Climate Inaction An Election-Losing Strategy
The Trudeau Effect: Has Climate Inaction Become An Election-Losing Strategy? Huffington Post, Suzanne Harter , 25 Oct 15 With the extraordinary victory of Canada’s progressive Liberal Party under Justin Trudeau, a new opportunity to carve out meaningful climate goals in Paris may have emerged just in the nick of time. In his first press conference since becoming Prime Minister, Trudeau said he is aware Canada has not played a constructive role in climate negotiations in recent years and promised: “We’re back.”…….The two had been described as the “bad boys” of global climate talks. We now see the results of such an irresponsible approach. Within the past months, both men have been forced from office. Could it be that the global tide of public opinion has firmly spoken? …….
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull ought to take note and avoid similar mistakes. Another election policy of the Canadian Liberal government is to consider greenhouse gas emissions in approving any new oil pipelines and support phasing out fossil fuel subsidies. These policies have extra resonance in Australia today as we contemplate the irresponsible approval of the Carmichael mine in the Galilee Basin.
A recent Lowy poll found that if Mr Turnbull or Mr Shorten pledged to take stronger climate targets to Paris they would have the overwhelming weight of support of the Australian population behind them. Continue reading
Greens back solar carparks in Queensland’ shopping centres
Greens want Queensland to back solar carparks in shopping centres, Brisbane Times, October 23, 2015 – A renewable energy developer who wants to roll out solar carports at shopping centres across Queensland says he isn’t trying to take on the mining industry.
Shakra Energy’s managing director Sam Khalil joined Greens senators Sarah Hanson-Young and Larissa Waters to unveil Australia’s “largest carport solar development” in Brisbane on Friday.
“We’re not trying to take on the mining industry on – we’re only trying to generate 20 to 30 to 40 per cent of what high energy users need (and) reduce the carbon emissions,” he told AAP.
“We’re not here to say let’s go head to head. We’re here to say – allow us to generate cleaner electricity, 20-30 per cent of the energy needed, more jobs and look past your nose.” Mr Khalil said it made sense that shopping centres should be able to use sunlit carports to generate their own power, saving them money and providing shade for customer’s vehicles. Shakra Energy installed more than 300 solar panels on shade structures on top of PA Central in Brisbane’s south, which is expected to generate 30 to 40 per cent of the energy needed to run the car park and several businesses at the centre.
……..Senator Waters challenged the Palaszczuk government to champion the idea and make Queensland a leader in clean energy innovation.
“While coal is in structural decline, renewable energy is on the up and up, generating new jobs and offering trade opportunities,” she said.
Clean energy alternatives would also help in the ongoing fight against global warming, Senator Hanson-Young said. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/greens-want-queensland-to-back-solar-carparks-in-shopping-centres-20151023-gkh0z0.html#ixzz3piL3BJhe
Aborigines take coalmine worries to United Nations bodies and corporations
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/156417 Diet Simon, Linksunten Indymedia:
Account: Nuclear Worrier 20 Oct 15:
“Aborigines … have taken their worry that a planned coalmine will destroy [their ancestral country] … to several United Nations bodies and business corporations. The month-old right-of-centre Australian government has just re-approved the Carmichael mine the Indian Adani company, which has an appalling environmental and human rights record, wants to operate alongside the Reef in central-western Queensland. It would be Australia’s biggest coalmine and one of the biggest in the world.
The Wangan and Jagalingou people are asking the UN Special Rapporteur on cultural rights, the
UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the UN Working Group on human rights, transnational corporations and other business enterprises to help them resist the mine. … “
Deloitte Access Economics warning after Turnbull government approves Adani mine
Gareth Hutchens & Heath Aston, Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/deloitte-access-economics-warning-after-turnbull-government-approves-adani-mine-20151018-gkbz27.html 19 Oct 15: “Deloitte Access Economics has warned of a “deflationary
pulse” wending its way through the global economy, with the world “awash in supply” of hard commodities, just as the Turnbull government has re-approved the $16 billion Adani Carmichael coal project in central Queensland.
