Australia's Morrison Government appears to be living proof of that old adage, birds of a feather do flock together

IMAGE: Woodcut illustration of Vultures — Vector by ronjoe

Anyone who has been delving into Scott Morrison & Angus Taylor’s 98 page AUSTRALIA’S LONG-TERM EMISSIONS REDUCTION PLAN: Modelling and Analysis (Dept. of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources: DISER) document and, attempting to pin down where within its content examples of genuine modelling relying on science, fact-based assumptions and realistic projections, might have seen the name McKinsey & Company crop up on no less than 76 occasions.

That name rang a bell. Here is a brief background…….

The New York Times, 28 October 2021, p.6:

….a revolt has been brewing inside the world's most influential consulting firm, McKinsey & Company, over its support of the planet's biggest polluters.

More than 1,100 employees and counting have signed an open letter to the firm's top partners, urging them to disclose how much carbon their clients spew into the atmosphere. "The climate crisis is the defining issue of our generation," wrote the letter's authors, nearly a dozen McKinsey consultants. "Our positive impact in other realms will mean nothing if we do not act as our clients alter the earth irrevocably."

Several of the authors have resigned since the letter, which has never before been reported, came out last spring -- with one sending out a widely shared email that cited McKinsey's continued work with fossil fuel companies as a primary reason for his departure…..[my yellow highlighting]

The Hill, 27 October 2021:

... Since then, some of the letter's authors, who are consultants at McKinsey, have resigned from the company which is considered the world's most influential consulting firm, the Times reported.

Lawsuits, internal documents and interviews with four ex-McKinsey employees showed that McKinsey has advised at least 43 of the world's top 100 polluters in the past 50 years, per the Times.

The investigation by the Times found that those clients alone, excluding some of McKinsey's other clients who also contribute to pollution, accounted for over one-third of global carbon emissions in 2018.

At least one consultant who resigned specifically cited McKinsey's work with fossil fuel companies as his main reason for leaving. The Environmental Protection Agency has noted that "burning fossil fuels changes the climate more than any other human activity."

“Walking away from these sectors might appease absolutist critics,” D.J. Carella, a spokesman for McKinsey, said to the Times, adding that it "would do nothing to solve the climate challenge."…. [my yellow highlighting]

The New York Times, 6 November 2021:

A House committee has requested documents related to the firm's advice to drug makers and potential conflicts of interest with the F.D.A.

In a new assault on the global consulting giant McKinsey & Company, Congress on Friday started an investigation into the firm's role in the opioid crisis, sending a letter demanding records related to its "business practices, conflicts of interest and management standards."

The 12-page letter, which was sent by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, asked for names of McKinsey clients in the health care industry as well as documents connected to its work with opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers. The committee is also looking at how McKinsey's consulting for drugmakers may conflict with work it has done for the Food and Drug Administration.

By advising opioid makers and "the federal agency regulating their conduct," McKinsey "may have had a significant negative impact on Americans' health," the committee said.

The letter was signed by the committee's chairwoman, Representative Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, who requested that McKinsey produce the documents by Nov. 19. McKinsey has a policy of not identifying its clients or the advice it gives.

A spokesman for the firm on Friday said McKinsey had "received the committee's letter and will engage directly with the committee regarding their requests."

This year, McKinsey agreed to pay all 50 states more than $600 million to settle investigations into how it had helped "turbocharge" opioid sales, focusing mostly on its work with Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin. McKinsey did not admit any wrongdoing.

The request on Friday follows a narrower one on Aug. 23, from a bipartisan group of six U.S. senators seeking records from the F.D.A. on its work with McKinsey at the same time that it was regulating opioid manufacturers, calling that relationship "a potential conflict of interest." The senators asked for more information about the firm's work with the F.D.A. division that approved certain classes of drugs, including prescription opioids.

OxyContin and similar painkillers can be addictive and prone to abuse. From 1999 to 2019, nearly 500,000 people in the United States died of opioid overdoses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…..  [my yellow highlighting]

Reuters, 18 August 2021:

… McKinsey earlier this year reached agreements with state attorneys general to pay $641 million to resolve claims it helped drug manufacturers, including OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, to design marketing plans and boost sales of painkillers.

Lawsuits by cities, counties and others followed, and Breyer now oversees at least 51 cases…. [my yellow highlighting]

The New York Times, 3 December 2019 - updated 24 February 2021:

Just days after he took office in 2017, President Trump set out to make good on his campaign pledge to halt illegal immigration. In a pair of executive orders, he ordered “all legally available resources” to be shifted to border detention facilities, and called for hiring 10,000 new immigration officers.

The logistical challenges were daunting, but as luck would have it, Immigration and Customs Enforcement already had a partner on its payroll: McKinsey & Company, an international consulting firm brought on under the Obama administration to help engineer an “organizational transformation” in the ICE division charged with deporting migrants who are in the United States unlawfully.

ICE quickly redirected McKinsey toward helping the agency figure out how to execute the White House’s clampdown on illegal immigration.

But the money-saving recommendations the consultants came up with made some career ICE workers uncomfortable. They proposed cuts in spending on food for migrants, as well as on medical care and supervision of detainees, according to interviews with people who worked on the project for both ICE and McKinsey and 1,500 pages of documents obtained from the agency after ProPublica filed a lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Act…. [my yellow highlighting]

The New York Times, 9 January 2019:

A judge in Virginia reopened a more than two-year-old case on Wednesday to consider accusations that the powerful consultancy McKinsey & Company had defrauded his court while advising a bankrupt coal company…..

McKinsey already faces similar claims of misconduct from Mr. Alix in the bankruptcy of another energy company, Westmoreland Coal, in Texas…. [my yellow highlighting]

Financial Times, 20 February 2019:

McKinsey has agreed to a $15m settlement with the US Department of Justice to resolve claims that the influential consulting firm failed to properly disclose conflicts of interest in bankruptcy cases over two decades.

The settlement on Tuesday is among the largest made by a bankruptcy professional accused of failing to comply with disclosure rules, according to the justice department, and adds to the mounting scrutiny of the professional services giant.... [my yellow highlighting]

Consulting.us, 4 December 2020:

The USTP [US Trustee Program] started the mediation with McKinsey in 2019 after noting that the consulting firm withheld “critical details” about connections to parties with a potential economic interest in the $1.4 billion Westmoreland bankruptcy case.

Westmoreland Coal emerged from Chapter 11 in June 2019. McKinsey, however, will forgo its fees for the advisory work performed, which the watchdog estimates at millions of dollars…. [my yellow highlighting]

New report by the World Meteorological Organization warns global warming 1.5℃ limit may be exceeded by 2024—and the risk is growing.

