Book ‘Dealing in Doubt’ shows who’s behind climate denialism in Australia
Report offers field guide to the climate change denial industry, Guardian, Graham Readfearn, 13 Sept 13, “…. There is also a potted and seldom-told history of how key figures in the United States worked to connect with like-minded people in Australia to encourage efforts Down Under to counter calls to cut emissions.
One of the first efforts came courtesy of free market promotion unit The Institute of Public Affairs, which doesn’t reveal its funders, which in 1990 sponsored a tour by veteran sceptic Fred Singer around Australia. TheIPA’s magazine reported Singer’s visit: “The greenhouse theory of global warming is contradicted by the evidence, a prominent US scientist has told the IPA.”
Later, Dealing in Doubt recalls planning meetings in the mid-90s with conservative think tanks in the US and Australia where strategies were developed to counter calls for action.
One of those characters, Australian businessman and former mining executive Hugh Morgan, was announced by Liberal MP Greg Hunt in 2011 as a member of the Coalition’s business advisory council on climate change………
Internal Heartland Institute documents have shown that one of the authors of the report, Australian geologist Dr Bob Carter, was to be paid $1667 a month for his work on the report (for anyone interested, Skeptical Science has a good summary of the key differences between the genuine IPCC report and the NIPCC)……. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2013/sep/12/greenpeace-climate-change-denial-dealing-doubt-report
Abbott government unprepared on greenhouse emissions, also he’s cutting indigenous funding
Ten challenges for Tony Abbott SMH September 13, 2013 – Andrew Leigh “……given the length of time the Abbott government has had to prepare for office, the real surprise is the number of major policy questions that lie unanswered. Here are 10 for starters.
First, given that we know from independent experts such as the Grattan Institute that direct action will not meet the bipartisan target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 5 per cent by 2020, how does the government intend to reduce our emissions? Given that Australia has just had the hottest summer on record, is it really acceptable for the developed nation with the highest emissions per person to back away from action on carbon emissions?
Second, we know that one of the leading causes of indigenous disadvantage stems from incarceration, which is why both parties are committed to adding it into the Closing the Gap targets. But given that he has committed to cutting funding to Aboriginal legal aid, how will Abbott ensure that this doesn’t lead to more indigenous people ending up in jail?…..
Like George W. Bush before him, Abbott appears to like using corporate analogies for government, stating on election night that “Australia is under new management”. But, like Bush, he may find that heading a government requires a little more nuance and sophistication than running a campaign. He could start by answering these simple questions. : http://www.smh.com.au/comment/ten-challenges-for-tony-abbott-20130912-2tnuo.html#ixzz2eniKF2qv
Australian Capital Territory Liberals stick their knife into solar energy
Solar plan slammed September 12, 2013 Peter Jean Chief Assembly Reporter for The Canberra Times. The Canberra Liberals have called on the ACT government to abandon a proposal for a 10-megawatt solar farm to be built across the road from Uriarra Village……
Environment and Sustainable Development Minister Simon Corbell denied it was a done deal and said there would be a public consultation process.
Mr Corbell said he had met Uriarra residents on the day it was announced that Elements Energy had won a solar tender auction.
”Any suggestion that there has not been consultation upfront is wrong,” he said.
Three proposed large solar power projects would contribute $100 million to the ACT economy and save 1.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, Mr Corbell said. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/solar-plan-slammed-20130911-2tl3d.html#ixzz2ejgd0m8U
Abbott government proceeding to slash renewable energy and climate programs
Coalition takes axe to climate programs BY:SID MAHER AND LAUREN WILSON The Australian September 11, 2013 PUBLIC servants are drawing up plans to collapse 33 climate change schemes run by seven departments and eight agencies into just three bodies run by two departments under a substantial rewrite of the administration of carbon abatement schemes under the Coalition.
Coalition climate action spokesman Greg Hunt briefed public servants on the dramatic restructure of the federal climate change bureaucracy before the election was called and yesterday confirmed the Coalition was committed to proceeding with the plan.
Under the simplification, the Department of the Environment and the Department of Resources and Energy will run all of the climate change programs under the Coalition’s direct-action program…….
