Martin Jones
@martincjones.com
🇦🇺/🇩🇪 climate change/energy economist and policy wonk; former academic (CEEM) and consumer advocate (CUAC); amateur footballer. Personal views. He/him.
"What do statistics tell us about Victoria's crime wave?" Good article on some of the background to the Victorian Government's current focus on youth crime. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
The statistics behind Victoria's crime wave
As Victoria grapples with a crime wave, the ABC takes a deeper look at some of the numbers behind the rise in offences.
www.abc.net.au
November 12, 2025 at 11:14 PM
"What do statistics tell us about Victoria's crime wave?" Good article on some of the background to the Victorian Government's current focus on youth crime. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
God FIFA is disgusting www.theage.com.au/business/con...
$US100,000 tickets: Fans willing to roll the dice on World Cup access
Socceroos fans are finding themselves in an expensive, time-consuming race for tickets, as FIFA’s resale platform comes under increasing criticism.
www.theage.com.au
November 12, 2025 at 2:49 AM
God FIFA is disgusting www.theage.com.au/business/con...
Good piece from Stephen Bartholomeusz on how the AI bubble is slowly shifting away from 'companies that can afford to lose the money' to – potentially – broader investors via debt issuance; a shift that might raise systemic risks through hidden leverage www.theage.com.au/business/ban...
The rising threat to the global financial system
The AI boom has stoked fears about what would happen to the sharemarket if it goes wrong. Now there are concerns the damage could be much more widespread.
www.theage.com.au
November 12, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Good piece from Stephen Bartholomeusz on how the AI bubble is slowly shifting away from 'companies that can afford to lose the money' to – potentially – broader investors via debt issuance; a shift that might raise systemic risks through hidden leverage www.theage.com.au/business/ban...
Interesting: 62% of residents in Australia’s Renewable Energy Zones support solar and wind energy projects. BUT only 37% of respondents believed that most *other* people in their region support them. reneweconomy.com.au/listen-to-fa...
reneweconomy.com.au
November 10, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Interesting: 62% of residents in Australia’s Renewable Energy Zones support solar and wind energy projects. BUT only 37% of respondents believed that most *other* people in their region support them. reneweconomy.com.au/listen-to-fa...
Reposted by Martin Jones
Pov: you are a private equity firm investing in football:
November 10, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Pov: you are a private equity firm investing in football:
Climate Analytics has released some reports (commissioned by Fortescue) on fully decarbonising industries without offsets, AKA "real zero" climateanalytics.org/publications...
The reports contain case studies on battery electric trucks in Europe, green steel in Japan, and green fertiliser in India.
The reports contain case studies on battery electric trucks in Europe, green steel in Japan, and green fertiliser in India.
Real zero is within reach
This analysis explores the technical feasibility and economic benefits of real zero. Our analysis demonstrates that reaching real zero is achievable in many sectors and identifies the economic benefit...
climateanalytics.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Climate Analytics has released some reports (commissioned by Fortescue) on fully decarbonising industries without offsets, AKA "real zero" climateanalytics.org/publications...
The reports contain case studies on battery electric trucks in Europe, green steel in Japan, and green fertiliser in India.
The reports contain case studies on battery electric trucks in Europe, green steel in Japan, and green fertiliser in India.
Interesting argument from Prof. Nicole Gurran that the main problem for housing growth is not planning restrictions, but financial feasibility – especially in the medium- and high-density sectors. The biggest help? Rising prices 😕 www.theage.com.au/national/rea...
Reality check: Promised 67,000 homes a year would send building into freefall
The plan is to make new homes $100,000 cheaper. Sadly, the biggest boost to supply will happen when property prices rise again.
www.theage.com.au
November 7, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Interesting argument from Prof. Nicole Gurran that the main problem for housing growth is not planning restrictions, but financial feasibility – especially in the medium- and high-density sectors. The biggest help? Rising prices 😕 www.theage.com.au/national/rea...
