Articles - TheVocalMinority

Environment

Closer to tackling climate change

The world has pulled to a stop but the fight to tackle climate change is rolling on. This week, we step away from the COVID-19 doom and gloom to highlight some of the positive contributions made to help the planet take a turn for the better.

thevocalminority
August 14, 2020

Humanitarian

Foreign aid cuts hurt charities

As charities struggle to stay afloat during the pandemic, signs are appearing their trouble is exasperated by years of foreign aid slashing. The government is increasingly keen to protect its own national interests and its hurting the world’s most vulnerable.

thevocalminority
August 10, 2020

Humanitarian

Pandemic opens door to solving homelessness

Among the train wreck of this ongoing pandemic, some positive news just emerged. Public support for ending homelessness is larger than ever and concrete action is taken to end rough sleeping – forever. We take a look at what initiatives and support is driving the change,

thevocalminority
August 7, 2020

Humanitarian

Our brains in lockdown

Learning to live through a pandemic was never going to be easy. With millions experiencing poor mental health, many have also reported feeling forgetful. What is happening to our memory and where is this Groundhog Day feeling coming from?

thevocalminority
August 4, 2020

Environment

Black summer’s carnage revealed

Nearly three billion koalas, kangaroos and other native Australian animals were killed or displaced by last year’s black summer bushfires, a study by the WWF shows. It is almost three times an earlier estimate released in January.

thevocalminority
August 1, 2020

Environment

Rebuilding Australia post-pandemic

Australia is facing two major crises: COVID-19 and climate change. Now, a new report says tackling recession and climate change could create 76,000 Australian jobs. Created over three years they would focus on 12 areas including creating large-scale renewable energy projects and retrofitting inefficient public buildings.

thevocalminority
July 29, 2020

Humanitarian

Stop locking up 10-year-olds in prison

Every year, in Australia, kids as young as 10 are arrested, held in police cells, hauled before the courts and locked up behind bars. The vast majority are indigenous children. Next week, lawmakers will review a proposal by advocacy groups to raise the legal age to 14. Here’s how you can help…

thevocalminority
July 24, 2020

Humanitarian

Pandemic disrupting coffee supply

Coronavirus is disrupting the global coffee supply. While farmers in rural South America manage to continue operations, political upheaval (think Brazil) and the closing down of cafes in Australia is causing many to worry for their future. When we next appear out of lockdown, our morning routine may be completely changed.

thevocalminority
July 21, 2020

Humanitarian

Why JobSeeker is a keeper

Ever tried living on $40 per day? Yes, that includes your bills, housing and food. Most of us would run out before breakfast, let alone make it through the day. Next week, the government will announce its plans for JobSeeker. Here’s why it mustn’t be reverted to Newstart levels.

thevocalminority
July 20, 2020

Humanitarian

Disadvantage a huge problem

The gap between rich and poor is very wide in Sydney, but there’s more than disadvantage than a lack of money. Much of Queensland struggles with educational disadvantage while regional NSW and Victoria are both more disadvantaged when it comes to health. Where are the most disadvantaged parts of Australia?

thevocalminority
July 16, 2020

Environment

Fixing Australia’s biodiversity laws

ICYMI: a review of Australia’s environment laws has been handed over – just not to the public. That didn’t stop a stream of critics speaking out: our environmental protection laws are failing badly and must be overhauled urgently.

thevocalminority
July 10, 2020

Humanitarian

1.4 million Australians going hungry

Charities are reporting a record 1.4 million Australians are relying on food banks to get through the pandemic. If these numbers aren’t yet sobering enough, there are further fears that charities will be overwhelmed come September when JobKeeper is due to finish.

thevocalminority
July 7, 2020