VIDEO: Prime Minister Abbott sitting on a barbed wire fence, about climate change
PM a climate fence sitter? (11:06) http://media.theage.com.au/news/national-times/pm-a-climate-fence-sitter-4855111.html
Climate Institute chief John Connor sees Prime Minister Abbott as straddling a global warming ‘barbed wire fence’, after the PM dismissed claims of a link between bushfires and climate change.
AUDIO: Marshall Islands angry at Tony Abbott’s dismissal of climate change-bushfire link
AUDIO: Marshall Islands angered by Australian PM Tony Abbott’s dismissal of climate change link to bushfires http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-25/an-marshalls-bushfires/5044714 The Marshall Islands Government is unhappy at Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s dismissal of 
a link between the bushfires in New South Wales, and climate change……Senator Tony de Brum, the Minister in Assistance to the Marshall Islands President, said while it is difficult to tie any one event to climate change, his country is concerned at Mr Abbott’s dismissal of the issue…….”We’ve been watching the fires in Australia over the past few years and can say that we’ve been impressed with their ferocity and the threat that they project to our friends in that part of the world,” he told Pacific Beat.
“But I don’t think that we should just wave this thing off as something that is natural to Australia and is part of life in Australia and therefore not connected in any way to climate change.”
Senator de Brum said Australia should first be looking inward to what it is doing to fight against the impact of climate change.
“Just last month with the blessing of the new Environment Minister Greg Hunt, the Australian Government committed to being a climate leader by supporting the Majuro Declaration for climate leadership – this was the key outcome of the Pacific Island Forum,” he said.
“Australia should step up and be a leader in climate change and not be a laggard.”
AUDIO: Australia’s Prime Minister and Environment Minister talking through their hats on climate change?
Hunt disputes fire link to climate change http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/10/24/hunt-disputes-fire-link-climate-change
The federal government is continuing to play down claims of links between bushfires in Australia and climate change. By Santilla Chingaipe World News Australia Radio The federal government is continuing to play down claims of links between bushfires in Australia and climate change.
It comes amid international claims of such a link. But questions are also being asked whether the debate should be held amid the current New South Wales bushfire crisis.
Earlier this week, the United Nations climate chief, Christiana Figueres said it was clear bushfires were absolutely linked to climate change.
She told CNN, after watching footage of the New South Wales fires, it showed the need for action to combat climate change.
“The WMO, the World Meteorological Organisation, has not established the direct link between this wildfire and climate change yet. But what is absolutely clear is the science is telling us that there are increasing heat waves in Asia, Europe, and in Australia – that these will continue, that they will continue in their intensity, and in their frequency. So what we have just seen on the screen is an example of what we may be looking at unless we take actually vigorous action.”
Speaking to Melbourne’s 3AW, Prime Minister Tony Abbott accused Ms Figueres of talking through her hat.
Greg Hunt and what Wikipedia actually does say about climate change and bushfires
Greg Hunt uses Wikipedia research to dismiss links between climate change and bushfires October 23, 2013 Esther Han, Judith IrelandEnvironment Minister Greg Hunt has hosed down suggestions of a link between climate change and increased bushfire intensity, saying he had ”looked up what Wikipedia” said and it was clear that bushfires in Australia were frequent events that had occurred during hotter months since before European settlement.
Wildfires become more pervasive and dangerous
His comments come as scientists, environment groups and politicians have raised concerns, in the wake of massive bushfires in New South Wales, that the increasing extreme weather events are linked to climate change…..
The head of the UN’s climate change negotiations, Christiana Figueres, and former US vice-president and climate change activist Al Gore have this week both weighed into the debate, criticising the Abbott government over its moves to scrap the carbon price. They also said the evidence was clear that extreme weather would be more frequent as the planet warmed.
She noted that the World Meteorological Organisation had not yet established a direct link between the NSW fires and climate change. Mr Hunt and Ms Figueres spoke by telephone overnight after Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Wednesday rejected Ms Figueres’ assessment that a clear link existed between bushfires and climate change, saying she was ”talking through her hat”.