Phys Org, 9 September 2020:

The Paris climate agreement seeks to limit global warming to 1.5℃ this century. A new report by the World Meteorological Organization warns this limit may be exceeded by 2024—and the risk is growing.

This first overshoot beyond 1.5℃ would be temporary, likely aided by a major climate anomaly such as an El Niño weather pattern. However, it casts new doubt on whether Earth's climate can be permanently stabilized at 1.5℃ warming.

This finding is among those just published in a report titled United in Science. We contributed to the report, which was prepared by six leading science agencies, including the Global Carbon Project.

The report also found while greenhouse gas emissions declined slightly in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they remained very high—which meant atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have continued to rise…..

Read the full article here.

Australian governments receive yet another warning that mass extinction events are getting closer

All three tiers of Australian governments - federal, state and local - need to turn and face this reality.

Nature, Ecology & Evolution magazine, 20 July 2020:

Impact of 2019–2020 mega-fires on Australian fauna habitat 

Michelle Ward, Ayesha I. T. Tulloch, James Q. Radford, Brooke A. Williams, April E. Reside, Stewart L. Macdonald, Helen J. Mayfield, Martine Maron, Hugh P. Possingham, Samantha J. Vine, James L. O’Connor, Emily J. Massingham, Aaron C. Greenville, John C. Z. Woinarski, Stephen T. Garnett, Mark Lintermans, Ben C. Scheele, Josie Carwardine, Dale G. Nimmo, David B. Lindenmayer, Robert M. Kooyman, Jeremy S. Simmonds, Laura J. Sonter & James E. M. Watson 

Abstract 

Australia’s 2019–2020 mega-fires were exacerbated by drought, anthropogenic climate change and existing land-use management. 
Here, using a combination of remotely sensed data and species distribution models, we found these fires burnt ~97,000 km2 of vegetation across southern and eastern Australia, which is considered habitat for 832 species of native vertebrate fauna. 
Seventy taxa had a substantial proportion (>30%) of habitat impacted; 21 of these were already listed as threatened with extinction. 
To avoid further species declines, Australia must urgently reassess the extinction vulnerability of fire-impacted species and assist the recovery of populations in both burnt and unburnt areas. 
Population recovery requires multipronged strategies aimed at ameliorating current and fire-induced threats, including proactively protecting unburnt habitats. [my yellow highlighting]

The Guardian, 21 July 2020: 

The publication of the peer-reviewed study in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution followed the Morrison government on Monday releasing an independent review of the laws, known as the Environment Protection and Conservation Biodiversity (EPBC) Act. 

The interim review led by Graeme Samuel, a former competition watchdog head, found Australia’s environment was in an unsustainable state of decline and the laws were not fit to address current and future environmental challenges. 

Samuel recommended the introduction of national environmental standards that set clear rules for conservation protection while allowing sustainable development, and the establishment of an independent environmental regulator to monitor and enforce compliance. 

The environment minister, Sussan Ley, agreed to develop environmental standards, but rejected the call for an independent regulator and said she would immediately start work on an accreditation process to devolve responsibility for most environmental approvals to the states and territories. 

One of the Nature Ecology study’s authors, Prof James Watson, said the laws could be effective but only if protections were enforced. 

The act, which has been widely criticised for failing to stem a developing extinction crisis, largely leaves decisions to the discretion of the environment minister of the day.....

Scientists around the world are losing trust in national governments' responses to global climate change and are calling for a peaceful rising up against governments which are failing to act proportionarely to the scale of the crisis

Scientists’ Declaration of Support for Non-Violent Direct Action Against Government Inaction Over the Climate and Ecological Emergency, October 2019:

THIS DECLARATION SETS OUT THE CURRENT SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS CONCERNING THE CLIMATE AND ECOLOGICAL EMERGENCY, AND HIGHLIGHTS THE NECESSITY FOR URGENT ACTION TO PREVENT FURTHER AND IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE HABITABILITY OF OUR PLANET. 

As scientists, we have dedicated our lives to the study and understanding of the world and our place in it. We declare that scientific evidence shows beyond any reasonable doubt that human-caused changes to the Earth’s land, sea and air are severely threatening the habitability of our planet. We further declare that overwhelming evidence shows that if global greenhouse gas emissions are not brought rapidly down to net zero and biodiversity loss is not halted, we risk catastrophic and irreversible damage to our planetary life-support systems, causing incalculable human suffering and many deaths. 

We note that despite the scientific community first sounding the alarm on human-caused global warming more than four decades ago, no action taken by governments thus far has been sufficient to halt the steep rise in greenhouse gas emissions, nor address the ever-worsening loss of biodiversity. Therefore, we call for immediate and decisive action by governments worldwide to rapidly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to net zero, to prevent further biodiversity loss and to restore, to the fullest extent possible, the damage that has already been done. We further call upon governments to provide particular support to those who will be most affected by climate change and by the required transition to a sustainable economy. 

As scientists we have an obligation that extends beyond merely describing and understanding the natural world to taking an active part in helping to protect it. We note that the scientific community has already tried all conventional methods to draw attention to the crisis. We believe that the continued governmental inaction over the climate and ecological crisis now justifies peaceful and non-violent protest and direct action, even if this goes beyond the bounds of the current law. We therefore support those who are rising up peacefully against governments around the world that are failing to act proportionately to the scale of the crisis. We believe it is our moral duty to act now, and we urge other scientists to join us in helping to protect humanity’s only home. [my yellow highlighting]

***** 
To show your support, please add your name to the list below and share with your colleagues. If you’d like to join us at the International Rebellion in London from October 7th (full list of global October Rebellions here), or to find out more, please join our Scientists for Extinction Rebellion Facebook group or email scientistsforxr@protonmail.com. 

Signatories: Signatures are invited from individuals holding a Master's Degree or more, in a field directly related to the sciences, or who work in a scientific field. 

Please note: the views of individuals signing this document do not necessarily represent those of the university or organisation they work for. 

