Sam Lawrence
@saminaustralia.bsky.social
🌱 Environmentalist: climate and policy. Social justice. Traveller. Geo-politics. Optimist. Pun aficionado.
I like to build new things and try to leave the 🌏 better than we found it.
🇬🇧,🇫🇷,🇩🇪 + aprendiendo 🇪🇸
🏡 Melbourne / Bangkok / nomad
All views my own.
I like to build new things and try to leave the 🌏 better than we found it.
🇬🇧,🇫🇷,🇩🇪 + aprendiendo 🇪🇸
🏡 Melbourne / Bangkok / nomad
All views my own.
It’s so telling that the G20 is far more effective on climate without certain destructive elements present. A permanent G18 (sans the two pariahs across the Bering strait) could be a great option.
November 23, 2025 at 11:36 AM
It’s so telling that the G20 is far more effective on climate without certain destructive elements present. A permanent G18 (sans the two pariahs across the Bering strait) could be a great option.
COP30 was a failure. When a coalition of petro states led by Saudi Arabia and Russia red-line mention of fossil fuels, and the outcome is treating the symptom not the cause, it’s a failure. This jamboree needs massive overhaul. Much like the UN itself.
COP30 sidesteps fossil fuels, boosts climate aid for poor nations
Denial and division have been highlighted in the COP30 deal that makes no mention of cutting fossil fuels but boosts climate aid for developing nations.
www.abc.net.au
November 23, 2025 at 8:47 AM
COP30 was a failure. When a coalition of petro states led by Saudi Arabia and Russia red-line mention of fossil fuels, and the outcome is treating the symptom not the cause, it’s a failure. This jamboree needs massive overhaul. Much like the UN itself.
As predicted, and incredibly smart diplomacy: Australia controls the negotiations, gets moral praise from the Pacific for ‘trying’ to host COP, and incurs none of the costs. Well played. #auspol
Australia hands COP31 to Türkiye but Bowen to lead negotiations
Adelaide will not host next year's COP summit, but Australia's Energy Minister Chris Bowen will lead the negotiations, and a pre-event will be hosted by a Pacific Island nation.
www.abc.net.au
November 20, 2025 at 12:55 AM
As predicted, and incredibly smart diplomacy: Australia controls the negotiations, gets moral praise from the Pacific for ‘trying’ to host COP, and incurs none of the costs. Well played. #auspol
Reports of the death of democracy are, happily, greatly exaggerated. Australia’s principled and proactive approach to securing democratic norms in the Pacific is a tremendous tribute to quiet, effective middle power diplomacy. #auspol
Wong says Australia the 'architect' in the region after 'landmark' achievements
The foreign minister has used a major speech to celebrate the government's string of security agreements, saying Labor has helped build a region more stable and less deferential to authoritarian power...
www.abc.net.au
November 17, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Reports of the death of democracy are, happily, greatly exaggerated. Australia’s principled and proactive approach to securing democratic norms in the Pacific is a tremendous tribute to quiet, effective middle power diplomacy. #auspol
This is grotesque in a world with malnutrition and environmental degradation. 12.5% could fund the entirety of global tropical forests protection. A single figure %’age could rebuild Gaza. No one deserves $1 TRILLION. Shareholders should be ashamed. @teslatakedown.com @lilyjamali.bsky.social
Elon Musk's $1tn pay deal approved by Tesla shareholders
The richest man in the world will get hundreds of millions of new shares if he hits his targets.
www.bbc.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:59 AM
This is grotesque in a world with malnutrition and environmental degradation. 12.5% could fund the entirety of global tropical forests protection. A single figure %’age could rebuild Gaza. No one deserves $1 TRILLION. Shareholders should be ashamed. @teslatakedown.com @lilyjamali.bsky.social
A perfect example of why the Australian government cannot be trusted on climate - it fails at every step. And that’s both sides of the aisle - for decades. Pacific nations are right to call out Australia’s hypocrisy in seeking to host a climate COP while actively undermining climate progress.
'Climate trigger' formally ruled out of environment laws
A "climate trigger" that could be used to block coal and gas projects has been formally excluded from the government's overhaul of Australia's environment laws, minister Murray Watt confirms.
www.abc.net.au
October 22, 2025 at 4:57 AM
A perfect example of why the Australian government cannot be trusted on climate - it fails at every step. And that’s both sides of the aisle - for decades. Pacific nations are right to call out Australia’s hypocrisy in seeking to host a climate COP while actively undermining climate progress.
