Piers Mitchem
@piersmitchem.bsky.social
Lawyer, enviro campaigner & former Greens candidate. MA - Non-proliferation & International Security.
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
Revealed: Australia’s Future Fund now owns $100m+ of Palantir — the controversial tech firm powering Trump’s deportations and the Israeli Army’s operations in Gaza. Cam Wilson reports.
Revealed: Australia's $100 million investment in controversial surveillance giant Palantir
Australia's Future Fund drastically increased its stake in Palantir in the year since Donald Trump took office, according to its latest figures.
www.crikey.com.au
January 29, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Revealed: Australia’s Future Fund now owns $100m+ of Palantir — the controversial tech firm powering Trump’s deportations and the Israeli Army’s operations in Gaza. Cam Wilson reports.
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
We are now 85 second to midnight. This is the closest to midnight the world has ever been.
@thebulletin.org
@thebulletin.org
January 27, 2026 at 3:31 PM
We are now 85 second to midnight. This is the closest to midnight the world has ever been.
@thebulletin.org
@thebulletin.org
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
Today, @thebulletin.org moved its Doomsday Clock four seconds closer to midnight. As B.R. Cohen wrestled with our "derangement of scale," he spoke with an environmental scientist who has helped set the clock's hands
By All Measures - Longreads
Our problems are too vast, our distance from them too great. How do we navigate our derangement of scale?
longreads.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Today, @thebulletin.org moved its Doomsday Clock four seconds closer to midnight. As B.R. Cohen wrestled with our "derangement of scale," he spoke with an environmental scientist who has helped set the clock's hands
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
“National leaders … must take the lead in finding a path away from the brink,” writes the Science and Security Board in the 2026 Doomsday Clock statement.
“Citizens must insist they do so.”
Watch the announcement: buff.ly/BGu0Zse
“Citizens must insist they do so.”
Watch the announcement: buff.ly/BGu0Zse
January 27, 2026 at 4:07 PM
“National leaders … must take the lead in finding a path away from the brink,” writes the Science and Security Board in the 2026 Doomsday Clock statement.
“Citizens must insist they do so.”
Watch the announcement: buff.ly/BGu0Zse
“Citizens must insist they do so.”
Watch the announcement: buff.ly/BGu0Zse
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
The events of the last 24 hours show why it's important to build functional verification structures in public and counterpublic spaces to resist the authoritarian erosion of our democratic systems, as described in this thread.
🧵 @jburnmurdoch.ft.com is spot on about the conditions in his FT piece. Liberal democracy held it together thanks to growth, good demographics, and the promise of a better future. Those days are gone, and that’s the "why" behind the erosion. However...
Democratic politicians have, though, pursued growth in GDP at the expense of other values. One response to @jburnmurdoch.ft.com pessimistic scenario is refocus on those values, combined with egalitarianism, sufficiency and quality of life. Not "it's the economy, stupid" but "it's the the society"
January 25, 2026 at 9:24 AM
The events of the last 24 hours show why it's important to build functional verification structures in public and counterpublic spaces to resist the authoritarian erosion of our democratic systems, as described in this thread.
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
The Trump team is dropping the ball on New START, which limits deployments of nuclear weapons. Russia has offered an off ramp without negotations but the US isn't responding. This is a no-brainer, but Trump's ignorance and machismo are likely to result in the shredding of this important treaty.
Russia says it has no specific contacts with US on expiring nuclear treaty
Russia and the United States currently have no specific contacts regarding the imminent expiry of the New START nuclear arms control treaty, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday.
www.reuters.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:21 PM
The Trump team is dropping the ball on New START, which limits deployments of nuclear weapons. Russia has offered an off ramp without negotations but the US isn't responding. This is a no-brainer, but Trump's ignorance and machismo are likely to result in the shredding of this important treaty.
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
The White House’s rapid response account has posted video of ICE agent Jonathan Ross shooting Renée Nicole Good in the head and then calling her a “fucking bitch.”
January 9, 2026 at 7:57 PM
The White House’s rapid response account has posted video of ICE agent Jonathan Ross shooting Renée Nicole Good in the head and then calling her a “fucking bitch.”
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
I checked out his timeline, and guy Musk is promoting (someone with >100k followers) is just posting straight up Stormfront ca. 2005 material, or White Aryan Resistance material ca.1989. The world’s richest man and the GOP’s most important funder has turned X into Stormfront.
checking in on elon musk, the guy who absolutely did not give a nazi salute last year
January 8, 2026 at 2:53 PM
I checked out his timeline, and guy Musk is promoting (someone with >100k followers) is just posting straight up Stormfront ca. 2005 material, or White Aryan Resistance material ca.1989. The world’s richest man and the GOP’s most important funder has turned X into Stormfront.
