U3A Benalla and District Inc.
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'Sometimes it is hard to come away from our sessions with real hope that Australia will take effective action on climate change'

31/5/2021

 
Victoria's Climate Change Strategy was released at the beginning of May and was a major topic of discussion at our session. While it was considered to have many positive aspects the general feeling from conservation groups was that it had not gone far enough. Dr Nicholas Aberle from Environment Victoria suggests that the climate goals are caught between politics and science. While the Victorian emission targets are politically bold, they are scientifically inadequate. He argues that we must encourage the government for taking responsibility and praise them for their leadership while also pointing out that we need to go much further, much faster, if we are to stay within the 1.5 degree warming limit.

And then of course there was the release of the Federal Budget which was severely criticised for being very light on climate and environmental issues. It seems that the government does not like to even use the word 'climate'. It just appears in two items in Budget Paper Number 2.

The budget allocated considerable money to fund new carbon capture and storage projects which aim to capture some CO2 at the point of emission and store it underground. The aim of this is to allow continued fossil fuel use with lower emissions, which demonstrates the priorities of the Federal government. Recent research into carbon capture and storage projects shows that the vast majority of projects fail.

There was much discussion about this and other aspects of the budget including its support for a 'gas fired recovery', which group members believe will not reduce emissions. Gas is sometimes described as emitting about half as much as coal when burned, but studies have shown its impact is much higher due to the leakage of methane during extraction and piping.

The world's leading energy authority, the International Energy Agency, issued a statement saying that rich countries like Australia have an obligation to reach net zero emissions earlier than 2050 if we are to meet the Paris target. The statement said that no new mines are needed, no new coal plants should be built and that no new natural gas fields are needed. Group members contrasted this with the continued support of the federal government for coal and gas. On the same day that the statement from the International Energy Agency was released the government announced it would be spending $600 million of tax-payer's money on a new gas fired plant in northern NSW.

Sometimes it is hard to come away from our sessions with any real hope that Australia will take effective action in relation to climate change.
​
John Lloyd
    BSFG on:

    'Sustainability'

    The human impact on our planet has, in recent times, become the concern of governments and ordinary people world-wide and has resulted in many questions about the sustainability of our present lifestyle. This course aims to explore topics such as global warming and climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, clean energy options, the challenge of population growth, sustainable agricultural practices, water use, sustainable use of resources, sustainable and energy efficient building design and various economic and lifestyle issues. From time to time we might also focus on the politics of climate change – a topic that can hardly be ignored. Our sessions during the year will examine different aspects of these major topics with a focus on looking towards a sustainable future. No prior knowledge of these topics is required just a general interest in the issues around climate change and sustainability. With discussion of these topics throughout the year you will find that you become better informed about these issues.

    Meeting Times

    1st and 3rd Friday
    9.30 to 11.30 am
    ​U3A Meeting Room 1

    Convenors and contact details

    Co-convenors 2022

    Picture
    John Lane
    ​0474 936 460
    Picture
    Frank Dunin
    ​0409 966 604

    Retiring convenor:

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    John Lloyd 5765 2476
    andrewslloyd@iinet.net.au

    Local Links 

    Benalla Sustainable Future Group:
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    • Twitter 
    Renewable Energy Benalla - website

    Other Links

    Fifteen Tips to Lower Your Carbon Footprint
    Economists for Equity and the Environment

    The Future Economy


    Population Matters-For A Sustainable Future

    Strathbogie Voices Seminars on Climate Change in Euroa (YouTube)
    


    Frank Dunin's paper 'Fire reduces water harvest from Melbourne's water supply catchments'.

    Frank Dunin's response 'Chemistry Lesson for Scott Morrison'

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We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay our respects to their elders - past, present and emerging.
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