David Ritter
@david-ritter.bsky.social
CEO at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, all views are my own.
Pinned
Half a century ago, the Great Barrier Reef was to be drilled for oil. It was saved – for a time
In the late 1960s, oil and gas companies began exploring the Great Barrier Reef for oil. It took campaigners, unionists and a royal commission to protect the reef.
theconversation.com
Labor saved the Great Barrier Reef once under the leadership of Gough Whitlam. They can continue this legacy by taking genuine climate action to curb global heating, and saying no to Woodside’s plans to drill for gas at Scott Reef.
theconversation.com/half-a-centu...
theconversation.com/half-a-centu...
Reposted by David Ritter
I wrote this some time ago - with all of us knowing this day would come, and Rob, of course, fighting like the bloody-minded bastard he was to the very end. He irrevocably changed my life - and how our country saw itself. www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
Rob Hirst was a force of nature, a born showman who led Midnight Oil from the back
Phenomenal drummer and percussionist was an equally accomplished songwriter who embodied the band’s bloody-minded spirit
www.theguardian.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:16 AM
I wrote this some time ago - with all of us knowing this day would come, and Rob, of course, fighting like the bloody-minded bastard he was to the very end. He irrevocably changed my life - and how our country saw itself. www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
I am very deeply saddened to hear of the death of Rob Hirst.
Rob’s lyrics, drumming, and vocals are one of the indivisible elements that made Midnight Oil into an Australian cultural and political phenomenon, forming an intrinsic part of the soundtrack to many lives and campaigns.
RIP Rob Hirst.
Rob’s lyrics, drumming, and vocals are one of the indivisible elements that made Midnight Oil into an Australian cultural and political phenomenon, forming an intrinsic part of the soundtrack to many lives and campaigns.
RIP Rob Hirst.
Remembering Midnight Oil’s Rob Hirst - Greenpeace Australia Pacific
I am very deeply saddened to hear of the death of Rob Hirst.
www.greenpeace.org.au
January 21, 2026 at 12:10 AM
I am very deeply saddened to hear of the death of Rob Hirst.
Rob’s lyrics, drumming, and vocals are one of the indivisible elements that made Midnight Oil into an Australian cultural and political phenomenon, forming an intrinsic part of the soundtrack to many lives and campaigns.
RIP Rob Hirst.
Rob’s lyrics, drumming, and vocals are one of the indivisible elements that made Midnight Oil into an Australian cultural and political phenomenon, forming an intrinsic part of the soundtrack to many lives and campaigns.
RIP Rob Hirst.
Ahead of a bad summer, I'm in @canberratimes.bsky.social with a piece on how PM @albomp.bsky.social can fix the Morrison Govt’s biggest failure after the 2019–20 fires — refusing to phase out fossil fuels.
Full piece: www.canberratimes.com.au/story/913080...
Full piece: www.canberratimes.com.au/story/913080...
December 11, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Ahead of a bad summer, I'm in @canberratimes.bsky.social with a piece on how PM @albomp.bsky.social can fix the Morrison Govt’s biggest failure after the 2019–20 fires — refusing to phase out fossil fuels.
Full piece: www.canberratimes.com.au/story/913080...
Full piece: www.canberratimes.com.au/story/913080...
Reposted by David Ritter
“In these moments of failure by politicians & negotiators, it would be easy to give in to legitimate feelings of anger & frustration; but the task before us is to appraise every moment for opportunities for momentum.“
#FossilFuel induced #ClimateChange
#FossilFuel induced #ClimateChange
November’s issue of ‘With Love’ is a reflection on the disappointing outcome of COP30 in Belem, and the hope that shines bright, despite it all, that we will prevail over the forces of climate destruction, together.
www.greenpeace.org.au/ceo-newslett...
www.greenpeace.org.au/ceo-newslett...
