How to create an appearance of progress while doing nothing.
By George Monbiot, published in the Guardian 12th September 2024
Let’s talk about perceptionware. Perceptionware is technology whose main purpose is to create an impression of action. Whether it will ever work at scale is less important, in some cases entirely beside the point. If it reassures the public and persuades government not to regulate damaging industries, that’s mission accomplished.
The weird, uncanny consistencies of far right politics.
By George Monbiot, published in the Guardian 6th September 2024
133rd Henry George Commemorative Dinner Address by Professor Sock-Yong Phang, Singapore Management University, Kelvin Club, Melbourne, 15 August 2024 Value capture and affordable housing: insights from Singapore Good evening, everyone. Thank you, Dr Tim Helm for the kind introduction. And a big thank you to the Executive Committee members of Prosper Australia. I am […]
It’s ridiculous that governments leave it to people like me to communicate the need for environmental action.
By George Monbiot, published in the Guardian 28th August 2024
There are several services and assets I would like to see nationalised. But at the top of my list is neither water, nor trains, nor development land, much as I’d like to see them brought under national or local public ownership. Above all, I want to see the nationalisation of my own business: environmental persuasion. I love my job. But I’m not very good at it. None of us is.
The following opinion piece was written by Gareth Hutchens and published in the ABC on Sunday 31st March, 2024. It is reproduced here with permission. This piece of writing was part of a 3-part series, awarded the 2024 E.J. Craigie Writing Award.
The livestock industry is furiously lobbying to shut down alternatives, and tame politicians are giving it what it wants.
By George Monbiot, published in the Guardian 22nd August 2024
Why are peaceful protesters getting longer sentences than violent rioters?
By George Monbiot, published in the Guardian 14th August 2024
A functioning society depends on equality before the law. If crimes are not treated equally and dispassionately by the justice system, we lose trust in democracy and each other. But as sentences begin to be passed on racists who rioted earlier this month, we see once again a blatantly unequal application of the law.
Some time ago, I wrote a piece in support of Trove, which was in danger of not being funded properly to guarantee its continuation. In that article, I related a story from my family history, about a policeman uncle of mine who was shot while attempting to make an arrest1. This is another one from the past, and refers to the grandparents of the aforementioned policeman. On December 9th, 1905, in the local newspaper, the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Observer in New South Wales was an article which went as follows:
“Presentation to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cameron
For 14 years, the Conservatives and their friends in the media whipped up racism and Islamophobia. These riots are the result.
By George Monbiot, published in the Guardian 6th August 2024
“Fight, fight, fight,” senior Tories urged for years. Now they express shock, and condemn the results, when people prove stupid enough to have taken them at their word. While racist thugs will always be with us, governments can create either an environment that curbs them, or one that encourages them. Across its 14 years in power, the Conservative government encouraged them.
Tax the billionaires or their oppressive power will only grow.
By George Monbiot, published in the Guardian 31st July 2024
As readers will know, we are downsizing and have three beds to get rid of before we move. While you can sell a bed frame/base fairly easily, it is difficult to sell a mattress, and charities like The Smith Family, The Salvation Army or St Vincent De Paul will not take them. So, the only options seemed to be to take it to a place called Soft Landing in an industrial suburb where they are recycled. Fees apply1, and I have heard from another source that this will cost you about $50. An alternative is to book a bulky waste collection from the kerbside outside your house.
An interview with The Ink, about where we are, how we got here and where we need to go.
George Monbiot, interviewed by The Ink, 9th July 2024
TI: Can you walk us through how you define neoliberalism” — the “Invisible Doctrine” of the book’s title. And of “capitalism,” for that matter?
The obscene thing I witnessed was like a parable of the madness of extreme wealth.
By George Monbiot, published in the Guardian 24th July 2024
On a calm and beautiful morning off the coast of south Devon last week, I was watching a small pod of dolphins from my kayak. I had spotted them from half a mile away, feeding and playing on the surface. They were heading my way, so I sat on the water and waited.