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
Using imagery online of the shooting by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, we’ve created an animated sequence which highlights the approximate positioning of officers and vehicles at the scene. The red dot represents the agent who fired the shots. Yellow dots are other agents who arrived at the scene.
January 7, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Using imagery online of the shooting by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, we’ve created an animated sequence which highlights the approximate positioning of officers and vehicles at the scene. The red dot represents the agent who fired the shots. Yellow dots are other agents who arrived at the scene.
Imagine a government that knowingly & willingly helped make these conditions:
- more likely
- more frequent
- more lethal
Imagine that!
- more likely
- more frequent
- more lethal
Imagine that!
January 8, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Imagine a government that knowingly & willingly helped make these conditions:
- more likely
- more frequent
- more lethal
Imagine that!
- more likely
- more frequent
- more lethal
Imagine that!
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
“The decision to use military force to topple a disfavored government will not stop with the United States,” writes @oonahathaway.bsky.social. “We can count on others to follow our example.”
More in @nytimes.com: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/o...
More in @nytimes.com: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/o...
Opinion | The Great Unraveling Has Begun
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:54 PM
“The decision to use military force to topple a disfavored government will not stop with the United States,” writes @oonahathaway.bsky.social. “We can count on others to follow our example.”
More in @nytimes.com: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/o...
More in @nytimes.com: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/o...
US under the Trump administration is fast becoming a terror state. In no world can the extrajudicial kidnapping of a foreign leader - who poses zero credible threat to US security - be excused.
@albomp.bsky.social and the Labor government must condemn it and do so now.
@albomp.bsky.social and the Labor government must condemn it and do so now.
January 4, 2026 at 2:10 AM
US under the Trump administration is fast becoming a terror state. In no world can the extrajudicial kidnapping of a foreign leader - who poses zero credible threat to US security - be excused.
@albomp.bsky.social and the Labor government must condemn it and do so now.
@albomp.bsky.social and the Labor government must condemn it and do so now.
May their propellers rust and their hulls leak.
December 23, 2025 at 10:21 AM
May their propellers rust and their hulls leak.
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
One problem with testing "on an equal basis" with Russia and China is that they might not be on equal basis with each other. If we match Russia, China gets a free pass to follow. China has the smallest number of tests (45 v 🇷🇺715 and 🇺🇸1032) and ∴ the most to gain from new data.
October 30, 2025 at 2:32 PM
One problem with testing "on an equal basis" with Russia and China is that they might not be on equal basis with each other. If we match Russia, China gets a free pass to follow. China has the smallest number of tests (45 v 🇷🇺715 and 🇺🇸1032) and ∴ the most to gain from new data.
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
1/n - Trump says something about nuclear weapons tests...It’s hard to know what he means. As usual, he’s unclear, all over the map, and wrong.
1. The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country.
Wrong. Russia has more nuclear weapons than the United States.
1. The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country.
Wrong. Russia has more nuclear weapons than the United States.
October 30, 2025 at 6:22 AM
1/n - Trump says something about nuclear weapons tests...It’s hard to know what he means. As usual, he’s unclear, all over the map, and wrong.
1. The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country.
Wrong. Russia has more nuclear weapons than the United States.
1. The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country.
Wrong. Russia has more nuclear weapons than the United States.
“Agree to our dogsh-t nature reforms, or we’ll drop it and just let the trashing of the environment continue.”
Imagine holding nature to ransom like this.
Disgraceful.
Imagine holding nature to ransom like this.
Disgraceful.
October 30, 2025 at 8:10 AM
“Agree to our dogsh-t nature reforms, or we’ll drop it and just let the trashing of the environment continue.”
Imagine holding nature to ransom like this.
Disgraceful.
Imagine holding nature to ransom like this.
Disgraceful.
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
The tyrant that Albanese and Wong keep trying to ingratiate us with keeps ordering extrajudicial murders
U.S. Military Kills Another 6 People in 5th Caribbean Strike, Trump Says
www.nytimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The tyrant that Albanese and Wong keep trying to ingratiate us with keeps ordering extrajudicial murders
Western leaders fawning over Trump for bringing ‘peace’ as if he hasn’t spent the last 10 months underwriting a genocide..
October 14, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Western leaders fawning over Trump for bringing ‘peace’ as if he hasn’t spent the last 10 months underwriting a genocide..