From Brazil, with love - Greenpeace Australia Pacific
About halfway through the most recent United Nations’ annual climate change conference, COP30 in Belém, Carolina Pasquali, my counterpart at Greenpeace Brazil, started to lose her voice. She was suffe...
www.greenpeace.org.au
December 2, 2025 at 6:42 AM
“In these moments of failure by politicians & negotiators, it would be easy to give in to legitimate feelings of anger & frustration; but the task before us is to appraise every moment for opportunities for momentum.“
#FossilFuel induced #ClimateChange
#FossilFuel induced #ClimateChange
A new AEMC report shows rapid investment in renewables, transmission & storage can cut power bills now—but slowing momentum risks prices climbing again.
Australia needs sustained, ambitious clean energy investment. Anyone clinging to ageing coal or gas is choosing higher bills and more pollution.
Australia needs sustained, ambitious clean energy investment. Anyone clinging to ageing coal or gas is choosing higher bills and more pollution.
Watchdog flags 5 per cent fall in power prices amid renewables surge
An energy watchdog says more renewable energy is projected to lower prices, but others warn the promise is illusory and more pain is coming.
www.abc.net.au
December 4, 2025 at 2:33 AM
A new AEMC report shows rapid investment in renewables, transmission & storage can cut power bills now—but slowing momentum risks prices climbing again.
Australia needs sustained, ambitious clean energy investment. Anyone clinging to ageing coal or gas is choosing higher bills and more pollution.
Australia needs sustained, ambitious clean energy investment. Anyone clinging to ageing coal or gas is choosing higher bills and more pollution.
I’m in the latest Quarterly Essay, with a Correspondence piece responding to Marian Wilkinson’s ‘Woodside vs the Planet’ essay, along with a range of others including Greg Bourne and @petergarrett.com.au. The Correspondences are a great continuation of the important conversation started by Marian.
December 3, 2025 at 3:20 AM
I’m in the latest Quarterly Essay, with a Correspondence piece responding to Marian Wilkinson’s ‘Woodside vs the Planet’ essay, along with a range of others including Greg Bourne and @petergarrett.com.au. The Correspondences are a great continuation of the important conversation started by Marian.
November’s issue of ‘With Love’ is a reflection on the disappointing outcome of COP30 in Belem, and the hope that shines bright, despite it all, that we will prevail over the forces of climate destruction, together.
www.greenpeace.org.au/ceo-newslett...
www.greenpeace.org.au/ceo-newslett...
From Brazil, with love - Greenpeace Australia Pacific
About halfway through the most recent United Nations’ annual climate change conference, COP30 in Belém, Carolina Pasquali, my counterpart at Greenpeace Brazil, started to lose her voice. She was suffe...
www.greenpeace.org.au
December 2, 2025 at 4:29 AM
November’s issue of ‘With Love’ is a reflection on the disappointing outcome of COP30 in Belem, and the hope that shines bright, despite it all, that we will prevail over the forces of climate destruction, together.
www.greenpeace.org.au/ceo-newslett...
www.greenpeace.org.au/ceo-newslett...
People in the global majority will suffer the worst effects of climate change, and as the third-largest fossil fuel exporter in the world, Australia has a moral duty to spearhead the transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy.
www.theguardian.com/world/video/...
www.theguardian.com/world/video/...
Floods kill at least 1,100 people across south and south-east Asia – video
Authorities in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia race to help victims of devastating flooding
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:01 AM
People in the global majority will suffer the worst effects of climate change, and as the third-largest fossil fuel exporter in the world, Australia has a moral duty to spearhead the transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy.
www.theguardian.com/world/video/...
www.theguardian.com/world/video/...
Still feeling the absolutely electric energy of the brave and powerful action carried out by @greenpeaceap.bsky.social activists at the @risingtideaus.bsky.social protestival over the weekend.
The government must listen to the thousands of people who turned out to speak out for a safe future.
The government must listen to the thousands of people who turned out to speak out for a safe future.
December 1, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Still feeling the absolutely electric energy of the brave and powerful action carried out by @greenpeaceap.bsky.social activists at the @risingtideaus.bsky.social protestival over the weekend.
