Kyoto Protocol
On Monday the government announced a very weak emissions target for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol of a half a percent reduction on 1990 levels.
This target is the lowest possible in the government’s long stated 5-25 per cent range dependant on the level of global action.
But in school we were always told to give our best effort and this is clearly not it.
Remember the Kyoto Protocol? The only international legally binding framework the world has to reduce emissions? Signing it, to much fanfare, was Labor’s first significant act after being swept to victory in 2007. It signalled Australia’s willingness to finally join international action to fight climate change.
Now, the first incarnation of Kyoto is about to come to its end, but that fight is far from over. A second phase of the Kyoto Protocol would pave the way to a more ambitious and inclusive global climate treaty, which is what we desperately need if we are to avoid dangerous climate change.
While the Government has copped a hammering on many fronts in recent years, the decision to ratify the Kyoto Protocol remains popular, according to polling released last week by WWF. The Opposition’s climate change spokesman Greg Hunt also is now on the record as saying his party supports signing on to the next phase.
Continue reading "Australia needs to warm up to climate change - the sequel" »
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bailey says:
“Oops is this whats known as ‘a spanner in the works’? “ No, it’s what’s known as the Heartland Institute. A lobby group for big oil. Comprising tea party members and right wing fringe dwellers. You’d fit right in. Read more »
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thatmosis says:
Yes, sounds about right or maybe the Greens annual meeting of like “minds” certainly not with ordinary people who might just disagree with the intended intentions of the poll. These polls make one laugh, they word it in such a way that even if you disagree you are still… Read more »
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