Climate Change                                      Support action on 'climate change' and the 'pollution tax'  learn a little more about the issues and facts on carbon pollution. Many people are confused and would like to learn the facts. The benefits of putting a price on pollution for jobs, health and money for low income households, haven't been communicated clearly.  It is not surprising given that some companies, organisations, individuals and political parties are putting self interest first and running negative scare campaigns. Australia has some of the best and most abundant clean energy resources in the world, including solar, wind and geothermal and better than most competitors During the past 100 years, population growth has mirrored the growth of greenhouse gases that cause climate change, with the vast majority produced by developed nations. But most of the effects of climate change are being experienced in developing countries. Governments of 37 least developed countries have identified population growth as a factor that increases vulnerability to change.   Scientists agree that pollution from burning coal, oil and gas is driving a climate crisis, making our world more dangerous, increasing prices of food and water and jeopardising our way of life.  But as we cut pollution and invest properly in the clean alternatives, we will build a healthier, cleaner, more secure economy and community.   Many including most reputable economists say that the best way to do this is to put a price on carbon pollution and use the revenue to help householders, invest in renewable energy energy efficiency, public transport and forest protection The Australian Government has a comprehensive plan to move to a clean energy future with a four points including a carbon price. But it is not a tax on households, as the biggest polluters in australia will be required to pay. All revenue from the carbon price will be used to assist households with price they may face by cutting taxes and increasing payments. And to support jobs and competitiveness and build a new clean energy future. More than half of the revenue raised from the polluters will go to households starting on July 1, and help them do their bit for climate change.  Figures released in a Nielsen poll show a steady increase in the number of voters who believe that introduction of the carbon price (including any associated compensation) will not make a difference to their financial position Over a year in operation, New Zealand's emissions trading scheme is working well despite initial opposition prior to its implementation, and Germany is very pleased with thieir scheme.   It is argued that if we don't act now it will be more costly and harder to change things in the future. Costly for our economy, jobs, our health and our environment so we can't afford to wait and must act now   We think it's important to help people understand what this is all about, and please use these links to learn the facts. No one wanted a GST but it helped make Australia's economy the envy of the world. Im sure it will be the same with the carbon tax . Australian National Press Club Address   June 2012,  by Minister for 'Climate Change and Energy Efficiency' Greg Combe, entitled 'A Milestone Reform for the Future' He addressed the Club prior to the implementation of the Carbon Pollution Tax on July 1 and here are some of the points he made.  The extra cost to homes will be $3.30per week and the Government rebate is $10.10 per week. There have been increases in electricity costs in all States over the recent years which have nothing at all to do with the carbon tax, but due to power carrying infrastructure development and maintenance. Nine out of ten houshold will be compensated.   The major carbon gas pollution comes from methane which is, and can be burnt off or used to create energy, and there are 300 major industrial polluters that will be taxed.  He pointed out that Australia is not the only country taking steps to deal with climate change and successful Emission Trading Schemes (ETS's) similar to Australia's are being developed or exist around the World, and all countries are bound to reduce emissions by 2020.   He said that there were dire predictions when the 'Native Title Act' and 'The GST' was implemented but despite this, there have been no problems they have been a success. And he pointed out that the Opposition leader Tony Abbott calls it "the largest carbon tax in the world" whereas the 'Australian Greens Party' and most conservationist's say it is quite modest and not big enough. Tony Abbott  uses every opportunity to blame all price rises on the carbon tax and keeps predicting widespread loss of jobs and the closure of many major Industries like iron, steel and coal mining. Despite this most economists and commentators are saying that this is incorrect, and householders dont believe this as indicated bu figures released in a recent Nielson poll show. Minister Combe also pointed out that all this scare mongering will do him no good and lowers his standing in the community, as they are just lies designed, for the coalition to be elected and Abbott to gain power .   Windsor launches scathing attack Federal independent Tony Windsor blasts Opposition Leader Tony Abbott over the carbon tax in Australian parliament.   Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott, continue his anti-tax campaign promising to delete the Pollution Tax, if they were elected. However this would be very difficult indeed, as many contracts cannot be changed and if the Greens Party continues as the majority in the Senate, such a proposal would not pass With the Clean Energy Act coming into effect, we are making our first big steps in building a clean energy economy and cutting the pollution that drives global warming. A clean energy economy means more jobs and innovation. It means cleaner air and a safer climate. It means a healthier, smarter, fairer society. But you can be absolutely sure that the naysayers and doomsayers, those who profit from pollution or who simply try to hold back change, will be out in force in the coming days attacking what has been achieved. Putting a price on pollution, investing in clean, renewable energy and supporting householders is the most effective and efficient way to cut the pollution which drives global warming. We now pay less for what we earn while polluters pay more for what they burn. Between Europe, New Zealand, parts of the USA, Canada and China and others, almost a billion people around the world already live with a price on pollution The carbon tax is here and the Government is continuing to operate in promote and defend mode. But it may want to be careful in how it fends off attacks from the Opposition; lest it raises the ire of solar-supporting voters. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Greg Combet criticised Tony Abbott's "Direct Action" policy for reducing carbon emissions, saying that, even if he puts his own policy into action, this so-called direct action policy, that's to deploy solar panels and plant trees and buy emissions reductions from large polluters - guess how that's paid for? Out of people's taxes. And guess what the cost of deploying solar panels on rooftops costs, per ton of greenhouse gas emissions it's reduced?  Perhaps it was an honest mistake on Mr. Combet's part, but solar panels costing "up to $400 a ton" in terms of carbon abatement is a gross exaggeration. Using  such inflated figures is a well-worn page in the anti-solar playbook; a page that even some nay-sayers have ripped out as it simply isn't true. As Mr. Combet apparently doesn't rank among the anti-solar brigade, his choice of figures was curious and based on the cost of rooftop solar power some years ago. The price of panels and associated equipment has dropped dramatically over the last couple of years, and solar panels have become far more efficient. Aside from the many other benefits ofresidential solar , the price reduction and improvement in efficiency has positively impacted on associated carbon abatement    INDEX Climate Change Pollution Legislation Tax News Climate Change News Pollution Tax Petitions References Donations                                                            . Climate Change Dirtier than industry claims Scientific study is raising serious doubts about the green credentials of the expanding coal seam gas (CSG) industry, suggesting it is far less environmentally clean than it claims. CSG mining is known as 'fracking' is booming across southern Queensland and is now expanding into NSW. But there is one critical element in this equation which is how much greenhouse gas emissions leak into the atmosphere during the extraction process, what the industry calls fugitive emissions. Their results so far are striking, and researcher Isaac Santos says the amount of leaking methane is about 3.5 times higher than had been expected. It is the biggest and worst contributor to air pollution and climate change, and a major world problem. It negates the aims of Australia's 'Pollution Tax' Methane leaking from field . . Yunus speaks at concert   Nobel Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus addressed the audience at the 'Global Poverty Project' concert at Central Park in New York. Artists performing were Neil Young, Foo Fighters, Black Keys, John Legend and many others to raise awareness about global poverty and climate change . .   Australia to sign up to Kyoto  Climate Change Min Greg Combet has announced that Australia is willing to sign up to the next phase of the Kyoto Protocol agreement, on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, despite concerns from some environmentalists that carbon reduction targets remain too low. which will effectively act as a bridging deal until a new long-term plan can be agreed to. The current agreement is due to expire this year, and agreement on a new globally-binding deal is not expected until 2015 . . What happened to climate change? It has been significantly absent from the US presidential election campaign. President Obama, who made climate change a key plank of his 2008 campaign, has not been anywhere near the issue or as vocal in this race. Republican nominee Mitt Romney, recognising the active disbelief in climate science among his party base, only raises the issue to sneer at it as the obsession of a deluded middle class. Why is the defining, important issue of the age so pointedly absent from the most important political decision making process? Where are voters getting their information from?   