The government must listen to the thousands of people who turned out to speak out for a safe future.
The government must listen to the thousands of people who turned out to speak out for a safe future.
Reposted by David Ritter
BREAKING: Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists are blocking a coal export ship from entering the world’s largest coal port, as thousands rally at Rising Tides People's Blockade.
@risingtideaus.bsky.social
www.greenpeace.org.au/news/greenpe...
@risingtideaus.bsky.social
www.greenpeace.org.au/news/greenpe...
Greenpeace activists block coal ship from entering world’s largest coal port at Rising Tide blockade - Greenpeace Australia Pacific
NEWCASTLE, Sunday 30 November 2025 – Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists have scaled and blocked a coal ship, bound for the Port of Newcastle today, during the Rising Tide People’s Blockade,&hellip...
www.greenpeace.org.au
November 29, 2025 at 11:20 PM
BREAKING: Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists are blocking a coal export ship from entering the world’s largest coal port, as thousands rally at Rising Tides People's Blockade.
@risingtideaus.bsky.social
www.greenpeace.org.au/news/greenpe...
@risingtideaus.bsky.social
www.greenpeace.org.au/news/greenpe...
Reposted by David Ritter
BREAKING‼️ Greenpeace have scaled and blocked a coal ship bound for Newcastle today for #RisingTide, deploying a banner with a message to Labor 👉🏼 “Phase Out Coal and Gas”.
www.greenpeace.org.au/news/greenpe...
www.greenpeace.org.au/news/greenpe...
November 29, 2025 at 11:02 PM
BREAKING‼️ Greenpeace have scaled and blocked a coal ship bound for Newcastle today for #RisingTide, deploying a banner with a message to Labor 👉🏼 “Phase Out Coal and Gas”.
www.greenpeace.org.au/news/greenpe...
www.greenpeace.org.au/news/greenpe...
Reposted by David Ritter
But the law still fails us on climate while Australia expands its coal and gas. It’s time to call for the end of fossil fuels. www.greenpeace.org.au/act/fossil-f...
Phase Out Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are turbo-charging extreme weather events in Australia, the Pacific and around the world. The Australian Government must listen to Australian and Pacific communities and stop new coal, oi...
www.greenpeace.org.au
November 27, 2025 at 12:37 AM
But the law still fails us on climate while Australia expands its coal and gas. It’s time to call for the end of fossil fuels. www.greenpeace.org.au/act/fossil-f...
Reposted by David Ritter
These changes mean that more forests will stand. More wildlife will survive. Our endangered wildlife and threaten ecosystems all have a better chance because of this reform.
November 27, 2025 at 12:37 AM
These changes mean that more forests will stand. More wildlife will survive. Our endangered wildlife and threaten ecosystems all have a better chance because of this reform.
Reposted by David Ritter
A huge victory for nature! The Government and Greens have agreed to a stronger national nature law: and it happened because people spoke up. Deforestation loopholes are finally closing. Logging and land clearing will face real assessments for the first time ever.
November 27, 2025 at 12:37 AM
A huge victory for nature! The Government and Greens have agreed to a stronger national nature law: and it happened because people spoke up. Deforestation loopholes are finally closing. Logging and land clearing will face real assessments for the first time ever.
Today's agreement on EPBC reforms is a huge leap forward for forest protection— though more needs to be done to halt the impacts of climate on nature.
Welcome progress today that must be followed by strong implementation and an end to fossil fuel expansion.
www.greenpeace.org.au/news/nature-...
Welcome progress today that must be followed by strong implementation and an end to fossil fuel expansion.
www.greenpeace.org.au/news/nature-...
Nature laws agreement delivers big forests outcome; much work to be done on climate - Greenpeace Australia Pacific
CANBERRA, 27 NOV 2025 — Greenpeace has welcomed the agreement struck by Labor and the Greens today on EPBC Act reforms, which secures new nature and forest protections, but says…
www.greenpeace.org.au
November 27, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Today's agreement on EPBC reforms is a huge leap forward for forest protection— though more needs to be done to halt the impacts of climate on nature.
