Climate change From Greenlivingpedia, a wiki on green living, building and energy
Household greenhouse gas emissions Color-coded world map produced by NASA showing where solar energy has maximum effect. Photo: Reuters Color-coded world map produced by NASA showing where solar energy has maximum effect. Photo: Reuters Projected surface temperature changes for the late 21st century (2090-2099) Source: IPCC Report 4 Projected surface temperature changes for the late 21st century (2090-2099) Source: IPCC Report 4
Climate change is now acknowledged by science as a serious issue resulting from increases in the world's greenhouse gas emissions. In order to avoid dangerous climate change and protect our quality of life, the world 19s scientific community advises we cannot let temperatures increase by 2 degrees or more by the end of this century.
The effects of climate change are becoming more apparent as north polar ice cap melting exceeds even the worst case scientific predictions.
We can take action as individuals can take action to reduce carbon emissions, but the role of Governments as regulators and policy setters is also vitally important. Contents [hide]
* 1 Government policies to address climate change o 1.1 Set emission reduction targets o 1.2 A renewable energy target o 1.3 Smarter energy use o 1.4 Smarter transport o 1.5 Smarter land use o 1.6 Making polluters pay and shifting away from fossil fuels o 1.7 Ratify Kyoto - completed o 1.8 Smarter international aid o 1.9 No nuclear power * 2 See also * 3 Blogs * 4 External links * 5 References
Government policies to address climate change
Government policies to address climate change should include: Set emission reduction targets
Industrialized countries must reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2020 with a long-term target of at 100% by 2050. A renewable energy target
We need to transition to clean zero emissions energy. A legislated renewable energy target (MRET) of 100% by 2020 would fast-track the shift to a clean energy economy. [edit] Smarter energy use
We must reduce our energy consumption. Up to 30% reductions are achievable without much difficulty. This can be achieved through a package of measures that includes world 19s best energy efficiency standards for appliances, buildings, vehicles and industrial equipment. Australia should set a legislated target to stabilize our total energy consumption (using the above measures) by 2010 - i.e. 2010 will be the first year that our electricity use does not increase. Australia should also achieve reductions of 1.5% on our total electricity use every year to 2020. Smarter transport
Transport is a major source of greenhouse pollution 13 and this is exacerbated by the inefficiencies and tax incentives within Australia 19s transport system. The fringe benefit tax concessions for car use should be abolished, and $1 billion of additional Federal funding is required annually for our public transport systems. Smarter land use
An important contributor to climate change is our land use. We must end broad-scale land clearing and logging of high conservation value native forests by 2008, to address the greenhouse emissions from these practices. Making polluters pay and shifting away from fossil fuels
We need to place a price on carbon pollution, either through a tax or an emissions trading scheme. Additionally, Australia 19s biggest contributor to climate change is our use of the fossil fuel coal. Australia should not build any new coal fired power stations, and should responsibly phase out our involvement in the coal industry. Ratify Kyoto - completed
Climate change is a global problem, and it needs a global solution. Immediately after the 2007 Australian federal election, the Rudd Labor government ratified the Kyoto Protocol and become a constructive part of this international process. Smarter international aid
The world 19s poorest people will be the worst hit under climate change, with impacts for the developing world predicted to be far more devastating than in industrialized nations. Our biggest responsibility is to reduce our own emissions, but we can also assist our neighbors in other ways.
Australia should integrate climate change risk factors into all relevant parts of our Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) program planning and evaluation. The majority of Australia's ODA energy sector spending should be on renewable energy, demand management and energy efficiency. No nuclear power
Nuclear power is a dangerous and ineffective response to climate change. Australia should not be involved in the global nuclear cycle 13 uranium mining, nuclear waste dumps, and nuclear power stations are not needed or desirable.
