This was sent to me on 2 April.
Global warming, carbon trading and greenhouse gas emissions are something most people are too busy to stop and think about. When there is no fuel left for their four wheeled drives it will be too late!
Individual attempts to be carbon conscious, cut backs in energy and recycling are not enough to reduce emissions. Governments, industry and business sectors must make a concerted effort to find an effective solution to reduce their emissions since they are the largest perpetrators of CO2 emissions. Investment in clean coal is a fallacy (a leap in the dark). Clean coal is a mere excuse to keep the wheels of trade and profit for another decade. Carbon trading schemes are a means to allow this to happen. The greatest challenge facing government is to investment in new technology not, as present, in subsidies to the coal and oil industries.
The impact of an Emission Trading System for Individual Enterprises in the EU has far too many inconsistencies The EU over allocated trade off emissions to industry. Their scheme is a lesson to Australia. Poor commitment and a reluctant to engage in rules and guidelines or a lack of interest in the environment are just a few of the EU problems. Can we learn from the EEC experience? The EEC first phase of a carbon trading scheme did not include transport emissions but transport will be included in their second phase. Will Australia include transport in their first trading scheme? If not why not?
Carbon trading appears to be a very Catholic idea– the big corporations are encouraged to sell off indulgences for the right to continue polluting. This does not address the real increases in emissions or future consequences.
Australia’s emissions have increased over the last decade Australia is one of the highest per capita emissions of greenhouse pollution in the world today. It has been on the back foot since it refused to sign Kyoto Protocol ten years ago. The result is industrial emissions increased during that time and present policy will hardly bring us to the 1996 emission rate. Both government and industry’s priority to economic policies have failed to control emissions. The result is pollution escalates to crisis point while boom profits become immoral for the few and a disaster for the rest of the community.
Kyoto clearly identifies the reality of a need for a worldwide shift in thinking. Melting ice caps rising sea levels, drought, floods, and depletion of habitat, species, deforestation and wild weather patterns have increased insurances worldwide. The CEO of the RAC Insurance Mike McCarthy said “There is a doubt that the insurance industry will survive the increasing demands! Australia has no flood maps for natural disasters and recent flooding illustrated the huge problem for the insurance industry. Everyone must learn to adapt and innovate otherwise they may find they will not be covered by insurance in future,” he said. Planners need to make sure houses are sustainable build in safe places, not on the coastal edge, near rivers or wetlands that are likely to flood. It is time developers, local councils and State governments are forced to change their attitude towards coastal development.
The greedy have become greedier. Contracts are signed to dig up and ship out WA’s minerals as fast as possible. No one takes responsibility for increasing emissions or pressure on the natural environment.
The greedy have become greedier. Contracts are signed to dig up and ship out WA’s minerals as fast as possible. No one takes responsibility for increasing emissions or pressure on the natural environment. Meanwhile Australian governments and the corporations make huge profits and water and energy supplies are rapidly depleting.
We all have a moral obligation and responsibility to care for the earth. To move forward in the way we think, use energy and take advantage of new opportunities and technology, embrace new methods and skills. Solar has been a government policy failure in this land of sunshine. Failure is not an option we must move forward together as part of a global community.
Mary Jenkins
Spearwood Western Australian, ph 08 94182117
Recent comments