Dr Emily Grossman, Science broadcaster and author, Ph.D. (Molecular Biology) University of Manchester, MA (Natural Sciences) University of Cambridge. Angela Saini, Science journalist and author, M.Eng Oxford University Professor William Steffen, Emeritus Professor at The Australian National University, Canberra and former executive director of the Australian National University (ANU) Climate Change Institute and the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme Professor Rich Pancost, Ph.D. Geosciences, Head of the School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol Professor Julia Steinberger, Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth & Environment, University of Leeds Professor Valerie Nelson, Department of Sustainable Development, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich Paul N. Pearson, Honorary Professor, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University Professor Penny D. Sackett, Honorary Professor, Climate Change Institute, Australian National University Professor Simon Lewis, Dept Geography, University College London. Professor Ken Rice, Institute for Astronomy, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh Professor Corey Bradshaw, Matthew Flinders Fellow in Global Ecology, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia Professor Ian Foster, Environmental Science, University of Northampton, UK Professor Heidy M Mader, PhD Geophysics, School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol Professor Danny Dorling, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, UK Dr John Marsham, Associate Professor, University of Leeds and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, UK Professor Andy Challinor, Chair of Climate Impacts, University of Leeds Peter Belton, Professor Emeritus, School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia Marilyn Strathern, Emeritus Professor of Social Anthropology, Cambridge University, UK Uta Frith, Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Development, University College London, UK Dr John N. Griffin, Associate Professor, Biosciences, Swansea University Dr Alberto de la Fuente, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Civil Engineering Department, Universidad de Chile, Chile Dr Christelle Rochefort, Associate Professor, Sorbonne University, Paris Professor Diane Reay, University of Cambridge, UK Professor Ellen Euler, University of Applied Science Potsdam, Germany Professor Seralynne Vann, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, UK Professor Mark Humphries, School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, UK Emeritus Professor Michael Bassey, Nottingham Trent University Professor Randy McIntosh, Rotman Research Institute - Baycrest & Dept of Psychology, University of Toronto, Canada Professor Carole Parkes University of Winchester Emeritus Professor Peter Reason, University of Bath Emeritus Professor Ian Parker, University of Leicester, UK Professor Kate Jeffery, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London Professor Hugo Spiers, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London Professor Erica Burman, Manchester Institute of Education, University of Manchester, UK Professor Stephen J Ball, Distinguished Service Professor of Sociology of Education, University College London Dr. Elisa Thome Sena, Professor at the Multidisciplinary Department, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil Dr Annabel Smith PhD. Lecturer in Wildlife Management, University of Queensland Dr Elizabeth Boakes, PhD Conservation Biology, Centre for Biodiversity & Environment Research, University College London Dr Andrea Snelling PhD Palaeoclimate change researcher, University of Nottingham Dr Catalina Pimiento PhD, Postdoctoral fellow, Biosciences, Swansea University & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Dr. Salvador Pueyo, researcher in complexity and socio-ecological futures, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain Dr Michael Taylor, Department of Meteorology, University of Reading Dr Peter Spooner, Teaching Fellow, Department of Earth Sciences, UCL Dr. Rocio Perez Barrales, Senior Lecturer, University of Portsmouth, UK Dr Miklós Antal, Research Fellow in Ecological Economics, Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary Dr Keith Baker, Researcher in Energy Policy, Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland Dr James G Dyke, Assistant Director, Global Systems Institute, University of Exeter, UK Dr. Julien Lecourt, Senior Researcher, National Institute of Agriculture and Botany, EMR U Dr Wolfgang Knorr, Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Sciences, Lund University, Sweden Dr Scott Archer-Nicholls, Centre for Atmospheric Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Dr Aaron Thierry, Ph.D. Ecology, The University of Sheffield Dr Charlie Gardner, Ph.D. Biodiversity Management, University of Kent Dr Emily Griffiths, Ph.D. Ecology, University of Sheffield Sven M Schulte, Research Consultant, MA Environmental Security (UN-mandated University for Peace), MA Peace, Development, Security and Int. Conflict Transformation (UNESCO Chair for Peace Studies) Dr. Samuel Hawkins, Senior Researcher, Ph.D. Renewable Energy, Edinburgh University Dr Anass Barrahmoune, MSc Environmental Geomatics, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Morocco, PhD East Asian Studies, University of Sheffield Dr. Ruth H. Leeney, Natural History Museum, London and Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, Inhambane province, Mozambique. Dr. Christopher D. Coath, Senior Research Fellow, School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol. Dr. Julia Sero, Lecturer in Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, UK Dr. Rebecca Summerfield, Ph.D. Coral Reef Health, School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, UK Dr. Traci Birge, DSc. Agriculture & Forestry, University of Helsinki, Finland Dr Roland Wilhelm, Ph.D. Microbiology, Cornell University, USA Dr Helen Bates, Horticultural Research Scientist, NIAB EMR, East Malling, Kent Dr Freya Mitchison, Ph.D. Earth & Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University Dr Steffie Broer, EngD in Urban Sustainability and Resilience, Dept. of Environmental Engineering, UCL, UK. Dr. Seann McKibbin, PhD (Earth Science) Australian National University and Alexander von Humboldt (postdoctoral fellowship) Georg-August-Universität, Germany Dr Rachel Marshall, Lancaster University, PhD Soil Science at Aberdeen University Dr James Cole, School of Environment and Technology, University of Brighton Dr Joe Stewart, PhD Paleoceanography and Geochemistry, Senior Research Associate, School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, UK Dr Beth Penrose, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Australia. PhD Environmental Science, University of Nottingham, UK Dr. Charlotte F. Nellist, Plant Pathologist (Junior Group Leader), NIAB EMR, East Malling, Kent. Dr Claire Wordley, writer and activist, PhD. ecology from the University of Leeds. Dr Jessica Fisher, MRes Biodiversity Evolution Conservation UCL, PhD Biodiversity Management, University of Kent Dr. Nathan G. Phillips, Ph.D. Department of Earth & Environment, Boston University, USA Dr Andrew Fraass, Ph.D. Geosciences, Research Associate in Micropalaeontology, University of Bristol Dr Natalie Swan, PhD in Environmental Science, Lancaster University Dr Jennifer Rudd, Carbon Chemistry and Engineering, Swansea University, MChem, PhD, Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry Dr. Javier Juste, PhD. Bats’ Ecology and Evolution Group, Dpt of Evolutionary Ecology, Doñana Biological Station, CSIC; Seville, Spain Dr Mariana Carvalho, PhD Biology and Natural Resource Management, Birdlife International, UK Dr Victoria Herridge, PhD Evolutionary Biology, Broadcaster. Dr Emeliana Palk, School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol Dr Charline Lormand, P.h.D. in Volcanology, Volcanic Risk Solutions, Massey University, New Zealand Dr Mikko Ijäs, Doctor of Arts. Associate Researcher of Human Evolutionary Biology. Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, Finland. Dr Nicolas Kosoy. Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Montreal Dr Duane L. Bindschadler, PhD, Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA Dr. Malika Virah-Sawmy, Geography Department, Humboldt Universitat zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany Dr Estefania Milla-Moreno, PhD, MSc, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Canada Dr. Marie-Josée Garand. Ph.D. Natural Resources. Environmental Technology. Collège Communautaire du Nouveau Brunswick. Canada. Dr Phil Platts, Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, UK Dr. Maria Caffrey, PhD Geography, Denver, Colorado Dr Laura Kehoe, PhD in Geography, University of Oxford, The Nature Conservancy, UK Dr Antti Alexander Kestilä, PhD Space Technology, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finland. Dr Rupesh Paudyal, MSc University of London, PhD Plant Sciences, University of Leeds Dr David Costalago, PhD Marine Ecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada Dr. Ji-Hyun Lee, PhD., Postdoctoral researcher, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA), Austria Dr Robert Alcock, PhD in Marine Ecology, University of Southampton. XR Edinburgh activist. Dr Christopher Butler, PhD. Former Oil Industry Geoscientist. Dr Thomas Martin, PhD Atmospheric Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil. Dr João Augusto Hackerott, PhD Atmospheric Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil Dr Daniel Turner, PhD (ecology), University of Southampton B.S. Victória Peli, Master's Student, Department of Atmospheric Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil Rachel Hasler, PhD Student, Soil microbiology - Environment and Agrifood Dept. Cranfield University, UK. Geraint Northwood, PhD student, Planetary Science, Imperial College London, UK Claudia Wyer, PhD Student, Life Sciences, Imperial College London, UK Galina Jönsson, PhD Student, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London I Gabriel Perez, PhD student, Department of Meteorology, University of Reading, MPhil University of São Paulo Maria Luiza de Carvalho Ferreira, MSc Physical, Chemical and Geological Oceanography, currently PhD student in Geology, School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, UK Paul Ogbuigwe, PhD student in Animal Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand Stacey Hendriks, PhD Student in Animal Science, Massey University, New Zealand, MSc in Animal Science Matteo Luberti, PhD student, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, UK Chris Andrews, PhD Candidate in Animal Science, Massey University, New Zealand, MSc(Hons) in Zoology Florentine Dominique van Noppen, MSc Ecology, PhD Student Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, New Zealand Hilary Webb, PhD Student in Animal Science, Massey University, New Zealand, Hons degree in Natural Resource Management Jefim Vogel, PhD student, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, UK Sarah Tapscott, Ph.D Student in Volcanology, Massey University, New Zealand, MSc in Earth Science (Volcanology), University of Iceland Ailsa Naismith, PhD student in Earth Sciences, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol Jacques Krticka Carvalho, PhD student in Animal Science, Massey University, New Zealand, MSc in Soil Science, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul Emma Bird, PhD Student Palaeoanthropology, University of Kent, UK Joe Ravetz, Collaboratory for Urban Resilience, University of Manchester Susanne Repanelis, MSc Conservation Medicine (Veterinary Medicine) , currently Master student in Risk Prevention and Disaster Management, University of Vienna, AT Thomas Mackay-Smith, MSc Conservation Biology, PhD Student in Agroforestry, Massey University, New Zealand Larissa E. Gleason, MSc Conservation and Rural Development, University of Kent, UK Adam Roberts, MSc Conservation Biology, University of Kent, U.K Will Barker, PhD Student, Ecology and Global Change, School of Geography, University of Leeds. Paula García, MA, Sustainable International Development, Brandeis University Maureen W, Kinyanjui, Msc Conservation and Rural Development, University of Kent, U.K Tessa I. Ullmann, MSc Conservation and International Wildlife Trade, University of Kent, U.K. Fernando Avendano Veas, MSc Soil and Water Management, PhD Student Soil Sciences, Massey University, New Zealand. Catherine Pennington, Engineering Geologist, Landslide Specialist, MSc Engineering Geology Stuart Spray, MSc in Wildlife & Conservation Biology, Napier University, Edinburgh Thomas A. Worsdell, MSc Ethnobotany, University of Kent, U.K. Alberto Danese, Double MSc Energy Engineering, Universitat Politecnica de la Catalunya, Barcelona & KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm Floriane Millet, MSc Conservation and Tourism, Kent University, UK Andrea Vadillo Dieguez. MSc Environmental Agrobiology, University of the Basque Country. Technician in NIAB EMR, UK Penelope Chaney, MA, MSc, VetMB, Ecologist Mike Hynes, MSc Palaeobiology, School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol Ariel Chiang, MSc Sustainable Building Technology, School of the Built Environment, The University of Nottingham, UK Guy Burger, BSc in Freshwater Fisheries Management, MSc in Conservation Biology. Director and Company Secretary at Greengap Ltd George Barda MA. Environment, Politics & Globalisation, King's College London Tatiana Suarez, M.Sc. Environmental Monitoring, Modelling and Management, King’s College London. B.Sc. Environmental Engineer. Gwili Gibbon, MSc in Conservation Biology, PhD Student in Biodiversity Management, University of Kent, UK Louise Masters, MSc Conservation Biology, University of Kent Brittney Vezina, MSc Conservation Biology, University of Kent Marcus Petz, MSc Mountain Forestry, University of Jyväskylä Sonja Willemse, MSc Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands. Monsuru Adebowale, School of Earth Sciences University of Bristol Dr Alexandra de Sousa, Ph.D. Bath Spa University Dr Robert Mok, Ph.D. University College London Dr Tobias Navarro Schröder, Ph.D., Norwegian University of Science and Technology Dr. Larch Maxey, LLB, MSc, Ph.D., Plymouth University Dr Lucky Tran, Ph.D. Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge Dr. Terry L. Rankin, Retired, Saint Cloud, FL USA Dr Kevin Allen, Ph.D. Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University Dr Darragh Duffy, Ph.D. Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris Dr Nikaïa Smith, Ph.D. Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris Alex Jelly, MSc Holistic Science, Schumacher College, Devon Dr. James Uther, Ph.D. Computer Science, The University of Sydney Dr Miles Thompson, Clinical Psychologist (DClinPsy) and Senior Lecturer in Psychology (PhD), Health and Applied Sciences, UWE Bristol. Dr Alba Llibre, PhD Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris Dr Susanne Hakenbeck, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge Dr Lukasz Pospieszny, Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Bristol Dr. Karen Cangialosi, Department of Biology, Keene State College, New Hampshire, USA Hope Bretscher, MSc in Science and Technology Studies, University of Edinburgh, and currently, a PhD student in Physics, University of Cambridge James Murray-White, Filmmaker, Cambridge, UK - MSc Centre for Human Ecology, Edinburgh Justine Courty, MSc Computing and Machine Learning, Imperial College London Matthew Shribman, MChem (Hons), University of Oxford. Science Communicator & Environmental Campaigner. Jennifer Worroll, Bioinformatics Scientist, MA Natural Sciences University of Cambridge, MSc University of Manchester Dr Aga Iwasiewicz-Wabnig, PhD in Physics. University of Cambridge, UK Bronagh McCoy, University of Cambridge. MSc. in Cognitive Neuroscience at Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Dr Hazel