Climate forecast for Queensland New report is forecasting potentially disastrous impacts on Queensland from increasing temperatures and rising sea levels Give facts a start Short concise and informative video from GetUp   Conservatively speaking  Climate threat is real   Climate and clean energy    Climate Change News . . Exploding myths   More climate change myths   Climate Change   Guardian . . Climate Change Facts   Tobacco and Anti Science movement  Climate change sceptics who seek to distort and reframe the (non) debate on science are guided by this strategy. By courting the media, they circumvent the consensus that has been reached amongst climate scientists in order to muddy and manipulate the understanding of the science by laypeople. They insidiously project the impression it is still a contentious issue in the science community when it is clearly not . . Defence spending Senator Ludlam was responding to the Matter of Public Interest submitted by the Opposition on the issue of Australia's defence budget. He talks about the inappropriateness of the plans and about the real threat, that of climate change 56 million year old lesson Some tough choices about climate change. Science increasingly tells us that we must choose wisely and quickly . . Pollution   . Interview with Bill Gates Sydney He talks about world health, pollution tax, philanthropy, the protester and his own inspirations   Pricing carbon pollution Will deliver benefits for Queensland   . . .   Gillards address to nation  Carbon Tax     Did Gillard promise no carbon tax?     . . Cleaner Energy Future Estimate your assistance   Household Assistance Package  Started in May with an initial payment, followed by tax cuts in July and then ongoing assistance added to regular entitlements from March 2013 . . Legislation - Pollution Tax    Gillard / Rudd celebrated  Labor and independent MPs broke into applause as the hotly contested carbon bills passed the Lower House after weeks of debate. A truly historic day for Australia and the World with a victory for common sense and climate care Drum  Steve Cannane speaks with Minister Pru Goward, Radio broadcaster John Stanley and the Executive Director of The Australia Institute, Richard Denniss . .   Carbon tax passed Senate  Historic day as Australian Government's carbon price legislation is passed by the Senate, clearing the way for the plan to take effect. Abbott repeats his promise to scrap it History made in Australia  Says former US Vice President Al Gore   Start a new era  Great Australian video from GetUp which celebrates a Clean Energy Future  . News Climate Change ITU could put the net behind closed doors. Watch the video to find out how We love the internet, and we’re guessing you do too. Think about all the awesome things it gives us: All this great stuff is available because the internet was designed in an open and inclusive way, with a multitude of voices being able to get a say on how it’s governed. Take action now and above all, tell your governments to oppose handing over key decisions about the internet to the ITU. Let’s use the internet’s global reach to save it. Please re-post this and encourage others to stop extreme costs and restrictions Forbidden Planet   We cannot restrain climate change without a political fight against plutocracy. Humankind’s greatest crisis coincides with the rise of an ideology that makes it impossible to address. By the late 1980s, when it became clear that manmade climate change endangered the living planet and its people, the world was in the grip of an extreme political doctrine, whose tenets forbid the kind of intervention required to arrest it.  We believe this should start with an effort to reform campaign finance. We will be launching a petition in the next few weeks UN talks warn of hotter Earth  United Nations climate talks in Doha have heard warnings that the planet could be up to six degrees Celsius warmer by the turn of the century. The talks are entering their final week with little sign of any new agreement on how to reduce global carbon emissions. Limiting global warming below two degrees by 2020 is feasible, but only with political ambition backed by rapid action Final year's offerings   Cate Blanchett and husband Andrew Upton unveil their final year's offerings for the Sydney Theatre Company as joint artistic directors and she talks about her involvement in climate change . Climate forecast for Queensland   New report is forecasting potentially disastrous impacts on Queensland from increasing temperatures and rising sea levels Heidi on climate change Climate Central's chief climatologist Heidi Cullen joins discusses the worrying new data about the extent of this summer's arctic sea ice melt . .. Ministers' attacks are sick A recent contribution of the Health Minister in Vic. to the the climate discussion was a leaflet for distribution across Melbourne's eastern suburbs which suggested that the carbon tax will hurt patients. He said that hospitals will face a $13 million tax bill, but there is no such bill. Even if electricity costs rose it would reflect less than 0.1 per cent of total health expenditure. The Commonwealth will be footing the bill for 50 per cent of the cost of hospital care from 2014 .    Windsor launches scathing attack Federal independent Tony Windsor blasts Opposition Leader Tony Abbott over the carbon tax in Australian parliament   Crackdown on rorts   Consumer watchdog ACCC has launched a crackdown on carbon price rorts, unveiling a hotline and online complaints form for consumers . . Carbon Tax fears cool down  Figures released in a Nielsen poll show a steady increase in the number of voters who believe that introduction of the carbon price (including any associated compensation) will not make a difference to their financial position Tax is here to stay  Climate Change Minister, Greg Combet said that from July 1 people will start to see how much Tony Abbott has deceived them as his arguments are completely fallacious, false, untrue and deceitful, he's a ruthless opportunist who has run around and tried to create fear. He will be held to account for all the absurd and ludicrous statements he makes. LABOR would never use its votes to help an Abbott government repeal the carbon tax, and if they were elected he vowed yesterday the Coalition would probably have to go to a double dissolution election to abolish it and the tax would operate well into a first term Biggest jump ever  Seen in global warming gases . . Cattle and Sheep Passionate debate about the ethics of eating flesh. Cattle and sheep have been in the news in Australia again due to live exports abuse in Indonesia. Are you aware that they are not only unhealthy food and destroy, denude the natural environment, they are inefficient protein factories and a major contributors to climate change as they produce massive amounts of methane gas. In fact they are the major polluters in countries like NZ where the numbers far exceed the population . .   