Royce Kurmelovs
@roycerk2.bsky.social
Journalist. Author of The Death of Holden (2016), Just Money (2020) and others.
Buy Slick: Australia's Toxic Relationship with Big Oil (2024) now: https://www.slickthebook.com.au/
For more me: https://www.roycekurmelovs.com/
Buy Slick: Australia's Toxic Relationship with Big Oil (2024) now: https://www.slickthebook.com.au/
For more me: https://www.roycekurmelovs.com/
Pinned
Royce Kurmelovs
@roycerk2.bsky.social
· Jun 6
Slick has been given a reprint --now with a fancy sticker on the cover. If you want to understand Why We Are Like This on climate change, or read about things like that one time the oil and gas industry spied on the son of a prime minister, and you haven't picked up a copy, now's your chance!
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
If you're not German, you may have missed this:
1934: Nazi "archaeologists" prepping for a rally find a skeleton,
declare it to be the uber-male ur-arian;
2019: Archaeologists revisit finds;
evidence implies she was a powerful female shaman of color.
🙃😊😂
www.deutschlandfunk.de/schamanin-ba...
1934: Nazi "archaeologists" prepping for a rally find a skeleton,
declare it to be the uber-male ur-arian;
2019: Archaeologists revisit finds;
evidence implies she was a powerful female shaman of color.
🙃😊😂
www.deutschlandfunk.de/schamanin-ba...
Die Steinzeit-Schamanin von Bad Dürrenberg - mächtige "Urarierin" mit dunkler Hautfarbe
Vor etwa 9.000 Jahren lebte die Schamanin von Bad Dürrenberg. Neue Forschung zu ihrem Skelett und Grab mit vielen Beigaben brachte Überraschungen.
www.deutschlandfunk.de
December 4, 2025 at 5:09 AM
If you're not German, you may have missed this:
1934: Nazi "archaeologists" prepping for a rally find a skeleton,
declare it to be the uber-male ur-arian;
2019: Archaeologists revisit finds;
evidence implies she was a powerful female shaman of color.
🙃😊😂
www.deutschlandfunk.de/schamanin-ba...
1934: Nazi "archaeologists" prepping for a rally find a skeleton,
declare it to be the uber-male ur-arian;
2019: Archaeologists revisit finds;
evidence implies she was a powerful female shaman of color.
🙃😊😂
www.deutschlandfunk.de/schamanin-ba...
It's important, in the current global climate, that we highlight instances where obvious corruption is punished.
In sentencing, the South Australian District Court judge said Paul Andrew Robinson's offending was motivated by an "ultimate aim to make a lot of money".
Correctional services executive jailed over $300k prison rort
In sentencing, the South Australian District Court judge said Paul Andrew Robinson's offending was motivated by an "ultimate aim to make a lot of money".
www.abc.net.au
December 4, 2025 at 6:28 AM
It's important, in the current global climate, that we highlight instances where obvious corruption is punished.
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
This composition had eluded me for nearly a decade, but yesterday I was finally able to capture it. A train rolled through just as the Duquesne Incline was crossing over the tracks in #Pittsburgh, creating a picture perfect winter scene. It was worth the hours and hours I've waited over the years.
December 3, 2025 at 2:06 PM
This composition had eluded me for nearly a decade, but yesterday I was finally able to capture it. A train rolled through just as the Duquesne Incline was crossing over the tracks in #Pittsburgh, creating a picture perfect winter scene. It was worth the hours and hours I've waited over the years.
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
NEW: America’s largest gas utility is using ratepayer funds to incentivize rebuilding with fossil gas appliances after LA wildfires
SoCalGas is taking advantage of “broken rules”
Thank you @missionvespa.bsky.social for going down the rabbit hole with me:
insideclimatenews.org/news/0312202...
SoCalGas is taking advantage of “broken rules”
Thank you @missionvespa.bsky.social for going down the rabbit hole with me:
insideclimatenews.org/news/0312202...
