As I see it

Yass Tribune
Friday 23/3/2007 Page: 3

Last night (Thursday night) saw Al Gore's climate change ideas presented in Yass Library. The Australian version of his slide show, made famous in his film `An Inconvenient Truth' and presented at the Library by Yass resident Brigita Bezjak, highlights the urgency of addressing climate change.

On Wednesday night (our time) Al Gore addressed the US congress and asked for a freeze on carbon dioxide emissions. Mr Gore has achieved almost rock-star status with his climate change warnings, especially as presented in his Oscar-winning documentary `An Inconvenient Truth' Some scientists have questions some of the facts portrayed in `An Inconvenient Truth'. Mr Gore has been accused of `gilding the lily': of exaggerating his case to prove his point.

However, there is no doubt `An Inconvenient Truth' has touched a nerve, and so it should. Climate change is real and is here now. United Nations scientists have concluded that it is very likely (ie 90 per cent likely) that climate change is caused by human activity.

The issue, previously on the fringe of politics, is now front and centre. Whether politicians are true climate change believers or not, they have been forced by public opinion to take note. Governments around the world are staging to take action.

In London on Wednesday night (our time) Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown brought in a raft of green measures when he brought down his budget. These include measures to encourage carbon trading, "zero-carbon homes", biofuels and fuel efficient cars. He said all households will be offered the means to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. He raised taxes on polluting cars (4 wheel drives).. The introduction of these measures shows just how mainstream environmental issues have become.

Various governments in Australia offer rebates for water tanks, solar hot water systems and petrol alternatives. Travellers can now buy carbon offsets, to reduce the environmental impact of air travel, one of the world's fastest growing greenhouse gas polluters. The trouble with buying carbon offsets is that is can give the impression that dealing with climate change is a relatively simple process of paying what amounts to loose change so we can continue behaving exactly as we did before. Instead, we need to change our behaviour.

From what I have read, the `congestion charge' in London, where people are encouraged to take public transport by a tax eight pounds per day to drive a car into the CBD, appears to have changed the way Londoners behave. To me, it sounds like a great way to reduce congestion in Sydney, although the NSW public transport system would require urgent attention to make it work- and not just city public transport.

The ABC's AM program on Thursday morning featured an interview with Donnachadh McCarthy, an eco-auditor with a zero-carbon house, who had London's first domestic wind turbine. The turbine, a 1.2 metre structure attached to the side of his London home, which supplements the energy generated by his solar panels. There are about 700 small wind turbines around Britain providing energy for domestic use and for community projects.

With all the publicity surrounding commercial windfarms, especially those opposed by nearby residents eg the Cullerin proposal (now approved) and Conroy's Gap (awaiting approval), I had not considered small structures being built on private homes.

But if a home in central London can do it, it can be done elsewhere (although Mr McCarthy believes he will never recoup his initial outlay costs.) Which is where governments come in. Research is likely to result in reduced cost of renewable energies, so it is important it be funded. Individuals are taking action, but we need our governments to provide leadership.