And the big year continues...
- Yesterday the UK government announced plans to make Britain the first country in the world to set legally binding limits on its carbon dioxide emissions. Under proposed legislation the UK will have to reduce its emissions of carbon dioxide by 60% by 2050, with an interim target of at least 26% by 2020. Failure could land the government in court.
As Australia gears up to get serious…
- The Business Council of Australia has called for the streamlining of climate change policy in Australia, claiming the current mix of state and federal schemes are "increasingly complex to operate within".
- John Howard has set up an Emissions Trading Task Group. Their terms of reference is as follows: " Australia enjoys major competitive advantages through the possession of large reserves of fossil fuels and uranium. In assessing Australia’s further contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, these advantages must be preserved. Against this background the Task Group will be asked to advise on the nature and design of a workable global emissions trading system in which Australia would be able to participate. The Task Group will advise and report on additional steps that might be taken, in Australia, consistent with the goal of establishing such a system."
More on Gore:
- Al Gore wins an Oscar for an Inconvenient Truth…
- …and then gets tomatoes for his massive US$30,000 annual home power bill (turns out it’s all green power)
- The New York Times has reported disquiet about the depiction of some of the science in the film and accusations Gore included deliberate exaggerations and distortions to create greater drama about the impending threats
- My view? We need outstanding leadership, robust science, vigorous discussion, intelligent policy, clear community commitment, and above all, shared objectives and definitive action. Bring it on.
Get Active - Some events
40 HOUR DROUGHT – 7am Wednesday 21 March - 11pm Thursday 22 March
Can you manage with just 40 litres of water in a 40 hour period?
That's the challenge being set by ABC Local Radio in a nationwide initiative launched today to encourage people to experience what it's like to live with a limited amount of water. The average person uses well over 200 litres a day so trying to use just 40 is quite a feat.
Whether or not you successfully meet the challenge, we hope that by spending more time thinking about our water usage at home, we can better understand the value of water and some of the problems facing those who are living with serious water restrictions.
Check out http://www.abc.net.au/water/40hourdrought/
FireUp! Fitness (www.fireupfitness.com.au) is rising to the challenge – well done guys – fantastic.
EARTH HOUR 7.30 pm Saturday 31 March – Sydney
Sydney plans to turn off its lights for one hour at 7.30pm on Saturday March 31, 2007 as a major step towards reducing the city's greenhouse gas pollution.
Great for Sydneysiders. Check out http://wwf.org.au/news/sydney-to-send-message-to-the-world-on-global-warming/
As always…
Will keep you periodically updated – keep that info coming in
