Once again politics have stood in the way of action. After three long days of question time in parliament the existence of the ETS (Australian Emissions Trading Scheme – otherwise known as the CPRS) has been delayed. But there is still hope. You can still show your support for the ETS.
Over the last week the media have blown the ETS out of proportion. One paper’s survey asked readers “How much will you reduce your lifestyle for the ETS?” The truth is the ETS is only a framework to reduce emissions. The culprit is climate change – not the ETS. And the damaging climate change we see today was brought about by OUR use of fossil fuels.
Consumption Focus
The real truth is that we need to change our lifestyle in order to reduce our demand on energy, and to some extent we can achieve this without reducing our standard of living. here are many tips to reducing your energy consumption without being extreme. My personal experience shows that once your energy costs rise you have more incentive to be emissions aware. When my household changed to 100% green-energy we made every effort to turn off lights, use less heating and cooling and less hot water. The result was our electricity bill did not change significantly!
You do not see that in the headlines of newspapers that report on rising electricity prices as a result of the ETS - that you can reduce your energy consumption and therefore the impact of rising costs. That, and the fact that the government intends to compensate 97% of low- and middle-income households for some or the entire rise in costs, indefinitely! Why do they leave this information out?
We should balance all the shortcomings of the ETS with the benefits of a global initiative to reduce carbon emissions. Europe successfully reduced carbon emissions in 2008 through its ETS.
Take Action
A little discussed but important benefit of the ETS is the ability for individuals and organisations to become involved – to take action. You can voluntarily buy and cancel carbon credits, forever removing them from being used to emit carbon dioxide. Because there are a limited number of credits, your efforts result in the permanent reduction of carbon emissions beyond Kyoto targets. The process is simple and immediate. In effect, you are strengthening the impact of the ETS to reduce carbon emissions. For more information visit www.climakind.com.
For now an Australian solution is left wanting. We have forgone our opportunity to go to Copenhagen as a world leader in climate change action. But fear not, those who stood in the way of the ETS will be judged by history. Remember, you still have an opportunity to show you support for the ETS by joining Climakind. Together we can resurrect the ETS.
---
More information about this topic in our carbon section
Based on the rcommended EU ETS Trading scheme that Kevin Rudd would have us join at Australia's current emissions (580 million tonnes p.a.) and working population (10.6 million), a carbon price of $A225 would correspond to a cost per working person of more than $A12,000 per year, or around 25 per cent of the average after-tax earnings. Even if we halve our per-capita emissions by 2030, the cost would still be at least $6,000 each year per working person. All without any change to C02 emmissions. There is a myriad of other ways to combat greenhouse gas emmisions the ETS isnt one of them.
Green directory of eco-friendly Australian businesses. This green directory is providing you all details about environmental companies around Australia. Find the green business around your place.
Once again politics have stood in the way of action. After three long days of question time in parliament the existence of the ETS (Australian Emissions Trading Scheme – otherwise known as the CPRS) has been delayed. But there is still hope. You can still show your support for the ETS.
Comments
All without any change to C02 emmissions. There is a myriad of other ways to combat greenhouse gas emmisions the ETS isnt one of them.