A Million Green Jobs

According to a report entitled "Green Gold Rush", Australia could create a million green jobs by 2030, and multi-billion dollar export opportunities.

“Australia is well placed to lead an economic renewal based around clean industries and green jobs,” says Don Henry of ACF. The report suggests Australia focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable water industries, biomaterials, green buildings and waste recycling.

“This is no time for a go slow approach. The report shows Australia must act swiftly to make the most of its natural advantages or our economy will be left behind. We can’t win the race by starting last” says ACTU President Sharan Burrow.

“It’s up to government to lead the way with a strong 2020 target to cut greenhouse emissions and ambitious environmental policies that drive investment in green industries” says Mr Henry.

Australia to Catch Up on Electrics

Recently i've mentioned the electric car networks in France and Germany. Well Australia is going to catch up (4 years from now).


In partnership with AGL (who will provide the renewable energy for the project) "Better Place" will be installing 200,000 - 250,000 charge points in each of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne by 2012.


“We are investing in Australia’s economy and adding jobs while helping the country take a generational leap forward toward oil independence.” declared Shai Agassi, CEO of Better Place. “With our commitment to build infrastructure and the Federal Government’s $500 million Green Car Innovation Fund, there is a compelling case for automobile manufacturers to jump in and build clean, safe, affordable electric cars for Australasia and Southeast Asia.”

More info: AFP, EV World, Live News, Australian

Berlin Plug-In

Recently Germany announced the biggest community electric car infrastructure in the world, with 500 plug-in points to be available around Berlin.


Obviously, this enables the potential for cars to be powered by renewable energy.

Over a Barrel

As if global warming wasn't enough reason to ween ourselves of oil, Alan Durning presents the following graph showing oil price rises and recessions.


He notes that the increased oil prices (since 2003) took hundreds of billions out of the US economy. Possibly the sudden rise in price also made some families unable to keep up with their sub-prime home loans. He concludes that less oil addiction would make us less vulnerable to price shocks.

Climate Change Poverty

If you're making a list of negative effects of climate change, here's another you can add - poverty.

I was visiting the Make Poverty History website, and read that due to climate change:
- crop yields in Africa are projected to fall 20%
- already 5 million illnesses and 150,000 deaths occur each year
- by 2050 there will be 200 million environmental refugees

It does seem incredibly unfair that the rich of the world caused the bulk of the problem, while others suffer the consequences (even moreso than us).

Good Economic News

There are some companies claiming the financial crisis as an excuse to wimp out on reducing greenhouse pollution. I think the latest was Woodside (surprise surprise - an oil company). Fortunately, the government appears to be ignoring such self-interest in favour of the common good.

A New Green Deal Can Save the World's Economy
Climate Change Investment to Tackle Financial Crisis
France to build electric car infrastructure by 2011
Green Energy should create 20 Million Jobs by 2030
US Green Jobs to Double, mayors claim
Credit Crisis is Time to Act on Climate Change

Concentration

Sometimes it's easy to forget that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (and hence the rate of climate change) is increasing every year. Thanks to CO2 Now, i've included a monthly tracker in the sidebar.

It records the current concentration, and links to the previous measures. It's a bit of a reminder that the longer we leave it, the worse it gets.

The Banned Ad

This is the ad America's ABC wouldn't show:

My Chat With Government

1800 057 590 is the number to call if you want to give the federal government your feedback on climate change issues.

I gave it a go today, and listed off about 10 things that i think the government could be doing - or not doing, in the case of tax breaks which encourage pollution. I think i got on my soapbox a bit, because the lady who took my call (and typed up my suggestions) said that she filled the comments area on her screen. :)

Crisis Of Our Times

Cartoonists can be uncanny in their ability to sum up a situation in just one sketch.


... and yet which do our politicians seem more concerned about?

MP Quits

As you may have read, my local state MP (Ronan Lee) has resigned from the ALP. Premier Anna Bligh thinks his voters will feel disappointed. My disappointment lies with the government's slackness on climate change.

So I've contacted Anna Bligh's office, just to give her a reality check on voters are actually thinking. Her number is 3224 4500 (Premier) 3255 3615 (electorate office). She also has a contact form

"Any party that goes to the next state election not offering a world-leading platform on tackling climate change deserves to lose." Mr Lee claimed other MPs were considering quitting or defecting because of widespread discontent.

Star Performers

As you would already know, fridges and other whitegoods have star-ratings to tell you the energy consumption. For electronic goods, there is a thing called the energy star.

For different devices, there are different criteria - mainly to do with how much power they waste when you're not using them. So it's worth looking for the logo next time you're getting something electronic.

New $100 Note

Well probably not - but it looks good.


This pic is part of the GetUp campaign for Australia to "Renew Our Economy" by investing in the future - Renewable Energy.

It certainly sounds a lot smarter than dodgy loans that never get paid back.