JOUR111-Environment Melissa Jaros

Carbon Trade Plan

mjaros — Tue, 22 May 2007 03:49:56 +0000

The adoption of an emissions trading scheme is said to be on the agenda for the APEC summit held in Australia in September mentioned on the 19th May in the article ‘ Regional Carbon Trade Plan’. The scheme would be the foundation for the existing Asia-Pacific Partnership on Cklean Devlopment and Climate which includes the AP6 nations, Australia, China, US, Japan, South Korea,India and also include various other regional nations.The scheme is a big change for both Australia and the US, who have shifted their concerns and appears to be taking on a more concrete stance on climate change. The scheme would provide targets which previously Australia and the US would not commit to such as the Kyoto Protocol.

“The proposed emissions trading scheme would be based on finding “a mechanism” to set a target for greenhouse gas emissions. Polluters who could not meet their emissions cap would be able to use the trading scheme to buy credits to emit extra greenhouse gases.”

The scheme is seen as a positive step in the right direction and other nations are expected to join.

“It is expected that other regional countries will eventually become involved in the new emissions trading scheme, with the possibility of some European nations getting involved.”Gordon Brown, British Chancellor and successor to Prime Minister Tony Blair noted that the agreement will only be effective if all countries are prepared to sign, “America and China particularly”.

The meeting will also discuss the PM’s emission trading taskforce report which is due out on May 31 aimed at reduction of emissions by putting a price on carbon.

” Rather than recommend greenhouse emissions targets for 2015 and 2050, the taskforce is expected to produce a mechanism that would allow Australia and other countries to work out suitable targets.”

BACKGROUND….to the UN Report

mjaros — Mon, 21 May 2007 12:56:27 +0000

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change formed in the 1990’s and has been examining the effects of global warming and climate change on the environment for the past 15 years. The latest report for Policy makers, includes three pertinent reports revealing the dangerous effects humans have had on the environment and the measure which can be taken to curb the effects of climate change.

The first report “The Physical Science Basis” released on the 2^nd February examined the changes in climate change, the future and the ability of science to make changes.

The second report “Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability” released 6^th April discussed the human impact on the environemnt which has led to the dire cnsequences we face due to climate change.

The third report “Mitigation of Climate Change” released the 4^th May outlined the measures which could be taken in curbing the threat of Climate Change on the environment

The rain brings hope for the farmers in drought ridden times

mjaros — Mon, 21 May 2007 10:55:32 +0000

The rainfall over the week across southern Australian was welcomed by farmers but has little impact on the Murray River Catchment System. The Australian article “Farmers happy, but more rain needed” that the Hume Dam raised from 170 giga litres to 180 with the latest falls of rain but that it is still 6% off the capacity.Commission chief executive Wendy Craik outlined the insufficiency of water in catchments regardless of the rainfall.

“… This has been very welcomed but it really is mostly just wetting up the catchments,” she said.NSW Premier Morris Iemma exclaimed that the rainfall was a “welcomed relief” but that the “drenching rain in many parts of the state but it’s still not enough.”‘

The Australian’ newspaper further covered the downfall over the week and such little rain over the weekend. Wendy Craik the Murray Darling Commission stated last week that the

“…falls reduced surface evaporation, but it was too early to tell whether the rain generated a run-off to the dams and catchments.”

The issue of the drought seems almost to have become a back seat issue to climate change recently especially due to reports released such as the Intergovernmental Panel For Climate Change report. This time last year environmental articles seemed t be more focused on the issue of the drought and the desalination scheme. My blog is an example of how much coverage Climate Change and Global Warming has dominated the Australian media.

Panel releases Final report on Climate Change

mjaros — Sat, 19 May 2007 08:55:46 +0000

The third report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Working Report III named ‘Mitigation of Climate Change’ was released on the 4^th May in Bangkok. The report further examined the devastating effects of climate change and future of the planet if nothing is done. The report called for greater use of renewable resources and the adoption of energy-efficient measures.

Whilst Australia’s response appeared to be quite negative with the Environmental Minister Malcolm Turnbull stated in SBS World News Headline Stories that he felt that the

“ report highlights is the importance of global response. Simply imposing unilateral and savage cuts to Australian emission will just export our emissions and jobs to other countries in gesture that is as destructive as it is futile.”

However Climate Institute chief executive John Connor put the report into perspective outlining its purpose.

“ …report highlighted the importance of setting binding emissions reductions targets. This makes the point that it’s affordable and achievable, and the safest course for both the climate and the economy is for early action.”

