New book by Ian Plimer

Just found out that The Australian published an article about Ian Plimer’s new book release ‘Heaven+Earth’.

Many scientists, he said, had not considered the history of the earth when discussing climate change, or factors including the earth’s rotation, changing tides and solar winds.

It was also interesting that “The presses have started printing the third run of 5000 copies, after the first 10,000 sold in two days.”

The cover of the new book by Ian Plimer

“Asia faces brunt of warming: study”

The Age today posted an article online (which was originally published in the NYT) called Asia faces brunt of warming: study. The basis for this claim is that effect of rising sea levels (often associated with climate change) will have a negative impact on industry and populations which are situated near the coast.

“The report focuses on Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.” The article discusses the economy alongside the environment in what appears to be a growing trend within the coverage of global warming.

The rise in sea levels might force the sprawling archipelago of Indonesia to redraw its sea boundaries, the report said. Diminished rice harvests, seawater seeping into aquifers and islands vanishing into rising oceans will be the main problems.

These changes would occur progressively over the next century, the bank has estimated, giving countries time to improve their flood control systems, upgrade their irrigation networks and take measures to prevent forest fires, which the report predicts will become more common.

It seems as if the environmental issue is framed in the light of economical issues.

The authors of the report urged governments to build infrastructure adapted to climate change, arguing that the economic crisis was not incompatible with combating and adapting to global warming.

Environment. Think.. Global Warming?

The word ‘environment’ is fast becoming associated with the concept of ‘global warming’.  And it’s no wonder.. With new ‘global warming’ articles in the media every week, it has become a significant concern for most, trumped only by the new threat of global recession.

Events such as Earth Hour also supported by the media (Fairfax -SMH) have helped raise concern and awareness for the cause. Previously, in recent history, the depletion of the ozone layer was a huge environmental event, and it all focused around mans impact on the environment. And now, we are faced with yet another struggle. It’s something we can only blame ourselves for, and something that potentially threatens humanities survival on planet earth…

But not everyone believes it exists.

Ian Plimer from the university of Melbourne argues that what we assume is climate change as a result of mans impact on the globe, is can actually be explained as a natural phenomenon. “[The] planet is variable, it always changes” he claims in a lateline interview uploaded to the Lateline vodcast on ABC last night.

Plimer claims that “they are looking at the atmosphere, they are not looking at the total system of the planet”. In his new book ‘Heaven+Earth’ he voices his his concerns in order “to give the public some information so that they can say I think I’m being lead away.”

It’s an interesting view, and one that differs from what the media seems to brand as an environmental event which is caused by humankind.

Emissions Trading Scheme

Looking at SMH’s environment page today, the articles reveal a common focus. There is a growing uncertainty for the future of Australia’s Emissions Trading Scheme. Here’s a few extracts…

ETS ‘should be held off until recession is over’

Caltex Australia spokesman Frank Topham told the Senate inquiry in Sydney that the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) shouldn’t come into effect until the economy recovers.

“We believe (the ETS) should not start effective operation until properly designed or until economic conditions return to normal,” Mr Topham said.

ETS crucial to international agreement: Wong

Climate Change Minister Penny Wong says the carbon reduction scheme is key to a global agreement to tackle climate change.

The Government has so far failed to win the support of key crossbench senators for its proposed Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

The Government’s climate adviser, Ross Garnaut, has also questioned whether the scheme was worth introducing in its current form.

Wong vows to press on with ETS plan

Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has hit out at her critics, insisting she will not go “back to the drawing board” on emissions trading.

There are mounting calls for the Government to rewrite its emissions trading scheme (ETS) and delay the 2010 start date.

Might be best to dump ETS: Garnaut

The Government’s own climate adviser says it might be best to dump the emissions trading scheme (ETS) and “have another crack at it” later.

Scientists on attack over Rudd emissions plan

THREE of CSIRO’s most eminent climate scientists have told a Senate inquiry that the Prime Minister’s targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions will not achieve even a “limited” level of protection against climate change and are “much weaker” than the cuts developed countries need to make.

In a big embarrassment for Kevin Rudd and the Climate Change Minister, Penny Wong, the globally recognised scientists have made a joint submission to a new inquiry on the Government’s carbon trading scheme, which begins hearings today in Canberra.