The changes will see all carbon abatement schemes run by three bodies: the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, which will be overseen by the Department of Resources and Energy; and the Clean Energy Regulator and Low Carbon Australia, which will be run by the Department of the Environment……
The Climate Change Authority, which sets emissions caps, the Climate Commission, which has conducted research into climate change, and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which funds renewable technologies, are all slated to be abolished under the plans…… The Coalition will need to legislate to abolish the CEFC, which has amassed a $560m investment portfolio and leveraged $1.6bn in private sector investment. But the bank is understood to be lobbying a Coalition government to utilise its staff and assets as part of its Direct Action scheme, and change its investment mandate so it could work within the framework of the Coalition’s policy.
An Abbott government will need to legislate if it seeks to abolish the Climate Change Authority, which is proceeding with work on a draft report about emissions reductions targets that is due to be completed next month. In the wake of Labor and Greens declarations that they would oppose the abolition of carbon pricing, Mr Abbott said he expected the parliament to “respect the mandate that the new government has”….. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/election-2013/coalition-takes-axe-to-climate-programs/story-fn9qr68y-1226716471498
Abbott begins his destructive action against climate change action
Abbott government begins process to repeal carbon tax; says pressure on Labor to honour mandate ABC News, By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths 9 Sep 2013, The Coalition is already piling pressure on the Labor Party to “honour” the new government’s mandate to repeal the carbon tax.
Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott yesterday instructed his department to begin drawing up the legislation to dump the carbon pricing scheme, and says Federal Parliament will resume in late October or early November to deal with it……. Mr Abbott’s spokesman – and likely minister – for the environment, Greg Hunt, says scrapping the carbon tax will be new government’s “first order of business”……..However, both Labor and the Greens have indicated they will not support moves to dump the carbon pricing scheme, nor will they support the Coalition’s direct action scheme to address climate change.
Senior Labor frontbencher Chris Bowen says his party’s stance is clear. “The Labor Party believes that climate change is real,” he said.”The Labor Party believes that we need to do something about it. The Labor Party believes that a market mechanism is the best way to do that, and we won’t be walking away from those beliefs.”
Labor’s opposition to the moves, would leave the bills deadlocked in the Senate and could trigger a double dissolution election – an option Mr Abbott has said is on the table. The alternative would be to wait until the newly elected senators take their seats next July, though that would mean negotiating with a disparate group including South Australian senator Nick Xenophon and, potentially, two senators from the Palmer United Party and one from the Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party…….http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-09/abbott-carbon-tax/4945330
Difficult paths for Tony Abbott in trying to repeal Australia’s carbon pricing
Repealing the carbon tax is not easy, ABC, CLAIRE MARIESABC Environment 9 SEP 2013“………can Mr Abbott repeal the carbon price? Even though the Coalition lists ‘axing the tax’ as their first order of business, it may be harder than thought.
To repeal the current laws and enact Direct Action the new government may go down a couple of different avenues – but they both have potential roadblocks.
One, Mr Abbott can try to convince the ALP or Greens to back his repeal bill in the senate. The Greens hold the balance of power until the new Senate is sworn in on 1 July 2014 – and both the Greens and the ALP have stated they will vigorously defend the carbon price – so this avenue would not appear to be easy street.
Two, Mr Abbott can wait until after 1 July 2014 and negotiate with the eclectic new senate, the make-up of which is looking decidedly unpredictable. But, importantly, the government is required by law to make a series of climate change decisions before 1 July 2014.
Chief among these is choosing the number between 5 and 25 per cent that will become Australia’s legally binding cap on carbon pollution for 2020.
The Clean Energy Act enacted by the previous government has set in train a process whereby the Climate Change Authority is undertaking a review to recommend a 2020 target for Australia, taking into account what is required to keep global warming below two degrees and Australia’s fair share of the international effort. The Authority must present these to the relevant Minister by 28 February 2014 and the Minister must then set the 2020 cap by 30 May 2014. If the Minister attempts to delay the decision, a default cap is built into the legislation that will result in a target of approximately 10 per cent by 2020.
The government cannot simply abolish the Climate Change Authority, preventing it from delivering recommendations – it is established by an Act of Parliament that would be subject to similar repeal conditions as the carbon price.
Then there are international obligations. The Coalition is committed to ratifying the next phase of the Kyoto Protocol, which includes our international commitment to limit warming to two degrees and cut pollution by 5 to 25 per cent by 2020.
Mr Abbott or his representatives would have to attend the international climate negotiations and tell other world leaders Australia will be the first country to expect others to take stronger action in our national interest, while we do less. Much less.
Meanwhile climate change marches on. During the election campaign the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that the last 12-month period was Australia’s warmest on record.
