Archive for June, 2008
ABC News
A new Queensland Government report has shown that average temperatures in Queensland may rise by up to 5 degrees Celsius by the year 2070 if greenhouse gas emissions should remain high. Queensland is particularly vulnerable to climate change because much of the population is concentrated along the coast, and major industries are reliant on the climate. State Minister Andrew McNamara said the challenge for the state will be two-fold: to try and prevent the temperature rising beyond the 2 degree mark, and to lessen the impact of any inevitable changes to the climate.
posted by anna on June 26, 2008 at 12:24 am · filed under 
The Wilderness Society
A study released on World Environment Day (June 5) revealed that Western Australia has the world’s largest, healthiest remaining area of temperate woodland. The area, known as the Great Western Woodlands, is located in the south of Western Australia between Kalgoorlie, Esperance, and the Nullarbor Plain, and is almost three times as large as Tasmania. The region is of great global significance due to the richness of species it harbours, and the report draws attention to the area’s importance and the need to secure its protection for the future.
posted by anna on June 26, 2008 at 12:00 am · filed under 
CO2 News
New Zealand is soon to have a national emissions trading scheme (ETS), but it may not even reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says Associate Professor Richard Denniss of the Australian National University. This faliure will result from lack of bipartisan support and the decisions to give away permits to polluters and delay the entry of the agriculture sector until 2013. Denniss warns not to copy this approach and also points to recent squabbling in Australian politics over petrol pricing as alarming when sensible debate is needed.
posted by shaun on June 25, 2008 at 10:49 pm · filed under
ABC News
With the Garnaut report to be handed down next week, the Federal Government is crying foul over Opposition policy shifts for the timetable of an emissions trading scheme. The Coalition’s pre-election promise of an introduction in 2011 has now been abandoned and there is the prospect of a policy cutting petrol excise to offset the effect of carbon pricing. Treasurer Wayne Swan is warning of long-term economic effects from cheap politics and a negative scare campaign.
posted by shaun on June 25, 2008 at 10:21 pm · filed under
ABC News
Following on the back of last week’s leaked document reporting that the Murray-Darling has only months left if it is to be saved from permanent drought damage, water experts are urging the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting to be held next week to acknowledge that the time for talk is over and real action is now required to save the Lower Murray. Professor Mike Young from Adelaide University says that action must include water shares for all states as well as for the environment. Peter Cosier from the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists argues the case for speeding up the Government’s water buy-back.
posted by Vinnie on June 24, 2008 at 11:43 pm · filed under 
Sydney Morning Herald
Top NASA scientist James Hansen, the man who first brought Climate Change to the attention of America 20 years ago, has spoken to the US Congress warning that the dangerous levels of carbon in the atmosphere has long passed. He says that globally, we need to get back to 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide - currently the levels are at 386.5 parts per million. He told an AP luncheon, where he was hailed as a Climate Prophet and a hero that “We see a tipping point occurring right before our eyes. The Arctic is the first tipping point, and it’s occurring exactly the way we said it would.”
posted by Vinnie on June 24, 2008 at 11:12 pm · filed under 
ABC news
On the first day of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Santiago, Chile made the whale a national monument and its waters an official whale sanctuary. The Chilean President, Michelle Bachelet, announced the declaration before an international group of environment ministers including Australia’s Peter Garrett. Garrett strongly approves the decision and hopes Chile will build a whale-watching industry as has been done in Australia.
posted by amelia on June 24, 2008 at 3:19 pm · filed under 
Planet Ark
With the launch of Australia’s Emissions Trading Scheme (AETS) in 2010, Australians will see a long-term improvement in the affordability of energy. However in the short-term, there will most likely be a temporary rise in energy prices. The Climate Institute reports that the government may potentially receive a A$1.8 billion compensation bill every year before energy prices drop. The AETS is designed to provide an economic incentive for businesses to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
posted by amelia on June 24, 2008 at 3:10 pm · filed under 
ABC
The 60th annual conference of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has begun in Santiago and conference chair, Bill Hoggart, is calling for no debate. He is urging that debate and voting be avoided at this conference, which will wipe issues off the agenda such as Brazil hoping to declare a South Atlantic whale sanctuary.
posted by kirsty on June 24, 2008 at 11:35 am · filed under
The Australian
The coal mining division of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) has written to the the Federal Minister in charge of Climate Change policy, Penny Wong, advising her to support the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) despite growing opposition from the Productivity Commision and the government’s own adviser on Climate Change, Mr Roger Wilkins, who are in favour of reliance on the Carbon Emission Trading Scheme to drive markets to look for low emission and renewable energy sources. The CFMEU argues that in the short term, while the cost of carbon emissions are low, gas use for electricty will increase, but development of longer term solutions, such as Wind and Solar will suffer.
posted by Vinnie on June 23, 2008 at 10:31 pm · filed under
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