discomatt
Well-Known Member
No not at the swear words as such but I did find it amusing because it sums up the whole laughable situation we have with governments
Climate Change - Biggest Money Making Con of the Century or Imminent Extinction of the Human Race
- Thread starter Spooner
- Start date
G_ute
Well-Known Member
Its true, how many people consider their impact when making choices about what they buy, how many offspring, how they spend their leisure time, how many overseas flights or tons of other things.
E.g. what sort of car, how often is a new one is needed, how many kids are you having, do those kids get motorbikes or mountain bikes? Go surfing or buy them a jetski? Play cricket or Xbox?
Pretty much everything decision you make all day can be less 'carbon intensive' or more.
But its all counter to 'growth' which our economies are based on. So dont expect the profit-driven MSM to suggest any reduction in consumerism.
The only way forward (environmentally) is technology and money. And the money needed for profitable technological development (even CCS) means has to be funded from a carbon tax, because the majority of people are not going to do anything unless it hits their back pocket.
And thats the crux, people may be 'concerned' but wont change until it costs. And they will vote against that, no matter how bad things get.
E.g. what sort of car, how often is a new one is needed, how many kids are you having, do those kids get motorbikes or mountain bikes? Go surfing or buy them a jetski? Play cricket or Xbox?
Pretty much everything decision you make all day can be less 'carbon intensive' or more.
But its all counter to 'growth' which our economies are based on. So dont expect the profit-driven MSM to suggest any reduction in consumerism.
The only way forward (environmentally) is technology and money. And the money needed for profitable technological development (even CCS) means has to be funded from a carbon tax, because the majority of people are not going to do anything unless it hits their back pocket.
And thats the crux, people may be 'concerned' but wont change until it costs. And they will vote against that, no matter how bad things get.
I suspect a few of us do. I do! Clearly not enough of us though.
LongRoad2Go
Well-Known Member
The crux of the problem is the lack of inspiring leadership ... er ... just leadership! None of the current or foreseeable batch of @#$@ politicians on any side of political divide are capable in any way shape or form - THE PARTY is the most important thing to protect, NOTHING is more important than THE PARTY.
That mindset needs to be the first casualty of cleaning up the environment.
Most businesses just want a direction, and they'll lead. But, they want legislation that provides a workable framework, most don't care about subsidies ... only the selfish ones want subsidies e.g. water rights, permission to pollute waterways and air up to a certain percentage, etc. They should all go and businesses float or swim on their merit.
The USA is a complete basket case in subsidising various businesses, particularly ineffective and outdated farming practices which contribute significantly to the Greenhouse Effect and widespread pollution. Their enormous military is another Elephant in the room.
That mindset needs to be the first casualty of cleaning up the environment.
Most businesses just want a direction, and they'll lead. But, they want legislation that provides a workable framework, most don't care about subsidies ... only the selfish ones want subsidies e.g. water rights, permission to pollute waterways and air up to a certain percentage, etc. They should all go and businesses float or swim on their merit.
The USA is a complete basket case in subsidising various businesses, particularly ineffective and outdated farming practices which contribute significantly to the Greenhouse Effect and widespread pollution. Their enormous military is another Elephant in the room.
My sister in law is very right wing. The only thing she even smiles at is if someone makes a silly mistake on an accounting ledger.....since we're type casting.
peterfermtech
Well-Known Member
There's another box just for accountants.
Albynsw
Well-Known Member
I don’t really understand this, what would change that we would have power solutions galore? We are at a position now where renewables in their current technology have hit saturation point. Until we devise a viable storage solution or a reliable power generation system we are at a stalemate
I personally don’t think our current battery technology is up to the task and will be superseded by a different technology in the not too distant future.
I also fail to see why all of a sudden Australia will become a manufacturing hub and exporting power/ product all around the world, even if we invent this new technology it will be made in a third world country like everything else is
Currently we are subsidising our fossil fuel industries to the tune of $10 billion last FY, whereas renewables get less than a third of that.
Australian fossil fuel subsidies hit $10.3 billion in 2020-21
Fossil fuel subsidies cost Australians a staggering $10.3 billion in FY 2020-21 with one Commonwealth tax break alone ($7.84 billion) exceeding the $7.82
australiainstitute.org.au
Renewable energy subsidies to top $2.8b a year up to 2030
Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar will receive subsidies of about $3 billion a year up to 2030, according to new research.
Imagine if those numbers were reversed. Then opportunities like these would sprout.
Sun Cable | The World’s Largest Solar Energy Infrastructure Project
Sun Cable is developing the world’s largest solar energy infrastructure to power Singapore from the Australian outback.
suncable.sg
Opportunities for Australia from Hydrogen Exports
Hydrogen exports - There is growing interest in the production and use of hydrogen as a potential scalable and versatile mechanism for achieving this aim.
arena.gov.au
Albynsw
Well-Known Member
Currently we are subsidising our fossil fuel industries to the tune of $10 billion last FY, whereas renewables get less than a third of that.
Australian fossil fuel subsidies hit $10.3 billion in 2020-21
Fossil fuel subsidies cost Australians a staggering $10.3 billion in FY 2020-21 with one Commonwealth tax break alone ($7.84 billion) exceeding the $7.82
Renewable energy subsidies to top $2.8b a year up to 2030
Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar will receive subsidies of about $3 billion a year up to 2030, according to new research.www.afr.com
Imagine if those numbers were reversed. Then opportunities like these would sprout.
Sun Cable | The World’s Largest Solar Energy Infrastructure Project
Sun Cable is developing the world’s largest solar energy infrastructure to power Singapore from the Australian outback.
