Pearls and Irritations

Scientists overwhelmingly agree that climate change is threatening life on this planet and that the root cause is the burning of fossil fuels. But what are we doing about it? More importantly, what are our so-called Leaders doing to address the threat?

Those who oppose Australia advocating for the global phase-out of fossil fuels should be challenged as to whether or not they accept the climate science.

Attempting to force change to government policy is challenging, and it is preferable to work with the government. However, when both parties of government are blatantly ignoring the science with their ongoing support for coal and gas extraction, there is no alternative but to work round the political process. When governments won’t take-up the fight, others must. The world is facing a climate catastrophe, and this justifies drastic action.

It is of course essential that a fossil fuel phase-out is well planned, responsible and equitable. A responsible phase-out would ensure that fossil fuels are not phased out until clean energy alternatives are available. However, the criteria must always be to prioritise clean energy, and only use a fossil fuel as a last resort, where there is no practicable clean energy option available in the timeframe to meet the demand.

Advocating for a global phase-out of fossil fuels is a better option for Australia than unilaterally stopping all new coal and gas developments. The problem is global and needs a global solution. It is debatable as to how beneficial it would be if Australia stopped new coal and gas developments whilst other exporting countries continued to approve new developments.

Australia should therefore endorse and promote the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

This is a proposed treaty that aims to stop the expansion of fossil fuel exploitation and manage a just transition away from coal, oil and gas to clean energy. The initiative for this treaty came from the Pacific Island nations, whose very existence is being threatened by rising sea levels, a consequence of climate change. Australia’s ongoing support for fossil fuels, especially continuing to approve new coal and gas projects, has angered our Pacific Island neighbours. An immediate benefit for Australia from endorsing the treaty would be the repair of this strained relationship. If Australia hosts COP 31 in 2026, as appears likely, it hopes to co-host the event with the Pacific Island nations. These countries might consider it appropriate for Australia’s endorsement of the treaty to be a condition for them to co-host the talks.

Australia should campaign for other nations to adopt the treaty, especially the other major coal, oil and gas producing countries. This treaty provides an ideal mechanism for Australia to advocate for the global phase-out of fossil fuels. Australia should promote the treaty through all available diplomatic channels, and the prime minister and other ministers should advocate for global endorsement of the treaty at G20 meetings and in bilateral talks with other countries.

Advocating for this treaty would be a sensible course of action for Australia. If it was adopted globally it would undoubtedly reduce the risk of Australia suffering life-threatening climate-related events. And it would provide the best chance for saving the Great Barrier Reef for future generations to enjoy.

Transitioning to clean energy has other benefits in addition to climate benefits. Renewable energy is now almost universally the cheapest form of energy. And of great importance for human health, transitioning from fossil energy to clean energy would prevent millions of deaths from air pollution. Coal is a major contributor to this, but gas, a fuel favoured by the Albanese government, also is a serious health hazard. The major health problems from gas were documented in a University of Sydney report released in September 2023 (The Risks Of Oil And Gas Development For Human Health And Wellbeing). There is no doubt that even if there wasn’t a climate crisis, phasing out fossil fuels as quickly as responsibly possible would be in the best interests of human health.

Climate scientists and other experts in the group would play a major role in explaining the problem and the solution. If people come to understand that the burning of fossil fuels is the main cause of life-threatening climate-related events, and is the main reason why the future of the Great Barrier Reef is at great risk, I think they will support Australia advocating for the responsible phasing out of fossil fuels. This change of policy would be in the best interests of Australia and the rest of the world. And it would be a better political option than unilaterally stopping new coal and gas developments.

With the federal election only a few months away, this is the ideal time for action to be taken to get a communications campaign under way. There is a strong possibility that the election will result in a hung parliament with a minority Labor government. This would be the best possible outcome for strong climate action. And a successful communications campaign would significantly help the election of candidates running on a strong climate action platform.

If Labor was in minority government, a reasonable request/demand from the crossbench would be for the government to endorse and advocate globally for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. The government would have to come to terms with the fact that gas is not a transition fuel, and just like coal, must be phased out as rapidly as responsibly possible.

There is a clear course of action to turn things around and enable Australia to take a leading role in addressing an existential threat to life on this planet. There are leading Australians who are highly critical of the government’s support for a long-term future for coal and gas exports. This is the time for them to come together and lead a campaign to force change to government policy.

If you have influence you have power. And power is needed to win the climate war against vested interests; a war that needs to be fought. That’s why I am calling on influential Australians to come together and lead a team to fuel a message that could set Australia on a new trajectory in addressing the global threat that is climate change.

Having read this article, ask yourself if there is anything you can do to progress this initiative with me.

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