On Monday, Ms Figueres had told CNN that the Coalition government would pay a high political and financial price for its decision to scrap carbon pricing. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/greg-hunt-uses-wikipedia-research-to-dismiss-links-between-climate-change-and-bushfires-20131023-2w1w5.html#ixzz2ilagdbdT
AND WHAT WIKIPEDIA ACTUALLY DOES SAY
Climate change Australia’s climate has been trending toward more bushfire weather over the last 30 years.[18] The Climate Commission found that “The intensity and seasonality of large bushfires in south-east Australia appears to be changing, with climate change a possible contributing factor.”[19]
A 2006 report by the Bushfire CRC identified South Eastern Australia as one of the 3 most fire-prone areas in the world,[20] and concluded that an increase in fire-weather risk is likely at most sites over the next several decades, including the average number of days when the Forest Fire Danger Index rating is very high or extreme. It also found that the combined frequencies of days with very high and extreme FFDI ratings are likely to increase 4-25% by 2020 and 15-70% by 2050, and that the increase in fire-weather risk is generally largest inland.[21]
The IPCC Fifth Assessment Report due to be released in 2014 warns that Australia’s very high and extreme fire danger days will increase by up to 30% by 2020, and up to 100% by 2050.[22] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushfires_in_Australia
Tony Abbott rubbishes top United Nations secretary on Climate Change
Tony Abbott accuses UN official of ‘talking through her hat’ on climate change (VIDEO) ABC News By chief political editor Emma Griffiths 23 Oct 2013, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has dismissed a UN assessment that the New South Wales fires are linked to climate change, accusing a senior UN official of “talking through her hat”.
Earlier this week, the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change,Christiana Figueres, said the fires proved the world is “already paying the price of carbon”.
She also criticised the Abbott Government’s direct action plan to tackle climate change as being potentially “much more expensive” than the carbon pricing scheme that it is moving to dump……http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-23/tony-abbott-fires-climate-change-rfs-un/5039932
Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, has an outstanding record of contribution to protection of the environment, and in particular, climate action.
She is one of the world’s most highly respected negotiators, having represented Costa Rica and the Americas before taking up her global role. I met her at the UNFCCC talks in Durban in 2011, and was impressed not only by her obvious knowledge and professionalism, but by the warmth she brought in her engagement with NGOs and government representatives alike.
For Tony Abbott to not even know who she is in the global climate change negotiation context, and to dismiss her role and expertise in such a cavalier manner, shames Australia and does not auger well for Australia’s engagement in the lead-up to the 2015 global treaty discussions.
Al Gore on the link between climate change and bushfires
Al Gore weighs into debate over links between bushfires and climate change http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-23/al-gore-weighs-into-debate-over-bushfire-climate-change/5041776 Former US vice-president and environmentalist Al Gore says there is a proven link between climate change and bushfires.
This week, a United Nations official said the devastating fires in New South Wales proved the world is “already paying the price of carbon”.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott dismissed the comment on Wednesday, accusing the official of “talking through her hat”.
He argued that “fire is a part of the Australian experience” and not linked to climate change. …
Mr Gore, a Nobel laureate for his work to fight climate change, has told the ABC’s 7.30 that climate change will bring about more extreme weather.
“Bushfires can occur naturally, and do, but the science shows clearly that when the temperature goes up, and when the vegetation and soils dry out, then wildfires become more pervasive and more dangerous.
“That’s not me saying it, that’s what the scientific community says.” Continue reading
Scientists say climate change link to bushfires demands action ABC News Mon 21 Oct 2013,With claims that current climate policies would lead to more bushfires, Deputy Greens Leader Adam Bandt was accused of politicising the a natural disaster, but scientists say the link between global warming and fires is established and demands action.
JOHN CONNOR, CEO, THE CLIMATE INSTITUTE: Carbon pollution is a heat-trapping greenhouse gas that is like putting the weather on steroids. It drives the greater extremes. It’s not just warmer weather, it’s wilder weather.
ADAM BANDT, GREENS DEPUTY LEADER: It’s October and we’re having a tragic bushfire, and meanwhile, Tony Abbott and his ministers have been out every day this week saying that they’re going to take Australia backwards when it comes to combatting global warming……
TRACY BOWDEN: Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has been reluctant to discuss any link between climate change and the current bushfires.
