Tim Flannery, Chief Councillor of the Climate Council and a seasoned climate change observer, discusses the urgent need for Australia to embrace renewable energy. He critiques the Coalition's nuclear energy plan as impractical and emphasizes the feasibility and benefits of expanding renewables. Flannery highlights the importance of the upcoming election in shaping climate policy and expresses optimism that it might be the last election focused on climate action, urging Australians to prioritize sustainable solutions over past mistakes.
Tim Flannery emphasizes the urgent need for Australia to choose renewable energy over fossil fuels to combat climate change effectively.
The upcoming election will significantly influence Australia’s climate policy trajectory, determining whether the country continues its shift towards clean energy or regresses to fossil fuel dependency.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Australia's Climate Policy
Significant changes in Australia's climate policy have been noted since Labor assumed power, transitioning from being global outliers to making noteworthy progress in renewable energy. Under the current government, electric vehicle sales have represented around 10% of the market, and clean energy sources now contribute approximately 40% to Eastern Australia's energy production. However, despite this positive movement, challenges remain, particularly concerning the affordability of new battery technologies and the ongoing approval of coal and gas projects. The Labor Party aims to achieve 82% of electricity from clean sources by 2030, yet compromises related to fossil fuel industries continue to complicate their commitments to tackling climate change.
Critique of Nuclear Energy Plans
The proposal for building seven nuclear reactors in Australia raises several concerns regarding environmental and resource implications. Nuclear energy requires substantial water, approximately 25% more than conventional coal-fired plants, which poses risks in drought-prone regions where these reactors may be constructed. Furthermore, the necessity for an extensive public safety and regulatory system to oversee nuclear energy adds to the complexity and cost of this initiative. Critics highlight that waiting until 2040 for nuclear energy development could result in an unacceptable increase of approximately 2 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, emphasizing the urgency of faster, proven renewable solutions over untested nuclear technology.
The Future of Climate Elections
The upcoming election is viewed as pivotal in determining the trajectory of climate policy in Australia, highlighting the stark choices voters face. If the current government policies are sustained or enhanced, there is optimism that reliance on clean energy could significantly rise by 2028, potentially marking the end of prolonged climate election cycles. In contrast, a win for the opposition could mean a return to climate denial and further election narratives focused on fossil fuels. With a potential shift towards widespread acceptance of renewable energy technologies, the future may see a less contentious political landscape regarding climate change and environmental responsibility.
As a scientist, Tim Flannery says he’s seen climate change kicked around parliament for decades.
Australians are now paying for the years of denial, distraction and delay from our politicians, with a decade’s worth of warming just in the past couple of years.
While the last election sent the major parties a clear message that Australia should act on climate change, he says this election is all about how. And he says he’s optimistic that this could actually be the last climate election.
Today, chief councillor of the Climate Council Tim Flannery on the choice Australians are facing – between expanding renewables, or repeating the mistakes of the past.
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