Polly Hemming
@pollyjhemming.bsky.social
Director @australiainstitute.org.au's Climate & Energy Program.
Climate integrity // Environmental markets // Greenwashing (exposing it, not doing it)
*views my own*
Climate integrity // Environmental markets // Greenwashing (exposing it, not doing it)
*views my own*
Reposted by Polly Hemming
The PALM visa scheme gives people from Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste the opportunity to work in Australia.
But the scheme's strict restrictions are leading to concerns it's facilitating modern slavery in Australia.
@mhharrington.bsky.social #auspol
But the scheme's strict restrictions are leading to concerns it's facilitating modern slavery in Australia.
@mhharrington.bsky.social #auspol
January 8, 2026 at 3:13 AM
The PALM visa scheme gives people from Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste the opportunity to work in Australia.
But the scheme's strict restrictions are leading to concerns it's facilitating modern slavery in Australia.
@mhharrington.bsky.social #auspol
But the scheme's strict restrictions are leading to concerns it's facilitating modern slavery in Australia.
@mhharrington.bsky.social #auspol
Reposted by Polly Hemming
"Power and resistance flow through everyday acts of courage. Together, we hold quite a lot of power." - Polly Hemming
There's bravery out there right now, in Australia and around the world. You can pre-order our new book about bravery here: https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/a-time-for-bravery
There's bravery out there right now, in Australia and around the world. You can pre-order our new book about bravery here: https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/a-time-for-bravery
January 3, 2026 at 9:30 PM
"Power and resistance flow through everyday acts of courage. Together, we hold quite a lot of power." - Polly Hemming
There's bravery out there right now, in Australia and around the world. You can pre-order our new book about bravery here: https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/a-time-for-bravery
There's bravery out there right now, in Australia and around the world. You can pre-order our new book about bravery here: https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/a-time-for-bravery
Reposted by Polly Hemming
HEY FRIENDS
For @thepointau.bsky.social, I decided to do the unthinkable and just actually check whether Australia's gas exports are being a magical climate solution and displacing shittonnes of Asian coal
You know what I found, but you will enjoy me saying it:
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
For @thepointau.bsky.social, I decided to do the unthinkable and just actually check whether Australia's gas exports are being a magical climate solution and displacing shittonnes of Asian coal
You know what I found, but you will enjoy me saying it:
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
November 21, 2025 at 11:21 PM
HEY FRIENDS
For @thepointau.bsky.social, I decided to do the unthinkable and just actually check whether Australia's gas exports are being a magical climate solution and displacing shittonnes of Asian coal
You know what I found, but you will enjoy me saying it:
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
For @thepointau.bsky.social, I decided to do the unthinkable and just actually check whether Australia's gas exports are being a magical climate solution and displacing shittonnes of Asian coal
You know what I found, but you will enjoy me saying it:
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Reposted by Polly Hemming
The show-and-dance around #COP31 is, quite frankly, embarrassing.
The COPs are supposed to be about collaboration, working together to figure out how we limit global warming to 1.5°.
If we can’t agree on a venue, how the hell are we going to agree on a pathway to 1.5°
The COPs are supposed to be about collaboration, working together to figure out how we limit global warming to 1.5°.
If we can’t agree on a venue, how the hell are we going to agree on a pathway to 1.5°
November 20, 2025 at 12:00 AM
The show-and-dance around #COP31 is, quite frankly, embarrassing.
The COPs are supposed to be about collaboration, working together to figure out how we limit global warming to 1.5°.
If we can’t agree on a venue, how the hell are we going to agree on a pathway to 1.5°
The COPs are supposed to be about collaboration, working together to figure out how we limit global warming to 1.5°.
