Prime Minister Julia Gillard and climate change minister Greg Combet are trying desperately to retain the momentum (if not the traction) gained in the carbon debate in the last few weeks, and it would seem that silence is not an option. So they have set about releasing more information about Australia’s place in the world on emissions, emissions intensity, targets and spending on clean energy. Well, not so much new information, but at least a new way of presenting it.
Trying to sell a reform that imposes a cost for a future benefit is difficult enough, let alone trying to impose a cost for an uncertain future benefit.
It seems unlikely that the electorate can be sold by a few diagrams, but Gillard does not have the option to back away. So, until the government has some policy detail to sell, and can ramp up its assault with one-liners, the graphic approach may have to do.
Tuesday’s deluge of info-graphics follows on the report from the Productivity Commission which, while generally considered to be neutral to the debate, made two points abundantly clear: One, that Australia was not “out in front” of its trading partners; and two, that a carbon price was the most effective way of meeting its targets.
None of this is particularly new, but the graphs do help to illustrate just where Australia is situated – not just in comparison to its trading parents but also its trade competitors – in terms of their targets and their current situation.
Take the series of graphs presented in the report
Australia stands out in emissions per capita, and will still be the highest among major emitters even if it should pursue its most ambitious cut – minus 25 per cent, which seems unlikely at this stage – and significantly so if it keeps to the bipartisan 5 per cent cut.
In terms of emissions intensity, Australia is tracking well ahead of its developed country peers, but the scope of ambition from its major developing economy trading partners and competitors is far greater. If Australia makes a 5 per cent cut, it will remain above Canada’s and other developed countries, but will be similar to South Africa.
A more telling graphic is the one that shows the comparative cuts over business as usual. Australia’s seems more dramatic, but that is because it has done so little to change the course of its emissions over the past decade or two. Its highly conditional 25 per cent reduction pledge would translate into the most ambitious of any major economies, but under the bipartisan 5 per cent pledge, its ambition is similar in scope to that of Japan and Canada,
These arguments are important, because they underline the point that Australia needs to do its fair share of the global effort. The minus 5 per cent policy may be a bipartisan target, but the arguments of the steel industry, the LNG industry and the coal industry to be excluded from the scheme on the basis that their competitors are protected go to the heart of this question.
SOURCE:
Climate Spectator
Read the full article as well as review the Graphs
Giles Parkinson, June 15 2011
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Creating sustainable housing is fast becoming a necessity rather than the feel-good option. Linley Wilkie takes a look at how locals are being proactive, explains some easy steps you can take now and predicts what’s in store for the future.
Remember a few years ago when the media took great pleasure in announcing green to be the new black? It was an exciting prospect that the green movement would be embraced by society at large, not just hippie tree-huggers.
How times have changed. Now (if you believe the fashion hype), camel is the new black, and "going green" is no longer just a catchphrase. It is fast becoming an essential way of Australian life.
Simone Schenkel has witnessed that firsthand, since moving to Melbourne three years ago from the more eco-savvy Germany. "What's really encouraging is to talk to so many people who are seriously interested in building green and sustainability," says Schenkel, designer and sustainability consultant for Brutal Art Design + Build. "What's really promising, as well, is a lot of them know so much about it."
Lighting continues to be a hot topic, particularly when it comes to downlights.''Downlights always cause a problem, because standard versions get quite hot," she says. "When you install them, the electrician has to cut a hole in the insulation, and that pretty much undoes all of the properties of the insulation. So go for low-energy downlights – [but] they are more expensive than the standard ones."
Bryn Dellar, managing director of Energy Makeovers, says low-energy lighting has reached saturation point. "The next holy grail for lighting is the replacement of downlights," he says. "There are now new LEDs that fit into the existing fitting and work with the existing transformer that have a nice warm light. The price has recently come down by 50 per cent, so the world is working hard to get LEDs as downlights."
And in the future? Dellar says there will be new eco-friendly alternatives available from next year, such as smart power boards and efficient televisions.
These are optional extras now, but there's no doubting the introduction next year of mandatory six-star ratings for new homes and major renovations, plus mandatory disclosure of star ratings, will make home owners sit up and pay attention. Sustainable housing will soon have an impact on the lives of all Melburnians
Why ratings matter
From May 2011, all Australian houses on the market (for sale or lease) must disclose their energy-efficiency rating. This will give potential buyers and renters an indication of greenhouse emissions and energy and water efficiency.
Innovative technology for LED Lighting
Indice has applied its innovative power control driver technology to a range of lighting products. Indice’s own control technology provides compatibility for energy efficient lighting technologies with current mains voltage (110/230VAC) and low voltage (12VAC) infrastructure. CFL, CCFL and LED lighting sources offer exciting potential for general and designer lighting.
Indice Ecotech’s LED downlight is a direct halogen 12V lamp replacement, and can be installed by the consumer. Indice Ecotech eco friendly lighting solutions provide compatibility with existing downlight fittings, electrical infrastructure, transformers and dimmers.
With Indice's LED lamps power consumption down to 5 watts compared to 35 watts for the average downlight, it is sure to help Australians reduce electricity usage, meet Victorian Energy Efficiency Targets and improve the star ratings of their houses.
Source: The Melbourne Age August 11 2010
