Our national frenemy: Australian National University

In crass translation, 30 high-minded years of global "climate policy" isn't working.

Yet, suddenly, the update turns on a dime. Claiming there is "very large" potential to cut emissions at "very low" costs. Hurrah, it looks like those "challenging" trajectories can still bend it like Beckham. Maybe sometime around 2045 and a half?

The rest of it is curious stuff. The latest global climate love-in (COP 28) both succeeded and failed – take your pick. Australian "climate policy" both succeeds and fails – take your pick.

Right at the death: "Massive population increase post-COVID makes emission-reduction harder". If so, how come nothing on ANU's climate "mitigation" or "adaptation" shopping-list is about population?

Talk about putting the first thing last. ANU, I fear, will continue to ride Labor's population and net-zero bandwagons simultaneously, despite the obvious contradictions.

Like, don't hold your breath for an annual ANU "Population Update" marquee. Flush with Fenner School or other evidence on the environmental costs of Huge Australia, and the punishing effects for citizens.

Just like any other "stakeholder" of Huge Australia, ANU and other top universities want to protect their seats at the top government table. Also, their international trade.

Their corporate focus is globalised – they need the hubris (the essential revenues for continual growth) of their international campuses and international student-migrant throngs. Even if this works against the quality of the degrees and opportunities available to the locals. Not to mention our "national unity".