If we can’t agree on a venue, how the hell are we going to agree on a pathway to 1.5°
Australia (an increasingly authoritarian petrostate) did quite a lot of bullying of its own. Internationally and domestically. Australia has been gaming COPs for decades. COP31 would have been no different. We are just better at greenwashing 🙂
November 19, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Australia (an increasingly authoritarian petrostate) did quite a lot of bullying of its own. Internationally and domestically. Australia has been gaming COPs for decades. COP31 would have been no different. We are just better at greenwashing 🙂
Feeling pretty rough but having energy to post about bureacrats failing upwards is a small sign of progress ... x
November 12, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Feeling pretty rough but having energy to post about bureacrats failing upwards is a small sign of progress ... x
Kath Rowley,who below guides staff on how to downplay gas emissions, has just been appointed CEO of the Climate Change Authority, the body providing 'independent' advice to govt
Safe appointment for a govt wanting fossil fuel expansion to remain at home in our climate institutions.
#auspol #climate
Safe appointment for a govt wanting fossil fuel expansion to remain at home in our climate institutions.
#auspol #climate
November 12, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Reposted by Polly Hemming
Some, as they say, personal news from me.
After a long period of illness I’m being treated for autoimmune encephalitis, a neurological disease where the immune system attacks the brain. I’m posting this because many people here have supported my work & been a source of collaboration and inspiration.
After a long period of illness I’m being treated for autoimmune encephalitis, a neurological disease where the immune system attacks the brain. I’m posting this because many people here have supported my work & been a source of collaboration and inspiration.
October 20, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Some, as they say, personal news from me.
After a long period of illness I’m being treated for autoimmune encephalitis, a neurological disease where the immune system attacks the brain. I’m posting this because many people here have supported my work & been a source of collaboration and inspiration.
After a long period of illness I’m being treated for autoimmune encephalitis, a neurological disease where the immune system attacks the brain. I’m posting this because many people here have supported my work & been a source of collaboration and inspiration.
I’m grateful for the patience, understanding and generosity people have shown while I’m offline, and I look forward to reconnecting as I can.
October 20, 2025 at 6:09 AM
I’m grateful for the patience, understanding and generosity people have shown while I’m offline, and I look forward to reconnecting as I can.
Many of us are struggling in different ways, and I’m not seeking sympathy. But illness collapses the distance between the abstract and the real. It’s a stark reminder that all the policy, argument and urgency come down to something simple - the ability to live, to connect, to be present.
October 20, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Many of us are struggling in different ways, and I’m not seeking sympathy. But illness collapses the distance between the abstract and the real. It’s a stark reminder that all the policy, argument and urgency come down to something simple - the ability to live, to connect, to be present.
A few weeks ago I couldn’t have articulated any of this. I could barely walk. Some days I still can’t talk. I can’t remember much of the last year. Remission is possible and while I don’t know if my brain will ever be the same I’m trying to show up every day.
October 20, 2025 at 6:09 AM
A few weeks ago I couldn’t have articulated any of this. I could barely walk. Some days I still can’t talk. I can’t remember much of the last year. Remission is possible and while I don’t know if my brain will ever be the same I’m trying to show up every day.
I was hesitant to post something so personal, but anyone who works on climate, environment or social justice knows it’s impossible to separate the personal from the professional. Our work is about protecting what makes life itself beautiful and meaningful: trust, integrity, community, care.
October 20, 2025 at 6:09 AM
I was hesitant to post something so personal, but anyone who works on climate, environment or social justice knows it’s impossible to separate the personal from the professional. Our work is about protecting what makes life itself beautiful and meaningful: trust, integrity, community, care.
Some, as they say, personal news from me.
After a long period of illness I’m being treated for autoimmune encephalitis, a neurological disease where the immune system attacks the brain. I’m posting this because many people here have supported my work & been a source of collaboration and inspiration.
After a long period of illness I’m being treated for autoimmune encephalitis, a neurological disease where the immune system attacks the brain. I’m posting this because many people here have supported my work & been a source of collaboration and inspiration.
October 20, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Some, as they say, personal news from me.
After a long period of illness I’m being treated for autoimmune encephalitis, a neurological disease where the immune system attacks the brain. I’m posting this because many people here have supported my work & been a source of collaboration and inspiration.