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
Just so we’re clear: Labor is choosing to work with the worst possible party on environmental issues, instead of the Greens and teals who actually want environmental regulation.
And Watt is already admitting it won’t have a climate trigger …
And Watt is already admitting it won’t have a climate trigger …
Watt nears deal with Coalition to finally overhaul environment laws
Environment Minister Murray Watt will sit down with his Liberal counterpart Angie Bell today, with quiet optimism in both parties that a deal might soon be struck to finally rewrite Australia's "broke...
www.abc.net.au
October 8, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Just so we’re clear: Labor is choosing to work with the worst possible party on environmental issues, instead of the Greens and teals who actually want environmental regulation.
And Watt is already admitting it won’t have a climate trigger …
And Watt is already admitting it won’t have a climate trigger …
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
Chris Sidoti, former Human Rights Commissioner, at the National Press Club:
“The Genocide Convention not only requires that we not commit genocide - it also requires that we act to prevent genocide.”
#npc
“The Genocide Convention not only requires that we not commit genocide - it also requires that we act to prevent genocide.”
#npc
October 1, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Chris Sidoti, former Human Rights Commissioner, at the National Press Club:
“The Genocide Convention not only requires that we not commit genocide - it also requires that we act to prevent genocide.”
#npc
“The Genocide Convention not only requires that we not commit genocide - it also requires that we act to prevent genocide.”
#npc
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
"Now, 80 years after Hiroshima, we have blundered into a new age of nuclear perils."
A must-read interactive, multimedia piece in @nytimes.com ⬇️
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
A must-read interactive, multimedia piece in @nytimes.com ⬇️
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
80 Years After Hiroshima Bombing, Art Needs ‘Courage to Be Afraid’
Eighty years after the city’s destruction, we seem to be blundering into a new age of nuclear perils. It is time for culture to rediscover “the courage to be afraid.”
www.nytimes.com
August 4, 2025 at 3:59 PM
"Now, 80 years after Hiroshima, we have blundered into a new age of nuclear perils."
A must-read interactive, multimedia piece in @nytimes.com ⬇️
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
A must-read interactive, multimedia piece in @nytimes.com ⬇️
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
The web of life, evolved over countless aeons, being torn apart in our time.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Half the tree of life’: ecologists’ horror as nature reserves are emptied of insects
A new point in history has been reached, entomologists say, as climate-led species’ collapse moves up the food chain even in supposedly protected regions free of pesticides
www.theguardian.com
July 18, 2025 at 6:46 AM
The web of life, evolved over countless aeons, being torn apart in our time.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
It's not often that we get to see what we're up against...
This carbon dioxide plume was captured by the EMIT instrument sitting on board the International space station just before noon on the 25th of March above Victoria's Loy Yang brown coal power stations, which are among the world's dirtiest.
This carbon dioxide plume was captured by the EMIT instrument sitting on board the International space station just before noon on the 25th of March above Victoria's Loy Yang brown coal power stations, which are among the world's dirtiest.
July 18, 2025 at 7:10 AM
It's not often that we get to see what we're up against...
This carbon dioxide plume was captured by the EMIT instrument sitting on board the International space station just before noon on the 25th of March above Victoria's Loy Yang brown coal power stations, which are among the world's dirtiest.
This carbon dioxide plume was captured by the EMIT instrument sitting on board the International space station just before noon on the 25th of March above Victoria's Loy Yang brown coal power stations, which are among the world's dirtiest.
Reposted by Piers Mitchem
Driving food insecurity and competition for resources, climate change can indirectly intensify conflict risks. Cornelia Scholz explains how we can analyse trends in climate and conflict data, and understand the risks. www.bellingcat.com/resources/ho...
The Story of a Storm Part II: Visualising Conflict and Displacement Data - bellingcat
Extreme weather events are increasingly forcing millions of people from their homes. In this guide we will focus on visualising conflict, climate and displacement data.
www.bellingcat.com
July 4, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Driving food insecurity and competition for resources, climate change can indirectly intensify conflict risks. Cornelia Scholz explains how we can analyse trends in climate and conflict data, and understand the risks. www.bellingcat.com/resources/ho...
Trump might see himself as a tactical & strategic genius, but this is exactly why every president before him saw “bombing the shit out of Iran” as the worst option.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites only set back program by months, Pentagon report says
Findings by Defense Intelligence Agency suggest Trump’s declaration that sites were ‘obliterated’ may be overstated
www.theguardian.com
June 24, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Trump might see himself as a tactical & strategic genius, but this is exactly why every president before him saw “bombing the shit out of Iran” as the worst option.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...