I decided to kick off my blogging career with a focus on climate change.
The latest scientific research on climate change confirms our worst fears. Climate change is happening faster than we previously thought, creating a more serious threat to our economy, our environment and to future generations.
I recently returned from a meeting of leaders of the world’s major developed and developing countries in Italy, where our discussions focused on our global efforts to tackle climate change. This meeting - the Major Economies Forum on Climate and Energy – made some important progress. In particular, it recognised the clear message from climate science that the increase in global average temperature must not exceed 2 degrees celsius. That means the international community is accepting the need for tough long-term targets on reducing carbon emissions.
But the hardest work is still ahead.
Much more needs to be done if we’re to achieve a successful global agreement on climate change in Copenhagen in December.
Australia is determined to be on the front foot in global efforts to tackle climate change. We know that our nation is more exposed to the impact of climate change than perhaps any other developed economy. Without strong global and national action, climate change will permanently damage our natural environment and hit our jobs and our economy hard. The Great Barrier Reef – one of Australia’s most iconic natural wonders which generates jobs for around 60,000 people and more than $4.9 billion in tourism revenue – is particularly vulnerable to climate change.
The next step for Australia is to take strong action at home through Parliament passing the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme in August. This scheme will for the first time put a limit on Australia’s carbon pollution. By taking action at home in Australia, we can give businesses certainty and give momentum to the international negotiations that are so crucial for our national interest.
It’s our responsibility to act now on climate change. That is why I urge all Senators and Members of Parliament to support this vital legislation for our nation’s future.
How do you think we can make Australians more aware that we need to act on climate change now?
We need to build a understanding of how the CPRS will drive our transition to a lower carbon economy, and also help people to understand how it will interlink with other Government climate policies such as the National Renewable Energy Target and National Carbon Offset Standard. This will present a whole of Government carbon strategy.
I totally agree... We all know we need to act, but I think most of us don't understand how this thing will work... It'd be great to have easy to understand information about the details. I think if the public knew what to expect it would ease much of the fear that the oppostion is trying to associate with the CPRS.
"We all know we need to act" Speak for yourself Pete55. I'll speak for me.
There is 50 % of the population who don't believe anthropogenic climate change is real. So I guess they won't agree that "we" need to act. We can make our own decisions.
Have you any evidence to back your speculative claim about 50% of the population?
John,
if 50% of the population believe that anthropogenic climate change is not real, can a climate change sceptic answer me 2 questions?
What natural process is driving atmospheric CO2 upwards at a rate of 2ppm per year? There are many plausible theories, but I have been unable to find any evidence for changes in solar irradiation, cosmic radiation, volcanic activity, cosmic dust or anything else that could account for a steadily rising level of atmospheric CO2.
Does "50% of the population" believe that CO2 is a greenhouse gas? If so, how high are they prepared to see atmospheric CO2 go before we should worry?
Matthew,
This is a non argument due to the fact that there is no link between an increase in CO2 levels and an increase in global temps. Look at most of the online polls and you will find a large number of people dont believe the predictions for climate change. Im sure you will find the figures to be around the 50% mark at least.
Climate change and a change in the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are two different subjects. Climate change or global warming relates to a change in global temperatures.
My statement relates to the fact there is no proven scientific link between the two. So how can modifying the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere make any difference to the climate??
There are many things which are believed to be the case without requiring "scientific proof". There is a closely observed correlation between carbon levels and the net energy budget. Increased carbon levels are believed to alter the reflectivity of the atmosphere, thus changing the way in which heat is radiated away from the earth. If the heat cannot escape as effectively as before, then the earth will warm up. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.
The mechanism by which carbon may affect global warming has been identified, the historical correlation between global temperature increases and carbon increases is also clear, and the warming trend is clear.
The standard for conclusive scientific proof is very high. I don't require conclusive proof that it's going to rain before I will bring an umbrella with me. If the preponderance of evidence and the weight of probability points to something, I will do something about it!
The scientific evidence may not be absolutely conclusive, but it is very strong.
The operative word in your argument regarding carbon levels is "believed". The scientific proof we have shows that if we were to stop 100% of all carbon emissions worldwide, this would only account for 0.6% of the problem.
That isn't very strong scientific evidence at all and the more tests they conduct the more conclusive this figure gets.
To place a financial burden on the people of Australia and the effect it will have on inflation etc. based on this evidence is irresponsible. When you take a look at the subsidies being handed to the large companies with massive energy use the dollar figure per taxpayer we face is staggering.
It's time to open our eyes and demand the proof before we are made to pay for it.