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Thoughts & IdeasFebruary 2008
Professor Garnaut has released his interim report on Australia's response to Climate Change. He has stated that Australia will need to cut CO2-equivalent emissions by between 70% and 90% by 2050, a much higher target than the 60% set by the Federal Labor Government and the NSW State Government. He is calling for Australia to take a leading role on the world stage in combating Climate Change. LINK READ MORE » Energy Motion for State Conference, Climate Change Action Plan - 15 February 2008 posted by Asren Pugh Congratulations on all those who worked so hard to get Labor elected in November. It was a great result and we now have an opportunity for Australia to take an international leadership role in combating Climate Change. The new government has moved quickly with its very first act being to finally sign the Kyoto Protocol. This is an exciting time and LEAN has an opportunity to influence environment policy of the new Labor Government as well as hit the ground running in 2008 for some big issues ahead in NSW. READ MORE » December 2007
WASHINGTON - For the first time, more than 200 of the world's leading climate scientists, losing their patience, urged government leaders to take radical action to slow global warming because "there is no time to lose." LINK READ MORE » British Prime Minister Gordon Brown makes ambitious climate speech - 02 December 2007 posted by Sean Kidney In his first major speech on the environment, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown last week suggested that Britain could aim to cut its greenhouse-gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. LINK READ MORE » November 2007
In the afterglow of a substantial election victory, Kevin Rudd has signalled he will move quickly on some key climate action issues, such as ratifying Kyoto. He has already said he'll be in Bali next week for the Kyoto meeting ... READ MORE » Hillary Clinton unveils far-reaching plan for 80% emission cuts by 2050 - 20 November 2007 posted by Sean Kidney Hillary showed us this week what a progressive climate change policy needs to look like. LINK READ MORE » July 2007
If they can do it so can we! LINK READ MORE » LEAN Submission to Owen Inquiry into a new NSW Coal-fired power station - 09 July 2007 posted by Sean Kidney LEAN and 52 ALP Branches in NSW have passed the NSW Clean Energy TREND Resolution on Reinforcing NSW Leadership on Climate Change. That resolution forms the basis of LEAN's submission to the NSW Government's Owen Inquiry. READ MORE » EU Green Paper released today about future impacts of climate change on Europe - 04 July 2007 posted by Sean Kidney The European Commission's new Green Paper is all about the massive changes facing Europe as the globe warms up, and what has to be done to adapt to them. They are taking it a lot more seriously than Australian Governments. LINK READ MORE » Resolution from Darlington NSW Branch on global warming - 04 July 2007 posted by Barrie McMahon Global warming is now accepted as being caused by the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from fossil-fuel burning. There is also consensus that such warming, if unchecked, if not already, will have dire consequences. There is a debate over the economic consequences of adopting the necessary emission reduction targets. While this debate is being resolved, we should promptly undertake actions which will not disrupt the economy but which will reduce our energy-from-fossil-fuel consumption. READ MORE » June 2007
Carbon Risk, Coal, and Higher Electricity Prices - why coal-generated electricity will cost more than energy companies claim. LINK READ MORE » Maxine McKew introduces peak oil at Smart 2007 - 29 June 2007 posted by Dave Lankshear Peak oil expert Roger Bezdek opened Day 2 of the Smart Conference in Sydney on Thursday last week, introduced by Maxine McKew. LINK READ MORE » New report by Jim Hansen & Co paints dire future under climate change - 27 June 2007 posted by Sean Kidney A New Study Led by Jim Hansen Makes Unambiguous Warning that the Earth is in 'Imminent Peril'. If ever we needed fresh reason to fight plans for new base coal-fired power stations, this is it! LINK READ MORE » A New Nuclear Policy for Labor? (Updated) - 09 June 2007 posted by Ken McLeod Comment by Ken McLeod: "Labor's Nuclear Policy is rapidly being overtaken by new technologies, and will soon be as sensible as the 19th Century English law that required a little man with a red flag to walk in front of automobiles and charabancs. I propose a New Nuclear Policy that allows us to adopt new technologies when they are shown to be safe and economic." READ MORE » May 2007