The economic consultancy firm says deflationary pressures have been building globally for “the better part of three years,” with almost all of Asia – particularly China, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia – seeing factory gate prices falling. But prices for bulk commodities such as coal and iron ore are now “well and truly broken”, it says, and could tumble further and faster than forecasts allow. … ”
with Nicole Hasham
Carmichael coal mine conditions are not ‘strict’
Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF): http://www.acfonline.org.au/news-media/media-release/carmichael-coal-mine-conditions-are-not-%E2%80%98strict%E2%80%99 20 Oct 15:
“Far from being ‘strict’ the Federal Environment Minister’s conditions for the re-approved Carmichael coal mine let project proponent Adani amend environmental management plans without Ministerial approval, the Australian Conservation Foundation said today. When he re-approved Adani’s Carmichael coal mine last week Environment Minister Greg Hunt said the project had been approved “subject to 36 of the strictest conditions in Australian history”.
But scrutiny of those conditions shows the plans that must be developed to mitigate the project’s environmental impacts can be changed by the company without getting the Minister’s approval.
Adani is required merely to ‘notify’ the Department of changes. “These changes significantly weaken the environmental conditions put on the proposal to dig the biggest coal mine in Australia’s history,” said ACF CEO Kelly O’Shanassy. … “ACF is closely studying the re-approval and will use all
appropriate means to stop this mine,” Ms O’Shanassy said.”
Josh Byrne’s 10 Star House
17 October 2015. In conjunction with a research team from Curtin University, Josh Byrne has created a ’10 Star’ house near Fremantle in WA. The house generates more power than it uses, is able to store energy generated through its solar panels and collects and uses most of its own water.
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/blueprintforliving/josh27s-house/6849328
3 compelling reasons why Adani’s Mega Coal Mine Is Still In Trouble
Thom Mitchell, New Matilda: Three Reasons Adani’s Mega Coal Mine Is Still In Trouble https://newmatilda.com/2015/10/16/three-reasons-adanis-mega-coal-mine-is-still-in-trouble/ 16 Oct 15: “Australia’s most controversial coal mine continues to face huge challenges, in spiteof the remonstrations sure to follow the re-issuing of its Federal environmental approval
this afternoon, writes Thom Mitchell. …
So how far are the shovels from the Galilee Basin ground where Adani wants to dig 60 million tonnes of coal each year? After more than five years in the planning stage the reality is that, from Adani’s perspective, they’re still about as remote as the proposed inland Queensland project site.
Here are three of the most compelling reasons why.
The Mine Does Not Have State Approval …
Adani Needs To Find Mountains Of Cash, And It’s Having A Hard Time …
The Federal Environmental Approval May Be Challenged … “
Conservationists consider a new appeal against Adani coal mine
Carmichael coal mine: Conservationists look at further appeal against $16 billion Adani mine in central Queensland
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-16/carmichael-coal-mine-conservationists-look-at-appeal-qld/6859430 16 Oct 15:
“The law firm acting on behalf of the main challengers against the $16 billion Carmichael coal mine in Central Queensland’s Galilee Basin may lodge another appeal. The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) acts of behalf of the Mackay Conservation Group, which has fought the approval of
Indian mining giant Adani’s Carmichael mega-mine. …
Early signs another appeal warranted:
EDO lawyer Sue Higginson said they had 28 days to lodge an appeal. “We would only commence a proceedings in the Commonwealth Court if we thought there was a good legal basis,” she said.
“We’re not in the business of holding up projects.” She said there were early signs that another appeal is warranted. … “
ERA concedes defeat on Ranger uranium mining extension
ERA concedes defeat on Ranger uranium mining extension, http://www.australianmining.com.au/news/era-concedes-defeat-on-ranger-uranium-mining-exten
Australian Mining, 15 October, 2015 Ben Hagemann Energy Resources Australia has run up the white flag on continuing to mine for uranium at Ranger beyond 2021.A statement from ERA this afternoon revealed the Mirrar Traditional Owners and Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation do not support an extension to the authority to mine at Ranger, in Kakadu National Park.
