If you think the last year has been particularly disaster-heavy, the CSIRO’s megatrends report makes for very grim reading with the experts forecasting that climate change will triple the cost of extreme weather events over the next 30 years.
Meanwhile, as Anthony Albanese attempts to legislate a climate target he is echoing Coalition talking points, dismissing a ban on new coal and gas projects, disputing that new coal mines are incompatible with capping global heating at 1.5 degrees and arguing that Australian coal exports reduce global emissions.
It comes amid warnings that allowing new coal and gas approvals to continue as usual will wipe out any gains made by mandating that emissions come down by 43 percent by 2030.
Anthony Albanese rules out banning fossil fuel projects, citing risk to Australian economy
Anthony Albanese says Labor will not support a moratorium on fossil fuel projects because doing so would have a “devastating impact on the Australian economy”. Ahead of the introduction of legislation on Wednesday enshrining Labor’s 2030 and 2050 emissions reduction targets, the prime minister told ABC TV on Tuesday night a moratorium was “the policy of the Greens”.
New coal and gas projects will erase Albo’s climate gains several times over
Australia’s new government are definitely at their happiest when they are not talking about the extraction, sale and eventual combustion of fossil fuels. This week, they aren’t having a great time.
Climate change, rising insurance costs, food security singled out in CSIRO megatrends report
Insurance is set to get much less affordable in Australia, with the cost of natural disasters forecast to triple over the next 30 years. The CSIRO's decadal megatrends report, published today, warns that extreme weather caused by climate change will cost the country more than $39 billion annually by 2050.
Australia urged to ride out waves of disruption over next 20 years
Australia will face numerous challenges on multiple fronts over the next two decades but can “surf through the choppy seas” by acting early to meet them head-on. Report co-lead author Dr Stefan Hajkowicz said the major issue hanging over everything was climate change, with the 2012 report’s predictions now Australians’ lived experience through bushfires, floods and heatwaves.
Lion cub triplets and baby giraffe make public debut at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Triplet lion cubs have made their public debut, just a few hundred metres away from a wobbly newborn giraffe, at Dubbo's Taronga Western Plains Zoo. It comes after the giraffe was born on the weekend in front of very surprised zoo guests.
Liberal MP Bridget Archer willing to cross floor in support of 43 per cent climate target
Tasmanian Liberal Bridget Archer says she is willing to again vote against her party in support of the government's climate change bill. The federal government will introduce a bill to parliament today that would formalise a target to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, and require the government to report its progress.