“To survive, the United Nations must leave America” - a short essay by Carl Bildt @cbildt.bsky.social
To Survive, the United Nations Must Leave America
Carl Bildt sees a change in headquarters as an unfortunate but necessary step for the embattled institution.
www.project-syndicate.org
October 5, 2025 at 1:48 PM
“To survive, the United Nations must leave America” - a short essay by Carl Bildt @cbildt.bsky.social
The @theguardian.com cartoonist @bjennings90.bsky.social absolutely nails it. Highly recommend his piercing observations 👌🏻
September 30, 2025 at 10:44 AM
The @theguardian.com cartoonist @bjennings90.bsky.social absolutely nails it. Highly recommend his piercing observations 👌🏻
The UN concludes that Israel is committing genocide. “Israel is responsible for genocide in Gaza…there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention” - Navi Pillay, Chair of UN Commission. #ohchr #israel #genocide
Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, UN Commission finds
GENEVA – Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, a...
www.ohchr.org
September 16, 2025 at 9:17 AM
🤷🏼♂️ there goes that Swedish prize 😏
Trump seeks to rebrand Department of Defense as Department of War
The US president has sought to refocus the department on "warfighting" and a "warrior ethos".
www.bbc.com
September 5, 2025 at 9:06 AM
🤷🏼♂️ there goes that Swedish prize 😏
Don’t suppose you could do a piece on the Daily on why an ex-Victorian State Premier was invited to (and actually) stood in this motley line-up? @andrewmueller.bsky.social
Why would Daniel Andrews taint his legacy by posing alongside dictators?
Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews posed for a class photo alongside Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in China. The question on everyone's mind is why?
www.abc.net.au
September 4, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Don’t suppose you could do a piece on the Daily on why an ex-Victorian State Premier was invited to (and actually) stood in this motley line-up? @andrewmueller.bsky.social
Collective punishment of civilians is a war crime under international law: one war crime amongst many in Israel’s ongoing slaughter of the Palestinian population. The ICC should indict Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz for war crimes, in addition to its existing indictment of Israel’s PM.
Gaza City will be razed if Hamas does not agree our terms, Israel minister says
Hamas should disarm and release all Israeli hostages, Israel Katz says, as country prepares a massive attack on Gaza City.
www.bbc.com
August 28, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Collective punishment of civilians is a war crime under international law: one war crime amongst many in Israel’s ongoing slaughter of the Palestinian population. The ICC should indict Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz for war crimes, in addition to its existing indictment of Israel’s PM.
Sophocles’ ancient play Antigone ~440 B.C., says "no one loves the messenger who brings bad news". Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra used the same motif. Plutarch described kings decapitating messengers who brought news of invading armies, leading to a lack of information and eventual downfall.
Pentagon fires intelligence chief after Iran attack assessment
The firing comes just weeks after a White House rebuke of a leaked intelligence report assessing the impact of US strikes on Iran.
www.bbc.com
August 23, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Sophocles’ ancient play Antigone ~440 B.C., says "no one loves the messenger who brings bad news". Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra used the same motif. Plutarch described kings decapitating messengers who brought news of invading armies, leading to a lack of information and eventual downfall.
🇦🇺 In a principled response to Netanyahu’s personal attacks on Australia’s PM, our Minister for Home Affairs @tonyburkemp.bsky.social noted that "Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry.” Israel should indict its PM for war crimes per ICC.
August 20, 2025 at 1:51 AM
🇦🇺 In a principled response to Netanyahu’s personal attacks on Australia’s PM, our Minister for Home Affairs @tonyburkemp.bsky.social noted that "Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry.” Israel should indict its PM for war crimes per ICC.
📊 “Firing the head of a key government agency because you don’t like the figures they report is what happens in authoritarian countries, not democratic ones” - Larry Summers, former US Treasury Secretary.
August 2, 2025 at 11:54 AM
📊 “Firing the head of a key government agency because you don’t like the figures they report is what happens in authoritarian countries, not democratic ones” - Larry Summers, former US Treasury Secretary.
