Last Monday, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a new report. The report outlines three stark choices.
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To limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, we must reduce CO2 emissions by 45 per cent by 2030, reaching near-zero by 2050. It’s an enormous task.
To avoid catastrophic climate change, we need to limit warming to two degrees. On our current trajectory, we reach a two degree warming by mid-century.
If all countries stay true to their Paris accord commitments, we face a warming by the end of the century of four degrees. A four degree warming is an existential threat to humanity. The Paris accord is only a starting block for more decisive action.
We are already seeing the consequences of one degree Celsius of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice. Locally, we have seen unseasonal and destructive bushfires. Bushfire risk more than doubles with a two degree warming.
At the moment, Australia has no emission reduction strategy. Despite the federal government’s own modelling, Prime Minister Scott Morrison is telling the Australian public we will reach our targets “at a canter”. Emissions in Australia are currently on the rise! Big coal is running this country!
Our political system is unable to rise to the challenge of climate change. The longer we delay action, the more expensive and the less effective solutions will be. Policy indecision is the biggest driver of rising electricity prices. Investment in coal risks becoming stranded, while investment in renewables is stalled because of policy uncertainty. It is not renewable energy driving up the cost of electricity. It is political ineptitude that is making us suffer!
What can we do?
Renewable energy is now cheaper than coal fired electricity. We need a bipartisan political approach to the challenge of climate change. If our politicians won’t rise to the challenge, then our community needs to take the lead. We need to show our politicians how to lead.
As we approach 2020, Tathra closes in on a 50 per cent renewable energy target. Clean Energy For Eternity proposes a 100 per cent renewable energy target for Tathra by 2030. This is an opportunity for Tathra to stand tall.
Let’s show our politicians what leadership is like!
Dr Matthew Nott is the president and founder of Clean Energy For Eternity