Welcome progress today that must be followed by strong implementation and an end to fossil fuel expansion.
www.greenpeace.org.au/news/nature-...
Welcome progress today that must be followed by strong implementation and an end to fossil fuel expansion.
www.greenpeace.org.au/news/nature-...
Today’s decision that Türkiye will be the host of #COP31 with Australia as President is not the outcome Australia wanted.
Whatever the forum, whoever the President, the urgency and focus cannot change, and phasing out fossil fuels and ending deforestation must be at the core of the COP31 agenda.
Whatever the forum, whoever the President, the urgency and focus cannot change, and phasing out fossil fuels and ending deforestation must be at the core of the COP31 agenda.
Whatever the COP31 venue, ‘Australia must perform’, says Greenpeace, as Türkiye confirmed as COP31 host - Greenpeace Australia Pacific
SYDNEY/BELÉM, BRAZIL, Wednesday 19 November 2025 — As Türkiye is confirmed as the COP31 host, Greenpeace Australia Pacific has urged the Australian government to show leadership and use its role to dr...
www.greenpeace.org.au
November 19, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Today’s decision that Türkiye will be the host of #COP31 with Australia as President is not the outcome Australia wanted.
Whatever the forum, whoever the President, the urgency and focus cannot change, and phasing out fossil fuels and ending deforestation must be at the core of the COP31 agenda.
Whatever the forum, whoever the President, the urgency and focus cannot change, and phasing out fossil fuels and ending deforestation must be at the core of the COP31 agenda.
Reposted by David Ritter
The exhibition, on unaccounted for climate impacts of the oil and gas industry, also featured the display of a giant Climate Polluters Bill linked to the fossil fuel industry.
#MakePollutersPay
act-int.greenpeace.org/polluters-pa...
#MakePollutersPay
act-int.greenpeace.org/polluters-pa...
November 19, 2025 at 6:33 PM
The exhibition, on unaccounted for climate impacts of the oil and gas industry, also featured the display of a giant Climate Polluters Bill linked to the fossil fuel industry.
#MakePollutersPay
act-int.greenpeace.org/polluters-pa...
#MakePollutersPay
act-int.greenpeace.org/polluters-pa...
Reposted by David Ritter
Press conference room absolutely packed at #COP30 as 20+ ministers gather to call for a roadmap away from fossil fuels to be a key outcome of this summit
(Many more countries have expressed their support behind the scenes)
(Many more countries have expressed their support behind the scenes)
November 18, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Press conference room absolutely packed at #COP30 as 20+ ministers gather to call for a roadmap away from fossil fuels to be a key outcome of this summit
(Many more countries have expressed their support behind the scenes)
(Many more countries have expressed their support behind the scenes)
Reposted by David Ritter
Telstra tells customers it “takes climate action seriously,” but CEO Vicki Brady sits on the board of the Business Council of Australia (BCA) – a lobby group stacked with some of Australia’s biggest polluters.
November 13, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Telstra tells customers it “takes climate action seriously,” but CEO Vicki Brady sits on the board of the Business Council of Australia (BCA) – a lobby group stacked with some of Australia’s biggest polluters.
Serious political parties have to take real-world issues seriously. Otherwise, what is the actual point in them?
The future of our national flourishing, security and prosperity should not be a partisan political plaything, tossed around by ambitious politicians chasing power and advancement.
The future of our national flourishing, security and prosperity should not be a partisan political plaything, tossed around by ambitious politicians chasing power and advancement.
November 13, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Serious political parties have to take real-world issues seriously. Otherwise, what is the actual point in them?
The future of our national flourishing, security and prosperity should not be a partisan political plaything, tossed around by ambitious politicians chasing power and advancement.
The future of our national flourishing, security and prosperity should not be a partisan political plaything, tossed around by ambitious politicians chasing power and advancement.