After a long period of illness I’m being treated for autoimmune encephalitis, a neurological disease where the immune system attacks the brain. I’m posting this because many people here have supported my work & been a source of collaboration and inspiration.
Reposted by Polly Hemming
Our CEO @billhare.bsky.social called the new data “alarming and worrying.”
“Let there be no mistake, this is a very clear warning sign that the world is heading into an extremely dangerous state – and this is driven by the continued expansion of fossil fuel development, globally.”
“Let there be no mistake, this is a very clear warning sign that the world is heading into an extremely dangerous state – and this is driven by the continued expansion of fossil fuel development, globally.”
UN agency says C02 levels hit record high last year, causing more extreme weather
The United Nations weather agency reports that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reached record highs last year, intensifying climate change and extreme weather.
apnews.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Our CEO @billhare.bsky.social called the new data “alarming and worrying.”
“Let there be no mistake, this is a very clear warning sign that the world is heading into an extremely dangerous state – and this is driven by the continued expansion of fossil fuel development, globally.”
“Let there be no mistake, this is a very clear warning sign that the world is heading into an extremely dangerous state – and this is driven by the continued expansion of fossil fuel development, globally.”
Reposted by Polly Hemming
There's a very nice new report from @climateanalytics.org on precisely this: "Hard to abate" has become its own form of subtle climate delay --->>
@billhare.bsky.social @cindybax.bsky.social
ca1-clm.edcdn.com/assets/Clima...
@billhare.bsky.social @cindybax.bsky.social
ca1-clm.edcdn.com/assets/Clima...
October 7, 2025 at 10:08 AM
There's a very nice new report from @climateanalytics.org on precisely this: "Hard to abate" has become its own form of subtle climate delay --->>
@billhare.bsky.social @cindybax.bsky.social
ca1-clm.edcdn.com/assets/Clima...
@billhare.bsky.social @cindybax.bsky.social
ca1-clm.edcdn.com/assets/Clima...
Reposted by Polly Hemming
My new report is out - Adani sold coal at mates rates to India, avoiding $400m in royalty payments to Queensland
...and Qld's LNP gov doesn't seem to care.
Thread below on how they did it.
Write up in @australia.theguardian.com
@australiainstitute.org.au
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
...and Qld's LNP gov doesn't seem to care.
Thread below on how they did it.
Write up in @australia.theguardian.com
@australiainstitute.org.au
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Adani denies claims it sold ‘below-market coal’ leading to Queensland missing out on hundreds of millions in royalties
Adani has strongly rejected the Australia Institute’s findings, including that customers paid an average of $102 a tonne in 2022-23
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:51 PM
My new report is out - Adani sold coal at mates rates to India, avoiding $400m in royalty payments to Queensland
...and Qld's LNP gov doesn't seem to care.
Thread below on how they did it.
Write up in @australia.theguardian.com
@australiainstitute.org.au
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
...and Qld's LNP gov doesn't seem to care.
Thread below on how they did it.
Write up in @australia.theguardian.com
@australiainstitute.org.au
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Apologies for the pile on. I clearly misunderstood your tone.
October 15, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Apologies for the pile on. I clearly misunderstood your tone.
The point is I'm not pinning the extinction of the shrew on the current government and didn't say that - the announcement was a timely reminder that the current government is not stopping further extinctions despite claiming otherwise. 🙂
October 15, 2025 at 10:05 AM
The point is I'm not pinning the extinction of the shrew on the current government and didn't say that - the announcement was a timely reminder that the current government is not stopping further extinctions despite claiming otherwise. 🙂
For those getting outraged that I might be suggesting Labor caused this extinction, clearly that’s not the case. I’m using the announcement to highlight how little the government is doing to prevent further extinctions, despite an explicit commitment to “no new” ones.
October 15, 2025 at 9:59 AM
October 15, 2025 at 9:59 AM