{"id":17736,"date":"2021-02-02T17:18:16","date_gmt":"2021-02-02T06:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.socialpolicyconnections.com.au\/?p=17736"},"modified":"2021-03-30T10:43:34","modified_gmt":"2021-03-29T23:43:34","slug":"coalitions-political-games-dont-mix-well-with-existential-threat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.socialpolicyconnections.com.au\/?p=17736","title":{"rendered":"Coalition\u2019s political games don\u2019t mix well with existential threat."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ian Chubb<\/a>. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

8 February 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We could secure a spectacular future for ourselves and help the planet. Instead the federal government dodges the hard decisions; it passes the buck. Fortunately, state and territory governments are stepping up to the plate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New analysis shows that Australia needs to cut emissions by at least 50% by 2030 to meet goals of the Paris agreement. A report<\/a> by a new group calling itself the Climate Targets Panel<\/a> has found the Morrison government should be setting a 2030 emissions reduction target of between 50% and 74% if Australia is to comply with goals of limiting global heating to 2\u00b0C and 1.5\u00b0C respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That incresased cuts will be needed was foreseen long ago. According to the United Nations Environment Program Report of 2019 :<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Had serious climate action begun in 2010, the cuts required per year to meet the projected emissions levels for 2\u00b0C and 1.5\u00b0C would only have been 0.7 percent and 3.3 percent per year on average. However, since this did not happen, the required cuts in emissions are now 2.7 percent per year from 2020 for the 2\u00b0C goal and 7.6 percent per year on average for the 1.5\u00b0C goal. Evidently, greater cuts will be required the longer that action is delayed.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s obvious. The longer we delay, the more severe the action needed to keep the planet healthy and habitable. The more severe it is, the more discomforting for people, and the more fearful the politicians will be for their jobs, rather than for the future of the country whose people employ them to do the right thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Politicians & others speaking irresponsibly<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In Australia, we watch while politicians and others with a megaphone argue the toss about whether climate change is real, or just a naturally occurring event about which we can do nothing. The science is clear. We are the major influence causing the climate to change, because of how a majority of us live our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, politicians exercising their ‘free-speech-without-responsibility’ peddle information deliberately designed to mislead. For what purpose? To enable them to dodge the hard decisions which would avoid what John Hewson has described as the greatest example of inter-generational theft. <\/em>That is, passing on costs to future generations, so that present generation(s) can enjoy the benefits of not having to change much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We talk endlessly about the cost of doing something, but rarely about the cost of doing nothing. Yes, it\u2019s hard. But too important to ignore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Tommi Bloom 2019. flickr cc.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Our hypocrisy is on show when we say we are \u2018only\u2019 responsible for about 1.4% of global CO2<\/sub> emissions, so what we do will make no difference. Yet we are only about 1% of global GDP (purchasing power parity), and we often tell the rest of the world how to trade and what trading rules they should obey, because, we say, it is in our legitimate national interest. So is what they do about climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the meantime we bake through hot summers. We watch a tinder dry country go up in flames at huge cost. We see long-term rainfall patterns change. We see agriculture affected. nd we watch our natural beauty (and fauna) devastated. And still we talk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government\u2019s mantra is technology not taxes, <\/em>populist drivel designed to avoid having to argue substance. It makes you wonder whether those in government are capable of an argument of substance. Instead, they emphasise some hoped-for technology improvement, so they can continue to back coal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carbon capture and storage have long been favoured, because, if it were to work, nothing would have to change \u2013 no industry or behaviour change. Just capture the CO2 <\/sub>and pump it underground, with the expectation that it won\u2019t leak. Of course, it would have to be on a scale we\u2019ve not yet achieved in Australia. And as for leakage? A Canadian plant found that about 30% of the captured CO2<\/sub> leaked into the atmosphere. International experience suggests this technology is still a big ‘if’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

End the political wrangling<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We should demand leadership. Demand an end to this demeaning political wrangling at federal level. Demand our politicians take on challenges, even daunting ones, to secure the future of the country, not just their own jobs at the next election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also clearly in our interests for the world to change how it generates and uses energy, and what it does with it, not just change how it trades. We could be a catalyst for real change, instead of the brake we and a handful of other countries were in Madrid, 2019, where Australia fought hard to keep old carbon credits, rather than taking actions which might affect consumers. <\/em>Publicly dodging the hard decisions, passing the buck. She\u2019ll be right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federal government expects somehow to achieve \u2018net-zero carbon\u2019 sometime this century, hoping it is earlier rather than later. It has committed to a ‘technology road map’, akin to sitting in your car with a map open but knowing only that you want to head somewhere north. Lack of certainty, underwhelming commitment, political games don\u2019t mix well with existential threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If our nation\u2019s leaders won\u2019t do it, others must. And State and Territory governments have all stepped up. Their leaders have committed to net zero emissions by 2050. While commitments are only as good as the policies underpinning them, now that we know the destination, we can find the path. A sensible discussion about the \u2018net\u2019 in net-zero emissions, and debate about the mix of policies to reach that destination, are the keys. We should end this focus on the \u2018zero\u2019. Focus instead on the \u2018net.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zali Steggall (MP for Warringah) has introduced a bill reportedly supported by about 100 businesses and organisations. It provides for a 2050 net-zero target, and would require the government to set a rolling emissions budget to meet it. It\u2019s a destination and a means to monitor progress. Notwithstanding the widespread support from business (although with questions about details), the government apparently doesn\u2019t like it, so it might not even be debated in our ‘representative democracy’. This bill is the subject of a parliamentary inquiry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government may be able to sideline the efforts of an independent backbencher in the short term, but it won\u2019t want to ignore the weight of public opinion indefinitely, and certainly not the demands of business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a Lowy Institute poll in 2019, 61% (of Australians) said global warming is a serious and pressing problem. We should begin taking steps now, even if this involves significant costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A government which dog-whistles about \u2018keeping electricity bills low\u2019 should listen. A majority is saying that most of us would rather live on a sustainable planet and pay a little more than now (if we have to) to turn on the lights, maybe with compensation for those who legitimately can\u2019t afford it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While about 75% of young people (the ones with the long future) want change, less than 50% of people over 45 were enthusiastic. Wisdom doesn\u2019t necessarily accrue with age. Or is the selfishness gene showing its age?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As in so many things \u2013 same-sex marriage for another \u2013 business is again way ahead of (the federal) government on tackling climate change. Companies are committing to change, from green buildings to insurance, to manufacturing, to generation of renewable energy, and financial services. Those who would give anything to do nothing are on a different planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We could secure a spectacular future for ourselves and help the planet. It seems enough of us want to, and are willing to work for it. But we need leadership by politicians who are determined, strategic, and capable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imagine that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ian<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Ian Chubb<\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Ian William Chubb AC FAA is an Australian neuroscientist and academic, who was the Chief Scientist of Australia from 23 May 2011 to 22 January 2016. This entry was posted in Climate<\/a>, Top 5<\/a>, <\/em>and tagged mw<\/a>. Bookmark the permalink<\/a>. Republished by Pearls & Irritations<\/em> 29 January 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo katie-rodriguez. Unsplash.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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