Tony Abbott will repeal Australia’s carbon tax ‘within weeks’
Tony Abbott has vowed to repeal the carbon tax within weeks once he is sworn in as prime minister. 9 News 9 Sept 13, The prime minister-elect will travel to Canberra today, along with senior members of the incoming Coalition government, after spending yesterday in Sydney meeting with some of Australia’s most senior public servants.
Mr Abbott reportedly has already told the head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet he wants to move quickly to implement his agenda. The Daily Telegraph reports Mr Abbott is likely to seek a return to parliament as early as mid-October, and his first act will be introducing a bill to rescind the carbon tax.
“My top legislative priority is scrapping the carbon tax because that will be an adrenalin shot for local business and relief for families too,” he was quoted as saying. He also intends to issue an official order to the Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, to begin turning back refugee boats from Indonesia……..
The Coalition is on track for a 32-seat lower house majority after winning several seats from Labor and independents in Tasmania, NSW and Victoria in Saturday’s federal election. It is still unclear who will have the balance of power in the Senate, however. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/09/09/06/35/tony-abbott-back-in-canberra-today
First Aboriginal woman elected to Senate – the principled Nova Peris
Months ago, this website criticised Nova Peris, as being “parachuted in” as a laLor candidate for the election. We saw her as a tame puppet for Labor. How wrong we were!Australia’s new Abbott government and its love affair with polluting industries
Australia And Renewable Energy: What Now? http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3931 9 Sept 13, Some in Australia’s renewable energy industry will be starting their week scratching their heads as to what to do next. With the Coalition gaining power; there are some knowns, but many unknowns about their plans for renewable energy.
The situation was made more perplexing by the fact the Coalition’s recently released Policy for Resources and Energy left out renewables for the most part; well, almost entirely. However, it did make it clear Australia is about to embark on a re-invigorated love affair with fossil fuels.
For renewable energy, the knowns that have been cobbled together are the scrapping of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and an attempt to reverse the carbon tax. There will be yet another costly investigation into the health impacts of wind farms; even though multiple studies have debunked so-called Wind Turbine Syndrome.
Money and other resources will be taken from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) by making it responsible for delivering the Coalition’s watered-down “One Million Solar Roofs” rebate. Within the first week of a Coalition government, the new Minister for Resources and Energy will commence work on (yet another) Energy White Paper, which it says will be publicly released within a year. There will also be (yet another) review of the Renewable Energy Target next year – it’s these continual reviews that are believed to be having an impact on dampening investment in renewables in Australia; particularly large scale projects.
The full details of the new Government’s “Direct Action” plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will not be known until at least 100 days after the new government is formed and a period of public consulting ends says The Canberra Times. Given the uncertainty over renewables and the renewed love affair with polluting fossil fuels, it would seem for Australian households (like so often in the past), the best time to go solar may be sooner rather than later.
Mining industry rejoices at Abbott victory, – gloom for renewables industries
Abbot Victory A Boon for Miners But Bad for Renewables http://sourceable.net/abbot-victory-a-boon-for-miners-but-bad-for-renewables/#sthash.AXUY5lIf.dpuf Sourceable, Marc Howe– 9 Sept 13 While Australia’s mining companies are no doubt delighted by Abbot’s election victory over the weekend, a Coalition government is likely to hamper the development prospects of the renewable energy sector. – The mining industry will derive major benefit if Tony Abbot follows through with his plan to annul both the mining and carbon taxes introduced by his Labor predecessors. The introduction of the mining tax in particular triggered fervent opposition from Australia’s cash-rich resources sector, and played a pivotal role in Kevin Rudd’s internal ousting in 2010.
The scheme will permit investors to deduct mining exploration costs from their taxable income, and focus on particular on smaller players undertaking the risky business of mineral exploration.
“Our scheme will target small exploration companies by limiting eligibility to companies with no taxable income and will be capped at $100 over the forward estimates, Mr. Macfarlane said.
In stark contrast to the potential benefits of a Coalition win for the mining industry, the clean energy and renewables sector could face major difficulties with Abbot at the helm – particularly given his past record of climate change skepticism. Continue reading
Australia’s Liberal Coalition will govern in the interests of fossil fuel lobby
The document says the Coalition would look into formalising the sale of uranium to India, and would also examine the potential use of thorium as an 
energy source, noting that Australia possesses an estimated 18.7% (489,000t) of the world’s identified resources.
Coalition energy document focuses almost entirely on fossil fuels Giles Parkinson theguardian.com, Thursday 5 September 2013 Only reference to Australia’s $20bn renewable industry is repeat of promise to hold another investigation into the health impacts of wind farms.
