Video: Kelvin Thomson MP: Today Tonight Interview on Population Reform 18/09/09

In Australia, Emissions increased 3.7 per cent this year compared to the previous year, which put them at 7 per cent above 1990 levels. (Parliamentary Library) This is interesting, considering that Kevin Rudd committed himself to cut emission down by 5% on 1990 levels. The “white paper” on climate change sets a target for emissions cuts of just 5% by 2020. Most of the increase in carbon dioxide comes from burning of fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas for energy, and from deforestation. Cows, sheep and other ruminant animals ‘burp’ methane into the air. Rice paddies also generate methane. Other sources of methane are landfills, burning vegetation, coal mines and natural gas fields. Nitrous oxide concentrations are increasing because of changes to the way in which we use land, from fertiliser use, from some industrial processes, and from burning vegetation. According to a 2006 UN report, cattle-rearing generates more global warming greenhouse gases, as measured in CO2 equivalent, than transportation. “The environmental costs per unit of livestock production must be cut by one half, just to avoid the level of damage worsening beyond its present level,” it warns. Australia has the highest proportion of livestock to people in the world, and globally we are the highest exporters of coal. By 2008-09, we had 232,090 plus immigrants and 629,000 temporary residents come here on work and study visas, with many hoping to transfer to permanent residency. Australia's population is growing at record levels. The stalemate of the ETS is part of a political game. Corporate greed has won out over ensuring a liveable planet. Kevin Rudd and our State governments are quite willing to obey their masters, the powers of the mass markets, instead of ensuring a safe nation for future generations. Would Turnbull, or the Liberals, be willing to face the real source of emissions and not just burden the public with taxes to appear that the challenge of climate change is being met?