GREG HUNT, ENVIRONMENT MINISTER: There are 2,000-odd firefighters in the field as we speak. There have been over 200 homes lost and of course a terrible tragedy on the Central Coast. No-one, no-one should be politicising these bushfires and I would say that respectfully to the gentleman in question.
DON HENRY, AUSTRALIAN CONSERVATION FOUNDATION: Well I actually don’t think it should be political that we have to get on with the job of cutting our pollution that’s driving climate extremes.
TRACY BOWDEN: The recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned of exactly the kind of conditions which struck last week: more extreme heat in Australia and more bushfires.
ANDY PITMAN, CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE FOR CLIMATE SYSTEM SCIENCE: We have had fires historically this early before, but I think the difference this time is that we’ve just gone through a winter that is unprecedentedly warm.
TRACY BOWDEN: Climate scientist Andy Pitman says the science is becoming clearer.
ANDY PITMAN: It’s not about the day or the day before the bushfire. It’s about the three or four months of winter that were enormously warm in part due to global warming leading to an environment particularly conducive to fire.
TRACY BOWDEN: Does that mean this is a sign of things to come?
ANDY PITMAN: If we continue to emit nine or 9.5 billion tonnes of CO2 as a species into the atmosphere each year, it is inevitable that temperature extremes will continue to rise and mean temperatures will continue to rise.
DON HENRY: We should be asking our Parliament and all parliamentarians to have strong laws in place to cut pollution.
TRACY BOWDEN: Despite the science, there have been cutbacks at national and state levels in resources to research and prepare for the impact of climate change……http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-21/scientists-say-climate-change-link-to-bushfires/5036554
Labor must keep Bill Shorten firm on carbon pricing
Bill Shorten puts majority of Labor policies up for review SID MAHER AND JOE KELLY THE AUSTRALIAN OCTOBER 22, 2013
BILL Shorten has put Labor’s carbon pricing policy up for review in a move that gives him maximum flexibility to manoeuvre ahead of the introduction of Tony Abbott’s carbon tax repeal bills next month.
The Opposition Leader called the review of most Labor policies as the government revealed it might not have to rely on the Senate to implement the centrepiece of its direct action plan: the $1.5 billion emissions reduction fund.
Mr Shorten, at the first meeting of shadow cabinet yesterday, put every Labor policy except the Better Schools and disability insurance up for review.
This includes carbon pricing. The frontbench had an “initial discussion” regarding the government’s climate change policy and “reaffirmed” Labor’s commitment to reducing carbon pollution.
The shadow cabinet has scheduled further meetings in the weeks before parliament sits.
Last week, Mr Shorten said he remained opposed to allowing the Prime Minister to abolish the carbon price, but declined to say whether Labor would campaign to ……: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/bill-shorten-puts-majority-of-labor-policies-up-for-review/story-e6frg6xf-1226744103753#sthash.KrDx232s.dpuf
Letters editors will not print clear errors of fact from climate change deniers
Climate change: a note from our Letters editors http://www.smh.com.au/comment/smh-letters/climate-change-a-note-from-our-letters-editors-20131021-2vvjd.html October 21, 2013 Julie Lewis and Marc McEvoy Letters editors rarely make the news. This month the Los Angeles Times letters editor, Paul Thornton, did just that with a story on letters from climate-change deniers. He said he would not print letters that asserted “there is no sign humans have caused climate change” because “it was not stating an opinion, it’s asserting a factual inaccuracy”. This attracted headlines declaring “Los Angeles Times riles climate-change sceptics by banning letters”. Unsurprisingly, we’ve been asked how we treat letters from climate change deniers.
Herald editor-in-chief Darren Goodsir recently reiterated the paper’s stance on global warming. “The Herald believes unequivocally in human-induced climate change,” he told an audience at David Suzuki’s City Talk. “It is an established fact. What we are much more interested in is not the sideshow over whether this phenomenon exists or not, but on how it should be tackled.”
We do not ban writers whose views suggest they are climate change deniers or sceptics. We consider their letters and arguments. But we believe the argument over whether climate change is happening and whether it is man-made has been thrashed out extensively by leading scientists and on our pages and that the main debate now is about its effects, severity, and what society does about it.