Newton, Ph.D. Electrochemistry, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Dr Claire Murphy Ph.D in Genetics and Immunology University College London, United Kingdom Dr Till Sawala, PhD Physics, Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Finland Sarah Greenfield Clark, MSc Sustainability, Global Sustainability Institute, Anglia Ruskin University. Louisse Paola Mirabueno, PhD student, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, UK Katja E. Isaksen MSc Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law, University of Glasgow. PhD student in Animal Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand Celine Posseme, PhD student, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris Dr Oscar Marcelo Lazo, PhD. UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, UK. Dr Robert Schmidt, Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, UK Xue Qi Soon, PhD student, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, New Zealand Jessica Liliana Campo Giraldo, PhD student in Molecular Biosciences, Universidad AndresBello, Chile. Dr. Annett Finger, Adjunct Research Fellow, Victoria University, Australia Emma Garnett, PhD Researcher, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom Alfredo Romero-Muñoz, Doctoral researcher, Humboldt-University Berlin, Germany Dr Lukas Daniel Klausner, Researcher, St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, Austria Dr Kilian Evang, Researcher, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany Dr Cristián Monaco, Researcher, University of Adelaide, Australia Joshua F. Robinson, PhD Candidate and Research Fellow, Soft Matter Physics, University of Bristol, United Kingdom Dr Grace Lindsay, Postdoctoral Fellow, University College London, United Kingdom Francesco Iannuzzelli, MSc Computer Science, Politecnico di Milano, Italy Dr. J. Kasmire, Research Fellow, University of Manchester, UK Sam Van Stroud, PhD Student in Physics, Data Science, University College London, UK Dr Alexander Vincent Penson, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York Dr Rebecca Rees, Associate Professor, Department of Social Science, University College London Mr Carl Thomas, PhD Student, Department of Physics, Imperial College London Pietro Salvi, PhD Student, Department of Physics, Imperial College Dr Julien Carponcy, PhD, MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford Dr Elizabeth Rowe, PhD Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol Dr Stuart Capstick, Research Fellow, Cardiff University, UK Dr Daniel Mietchen, Senior Scientist, School of Data Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States Dr Nicholas Beuret, lecturer, University of Essex Dr Francesco Turci, Research Associate in Theoretical Physics, University of Bristol Prof. John Russo, Associate Professor in Applied Mathematics, University of Bristol Dr Nariaki Sakai, Research Associate in Materials Physics, University of Bristol Irene Faiman, PhD Researcher, Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College London Jonathan David Finn, PhD Student, School of Computing, University of Leeds Dr Fabio Leoni, Research Associate in Applied Mathematics, University of Bristol Dr Daniel Morse, Research Associate, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol Dr Teresa Belton, Visiting Fellow, School of Education and Lifelong Learning, University of East Anglia Rachael Ward, MScR Physical Geography, School of Geography/Earth Sciences, University of Bristol Dr Oana Kubinyecz, PhD Epigenetics, Cambridge University Dominic Habgood-Coote, PhD student, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London Dr Chris Wymant, Senior Researcher, Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK Mary Langsdale, PhD student, School of Geography, King’s College London Thomas Nicholas, PhD student, York Plasma Institute, University of York, MPhys University of Oxford Dr Rachel Doherty, Senior Researcher, Physical Chemistry, Leiden University, Netherlands Dr Chris Langmead, Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Scientist William Dawson, MSc Psychology OU Dr William Stiles, Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University Sarah Kelly, MSc Medical Entomology, research assistant, Life Sciences, Imperial College London, UK Dr Nico Kist (DPhil in HIV evolution, University of Oxford) Isabella Aberle, MSc Biodiversity and Conservation, Philipps-University Marburg, Germany Bernard McCarty: recovering Astrophysicist, practising Quantum Mechanic and Engineer (The University of Birmingham, UK). Alexandra Williams, MSc Global Health and Development, University College London Dr. Daniel Maskit (Ph.D., Computer Science, Caltech) Dr Adam Bozson, PhD Physics, University of London Dimitar Kostadinov, PhD, Research Associate, University College London, UK Dr Nils Y. Hammerla, PhD (Computer Science) Newcastle Uni Dr Rosie A Fisher. Global Climate Dynamics, Centre Européen de Recherche et de Formation Avancée en Calcul Scientifique, Toulouse, France. Leo Green, Consultant Mechanical Engineer, MEng Mechanical Engineering, University of Bristol, UK Dr Sergio Gutierrez-Santos PhD, Visiting Research Fellow, Computer Science, Birbeck, University of London Alexander Morley DPhil, Neuroscience, University of Oxford Prof. Ian Masters, College of Engineering, Swansea University Dr. Marcos Francisco Perez, PhD (Biomedicine), Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain Dr. Jacopo Boni, PhD (Biomedicine), Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain Dr. Olga Dolgova, PhD (Genetics), Centro Nacional del Análisis Genómico (CNAG-CRG). Andrew Brown, DPhil student in Computer Vision, University of Oxford Ariadna Montero Blay, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain Dr. Rocco Mazzolini (Biomedicine), Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain Dr Ionas Erb (Mathematics), Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain Dr. Thomas Wilhelm, PhD (Biomedicine), Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Spain Dr. Xianghua Li, PhD (Biomedicine), Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Spain Cristina hidalgo, PhD (Biomedicine), Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Spain Dr. Cinta Pegueroles, PhD (Genetics), Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona, Spain . Chloe Hall, PhD Student, Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, UK . Violeta Beltran Sastre, Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain Dr David Clubb, PhD (Physics), Afallen, Wales Dr Milena Hasan, PhD, Immunology, Institut Pasteur, France Carme Arnan Ros (phD), Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain Dr. Jake D. Turner, PhD (Astronomy), Department of Astronomy, Cornell University Cesar Sierra, PhD Student, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Spain Thea Kozakis, Masters of Astrophysics, Carl Sagan Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA Jorge Herrero Vicente, PhD student, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Spain Julien Lagarde, Technician, M.Sc., Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Spain Vincent Needham, Scientist, JRM Lab, Physics Dept, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA Dana Nuccitelli, M.Sc. Physics, University of California at Davis, USA Dr Ryan MacDonald, PhD, Astronomy, University of Cambridge, MPhys, Physics, University of Oxford Dr Leo Swadling, Ph.D. Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, UK. Adam Williams, MSc Town Planning, University of Plymouth, UK. Dr Laura Dowsett, Ph.D. (Physiology) University of Glasgow, UK Dr. Sarah Offenburger, PhD (Biomedicine), Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Spain Peter Griffin, MEng, MRes, PhD candidate, Materials Sciences and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge Dr Karine Crozat, PhD in immunology, CIML, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France Pete Alway, PhD Student, Loughborough University & England and Wales Cricket Board Dan Whitaker Msci, University of Cambridge, Department of Chemistry PhD Candidate Michael Jock MS Optics - private industry Will Mountford, MSc Science Communication, UWE UK Professor Judith E Smith, past Dean of Science at Salford and University of Technology Sydney Maruf Sarkar, MPhys, PhD Candidate, Materials Sciences and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge Livia Lacerda Mariano, Phd student, Institut Pasteur, France Dr Benjamin Vial, Postdoctoral fellow. Antennas and Electromagnetics, Queen Mary University of London, UK. Mike Madden, Ph.D. Candidate, Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina Barthelemy Caron, Ph.D .candidate, Imagine Institute, Paris, France Holly M. English, PhD student in Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin. MRes Bioscience, Swansea University. Dr Andrew L. Fanning, Marie Curie Research Fellow, Sustainability Research Institute, University of Leeds Professor Rich Pancost, Head of the School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol Dr Barbara Brayshay, Ph.D in Environmental Change, University of Sheffield, Living Maps Network, London Tony Warne, Senior Investigator Scientist, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK Larkin Sayre, MPhil in Energy Technologies, PhD candidate in Materials Science, University of Cambridge UK Dr Harriet Downey, Research Associate, University of Cambridge, PhD in Zoology University of Oxford Dr Judith Lock, School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, UK Eleonore Poli, Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge Dr Philip Webber, formerly University of London (Imperial College) & Leeds (School of Earth & Environment) Thomas Bedford MPhys, PhD Student, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge Katie Christoffers, MSc Neuroscience, University of Oxford, UK Dr. Mike Bennison, PhD (Chemistry), Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge Patrick Taylor, PhD student, department of physics, University of Cambridge Dr. Benjamin Lang, PhD (Molecular Systems Biology), Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Spain Dr Pauline Audergon, Postdoctoral Fellow, Centre for genomic Regulation(CRG) Bacelona, Spain Helen Bedford, Professor of Children’s Health, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Mihaela Nemes, MRes Brain Science, UCL, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience Dr Anna-Lena Schaupp, Postdoctoral researcher, Immunology, University of Oxford Dr Jonathan Mackenzie, Research Fellow, University of the Arts London and University of Cambridge Maximilian Bloomfield MSci MEng, PhD student, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge Dr Claire Asher, PhD (Genetics, Ecology & Evolution, University of Leeds), Freelance Science Journalist, London, UK Emeline Rougeaux, PhD Student, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London UK Dr Alistair Jennings, freelance science filmmaker, london, uk. Dr Matias Acosta, Fellow at the Center for Science and Policy, University of Cambridge, UK Prof Rachel Oliver, Professor of Materials Science, University of Cambridge Dr. Lorena Moscovich, Professor of Political Science, Universidad de San Andrés Dr Jim Rafferty, Research assistant and data scientist, Swansea University Medical School. Joonatan Laulainen, PhD Student, Department of Materials Science, University of Cambridge Dr Jenny Baker, EPSRC Fellow, College of Engineering, Swansea University. George Lewis, PhD Student, Department of Materials Science, University of Cambridge Pam DiBona, M.S. environmental scientist, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Neil Grant, PhD Student, Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London Charlotte Phillips MSc., Research Assistant, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Dr Beth Breeze, Director, Centre for Philanthropy, University of Kent, UK Louise Johnson F.RGS MSc (Environmental Management, University of Surrey, 2002) Dr. Gareth Dale, Politics, Brunel University Michael Fielding, Emeritus Professor of Education UCL Institute of Education, London, UK Raquel Garcia Olivas, PhD (Biomedicine), Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Spain Dr Stuart Hodkinson, Associate Professor, School of Geography, University of Leeds, UK Dr Andrea Dimitracopoulos, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, UK Dr Lina Brand Correa, Research Fellow, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, UK Professor Neil Marriott, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Winchester Silvia Benito, PhD student in molecular biology, University of Cambridge, UK Bill McGuire, Professor Emeritus of Geophysical & Climate Hazards, UCL, UK Dr Miguel A Maestro, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Spain Professor Simon Jobson, Dean of the Faculty of Health & Wellbeing, University of Winchester, UK Professor Douglas Parker, Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science, University of Leeds Helen Spander, Professor of Mental Health Studies, University of Central Lancashire Dr Mia Gray, Dept of Geography, University of Cambridge Dr Mary Phillips, Reader in Organization Studies, University of Bristol Prof Wendy Hollway, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, Open University, UK Dr Andreas Vossler, Senior Lecturer, The Open University, UK Prof Lisa Isherwood, Eco- theologian, University of Wales Trinity St David Dr Simona Giordano, Reader in Bioethics, The University of Manchester Law School Professor Andrew Watterson, Public Health and Population Health Research Group, University of Stirling James Mckay, Centre Manager, EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Bioenergy at University of Leeds Rebecca Budgett, PhD Student in Molecular Pharmacology, University of Glasgow, MSc in Neuroscience and BSc in Human Sciences from UCL Professor Adrian Kendry, Economics, Security and Peacebuilding, University of Winchester Professor Andrew Samuels, University of Essex, UK Nicole Morgan, M.Sc. Biological Oceanography, Ph.D. Candidate Oceanography, Florida State University Dr Duncan McCollin, Senior Lecturer in Ecology, University of Northampton Dr Matt Watson, Senior Lecturer in Geography, University of Sheffield Andrew Simms, Research Associate, University of Sussex, Coordinator, Rapid Transition Alliance. Dr Haiko Ballieux, Senior Lecturer in Developmental Cognitive Science, University of Westminster Dr Rebekah Fraser, PhD Chemistry, Durham University Chris van Hoorn, PhD candidate, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Cambridge university. Jacqui Keenan, MSc Conservation & Biodiversity, University of Exeter Richard Clarke, Honorary Research Fellow, University of London Birkbeck College and Visiting Scholar, University of Westminster Sandra Cortijo, postdoc, SLCU, University of Cambridge Jorge E. Vinuales, Harold Samuel Professor of Law and Environmental Policy, University of Cambridge Dr Rasha Rezk, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge Bianca De Sanctis, MPhil computational biology, PhD student, Departments of Zoology and Genetics, University of Cambridge Lisa Heinke, PhD Candidate, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge Prof. Buzz Baum, Professor of Cell Biology, UCL, London Dr Suman Fernando, Emeritus Professor of Social Sciences in the School of Social Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London UK Paul Hoggett, Emeritus Professor of Social Policy, UWE, Bristol. Helen Spandler, Professor of Mental Health Studies, University of Central Lancashire Joshua M. Lawrence, PhD Candidate, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge Professor Colin Davis, School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, UK Professor Jeremy J Baumberg, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK Dr Simon Sneddon, PhD Nuclear Power, University of Northampton Dave Hudson, MSc Conservation and Biodiversity, University of Exeter Joanne M. Santini, Professor of Microbiology, UCL Dr. Luzie U. Wingen, Dept. of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK Dr Seamus A. Ward, MA, PhD, UCL Mick Cooper, D. Phil. Dr Alice