Fossil fuel lobby to use Covid-19 to push for weaker climate laws

Australian researchers warn that governments and powerful business lobby groups may use the Covid-19 crisis as an opportunity to water down environmental controls, with the fossil fuel industry most likely to take advantage.

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In findings published in the journal Regulation and Governance, economists from the Australian National University found that studies of the behaviour of corporations and governments during previous economic crises show they were able to predict how the government responses to Covid-19 may be influenced by vested interests.

The researchers from the ANU’s Energy Change Institute and the School of Regulation and Global Governance warn that the power of large incumbent industries, like that of the fossil fuel lobby, could use their power to convince governments than an economic crisis could justify the relaxation of climate change and environmental regulations..

Read the story from RenewEconomy by Sophie Vorrath - “Fossil fuel lobby to use Covid-19 to push for weaker climate laws.”

Listen to your people Scott Morrison: the bushfires demand a climate policy reboot

Frank Jotzo, the director of the Centre for Climate and Energy Policy at Australian National University, has some constructive advice for Prime Minister Scott Morrison in a column today for the ABC: do not waste an opportunity to recalibrate his government’s approach on climate change.

Scott Morrison’s response to the bushfires has been roundly
criticised as being too slow and out of touch.

Morrison should heed Jotzo’s suggestion that he and his cabinet need to “drop the old anti-climate change stance”. As Jotzo writes,

You’ve been politically locked into a no-action position, but the bushfires give you the reason to change […] You can make it your mission to protect the country from harm, an essential conservative cause.

Jotzo speaks with authority as one of the country’s foremost experts on climate reduction policies. He has a global reputation.

Read the story from The Conversation by an Adjunct Professor from the School of Communications at La Trobe University, Tony Walker -  “Listen to your people Scott Morrison: the bushfires demand a climate policy reboot."

Josh Frydenberg: low-emissions future is inevitable and a huge opportunity

Josh Frydenberg says Australia needs to roll out new infrastructure in the coming term of government to support renewable energy zones, and has declared that the “inevitable” transition to low-emissions sources creates an opportunity for the country.

Josh Frydenberg: ‘I don’t see a strong economy as
 mutually exclusive from emissions reduction.’ 

In his first wide-ranging interview since holding his Victorian seat last weekend, where he was subjected to a concerted campaign from the Greens and the climate-focused independent Oliver Yates, Frydenberg told Guardian Australia the Coalition would implement the $3.5bn climate policy it took to the election rather than pursue a reboot.

But echoing the Liberal senator Arthur Sinodinos, who has urged colleagues to use a changing energy market to bolster the Coalition’s environmental credentials and be positive about the increasing share of renewable energy, Frydenberg said emissions reduction and a strong economy were not mutually exclusive propositions.

Read the story from The Guardian by Katharine Murphy - “Josh Frydenberg: low-emissions future is inevitable and a huge opportunity.”

Australia can be 'superpower of post carbon world', says Ross Garnaut

Australia has the opportunity to surpass other rich countries to become more prosperous than ever before in a post-carbon world, according to the eminent economist Ross Garnaut.

Opportunities for Australia: Professor Ross Garnaut. 

Australia could become "the superpower of the post-carbon world economy", said the former economic adviser to prime minister Bob Hawke and author of the Hawke government's strategy for economic engagement with Asia.

The Australian political debate has been preoccupied with the cost of moving to a lower-carbon economy, but new work by Professor Garnaut finds that the economic costs would be far outweighed by economic gains.

"Embrace the post-carbon economy, and Australia will greatly expand new minerals processing and chemical manufactures, way beyond the limits of coal, gas and the industries they supported in the past," he said in a Melbourne University lecture on Wednesday night.

Read the story from The Age by Peter Hartcher -  “Australia can be 'superpower of post carbon world', says Ross Garnaut.”

‘Nothing should be classified as waste': crisis is opportunity for Veena Sahajwalla.

Veena Sahajwalla has a solution for the waste crisis. While for most people the ever-growing mountains of rubbish stockpiled around the world seems like an overwhelming problem, the materials scientist and engineer sees the crisis as an opportunity that could help us to rethink the way we make and dispose of everything in our lives.

 Veena Sahajwalla and her team at UNSW have been
 working on a manufacturing process to create building
 materials from old textiles, paper and glass.

Take textiles. Australians send around 88% of textiles to landfill, with around 6,000kg of clothing dumped every 10 minutes. Earlier this year, there was a nationwide clearing-out flurry, leading to charity shops being inundated with unwanted goods. Most were destined for landfill.