Climate change deniers or sceptics are free to express opinions and political views on our page but not to misrepresent facts. This applies to all our contributors on any subject. On that basis, a letter that says, “there is no sign humans have caused climate change” would not make the grade for our page.
Climate change means longer bushfire season for South East Australia
Scientists warn bushfire season getting longer The Age, October 19, 2013 Craig Butt, Lara O’Toole A bushfire season that starts in spring and stretches well into autumn will be the new norm for Australia’s south-east, according to scientists.
Melbourne University research fellow in climate science Sophie Lewis said catastrophic events such as the fires in NSW should come as no surprise, due to a dry winter and the ongoing effects of climate change.
The past 12 months have been the warmest documented, while 2013 is set to go down as the hottest calendar year in Australia.
”Now is the time we need to plan for a longer fire season,” Dr Lewis said. ”It’s something we’re going to expect, looking to the future.”
Adam Bandt on Tony Abbott as a climate change criminal
Adam responds to the release of laws to repeal the Clean Energy Act Greens Deputy says Government is failing to protect Australians from climate change Australian Broadcasting Corporation Broadcast: 18/10/2013 Reporter: Steve Cannane In controversial twitter comments, Greens Deputy Adam Bandt has accused the Government of failing to protect Australians from the effects of climate change, saying that unless dangerous global warming is controlled Australians will experience regular, terrifying bushfires.
Transcript
STEVE CANNANE, PRESENTER:: The federal government has criticised the Greens deputy leader Adam Bandt for politicising human tragedy after he linked the fires to climate change.
Adam Bandt isn’t backing down from his comments on Twitter that coalition policies will lead to more bushfires.
Mr Bandt maintains Tony Abbott is failing to protect Australians from the effects of climate change.
ADAM BANDT, GREENS MP: This is what global warming in Australia looks like. And unless we get dangerous global warming under control we may be experiencing these kind of awful terrifying fires on a much more regular basis…..
CHRISTINE MILNE, GREENS LEADER: You can never say a specific fire at a specific time is a global event.
STEVE CANNANE: The opposition leader Bill Shorten says the focus should be on the many families affected by the fires. http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2013/s3872584.htm
As New South Wales bushfires rage, govt cuts NSW climate science group
O’Farrell cut climate change watchers, SMH, Peter Hannam, 21 Oct 13 Deep cuts to staff and funding by the NSW government have largely dismantled the state’s ability to investigate and prepare for the effects of climate change such as more frequent extreme fire weather, a former senior scientist with the government said.
Peter Smith, who led the state’s climate change science group until March, said his team of 10 had been slashed to just three whose work remained climate-focused. A similar cut had been made to a separate team of 10 working on climate adaptation, he said.
Dr Smith, who now works as an adviser on United Nations projects, was a contributor to peer-reviewed research reports that found Australia was already facing an increase in bushfire dangers. The shift was particularly clear in spring, with national mean temperatures rising 0.9 degrees since 1960.
”We know the [climate] science is unequivocal,” Environment Minister Robyn Parker told a Nature Conservation Council meeting on Saturday. ”It is for governments to respond. What we are doing is investing in climate change science, and so minimising the impacts of climate change on communities. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/ofarrell-cut-climate-change-watchers-20131020-2vuyr.html#ixzz2iNnGz1mI
Not good taste to talk about climate change during bushfire period
The Abbott government fiddles while NSW burns,Independent Australia , 19 Oct 13 FOR THE ABBOTT GOVERNMENT, it has emerged that talking about climate change during a “natural” disaster is taboo. Of course, how “natural” the NSW fires actually are is the issue here, as we witness over 100 separate fires across NSW.
These fires are the likes of which have never been seen in the month of October anywhere in Australia, let alone this close to population centres.
…….Notably, Bandt has not attributed just this one period of fires to global warming, and, as climate scientists will tell us, to ask of such a direct link is to ask the wrong question. But we can suggest that the dice is loaded toward such events occurring more frequently and in more intense forms.