LA Wildfire Survivors Want to Rebuild All-Electric, but a Utility Is Using Customer Funds to Incentivize Gas Appliances - Inside Climate News
California’s utility regulator said it would eliminate ratepayer-funded incentives for gas appliances in new construction, but created an exception that allows rebates for them in wildfire rebuilds.
insideclimatenews.org
December 3, 2025 at 3:12 PM
NEW: America’s largest gas utility is using ratepayer funds to incentivize rebuilding with fossil gas appliances after LA wildfires
SoCalGas is taking advantage of “broken rules”
Thank you @missionvespa.bsky.social for going down the rabbit hole with me:
insideclimatenews.org/news/0312202...
SoCalGas is taking advantage of “broken rules”
Thank you @missionvespa.bsky.social for going down the rabbit hole with me:
insideclimatenews.org/news/0312202...
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
Dear Lord. Centrelink says 144 different parts of its system have been operating unlawfully or erroneously.
This scandal of 44k overpaid debts is just ONE of the 144 issues they say they've identified.
The welfare system is in complete crisis & disarray
This scandal of 44k overpaid debts is just ONE of the 144 issues they say they've identified.
The welfare system is in complete crisis & disarray
December 3, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Dear Lord. Centrelink says 144 different parts of its system have been operating unlawfully or erroneously.
This scandal of 44k overpaid debts is just ONE of the 144 issues they say they've identified.
The welfare system is in complete crisis & disarray
This scandal of 44k overpaid debts is just ONE of the 144 issues they say they've identified.
The welfare system is in complete crisis & disarray
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
The CFS is warning of high fire risk tomorrow with hot and windy conditions forecast, while the BOM has issued a fire weather warning with 'extreme fire danger' for parts of the state.
'Extreme fire danger' forecast across South Australia for Thursday
The CFS is warning of high fire risk tomorrow with hot and windy conditions forecast, while the BOM has issued a fire weather warning with 'extreme fire danger' for parts of the state.
www.abc.net.au
December 3, 2025 at 6:28 AM
The CFS is warning of high fire risk tomorrow with hot and windy conditions forecast, while the BOM has issued a fire weather warning with 'extreme fire danger' for parts of the state.
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
“People across South and Southeast Asia are living the data,” @harjeet11.bsky.social says it’s time to talk about the legal and moral obligations of polluting countries to act on climate change.
My latest for Al Jazeera on the deadly floods across Asia
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
My latest for Al Jazeera on the deadly floods across Asia
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
At least 1,250 people dead: What caused the devastating Asia floods?
Climate advocates say it's time to move to accountability for climate change, as people in Asia are living the evidence.
www.aljazeera.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:22 PM
“People across South and Southeast Asia are living the data,” @harjeet11.bsky.social says it’s time to talk about the legal and moral obligations of polluting countries to act on climate change.
My latest for Al Jazeera on the deadly floods across Asia
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
My latest for Al Jazeera on the deadly floods across Asia
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
All the best Australians are on BlueSky imho
lol Malcolm Roberts asking why Bluesky is exempted from the social media ban. He claims it could be "political bias" because it is a "left wing hangout" and X is included and it's a "conservative hangout".
eSafety says Bluesky has been assessed as "very low risk" with around 50,000 Australian users
eSafety says Bluesky has been assessed as "very low risk" with around 50,000 Australian users
December 2, 2025 at 10:05 AM
All the best Australians are on BlueSky imho
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
The Indian state of Rajasthan produces more solar than any other. It has rejected a 3.2 GW coal power plant, because the bids to build it were more expensive than bundling renewables with batteries.
🎁🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
🎁🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
India’s Desert State Reignites Coal-Fired Power Debate
The competitive cost of batteries is making clean energy a viable alternative to coal in parts of the country.
www.bloomberg.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:39 PM
The Indian state of Rajasthan produces more solar than any other. It has rejected a 3.2 GW coal power plant, because the bids to build it were more expensive than bundling renewables with batteries.
