Climate
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Nuclear won’t cut it: CCA says Australia must go all in on renewables to meet climate targets
Australia will not reach net zero emissions by 2050 under the federal Coalition’s nuclear power plan, according to a comprehensive new report that puts the shift to 100% renewables at the centre of all plausible pathways to meet the global climate target. Continue reading »
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For Australia to meet emissions reduction targets, we don’t need nuclear energy
The Federal Opposition’s energy policy includes the construction of nuclear power plants. Peter Dutton says that we need them because Australia’s emissions reduction target of 43% on 2005 levels by 2030 is unachievable. Is this true? We argue that it is not – and especially if the Australian Government works with state and territory governments Continue reading »
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Scientists must participate in the climate debate
Peter Hehir, in his article “Good science has no bias”, asserts that climate scientists should not, and will not, participate in the climate debate. Before reviewing Peter’s reasoning, it would be helpful to outline the current situation. Continue reading »
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Achieving net-zero: is nuclear the answer?
The recently published book ‘Nuclear is not the answer’ by Prof. M.V. Ramana at the University of British Columbia provides a comprehensive and well-researched response to the evolving debate on the relevance of nuclear in our energy mix. Continue reading »
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Big battery market charges beyond expectations, now the grid just needs more wind and solar
The big battery storage market continues to charge ahead beyond expectations, buoyed by the doubling of planned capacity at what is already Queensland’s biggest battery, and a host of new projects that have taken the sector to levels and dimensions not contemplated even 12 months ago. Continue reading »
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Global population growth is now slowing rapidly. Will a falling population be better for the environment?
Right now, human population growth is doing something long thought impossible – it’s wavering. It’s now possible global population could peak much earlier than expected, topping 10 billion in the 2060s. Then, it would begin to fall. Continue reading »
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Prioritising global overheating over AUKUS: a kumbaya opportunity for hawks and doves
Australia punches well above its weight when it comes to global fossil carbon emissions. With less than one-third of one percent of the world’s population, we are responsible for about 4.5 percent of fossil carbon emissions globally, and around 80 percent of this comes from our fossil fuel exports. Our nation is thus responsible for Continue reading »
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Fiddling while the world teeters on the brink
We need a no-holds-barred attack on corporate power to meet global threats. Continue reading »
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Environment: using the law to drive (and retard) climate action
Climate activists are increasingly using the courts to challenge development approvals and change the law, but so are action delayers. Access to electricity is increasing worldwide, but fossil fuels still dominate electricity production. Continue reading »
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Australia should lead the world in tackling the climate emergency
The scientific advice is clear; the world is tracking towards a climate catastrophe. Shamefully, the Australian government is contributing to the risk of a catastrophe with its support for fossil fuels, especially with its plan for a long-term expansion of gas production. This is a major policy failure. Continue reading »
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‘Gas Trojan horse’: Coalition nuclear push slammed as fossil wedge aimed at renewables
The chair of Australia’s largest group of clean energy investors has described the federal Coalition’s push for nuclear power as a “gas Trojan horse,” and a political wedge intended to douse investment in renewables and prolong the use of fossil fuels. Continue reading »
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The US and Australia: drill baby drill/drill mate drill
A number of new studies highlight an embarrassing fact: Australia is playing a not insubstantial and growing role in slowing the reduction of global carbon emissions. By diligently increasing the development of unwanted new gas and coal fields we are only adding to Trump’s exhortation ‘drill baby drill’ with ‘drill mate drill’. Continue reading »
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Carbon budget blown, only 50% chance 1.5 degrees
As greenhouse emissions accumulate each year and linger for decades in the atmosphere, effectively adding another layer of climate warming ‘blankets’ on the globe, it chews up our carbon ‘budget’ available to reach the Paris 2015 agreement target of 1.5 degree warming. I discuss this with David McKewan, director, adaptive capability, net zero program and Continue reading »
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Environment: NSW’s environmental assessment process for logging ignores the previous 200 years
Ignoring 200 years of native forest logging underestimates the consequences of current logging. Beware of false solutions for plastic pollution. How to make your garden bird-friendly. Continue reading »
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Climate Policy remains a dirty deal for children
The most recent Climate Analytics Report indicates that Australia is playing a major role in sustaining elevated global emissions, threatening the goals of the Paris Agreement. We have not set targets for the phase-out of fossil fuel exploration, production and export and we continue to approve new gas and coal developments. I express my dismay. Continue reading »
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Fossil fuel industry propaganda blamed as record heat scorches planet
“We need to tackle the root cause and get serious about reducing record levels of greenhouse gas emissions,” said the head of the World Meteorological Organisation. Continue reading »
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Environment: Zambia has lots of copper but will Zambians benefit?
