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Anthony Albanese, Australia’s new Prime Minister, will deliver a climate message to Tokyo

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3 years ago

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Anthony Albanese, Australia’s new Prime Minister, will deliver a climate message to Tokyo

Anthony Albanese, Australia’s new prime minister, took office on Monday, hours before flying to Tokyo to deliver a “message to the world” that his country is ready to engage on climate change.

Before taking the oath of office in a brief, publicly televised ceremony at Government House in Canberra, the 59-year-old Labor Party leader told reporters that he wants to “bring people along on the journey of change.”

In a rushed post-election schedule, he was leaving a few hours later to attend the Quad summit, which brings together the leaders of the United States, Japan, and India.

The Tokyo summit is “an absolute priority” for Australia, according to Albanese, and an opportunity “to send a message to the world.”

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He warned international partners to expect major changes, “particularly in terms of climate change and our engagement with the world on those issues.”

‘Hope and optimism’

Albanese has often reflected on his path to the nation’s highest office, beginning with his upbringing in Sydney public housing by his struggling single mother.

The new leader has stated that he, too, wishes to transform his country.

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“Albo” said shortly before being sworn in that he wanted to lead a government based on “optimism and hope, which I believe defines the Australian people.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who will join the prime minister in Tokyo, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher were among the new members of Albanese’s team to take office.

Albanese has pledged to adopt more aggressive emissions reduction targets in order to transform the sun-drenched continent-nation into a renewable energy superpower.

Coal and natural gas

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Images of smouldering eucalypt forests, suffocating cities, and bleached-out coral reefs have made Australia a poster child for climate-related devastation in recent years.

Under conservative leadership, the country has become synonymous with playing the spoiler at international climate talks, despite already being one of the world’s largest gas and coal exporters.

This track record allowed a slew of climate-conscious independent candidates to wrest once-safe conservative urban seats, assisting Labor in gaining power.

It’s still unclear whether Albanese’s Labor Party will win enough parliamentary seats to form an outright majority, or if he’ll need to rely on independents or smaller parties.

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Albanese said he would return to Australia the next day after the summit and bilateral meetings with Quad leaders on Tuesday.

He said, “Then we’ll get down to business.”

Foreign leaders from Australia’s Pacific Island neighbours, whose very existence is threatened by rising sea levels, have been vocal in their support for Albanese’s election.

“Of all your promises to support the Pacific, none is more welcome than your plan to prioritise the environment — our people’s shared future depends on it,” Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said.

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Albanese was also congratulated by US Vice President Joe Biden.

The White House said in a statement that “President Biden expressed deep appreciation for… (Albanese’s) early commitment to the alliance, as evidenced by his decision to travel almost immediately to Tokyo to attend the Quad Summit.”

Earthquake in politics

Others will be watching to see if Albanese’s presidency results in a less hawkish tone toward China, and if ministerial meetings with Beijing resume after a two-year hiatus.

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Official results showed Labor winning 75 seats, putting it close to the 76 seats needed for a majority in the 151-seat lower house. Another few races are still too close to call.

However, it is clear that the election resulted in a political earthquake in Australia.

For many Australians, the election was a referendum on former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has polarised the country.

Voters overwhelmingly rejected his Liberal-National coalition, removing top ministers from parliament and effectively expelling the party from major cities.

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The defeat has already sparked a battle for the party’s soul among Morrison’s conservative allies.

Informally, a leadership contest is underway, with moderates blaming the loss on a rightward shift.

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Train smarter, not harder: How taking occasional breaks from gym can revolutionise your fitness routine

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7 hours ago

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November 21, 2024

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Train smarter, not harder: How taking occasional breaks from gym can revolutionise your fitness routine

Taking regular breaks from intense training, like deload weeks, helps your body recover, preventing fatigue and injury, and ultimately boosts fitness gains.

When it comes to getting fit, the idea of spending hours at the gym might come to mind, but many fitness experts argue that taking a “deload week” every six to eight weeks is actually key to improving your fitness gains. A deload week involves reducing the intensity of workouts to allow the body to recover from the fatigue and muscle damage caused by intense training.

While high-intensity training helps build strength and fitness, it can also lead to muscle strain, and without adequate recovery, these gains can’t fully materialise. Deload weeks give the body much-needed rest to repair and rebuild, ensuring continued progress. (Also read: Bhagyashree swears by this super easy exercise for instant leg pain relief and better mobility. Watch how to do it )

Why recovery is key for muscle growth

According to an article by The Conversation, intense exercise can cause tiny tears in muscle fibres, leading to inflammation that requires rest or low-intensity exercise to heal. This inflammation is essential for muscle growth and fitness improvements. However, without proper recovery, muscles remain in a state of slight damage, preventing inflammation from resolving. This chronic state of inflammation can hinder muscle function, reducing oxygen efficiency and impairing performance. Giving muscles time to recover through rest ensures they repair properly and are primed for continued progress, setting us up for greater success in our fitness journey.

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Many gymgoers fear taking time off and are worried it will lead to a loss of gains. However, research shows that muscle genes have a “memory imprint,” which keeps them in a semi-prepared state. This allows muscles to respond more quickly and effectively to future training, promoting growth after a rest period. Even after extended periods of reduced intensity, up to seven weeks, muscular fitness can be restored to prime condition—and in some cases, surpass previous levels. Interestingly, recovery can occur twice as fast as it took to reach peak fitness initially, even if some strength is lost.

Taking time off from intense training is crucial to prevent muscle soreness and avoid overtraining syndrome. Overtraining occurs when the body doesn’t get enough rest, leading to prolonged fatigue, decreased performance, and mood disturbances. Symptoms develop gradually, making overtraining difficult to recognize until it’s severe. Rest is essential to avoid these issues and ensure long-term progress in training.

Role of overtraining syndrome and deload weeks

Overtraining syndrome is challenging to quantify due to its vague symptoms. Studies suggest it may affect as few as 10% of elite athletes, though rates could climb to 60% among highly competitive individuals. Recovery is essential for both fitness and overall health. When engaging in heavy gym routines, it’s vital to incorporate sufficient recovery time into your workout plan. Unlike rest days, which involve little to no exercise once or twice a week, deload weeks feature lighter training at reduced intensity—typically about 50% fewer workouts or a 20% drop in workout intensity.

Both rest days and deload weeks are essential for recovery and crucial to improving fitness. It’s not about choosing one over the other—they complement each other. For instance, intense training for marathons, Ironman, or CrossFit competitions requires weekly rest days alongside scheduled deload weeks. However, for recreational gym-goers exercising 1–3 times weekly at a moderate intensity, the recovery from this routine is often sufficient without the need for additional deload weeks.

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Fitness influencers recommend incorporating deload weeks into training schedules every 4–8 weeks, aligning closely with the expert advice of 4–6 weeks. However, it’s crucial to listen to your body and schedule deload weeks as needed. If your performance plateaus or worsens, it may signal time for a deload. Training plans should be flexible enough to allow rest when required. Deload weeks not only enhance performance but also support overall health.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

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