Saturday, October 10, 2015

Australia Sets Emissions Goal, but

What is most relevant about this article, as we view it, is the Prime Minister's comment that, "Australia struck the right balance between economic concerns and addressing climate change".

To us striking the balance on a strong economy with restoration and preservation of natural resources is the key to our future.  It is within our reach to do just that everywhere in the world.  Interesting, though, for Australia is their pivotal moment in deciding whether to continue to export large qualities of coal despite the obvious environmental damage that causes.  If they don't soon start the process of finding other exports and replacing that revenue with a product that is much more ecological benign, then we know their goals on "striking a balance " are lip service and specious.  

Australia Sets Emissions Goal, but Climate Experts Say It Falls Short






“At 26 to 28 percent, Australia’s target gets the right balance between our economic and environmental responsibilities,” Mr. Abbott said Tuesday after meeting with lawmakers.
“We are committed to tackling climate change without a carbon tax or an emissions-trading scheme that will hike up power bills for families, pensioners and businesses,” he said.
Mr. Abbott has told Australian voters that measures like a pollution tax or a carbon-trading program would result in higher electricity prices and reduced economic growth. “There are many additional ways we can reduce emissions, while saving businesses and households money and lifting productivity,” he said Tuesday.
Mr. Abbott said the new target was “about the same as the United States.” But the United States’ stated goal is to reduce emissions between 26 percent and 28 percent from 2005 levels by 2025, not 2030. The Australia-based Climate Institute said the American goal would amount to a 41 percent reduction by 2030.

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