A statement from ERA said the company respected the views of the Traditional Owners, and would undertake a business review in light of their decision.
“In light of this development, ERA has commenced a process of assessing whether the company’s assets may be impaired,” the company said.
The news was welcomed by Environment Centre NT, where Nuclear Free campaigner Lauren Mellor said it was time for “the era of rehabilitation and a staged and managed exit from Kakadu to begin”.
“ERA must now accept full financial responsibility for the costly and complex task of rehabilitation, accept Rio’s funding offer and cooperate with all stakeholders in the transition to a post-mining phase of operations,” Mellor said.
In July parent company Rio Tinto acknowledged the need to make up any shortfall in the costs of rehabilitating the Ranger mine, and offered a $300 million conditional credit facility to ensure ERA would not falter in their obligations to rehabilitate the site.
The Environment Centre NT has called for the NT and Federal government to set up a post-mining transitional stakeholder task force to oversee the clean-up and ensure local community, traditional owners and other stakeholders are protected throughout the process.
Australia’s govt urged to push renewable energy – ‘All Energy Australia’ in Melbourne
‘All Energy Australia’ in Melbourne urges federal government to hike investment in renewable energy, IBT, By Kalyan Kumar @diplomatist10 on October 09 2015 All-Energy Australia’s conference and exhibition held in Melbourne on Oct. 7 and 8 drew a huge turnout and the event concluded with a clarion call to Australia to catch up with the rest of the world by increasing the investment in the renewable energy sector.
The keynote of Chairman for the Committee on Climate Change, Lord Deben was significant. He urged Australian policy makers to “wake up early enough” and encourage the industry to stay optimistic and remember that “we have the future in our hands in a way that no one has ever had before.”……..
Addressing the event, Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten said Australia was an energy superpower with so much renewable resources at its command to power “five hundred times over.” But he regretted that the country is trailing behind in the renewables’ revolution due to the impasse over Renewable Energy Target……
Shorten said solar power will dominate Australia’s clean energy revolution and battery storage will also gain traction. “Morgan Stanley has found that the solar and battery storage market could grow to 2.4 million Australian homes,” Shorten added. http://www.ibtimes.com.au/all-energy-australia-melbourne-urges-federal-government-hike-investment-renewable-energy-1473163
Australia needs a new national identity – blending black and white
Paul Keating calls for blending of black and white Australia to create new national identity, SMH, October 8, 2015 Andrew Taylor Deputy Arts Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald Australians will only be at peace with themselves when they identify more with Indigenous Australians, according to former prime minister Paul Keating.
Genuine reconciliation also requires blending “two very different cultures” to create a composite Australian identity that both black and white communities can identify with, Mr Keating will say in a speech prepared for the opening of the Tarnanthi Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art at the Art Gallery of South Australia on Thursday. We had seized the land so violently and dispossessed its inhabitants so shamelessly – that our only way back – back to being at one and at pe ace with ourselves, was to identify more with Aboriginal Australia, while atoning for our opportunist and brutal behaviour,” Mr Keating says.
Mr Keating says addressing land rights is crucial to the process of creating a new Australian identity.
“The Native Title Act, on which I spent a large proportion of my period as prime minister – enshrines in the law of the land – the notion of Aboriginality, not only in its ownership but in lifting the relevance of culture and the virtue of customary tradition,” he says.
In his speech, Mr Keating says Aboriginal art and the land are inseparable: “This has produced the greatest and longest collective memory of any continuous culture and is still largely uncompromised.”
He also says native title will eventually extend over more than half of Australia’s land mass.
“[As] people here know, over time, the Native Title Act will return well over half the continent to its rightful owners,” he says. “Aboriginal art and its expression will be important in this. It is already important.