Reposted by Martin Jones
this is actually impressive, making up a brand new nobel peace prize replacement is a genuine innovation in bribery
absolutely nobody does corruption like FIFA
absolutely nobody does corruption like FIFA
November 6, 2025 at 1:16 AM
this is actually impressive, making up a brand new nobel peace prize replacement is a genuine innovation in bribery
absolutely nobody does corruption like FIFA
absolutely nobody does corruption like FIFA
"The green transition on our roads is happening far too slowly for the Albanese government to achieve its ambitious climate targets, with sales figures revealing electric vehicle sales have dropped almost 17 per cent so far this year." www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
Australia’s electric vehicle revolution stalls as sales plummet
Peak petrol car sales appears to have arrived, but the slow rate of change to EVs is putting the nation’s climate targets at risk.
www.smh.com.au
November 6, 2025 at 10:58 AM
"The green transition on our roads is happening far too slowly for the Albanese government to achieve its ambitious climate targets, with sales figures revealing electric vehicle sales have dropped almost 17 per cent so far this year." www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
The EU has agreed its climate goal for 2040: 90% below 1990 levels (or 89% below 2005 levels, for comparison to Australia). However, the EU Commission had to make some concessions to countries to get agreement, notably allowing 5% of international offsets in the 90% www.euractiv.com/news/elevent...
Eleventh-hour deal on EU climate action to 2040 | Euractiv
A hard-won compromise gives the EU something to show at the COP30 climate jamboree but sees domestic ambition slashed
www.euractiv.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:42 PM
The EU has agreed its climate goal for 2040: 90% below 1990 levels (or 89% below 2005 levels, for comparison to Australia). However, the EU Commission had to make some concessions to countries to get agreement, notably allowing 5% of international offsets in the 90% www.euractiv.com/news/elevent...
Reposted by Martin Jones
The 20th-century economist Robert Solow created the theory of infinite economic growth by substituting "technological innovation" for the productivity of land in his model, thereby decoupling the economy from any limits imposed by land or ecosystems.
The world took his theory as gospel.
1/n
The world took his theory as gospel.
1/n
Climate intervention may not be enough to save coffee, chocolate and wine, new study finds
Climate intervention may not be enough to save coffee, chocolate and wine, new study finds
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals that even advanced climate intervention strategies may not be enough to secure the future of wine grapes, coffee and cacao. These crops are vital to many economies and provide livelihoods for farmers worldwide. However, they are increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Rising temperatures […]
The post Climate intervention may not be enough to save coffee, chocolate and wine, new study finds appeared first on IOP Publishing.
dlvr.it
November 4, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The 20th-century economist Robert Solow created the theory of infinite economic growth by substituting "technological innovation" for the productivity of land in his model, thereby decoupling the economy from any limits imposed by land or ecosystems.
The world took his theory as gospel.
1/n
The world took his theory as gospel.
1/n
Reposted by Martin Jones
Ten years on, the Paris Agreement is working—just not fast enough. Our new report tracks 22 ways it’s changing the world: uniting countries behind 1.5°C and net zero, and cutting projected 2100 warming by ~1°C (≈3.6°C → ≈2.7°C).
climateanalytics.org/publications...
climateanalytics.org/publications...
What has the Paris Agreement done for us?
Ten years on, the Paris Agreement is working, but not nearly fast enough. Since 2015 it has become the essential organising framework for global climate action: uniting countries behind the 1.5°C temp...
climateanalytics.org
November 4, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Ten years on, the Paris Agreement is working—just not fast enough. Our new report tracks 22 ways it’s changing the world: uniting countries behind 1.5°C and net zero, and cutting projected 2100 warming by ~1°C (≈3.6°C → ≈2.7°C).
climateanalytics.org/publications...
climateanalytics.org/publications...
Reposted by Martin Jones
I truly think this is an underappreciated point that much of the "rising far right" polisci literature has missed.
We have n->inf findings that bad stuff leads to far right voting. But why _doesn't_ bad stuff lead to far left (or center left) voting? One big answer: A failure of political supply.
