Climate Change and Cities: Executive Summary Project- Sydney, Australia

Grace Charles

Climate Hazard - Sydney, Australia

Within my hometown, Sydney, Australia, greenhouse gases are a major issue that are taking a toll on the beautiful wildlife and forestry of the land. As stated in an article by The Sydney Morning Herald[1] Newspaper, “Greenhouse gas emissions from Australia’s main sources of energy use jumped by almost 10 million tonnes in the first year after the end of the carbon price, making it harder for the Abbott government to meet its goals of reducing carbon pollution.”

It is clear to see that the government is not taking enough action when it comes to reducing the risk of polluting the environment through carbon pollution. Due to the government repealing the carbon tax, factories emitting large amounts of green-house gases are not being held fully responsible for their seriously detrimental impacts on the environment.

Where I grew up, there was a lot of forestry, wildlife and beaches. Because of greenhouse gases, the temperature of the sea has began to rise more regularly over the years. This has resulted in agitation towards the wildlife, as well as storms arising more and more regularly because of the influx in temperature and weather. *(Sand storm experience)

[1]http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/australias-carbon-emissions-extend-rebound-led-by-coalfired-power-20150904-gjf0gw.html

Greenhouse Gas effects - Socially

The Australian Government, Department of the Environment[2] document includes all aspects of The Carbon Tax, explaining in great detail what it was and how it was allocated throughout companies. “For 2012-13 and 2013-14, the carbon tax applied to companies operating facilities whose direct emissions exceeded a certain annual threshold, and to companies that were required to pay an equivalent carbon tax through the fuel tax system or synthetic greenhouse gas levies.”Unfortunately, the tax was repealed after a short period time.

[2]http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/59388d77-a9b5-4e4c-87b7-d732baf7c45b/files/factsheet-how-carbon-tax-works_1.pd

Greenhouse Gas effects - Socially

Many Australian citizens did not like the idea of their taxes increasing on various things such as homes and products, due to the Carbon Tax businesses were now having to pay. “About 75,000 businesses were liable to pay the carbon tax during 2013-14. Of these about 370 were directly liable under the carbon tax, around 1,000 paid an equivalent carbon tax through synthetic greenhouse gas levies and the remainder paid an equivalent carbon tax through the fuel tax system.” “These businesses represent a wide range of sectors, including electricity, manufacturing, waste, mining, gas production, aviation and non-road transport, as well refrigerant users.”[3] The public felt violated, and regrettably, did not look at the big picture of how the tax was helping the environment in the near future.

[3]http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/59388d77-a9b5-4e4c-87b7-d732baf7c45b/files/factsheet-how-carbon-tax-works_1.pdf

Greenhouse Gas effects - Environmentally

Not only did the general public feel as if their economic rights had been infringed upon, but the environment was another factor that was greatly affected when the tax was taken away. Australia’s environment is full of lush greenery, beaches and wildlife, along with vast amounts of desert and arid land. The effects of Carbon on the environment are becoming more and more apparent each year. Science reporters Jake Sturmer and Alex McDonald explain some of the repercussions on Carbon polluting the Earth within an article on ABC News[4].

“Underpinning these extremes, according to the report, is the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which is likely to have reached its highest level in two million years, and in the past two years has reached some of the highest levels ever observed.” Sea and air temperature levels are also rising, resulting in freak natural disasters and unprecedented fires and rainfall. [4]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-04/climate-extremes-increasing-carbon-dioxide-levels-rise-report/5295876

Strategies For Adaptation - A Solution!

As seen on Economicshelp.com[5], “A higher price of carbon emissions will encourages firms and consumers to develop more efficient engines or alternatives to consuming carbon emissions. For example, with carbon taxes, it will be more efficient to develop hydrogen engines or solar power.” It still baffles me to this day how a law such as this was abolished. The law works as an incentive for large corporations to reduce their carbon levels, or, therefore pay the consequences for what they do emit. Although there is no longer a standing law that acts as an incentive to reduce levels of Carbon in Australia, there is still a part to play in reducing one's carbon footprint whilst living on Earth and using its resources daily. Some examples of ways in which you and I can reduce our Carbon footprint are:- Eat less red meat (cattle produce large levels of methane, which is 20 X worse than CO2)- Support products produced by “green energy” (Solar / wind powered)- Reduce your level of public transport – walk / ride a bike- Recycle and Reuse

[5] http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/2207/economics/carbon-tax-pros-and-cons/

Factors That Add to Risk

Everyday more and more greenhouse gases enter the environment, poisoning the air and making the Earth’s temperature rise. Fossil fuels such as coals and sands, are used up continuously day in and day out, becoming some of the biggest culprits that result in greenhouse gases. This idea is clearly shown within my hometown of the Northern Beaches. “Non-renewable fossil fuels (crude oil, natural gas, coal, oil shales and tar sands) currently supply Australia with more than 95 percent of our electrical energy needs. Non-renewable energy is energy produced by burning fossil fuels such as coal. They are non-renewable because there are finite resources of fossil fuels on the planet. If they are continually used, one day they will run out.”[6] Although the burning of fossil fuels is an immense source of generation in Australia, it is most definitely a global matter.

Fossil fuels add to the risk of greenhouse gases, which are a major part of climate change, plays a huge part within the giant scheme of Global Warming. This is a recipe for disaster that must stop… Unfortunately, “Australia is the world’s second largest coal exporter and our coal exports were worth about $40 billion in 2013-14.2”[7] This amount of coal exportation can not been good for the environment, as must be decreased in order to reduce the level of greenhouse gases emitted.

[6] http://www.solarschools.net/resources/stuff/non_renewable_energy.aspx[7] https://www.originenergy.com.au/blog/about-energy/fossil-fuels.html

Conclusion

In a world where the environment we live in is heading downhill so fast, eliminating laws that help better the environment is something I find hard to comprehend. If there is any way in which society can reduce one’s Carbon footprint, then I believe it is imperial that we do our best to save what is around us. Knowledge is key; hence, making people aware of what is happening and what they can do to help is something I believe should be implemented even more than it is now… I hope that in the years to come, I will still be able to enjoy the beaches within my hometown along with the beautiful greenery.

BIBLIOGRAPHY - Sources

[1]http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/australias-carbon-emissions-extend-rebound-led-by-coalfired-power-20150904-gjf0gw.html[2]http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/59388d77-a9b5-4e4c-87b7-d732baf7c45b/files/factsheet-how-carbon-tax-works_1.pd [3]http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/59388d77-a9b5-4e4c-87b7-d732baf7c45b/files/factsheet-how-carbon-tax-works_1.pdf [4] http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-04/climate-extremes-increasing-carbon-dioxide-levels-rise-report/5295876[5] http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/2207/economics/carbon-tax-pros-and-cons/ [6] http://www.solarschools.net/resources/stuff/non_renewable_energy.aspx [7] https://www.originenergy.com.au/blog/about-energy/fossil-fuels.html