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Author: Elora Guirguis
I’m sure you’re aware of the ever-growing issue of climate change - it's a big issue, to say the very least: extreme temperatures, unpredictable weather, ice caps melting. It's having a profound impact not only in Australia but on a global scale.
Climate change is defined as the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place that persists for several decades or longer—usually at least 30 years. These statistical properties include averages, variability and extremes.
It has come to many people's attention that, despite their efforts and initiative, the Australian government does not appear to be doing what is necessary to win the ever-growing battle of climate change. Of course, in being UNFCCC ( the United Nations Framework Convention - aims to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that would prevent” anthropogenic (human-induced) interference with the climate system) and Kyoto Protocol - an international treaty/agreement that extended (operationalises) the 1992 UNFCCC by committing industrialised countries and economies in transition to limit and reduce greenhouse gases emissions in accordance with agreed individual targets. - they are most certainly aware of the issue and action they must take. Most importantly we signed the Paris Agreement in 2016, where we have created an “ambitious” NDC. Yet weather patterns and sea levels continue to change for the long term, defying our promises, and thus building pressure for future generations.
Additionally, scientific evidence and the goals of other countries (which highly exceed that of ours) have proven that our supposedly NDC is not nearly enough.
I must say with little hesitation: Australia’s current 2030 greenhouse gas pollution target and solutions are weak - we are nowhere near on track to meet the Paris Agreement. According to the government’s projections, in order to meet our current emissions target, Australia will need policies to reduce emissions by an extra 695 –762 million tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution between 2021-2030. From our current government, our future is building on empty promises with no true pursuit or a simple desire for change. Our leaders have sent mixed and misleading messages: they claim Australia will meet the Paris target “in a canter”, yet scientific findings show that our gas-led recovery ignores warnings from organisations to support a green recovery. It is found from an ABC report that Renewable energy investments have dropped due to the uncertainty in government policy direction and gas pollution levels have only been increasing at a record high. Our representatives continue to approve and signal their support for coal and gas projects, with addition to a so-called “technology-neutral approach”, thus severely compromising Australia’s recovery.
Furthermore, Numerous scientific reports, including the IPCC (this created purposefully to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change, implications and potential future risk), have stressed that Australia’s climate has been rapidly changing as a result of our lacklustre efforts. Our climate has warmed on average by 1.44°C and sea levels have been rising at an average rate of 2.1 mm/year. There is again a lack of climate action, despite rising climate impacts such as the catastrophic bushfires that enveloped several states. According to the Climate Tacker Organisation (2021), the clearest present-day impacts of climate change in Australia include changes in fire projections and heatwaves, heavy rainfall and river floods, growth and distribution of plants, and an increase in coral bleaching on the Australian reefs.
I feel that these enduring issues show thorough proof of our deficient efforts in addressing Australian climate change. Even the CAT (Climate Action Tracker) rates Australia’s Paris Agreement target as “Insufficient”. Despite these alarm bells, the Australian team developing the legislation has chosen to ignore the recommendations of a 2017 independent review of future energy security as stressed by Australia’s own Chief Scientist, Dr. Alan Finkel. They often propose insincere legislation to satisfy citizens in the short term, but then turn to practices and ineffective policies that generally contradict their promises which show no sign of scaling up climate action. Our strategies aren’t the only issue - our 26% emissions target, in general, is largely inadequate and should only be our starting point. If all government NDCs were in this range, warming would reach over 2°C and up to 3°C globally!
Despite these daunting realities, I believe we can cease the cataclysmic effect of climate change. To begin, Australians need a strong national climate policy with incentives for large industrial emitters to reduce emissions - refer to other countries NDC’s in the UNFCCC and we will see our current policy is comparatively parsimonious (e.g. Mexico aims to reduce emissions by 70%, and Britain by 78%). According to an analysis conducted by Australia’s National Science Agency (CSIRO), Australia will need to implement additional policies, particularly focused on our carbon emissions through manufacturing (30%) and transport (15%) to reduce our carbon-intensive reputation. We must also put a net-zero target on the table, ensuring we label it as one of our largest priorities by first aiming for a minimum of 45% reduction by 2030. We must remove all new oil, coal or gas exploration or infrastructure, and certify there are no new coal plants. Additionally, we must stop subsidising fossil fuels, as well as warrant everything is run from renewable sources (e.g. wind, solar, hydropower) to effectively limit Australia greenhouse gas emissions. To limit transportation emissions, we must have fewer carbon-intensive cars on our roads and thereby introduce a fuel efficiency standard. In addition, we must alter agricultural practices and deforestation to maintain our sinks so that less carbon remains in the atmosphere - the CSIRO’s research contains various alternatives for these practises. We need more ambition and more attention.
As the climate continues to warm, natural disasters only intensify. Australia’s prevailing climate issues and the hundreds of scientific evidence indicating that our goals a inadequate both reveal that our current work will only wreak havoc on our livelihoods, our safety. Together, I know we can make Australia a better place. If we do not address this ever-growing danger in these next few years, I am sure we will begin to feel the heat.
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