Archive for June, 2008
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
ABC News
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has accused the Federal opposition of running a scare campaign on the back of a report by the Climate Institute. The report says Australian households will be $200 worse off over a five year period with the introduction of a Carbon Emmision Trading Sceme (CETS). Liberal backbencher Denis Jensen goes further, saying the cost of the CETS on the household will be closer to $1000. However, Mr Rudd said in Parliament today “They [the Opposition] should hang their heads in shame as they embark upon the next fear campaign by the Liberal Party.”
posted by Vinnie on June 23, 2008 at 10:12 pm · filed under
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