
oil and gas in developing countries, an undercover investigation has revealed.
Critics said the plan was designed to get countries “hooked on its harmful

Visual effects model design

Mon, 1 Jan 2024 03:54:05 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/visual-effects-model-design/zdmgnrd

"A look at the work of Mat Irvine, a visual effects designer on Doctor Who,
Blake's 7, Tomorrow's World, Moonbase 3 and Rentaghost."

COP28: inside the United Arab Emirates, the oil giant hosting 2023 climate change summit

Mon, 1 Jan 2024 03:55:21 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/cop28-inside-the-united-arab-emirates-the-oil-giant-hosting-2023-climate-change-summit-217859>

"The United Arab Emirates (UAE), the world’s seventh largest oil producer, will
host the 28th UN climate change summit (COP28) in Dubai from November 30 to
December 12. Presiding over the conference will be the chief executive of the

COP28: Earth’s frozen zones are in trouble – we’re already seeing the consequences

Mon, 1 Jan 2024 03:57:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/cop28-earths-frozen-zones-are-in-trouble-were-already-seeing-the-consequences-218119>

"As this year’s UN climate summit (COP28) gets under way in Dubai, scientists
studying Earth’s frozen regions have been delivering an urgent call for action
to policy makers. But is anyone listening?

Australia needs ‘substantial increase’ in large-scale renewables projects to meet decarbonisation targets

Mon, 1 Jan 2024 03:58:07 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/29/australia-needs-substantial-increase-in-large-scale-renewables-projects-to-meet-decarbonisation-targets>

"New investments in solar and windfarms and batteries declined further in the
September quarter, falling below one-tenth of the pace required for Australia
to meet its decarbonisation targets for the electricity sector, the Clean

How humans are engineering the future of coral reefs

Mon, 1 Jan 2024 03:59:16 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://www.theverge.com/23972647/coral-reef-engineering-future-rescue

"How do you bring back a vanishing coral reef? That’s what conservationists are
racing to do in the Florida Keys, where they’re coming up with a whole new
playbook for saving corals.

Happy New Year 2024!

Mon, 1 Jan 2024 04:00:58 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Happy New Year everyone and thanks for reading!

Wisihng you all the best for 2024.

Glass Wings Blog: December 2023

The Beetaloo gas field is a climate bomb. How did CSIRO modelling make it look otherwise?

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 12:07:37 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Australia was not big enough to vote for the voice, Stan Grant says

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 12:08:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

We could see thunderstorm asthma in south-eastern Australia this season – here’s how to prepare

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 12:09:56 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Emissions of Beetaloo Basin gas projects ‘significantly underestimated’ by government, analysis finds

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 12:11:14 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Some people think income tax is illegal. It’s pseudolaw, and it’s damaging the legal system

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 12:12:01 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Australia’s support to Pacific surges as China focuses on ‘friendly’ states, aid map shows

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 12:13:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

We need a single list of all life on Earth – and most taxonomists now agree on how to start

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 19:44:19 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

World Bank warns oil price could soar to record $150 a barrel

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 19:45:17 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Fire-smart farming: how the crops we plant could help reduce the risk of wildfires on agricultural landscapes

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 19:45:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Dust drove dinosaurs’ extinction after asteroid impact, scientists say

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 19:46:43 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Everything You Think You Know About Politics Is Wrong

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 19:47:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Bridging the divide: 12 groups working for Israel-Palestine peace

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 19:48:22 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

County Down woman ‘ecstatic’ to be crowned top in UK Comic Con with Totoro costume

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 04:45:12 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Amazon Alexa is a graduate of the Darth Vader MBA

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 04:48:36 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Burned-out parents seek help from a new ally: ChatGPT

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 04:50:32 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

The story of the Dumpling emoji 🥟

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 04:51:49 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

The Sociopaths Among Us—And How to Avoid Them

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 04:53:21 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

The US just issued the world’s strongest action yet on regulating AI. Here’s what to expect

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 04:54:14 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Major multinational port operator paid zero tax in Australia while raking in billions

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 12:32:56 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Health Star Rating only on about a third of Australian supermarket products that should carry it, report shows

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 12:33:59 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Deepfakes will attack our most precious memories. Are we ready?

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 12:34:58 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Yang Hengjun’s family urges Albanese to negotiate with China for jailed Australian writer’s release

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 12:41:31 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Global Fund partnership achieves record breaking results, with 59 million lives saved since 2002, thanks to U.S. investments

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 12:42:34 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Denver experimented with giving people $1,000 a month. It reduced homelessness and increased full-time employment, a study found.

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 12:43:48 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

The First Rule Of Owning A Toyota Tundra In Australia Is You’re Not Allowed To Talk About Your Toyota Tundra

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 20:23:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

People Search Data Brokers, Stalking, and ‘Publicly Available Information’ Carve-Outs

Sat, 2 Dec 2023 20:33:06 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

What $500 Means to Zinida Moore