Reid, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, UK Prof. Del Loewenthal, Department of Psychology, University of Roehampton, UK Andrew Simms, Research Associate, Centre for Global Political Economy, University of Sussex Prof Paul Routledge university of Leeds Nina Richardson PGCE Science, MA Society, Science and Nature, BSc Hons. Combined Sciences Brittany Trew, PhD Candidate, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter Raichael Lock, PhD, Manchester Institute of Education, University of Manchester. Duncan Scholtes CEng, MEng University of Cambridge. Electrified Powertrain Engineer. Dr Ian Willis, Reader in Glaciology, Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge Dr Michael Littledyke, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia Dr Rupert Read, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom. Daniel K Swan, MEng Renewable Energy Systems Technology, C.R.E.S.T (Centre For Renewable Energy Systems Technology), Loughborough University Dr Philip Mousley (PhD Condensed matter physics), Post Doctoral Research Associate, Diamond Light Source Synchrotron, UK Dr Judith Thornton, Low Carbon Manager, IBERS, Aberystwyth University, UK. Dr Teresa Del Bianco, Postdoctoral Researcher, Centre of Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck University of London, UK Elli Rivers, Research Associate in avian ecology, MSc Biodiversity Conservation, Bournemouth University. Giulia Calignano, PhD candidate, University of Trento. Professor Rick Stafford, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Bournemouth University, UK Bruce Greetham, MMath, Cambridge University Dr Gregory Carslaw, PhD Psychology, University of Birmingham Dr Jere Koskela, Assistant Professor, Department of Statistics, University of Warwick Dr Carys Bennett, School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, University of Leicester, UK Alex Bradley, PhD Candidate, Mathematics Institute, University of Oxford Prof David Leys, Professor in Structural Biology, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, UK Susannah McLaren, MPhil, PhD candidate, University of Cambridge Oliver Pocknell BSc Natural Sciences, University of Bath, Teacher of Physics and Chemistry (Secondary) Matthew Charles, MSc Meteorology and Climatology, PGR student at the University of East Anglia Dr Anna-Lena Schaupp, Postdoctoral researcher in immunology, University of Oxford, UK Dr Marco Spartera, Cardiologist and Clinical Research Fellow, University of Oxford, UK Professor James Bullock, Ecologist at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Professor Seralynne Vann, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, UK Professor Luca Borger, Chair in Ecology and Biodiversity & Co-Director Centre for Biomathematics, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, UK Jonas Van der Slycken, PhD Candidate in Ecological Economics, Ghent University, Belgium Jonny Saunders, MS Psychology, PhD student Systems Neuroscience, University of Oregon, USA Professor Simon Schultz, Director, Centre for Neurotechnology, Imperial College London. Dr Carmel Howe, Research Associate, Imperial College London, UK Dr Tim Chen, Senior Lecturer, Centre of AI, University of Technology Sydney. Paul Dumble MSc CWRM CEnv, Independent specialist waste & environment, Melrose Scotland Professor Steven Dakin, Head, School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland Dr. Tyler J. Kohler, Postdoctoral Research Associate, EPFL, Switzerland Matthew Henry, PhD Candidate in Climate Science, McGill University, Canada Dr. Heather Short, Professor of Geosciences, John Abbott College, Canada Kenneth Miller, Professor of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA Dr Pia Benaud, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Geography, University of Exeter, UK Dr. Abid Hussaini, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA Dr. Jenny Smith-Wymant, Health Engagement Officer, Peterborough, UK Dr. Chethan Pandarinath, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Neurosurgery, Emory University and Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA, USA Dr. Torkel Hafting, Professor in Physiology, University of Oslo, Norway Dr. Henry H. Adam, retired professional physical chemist, Bedfordshire, England. Hector Pollitt, Cambridge Econometrics, UK. David Barns, PhD student, School of Chemical & Process Engineering, University of Leeds, UK Sarah Warren, MSc in Conservation, UCL Dr. Janne M. Korhonen, Researcher, climate mitigation, Turku School of Economics, Finland Dr. Kirsikka Kaipainen, Postdoctoral Researcher, Tampere University, Finland Dr Sophie Haslett, Postdoctoral Researcher in Atmospheric Science, Stockholm University, Sweden Dr Aet Annist, Senior Researcher in Social Anthropology, University of Tartu, Estonia Professor Andy Dobson, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544 Dr Eeva Houtbeckers, Postdoctoral researcher, postgrowth working life studies, Aalto University, Finland Professor Adam Aron, PhD, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California San Diego. Dr. Robert Kraus Jr., Ph.D., Los Alamos National Laboratory (retired) Franco La Zia, Ph.D candidate, Physics, Royal Holloway University of London Annabel Hindmarsh, BSc Zoology, University of East Anglia. MSc Oceanography, University of Southampton Thomas E. Smith, B.S. Astronomy. Studied solar system planetary atmos. et.al. With Hubble. STScI. USA. Sarah E. Moore, BSc Biology, MS student in Biology, Indiana State University, USA Dr Christian Engelbrekt, PhD, Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark Dr. Paula T. Kuokkanen, Postdoctoral researcher, Neuroscience, Institute for theoretical Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany Dr. Patti Frazer Lock, Ph.D. mathematics and statistics, St. Lawrence University Dr David B. Reiss, Ph.D. Theoretical Physics Ryan McCabe, PhD Candidate Planetary Science, Hampton University, Hampton, VA, USA Dr. Jason E. Ybarra, Ph.D. Astronomy, Assistant Professor of Physics, Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, VA, USA Mihkel Kangur, PhD, Ecology, Senior researcher of Ecology, Associated Professor of Sustainable Development, TallinnUniversity, Estonia Dr Sander van der Linden, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, UK and Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Environmental Psychology Lowell Andrew R. Iporac, Ph.D Candidate, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA Laura Sirot, Ph.D., Department of Biology, The College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio Mark Dobday, P.G. MA Geology Adam Francis Smith, MSc (Wildlife Ecology and Management), Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. Jessie Joachim B.S. (Biology), MPH (Master of Public Health) candidate 2020, Vallejo, CA USA Alice Vislova B.S. (Ecology, Evolution and Behavior), Ph.D (Oceanography) candidate 2020, Honolulu, HI USA Dr. Leah Gottlieb, Ph.D. (Chemistry) University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Marine Krzisch, Ph.D. (neurobiology), Cambridge, MA Bineh Ndefru, Ph.D Student, Materials Science and Engineering, University of California-Los Angeles, USA Dr. Benjamin Neimark, Ph.D. (Human Geography) Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster, UK Sophia Chan, PhD Candidate, Chemical Engineering, Columbia University Dr. Janne Hirvonen, (Energy technology), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aalto University, Finland Kevin Shi, PhD Candidate, Computer Science, Columbia University Tomo Saric, M.D., Ph.D., Group Leader, Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany Clair Brown, PhD, Prof of Economics, University of California, Berkeley Leticia Avilés, PhD, Dept of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Keith Pezzoli, PhD, Bioregional Center for Sustainability Science, Planning and Design. University of California, San Diego, USA. Dion Amago Whitehead, PhD Bielefeld University, Germany Professor Gail Whiteman, PhD (Management), Rubin Chair in Sustainability, Lancaster University, UK