Read the story from The Guardian by Alexandra Spring - “‘Nothing should be classified as waste': crisis is opportunity for Veena Sahajwalla.”

(Veena Sahajwalla was one of a trio of specialists to speak at a Slap Tomorrow forum in Shepparton in 2013 - “Climate Change: A wake-up call” - Robert McLean)

Young Americans will no longer be silent on climate change

American students will have the opportunity to join their counterparts around the world on March 15 by striking to demand action on climate change.

Young Americans have joined the movement started by Sweden's Greta Thunberg.

Greta Thunberg began what has now become a global protest movement when she sat down in front of the Swedish Parliament on Friday, Aug. 20, 2018. Almost every Friday since then, the remarkable 16-year-old has demonstrated with her placard to raise awareness of the threat climate change poses to her and other young people.

Read the story from The Hill by Bob Ward - “Young Americans will no longer be silent on climate change.”

Energy ministers’ duty to collaborate

Energy ministers have an opportunity – and a duty – to end a decade of political and policy failure that has cost households and businesses dearly and constrained investment in the clean-energy technologies necessary to power our economic future and mitigate global warming and climate change.

Renewable energy is rapidly becoming cheaper and more efficient than fossil fuels.

Without bipartisan support for the federal Coalition government’s National Energy Guarantee – which would establish a carbon emissions reduction guarantee in the electricity market alongside a reliability guarantee – Australia’s energy policy will remain sclerotic, with the public interest yet again subordinate to reckless politicking. There is bipartisan agreement on the need to transform to a low-emissions economy at the cheapest cost while ensuring electricity reliability and affordability.

When the state and territory ministers sit down on Friday with federal Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg, they do not have to finalise details. But they must keep the National Energy Guarantee process moving. There is reason to be hopeful. The NEG has gained significant cross-party support. It is being designed by the Energy Security Board, set up by the states, territories and Canberra last year to manage the implementation of the reform blueprint commissioned from Chief Scientist Alan Finkel.

Read the Editorial from today’s Age - “Energy ministers’ duty to collaborate.”

(This is an opinion I respect, but it is wrong the States and territories need to hold out for a better outcome, a deal that will genuinely and quickly reduce Australia’s carbon dioxide emissions. However, the “hold out” should only be weeks, not months or years as we simply don’t have the time to wait. The time for rhetoric, procrastination and deal making is over - Robert McLean)

Recycling crisis is a chance to slash waste

China’s decision to slash imports of recyclable rubbish has roiled the global recycling market – causing short-term shocks including the near-collapse of the Australian industry, but creating a long-term opportunity here and elsewhere to improve environmental outcomes while generating revenue and employment.

Community confidence in the environmental value
of separating rubbish has been crushed.

It is also a chance to reduce the amount of waste by providing financial incentives to households and individuals. At this level, too, China, which is facing dreadful pollution problems, is taking a lead by banning all non-reusable containers. It is not far-fetched to imagine we could slash waste by giving paramount importance to reusing, rather than recycling. Further, innovations around the world include furnaces that generate electricity from waste. Many nations, including Australia, are banning plastic bags.

Read the Editorial in today’s Age - "Recycling crisis is a chance to slash waste.”

Fiji climate lead challenged consultants’ influence before losing job

Fiji’s presidency of the UN climate talks was an unprecedented opportunity for the Pacific island state to make its mark internationally.

Fiji prime minister Frank Bainimarama (centre left)
with Nazhat Shameem Khan (centre right).

But the sudden removal of chief negotiator Nazhat Shameem Khan last week, despite praise for her leadership, revealed a rift between the Geneva-based diplomat and capital Suva.

At the centre of the fight is a group of Australian and European consultants brought in to assist the Fijian government to deliver its biggest diplomatic challenge. Shameem Khan had increasingly objected to the prominent role these outsiders had within Fiji’s presidency.

Read the ClimateHome News story by Megan Darby - “Fiji climate lead challenged consultants’ influence before losing job.”

Redefining The Role Of Business & Sport: How Can They Join Forces To Accelerate Low-Carbon Technologies Across Different Sectors.

Can you imagine a world where combating climate change is an exciting and inspiring opportunity, an opportunity to harness the power of the best, to raise the bar, to overcome hurdles and to redefine the role of business and sport in society?

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing our society, already affecting natural environments and people around the world. In 2017, global CO2 emissions have risen again, after being flat for 3 years. Hence, global greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 are likely to be at the high end of the range projected by scientists under the 2°C and 1.5°C temperature scenarios, making it increasingly difficult to be on track to meet the global 2030 emission goals.

