Blog 9: Australia could use 100% renewables by 2030

Australian researchers have found that "a tax on carbon emissions could, if structured properly, result in an energy market made up of entirely renewable energy by 2030." Prime minister Julia Gillard has always promoted the implementation of a carbon tax. The legislation that was introduced in July 2012 would require "any business that emits more than 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually must obtain a permit to do so, with the price rising every year to try and push firms towards lowering emissions." As discussed in a prior blog, Australia has already demonstrated that renewable energy sources can be cheaper than using nonrenewable ones, so it merely becomes a matter of making the fossil fuels too expensive in comparison with the renewable energies. Carbon emissions is a serious concern for Australia. Though it only generates 1.5% of global carbon dioxide emissions, it has the highest per capita emissions of any developed nation. There are, however, many who oppose this tax, claiming that it will drive businesses to move overseas and "impose an unnecessary cost on the country's economy." The researchers do note, though, that applying their findings to other countries could prove to be more difficult. Australia's low population density allows for greater flexibility in the implementation of renewable energy sources such as wind farms, solar farms, etc.

Australia continues to be seen as a leader in renewable energy sources. This article does a great job of offering the arguments and counter-arguments against the proposed carbon tax. As previously noted, those against it believe that it will drive outsourcing and ruin the economy, while those who support the tax claim that without it, Australia will become so polluted that the natural environment would drive people away, resulting in a bad economy anyway. Australia has proven again that if some time and money is put into research and development, it is entirely possible to rely more heavily on renewable resources and reduce pollution without being too detrimental to the economy.

Article here

Jessie White
12:25 pm 4/12/13