A group of about 30 ALP members met at the Bedford Branch on 29th May to discuss the challenges posed by climate change. READ MORE » Biofuels NOT the answer - 31 May 2007 posted by David Worth To find out why biofuels are not the answer to the challenges posed by peak oil to Australia's fuel supplies, read this new 'Alternate Fuels' policy paper prepared by the Sustainable Transport Coalition in WA. LINK READ MORE » February 2007
Worth a look. "Aliens" and "Racoon Rant" are quite funny. READ MORE » This is a great send up of carbon offsetting ... - 22 February 2007 posted by Sean Kidney There's a real debate raging about whether carbon offsetting is simply the modern form of selling Indulgences. LINK READ MORE » Biofuels unveiled - 22 February 2007 posted by Sean Kidney If you want the overview on biofuels and some solid answers to the controversy swirling around whether they're good or bad as a way of addressing climate change, this is the paper for you. Plus you get a whole new idea for an international Treaty. Click on the PDF download. A ripper new paper from Macquarie Uni's Prof. John Mathews. LINK READ MORE » January 2007
LINK READ MORE » Useful article on the Wedges approach to CO2 stabilisation - 17 January 2007 posted by Sean Kidney This paper by Socolow and Pacala summarises the "Wedges" approach cited recently by Al Gore in his New York speech on the climate change agenda going forward. LINK READ MORE » December 2006
Check out Labor's latest discussion paper (see link below) on environment and natural resource management, which argues that significant institutional, regulatory and politcal change needs to occur if we are to address the serious challenges outlines in the 2006 State of the Environment Report. LINK READ MORE » November 2006
MARINE POLLUTION THREATENS CORAL RECOVERY, FISH STOCKS, OYSTERS, UN REPORTS WARN READ MORE » September 2006
Reinforcing NSW Leadership on Climate Change READ MORE » August 2006
The story of a 3,280 foot tower of solar power in the Australian Outback. READ MORE » July 2006
Now here's a great radical idea! LINK READ MORE » Latest useful climate change links - 20 July 2006 posted by Sean Kidney Get your knowledge up to date! READ MORE » May 2006
Given climate change is such a serious problem for Australia, the decision in the Budget to cut the very staff we need to detect and analyse climate change is extraordinary. The Treasurer mentioned drought and extreme weather, such as cyclone Larry, but for the 11th Budget in a row did not mention climate change. Climate change is a serious economic and environmental problem, yet 50 staff are being cut from climate programs in the Environment portfolio.... LINK READ MORE » March 2006
For those wanting to get into the details of climate change science, 'Real Climate' is a great website run by climate scientists. It has in-depth commentary and debates on a variety of issues ranging from hurricanes to corals. LINK READ MORE » February 2006
This Editor's summary of an article and letter in this week's Nature deals with one (of the many) unforeseen effects of increased carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere and an indirect path to additional surface warming LINK READ MORE » January 2006
Morsels for dinner part conversations READ MORE » California has voted in a brilliant Million Solar Roofs program - 16 January 2006 posted by Sean Kidney The California Solar Initiative was announced last Friday. It involves a levy on all power users that will fund $US 2.9 billion into solar over ten years, the largest solar and energy efficiency program in the world, other than Germany's. For various summaries, go to www.cpuc.ca.gov. LINK READ MORE » Heartening European biofuels story from the BBC - 16 January 2006 posted by Sean Kidney It has long been known - and not only by environmental enthusiasts - that bioethanol made from, say, the grains otherwise used to make whiskey is perfectly suited as an automotive fuel.... LINK READ MORE » SMH story on home solar power feeding into the grid - 16 January 2006 posted by Sean Kidney LINK READ MORE » A useful climate change resources portal - 15 January 2006 posted by Sean Kidney The ClimateArk is a Climate Change Portal and Search Engine dedicated to promoting public policy that addresses global climate change through reductions in carbon dioxide and other emissions, renewable energy, energy conservation and ending deforestation. LINK READ MORE » December 2005
Check out the website for Labor’s shadow environment minister - it's got some very useful resources. LINK READ MORE » October 2005