🇨🇦🍁 Now the indicted war criminals crimes against humanity threaten hundreds of billions in North American trade via a slavish and complicit US administration. History will be the judge. May the True North remain strong and free. 🇨🇦
Israel Gaza latest: Trump says Canada's move to recognise Palestinian state threatens trade deal
After Canada joined the UK and France in planning to recognise Palestine, Trump says the move makes it
www.bbc.com
July 31, 2025 at 9:53 AM
🇨🇦🍁 Now the indicted war criminals crimes against humanity threaten hundreds of billions in North American trade via a slavish and complicit US administration. History will be the judge. May the True North remain strong and free. 🇨🇦
Over 2 million people in Gaza are facing man-made starvation at the hands of the Israeli government, headed by a man wanted by the #ICC for war crimes. Those turning a blind eye to an unfolding genocide are morally complicit.
Gaza facing man-made 'mass starvation', says WHO's Tedros
Gaza is suffering man-made mass starvation caused by a blockade on aid into the Palestinian enclave, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday.
www.reuters.com
July 23, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Over 2 million people in Gaza are facing man-made starvation at the hands of the Israeli government, headed by a man wanted by the #ICC for war crimes. Those turning a blind eye to an unfolding genocide are morally complicit.
✈️ We can only hope that one day, the Russian criminals responsible for this crime against humanity are brought to justice ⚖️
Europe's top court rules Russia responsible for downing MH17
Among the 298 passengers and crew on board the Malaysia Airlines flight were 38 Australian residents and citizens.
www.abc.net.au
July 9, 2025 at 5:37 PM
✈️ We can only hope that one day, the Russian criminals responsible for this crime against humanity are brought to justice ⚖️
Persian literature is ancient and fascinating. One of my favourite quotes is “whoever sows the wind shall reap the whirlwind.” 🌪️
June 13, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Persian literature is ancient and fascinating. One of my favourite quotes is “whoever sows the wind shall reap the whirlwind.” 🌪️
Called out by the UN - another terrific example of the incompetence of this government - supporting fossil fuel projects which actively destroy 40,000 year old indigenous heritage. @tanyaplibersekmp.bsky.social #auspol
UN set to knock back World Heritage bid for rock art over emissions concerns
The UN is proposing to knock back Australia's bid to add the Murujuga Cultural Area to the World Heritage list, instead asking the federal government to address concerns about emissions degrading the ...
www.abc.net.au
May 28, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Called out by the UN - another terrific example of the incompetence of this government - supporting fossil fuel projects which actively destroy 40,000 year old indigenous heritage. @tanyaplibersekmp.bsky.social #auspol
🔥 Exactly what we’ve come to expect from the Albanese government: retrogressive policy based on a complete lack of vision. This is exactly why we’re seeing the two-party duopoly falling in favour of progressive independents.
Australia's largest gas project approved for operation to 2070
The life of Australia's largest oil and gas project will be extended to 2070, with Environment Minister Murray Watt giving the long-awaited environmental approval for Woodside's North West Shelf proje...
www.abc.net.au
May 28, 2025 at 3:44 PM
🔥 Exactly what we’ve come to expect from the Albanese government: retrogressive policy based on a complete lack of vision. This is exactly why we’re seeing the two-party duopoly falling in favour of progressive independents.
🦘🇦🇺 Sounds about right for Australia.
Port Macquarie: Kangaroo 'tries to drown' man in Australia floodwaters
The marsupial held the man down in floodwater after they got into a fight near Port Macquarie.
www.bbc.com
May 23, 2025 at 7:39 PM
🦘🇦🇺 Sounds about right for Australia.
So Netanyahu’s 55,000 person ongoing #genocide and egregious war crimes wasn’t enough to stop the slaughter but pictures of Israel’s artificial famine-stricken innocent Palestinian children might be. Grim progress of a sort. His arrest by the ICC can’t come soon enough.
Netanyahu's slip of the tongue shows how the war could finally end
While bombing raids may be a distant and difficult concept for populations in relatively safe corners of the world to comprehend, the scenes of children jostling and screaming in fear and desperation ...
www.abc.net.au
May 21, 2025 at 9:56 AM
So Netanyahu’s 55,000 person ongoing #genocide and egregious war crimes wasn’t enough to stop the slaughter but pictures of Israel’s artificial famine-stricken innocent Palestinian children might be. Grim progress of a sort. His arrest by the ICC can’t come soon enough.