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Behind the Lines

Mercury rising

Back on Earth, Australia found itself again beset by natural disasters.

The east coast flooded repeatedly, and the Morrison government was criticised for a slow disaster response and for downplaying the effects of climate change. International reports showed the best-case climate scenarios were quickly moving out of global reach, and the local State of the Environment report painted a grim picture for our wildlife.  

At the ballot box, climate was front of mind for many voters, who threw moderate Liberals – and the occasional Labor member – out of the airlock in favour of Greens and climate-focused independents. The new Labor government passed a 43 per cent reduction in carbon emissions below 2005 levels by 2030, though the Greens and several 'teal independents' pushed for a far higher number. 

Two photos of space. The first says, 'Seeing where we came from'. The second, Earth on fire, says, '...and where we're going'.

A Glimpse

Matt Golding, Nine Papers,

Multiple panels outlining the stories of pets that survived flooding.

Stories of the Flood

First Dog on the Moon, The Guardian Australia,

Scott Morrison is on a boat in floodwaters dressed in Cronulla Sharks attire. 'Sharks' is replaced with 'Shirks'. Text reads 'I don't hold a bucket, mate.'

I Don't hold A Bucket, Mate

Nordacious, Self-published,

Residents of a house are on the roof. Floodwaters are below. They say, 'On the bright side, they say our electricity bills won't be rising'. A sign saying, 'Govt commits to coal' floats by.

Underwater Matters

Fiona Katauskas, Eureka Street,

A mother holding a newspaper says to her children, 'Hey kids, who wants to go to the wildlife sanctuary to say goodbye to all the animals?'

Say Goodbye

Cathy Wilcox, Nine Papers,

Two men flank a tree standing in floodwater. They are looking around. Text above reads 'Lismore presents a Samuel Beckett production'. Text below reads 'Waiting for ScoMo'.

Waiting for ScoMo

Mark David, Independent Australia,

Sussan Ley is depicted talking to a group of teenagers twice. The first time she says, 'I look after the environment', the teens respond, 'So you're caring for our future!' The second time, she says, 'I don't have to look after it that well'.

Sussan Ley Says 'Yeah Nah' to the Environment

John Shakespeare, Nine Papers,

Two people in suits are walking. They tell each other they're 'busy' ticking off 'New mining applications' and recording 'A bunch of new positive environmental messages'.

Busy Times

Pat Hudson, Self-published,

A graph with 'Habitat loss' and 'Corporate greed'. The line is in the shape of fire. The right side contains a speaker who is half black, half white saying, 'We must take care of our planet'. The crowd says, 'Visionary'.

Causasion/Too Little, Too Late, White on Time

Kamsani Bin Salleh, Self-published,

A koala is giving a thumbs up against a green backdrop, with a tree either side.

43 per cent

Glen Le Lievre, Patreon

A cocktail party with red curtains. Independent MPs stand together. Anthony Albanese and Chris Bowen stand together saying how 'cozy' it is. Bowen asks whether he should turn the temperature down.

Climate Control

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Two people walk their dog past two posters. First poster is Anthony Albanese 'Mild-mannered fossil fuel supporter'. Second is 'Captain carbon cuts'. They say, 'Funny how you never see them both in the same room'.

The Great Australian Hero

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

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