Australia’s error – dig it up, ship it out, high carbon mentality
Lack of certainty on a carbon price stunts the growth of fledgling alternative energy industries, stifles consumer behavioural change and, combined with conflicting regulatory measures, leads to non-optimal short-term decisions, while both main political parties lack the stomach to take on the vested interests. So we fall back into the comfort zone of our dig-it-up and ship-it-out high carbon mindset. In so doing, we are making arguably the greatest strategic error in Australia’s history.
Our great strategic error, ABC The Drum Unleashed, 21 Aug 2010, “…Our resource base is formidable and expanding. But that bounty is fast becoming our Achilles heel. Continue reading
Both Australian Labor and Liberal would cut renewable energy funding
Australian Greens Blast Gillard For Cutting Solar Power Funding : Renewable Energy News, 20 Aug 2010, The Australian Greens say they are the only party serious about tackling climate change and transitioning Australia into a renewable energy economy. Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, has attacked both Labor and the Coalition for cutting $416.5 million out of renewable energy funding. Continue reading
Business needs a carbon tax, says Bob Brown
business sees the Greens as being economically responsible, I talked about saving Australia from recession. I talked about our proposal for a carbon tax. I believe it’s that proposal which one of the big parties, the next party in office is going to have to come back to because business wants it, because business is saying we need a carbon signal for investment into the future. Only the Greens are offering it
Greens say business wants carbon tax, Radio Australia:, Linda Mottram interviews Bob Brown, Australian Greens leader. August 19, 2010 “……..BROWN: The Australian Greens are in favour of transforming our economy from burning coal and forests to renewable energy and energy efficiency, and we have to do it urgently. My colleague Christine Milne has put forward a proposal for Australia to be carbon neutral; that is not putting any further carbon into the atmosphere between 2030 and 2050. Continue reading
Renewable energy – Australia’s opportunity
Australia has larger potential resources of renewable energy than any other country. We have abundant sunshine, wind, geothermal and tidal power. The great positive is that we can harness these over the next decade or two to supply most or all of our electricity and perhaps also enough to run our transport systems. We might even be able to export renewable energy
Climate change: the biggest campaign gaffe, Sydney Morning Herald, Barrie Pittock, August 20, 2010 – Climate change is costing us now – and it’s both a challenge and an opportunity – but you wouldn’t know it from the election campaign. Continue reading
Renewable energy score – Australia’s election
Here’s how the parties stack up in terms of their major national commitments to renewable energy and climate.
Australia’s Election 2010 – Renewable Energy And Climate Change : Renewable Energy News, 19 August 21 is nearly upon us …Australia’s 2010 Federal Election. While climate change and renewable energy were major platforms in the last election and appeared to have top billing again from the two major parties during the initial stages of the 2010 election campaign; it has somewhat taken a back seat to other issues, leading some to ask – where’s the green? Continue reading
South Australia could be renewable energy hub
According to the Greens South Australian Senate candidate Penny Wright, four potential wind energy projects on the Eyre Peninsula could more than double South Australia’s wind-sourced electricity generation capacity to 7500 megawatts if better transmission infrastructure were available.
Greens Envision South Australia As A Renewable Energy Exporter : Renewable Energy News, 16 AUGUST, 2010, The Australian Greens have proposed upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure across Australia that would see South Australia become a renewable energy exporter. Continue reading
Australian Democrats say nuclear power is no solution to Climate Change
Climate change – Nuclear power still not a solution, Darren Churchill, 16 Aug 2010, Nuclear power still costs the earth and is not a solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions say the Australian Democrats.Australian Democrats’ lead candidate in the ACT, Darren Churchill says that only genuine ecologically sustainable energy sources can make the difference. Continue reading
In Brisbane thousands walk against global warming
Walkers send not-too-warm message to pollies on climate, Sydney Morning Herald, Tony Moore and Daniel Hurst, August 15, 2010 Thousands of supporters of the annual Walk Against Warming have wound their way through the streets of Brisbane in a stark reminder that tackling climate change remains a key issue for the 2010 Federal Election. Continue reading
Resources ‘boom’ failing Australia’s economic competitiveness
there are the fraught issues of energy and climate change…….The lack of investment [in new renewable energy technology] will only further harm Australia’s competitiveness.
Australia slow to wake up to reality, Stuff.co.nz, By ROD ORAM – Star Times, 15 Aug 2010, IS THE great Australian boom, the longest in any developed country, over? Yes, said Ross Garnaut, one of the country’s most respected economists, in a seminal lecture last week. Continue reading
Victoria, Australia, to lead the way in wind energy
The wind farm, situated between the towns of Macarthur, Hawkesdale and Penshurst in Victoria, is slated to become the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere
Vestas awarded order for the largest wind power project in Australia Industrial Fuels and Power August 13th, 2010 Denmark-based Vestas has successfully secured the order for the largest wind power projectd in Australia. Continue reading
Zero Carbon Australia Stationary Energy Plan
The price tag may make it sound like a pipedream but the scheme earned the endorsement of the federal Liberal MP Malcolm Turnbull who added his support at a forum at Sydney Town Hall last night.
How to be fully renewable in 10 years, Sydney Morning Herald, BEN CUBBYAugust 13, 2010 AUSTRALIA could switch completely to renewable energy within a decade by building a dozen vast, new solar power stations and about 6500 wind turbines, according to a major new study. Continue reading
Greens commend Melbourne University’s Zero Carbon plan
how fast this technology can be rolled out across Australia, making use of sunny areas in convenient geographical areas.
Zero Carbon Australia plan sets the bar – On Line Opinion, Bob Brown, – 12/8/2010 Zero Carbon Australia plan from Melbourne University and Beyond Zero Emissions is so important. By demonstrating that it is technically feasible to completely replace polluting coal power in Australia with currently available renewable energy technologies in as little as ten years, they have made the climate solution imaginable. Continue reading
Australia could be a world leader, with Danish style renewables systems
Australia receives more sunshine per square metre than any other country and could easily adopt a similar system to Denmark to establish large scale solar farms.
Streamline Renewable Energy Policy And Make Australia A World Leader : Renewable Energy News, 11 Aug 2010, By establishing a single governing body to oversee renewable energy projects Australia could leap to the head of the global renewable race. Continue reading
Australia’s Liberal and Labor parties’ backward Climate Change policies
In its report Australia’s Renewable Energy Future, released early this year, the Australian Academy of Science says Australia has the potential to replace coal with renewable energy for its baseload power supply, accelerating the nation’s advance to a low-carbon economy.
Fossilised approach to power, Cheryl Jones, The Australian, August 11, 2010
BOTH Labor and Coalition policy on carbon trading will damage Australia’s emerging renewable energy industry, leading scientists have warned. Continue reading
Senator Milne puts the case for Australia to boost renewable energy
Labor’s former climate change adviser, Ross Garnaut, warned last week that Australia must accelerate its investment in renewable energy research and development
Greens call for huge boost to renewable energy funds, Sydney Morning Herald, TIM COLEBATCH, August 9, 2010 THE Greens are proposing that the federal government almost quadruple support for large-scale solar, geothermal and other forms of renewable energy by guaranteeing up to $5 billion of loans to new power stations. Continue reading












