August 10 Climate Election Newsletter

CANDIDATES’ CLIMATE VIEWS

As with the last Federal election we posted some questions about climate change to the major Bennelong candidates to help you decide. Here are their responses.

  Maxine McKew
Labor
John Alexander
Liberal
Lindsay Peters
Greens
Do you agree with putting a price on carbon? Yes by implementing the CPRS and ETS No reply received  Yes
If yes, when should this be implemented? Once community consensus has been established   As soon as possible
What should Australia’s renewable energy target be for 2020? 20%   30%
What should Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction target be by 2020? (measured against 1990 levels) 5%   40%
What steps do you personally take to reduce your carbon footprint? Drives a hybrid Camry, reduces electricity, line dries clothes.  Native garden and minimizes watering
Expanded response
  Uses public transport to get to work.
* Walks the children to school
* Cycles on local trips
* Drives a hybrid car
* Pays for offset car travel
* Purchases100% accredited solar energy from Origin Solar
* Uses gas powered hot water
* No air conditioning at home
* Has improved house insulation
* Has reduced meat consumption
* Buys locally and sources locally produced where possible
* Installed fluorescent globes throughout the house.
Expanded response

NATIONAL CLIMATE SCORE CARD

The Australian Conservation Foundation candidates score card updated on 4 August, gave the Greens a score of 89%, Labor 40% and the Coalition 18% on policies for reducing carbon pollution, renewable energy, sustainable cities and a healthy environment. For the full scorecard see http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=3044

It’s tempting to feel discouraged at this election given that neither of the major parties have shown leadership. Don’t forget that the Senate is as important as the House of Reps in changing the law. Remembering that we are not politically affiliated, funded or aligned, we suggest that a vote for the Greens in the Senate provides the best chance of seeing action. Our next government will be remembered in 50 and 100 years for whether it acted on this issue … well beyond the life of other government policies.

100% RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY : REALLY POSSIBLE?

Solutions to climate change have just taken a giant leap forward. Last week at Sydney Town Hall a blueprint for Australia’s switch to 100% renewable energy was launched. The plan proposes the switch can be made in a decade with concentrated solar power and wind turbines and creating 80,000 jobs. The work was a collaboration between Melbourne University, Beyond Zero Emissions and engineers Sinclair Knight Merz. Endorsers of the plan who spoke at the launch included Malcolm Turnbull, Bob Carr and Australia’s former chief scientist Robin Batterham. For more www.energy.unimelb.edu.au.

WHAT DO LOCALS THINK OF RENEWABLES?

Between June and July we canvassed 130 passers-by at Putney, and Eastwood shops, members of North Ryde Rotary club and parents outside Gladesville Public School. 78% did not think the government was doing enough to promote renewable, 88% agreed with the idea of a clean energy jobs scheme and 80% wanted to see a plan for 100% renewable energy. Read the full results here.

SNAKES OR LADDERS?

We continued this month to play climate snakes and ladders at Gladesville and West Ryde mingling with Federal candidates and lots of balloons Pictures. See photos here.

OXFAM’S TAKE ON CLIMATE

Better known for their work on international poverty, Oxfam has been active this election calling both parties to commit to stronger action on climate. This stems from their recognition of the disproportionate effects on poor people in developing countries. http://www.oxfam.org.au/explore/climate-change

See WHAT’S ON? in the next month.