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.