Copyright Watts Up With That
This Briefing investigates the consequences for Australia and the world were Australia to take this course of action. K E Y F I N D I N G S 1. Abandoning net zero and Australia’s other climate targets could increase Australia’s climate pollution by 6.3 billion tonnes more over the next 25 years compared to current targets. That’s equivalent to the annual climate pollution of 3.2 billion Australian cars. You mean people wouldn’t choose “cheaper” green technology of their own free will? 2. Abandoning net zero is aligned with global temperature rise well above 3°C. Australia would face a future of relentless disasters and economic upheaval: 4 times the number of severe and extreme heatwave days <= even if true, cheaper energy means people can afford to use their air conditioners 1.5 million Australians exposed to coastal flooding by 2050, and 3 million people by 2090. <= build some sea walls Double the number of extreme fire days <= Then improve forest management, to reduce the fire risk. More burnoffs. Cut more fire breaks. Vast regions becoming uninsurable <= Stop building in flood zones, or build some flood defences 3. Reneging on our climate commitments would damage Australia’s global standing and strain ties with Pacific nations that expect us to do more – not less – on climate change. <= Who cares if some corrupt Pacific Island kleptocrats complain about missing out on climate handouts? 4. Abandoning net zero would be an enormous risk to realising the broad benefits of the global clean energy transition, deterring investment in renewables and green exports. <= I thought the green transition was inevitable …