56 million year old lesson World has some tough choices about climate change. Science increasingly tells us that we must choose wisely and quickly   Chilling news for climate sceptics  Its the politicians, not scientists, who are committing a fraud War on global warming science  Check out this amazing clip from the tobacco institute PR spin from 1982. It all sounds strangely familiar to the language used on the war against global warming science . Tim Flannery Global warming and climate change 56 million year old lesson World has some tough choices to make about climate change. Science increasingly tells us that we must choose wisely and quickly         . Climate change denial is easy ABC's approach to reporting on climate change is motivated more by politics than science compared to the coverage of the BBC Warming trend underscores need for urgent action  Summary of Australia's long term climate trends released by CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology shows Australia's long term warming trend has not changed. The report underscores the urgent need for dramatic cuts from Australia's biggest polluting sectors Australia getting hotter, sea levels rising  Snapshot of the nation's weather reveals it is getting hotter, sea levels are rising and more rain can be expected Clouds dropping closer to Earth Experts from the University of Auckland suggest the change in cloud altitude could be the Earth's way of dealing with global warming Exhibition in Melbourne Featuring artworks addressing climate change that the artists hope will deliver a strong message Good news for climate campaigners It's not very often that we hear positive stories. Australia's carbon tax is along with the European emissions trading scheme, the most comprehensive carbon pricing scheme in the world. For those of us who find climate change frightening we should take some heart out of the achievements of last year and build on these to achieve more in this year Reduce your carbon footprint Simple changes in our everyday lives can help slow climate change, including reducing our energy consumption, choosing to travel sustainably, and being conscious of what we purchase . Climate deal clears major hurdle UN talks in Durban have agreed on a pact that for the first time will force all the biggest polluters to take action to slow the pace of global warming. Australian Minister Greg Combet says it proves the Federal Government did the right thing introducing a carbon tax. The Federal Opposition says the outcome is very disapointing for Australia Beyond Durban Considering how far world leaders are from making hard decisions to lower greenhouse gas emissions, big nations will have to without binding agreements . Climate change in Tuvalu and Kiribati   'Critical Decade' report from the Commission Over many decades thousands of scientists have painted an unambiguous picture, the global climate is changing and humanity is surely the primary cause. The risks have never been clearer. Our Earth's surface is warming rapidly and we can already see social, economic and environmental impacts in Australia and around the world. Failing to take sufficient action today entails potentially huge risks to our economy, society and way of life   Climate will make us depressed   News report links a failure to tackle climate change with increasing stress, anxiety and depression  . Dirtiest cities in US  California still has seven big cities that rank among the twenty most polluted in the nation Hot Cities - surviving climate change From Hollywood to Bollywood, we see how two of the world's great cities are adapting. No city is more wedded to the car than Los Angeles .  The end of Australia Want to know what global warming has in store for us? Just go to Australia, where rivers are drying up, reefs are dying, and fires and floods are ravaging the continent Climate Change  Caudallure   You can share your stories please contact us . News  Pollution and Tax Carbon floor price dumped The Australian Federal Government has announced it will abolish the carbon floor price when a trading scheme replaces the current tax in 2015, and link Australia to Europe's carbon pricing system   ACCC head Rod Sims   Says price gouging over the carbon tax is not as widespread as we may think, with a modest number of complaints and only 20 investigations open . World must act now Australian Climate change commissioner Flannery says he is surprised how fast the world is moving to tackle climate. He hits back at criticism of his predictions. There are nearly 850 million people in 33 countries living in economies with a carbon price or similar arrangement . EPA clean air to end coal in US In a milestone announcement recently that went largely unreported in Australia, the US Court of Appeals upheld the EPA's right to regulate greenhouse emissions under the Clean Air Act. Both the Australian