New findings from @amnesty.org reveal that proximity to fossil fuel infrastructure elevates the risk of cancer, respiratory issues, and heart disease.
Beyond the climate imperative to phase out fossil fuels, it’s a matter of human rights. A fast, fair, clean transition must be a global priority.
Beyond the climate imperative to phase out fossil fuels, it’s a matter of human rights. A fast, fair, clean transition must be a global priority.
Fossil fuel projects around the world threaten the health of 2bn people
Exclusive: ‘Deep-rooted injustices’ affect billions of people due to location of wells, pipelines and other infrastructure
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:00 AM
New findings from @amnesty.org reveal that proximity to fossil fuel infrastructure elevates the risk of cancer, respiratory issues, and heart disease.
Beyond the climate imperative to phase out fossil fuels, it’s a matter of human rights. A fast, fair, clean transition must be a global priority.
Beyond the climate imperative to phase out fossil fuels, it’s a matter of human rights. A fast, fair, clean transition must be a global priority.
Important research from the IEEFA, showing that if Woodside’s Browse gas project went ahead, the product would be far too expensive for domestic and international markets. Another blow to the non-existent economic case for drilling gas at Scott Reef.
ieefa.org/resources/br...
ieefa.org/resources/br...
Browse gas: Expensive, emissions-intensive, unnecessary
Woodside’s Browse gas project is unlikely to be competitive either domestically or internationally, based on IEEFA cost estimates.
ieefa.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Important research from the IEEFA, showing that if Woodside’s Browse gas project went ahead, the product would be far too expensive for domestic and international markets. Another blow to the non-existent economic case for drilling gas at Scott Reef.
ieefa.org/resources/br...
ieefa.org/resources/br...
Solidarity to Paul Kabai and Pabai Pabai as they begin their appeal case against the Federal Court’s July ruling that the Australian government does not have a duty of care to protect the Torres Strait from climate harm. Polluters and the governments that enable them must be held accountable.
'Facing an existential threat': Landmark climate case appeal lodged
Two Torres Strait Islander uncles are appealing a federal court ruling that the Commonwealth does not owe a duty of care to protect their people from the impacts of climate change.
www.abc.net.au
November 12, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Solidarity to Paul Kabai and Pabai Pabai as they begin their appeal case against the Federal Court’s July ruling that the Australian government does not have a duty of care to protect the Torres Strait from climate harm. Polluters and the governments that enable them must be held accountable.
All power to the Monash students running this campaign for their huge win — Monash University is ending its partnership with Woodside.
Fossil fuel vested interests have no place in our universities, or any other institutions for the public good.
Fossil fuel vested interests have no place in our universities, or any other institutions for the public good.
November 12, 2025 at 3:20 AM
All power to the Monash students running this campaign for their huge win — Monash University is ending its partnership with Woodside.
Fossil fuel vested interests have no place in our universities, or any other institutions for the public good.
Fossil fuel vested interests have no place in our universities, or any other institutions for the public good.
As #COP30 begins in Belem, the moral obligation is clear for Australia and other rich nations to act ro end fossil fuels, make polluters pay, and keep 1.5°C alive — a lifeline for the Pacific.
#MakePollutersPay #FossilFuelPhaseOut
🔗 abc.net.au/news/105982176
#MakePollutersPay #FossilFuelPhaseOut
🔗 abc.net.au/news/105982176
Inaction on 1.5C climate change target a 'moral failure', says UN chief at COP30
Missing from the line-up at the key summit in Brazil are the leaders of four of the world's five most-polluting economies — China, the United States, India and Russia.
abc.net.au
November 10, 2025 at 4:04 AM
As #COP30 begins in Belem, the moral obligation is clear for Australia and other rich nations to act ro end fossil fuels, make polluters pay, and keep 1.5°C alive — a lifeline for the Pacific.
#MakePollutersPay #FossilFuelPhaseOut
🔗 abc.net.au/news/105982176
#MakePollutersPay #FossilFuelPhaseOut
🔗 abc.net.au/news/105982176