Despite the government’s claim that aiding in fixing the issue of climate change would be too much for the Australian economy at present, contradictory articles such as “UN report shows up Turnbull: Brown Senator Bob Brown says Malcolm Turnbull has been shown up by a United Nations report on global warming” which outlines that Turnbull is wrong about the economic effects noting that the cost of reducing greenhouse gasses would “have a minimal impact on world economic growth”

Labor party member’s environmental spokesmen Peter Garrett rightly stated that “ Mr Howard won’t tell us when he’s going to target greenhouse gas reductions, he won’t say by how much he’s going to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. And yet this authoritative report shows very clearly that you actually can address the issue of reducing emissions and do it in a way that doesn’t significantly impact on economy in the long-term.”

The report has revealed that the Australian economy and even the global economy can adopt cost-efficient methods of reducing greenhouse gas emissions but the Federal Government still continues to deny that they are not doing enough. With the impending deadline of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012, which
Australia is not a signatory to will take on new initiatives taken to limit the destruction of our planet.

G8 SUMMIT..will any progression be made towards a cleaner environment with the US involved

mjaros — Sat, 19 May 2007 08:33:38 +0000

The US is trying to “dilute” a declaration on global warming which will be discussed at the G8 summit in the next month. The US objected to try to limit global warming by 2C and cut greenhouse gases by 50% below 1990 levels by 2050.

This appears to be a growing trend for the US, as they still decline signing the Kyoto Protocol which will become invalid by 2012 but is pertinent to beginning to curve the increasing rate of greenhouse gas emissions.The US were described by one well –placed source as

“rejected any mention of targets and timetables, don’t want the UN to get more involved and refuse to endorse carbon trading because it must by definition involve targets.”

Inevitably conflict will arise at the summit hosted by Germany in the Baltic resort town of Heligendamm from June 6^th-8^th. The meeting will be attended by the leaders Britain, the US, Russia, Canada, Japan,
Italy and France. Other heads of state will also be present South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, China and
India as the key group of major developing countries.

Sceintists have predicted that the average temperature will rise due to carbon gases from burning fossil fuels for transport and power from 1.8-3C in this century. These fuels will possible cause floods, famines and put millions of lives at risk. As mentioned the US is not a signatory as Australia is also not, of the Kyoto Protocol which is the only global agreements on curbing carbon emissions.

The problems with the Kyoto protocol is that it is not binding on developing countries such as China and
India which are major contributors the greenhouse gases.The hope is that these agreements will set up new guidelines before the 2012 when the Protocol will no longer be applicable.

an update…..will targets for 2050 be insufficient

mjaros — Mon, 14 May 2007 01:07:31 +0000

The article 100 billion displaced by 2050 appeared in The Australian on 14th May which explained findings from a British based Christian Aid report revelaing that in the next four decades as many as 100 billion people will have to flee their homes due to the effects of global warming such as natural disasters.

This report noted that the displacement will be “”the largest population displacement in modern history” and that the poorest in the world would be the majoirty of those who would be forced to migrate.

“We believe that forced migration is now the most urgent threat facing poor people in the developing world,” said John Davison, author of Human Tide: the real migration crisis.

While the figure was already “staggeringly high”, the report warned that “in future, climate change will push it even higher.

“We estimate that over the years between now and 2050, a total of one billion people will be displaced from their homes,” the 52-page report said.

Currently there is an estaimted 163 million people worldwide which are already displaced by factors such as flooding, drought and conflict.

” The figures include 645 million who will migrate because of development projects, and 250 million because of phenomena linked to global warming like floods, droughts and famine, it said.”

Further implications will include security threats;

“Security experts fear that this new migration will fuel existing conflicts and generate new ones in the areas of the world – the poorest – where resources are most scarce,” said a statement accompanying the report.

The report forces me to question the validity of the targets set at the Climate Summit of the 60% reduction by 2050. The report reveals that approx. by the same year in 2050 there will be 100 billion migrants……..is it all a little too late.

What i’m covering thus far …

mjaros — Sun, 06 May 2007 13:56:15 +0000

My blogging will continue to cover the general environmental issues but I am focusing on government responses to the major UN report distributed by the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change. A comparison of the coverage in the Australian, American and British media and how the government responds to such coverage.

