Max Opray
@maxopray.bsky.social
Editor of SolarQuotes and writer of the climate newsletter Climactic: https://maxoprayclimactic.substack.com
The energy hunger of AI is supercharging global electricity demand at a pace the renewables rollout can’t match.
But there are ways to reprogram AI to reduce its impact and accelerate climate action instead of climate breakdown: maxoprayclimactic.substack.com/p/ai-hacking...
But there are ways to reprogram AI to reduce its impact and accelerate climate action instead of climate breakdown: maxoprayclimactic.substack.com/p/ai-hacking...
AI: Climate Terminator Or Savior?
The ravenous energy hunger of artificial intelligence is supercharging global electricity demand at a pace the renewable energy rollout simply can’t match.
maxoprayclimactic.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:43 AM
The energy hunger of AI is supercharging global electricity demand at a pace the renewables rollout can’t match.
But there are ways to reprogram AI to reduce its impact and accelerate climate action instead of climate breakdown: maxoprayclimactic.substack.com/p/ai-hacking...
But there are ways to reprogram AI to reduce its impact and accelerate climate action instead of climate breakdown: maxoprayclimactic.substack.com/p/ai-hacking...
New research finds that the climate crisis is accelerating the aging process. Here's how to protect yourself and the people you care about from withering in the sun.
The Boiling Fountain Of Unyouth
New research finds that heatwaves accelerate the aging process. Here's how to protect yourself and others.
maxoprayclimactic.substack.com
September 14, 2025 at 12:48 AM
New research finds that the climate crisis is accelerating the aging process. Here's how to protect yourself and the people you care about from withering in the sun.
The USAid agency has been extinguished by the Trump Administration, with a raft of other Western nations also slashing support for those most vulnerable to the climate crisis. My latest edition of Climactic looks at the fight to save thousands of critical initiatives:
A Banned-Aid Solution
The Trump administration has ended foreign climate assistance, Europe is slashing it, while Australia was barely offering any in the first place.
maxoprayclimactic.substack.com
July 5, 2025 at 11:52 PM
The USAid agency has been extinguished by the Trump Administration, with a raft of other Western nations also slashing support for those most vulnerable to the climate crisis. My latest edition of Climactic looks at the fight to save thousands of critical initiatives:
Mass firings of scientists, deleting data, scrapping hundreds of research projects - Trump’s repression campaign could leave us unable to even understand climate change, let alone fix it. Citizen scientists are in a race to rescue the data before it's lost for good:
Control, Alter, Delete
Trump's repression of climate science, and the race to rescue vital data from his fascist bonfire.
maxoprayclimactic.substack.com
June 8, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Mass firings of scientists, deleting data, scrapping hundreds of research projects - Trump’s repression campaign could leave us unable to even understand climate change, let alone fix it. Citizen scientists are in a race to rescue the data before it's lost for good:
Reposted by Max Opray
Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher used his speech to AEP to call for "energy realism" in the energy transition. He did not mention the end goal of this transition is a managed phase out of oil, gas and coal but suggested this "realism" in Australia required more fossil fuel development.
June 7, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher used his speech to AEP to call for "energy realism" in the energy transition. He did not mention the end goal of this transition is a managed phase out of oil, gas and coal but suggested this "realism" in Australia required more fossil fuel development.
There is a mindboggling number of independents to vote for this election, but how can you tell if they're strong on climate? Being backed by @climate200.bsky.social is a good sign. Here's how to tell if your local indie has a real climate plan:
A Sense Of Independents
A mindboggling array of independent candidates are competing for votes in the Australian federal election. Only some are strong on climate.
maxoprayclimactic.substack.com
May 3, 2025 at 12:03 AM
There is a mindboggling number of independents to vote for this election, but how can you tell if they're strong on climate? Being backed by @climate200.bsky.social is a good sign. Here's how to tell if your local indie has a real climate plan:
Ahead of tomorrow's federal election, here is each major party's plans for home electrification, including the Coalition's proposed axing of multiple green energy programs:
Federal Election: What's At Stake For Solar & Batteries
As Australia heads to the polls, here’s all you need to know about battery rebates, EV tax breaks, and the impact of nuclear on rooftop solar.
