Writer
Ralph Evans
Ralph Evans AO is author of “<em>Toast: Climate change is doing enormous harm. Why do many Australians deny it? Can we avoid the worst effects?</em>”. He is a former head of Austrade and co-founded the Australian arm of the Boston Consulting Group.
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Will the iron ore bonanza be repeated with “green” steel?
Iron ore has underpinned Australia’s prosperity. Gas and coal exports are bound to fall as market countries cut their carbon emissions. Can we build our future on “green” steel? Continue reading »
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Dutton’s and Littleproud’s huge economic own goal
The Dutton-Littleproud nuclear plan will make us poorer than we need to be and leave us more heavily in debt. Continue reading »
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What’s wrong with carbon capture?
It sounds wonderful. Politicians and fossil fuel companies love it. But more often than not carbon capture and storage (CCS) is raised as a smokescreen for something that will harm the world. Continue reading »
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“Green” industries and Albo’s Venn diagram
The PM has announced a series of big-dollar programs to promote energy transition, “green” industries, local manufacturing and “critical” minerals. He is juggling themes that are not always consistent. The government needs to be prudent as it backs projects with taxpayers’ money. Continue reading »
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How smart is the government as it sloshes our money about into hydrogen, “critical” minerals and now solar panels?
We are getting used to mega-sized investment announcements from the government – a couple of billion for hydrogen projects, four or maybe six billion for “critical minerals” and now a billion for solar panel manufacturing. Continue reading »
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Bring on our Green Industrial Revolution – But watch for white elephants
Bravo to Ross Garnaut and Rod Sims for their effort at the National Press Club on 14 February to overturn the whole national debate on climate, energy, productivity and tax. But the Green Industrial Revolution may not fall easily into Australia’s lap. Continue reading »
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Is climate change too hard for democracy?
We have all heard that 2023 was the warmest year ever for the world, by some margin. Continue reading »
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Hazards in the critical minerals strategy
Demand is exploding for materials used in clean technology and IT. Amid worries that China dominates supply of many of these, Australia is developing a $4 billion program to expand their mining and processing. In Washington, our PM and the President announced a joint “Compact” on critical minerals. There are hazards here, including possibly tying Continue reading »
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Climate action: there is no time left
Loud warnings of climate disaster continue. We could be in for a catastrophe from which there is no recovery. But we are dawdling along. It is time for more decisive action. Continue reading »
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It’s time for a climate test before approving large projects
As a major exporter of fossil fuels, Australia has a hand in emissions several times larger than those we generate here. To avoid climate catastrophe, all greenhouse emissions must be cut, fast. It is time to introduce a test of the impact on the global climate before big new projects are approved. Continue reading »
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Is hydrogen for export over-hyped?
There is a good deal of hype about the potential for exports of Hydrogen. But there are technical and competitive reasons to question how large a boom it will be. There are other opportunities in the low-carbon world, and the need to decarbonise the economy is urgent. Continue reading »
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Nuclear Power: the right’s giant red herring
Politicians of the Right keep suggesting Australia should build nuclear power stations. Why? They are slow to build, very expensive and potentially risky, and we have far better alternatives. Their aim is to divide and to wedge. We should treat it as a giant red herring. Continue reading »
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Where now with climate?
The government’s Climate Change bill, with its 43 percent emissions reduction target, has passed the House. Now, there is a huge agenda of things to do to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Continue reading »
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What emissions target should the Greens and teals aim for?
There is a lot for the new government to get on with as it leads our transition away from a high-carbon economy. The Greens and Teals should focus on pushing the program forward rather than arguing about the 2030 target. Continue reading »
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Wrong way, not just kidding, on climate change
Ross Garnaut has said the leaders are “just kidding” on climate change in the election campaign. It’s worse than that. They are leading us the wrong way. Continue reading »
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What would I do if I were the Minister for Climate Change?
For too long, the nine Australian governments have been pursuing inconsistent agendas on emissions and energy. Usually, the. states and territories have led (in some notable cases under Coalition governments), while the Commonwealth has lagged badly. Continue reading »
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Climate emergency: Australia must come in from the cold
As the consequences of global warming worsen, countries that are laggards on climate action risk facing sanctions or bullying from powerful nations. Continue reading »
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Climate crisis: Australia should join the methane pledge
By stopping the government signing the EU-US methane pledge, the Nationals have ensured Australians will suffer more climate damage than they should. Continue reading »
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After the battle for net zero emissions, more climate battles are coming
The battle for net zero emissions is nearly over, but not the war. A new battle, to cut emissions deeply by 2030, is under way. Following hard behind, another battle is starting, to cut emissions of methane. Continue reading »
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Before it even starts in Glasgow, COP26 is a climate change success
Momentum is building for the big climate conference in Glasgow next month. It needs a big contribution from China. This may not happen: their agenda is full. But Glasgow has succeeded already. Continue reading »
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The Flipside of Zero Net Emissions
More attention needs to be given to negative emissions and more research is needed. Continue reading »
