Climate Change and what we should do about it
In Australia in dealing with the pandemic, the Commonwealth and all States have repeatedly stated that what they are doing is ‘to rely on the science and the advice of the health experts’. As a result Australia is one of the few countries in the world that has almost got the pandemic under control. With the advent of a vaccine we may be able to put the episode behind us altogether.
Surely it is not a big stretch to apply these principles (i.e. listen to the scientists) in dealing with Climate Change. The overwhelming number of scientists tell us that without drastic action the planet is headed for a significant increase in average temperatures which will result in more numerous ‘Severe Climate Events’ such as bushfires, hurricanes, etc. (Ref: The International Panel on Climate Change -IPCC, also ‘A Life on our Planet’ by David Attenborough and thousands of others.) This will make many places in the world unliveable. (ref: Climate Analytics. a non-profit climate science and policy institute based in Berlin, with an office in Perth.)
These ‘severe climate events’ are already happening: The Bushfires in early 2020 in Australia were exacerbated by the warming climate, 2020 was the worst Hurricane season in living memory off the coast of North America, there are Bushfires in Siberia and gradually rising sea levels. The Ice caps are melting (North and South Poles and the Greenland Ice sheet). Sea temperatures are rising.
Australia is a major producer and exporter of fossil fuels- coal, gas and LNG. 70% of Australia’s electricity is generated using coal. This raises our footprint considerably if one adds the effect of Australia’s fossil fuel exports to domestic Greenhouse Gas emissions.
In summary:
Australia’s domestic emissions are1.4% of Global emissions.
Add Australia’s fossil fuel exports are 3.6% of Global emissions.
Giving a total of 5% of Global emissions, a hugely significant figure.
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Don’t be fooled by the mild summer we have had on the East Coast in the 2020/21 summer. The La Nina event occurs every few years which has given us some decent rain. The pattern will revert to normal shortly and the trend over the past couple of decades is that Australia is experiencing a drier climate with less and less rain.
Do we still think that Australia should just do nothing or as it appears at the moment make inconsequential or token efforts to reduce carbon emissions?
NO!I think we should be responsible and take our place in the world to tackle what is a major threat to our very existence.
So where are we in terms of tackling Greenhouse Gas Emissions which are the main driver of increasing temperatures and therefore Climate Change:
1. Australia is projected to increase its Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 8.6% above 2005 levels by 2030. This is far away from the emission reductions promised by the Australian Government by 2030 (16-18 % below 2005 levels). (Ref: Climate Analytics).
Australia is far from doing enough to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
1. The following is what needs to be done and can be done. We cannot expect the rest of the world to do all the heavy lifting while we sit back and do as little as possible.
- The biggest single issue that will have a significant effect on Australia’s emission is Coal which needs to be phased out a source of electricity generation. No one is suggesting that we just abandon the industry. There needs to be a clear Government policy, with a timetable plus compensation for mines and power stations closing down and a retraining programme for the employees affected.
Electricity will be generated by Renewables, which release no emissions and which already generates electricity at a lower cost than Coal with the improvements in generation technology as well as storage (batteries).
Other issues that will reduce Australia’s Carbon emissions:
- Transport. Convert trucks to the already available electric and fuel cell technology. Most new cars will be electric by 2030.
- Buildings. Set Minimum standards for new buildings. Retrofit older buildings.
- Low Carbon Factories. New technology will allow for near zero emissions from steel making, ammonia, cement, petrochemicals and ammonia.
- Minimise Land Clearing/ or replant areas that have already been cleared. Land Clearing increases Carbon emissions. Australia already has cleared a greater percentage of natural vegetation than any other country in the world. This need to be redressed. Will require Government policy and probably a subsidy to landowners to encourage them to comply.
It should be noted that Prime minister Morrison was snubbed at a recent International Climate Change conference by the British Prime Minister in that he was denied an opportunity to speak. All because of what the International Community regards as Australian tokenism on the issue.
BIPARTISAN APPROACH
The only way of actually creating, implementing and maintaining a coherent policy to combat Climate Change in Australia is by having a bi-partisan approach to the issue.
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT DOING ENOUGH.
The consequences of not doing enough will be catastrophic for both Australia and the World at large.
Australia
- An increase in droughts, heatwaves, devastating bushfires and Cyclones. This is already happening.
- A rise in sea levels, which has and will result in coastal erosion. For example many Sydney suburbs will be prone to flooding, including Sydney Airport and suburbs surrounding Paramatta river . All Australian Capital cities will be similarly affected.
The Pacific Island States will be devastated. Many will become unliveable, resulting in large numbers of people feeling they have no option but to migrate to Australia.
The world at large.
- Similar trends to Australia.
Australia has an opportunity to become a world leader in renewable technology. Instead we seem to be clinging onto what is rapidly becoming dated technology.
Guy Hallowes
January 2021