AUSTRALIA FACES FACTS, WILL CARBON TRADE

Haven't heard the greatest things about Howard but he's obviously honest. Its going to be a shock when people learn how cheap they've had it by not paying the real costs of emissions. And, by the way, why do they always call it a carbon trading "scheme"?


Australian PM backs carbon trading scheme
Neil Sands, June 1, 2007 (AFP via Yahoo News)

WHO
Australian Prime Minister John Howard, report taskforce head Peter Shergold, Opposition deputy leader Julia Gillard, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Australia chief executive Greg Bourne.

WHAT
Howard tentatively accepted a report by his government recommending a carbon trading scheme.

WHEN
The plan would be established in 2012.

WHERE
Australia

WHY
- Howard has long expressed skepticism about climate change and the need to establish ways to deal with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In accepting this report, he said postponing the start of the scheme 5 years would allow analysis to manage its impact on the Australian economy.
In accepting the need to take action against GHG emissions, Howard stressed the economic cost to all Australians, especially via higher cost electricity.
- Accepting climate change was hastened by Australia’s worst drought in a century as well as the growing undeniable burden of scientific eveidence. His political opposition accused him of ulterior political motives.
- Initial steps toward a trading system will be: setting targets, establishing emissions monitoring systems, creating legislation, setting up an independent regulator, allocating permits and engaging international partners.

QUOTES
- Howard: "This is a hugely burdensome and responsible decision…If we get this wrong, if we embrace a target, we'll do crippling damage to our economy. If we embrace a target that will increase electricity prices more than they should go up, then we'll do enormous damage to Australian households and the broad economy…Anybody in the next 12 months, five years, 10 years who tries to tell you otherwise is deluding you."
- Gillard: “This has been a government that has been so inactive on climate change that anything it does now is explained by this year's election, rather than a change of heart…" Shergold: "It's a huge reform and it's going to take time…It would place Australia ahead of most other nations."
- Bourne: "It was done in Europe in two-and-a-half years, we can certainly do it before the end of 2010…"