Government and the Coalition have committed to a 5 per cent reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2020. But the US has pledged a much more responsible cut of 17 per cent by 2020, in spite of Obama being forced by the Republicans to shelve his 'cap and trade' scheme Brumby's apologises  For carbon tax memo. One of Australia's largest bakery chains, Brumby's, has issued a public apology after encouraging franchisees to increase their prices and then "let the carbon tax take the blame" . Cause of earthquake Prepare to be amused as during Question Time in the Senate yesterday, Richard Di Natale from The Greens asks Labor Minister Penny Wong about the link between the Melbourne earthquake and the Carbon Tax. He asked her "With the Labor-Green alliance's carbon tax now responsible for the death of Fairfax, can the government produce modeling to prove that the carbon tax did not cause or contribute to Victoria's earthquake on Tuesday evening?" and "will you guarantee there will be no further earthquakes in Victoria following the carbon tax?" . . Crackdown on rorts The consumer watchdog ACCC has launched a crackdown on carbon price rorts, unveiling a hotline and online complaints form for consumers   Plan to save the planet Right now, our governments give nearly $1 trillion a year of our taxpayer money to Big Oil and coal to destroy our planet. Key leaders, including President Obama who is hosting the G8, have already agreed to stop these polluter payments. Now, if we demand they act on their word and divert this huge sum into renewable energy, experts say we could actually save our planet. Please sign this important petition now   Pricing carbon pollution  Will deliver benefits for Queensland   Biggest jump ever  Seen in global warming gases . Tony Abbott pathetic  Australian Greens leader Christine Milne described Tony Abbott as 'absolutely pathetic' warning her party would block any future Coalition attempts to scrap the carbon tax   Second front in the war Year after year, the world's nations gather to find ways to reduce carbon dioxide, with little meaningful progress. Frustrated by this slow pace announced a modest but potentially game changing initiative to cut three other pollutants .   Factory Farms  Pollution   Record rise in emissions Clean coal 'unviable' says advisor  There will be no developing clean coal power plants in Australia or overseas in the next twenty years. He says the introduction of a carbon price will not entice the coal industry to invest the billions required for clean coal plants because it makes no financial sense California Air Resources Board  Unanimous vote adopted landmark regulations of greenhouse gas emissions to curb climate change and meet targets for reducing pollution If greenhouse gases were visible If we could see heat trapping greenhouse gasses ? Might the US have regulated them long ago, as with other emissions we can see Air thats murky Questions of how clean the air is in the American West has never been an easy one to answer . Ordinary citizens fight big coal Outlining how coal plays a part in the American energy equation Quit Coal Campaigns against expansion of the coal industry in Victoria Australia. They say this is important because allowing new coal infrastructure to be built locks in decades of dirty, old technology, when we should be moving towards clean renewable energy . Good news for Australia Majority of Australians will find that the carbon tax bill passed benefits them. Much of the money raised from the carbon price will be recycled in the form of tax breaks and compensatory payments Household Assistance Package Started with an initial payment, followed by tax cuts in July and then ongoing assistance added to regular entitlements from March 2013   You can share your stories please contact us . Petitions Save the planet Right now, our Governments give nearly $1 trillion a year of our taxpayer money to Big Oil and coal to destroy our planet. Key leaders, including President Obama who is hosting the G8, have already agreed to stop these polluter payments. Now, if we demand they act on their word and divert this huge sum into renewable energy, experts say we could actually save our planet   Future of Coral Reefs They are vanishing at an alarming rate, and scientists warn that these reefs are poised to become the first mass ecosystem extinction produced by manmade climate change. The loss of coral reefs, the ocean's greatest hotspots of biodiversity, would be a critical blow to the wide array of marine animals and coastal communities that depend on them   Niger Delta pollution and human rights abuses  Please read and sign    Stop the Wishbone Hill coal mine   New plan to save the planet  Right now, our governments give nearly $1 trillion a year of our taxpayer money to Big Oil and coal to destroy our planet. Key leaders, including President Obama who is hosting the G8, have already agreed to stop these polluter payments. Now, if we demand they act on their word and divert this huge sum into renewable energy, experts say we could actually save our planet. Please sign this important petition now Don't let negotiations fail   Replace Australia's dirtiest power station with clean energy . . References Carbon Tax Australia Wikipedia   Explained Greeneatz   Climate Change Australia Wikipedia   Climate Change Australia  Government   Tax fears cool down           . Leave your comments in Guestbook . Facebook and Censorship .       View My Stats       FOLLOW and LIKE us   Designed by Fleurcom Home Site Map About Us Contact Us

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