www.solarquotes.com.au
May 2, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Ahead of tomorrow's federal election, here is each major party's plans for home electrification, including the Coalition's proposed axing of multiple green energy programs:
Independents like @indy4franklin.bsky.social, who is contending for the seat of Franklin, could unlock genuine climate progress. Here's how to find out if your local indie candidate supports strong climate policy:
A Sense Of Independents
A mindboggling array of independent candidates are competing for votes in the Australian federal election. Only some are strong on climate.
maxoprayclimactic.substack.com
May 1, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Independents like @indy4franklin.bsky.social, who is contending for the seat of Franklin, could unlock genuine climate progress. Here's how to find out if your local indie candidate supports strong climate policy:
There's much excitement about independents transforming Australia’s climate agenda. But some independents are about as climate-friendly as a gas leak: here's how to tell whether your local indie believes the science or has “done their own research”:
A Sense Of Independents
A mindboggling array of independent candidates are competing for votes in the Australian federal election. Only some are strong on climate.
open.substack.com
April 27, 2025 at 2:48 AM
There's much excitement about independents transforming Australia’s climate agenda. But some independents are about as climate-friendly as a gas leak: here's how to tell whether your local indie believes the science or has “done their own research”:
Reposted by Max Opray
Scientists have recently mapped the painted lady butterfly's annual flight from equatorial Africa to northern Europe and back, the world's longest butterfly migration. In Constant Bloom, photographer Lucas Foglia documents the journey.
Photos: Scientists trace a butterfly migration route that is millions of years old
Scientists have recently mapped the painted lady butterfly's annual flight from equatorial Africa to northern Europe and back, the world's longest butterfly migration. In Constant Bloom, photographer ...
www.npr.org
April 17, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Scientists have recently mapped the painted lady butterfly's annual flight from equatorial Africa to northern Europe and back, the world's longest butterfly migration. In Constant Bloom, photographer Lucas Foglia documents the journey.
Plenty of talk today about the Coalition's promises to make gas cheaper. The actual best way to cut your gas bills is to turn it off forever:
Like Money? Get Off Gas.
All you hear this election is how Australians need more gas, but here's how much money you could actually save by getting off gas immediately.
www.solarquotes.com.au
April 9, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Plenty of talk today about the Coalition's promises to make gas cheaper. The actual best way to cut your gas bills is to turn it off forever:
It's hard work inserting climate into the media cycle this election. Groups like @risingtideaus.bsky.social have a plan to do just that. Here's how to get involved:
The Plan To ‘Bird-Dog’ The Election
Australia’s election campaign has officially kicked off, and the opening days have been marked by protesters “bird-dogging” politicians.
maxoprayclimactic.substack.com
April 1, 2025 at 2:54 AM
It's hard work inserting climate into the media cycle this election. Groups like @risingtideaus.bsky.social have a plan to do just that. Here's how to get involved:
Peter Dutton's first day on the campaign trail yesterday was shaken up by a climate protester with a message. It's all part of the plan to 'bird-dog' the election: maxoprayclimactic.substack.com/p/can-bird-d...
The Plan To ‘Bird-Dog’ The Election
Australia’s election campaign has officially kicked off, and the opening days have been marked by protesters “bird-dogging” politicians.
maxoprayclimactic.substack.com
March 29, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Peter Dutton's first day on the campaign trail yesterday was shaken up by a climate protester with a message. It's all part of the plan to 'bird-dog' the election: maxoprayclimactic.substack.com/p/can-bird-d...
Reposted by Max Opray
A really cool new study on the impact of climate activism has just dropped! Some highlights:
1) "There is strong evidence that climate activism shifts public opinion and media coverage in a pro-climate direction, but this varies by context and the tactics employed."
