The atmosphere is to the earth as a layer of varnish is to a desktop globe. It is thin, fragile and essential for preserving the items on the surface.150 years of burning fossil fuel have overloaded the atmosphere to the point where the earth is ill. It now has a fever. Read the detailed article, Soothing Gaia’s Fever for an evocative account of that analogy. The items listed here detail progress on coordinating 6.5 billion people in the most critical project undertaken by humanity.Â
Delay on ETS will be costly – report Updated: 12:37, Monday July 12, 2010 Delaying an emissions trading scheme could cost households an extra $60 a year in energy costs, a new report suggests. Federal cabinet meets on Tuesday to nut out the government’s latest approach to climate change, likely to be a key election Continue Reading →
Greens policy will save Australians $2 billion – Brown Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown says that today’s Climate Institutereport shows the Greens’ policy of a carbon tax will save households andbusinesses money as power costs soar, helped by federal government andopposition inaction. “The old parties’ inaction is locking in more expensive electricityproduction which, this report Continue Reading →
The jaws of death are opening wider for Australia, ensuring maximum economic damage when they finally snap shut, crocodile-style.
Instead of making a smooth, early transition to a clean economy we are doubling up our coal bet, and the latest manifestation – coal-to-liquids – is a perfect example.
Backed into a corner, the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, showed her true colours on climate on Lateline on Wednesday night, and guess what? They look to be the same – if not browner – than Kevin Rudd’s.
So Gillard has urged the deferral of the emissions trading scheme, watched the party’s polls freefall, taken over the leadership as a direct result … and still is maintaining we have until 2013 to introduce a price on carbon. A fatal misconception.
10 July 2010There is no substitute for carbon price action now – Greens The Australian Greens want action now on a carbon price set bylegislation as critical for climate change action Australian GreensLeader Bob Brown said in Canberra today. “Energy efficiency, renewable energy measures and saving forests – asalready put to Parliament by the Greens Continue Reading →
PM Julia Gillard told to slow down on climate
LABOR’S closest business adviser, Heather Ridout, has warned Julia Gillard to slow down as the PM prepares to rush out a climate change policy.
As chief executive of the Australian Industry Group, Ms Ridout has offered consistently strong support to the Labor government and was a member of the Henry tax review panel.
She told The Weekend Australian yesterday that it would be “over-reaching” for the government to roll out a replacement for the emissions trading scheme ahead of the election and cautioned Ms Gillard to avoid embracing a carbon-tax quick fix, warning that business was not prepared nor ready.
“It is totally the wrong atmosphere — we are getting way ahead of ourselves,” Ms Ridout said. “I think the confidence of business has been really shaken by the breakdown of the domestic consensus on this issue. Business doesn’t want the government to be in any hurry to come up with this in the lead-up to the election.”
July 9, 2010
Julia Gillard has declared she is the woman to back if voters want action on climate change, despite confirming she will not reverse the government decision to shelve the emissions trading scheme until 2013.
Speaking yesterday in Brisbane, the Prime Minister said the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, does not believe climate change is caused by human activity and his position on a carbon price is unreliable.
Ms Gillard is preparing to announce new policies to address climate change – including an energy-efficiency program and new renewable energy projects – to fill the gap left by the decision to shelve its trading scheme.