Climate

Friends of the Earth Adelaide > Climate

Labor announces plans for an energy transition

November 23, 2018

The Guardian reported on Labor’s new energy & climate policy yesterday: “Bill Shorten unveils $15bn energy plan to help tackle climate ‘disaster'”

Eight coal-fired power stations are set to close over the next two decades because they have reached the end of their operating life, and Labor’s higher emissions reduction target will drive a faster rationalisation.

Shorten unveiled a coal transition plan on Thursday, including a $10m training fund to skill workers in the coal-fired power sector to work in renewable energy, overseen by a Just Transition Authority coordinating the eventual plant closures.

There will also be enhanced industrial relations arrangements for displaced coal workers. Labor will insist that power plant operators and coalmine operators participate in pooled redundancy schemes to ensure workers are given offers of employment at a nearby power station or coalmine, subject to enough positions being created.

Shorten said the objective of the plan was to build the essential energy infrastructure to power industry and manufacturing, while helping households cut their power bills with more renewables and storage.

He said too much time had been lost in the climate and energy wars of the past decade and governments needed to act, not only to safeguard communities against the impact of global warming but also create the industries of the future.

“We will only achieve this if we move now,” Shorten said. “You only get one chance to get in on the ground floor. If the politics of the nation gets bogged down for another three or four years of infighting, of inertia … the moment will be missed.

“The world is very unforgiving for nations who do not take the opportunities that are presented to them.”

Shorten said plans for direct investment in the energy network could “not be hostage to the climate sceptics in the parliament”.

… Read more >>

Climate, Old_Notes

IPCC Report a stark wake-up call on climate change

October 31, 2018

MEDIA RELEASE – 8 October 2018 – Friends of the Earth

The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released its highly-anticipated Special Report into the impacts of 1.5 degrees global warming.

The report finds climate change is already impacting communities around the world through increased severity of flooding, storms, drought and heatwaves, and that radical action is required to limit warming to well-below 1.5C.

Friends of the Earth Australia says the report is a stark wake-up call on climate change and reaffirms that all governments must undertake immediate, transformative action on climate or risk catastrophic impacts.

The Federal Coalition’s failure to address climate change leaves communities exposed to impacts.

“The Coalition’s head-in-the-sand approach to climate change exposes communities to intensifying impacts such as heatwaves, droughts, bushfires, and extreme weather,” said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth’s climate change spokesperson.

“Now’s the time for governments to double their efforts and get serious about delivering emissions cuts. We have no time to waste on climate action.”

Friends of the Earth say it is time for all levels of government to build on the efforts of communities when it comes to tackling climate change:

“Communities around Australia are taking action on climate change. Millions of households have installed solar power, communities are building their own renewable energy projects and planning for climate impacts,” said Pat Simons, Friends of the Earth’s renewable energy spokesperson.

“All levels of government must do a heavier lift than the community when it comes to tackling climate change” added Simons.

The Federal Coalition’s failure to tackle climate change requires greater political leadership from Bill Shorten and the Labor opposition.

“With the Federal Coalition failing to tackle climate change, it’s time for Bill Shorten and the Labor opposition to show political leadership and make climate change a priority,” said Leigh Ewbank

More info at foe.org.au

Climate, FoE, Old_Notes, Sustainability

The facts about SA energy renewables

September 6, 2018

An excellent article on Sept 4th by in the Guardian:

It’s now clear that Taylor will continue Josh Frydenberg’s campaign of half truths and politicisation. When Taylor faced the media (sort of) for the first time in his new role last Thursday, he spoke forcefully of South Australia’s “failed experiment” with renewables.

The truth is that South Australia is an international model of success for energy transition. That such a statement goes so far against the orthodoxy shows the depravity of our national energy conversation – bear with me:

Exhibit E: And while we’ve been regaled with endless stories about blackouts, the truth is that SA has only been caught short of generating power for 1.9 “load minutes” this decade (0.00004%), down from 16.8 load minutes last decade (0.00032%).

— read the full article at https://www.theguardian.com/

Clean Futures, Climate, Old_Notes, Renewables

Renewables campaign meeting Saturday

May 25, 2018

Just a reminder for those interested in campaigning on climate & renewables: there’s a meeting at 3pm this Saturday, May 26th, in the common room at Christie Walk (entry via 101 Sturt St). We’ve launched The Playford Declaration, and will be looking at how to promote it and what areas we might want to campaign on in the next few months.

Please RSVP by contacting Roman (email: roman.orszanski@foe.org.au, mob: 0424447817) if you’re interested in the campaign and/or are coming along to the meeting. Up for discussion: the declaration, low cost renewables for the poor, gas fracking, divestment, and a ban on fossil fuels.

Adelaide FoE Notes, Climate, Renewables