Samarco mine disaster in Brazil: the tragedy of the commons at work

The recent collapse of a dam in Brazil killed 11 people with a dozen still missing. Max Thomas says disasters like this will keep occurring while the desire for more of everything as cheap as possible exists.

Political climate change

Will Malcolm Turnbull have the political courage and skill to break our bond with carbon? Max Thomas on climate change, economics and old jokes.

My vision for Australia – a Fair Go for all

Do we need constitutional change? Max Thomas says the existing arrangements that served us well in the past are not well suited to our position in the contemporary world.

Buy back privatised utilities and infrastructure? What for? Why?

Should state governments buy back privatised utilities and infrastructure? Max Thomas suggests to rather campaign for investing in state-owned renewable energy and other key infrastructure.

Population and the environment – a perspective

Many claim that overpopulation is the greatest contributor to environmental damage. Reducing the population seems like a simple solution, but is it?

Environmentalism and science

Science needs to be able to speak the language of its intended audience. Max Thomas says the challenge is to get the science of communication and the communication of science right.