The Coalition on Thursday unveiled its new energy and resources document, which focuses almost entirely on fossil fuel developments, promising to restore coal-fired power stations to profitability, boost exploration for oil and gas, and to produce another “white paper” on energy.
Other proposals in the document prepared by opposition energy spokesman Ian Macfarlane include an investigation into the use of thorium as a potential energy source of the future, and support mechanisms for the use of LNG as a transport fuel……..
the repeat of a promise made last December to hold yet another investigation into the health impacts of wind farms, and confirmation of a previously leaked commitment to require “real time” monitoring of wind turbine noise – a move that wind energy groups say would involve “crippling” costs.
There is no mention of renewables – least of all the “solar revolution” that state energy ministers admit is sweeping the country.
However, separate costing documents reveal sharp cuts to renewable support measures. This includes stripping the Australian Renewables Energy Agency of $150m over three years to fund the Coalition’s million solar roofs program, cutting a planned $40m program to support geothermal and ocean energy developments in regional towns, and cutting $185m from a “connecting renewables” program designed to support transmission infrastructure for renewables. The million solar roofs program – targeted for low income earners – will now feature a $500 rebate instead of a $1,000 rebate because of the fall in the cost of solar PV modules.
On wind, the energy document – in an apparent gesture towards the anti-wind members of its constituency – says: “Some members of public have serious concerns over the potential impacts of wind farms on the health of people living in their vicinity…….
The renewables industry has previously said that real-time monitoring would impose unbearable costs on the wind industry, and would be almost useless because of the inability to separate other noise in real-time.
Despite the fact that there have been 19 separate studies into wind farm health, including one by the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Coalition said it would establish either an independent NHMRC research program or an independent expert panel to examine and determine any actual or potential health effects of wind farms.
A previous study by the NHMRC in 2010 found that “there are no direct pathological effects from wind farms and that any potential impact on humans can be minimised by following existing planning guidelines”. A Senate inquiry into wind farm health fell largely along party lines, although it said it was unable to establish a direct link between ill health and the noise generated by wind farms.
The Coalition has said that the inquiry would be made in response to demands from anti-wind senators John Madigan and Nick Xenophon, who may hold the balance of power in a new Senate………
The document says the Coalition would look into formalising the sale of uranium to India, and would also examine the potential use of thorium as an energy source, noting that Australia possesses an estimated 18.7% (489,000t) of the world’s identified resources.
“The primary source of thorium in Australia and globally is the mineral monazite. Thorium can be used as an alternative source of fuel for energy generation and possesses an energy content that can be utilised almost in its entirety,” it says. Thorium is often touted as a future energy source, although most experts say it is decades away from deployment…….
Leigh Ewbank from Friends of the Earth’s Yes 2 Renewables initiative says the anti-wind farm stance of some Coalition members is out of touch with mainstream views.
“All available public polling shows strong public support for wind farms,” says Ewbank. “The Coalition desperately needs to make a wind energy friendly policy announcement to reaffirm its commitment to Australia’s most affordable renewable energy source.” http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/05/coalition-energy-document-focuses-almost-entirely-on-fossil-fuels
Tony Abbott still a climate change denialist at heart
the suspicion that the sceptic still lurks within grew stronger with an interview with Michelle Grattan forThe Conversation. People were less anxious about climate change for three reasons, Abbott said:
“First I think they’re more conscious of the fact that the argument among the experts is not quite the one way street that it might have seemed four or five years [ago].”
This election has heard no end of debate about Australia’s budget deficit but little about the environmental deficit that we are accumulating and that will take much longer to pay off.
How much will climate inaction cost us? The Drum By Mike Steketee 5 Sep 2013, This election has heard no end of debate about Australia’s budget deficit; meanwhile, an environmental disaster looms that will cause us much more financial pain, writes Mike Steketee.
Victoria and other parts of eastern Australia, including Sydney, have just recorded their warmest winter on record. Was that evidence of climate change, Barrie Cassidy asked Tony Abbott on the ABC’s Insiders on Sunday. “It is evidence of the variability in our weather,” replied the person on the brink of becoming prime minister.
It was an answer at the same time unexceptional and revealing. Of course, Abbott is correct. Weather records are being broken all the time. For centuries Australia has been a land of drought and flooding rains.