1) "There is strong evidence that climate activism shifts public opinion and media coverage in a pro-climate direction, but this varies by context and the tactics employed."
The impacts of climate activism
We review 50 studies on the impacts of climate activism. We present the existing evidence in a map of what we know about climate activism and its impa…
www.sciencedirect.com
March 27, 2025 at 7:15 PM
A really cool new study on the impact of climate activism has just dropped! Some highlights:
1) "There is strong evidence that climate activism shifts public opinion and media coverage in a pro-climate direction, but this varies by context and the tactics employed."
1) "There is strong evidence that climate activism shifts public opinion and media coverage in a pro-climate direction, but this varies by context and the tactics employed."
It doesn't get more wasteful than constantly burning gas to keep your water hot for whenever you need it. Hot water heat pumps are so much more efficient, and you can even use them to store solar energy. Here's my piece on how: www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/sunshin...
Sunshine On Tap: Turn Your Hot Water System Into A Battery
Here's how to use your hot water system as a thermal battery to store up cheap solar energy generated during the day when the sun is shining.
www.solarquotes.com.au
March 25, 2025 at 4:43 AM
It doesn't get more wasteful than constantly burning gas to keep your water hot for whenever you need it. Hot water heat pumps are so much more efficient, and you can even use them to store solar energy. Here's my piece on how: www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/sunshin...
Reposted by Max Opray
"See no climate change, hear no climate change, and speak no climate change"
The Trump administration is planning to cancel its lease at a government laboratory in Hawaii, a site where scientists support key observations of surging greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, according to a list obtained by Democratic members of Congress and shared with The Post.
Trump moves to close facility that helps track planet-warming pollution
The lab is connected to the Mauna Loa Observatory, where scientists gather data to produce the Keeling Curve, a chart on the daily status of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 16, 2025 at 7:35 PM
"See no climate change, hear no climate change, and speak no climate change"
Reposted by Max Opray
Documents obtained under FOI show dead and dying birds and bats found across Port Pirie in South Australia last year were exposed to lead at 3,000 times acceptable levels.
Take a moment to read this follow up investigation and report on the story I broke in December:
Take a moment to read this follow up investigation and report on the story I broke in December:
Dead and dying Port Pirie birds and bats exposed to lead at 3,000 times acceptable levels
South Australia’s EPA did not open a formal investigation into the source of the lead poisoning, despite referral from the Department of Primary Industries
www.theguardian.com
March 13, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Documents obtained under FOI show dead and dying birds and bats found across Port Pirie in South Australia last year were exposed to lead at 3,000 times acceptable levels.
Take a moment to read this follow up investigation and report on the story I broke in December:
Take a moment to read this follow up investigation and report on the story I broke in December:
Reposted by Max Opray
Fossil fuel producers want to keep gas in Australian homes and they're fighting a global campaign to stop a phaseout.
Me in @reneweconomy.com.au this morning.
Me in @reneweconomy.com.au this morning.
Fossil fuel lobby shares global “toolbox of tactics” to fight Victoria’s gas phaseout
Fossil fuel companies in Australia and their industry associations have been swapping notes with their international counterparts to stop phaseout of gas in homes.
reneweconomy.com.au
February 24, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Fossil fuel producers want to keep gas in Australian homes and they're fighting a global campaign to stop a phaseout.
Me in @reneweconomy.com.au this morning.
Me in @reneweconomy.com.au this morning.
Second edition of Climactic out now: The Flames Of Petromasculinity - as men refuse to let go of their fossil fuels, do climate movements need to appeal better to traditional macho norms, or leave them behind completely? open.substack.com/pub/maxopray...
The Flames Of Petromasculinity
My toddler son mostly gets driven around in our whisper-quiet Nissan Leaf electric vehicle, yet when we first played with his little toy cars, some kind of repressed petrolhead burst out of me from wh...
open.substack.com
February 21, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Second edition of Climactic out now: The Flames Of Petromasculinity - as men refuse to let go of their fossil fuels, do climate movements need to appeal better to traditional macho norms, or leave them behind completely? open.substack.com/pub/maxopray...