We have n->inf findings that bad stuff leads to far right voting. But why _doesn't_ bad stuff lead to far left (or center left) voting? One big answer: A failure of political supply.
🗳️ New study (w @jessicakuhlm.bsky.social) on AfD success in integration council elections in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany: AfD achieved significant results in councils elected exclusively by voters with migration backgrounds. It's not about economics—it's about political competition. (1/3)
November 4, 2025 at 11:06 AM
I truly think this is an underappreciated point that much of the "rising far right" polisci literature has missed.
We have n->inf findings that bad stuff leads to far right voting. But why _doesn't_ bad stuff lead to far left (or center left) voting? One big answer: A failure of political supply.
We have n->inf findings that bad stuff leads to far right voting. But why _doesn't_ bad stuff lead to far left (or center left) voting? One big answer: A failure of political supply.
"Victoria says its renewable and storage targets are on track, with the latest financial year delivering a 42.4 per cent share of renewables, well ahead of its 2025 target of 40 per cent" reneweconomy.com.au/victoria-say...
reneweconomy.com.au
October 29, 2025 at 5:27 AM
"Victoria says its renewable and storage targets are on track, with the latest financial year delivering a 42.4 per cent share of renewables, well ahead of its 2025 target of 40 per cent" reneweconomy.com.au/victoria-say...
Reposted by Martin Jones
The @echr.coe.int today affirmed a set of important principles re the obligations of states under the European Convention on Human Rights with respect to the assessment of climate impacts from proposed fossil fuel extraction projects. hudoc.echr.coe.int#{%22itemid%2...
HUDOC - European Court of Human Rights
The HUDOC database provides access to the case-law of the Court (Grand Chamber, Chamber and Committee judgments and decisions, communicated cases, advisory opinions and legal summaries from the Case-L...
https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-245561%22]}
October 28, 2025 at 11:24 AM
The @echr.coe.int today affirmed a set of important principles re the obligations of states under the European Convention on Human Rights with respect to the assessment of climate impacts from proposed fossil fuel extraction projects. hudoc.echr.coe.int#{%22itemid%2...
Reposted by Martin Jones
A report from the UN's climate change body shows global carbon emissions appear to be on track to fall by 10 per cent by 2035, far short of its 60 per cent target.
'Serious need for speed' in global climate commitments amid shortfalls in 2035 target
A report from the UN's climate change body shows global carbon emissions appear to be on track to fall by 10 per cent by 2035, far short of its 60 per cent target.
www.abc.net.au
October 28, 2025 at 12:08 PM
A report from the UN's climate change body shows global carbon emissions appear to be on track to fall by 10 per cent by 2035, far short of its 60 per cent target.
The AER has granted a legal waiver to ringfencing rules to allow CitiPower, Powercor, and United Energy to build up to 100 EV chargers on power poles in Victoria, despite opposition from some energy industry stakeholders. www.thecourier.com.au/story/909578...
Pole position: contentious EV charging plan to go ahead
Power providers in one state will be allowed to install electric vehicle chargers on their power poles despite...
www.thecourier.com.au
October 28, 2025 at 12:06 AM
The AER has granted a legal waiver to ringfencing rules to allow CitiPower, Powercor, and United Energy to build up to 100 EV chargers on power poles in Victoria, despite opposition from some energy industry stakeholders. www.thecourier.com.au/story/909578...
A detailed critique of carbon offsetting by Prof. Andrew Macintosh and colleagues www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Carbon credits are failing to help with climate change — here’s why | Nature
The idea that emissions can be offset through projects that claim to avoid releases or to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is fatally flawed. The idea that emissions can be offset through projects that claim to avoid releases or to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is fatally flawed.
www.nature.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:27 AM
A detailed critique of carbon offsetting by Prof. Andrew Macintosh and colleagues www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Martin Jones
Yet again, we can't afford to let LLMs become a source of epistemic grounding for society.
Largest study of its kind shows AI assistants misrepresent news content 45% of the time – regardless of language or territory
An intensive international study was coordinated by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and led by the BBC
www.bbc.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Yet again, we can't afford to let LLMs become a source of epistemic grounding for society.