Labor’s eco review

mjaros — Tue, 01 May 2007 23:36:32 +0000

Rudd has undertaken a climate change review to be included in the Federal ALP’s Environmental Policy metioned in The Courier Mail on 1st May ‘Rudd seeks edge with eco review.’ The Policy is similar to one recently addressed by the British Government. The review will be headed by the Australian national Univeristy Economics Porfessor and former Bob Hawke adviser, Ross Garnaut. It would include the states and territories in funding a climate change review in Labor’s eco review.

Mr. Rudd noted if he won the Federal election such a report would be a step in the irght direction as not to.

“. . . . start off flat and cold on this question.”

The review would take into account emissions trading scheme but its main purpose is to examine the impact of Climate Change

The report would also include the Labor Partys emissions trading scheme. The article also conatined conflict as QLD’s Deputy Premier Anna Bligh stated that treausrer Peter Costello rejected the idea of co-operating in such a project.

Rudd noted that

“. . . Climate change represents a threat to our national economy unless we act on it.”

This report is one of many outlining governement initiatives on climate change. One can only question whether its a genuine decision or an upcoming election is most important.

Climate Summit….reveals a shared target for 2050

mjaros — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 12:44:47 +0000

The Howard Government declined to set targets to cut Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions at the climate summit on the 30th March. The article published in SMH on April 2, “Stop emissions or risk our way of life: scientists” as not to “destroy” the Australian economy, but our environment.

The Government accused the Labor party of being too “fanatical” on envrionmental issues and felt reductions would devastate the economy. Michael Turnbull, Howard’s adviser stated that they would not take on set targets as

“We will not set targets that are going to devastate the Australian economy.”

Tony Haymet, a distinguished scientist openbed the summit in Canberra and warned the government that

“ it was crucial for Australia to set immediately legal targets that would stop its greenhouse gas emissions rising. He proposed a reduction of as much as 60 per cent by 2050. We simply must stop.”

He went on to further state that Australia needs targets as for greater innovation towards alternative energy sources. This was echoed by Tom Burke, an adviser to Rio Tinto and the Foreign Office said that

” World energy use was expected to grow 50 per cent by 2030 as India,
China and other developing countries strove for economic growth. On present projections most of that energy would come from fossil fuels.If that happened, the climate would change rapidly, and soon. As a result, the very social cohesion and political stability that we are burning the fossil fuels to maintain will itself be put at risk.”

Professor Burke noted that

” the continued rapid rate of fossil fuel use was possible only if so-called clean coal technology, which is still in the demonstration phase, could be used on a large commercial scale. “

However questions have been raised as to whether this is just for political gain?? Legisaltion is currently being debated in Europe that would ban new fossil fuel power stateions by 2020 which were not carbon-neutal.

Professor Burke rightly notes that this is ” a political signal.”

This can be applied to curren politics leading upto the federal election as Oppoistion leader Kevin Rudd prepares for the presnetation of his climate change policy. The core of the policy is dependent upon protecting jobs, export market and effiicient and cheap coal-powered electricity. However the latest scientific projections show that climate change is an increasing problem and that clean coal technology ” will be commercially feasibly on the scale needed in time.”

Live Earth — Al Gore update

mjaros — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:18:26 +0000

Al gore is continuing his mission for combating climate change in a global concert to raise awareness. Based on Bob Gerldof’s concert in 2005 Live8, which focused on debt relief, Gore is spreading the concerts over five countries which will play at Live Earth, the event which is scheduled for July 7.

There is reported to be more than 100 acts from London to Shanghai and hope to reach an audience of two billion people.

Artists include Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Police and Madonnna are some of the names which will appear in Australia, United States, Brazil, South Africa, Japan and China.

“By attracting an audience of billions, we hope live Earth will launch a global campaign giving a critical mass of people around the world the tools they need to help to solve the climate crisis” Mr Gore said yesterday.

Gore understands that this will not solve the problem but continues to raise awareness and the fact that climate change is a problem and something must be done.

Interestingly Gore has hired John Picard susatinability exper from former president, Clinton’s whitehouse environmental task force to help make the “first green stadium rock shows”

Electricity at the concerts will come from biodiesel generators and renewable utilities. Food and drink sellers will be directed to use biodegradable plastics. And a completet waste recycling system is promised at each venue.

“Vechiles used to transport the likes of Madonna and Kanye West to the stage will be petrol-electric hybrids or run on other clean fuel sources. And VIP air travel required to get stars to the stadiums will be offset by carbon credits.”

The Australian concert will be held at Aussie Stadium in Sydney and the proceeds will go to the Alliance for Climate Protection, chaired by Mr. Gore.