TJ Ryan Foundation Research Associate, John Quiggin, writes in The Conversation (6.4.22) about the need for immediate action on limiting human contributions to climate change. The author argues that, with a federal election looming, both major parties must commit seriously to reducing emissions and moving away from fossil fuels.
‘If the world acts now, we can avoid the worst outcomes of climate change without any significant effect on standards of living. That’s a key message from the new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
‘The key phrase here is “acts now”. Jim Skea, co-chair of the IPCC working group behind the report, said it’s “now or never” to keep global warming to 1.5℃. Action means cutting emissions from fossil fuel use rapidly and hard. Global emissions must peak within three years to have any chance of keeping warming below 1.5℃.
‘Unfortunately, Australia is not behaving as if the largest issue facing us is urgent – in fact, we’re doubling down on fossil fuels.
‘In recent years, Australia overtook Qatar to become the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). We’re still the second-largest exporter of thermal coal, and the largest for metallurgical coal.
‘Time’s up, Australia. We have to talk about weaning ourselves off fossil fuels and exporting our wealth of clean alternatives.’
- Time’s up: why Australia has to quit stalling and wean itself off fossil fuels »
- It’s over for fossil fuels: IPCC spells out what’s needed to avert climate disaster »
- ‘Transformational change’ needed in all regions and sectors now to mitigate climate change: IPCC »
- IPCC report: ‘now or never’ if world is to stave off climate disaster »
- IPCC says the tools to stop catastrophic climate change are in our hands. Here’s how to use them »
- IPCC finds the world has its best chance yet to slash emissions – if it seizes the opportunity »
- Climate change is our greatest health challenge – we must act to protect future generations »
- Australia’s next government must start talking about a ‘just transition’ from coal. Here’s where to begin »
- This election, are the teals ready to take on the fossil fuel lobby that’s captured the major parties? »
- To walk the talk on climate, Labor must come clean about the future for coal and gas »
- ‘Highly implausible’ that new Galilee Basin coalmines would be profitable, study finds »
- It’ll be impossible to replace fossil fuels with renewables by 2050, unless we cut our energy consumption »
- Taxes out, subsidies in: Australia and the US are passing major climate bills – without taxing carbon »
- The question that should be dominating debate is how quickly Australia can replace gas with renewables »
- As long as Australia fails to transition away from fossil fuels, its climate policy is meaningless »
- Australia can’t blow another decade of climate action – it’s now up to Labor and the Greens »
- The latest IPCC report makes it clear no new fossil fuel projects can be opened. That includes us, Australia
- Renewable energy growth must double to meet Australia’s emission goals, Clean Energy Council says
- Australia’s transition away from fossil fuels ‘not fast enough’ as wind and solar investment lags
- ‘Missing half the equation’: scientists criticise Australia over approach to fossil fuels
- The Beetaloo gas field is a climate bomb. How did CSIRO modelling make it look otherwise?
- COP28: How will Australia navigate domestic climate wins and fossil fuel exports at the negotiating table?
- Fossil fuel projects awaiting approval could blow Australia’s ‘carbon budget’ tenfold, climate groups say
Australia has a once in a lifetime opportunity to break the stranglehold fossil fuels have on our politics
Fergus Green writes in The Conversation (20.6.22) that Australia promptly needs an ‘honest reckoning’ with the fossil fuel industry’s decades-long hold over Australian politics.
‘In the wake of the Green and Teal wave that crashed through the federal parliament, attention has inevitably turned to what the new crossbenchers will say and do about climate policy.
‘So far, attention has focused on Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target, and whether the Teals will pressure the new Labor government to increase its relatively unambitious) target, to which it has now formally committed.
‘There’s a much more important question to ask. That is, how will any new target actually be reached?
‘The history of Australian climate policy – under both Labor and Coalition governments – shows very clearly that our large and powerful fossil fuel industry and its political clients are adept at devising “innovative” ways to ensure targets are achieved without obstructing the Lemming-like march toward ever more coal and gas production.’
- Australia has a once in a lifetime opportunity to break the stranglehold fossil fuels have on our politics »
- Federal, state energy ministers strike deal to create nation’s first clean-energy transition plan »
- Alan Finkel: This energy revolution is hard – really hard – but it’s doable »
- ‘Get cracking’: Bowen says fast renewables transition crucial »
- What Australia’s power grid urgently needs for ‘once-in-a-century transformation’ away from fossil fuels »
- No more excuses: restoring nature is not a silver bullet for global warming, we must cut emissions outright »
- Coalition allowed emissions from Queensland coalmine to more than double without penalty »
- Albanese parrots a pro-coal talking point as Ampol offers ‘carbon neutral’ petrol »
- Anthony Albanese rules out banning fossil fuel projects, citing risk to Australian economy »
- Facts must rise above the gas if Australia is to deal with the climate crisis »
- How to deal with fossil fuel lobbying and its growing influence in Australian politics »
- How central Queensland wants to wean itself off coal and back-breaking jobs »
- We pay billions to subsidise Australia’s fossil fuel industry. This makes absolutely no economic sense »
- Australians are feeling the heat of climate change. For the fossil fuel industry it’s still business as usual »
- Labor’s scheme to cut industrial emissions is worryingly flexible »
- Fossil fuel companies won’t save us from climate change. We need governments to step up »
- Energy to burn: Townsville nickel project seals a win-win gas deal