Wilkins Ice Shelf disintegrating

The collapse of a substantial section of the Wilkins Ice shelf was triggered February 28 when an iceberg measuring 41 by 2.4 kilometers (25.5 by 1.5 miles) broke off its southwestern front.

Nuclear debate on Youtube

Should coal-fired energy producers pay for greenhouse pollution permits???

Compo call for coal-fired energy producers

Adam Morton
March 22, 2008
The Age

AUSTRALIA'S coal-fired energy industry has won the backing of business and the NSW Government in its campaign for massive compensation under Kevin Rudd's proposed laws to slash greenhouse gas emissions.

A heated debate is raging between the electricity generation industry and Government climate change adviser Ross Garnaut, after he argued high-polluting power stations did not deserve a handout to ensure they survived.

Under the professor's proposed carbon trading scheme, the Government would cap emissions and force all non-trade exposed industries, including the dirtiest power producers, to buy greenhouse pollution permits at auction.

The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry said yesterday that the state's brown-coal reliant power stations should be compensated to "smooth the adjustment burden" of the new scheme.

Its chief economist, Steven Wojtkiw, supported many of Professor Garnaut's suggestions — including helping poor households hit by soaring electricity prices and developing "clean coal" technology — but said it was unclear whether power stations would keep operating without help.

The Victorian Government, which has supported compensation through a states-backed emissions taskforce, indicated it would consider Professor Garnaut's position.

But the NSW Government, facing the prospect of the value of its state-owned electricity industry tumbling while it is trying to privatise it, warned that the national electricity market would be destroyed if no compensation was offered. NSW Treasurer Michael Costa said power station owners had property rights that must be recognised. Federal Opposition sources said it was likely the Liberal Party would back Professor Garnaut's call to not directly compensate power generators.

Professor Garnaut says it is inevitable that household electricity bills will rise, and there is no proof that giving power generators free permits will keep them down. Carbon trading is due to start in 2010.

http://www.garnautreview.org.au

http://www.theage.com.au/news/environment/compo-call-for-coalfired-energy-producers/2008/03/21/1205602661781.html


Random Man says "dirty coal should pay for permits !!!!!"

Save Blinky from Extinction

A new campaign to SAVE BLINKY from EXTINCTION has been launched by the Springfield Greenies.

Climate change threatens BLINKY, so if you want to help:

Please reduce your carbon emissions.

You can do this by:

• eating less meat
  
• driving less (e.g. walk for short trips or ride your bike on short to mid-range journeys)
• reduce unnecessary consumption (e.g. do you really NEED those new shoes or do you just WANT them?)
• recycling, repairing and reusing things

Comments are most welcome !!

If you enjoyed this post, please check out:
.
Saving the Supurb Parrot
.
Gorilla Slaughter
.
Poor Turtle
.
Penguin Protest
.
Remembering Arne Naess (1912-2009)

The Springfield Greenies

The Springfield Greenines are currently looking into the nuclear power issue to see whether it should be back in fashion in Australia.

.

My first guess is NO! But we will be back with more once we have had a look at the issues and stakeholders involved.

.

Why does the nuclear industry only see the 'good' of nuclear energy?

.

We all know (thanks to the Yin-Yang) that nuclear energy also has a 'bad' side (or shadow).

.

1. There is the problem of nuclear waste (much of which has a half-life of 4.6 billion years - which is a very long time!)

2. the problem of nuclear weapons and

3. the argument that nuclear energy is the answer to Global Warming is full of holes.

.

The Springfield Greenies will get back to you on this topic soon.

.

Comments welcome!

Great Videos !!