Transcript Australia
AUSTRALIA IST350 HOW IS CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTING YOUR COUNTRY? Climate change is affecting home range, abundance and breeding cycles of many of Australia’s frog species. Since frogs rely on water to breed, any reduction or change in rainfall could reduce frog reproduction. Greater warming is likely to bring a net negative impact - such as increased risk of drought and fire. 8 mass bleaching effects on The Great Barrier Reef since 1979, caused due to global warming. WHAT IS THE PREDICTED IMPACT IN THE NEXT 50 – 100 YEARS? Ecologically important regions such as the Great Barrier Reef and Kakadu National Park are likely to lose a significant part of their wildlife before then, by 2020. Scientists predict that rainfall will fall by 40% by 2070, not only creating a massive water crisis, but producing double the number of bush fires. Ongoing water shortages, notably in southern and eastern Australia, are likely to get worse by 2030. WHAT STEPS HAS IT ALREADY TAKEN TOWARDS REDUCING ITS GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS? In Australia solar and wind energy sources are being harnessed on a small scale, and are at the stage of commercialisation. Other sources are being investigated and considered, such as geothermal and tidal energy. Other methods of Global Warming mitigation considered by Australian Government is Carbon Taxation Many new Green Building Projects have been set up, and many green buildings are already functioning very well, such as the 8 Brindabella Circuit at Canberra Airport in 2004. WHAT FURTHER ACTIONS HAS IT PROMISED? Australia would be under a new Carbon Trading Scheme (CTS) by 2012. The scheme is expected to be the same as the counterpart in US and EU uses carbon credits where businesses must purchase a license in order to generate pollution. The Australian Government has announced a Mandatory Renewable Energy Target to ensure that renewable energy obtains a 20% share of electricity supply in Australia by 2020. Coal fired power will be phased out entirely by 2030. WHAT TARGETS DOES IT WANT TO SEE OTHER COUNTRIES SETTING? As the Kyoto Protocol is running out, we hope to achieve sustainable targets for the carbon emissions by industrialized nations. Agree on new plans of sustainable development for the developing nations, and to give such developing nations a clear chance to proliferate at the same time. Develop funds for the third world countries, which will sustainably help them to move towards the goal of 350 ppm of CO2 .