Opportunities for Australia from Hydrogen Exports
Hydrogen exports - There is growing interest in the production and use of hydrogen as a potential scalable and versatile mechanism for achieving this aim.
Even if that is the case ( don’t know the details) how would that change anything? If there are subsidies that are removed will that just mean higher electricity prices for the consumer?
Also solar has been heavily subsidised for house and business installations to date hasn’t it? I am pretty sure most installations have only taken place because of the subsidised pricing.
Those subsidy figures include the lot, not just electricity.
High electricity costs are mainly due to the increased cost of coal and gas. The current policy settings are that old coal fired power stations will be replaced with gas fired stations. The price of gas will be set according to the export prices.
theconversation.com
If we were to make billions of dollars more available to for renewables investments, then that would undoubtedly attract investors. Renewables are the cheapest source of energy, but without the right incentives investors are unwilling to put their money in projects that have 20+ years lifetime.
Years ago we had a Chinese student in NSW who pioneered efficiency improvements in solar panels. His team could not find support to commercialise their success so they went to China. Now they are one of the largest solar panel producers in the world. That could have been a different story if the government of the day supported them.
High electricity costs are mainly due to the increased cost of coal and gas. The current policy settings are that old coal fired power stations will be replaced with gas fired stations. The price of gas will be set according to the export prices.
Higher energy prices are here to stay – here’s what we can do about it
A Grattan Institute report has found renewable energy investment could offer a path to lower rates, but they won’t drop below 2015 prices.
theconversation.com
If we were to make billions of dollars more available to for renewables investments, then that would undoubtedly attract investors. Renewables are the cheapest source of energy, but without the right incentives investors are unwilling to put their money in projects that have 20+ years lifetime.
Years ago we had a Chinese student in NSW who pioneered efficiency improvements in solar panels. His team could not find support to commercialise their success so they went to China. Now they are one of the largest solar panel producers in the world. That could have been a different story if the government of the day supported them.
Albynsw
Well-Known Member
I don’t think that is a major contributing driving factor. Wholesale power cost in 2002 was $25/Mwh, it peaked in 2020 @ $75Mwh and is currently riding around $50 Mwh so it hasn’t gone up that much over the last 20 odd years.
I have no issue in making grants available to renewable technology but you have to have it to invest in it, currently we don’t even have the technology idea to move forward with.
With regards to the Chinese student and the efficiency improvements he discovered, do you really think we would be making those panels here? I am betting that they would be made offshore regardless. The company would of tanked if we tried to do it here
When gas replaces coal, the electricity prices will go up because the gas price will reflect international export prices.
Whether or not the manufacture of PVs would have occurred in Australia is a moot point. We had the opportunity, it's gone now. However, recently UNSW have developed panels with 40% efficiency. That's another opportunity for Australia. But without major manufacturers here it's probably going overseas.
newsroom.unsw.edu.au
There are a number of renewable technologies that require further investment in r&d to improve their efficiency as well as commercialisation. Our country has access to all of them.
www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au
Whether or not the manufacture of PVs would have occurred in Australia is a moot point. We had the opportunity, it's gone now. However, recently UNSW have developed panels with 40% efficiency. That's another opportunity for Australia. But without major manufacturers here it's probably going overseas.
UNSW researchers set world record in solar energy efficiency
newsroom.unsw.edu.au
There are a number of renewable technologies that require further investment in r&d to improve their efficiency as well as commercialisation. Our country has access to all of them.
Renewable Energy Technology | Clean Energy Council
Visit the CEC resources hub to learn about renewable energy technology. Discover different types of clean energy and the advantages of renewable power.
www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au
LongRoad2Go
Well-Known Member
Perhaps simple changes with legislation and subsidies (like the wasted feed-in-tariffs) would give impetus to local manufacturing. For example: an aerial view of every city generally shows vacant roof tops - commercial buildings, factories, residential, even sporting facilities. The surfaces increase heat throughout not only the building but also the surrounding environment.
Smart Architects can easily design roof top gardens and solar panels on every roof via Town Planning regulations, then there are quite significant savings across the economy - even clean water run-off. The spin-off businesses created also turn the economy.
Smart Architects can easily design roof top gardens and solar panels on every roof via Town Planning regulations, then there are quite significant savings across the economy - even clean water run-off. The spin-off businesses created also turn the economy.
Albynsw
Well-Known Member
When gas replaces coal, the electricity prices will go up because the gas price will reflect international export prices.
Whether or not the manufacture of PVs would have occurred in Australia is a moot point. We had the opportunity, it's gone now. However, recently UNSW have developed panels with 40% efficiency. That's another opportunity for Australia. But without major manufacturers here it's probably going overseas.
UNSW researchers set world record in solar energy efficiency
There are a number of renewable technologies that require further investment in r&d to improve their efficiency as well as commercialisation. Our country has access to all of them.
Renewable Energy Technology | Clean Energy Council
Visit the CEC resources hub to learn about renewable energy technology. Discover different types of clean energy and the advantages of renewable power.
I don’t quite understand what the “opportunity” is for Australia. Is it manufacturing these renewable items or selling the technology or the electricity generated or……
It's not one silver bullet. Google "renewables opportunities in Australia". These are some samples.
How can Australia get cracking on emissions? The know-how we need is in our universities
Universities have long been developing research, talent and technology that, with the right mix of industry and government support, will allow Australia to emerge as a green export and R&D leader.
theconversation.com
How can coal workers benefit from a renewables jobs boom?
Renewable energy will be a major source of employment and can play an important role in transition for coal regions, but much depends on policy decisions made today.
Last edited:
Post should be deleted for swearing
See.... I'm not discriminating John.