No surprises here. The Morrison government hid evidence that the damage being caused to Australia by climate warming is far worse than it let on. This is the reality revealed in a devastating and latest State of the Environment Report, produced on behalf of this government, and led by expert Emma Johnston from the University of Sydney. Continue reading Report exposes Australia’s shocking environment record→
New South Wales is experiencing its fourth major flooding event in 18 months. Everyone should now see that climate change driven new climate patterns have become the new reality. One would think that Australia would act decisively to be better prepared to meet the challenges that this brings. Continue reading Floods once again show Australia needs much more prevention and climate action→
Chris Bowen, Australia’s new climate minister has vowed to cut taxes on electric vehicles and a $20 billion “rewiring the nation” commitment to build a renewable energy grid. A climate bill will be introduced into the parliament. This bill includes a target to reduce carbon emissions by 43 percent by 2030, compared with 2005 levels. There will be discussions with state governments on how to implement this. The Climate Changer authority will be returned to its former authority, to give science-based advice on a new emissions target by 2035. Continue reading Chris Bowen announces new government’s climate policy→
The following has been written by RFS volunteer in western Sydney and a GetUp member. He gives his view on the Morrison government’s failure to respond and provide vital support for communities suffering in the floods that have devastated Queensland and New South Wales. This has happened before and carries a terrible sense of déjà vu, he says. Perhaps this time around people will remember this in the coming election and beyond.Australia needs a comprehensive plan to deal with disasters.
The future of the Channel Country is on the line. While the Queensland Government delays protecting the rivers and floodplains, oil and gas giants are on the march.
After returning from a disastrous appearance at COP 26, Scott Morrison has unveiled his plan to embrace electric vehicles. This is not as it might appear. It is a ploy designed to give the embattled prime minister credibility with an election on the horizon. Continue reading Scott Morrison’s electric vehicle revolution is a fake→
Brian Wilcox, the chief executive of the national employer association, the Australian Industry Group (AI), wrote the following article (The Guardian 16 October 2021). He puts the case for Australia embracing a carbon neutral policy direction. Whether one believes that the Morrison government is moving in this direction or not, it remains that from the viewpoint of much of Australian business, to not keep up with the pace of other nations will inevitably mean loss of trade and investment, a blow to the economy, and a loss of jobs and income for many. He says that the transition means paying due attention to the mass application of new technologies through the economy, providing suitable incentives, and the involvement of in making this a reality. Brian Wilcox speaks for those he represents within the context of division in the Coalition, and some of what he says may not be in accord with everyone’s views. Nevertheless, he makes good points that should be taken seriously.
Theodore Whyte (Resilience 26 August 2021) argues that central banks across the world are being less than honest about pledges to pull out of the fossil fuel industry when they are doing the opposite. A campaign marketing to build a positive image for population concerned about the climate crisis, is not the same thing as acting on it.