Nevertheless, Bandt has been subjected to a barrage of censuring voices: on Twitter, on talkback radio, from LNP politicians and from unsigned opinion pieces on news.com.au…….http://www.independentaustralia.net/2013/politics/the-abbott-government-fiddles-while-nsw-burns/
Australia facing $2 billion cost in early closing of carbon price scheme
Early repeal of carbon price scheme could cost government $2bn Financial Review 11 OCT 2013 GEMMA DALEY AND JAMES MASSOLA
The Coalition government could owe companies billions in refunds for freely allocated permits if it repeals the current Carbon Pricing Scheme before 2015, fresh analysis shows.
The early repeal of the scheme could lead to a cash windfall for metals, energy and power stations – the most intensive emitters – as they cash in on freely allocated permits, RepuTex analysis said.
“The earliest the carbon tax is likely to be disbanded is the start of October 2014, meaning that companies are likely to be liable for their emissions over the first quarter of the compliance year, but eligible to receive more free permits, which could be sold back to the government before the repeal takes effect,” said RepuTex head of research, Bret Harper. The government could end up with “a bill in excess of $2 billion to cash in nearly 87 million freely allocated permits”…..
Mr Harper said the earlier the scheme is disbanded, the higher the cost to government, with more excess permits being sold back by companies.
“If the repeal is held back until April 2015, the cost to government would only be around $138 million, as companies would continue to accrue carbon liabilities through the year, and would therefore have fewer permits to sell back to the government from their free allocation,” said Mr Harper……
MORE DETAIL NEEDED
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Peter Anderson said business wanted more detail from the federal government about how the Direct Action policy would work…..http://www.afr.com/p/australia2-0/early_repeal_of_carbon_price_scheme_SUY0FQ0LUJReEPyjOkSiJN
The hidden high costs of repealing Australia’s carbon tax
Repealing the carbon tax: hidden costs and unanswered questions 16 October 2013, The Conversation, Rosemary Lyster, Professor of Climate and Environmental Law at University of Sydney
There are reasons Australia has a price on carbon. Let’s recap.
The IPCC has released its Fifth Assessment Report stating that the increase in atmospheric concentrations of CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide is unprecedented in the last 800,000 years.
Data sets show a globally averaged combined land and ocean surface warming of 0.85C between 1880–2012. There’s a 95-100% probability that more than half of the observed increase in global average surface temperature from 1951 to 2010 is human induced.
By 2081-2100, under the IPCC’s best case emissions scenario, temperatures could rise by as much as 1.7C and in the worst case scenario by 4.8C. Our last summer broke 123 extreme weather records in 90 days. Last month was Australia’s hottest ever September on record. So what are our current emissions?
Australia’s December 2012 National Greenhouse Gas Accounts show that since 1990, emissions from the electricity sector grew 47.3%, the stationary energy sector 44.5%, transport 47.5%, fugitive emissions (including from coal mining) 30.5% and industrial processes 30.8%.
These sectors are all covered by the carbon price mechanism (CPM).
Let’s recap the Abbott government’s agenda to reduce our emissions. The Climate Commission has been abolished. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation will be abolished. We no longer have a Department of Climate Change. Yesterday, thedraft legislation to repeal the carbon price mechanism, to be the first item of business for the 44th Parliament, was revealed.
This means, briefly, that if the legislation passes the following will occur.
There will be no annual cap on Australia’s escalating emissions.
Financial year 2013-14 will be the last year that the carbon price mechanism applies and all charges for non-compliance will be repealed. The government will not extend what it calls the “carbon tax” even if the Parliament does not pass the repeal bills until after 1 July 2014. If the bills are not repealed at all, the government will be in breach of the law if it refuses to apply the carbon price mechanism and other carbon price legislation. Calling a double dissolution is a possibility…….
the Abbott government conceals so much.
What will the refunds, rectifications and potential compensation payments arising out of repeal cost taxpayers?
What will it cost taxpayers to deal with extreme weather events? So far extreme weather events influenced by climate change have cost Australia billions of dollars. Insurance premiums are rising and areas becoming uninsurable. Before the 2013 floods, Munich Re reported that financial losses from extreme weather events in Australia rose four-fold over the past 30 years…….http://theconversation.com/repealing-the-carbon-tax-hidden-costs-and-unanswered-questions-19203
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