Articles - TheVocalMinority

Environment

Where to from here?

Depending on your news source, COP26 was either a grand fiasco or a great success. Much has been said about Australia’s failure to commit to (m)any concrete targets, but what did the Glasgow COP26 climate change summit actually achieve? We’ve got the lowdown for you.

thevocalminority
November 22, 2021

Humanitarian

Raise the age proposal slammed by experts

VMers, we have spoken out about raising the legal incarceration age many times. And this week Australia’s Attorneys-General agreed to develop a proposal to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12. But is it enough? We think not.

thevocalminority
November 22, 2021

Environment

Australia taken to task on the environmental policy

We are used to outperforming on the world stage, in entertainment, Sports, the Arts, Business, we Australians like to picture ourselves as punching above our weight. Unfortunately, when it comes to climate policy, we rank 60th out of 60 countries on Climate Change policy.

thevocalminority
November 15, 2021

Environment

Is Green Hydrogen really green?

In a week were the NSW govt has trumpeted its new Green H2 strategy, we try and find some answers to the question – is it really green, and will it help us speed up the decarbonisation of our planet?

thevocalminority
October 15, 2021

Environment

Lucky country becomes unlucky last

The IPCC’s climate change report revealed that 1.5 degrees warming, the threshold beyond which fires, droughts, floods and cyclones become severe and frequent, is only 10 years away. With Australia already dealing with 1.4 degrees warming, what can we do?

thevocalminority
August 12, 2021

Environment

Stunning whale footage

Let’s just park the latest case numbers for a moment and look at something beautiful and heart-warming. This year, citizen scientists have captured footage of southern right whales off the east coast, using drones to capture headshots of the endangered mammal. The results are stunning.

thevocalminority
August 10, 2021

Humanitarian

Long run to equality

With the Tokyo Olympics set to go ahead, the focus has once again shifted to its athletes, specifically to its female cohort. Why? This year’s Olympics will feature the most female athletes ever while the body has symbolically appointed 12 women to its executive board. Hype or monumental shift? We let you decide.

thevocalminority
July 16, 2021

Humanitarian

Here we go again

And just like that, half the Australian population is stuck at home again. Having lockdown fatigue (thinking of you, Melbourne) and wondering how to get through this latest episode of Groundhog Day? Here are some ways to help you stay on the right side of sanity.

thevocalminority
July 16, 2021

Humanitarian

On “outsourcing” parenting

Recent suggestions by members of the Coalition that “women are outsourcing parenting” by sending their kids to childcare is archaic and unhelpful. Parents are critical but young children need relationships with others to develop social and cognitive skills. Quality childcare also removes barriers for women to re-enter the workforce.

thevocalminority
June 30, 2021

Environment

The reef’s “in danger” listing

The Great Barrier Reef could be added to the World Heritage Sites’ “in danger” list, warned UNESCO earlier this week. The announcement landed suddenly and government ministers were immediately up in arms, citing disappointment with “being sidelined” and “Chinese involvement”. What’s going on?

thevocalminority
June 30, 2021

Humanitarian

Surviving in the Australian bush

As the rental crisis deepens, news is surfacing of our own version of Nomadland. Homeless people are forced into remote campsites and mixing in with the grey nomad crowd who are facing – once again – COVID border closures. The call of the Australian outback is real for many but does reality match up?

thevocalminority
June 11, 2021

Environment

Healthy ecosystems = happy planet

World Environment Day 2021 is calling for urgent action to revive damaged ecosystems. From forests to wetlands to coasts, healthy ecosystems are crucial to our wellbeing. Now, global restoration is on the cards – and it’s being tackled on a massive scale. Here’s what to expect…

thevocalminority
June 9, 2021