Apparently things aren’t looking too good for the scheme…

The green alliance

The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.

Check the website here. Everything from valentines roses, chocolates, coffees, sustainable agriculture, tourism, climate control. If its got the rainforest alliance stamp, rest assured your doing your bit. It seems to have worked for Maccas…

COFFEE sales at McDonald’s have jumped 20 per cent since it started selling environmentally friendly coffee last year – proof that good deeds are rewarded with higher sales.

In May the fast food chain switched the coffee in its McCafe stores to beans from South American plantations certified by the New York environmental organisation, Rainforest Alliance.

But I find it interesting that:

The market for “ethical coffee” is heating up. Last year BP switched to Fairtrade coffee, which guarantees a minimum price per kilogram to growers. Alliance ensures coffee plantations adhere to strict environmental standards but stops short of guaranteeing wages.

That article is a little old, but it still gives some food for thought…

Visit the article.

Bluescope afraid of carbon laws

Bluescope Steel has expressed fear towards the introduction of new carbon emssion laws. In a statement before a Senate select Committee on Wednesday Bluescope Steel gave ‘evidence’ of how the new carbon pollution reduction scheme (CPRS) would drastically effect the productivity of the business.

Highlighting the relatively small size of the Australian steel industry Bluescope said that the framework of the CPRS “does not adequately shield these industries from the loss of trade competitiveness that will inevitably occur if Australia imposes a carbon cost ahead of other countries.”

Bluescope expressed its support of a carbon reduction plan but stressed that the current plan would not maintain the competitiveness of the Australian industry. The statement labelled the new carbon emission scheme as a “deadweight burden on the industry,” and stated that the scheme “needs – at a minimum - significant amendment”.

The new Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme threatens the economic viability of Bluescope steel in the Illawarra. Photo: William Thomson

 

On thursday the Illawarra Mercury ran a story called ‘Carbon scheme jeopardises Port Kembla steelworks: Bluescope’. It focused on the economical impact that the scheme could have.

“If our business becomes unviable in the global marketplace then the whole Port Kembla steelworks is threatened,” he said.

Mr Cornish’s comments represent BlueScope’s bluntest assessment yet of the impact of the Government’s emissions trading scheme.

He said “tens of millions” of dollars would be wiped from the company’s books in the first year if the plan came into effect.

In the same article Australian Workers Union branch secretary Andy Gillespie said that Bluescope “should just wait and see what is going to happen instead of putting the fear of Christ into the workforce”.

The next day another article was published called ‘Government blasts Bluescope over carbon claims’.

BlueScope Steel has been accused of overestimating the impact of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme on its business.

Unions and a federal MP expressed disappointment yesterday at the company’s decision to publicly declare that the scheme (CPRS) in its existing form would put the Port Kembla steelworks at risk.

I think the government is growing nervous about the implications of rolling out the new scheme. Throsby MP Jennie George labelled the presentation as mischievous and said, “it didn’t portray the full picture about our proposed (CPRS)”. Mrs George sought to clarify that the company was involved in ongoing discussions with the government. And like Andy Gillespie the day before, played down the claims of the company. 

Earlier in the week (Monday) the Illawarra Mercury also published an article called “Carbon scheme ‘threatens’ Illawarra jobs”. Federal member Wollongong MP Sharon Bird said that delaying the scheme was not practical.

She believes it is the global financial crisis, and not the emissions trading scheme, that is the biggest threat to the region’s jobs. She said the Government was well aware of the challenges facing industrial areas, but argued new green jobs can be created.

Similar things are happening across the world as the ‘green movement’ makes a push for environmentally friendly industries. In America New York’s plans to reduce greenhouse emissions may be amended so that local power companies will not suffer. The company Indeck filed suit against the state late January citing that “We believe in doing our part,” but “This has hit out bottom line.” Check out the New York Times for that article published last wednesday.

There appears to be a massive diffusion of responsibility across the globe. Not many people are willing to take the first step. And while the Australian government is striving to demonstrate international leadership, companies like Bluescope and Indeck have sounded out in opposition with fears of being economically disadvantaged. But unless fears over the economic recession coerces the general public into accepting slower progress, Nations, Governments and Businesses will have to act. Support for emissions schemes are growing…