This is the National Press Club Address by Ian Lowe. It is what one would expect from Ian: a coherent, readable, well-argued, practical exposition of a vitally important topic.The article concludes with Ian's lovely one-liner: "As people said back in the 1970s, if nuclear is the answer it must have been a pretty silly question! "(Note: Ian is a man I'm proud to be able to call a friend; not just as a fellow-physicist but as a fellow-academic Trade Union activist.) LINK READ MORE » Know thy enemy - 14 October 2005 posted by Sean Kidney This is a key source of info trying to debunk blobal warming (regularly quoted by Australian naysayers). Careful, you may even be convinced - try newscientist.com's climate change site for the antidote! LINK READ MORE » An amazing Source for climate change information - 14 October 2005 posted by Sean Kidney New Scientist provides the antidote for people who've been infected by climate change sceptics LINK READ MORE » September 2005
Is global warming a hoax? According to the European Commission, the ten warmest years on record all occurred after 1991. LINK READ MORE » North Sydney forum on Energy and Water policy - Tues 13 Sept - 12 September 2005 posted by Sean Kidney Forum on "Desalination and Coal - are these the answer to Sydney’s water and energy crisis?", convened by ABC Stateline presenter Quentin Dempster, with Professor Peter Newman, NSW Sustainability Commissioner, as keynote speaker. READ MORE » August 2005
Now this is an idea that Australia could use for its national accounts! LINK READ MORE » July 2005
READ MORE » New report provides arguments for decentralised energy generation - 27 July 2005 posted by Sean Kidney Some nice arguments re decentralised energy generation from a new report by the UK new Economics Foundation. http://www.neweconomics.org/gen/news_mirageandoasis.aspx. READ MORE » Great how-to-run-a-campaign web site - 15 July 2005 posted by Sean Kidney Created by Chris Rose in England, a former campaigns manager of Greenpeace UK and WWF. LINK READ MORE » G8 Climate Plan 'lacks bite' - 12 July 2005 posted by Brian McInnes World leaders attending the G8 summit in Britain have released their eagerly awaited statement on climate change, agreeing that the issue is a "serious long-term challenge". But environmental groups have criticized their plan, saying that it lacks firm targets and timetables for action. LINK READ MORE » More on the nuclear debate - 10 July 2005 posted by Meghan Montefiore I found this publication 'The New Standard... a project of peoples Networks' while looking for alternative energy resources on the web. It is a professional, independent, anti-commercial, non-profit, alternate media source, published in America and expanding internationally. LINK READ MORE » North Coast LEAN meeting with Guest Jack Mundey, Sun 14 Aug - 05 July 2005 posted by Sean Kidney North Coast LEAN will commence with a free Sunday afternoon function at the Victory Hotel Mooball (located on the old Pacific Highway near the Tweed Byron Shire boundary). For this occasion we have been fortunate in obtaining a very distinguished guest speaker, Jack Mundey. READ MORE » LEAN Seminar: the Murray Darling in Crisis. 14 July, 6-8pm - 05 July 2005 posted by Sean Kidney Thursday 14th July, 6-8pm | Level 7, CPSU Building, 191-199 Thomas St, Haymarket - 3 minute walk from Central Station READ MORE » Should Australia go nuclear? The no case, by Lindsay Tanner - 04 July 2005 posted by Brian McInnes Well-developed arguments in speech to Parliament pour cold water on magic bullet solutions to greenhouse. LINK READ MORE » June 2005
... market forces can help the environment. In fits and starts, they are already starting to ... From The Economist, Sept 2001 LINK READ MORE » Academies call for greenhouse gas reductions - 15 June 2005 posted by Brian McInnes A statement released by the President of the Royal Society, the Australian scientist Lord May, on behalf of the world's leading scientific academies. The statement calls the Americian President's policy on climate change misguided. LINK READ MORE » There's no need to replace one environmental hazard with another - 07 June 2005 posted by Article by Gavin Gilchrist (posted by Sean Kidney) Bob Carr is ignoring other answers when he suggests nuclear power as an option, writes Gavin Gilchrist, in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald June 7, 2005 READ MORE » The Nuclear Charm Offensive - 07 June 2005 posted by Sean Kidney Story on how the UK nuclear energy industry is lobbying hard to resposition as "clean" energy that reduces greenhouse gases. Could be NSW ... LINK READ MORE » Labor's Green Guide - 03 June 2005 posted by Kristina Keneally This Guide outlines Federal Labor's environmental policy, as well as providing practical suggestions on how we can all work to protect our environment -- including water, energy, waste and transport. In pdf format, it is easily downloaded and printed. LINK READ MORE » May 2005
