CASES Climate Action – Sydney Eastern Suburbs

SUBMISSION ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S DRAFT ENRGY WHITE PAPER 2011
by
Gregory John Olsen

I am deeply disturbed that on page 15 of the Federal Government’s Draft Energy White Paper 2011erroneous and misleading statements are made regarding gas, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies and renewable energy.

Here is the paragraph in question:

“Similarly, much of Australia’s energy infrastructure is locked in and will only be transformed over time, but we are fortunate in having gas, carbon capture and storage, and renewable options to aid us in the transition to a cleaner future. All credible analysis supports the need for a portfolio approach drawing on the most effective options across the economy. Suggestions that Australia should aggressively move exclusively to one or two renewable energy technologies to supply its energy are neither feasible nor realistic.

Firstly, the claim that “we are fortunate in having gas ……. to aid us in the transition to a cleaner future” is misleading as there is NO irrefutable evidence that gas, especially the coal seam gas that is being heavily sought in Queensland and NSW, is much cleaner, if at all cleaner, that coal when burnt for the production of electricity. An article in the Climate Spectator of November 4, 2011, states that a recent report by Worley Parsons , commissioned by the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, “finds that the life-cycle emissions of CSG may be higher than those of black coal used in the most modern coal plants currently being built in China”.

Secondly, CCS is NOT currently a commercially viable technology. Indeed of the seven large scale integrated CCS projects referred to in the December 2011 report of the GLOBAL CCS INSITUTE, two European projects have been cancelled. Of the other five, the earliest one will come on line in the USA in 2012 and the last, also in the USA, in 2017.

Thirdly, the claim that “Suggestions that Australia should aggressively move exclusively to one or two renewable energy technologies to supply its energy are neither feasible nor realistic” is denying the fact that commercially viable concentrated solar thermal and wind power plants are operating around the world NOW!! Indeed, greenhouse gas emission free, base load, concentrated solar thermal power stations are a reality in Spain and the USA whereas CCS is not and gas is arguably no cleaner than coal, two important planks in the Governments ‘clean energy future’ strategy. It appears that the authors of the Draft Energy White Paper have not heard of nor read Beyond Zero Emission’s “Zero Carbon Australia Report”, released in June, 2010, that details how Australia can become self sufficient in energy production from 100% renewable sources in a decade or so. BZE shows that this clean energy future is BOTH feasible and realistic.

In conclusion, I implore the Government to show vision and daring to stop our dependency on burning polluting fossil fuels to fulfill our energy needs. There IS another way. That way is 100% renewable energy from sources such as concentrated solar thermal, small scale solar, geothermal, wind, tides and waves. These technologies will give us energy security and protect us from the price rises that will inevitably occur as fossil fuels become exhausted over the next decades.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to make a submission to the Draft Energy White Paper.

Check out the details of CASES first gathering for 2012 on Wednesday, February 22, from 7 PM to 9 PM at Barrett House, 6 Barrett Place, Randwick.

As reported in Crikey re Durban today ,

Here it is: all countries have agreed to negotiate by 2015 a single, legally binding global agreement that will cover all major carbon pollution emitters including the big guns — China, India and the United States. Never before have all major emitters agreed to have pollution commitments captured by a single, legally enforceable agreement. This eliminates the question oft repeated in this country — if they’re not, why should we?

and quoting here

… the message to investors could not be clearer: the world is committed to de-carbonising the global economy. Be prepared. The carbon crunch will last a lot longer and have a far greater impact than the credit crunch.

Now just add to this Australia’s own commitments to a carbon price and you have the key to Investment in renewable Resources. You have clear financial reasons for organisations to make changes to reduce their footprint in the long term, and this will apply to the rest of the world. The starting flag has been waved – who is going to be left behind ?

Folks, please post your memories, positive I hope, of CASES achievements in 2011. We have been involved in many actions, campaigns, held stalls, attended rallies and protests as well as met with politicians in support of action against climate change and global warming. CASES members did this together and individually. So, be bold, and fly your kite right here!!