By mid-morning on 14 October 2019 there were at least 459 signatories to this open letter.

Climate Council calls Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison a colossal bullshitter

Climate Council, media release, 26 September 2019:

Morrison's Colossal Bullshit

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has taken to the global stage delivering a speech to the United Nations in New York which was long on spin and short on fact. 

“Scott Morrison’s speech and his claim that Australia was doing enough on climate change was colossal bullshit,” said the CEO of the Climate Council, Amanda McKenzie. 

“Over the winter we saw bushfires burning across Australia while the Amazon rainforest and the Arctic were on fire. A major new report shows that suburbs in Sydney, Perth and Melbourne could experience serious sea level disasters every year on our current trajectory. Meanwhile, on this government’s watch, Australia’s pollution is rising year on year. To suggest we are doing enough is ludicrous and dangerous,” she said. 

“Mr Morrison is out of touch with what is happening all around us. He is also out of touch with Australians who are really worried,” said Ms McKenzie. 

“Mr Morrison told the United Nations that our children have a right to optimism. Perhaps they would feel more optimistic if he started to take the problem of climate change seriously,” she said. 

FACT-CHECKING MORRISON’S SPEECH: 

Morrison statement: “Now, Australia is also taking real action on climate change and we are getting results. We are successfully balancing our global responsibilities with sensible and practical policies to secure our environmental and our economic future.” 

Fact-check: Australia’s Paris target is to reduce our emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2030. This is one of the weakest targets amongst developed countries. If other countries adopted Australia’s target the world would be heading for catastrophic climate damage. Rising emissions and worsening climate impacts are placing Australian lives, our economy and the natural environment at risk. 

Morrison statement: “Australia is responsible for just 1.3 per cent of global emissions. Australia is doing our bit on climate change and we reject any suggestion to the contrary.” 

Fact-check: Australia is the 17th largest polluter in the world, bigger than 175 countries. We are the third largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. 

Morrison statement: “By 2020 Australia will have overachieved on our Kyoto commitments, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 367 million tonnes more than required to meet our 2020 Kyoto target. Now there are few member countries, whether at this forum or the OECD who can make this claim.” 

Fact-check: The reason for this is that Australia’s Kyoto targets were the second weakest in the world for the first commitment period (a target to increase emissions by 8% above 1990 levels) and the weakest in the world for the second commitment period (a target to reduce emissions by just 5% below 2000 levels by 2020). It isn’t hard to overachieve on dismal targets. The reality is today our emissions are going up and up – according to the government’s own data. 

Morrison statement: “Our latest estimates show both emissions per person and the emissions intensity of the economy are at their lowest levels in 29 years.” 

Fact-check: Australia has the highest emissions per capita in the developed world. It is true that Australia’s emissions per capita have fallen more than most countries, but this is from an extraordinarily high baseline, and has largely been driven by rapid population growth. Even with this drop, we still have the highest per capita emissions in the developed world. Our emissions per capita are higher than Saudi Arabia, a country not known for its action on climate change. Ultimately, our international targets are not based on per capita emissions. 

Morrison statement: “Australia’s electricity sector is producing less emissions. In the year to March 2019, emissions from Australia’s electricity sector were 15.7% lower than the peak recorded in the year to June 2009.” 

Fact-check: This is cherry picking. There are 47 sectors in the Australian economy, almost all of them are going up. This figure of 15.7% is only correct for the electricity sector in the east coast of Australia, not all of Australia. While emissions from electricity are down, and this is good news, this is despite the best efforts of the Federal Government to undermine the renewable energy sector. Also, emissions from electricity production account for only 33% of our total emissions. Overall, there has been a rise in emissions from other sectors such as transport. Australia’s emissions are increasing and have been for five years in a row. 

Morrison statement: “…it is important to note that Australia only accounts for around 5.5 per cent of the world’s coal production.” 

Fact-check: This is spin, as it makes Australia’s contribution to climate change seem much smaller than it is. In reality, if you include Australia’s fossil fuel exports, we are the fifth largest emitter on the planet, after the US, China, EU and India. Australia is the world’s second largest coal exporter. 

Morrison statement: “We are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.” 

Fact-check: This is woefully inadequate and not aligned to what the science says is necessary to tackle climate change. Australia’s emissions have risen every year for the past five years, across almost every sector of the economy. The Government’s commitment on paper might be 26-28%, but cheating with Kyoto credits effectively reduces our emissions reduction target to just 15%. 

Morrison statement: “And our Great Barrier Reef remains one of the world’s most pristine areas of natural beauty. Feel free to visit it. Our reef is vibrant and resilient and protected under the world’s most comprehensive reef management plan.” 

Fact-check: In 2016 and 2017, the Great Barrier Reef was severely damaged through back-to-back bleaching events which killed half of all corals on the planet’s largest living structure. Australia’s current goal, if followed by other countries, would sign the death warrant of the Great Barrier Reef.

END