This speech was delivered by Anthony Albanese MP in the parliament on Monday May 22. READ MORE » ‘Do we need a new agenda for the environment?’ Speech by Bob Debus - 23 May 2005 posted by Asren Pugh Debus, the NSW Environment Minister, lays out his progressive view on what the new agenda should be. READ MORE » Junk science - 19 May 2005 posted by Brian McInnes George Monbiot, Guardian columnist, dissects the origin of some bizarre comments made by David Bellamy about climate change. LINK READ MORE » The Death of Environmentalism - 13 May 2005 posted by Jenny McAllister This article has sparked significant debate in the US and argues that environmentalists need to get on the offensive on the question of global warming. The original essay is published on this site, along with commentary and critique. LINK READ MORE » Highly recommended article on Climate Change from the 'New Yorker' magazine - 12 May 2005 posted by Sean Kidney The Climate of Man, by Elizabeth Kolbert - Disappearing islands, thawing permafrost, melting polar ice. How the earth is changing. LINK READ MORE » Forest policy can deliver on jobs, growth and the environment - 10 May 2005 posted by Anthony Albanese By Anthony Albanese and Craig Smith, NSW Secretary of the CFMEU’s forestry division. READ MORE » Lets Create a High Value Environment - 10 May 2005 posted by Jenny McAllister The attached joint opinion piece by Anthony Albanese and Craig Smith argues that the future for Australian forestry lies in low volume high value-adding activities. LINK READ MORE » An argument that we have to make radical choices in the face of climate change - 06 May 2005 posted by Mark McGrath At the LEAN seminar with Peter Garrett and Anthony Albanese this week there was some discussion about radical choices we needed to look at in the face of climate change. A good example of this argument is presented by Ted Trainer of the Uni of NSW on his web site. LINK READ MORE » Sources of Power - 05 May 2005 posted by Glenda Gartrell On ABC radio national on sunday 17 April 2005, the following discussion on the program titled The National Interest, explored the issue of: Nuclear power and climate change. LINK READ MORE » David Suzuki writes on "The beauty of wind farms" - 05 May 2005 posted by Sean Kidney Far from being a blot on the landscape, wind farms are an asset - especially when you look at the alternative, says David Suzuki. New Scietist, 16 April 2005 LINK READ MORE » Environmental Activism seminar - 4 May - 02 May 2005 posted by Sean Kidney Hear Peter Garrett and Anthony Albanese! READ MORE » April 2005
Elizabeth Kolbert travelled from Alaska to Greenland, visiting the laboratories of top scientists to get to the heart of the debate over global warming. In this week’s magazine, she publishes the first of a three-part series on climate change, which she discusses here with Amy Davidson. Worth looking at. LINK READ MORE » November 2004
Ian Lowe argues that our serious environmental problems are the result of the collective impacts of our lifestyle choices. Since everyone now makes decisions that have environmental effects, we should try to ensure that everyone understands those effects. LINK READ MORE » Opportunities for Unionists and Environmentalists to work together - 08 November 2004 posted by Jenny McAllister Workers Online (published by the NSW Labor Council) has posted an article about the opportunities and challenges for unionists and environmentalists to work together. LINK READ MORE » October 2004
I won’t mention the election. But as if on cue…. LINK READ MORE » Asia’s small-scale fishers vulnerable to global fish crisis, says new WRI report - 13 October 2004 posted by Sean Kidney This very interesting report from the World Research Institute describes how Southeast Asia’s small-scale fishers are becoming more and more vulnerable as conflicts increase between them and large-scale commercial fishers using new technologies. Ruining our global fish stocks could lead to more than reduced fish in our markets; violence is in the offing as well. LINK READ MORE » We are what we eat - 09 October 2004 posted by Sean Kidney A new book, reviewed in this week's New Scientist, convincingly argues that producing food with biodiversity in mind is also good for human health. LINK READ MORE » July 2004
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