The Problem of Climate Change and Australian Government's Inaction

Every day, around 1,00,000 kilograms of carbon emission are released into the earth’s atmosphere. The detrimental effects that this has on our generation are highly significant and there is little to almost no time left to change these numbers.

After careful research and consideration of this topic, I have come to a strong contention that the Australian Government is blatantly ignoring policy to combat climate change. Many Australians share this view of the government, demonstrating ignorance; continuing to maintain a problematic lifestyle that aids global warming and climate change. However, it has been publicised that this is real. Change is happening and groups within our society continue to argue with the science.

For a range of reasons, climate change itself is purely built on popularity which is why the Australian Government have buried their heads in the sand and strongly believe that it is not a current issue. As Australia produces a high portion of the world’s coal, the trade and economic benefits for the country are significant. However, the cost of moving to renewable energy is a cost that the Government should not have to shoulder.

How can Australia survive the next bushfire season if the temperature is just going to keep on rising? Why is the government being reluctant to help and ignore our cries for help? If other nations governments are doing something, then why can’t we. Change must happen and must happen immediately unless we want hotter and more extreme climates, higher frequency and impact of droughts, desertification of landscape, stronger storms and cyclones and coastal inundation.

Current evidence indicates that Scott Morrison is in climate denial and the evidence suggests that an individual’s climate change denial cannot be overcome. Mr Morrison has said that Australia is on track to meet its emissions reduction commitments as well as stating that he “does not accept the suggestion that Australia is not carrying its weight” in a recent United Nations conference. However, opposition Labour leader Anthony Albanese accused Mr Morrision of stubbornness as he “Thinks that there is nothing to see, because he cannot see through the smoke and haze”. This was an attack to what had happened in the January bushfires and the lack of support that the Australian Government was providing. Mr Morrison not doing enough was a major topic as “People were scared of what is going on around them” also stated by Anonthy Albanese. Therefore, it is imperative that the Australian government open up their eyes and ears to get a true picture of what is happening to our climate.

Australia’s major source of emissions come from the current coal mines located all around the nation. Statistics and numbers are concerning as to how much greenhouse gas emissions Australia is producing into the earth’s atmosphere, however, nothing is being done to ease these numbers or statistics.

Australia is being held accountable for more than 90% of greenhouse gas emissions on climate policy, making it in the top 20 countries responsible for the current climate situation that we are in and experience. To add to this, Australia is among the world’s largest exporters of iron ore, uranium, coal and natural gas as was the fourth-largest producer of coal in 2017, according to the International Energy Agency. To add to this, phasing out coal is considered crucial to limiting global warming within the 1.5C threshold, but the Australian government is continuing to back the industry for the role it plays in the economy. Facing criticism over his handling of the bushfires and response to climate change, Mr Morrison said he will not make “reckless” cuts to the coal industry. However, even after watching the devastating effects that climate change has had on Australia, the government recently approved the construction of controversial new coal mine named the Adani mine which could be one of the biggest in the world and would export coal to India. This will have devastating effects not only for emissions but for the people around the area who have to deal with such monstrosity of a coal mine. This just shows the lack of empty promises that the Australian Government is giving us and how their commitment into reducing the among of carbon emissions is at an all-time low.

However, on the contrary, Australia has multiple reasons as to why they cannot combat climate change with the main reason being the detrimental economic consequences it could have on Australia. In 2018, the value of coal exports was around $67 billion, which were almost equivalent to 3.5% of nominal GDP. Considering that Australias nominal GPD as of calculated in 2018, is at 1.4 trillion, taking 3.5% would cause it to skyrocket down almost $500 million and that is a loss that Australia is not prepared for nor the government. Moreover, Australia has economically demonstrated wind and solar energy resources to be at an estimate around 75% greater than its combined coal, gas, oil and uranium resources - and that is among the countries with much to gain through the significant export of renewable electricity or fuels. This ultimately highlights the significant cost of converting to renewable energy as opposed to coal that the majority of Australians are using. Although climate change is an active, well-known issue within the house of representatives, only a few seem to want change. The current environment minister for Australia, Susan Ley, links the devastating bushfires in January to climate change by stating how she ‘always said global climate change increases the risk and intensity of bushfires.’. However, the Prime Minister has previously acknowledged climate change as 'a factor' behind the bushfires. If it was to only be a ‘factor’ then he is not fully supporting the need for change. This ultimately demonstrates the lack of support that climate change has within the Government. We need what we got promised, a change, and it is time that the Government listened to Australians and help.

To conclude, the Australian Government are not committing to their duties that they promised people. We have been blatantly ignored by them as well as the empty promises that they have given us. The majority of the government simply do not believe in it, and it is time they stop thinking about money that they receive from the large coal mining industry that makes up almost 90% of greenhouse gases. It is time we take a stand together and request renewable energy to be our main priority no matter what the cost is.