But Abbott also could have given a different answer, along the lines that, whether or not specific record-breaking events were the result of human impact on the climate, they were occurring more frequently, particularly those associated with high temperatures, and that this was in line with the predictions of the overwhelming majority of climate scientists.
Here’s another record: for the whole of Australia, temperatures for the 12 months to the end of last month were the highest since reliable records were first kept 103 years ago. Continue reading
Senator Scott Ludlam shows Greens proposal for Collie as renewable energy zone
Greens propose Collie as renewable energy zone Sept. 4, 2013,By By Mackenzie Dixon http://www.colliemail.com.au/story/1753791/greens-propose-collie-as-renewable-energy-zone/?cs=1191 Sept. 4, 2013 GREENS Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam was in Collie Monday to give a presentation on the Greens proposal to turn Collie into a renewable energy zone….. Mr Ludlam was joined by representatives from research organisation Sustainable Energy Now to outline the Greens Energy 2029 plan, which looks to making WA a 100 per cent renewable energy state.
“I do hope this brings a conversation about a transition to a form of economic development that’s not premised on depleting non-renewable resources” said Sen. Ludlam during his presentation.
“We’ve struggled in past decades with four key problems to getting renewable energy up and running – the cost associated, the risk of investment, network access and the fact that it’s not always on when you need it.
“But those things are becoming less problematic, the cost is lowering, there’s specific entities who invest in renewable energy, priorities are changing when it comes to allowing access to the network and we are making leaps and bounds when it comes to energy being there when you need it.
“We also recognise that Collie has good sun and wind energy resources, and if deployed in Collie under one of the scenarios we propose, these other forms of energy generation would each create hundreds more local, highly skilled jobs.”
Western Australia’s South West could prosper as renewable energy hub- Greens candidate
The South West could be a flagship region for renewable energy ABC South West WA By Sharon Kennedy and David Bone, 5 September, 2013 Greens candidate Gordon Taylor is passionate about achieving 100 per cent renewable energy generation “…… he is passionate about renewable energy. “There is potential for this area of the South West to be a flagship zone,” he says.
Environment
On the question of one of the region’s traditional industries, timber, he again sees the need for plantations and other renewables. “I think in the long term, because of the gradual decline of our forests, there has to be a point where we move in other directions – we create employment in other ways – hopefully through renewable energies.” A Greens presence in the Senate will help to keep a balance, says Mr Taylor. Voters have the option of voting for a major party in the Lower House but casting 1 for Scott Ludlum in the Senate to “keep that green edge in the parliament which is so needed now”……abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/09/05/3842164.htm?site=southwestwawww
Liberal Coalition makes big cuts to its already inadequate climate action plan
Coalition climate policies take $320m hit http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/coalition-climate-policies-take-320m-hit-20130905-2t82a.html#ixzz2e96fsfiL September 6, 2013 Tom Arup Environment editor, The Age The Coalition has cut $320 million from its direct action climate policy, halving rooftop rebates for households and cutting spending on geothermal and tidal power.The changes came amid a sweep of cuts to clean energy and climate change programs in the Coalition’s costings released by Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey on Thursday.
But Coalition climate action spokesman Greg Hunt confirmed the rebate on offer would now be $500. That means spending on the solar scheme will be $50 million a year, rather than $100 million. Mr Hunt said the reduction was the result of dramatic decreases in the cost of solar systems in recent years. He said priority would now be given to solar hot water and low income households.
In other changes:
- The Coalition has also scrapped $50 million over four years in planned funding to support the development of geothermal and tidal power.
- $60 million in spending on clean energy employment hubs has been scrapped, with Mr Hunt instead saying it had been replaced with $9 million in funding for the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility at Griffith University.
- $100 million for a solar towns and schools program will be stretched over six years, rather than four.
With other changes all up direct action will now cost $2.88 billion over the first four years, rather than the originally budgeted $3.2 billion. The costings confirm the Coalition’s long-stated plans to axe the carbon price, which will end up costing it $6 billion to do so as a result of foregone revenue.
Amid the savings it claims is $1.46 billion from abolishing “other carbon tax measure no longer needed.” That is understood to include a cut to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and savings for closing the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. But the Coalition is yet to detail the exact cuts. Other savings include suspending a program to connect renewables to the electricity grid, saving $185 million. The national low emissions coal initiative will have $42 million in funding reduced, while the national CO2 infrastructure plan will be suspendend, saving $13 million.
It will also “redirect” $349 million in spending on the carbon capture and storage flagships.
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/235274195556
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 