🎁🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
🎁🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
When it saves you money to put solar on your roof, you put solar on your roof. Does it make the utility owners angry. It sure does.
This is remarkable and happened very very fast.
This is remarkable and happened very very fast.
Pakistan says rooftop solar output to exceed grid demand in some hubs next year
Pakistan's rooftop solar generation will for the first time exceed power demand on the country's electrical grid during daytime hours in some major industrial regions next year, a senior government of...
www.reuters.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:55 PM
When it saves you money to put solar on your roof, you put solar on your roof. Does it make the utility owners angry. It sure does.
This is remarkable and happened very very fast.
This is remarkable and happened very very fast.
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
"Some neighbourhoods are completely buried under mud, and each one brings more despair" www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11...
‘Neighbourhoods buried under mud’: Sri Lanka floods death toll reaches 334
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declares a state of emergency to deal with the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.
www.aljazeera.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:39 AM
"Some neighbourhoods are completely buried under mud, and each one brings more despair" www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
By me: ‘Deeply demoralizing’: how Trump derailed coal country’s clean-energy revival
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Deeply demoralizing’: how Trump derailed coal country’s clean-energy revival
Biden earmarked billions for former coal communities in Appalachia – and his successor came and took it away
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:22 PM
By me: ‘Deeply demoralizing’: how Trump derailed coal country’s clean-energy revival
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
Realtors know that, in many parts of the country, if you educate people about climate risk, the housing market will collapse.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/c...
Zillow Removes Climate Risk Scores From Home Listings
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Realtors know that, in many parts of the country, if you educate people about climate risk, the housing market will collapse.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/c...
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
The #SundayShot is up! @roycerk2.bsky.social was just back from @cop30brazil.bsky.social and joined Lorena Allam for a great conversation...plus we talk to the director of @walkleys.bsky.social-winning YURLU COUNTRY on Australia's asbestos shame (yurlucountry.com).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBgU...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBgU...
Saving Country - November 30 - Lorena Allam and Royce Kurmelovs
YouTube video by The Sunday Shot
www.youtube.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:38 AM
The #SundayShot is up! @roycerk2.bsky.social was just back from @cop30brazil.bsky.social and joined Lorena Allam for a great conversation...plus we talk to the director of @walkleys.bsky.social-winning YURLU COUNTRY on Australia's asbestos shame (yurlucountry.com).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBgU...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBgU...
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
The markets are staying afloat right now on the hope that AI will destroy American workers. What a bleak thing.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/b...
November 28, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The markets are staying afloat right now on the hope that AI will destroy American workers. What a bleak thing.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/b...
Tune in for Lorena's insight and my jet lagged ramblings!
On this week's #SundayShot, @roycerk2.bsky.social rolls off the plane from @cop30brazil.bsky.social to join Lorena Allam on the panel. Plus an interview with newly minted @walkleys.bsky.social-award winner Yaara Bou Melham on her powerful documentary feature KURLU COUNTRY.
Join us!
Join us!
November 28, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Tune in for Lorena's insight and my jet lagged ramblings!
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
Fear Santos gas plan may start fracking rush that poses ‘major risk’ to NT water supply
by @donnadlu.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
by @donnadlu.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Fear Santos gas plan may start fracking rush that poses ‘major risk’ to NT water supply
Fossil fuel company plans to expand exploration in Beetaloo basin
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Fear Santos gas plan may start fracking rush that poses ‘major risk’ to NT water supply
by @donnadlu.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
by @donnadlu.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
BREAKING 🚨: The government has just announced that they are ending new oil and gas exploration in the UK and have started a plan for workers and communities to transition away from fossil fuels.
🧵
🧵
November 26, 2025 at 5:55 PM
BREAKING 🚨: The government has just announced that they are ending new oil and gas exploration in the UK and have started a plan for workers and communities to transition away from fossil fuels.
