Zero Waste Australia

An Interesting interview with Ross Garnaut Reporter: Annie Guest

We sat in chairs dipping down towards the river, facing a Yarra
obscured by a geometric lattice-work of steel and glass amid the winter
gloom of a late afternoon in Melbourne. The motion to be argued in the
recent Deakin Debate at Federation Square was “that climate change is
the only issue”.

ABARE (the Australian Bureau of Agricultural
and Resource Economics) hosts a series of
Regional Outlook conferences across Australia
in 2008.

Each conference features a diverse range
of local speakers, complemented by ABARE
economists and analysts.

With a conference program tailored to the
region, delegates can access the latest
commodity data, economic forecasts and
research results plus hear innovative business
stories and updates on regional industries.

For international readers, the emissions trading scheme (EMT) is basically an attempt to bring the economy in line with environmental imperatives; to set real prices that include the environment in the ‘bottom line' of businesses; and to make sure that the market helps achieve a quick transition to a sustainable economy.

This post makes a couple of quick suggestions regarding how to quantify emissions in Australia's agricultural industry.

Australia's oil imports have collapsed under the weight of higher prices and changes in consumer behaviour.

Trade figures released yesterday show just 1.6 billion litres were imported in May, well down on the long-term average of 2 billion litres per month.

May volumes were down 28 per cent on those imported a year earlier.

The change gives heart to those who have claimed the higher prices that will flow from Australia's planned emissions trading scheme will cut greenhouse gas emissions.

It's not the biggest contributor to global warming. But unlike the length of our commutes or the fuel efficiency of our SUVs, it's something we can change, right now.

We can simply stop idling: Turn off the engine while waiting to pick up the kids from school. Park and enter McDonald's to order lunch.

Idling wastes about 4 percent of a car's gasoline, experts say. So eliminating idling would cut a car's greenhouse gas emissions - carbon dioxide and other byproducts scientists believe cause climate change - by the same amount.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says the government will await the outcome of the Garnaut report on climate change, before it decides whether it will include petrol in its emissions trading policy.

Mr Rudd has criticised the opposition for changing its stance on the issue of a carbon trading scheme, saying it contradicts the opposition's views prior to the last election.

But its feared the introduction of petrol into an emissions trading scheme would put further pressure on petrol prices.