“Contemporary Aboriginal art still carries sacred messages through its symbols and materials – still managing to hold its secrets while speaking to a broader audience.”……
Mr Keating will conclude his speech by arguing Aboriginal art has influenced how non-Aboriginal Australians view themselves.
Aboriginal art has, since the 1970s, been a conduit, a medium, first of curiosity, then of a greater understanding of the Aboriginal people,” he says.
“It has been a method of translating an entire culture and of understanding an entire continent and has been a major influence in obliging Australians to come to terms with the question of who and what we are. Contemporary Aboriginal art moves us further along that road – both describing while revealing the journey.” http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/paul-keating-calls-for-blending-of-black-and-white-australia-to-create-new-national-identity-20151008-gk4j80.html#ixzz3oTrAAGnq
GetUp!: Tell Josh Frydenberg: No money for Adani!
https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/great-barrier-reef–3/tell-josh-frydenberg-no-money-for-adani/tell-josh-frydenberg-no-money-for-adani
“Without federal assistance, Adani’s Carmichael coal mine and Abbot Point coal port are as good as cooked. When asked about funding Adani’s coal project on Radio National this morning, Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg suggested, “Adani needs to stand on its own two feet… it wouldn’t be
a priority project for the Commonwealth.”
They’re encouraging words, but it’s far from a concrete promise. If enough of us reach out right now, we can show Minister Frydenberg just how popular a solid commitment would be.
It could be enough to get him over the line. Can you email Josh Frydenberg’s office and ask him to
rule out Government handouts for Adani? … “
Talking about bushfires: we should be talking about climate change too
Deal with the cause of bushfires, not just the symptoms, Canberra Times, October 8, 2015 -Ellen Sandell
The talk is all about the fires, there is also another conversation we should be having: the conversation about climate change. “…..Today, 100 bushfires are raging across Victoria and it’s not even November. The footage we’re seeing of houses and properties going up in smoke are gut-wrenching. Most dinner table conversations in Victoria this week will undoubtedly focus on these fires and our collective hope that everyone we love stays safe.But while we’re talking about these fires, there is also another conversation we should be having: the conversation about climate change.
The Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley said that such high temperatures and winds speeds have never been seen this early in October. These are the worst fire conditions in Victoria’s history, and we’re heading for worse with a strong El Nino coming our way.
We know that any one single extreme weather event cannot be attributed just to climate change. But we can look at the climate models and predictions, which all say that in a climate-changed world extreme weather events will become more frequent and intense.
The Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO last year reported that temperatures across Australia are now, on average, almost a degree Celsius warmer than they were in 1910, and that this had led to more warm weather and extreme heat, an increase in extreme fire weather and a longer fire season.
Longer fire seasons means less time for preventative controlled burns that are supposed to happen in cooler months. Controlled burns are riskier in hot weather, as we’ve seen with one getting out of control this week……….
I want to know our governments are doing everything they can to help fight these problems at the cause, rather than just deal with the symptoms.
Unless we drastically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, end our dependence on polluting brown coal for power, and build clean, renewable energy, the unusually risky conditions and extreme temperatures we are seeing could become the norm. Bushfires will always be a fact of life in Australia, but we can take action now to make sure that firefighters don’t need to be on high alert for half the year, every year.
The Andrews government was elected with a mandate for change, and they have made a start in indicating they want more renewable energy. But we must do more. We must redouble our efforts to address climate change.
This week we have been battling the symptoms – extreme weather and early bushfires – of a bigger problem. My hope is that the Andrews government realises using breath freshener won’t stop a smoker getting lung cancer, only quitting cigarettes will. Now is the time to set in motion deep changes to our energy system and economy, including weaning ourselves off brown coal, so we can combat bushfires for the long term by reducing the risk and severity of fire conditions.
Our thoughts and hopes are with those affected by the fires, and with the firefighters on the ground. But we must not let those people disappear from our minds when the blazes are eventually brought under control, and the immediate danger has passed. We must not undervalue their courage, and their sacrifice, by forgetting them when the crisis is over. Our responsibility is to do everything we can to prevent these fires in the future, including battling the extreme weather which has brought us to this point.