Learn more about the webinar and register here - “Redefining The Role Of Business & Sport: How Can They Join Forces To Accelerate Low-Carbon Technologies Across Different Sectors.” 

Quitting coal: a health benefit equivalent to quitting tobacco, alcohol and fast-food

Imagine, for a moment, that climate change was not synonymous with doomsday scenarios, but rather presented an opportunity to radically transform society for the better. This is not an attempt to downplay the seriousness of the risks facing our climate. Rather, it is about reframing the choice we face, away from the prospect of bleak minimalism often associated with a low-carbon future.

 ‘Strategies focused on greenhouse gas mitigation could save
an estimated 1 to 4 million lives annually by mid-century from
 improved air quality.’

Consider the following realities: the World Health Organisation estimates 7 million deaths are attributed to air pollution every year; and rates of obesity and chronic diseases are rising in nearly all regions of the world. Burning fossil fuels, especially coal, accounted for 78% of the total increase in carbon dioxide between 1970 and 2010, with deforestation comprising the balance of emissions. Burning coal also releases pollutants such as fine particulates, eg PM2.5, which are deadly to human health.

Read Jonathan Patz’s story on The Guardian - “Quitting coal: a health benefit equivalent to quitting tobacco, alcohol and fast-food.”

Young Girls Keep Going to Town Halls and Owning Republicans—It’s Amazing

In the last five minutes of Sen. Cory Gardner’s (R-Colo.) town hall on Tuesday morning, an unlikely voice stepped up to the microphone. Haven Coleman, an 11-year-old Coloradan fighting for the courage to speak, urged the senator to start a climate solutions caucus in the Senate. “If all you need is more information, I can come visit the energy committee and do a PowerPoint for you,” she said. Coleman had done this at a town hall before when she pushed Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) to support clean energy in April.

Senator Cory Gardner.

What’s more: She wasn’t the first to see a public forum as the perfect chance to pressure politicians to act on climate change. During several recent town halls, there’s been a trend of young women seizing the opportunity to challenge their leaders:

Read/watch the Mother Jones story - “Young Girls Keep Going to Town Halls and Owning Republicans—It’s Amazing.”

Energy executives tell Turnbull they aren’t interested in prolonging life of coal plants

Senior energy executives have taken the opportunity of a face-to-face meeting with Malcolm Turnbull to argue policy certainty is required to help lower power prices for consumers – and to signal they are not interested in prolonging the life of coal plants.

Malcolm Turnbull and Josh Frydenberg were
told by senior energy executives that they
were interested in running businesses that
reduced their climate risk.

With the government under acute political pressure over rising household power bills, Turnbull secured new undertakings from major energy retailers on Wednesday to be more transparent with their customers.

Agreements reached on Wednesday included a change to the national energy market rules requiring companies to inform customers when their discounted power deal ends, and to set out the dollar impact of doing nothing.

The retailers agreed that they would contact all their customers on expired discount deals and offer them information about more favourable plans, and also develop simple fact sheets setting out “understandable” comparison rates.

The changes should help consumers shop around for better deals.

Read Katharine Murphy’s story on The Guardian - “Energy executives tell Turnbull they aren’t interested in prolonging life of coal plants.”

Call for better climate action

Australian shoppers and farmers will need to band together to protect the country’s food supply, according to the newly appointed Australian Farmers for Climate Action chief executive officer.

"When it comes to understanding how growers are
affected by extreme weather events, climate change
offers the perfect talking point."

Verity Morgan-Schmidt said climate change presented an opportunity for farmers to better connect with consumers who bought and enjoyed Australian-grown produce.

‘‘Climate change could serve as a huge wake-up call for consumers in understanding the entire paddock to plate process,’’ Mrs Morgan-Schmidt said.

‘‘When it comes to understanding how growers are affected by extreme weather events, climate change offers the perfect talking point.

‘‘I’d love it if all mums and dads, when picking up their groceries, understood what’s going on out on our farms so that when there’s a drought in the Wimmera, for example, shoppers in the supermarket know that’s the reason why their bread is a bit more expensive this month.’’

She warned politicians of all stripes that the time for delay on the issue of climate change was over.

Read the Country News story - “Call for better climate action.”

Kids Get Day in Court, Accuse State for Failing to Take Climate Action

Judge Hollis Hill ruled Monday that the youths who sued the Department of Ecology for failing to take action on climate change can again move forward, now with a constitutional climate rights claim that adds the state of Washington and Gov. Jay Inslee as defendants.

The court granted the youth's request "due to the emergent need for coordinated science based action by the state of Washington to address climate change before efforts to do so are too costly and too late."