Reposted by Max Opray
“Being realistic about the seriousness of the climate crisis is important, but relentless doomscrolling of the news regarding this unfolding disaster has been shown to instill paralysis rather than action.”
2025 has gotten off to an ominous start, with Los Angeles ablaze and another major climate record shattered. The first edition of my newsletter Climactic looks at why it is vital not to become paralysed by a sense of climate doom - and the most effective way to overcome it:
A climate crisis of confidence
As LA burns and 2024 is confirmed as the hottest year on record, research shows how to overcome your inner climate doomer and continue the fight.
open.substack.com
January 12, 2025 at 9:44 AM
“Being realistic about the seriousness of the climate crisis is important, but relentless doomscrolling of the news regarding this unfolding disaster has been shown to instill paralysis rather than action.”
2025 has gotten off to an ominous start, with Los Angeles ablaze and another major climate record shattered. The first edition of my newsletter Climactic looks at why it is vital not to become paralysed by a sense of climate doom - and the most effective way to overcome it:
A climate crisis of confidence
As LA burns and 2024 is confirmed as the hottest year on record, research shows how to overcome your inner climate doomer and continue the fight.
open.substack.com
January 12, 2025 at 5:09 AM
2025 has gotten off to an ominous start, with Los Angeles ablaze and another major climate record shattered. The first edition of my newsletter Climactic looks at why it is vital not to become paralysed by a sense of climate doom - and the most effective way to overcome it:
Reposted by Max Opray
It's a great day to reshare this podcast episode I loved making about someone who took a stand and quit her job because she thought they were spreading climate misinformation during Australia's catastrophic fires.
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
Who's Gonna Save Us? 01 | Standing up for the climate - ABC listen
Have you ever done something that’s just blown everything up? A single decision that changed everything?
This episode is all about people taking a stand for the climate. It’s about being brave in tho...
www.abc.net.au
January 10, 2025 at 3:06 AM
It's a great day to reshare this podcast episode I loved making about someone who took a stand and quit her job because she thought they were spreading climate misinformation during Australia's catastrophic fires.
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
Breaking: Scientists have just declared 2024 the hottest year on record. The first edition of Climactic covers how to respond to this news with action rather than paralysis: maxoprayclimactic.substack.com/p/2024-decla...
2024 declared the hottest year on record
Scientists at the Copernicus Climate Change Service today have officially declared 2024 as the hottest year on record — beating out the previous title-holder in 2023, which in turn exceeded a record-b...
maxoprayclimactic.substack.com
January 10, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Breaking: Scientists have just declared 2024 the hottest year on record. The first edition of Climactic covers how to respond to this news with action rather than paralysis: maxoprayclimactic.substack.com/p/2024-decla...
Reposted by Max Opray
New feature on Australia's deadliest disaster, one you've probably never heard of: the 2009 heatwave.
By me and Tyne Logan as part of the new podcast series The Weather That Changed Us. Stunning illustrations by Stacy Gougoulis.
www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
By me and Tyne Logan as part of the new podcast series The Weather That Changed Us. Stunning illustrations by Stacy Gougoulis.
www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
Australia's deadliest natural disaster flew under the radar but killed hundreds
Public life ground to a halt, many lost power, and scores of people died behind closed doors. What sounds like the start of a post-apocalyptic movie is in fact Melbourne in January 2009.
www.abc.net.au
December 17, 2024 at 5:08 AM
New feature on Australia's deadliest disaster, one you've probably never heard of: the 2009 heatwave.
By me and Tyne Logan as part of the new podcast series The Weather That Changed Us. Stunning illustrations by Stacy Gougoulis.
www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
By me and Tyne Logan as part of the new podcast series The Weather That Changed Us. Stunning illustrations by Stacy Gougoulis.
www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...