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Bali issue of the day, tell Rudd to step up to the plate!
After promising news yesterday that the Australian delegation in Bali was willing to back a mandate for deep emissions cuts of 25-40% for developed countries by 2020, new PM Kevin Rudd has now retreated from this position. “[Nations] have … indicated that they do not necessarily accept those targets, nor do they accept those targets…
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Come on Aussie. Let us know where you stand
To understand where we’re at here in Bali, and what role Australia is playing, we need to go back to last August, when countries met in Vienna to discuss climate change. They came up with a range for what greenhouse gas reduction targets industrialised countries like Australia should accept in Kyoto’s next commitment period that…
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Is Australia home on The Range in Bali?
The Greenpeace delegation is in full flight in Bali, and it feels great to be part of such a hard working and organised team. This morning at our team meeting, there was lots of debate about the emerging issue of “the Range”, (which is not a reference to a folk song from the United States).…
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Do Australians Know Their Taxes Are Being Used To Subsidise Companies That Cause Climate Change?
Do Australians know that their taxes are being used to subsidise companies that cause climate change? Ratifying Kyoto is the first step forward after 11 years of inaction on climate change under John Howard, but the real test for Rudd when he returns from Bali will be how to break Australia’s addiction to coal. Next…
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Kyoto ratification was a good start… but just a start
Whatever else happens here in Bali, an undoubted highlight will be the announcement by Australia that they will ratify the Kyoto Protocol. The incoming Rudd government richly deserved the applause that greeted that announcement. Only days later, however, there are worrying signs here in Bali that while Kyoto will be ratified, the new government may…
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Action item no.1: Save the planet
Just today, Kevin Rudd was officially sworn in as our new Prime Minister and yet his actions in the next fortnight will have lasting ramifications for the entire planet. And I thought my first day on the job was daunting. The UN Climate Change talks have begun in Bali, setting the agenda for the next…
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Climate sceptics leave the Parliament
Its been a bad election for climate change sceptics, but there are a number of them still left in the Parliament. And one of them could yet lead the Liberal Party. In August 2007 a House of Representatives Inquiry report into Geosequestration (burying carbon dioxide underground- the ‘sweep it under the carpet’ solution) was released.…
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Climate change challenge for new Cabinet
So Rudd has chosen his cabinet. And while us greenies will be shining our (energy efficient) spotlights on the new Minister for Climate Change and Water, Penny Wong, and Environment Minister Peter Garrett, it will be up to the whole cabinet to work together to address the most pressing issue of our time. Treasurer Wayne…
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What the Oz election outcome means for the election
The Australian election was a comprehensive thumping for the conservative parties. And one of the things that hurt them most was their (non) position on climate change – in particular the refusal to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Former environment minister, and now frontrunner for the Liberal leadership, Malcolm Turnbull, was unequivocal the Monday after the…