US government reports humans cause climate change, contradicting Trump officials

Washington: Directly contradicting much of the Trump administration's position on climate change, 13 federal agencies have unveiled an exhaustive scientific report that says humans are the dominant cause of the global temperature rise that has occurred since the start of the 20th century, creating the warmest period in the history of civilisation.

Protesters gather outside a meeting where an EPA
 climate change report was to be released last month.

Over the past 115 years, global average temperatures have increased 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to record-breaking weather events and temperature extremes, the report says.

The global, long-term warming trend is "unambiguous," it says, and there is "no convincing alternative explanation" that anything other than humans - the cars we drive, the power plants we operate, the forests we destroy - are to blame.

The report was approved for release by the White House, but the findings come as the Trump administration is defending its climate change policies on several fronts, with US President Donald Trump having declared the "war on coal" to be over.

Read Lisa Friedman’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “US government reports humans cause climate change, contradicting Trump officials.”

Auto industry fights back at plan to cut cars' greenhouse gas emissions.

The Australian car industry has tried to kill any government move to cut greenhouse gas emissions from cars, arguing it would increase the cost to consumers and contradicting comprehensive government modelling.

The Australian Automobile Association says consumers
 will pay more for cars if the government moves to cut
greenhouse gas emissions rules. But the Climate Change
Authority says any price rise would be offset
by savings in fuel. 

The government plans to introduce emissions standards for new cars, releasing a series of proposed targets in discussion papers and seeking input from industry and other stakeholders.

Under the strongest target considered, new cars would have to cut their CO2 emissions by 45% below current levels by 2025 – from 192g of CO2 a kilometre to 105g.

Comprehensive modelling of that target by the government’s Climate Change Authority found the change would save consumers thousands of dollars. Although it would increase the average cost of a car by $1,500 in 2025, that would be offset by $830 in the first year from fuel savings, and by $8,500 over the life of the car.

Read Michael Slezak’s story on The Guardian - “Auto industry fights back at plan to cut cars' greenhouse gas emissions.”