🧵
🧵
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
Australia projected to miss 2035 emissions reduction target ‘by a country mile’ unless it ramps up climate policies
Australia projected to miss 2035 emissions reduction target ‘by a country mile’ unless it ramps up climate policies
Climate change minister Chris Bowen acknowledges ‘additional work’ needed to meet 2035 goal
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Australia projected to miss 2035 emissions reduction target ‘by a country mile’ unless it ramps up climate policies
FWIW when we spoke to people familiar with diplomatic lingo, they said this kind of clause was common as it compels the parties to work things out but does not grant either advantage over the other.
In case you wondered about next year's Australian-Turkish COP31, this is the agreement. HT: @carbonbrief.org
The very trick detail: "If there is a difference in views between Turkey and Australia, consultations will take place until the difference is resolved to mutual satisfaction"
The very trick detail: "If there is a difference in views between Turkey and Australia, consultations will take place until the difference is resolved to mutual satisfaction"
November 26, 2025 at 7:09 PM
FWIW when we spoke to people familiar with diplomatic lingo, they said this kind of clause was common as it compels the parties to work things out but does not grant either advantage over the other.
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
Rich nations blamed operational rifts and budget constraints to hold off funding TFFF, a struggle that reflects a worldwide crisis in climate finance; nearly one-third of the funds raised by global forest mechanisms remain undisbursed.
Carla Ruas on @mongabay.com
news.mongabay.com/2025/11/braz...
Carla Ruas on @mongabay.com
news.mongabay.com/2025/11/braz...
Brazil’s forest fund faces a slow takeoff at COP30 despite initial support
Operational rifts and budget constraints choked ambitious funding from rich nations for TFFF at Belém’s summit.
news.mongabay.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Rich nations blamed operational rifts and budget constraints to hold off funding TFFF, a struggle that reflects a worldwide crisis in climate finance; nearly one-third of the funds raised by global forest mechanisms remain undisbursed.
Carla Ruas on @mongabay.com
news.mongabay.com/2025/11/braz...
Carla Ruas on @mongabay.com
news.mongabay.com/2025/11/braz...
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
China's new coal plant permits set for four-year low in 2025, analysis finds reut.rs/3M2SKEb
China's new coal plant permits set for four-year low in 2025, analysis finds
China's new coal plant permits for 2025 are on track to fall to a four-year low, a new Greenpeace analysis showed on Tuesday, indicating that growing use of renewables is cutting into demand for new coal plants.
reut.rs
November 25, 2025 at 12:15 PM
China's new coal plant permits set for four-year low in 2025, analysis finds reut.rs/3M2SKEb
"Vietnam has been hit by 14 typhoons this year. Five was the average a few decades ago. The rain from the past few days did not even come from a cyclone — but to add inundation on top of injury, a 15th major storm has just formed off the country’s south central coast."
Vietnam’s Year of Floods, Mud and Death
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:20 PM
"Vietnam has been hit by 14 typhoons this year. Five was the average a few decades ago. The rain from the past few days did not even come from a cyclone — but to add inundation on top of injury, a 15th major storm has just formed off the country’s south central coast."
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
Communities along Cambodia’s O’Ta Bouk River are experiencing severe water contamination, skin ailments and the collapse of fish stocks, which they blame on an unregulated gold mine operating upstream inside Virachey National Park.
Toxic runoff from politically linked gold mine poisons Cambodian rivers, communities
*Sources have requested pseudonyms be used to protect their identity out of fear of retaliation from the government or mining companies BANGKOK, Thailand/RATANAKIRI, Cambodia — “When you touch the…
news.mongabay.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Communities along Cambodia’s O’Ta Bouk River are experiencing severe water contamination, skin ailments and the collapse of fish stocks, which they blame on an unregulated gold mine operating upstream inside Virachey National Park.
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1