Glass Wings Blog

The Glass Wings mailing list and blog is for general idle chit-chat about things we find interesting, especially humor, animation or other subjects relevant to the Glass Wings web site at glasswings.com.au. Subscribe at https://glasswings.com.au/subscribe.html

Fortescue says ditching fossil fuels is a “no-brainer” and can be done quickly. Will others follow?

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:09:19 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reneweconomy.com.au/fortescue-says-ditching-fossil-fuels-is-a-no-brainer-so-why-arent-other-companies-rushing-to-follow/>

"Andrew Forrest’s iron ore and green energy giant Fortescue has been slapped
down on multiple occasions for its failure to deliver on its green hydrogen
“hopium” – understandably so given that its ambition proved to be well before

To stop Australian democracy going the way of the US, here’s what we need to do

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:08:08 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/to-stop-australian-democracy-going-the-way-of-the-us-heres-what-we-need-to-do-280353>

"Around the world, democracy as a system of government is backsliding. After
more than 50 years of liberal democracy in ascendancy, democratic progress
plateaued around the turn of the century and is now going backwards.

Fortescue accelerates away from oil: doing what Australia should be doing on the fuel crisis

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:07:06 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reneweconomy.com.au/fortescue-accelerates-away-from-oil-doing-what-australia-should-be-doing-on-the-fuel-crisis/>

"Fortescue’s decision to accelerate a large-scale heavy industry green grid in
the Pilbara is a practical demonstration of the future Australia must now
choose: batteries and electrification replacing barrels and diesel, backed by

What actually is ‘civilisation’? The dark and loaded history behind Trump’s threat against Iran

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:05:45 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/what-actually-is-civilisation-the-dark-and-loaded-history-behind-trumps-threat-against-iran-280268>

"In the midst of a war of his own choosing, the president of the United States,
Donald Trump, recently tried to threaten his way out of it. On April 7, he
posted on Truth Social that unless Iran buckled to his will, “a whole

Key Toyota supplier commissions a 2 megawatt solar carport to slash electricity costs

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:04:52 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://thedriven.io/2026/04/13/key-toyota-supplier-commissions-a-2-megawatt-solar-carport-to-slash-electricity-costs/>

"A core component supplier for Japanese car giant Toyota has celebrated the
commissioning of a 2-megawatt solar carport at a facility in Japan which is
expected to save nearly 40 per cent on electricity costs.

Artemis II: as humans return to the Moon, which of these 4 futures will we choose?

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:03:55 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/artemis-ii-as-humans-return-to-the-moon-which-of-these-4-futures-will-we-choose-280267>

"The four Artemis II astronauts who looped around the Moon this week are
expected to splash down soon. NASA’s grand mission spells a return to human
deep-space travel, with renewed interest in building a long-term Moon base.

Hungarian opposition ousts Viktor Orbán after 16 years in power

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:18:39 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/12/viktor-orban-concedes-defeat-as-opposition-wins-hungarian-election>

"Hungary’s opposition Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, has won the election,
bringing an end to Viktor Orbán’s 16-year grip on power, in a result that is
likely to rattle the White House and reshape the country’s relationship with

NZ is surrounded by ocean energy. Just what would it take to tap it?

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:17:18 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/nz-is-surrounded-by-ocean-energy-just-what-would-it-take-to-tap-it-279842>

"“Same as it ever was” is a phrase that continues to resonate in 2026.

The oil shocks of the 1970s, triggered by conflict in the Middle East, sent

Solar panels are creating an unexpected effect by forming rainfall clouds and thriving oases in the middle of the desert

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:12:58 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.ecoportal.net/en/solar-panels-are-creating-rain-clouds/19854/>

"Solar panels may be benefiting the world in more ways than one.

We know that solar power now dominates the global renewable energy market,

Tobacco is still one of the world’s top killers – here are the key obstacles to enacting generational smoking bans

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:08:20 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/tobacco-is-still-one-of-the-worlds-top-killers-here-are-the-key-obstacles-to-enacting-generational-smoking-bans-278018>

"Smoking is really bad for you. Most people know that. Even smokers think
smoking is bad for one’s health. But most people don’t know just how bad it is.