"It is time for these youth to have the opportunity to address their concerns in a court of law, concerns raised under statute and under the state and federal constitution," reads Judge Hill's order.

The ruling follows a November hearing at which eight petitioners between the ages of 12 and 16 asked the court to find the Department of Ecology in contempt for failing to fulfill orders from April 2016 and November 2015, to protect the constitutional rights of young people and future generations to a stable climate.

Read the EcoWatch story - “Kids Get Day in Court, Accuse State for Failing to Take Climate Action.”

World leaders say this is the year for global action

This year is the year for global action.

That was the message from world leaders, delivered at this month’s 45th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters.

The leaders said: “If politicians, the private sector and international organizations fail to act on climate change and sustainable development in 2015, the opportunity to create low-carbon growth and reduce poverty will be lost.”

What resources and commitments are needed now to tackle climate change, development and growth were the points considered by the leaders and the outcome of those is reported in a story headed: “Tackling Climate, Development and Growth”.

Candidates to gather Beneath the Wisteria on October 25

Candidates for the seat of Shepparton in next month’s State Election will outline their response to climate change Beneath the Wisteria on Saturday, October 25.

Three of the four candidates will each have about 10 minutes to talk about their response to this evolving community challenge.

Joining the 11:00am gathering at the northern end of Shepparton’s Maude St Mall will be the independent candidate, Fern Summer, Labor’s Rod Higgins and the National Party candidate, Greg Barr. Country Alliance candidate, Michael Burke, had apologized.

The free gathering lasts for about an hour and each candidate will be given ample opportunity to talk about their response to climate change.

Those who join the gathering will also have a wonderful opportunity to ask specific questions of any of the trio of candidates, or direct it at all three.

Some public seating is provided, but those attending are encouraged to bring a folding chair.

People with any questions about tomorrow’s gathering in the mall, should phone Robert McLean on 0400 502 199.

What worked for cigarettes is being applied by the climate change skeptics

Fifty years after the warning,
 people still don't
understand that smoking
will kill you.

People of the world we warned 50 years ago that smoking would kill them.

However, today one in 10 smokers are oblivious to the irrefutable evidence that smoking will end their life.

The lessons learned and applied ruthlessly by the tobacco juggernaut to engineer doubt in the minds of the community has been adopted with enthusiasm and equal aplomb by the climate change skeptics.

The impact of carbon dioxide has been understood for centuries, but it was in the eighties that the then head of the NASA Goddard Institute of Space Studies, James Hansen, warned the U.S. Congress that a warming world was a reality.

He explained that the continued combustion of fossil fuels, primarily coal and oil, was increasing the carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere and because of the greenhouse effect of those gases the earth was slowly, but critically warming.

Evidence since has illustrated that the former NASA specialist was correct, but armed with ideas pilfered from the tobacco industry, the skeptics, funded almost entirely by the fossil fuel industry, have spread disinformation about the causes and impact of climate change and so engendered doubt throughout the community.

James Hansen - he warned the U.S.
congress about climate change
in the last 1980s.

There is, however, a significant difference – tobacco, as deadly as it is, kills individually while the catastrophic changes that will result from climate change will kill thousands and if unattended to, puts the bulk of humanity at risk.

And unlike cigarettes, we can’t afford to wait for it the window of opportunity in which humanity can react and make some changes to their behaviour is, if not closed, within years of being so.

A story on the ABC today headed: “Survey finds one in 10 smokers do not link smoking with illness, 50 years after landmark report” said the smoking rates among adults had more than halved.

Beneath the Wisteria on the move

Beneath the Wisteria will be held this Saturday, October 19, at 11:30am.

We will gather, on this occasion beneath and umbrella at the Shepparton Show Me Expo at the Shepparton Showgrounds.

The actual gathering itself is free, but as we are within the confines of the expo, each of us will be required to pay a $10 entrance fee.

Sadly agreement to gather at the expo had been reached before the charge became apparent, but it was agreed that being at the expo was an excellent opportunity to reach a different array of people.

The topic for Saturday will be “Private wants and public needs”; something that has many applications, among them private vehicles compared to public transport and the private desire to shape your land, such as removing all the trees, with no regard for the public need of those same trees.

Fortunately the organizers of the expo will arrange for the umbrella and at least 20 chairs, ending the need for us to bring along our own folding chairs.

The umbrella and chairs will be arranged just outside the large building at the eastern end of the showgrounds, adjacent to Archer Street.

Any questions can be directed to the convenor, Robert McLean, on 0400 502 199.