The green transition needs copper but how do poor copper-rich countries reap the rewards? The hydrogen-energy balloon is floating away. Underground tanks help to manage flash floods. Big cats become the prey. Continue reading »
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More marine heatwaves could spell disaster for ocean life
Marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent under global warming and this is having a significant impact on species’ ability to recover. Continue reading »
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Good science has no bias
I do agree with Ken Russell that inaction on the climate crisis is indefensible and I understand why he believes that climate scientists should be at the forefront of the global campaign to take targeted and effective action. Continue reading »
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Climate change – government and media failure
People trying to change Australia’s climate policies face a huge challenge. A fundamental problem is that in a democracy such as Australia’s, governments don’t make policy changes if they think this will damage them politically. The Albanese government will do everything it possibly can to tackle the climate crisis, except address the core problem, the Continue reading »
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Environment: Peak oil is close but the descent will be slow
Peak oil is imminent but it will be a long time before we return to base camp. China surging ahead with solar while continuing to burn coal. NATO produces the equivalent of half of Australia’s annual CO2 emissions. Continue reading »
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Prospects for our progeny
We live in treacherously dangerous times. The recent attack on the life of Donald Trump, is just one of many pieces of evidence that every human on our planet is living under threat. Thanks to the actions of former PM, John Howard, the threat of gun violence here in Australia is less than that in Continue reading »
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Bad banks, culpable coal industry, compliant government all in bed together
A People’s Development Bank would be appropriate to the needs and security of production in rural and regional Australia. The case for action is overwhelming and has been so since the Commonwealth Bank Australia (CBA) was privatised. Crucially the rural sector must lead the charge for Australia to retain our life support systems. Continue reading »
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The Albanese government has created a climate vacuum, and we will pay the price
Whilst the global impact of climate disruption is rapidly accelerating, and the last, record-breaking year has been extraordinary, public concern in Australia about it is waning, and the government bears much of the responsibility. Continue reading »
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Sunday was earth’s hottest day on record
“We are now in truly uncharted territory and as the climate keeps warming, we are bound to see new records being broken in future months and years,” one expert said. Continue reading »
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Developing nations suffer for rich world’s climate complacency
If leading central banks can grow their balance sheets by billions of dollars during the pandemic, they can do the same to fight global warming. Continue reading »
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Environment: burning wood in power stations doesn’t help the climate
The living, not our forebears, have put most of the CO2 into the atmosphere. Substituting wood for coal in power stations doesn’t reduce CO2 emissions. A little warmth helps bell frogs fight chytrid fungus. Continue reading »
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The media is silent on the climate war that must be won
Both Australia’s parties of government, when in office, are failing the first responsibility of government; to ensure the safety and security of its people. They must be held to account, and forced to withdraw their support for fossil fuels, the root cause of climate change. Continue reading »
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The gas industry has power and freedom to wreck the world
By now many citizens of our planet recognise that the destructiveness of climate change is moving faster than they imagined, leaving our defences at serious risk and even the money men are concerned about the burgeoning costs and possible economic collapse. Continue reading »
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Environment: will humans behave like monkeys when climate apocalypse strikes?
Summers right across the northern hemisphere are getting hotter but vegetation can lower the temperature locally. Macaques show humans how to cope with hotter conditions. Poor progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Continue reading »
