Richard Denniss examines the Coalition’s ‘Net Zero by 2050’ climate plan; Pacific affairs with Nic Maclellan; Ceridwen Dovey on the commercial satellite mega-constellations damaging our night sky

Uncommon Sense

Economist Dr Richard Denniss debunks the political spin from Canberra during the last sitting week of parliament. He looks at the modelling and "plan" behind the Coalition's 'Net Zero by 2050' target, as well as the pandemic failures of the Morrison government. Nic Maclellan, Pacific Affairs Correspondent for Inside Story, discusses New Caledonia's third independence referendum controversy, civil unrest in the Solomon Islands, and much more. Writer Ceridwen Dovey explores her award-winning essay, "Everlasting Free Fall.” Have you heard about the damage being done to our orbital environments by rapidly growing satellite mega-constellations? “In the past 2 years, over 1000 new commercial satellites have been shot into low Earth Orbit.” These satellites are altering the night sky and have many consequences for the science of astronomy and our ability to spot potentially life-threatening asteroids. Ceridwen explains this concerning development, what it means for us, and the mental shift that needs to take place about space. "Everlasting Free Fall" is published in The Best Australian Science Writing 2021 (NewSouth Books) and on the Alexander digital storytelling platform.