Reposted by Martin Jones
Children under 14 are incapable of evil and should be protected from criminal responsibility, NSW review finds
Children under 14 are incapable of evil and should be protected from criminal responsibility, NSW review finds
Review was led by former supreme court judge turned parole authority chair Geoffrey Bellew SC and former NSW police deputy commissioner Jeffrey Loy
*
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A centuries-old legal presumption that children aged between 10 and 14 are not capable of evil should become law, a New South Wales review led by a former supreme court judge and a former senior NSW police figure has recommended.
In NSW, the criminal age of responsibility is 10 but the common law presumption of doli incapax – Latin for “incapable of wrong” – can apply up to 14, offering protection for children being prosecuted on the presumption they don’t understand the difference between right and wrong. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
October 25, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Children under 14 are incapable of evil and should be protected from criminal responsibility, NSW review finds
Reposted by Martin Jones
YOU WOULDN'T DOWNLOAD A PLANT
October 21, 2025 at 7:27 PM
YOU WOULDN'T DOWNLOAD A PLANT
Reposted by Martin Jones
Finland has a goal to be net zero GHG emissions by 2035.
Emissions were declining, the LULUCF removals were strong, the plan was looking good, but then LULUCF collapsed.
Net GHG emissions have actually risen over the last decade!
www.treasuryfinland.fi/investor-rel...
1/
Emissions were declining, the LULUCF removals were strong, the plan was looking good, but then LULUCF collapsed.
Net GHG emissions have actually risen over the last decade!
www.treasuryfinland.fi/investor-rel...
1/
October 23, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Finland has a goal to be net zero GHG emissions by 2035.
Emissions were declining, the LULUCF removals were strong, the plan was looking good, but then LULUCF collapsed.
Net GHG emissions have actually risen over the last decade!
www.treasuryfinland.fi/investor-rel...
1/
Emissions were declining, the LULUCF removals were strong, the plan was looking good, but then LULUCF collapsed.
Net GHG emissions have actually risen over the last decade!
www.treasuryfinland.fi/investor-rel...
1/
Alan Kohler: "If AI and crypto are not bubbles, we could be in big trouble.
What if the trillions of dollars placed on those bets turn out to be good investments? The disruption will be epic, and terrible." www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
What if the trillions of dollars placed on those bets turn out to be good investments? The disruption will be epic, and terrible." www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
If AI is a good investment, we're in trouble
Speculative manias where the first investors win because there isn't a bust are rare occurrences.
www.abc.net.au
October 21, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Alan Kohler: "If AI and crypto are not bubbles, we could be in big trouble.
What if the trillions of dollars placed on those bets turn out to be good investments? The disruption will be epic, and terrible." www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
What if the trillions of dollars placed on those bets turn out to be good investments? The disruption will be epic, and terrible." www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Very sad to hear about Daniel Naroditsky's death. Beyond being an amazing chess player, he appeared to be a genuinely decent guy; far from a given in a sport full of egos and petty feuds. Naroditsky's contribution to chess education – certainly in my circles – was immense. Chess has lost a great guy
October 21, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Very sad to hear about Daniel Naroditsky's death. Beyond being an amazing chess player, he appeared to be a genuinely decent guy; far from a given in a sport full of egos and petty feuds. Naroditsky's contribution to chess education – certainly in my circles – was immense. Chess has lost a great guy
Reposted by Martin Jones
My neighbor told me Evangelos Marinakis keeps eating his managers so I asked how many managers he has and he said he just goes to the Prem and gets a new manager afterwards so I said it sounds like he’s just feeding Premier League managers to Evangelos Marinakis and then his daughter started crying.
October 20, 2025 at 12:10 PM
My neighbor told me Evangelos Marinakis keeps eating his managers so I asked how many managers he has and he said he just goes to the Prem and gets a new manager afterwards so I said it sounds like he’s just feeding Premier League managers to Evangelos Marinakis and then his daughter started crying.