Ron Leeks, Ocean Shores
So Labor have decided to adopt a policy of zero net carbon emissions by 2050 echoing most thinking leadership in the western world.
Wind and solar power will have to replace every existing coal power plant in Australia as they reach their retirement age. That amount again of renewable electricity will need to be built to provide for heavy industries’ move to electrification and hydrogen fuels. And that much solar and wind power yet again must be developed to provide for several million battery powered cars.
Billions of trees will need to be planted over the next ten years so that in 30 years time they are drawing out enough carbon dioxide to counter the remaining inputs from carbon based fuels we have not been able to replace, such as jet fuel, coking coal, gas etc.
To satiate the demand for energy in the developing world Australia will need to replace its coal exports with hydrogen fuel exports or risk less environmentally concerned countries expanding their coal mining industries.
New legislative structures will need to be implemented to foster reduced consumption and waste. All this without bipartisan political support.
It’s time to get a move on, me thinks.