Ellen Sandell is the Greens MP for the state seat for Melbourne. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/deal-with-the-cause-of-bushfires-not-just-the-symptoms-20151008-gk47jh.html#ixzz3o1koJ4Ck
Climate Change Authority gets five new board members in possible reprieve
The Turnbull government has appointed former National Farmers Federation head Wendy Craik and four others to the board of the Climate Change Authority for five-year terms, indicating the agency may yet be spared the axe.
The five new board members, including Ms Craik as chair, are understood to accept climate change is a serious issue to be dealt with. The Greens, though, say the board has been “stacked” with Coalition-leaning members…………http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/climate-change-authority-gets-five-new-board-members-in-possible-reprieve-20151007-gk3ugu.html
PM Turnbull could end the govt’s war on wind farms; but will he?
It’s not too late for Malcolm Turnbull to wind up Tony Abbott’s war on wind farms
Canberra Times, October 8, 2015 Andrew Bray The Turnbull government appears ready to end Tony Abbott’s war on wind. This is welcome news, but it needs to act fast, Tony Abbott always loved a fight – no matter what the cost to our country. The war that he waged on wind, first as opposition leader and then as prime minister, hurt Australia in lost jobs, lost investment and lost innovation. It’s now looking as though the Turnbull government is ready to call a truce. This is welcome news, but it will need to act fast if it is to repair damage to the industry.
Abbott’s war on wind power was conducted on two fronts: destroying investment confidence, and then dismantling policies that supported renewable energy.
The confidence war began in opposition……….
The damage to what had been a viable industry was swift and extreme. In 2014 investment in large-scale renewable energy fell 88 per cent, with 2500 renewable energy jobs being lost. In Portland, 100 jobs were lost at wind tower manufacturer, Keppel Prince, punching a hole in the local economy.
Abbott was willing to destroy anything to gain a political advantage, which in the end led to his own demise. Now, it’s time for a new chapter.
Newly appointed Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg and reinstated Environment Minister Greg Hunt are making the right noises – describing the government’s support for renewable energy as “rock solid”. The demotion of Ian Macfarlane from the energy portfolio is another positive sign. Ditto for Maurice Newman being shown the door.
Together, these changes send strong, supportive signals to investors. The battle to damage confidence in the sector appears to be over. Now, it’s a matter of fixing policies.
While we are hearing a lot of new (positive) talk from the government, its actions tell a different story. Only just last week, thanks to the Herald, we discovered that Minister Hunt still intends to appoint the “scientific” committee on wind, and that members under consideration include a man who has likened the so-called tactics of our industry to Hitler and claims the Australian Medical Association’s support for wind power is “corrupt”.
It’s not too late for new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to undo the damage wrought by Abbott – but he must act swiftly.
Bills to abolish the CEFC and ARENA are still sitting before the Senate, and should be dumped. The deal done by Abbott with anti-wind crossbenchers should be shelved. Ambitious, long-term renewable energy targets must also be set to drive innovation and investment.
Talk will only get the Australian wind industry so far. The time for action is now. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/its-not-too-late-for-malcolm-turnbull-to-wind-up-tony-abbotts-war-on-wind-farms-20151007-gk3oqp.html#ixzz3o1jPrJmt
1 This month
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes – A good documentary on Chernobyl on SBS available On Demand for the next 3 weeks– https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-program/chernobyl-the-lost-tapes/2352741955560
15 April – Zoom –Nuclear Power is Not the Solution
Apr 15, 2026 01:00 AM in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Join the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) on Tuesday, April 14th for a timely webinar exploring the risks associated with nuclear power and challenging the myth that it offers a simple, safe, carbon-free solution to the climate crisis
21 April Webinar: No Nuclear Weapons in Australia
Start: 2026-04-21 18:00:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
End: 2026-04-21 19:30:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
Event Type: Virtual
A virtual link will be communicated before the event.
Host Contact Info: australia@icanw.org
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 