Carbon tax can’t cool the planetGillard and Abbott are fighting over a carbon tax but both Labor and Liberal policies on the environment will do nothing to save our world from environmental catastrophe. They will however protect corporations from having to pay for their environmental destruction and pollution. Liberal leader Tony Abbott doesn’t even believe the science about global warming. His policies are really business as usual, a recipe to do nothing to solve the crisis but everything make sure big business can go on making big profits. The overwhelming evidence is that global warming or climate change is caused by human activities that emit “greenhouse gases” such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. We have to move to zero carbon emissions urgently, making deep cuts in emissions. Immediate large scale investment in low-carbon technologies and energy efficient systems is urgent and necessary. Labor’s former emission trading scheme will not do this. It is really a “pay to pollute” licence for big companies. It is a cop out for a government not prepared to tackle the issue of greenhouse gas reduction. But the big corporations prefer emissions trading schemes under which they can buy the “right” to pollute. This is a racket. The government sells, auctions off or distributes licences or permits to allow industries to continue releasing a certain amount of emissions. If a company operates below the level of its permit, it can sell the excess to another business. None of this brings down the level of global warming emissions unless the government cuts the number of permits. There is no sign the Labor Government intends to do this. Australia must achieve drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in a short time. We need massive investment in research and development of alternative renewable energy sources under public ownership. Nuclear power does not provide a safe, environmentally sound alternative to fossil fuels and must be rejected. Conversion to a more sustainable economy will bring a healthier economy as well as a healthier environment. Changes necessary for more sustainable production would require more workers, not fewer. The Australian Conservation Foundation and the Australian Council of Trade Unions estimate that more than 800,000 new green jobs can be created in 15 years. Maximum participation by workers and unions and community is essential because workers and workplaces are at the centre of production and consumption in society and have a key place in transforming production at all levels.
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