Declare an emergency and mobilise to reverse global warming
The world has left it too long for a gradual path to net zero to restore a safe climate, for tweaked business as usual to get us where we need to be. The nature of the emergency needs to be recognised, and actions to mobilise against it need to be prioritised - to take a war-footing against a threat to our survival.
- Declare an emergency with a Climate Emergency and Mobilisation Act.
- Place a material price on carbon emissions, and remove all subsidies from greenhouse emission intensive practices and vehicles.
- Incentivise carbon-drawdown measures such as regenerative agriculture.
- Ensure that climate effects are considered in all other policy actions.
10-year transition to negative emissions
Transitioning to negative emissions only requires demonstration that the technology is available, economical, and reliable. Beginning the path to zero emissions in 10 years will ensure that we are well-placed to minimise global warming, and create an economic boom as new sectors emerge to support and utilise the new economy.
- Set a target for net zero emissions in 10 years, with negative emissions, carbon drawdown, to follow.
- Build the renewable replacement for the fossil-fuel grid.
- Much more - refer to Beyond Zero Emissions.
800% Renewables - Leading the international effort
Australia is ideally placed to take advantage of the transition to clean energy - our large continent and variety of renewable sources ensures that we can generate far more energy than we need, to export clean energy and energy intensive products to the world. Leadership and collaboration with the international community are required in order to reduce greenhouse concentrations globally.
- Set an 800% renewable energy target, and establish a national grid to distribute renewable energy.
- Build and incentivise clean energy export markets, and disincentivise greenhouse emission intensive imports and products.
- Invest in Research & Development (R+D), to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, and make Australia the global leader in clean technology.
Zero emissions transport
A swift transition to zero emissions across every sector requires urgent work in the area of transport. Electric vehicle batteries have the added bonus of being able to stabilise the grid during peak demand.
- All governments to replace their transport fleets with electric vehicles.
- Roll out a nationally coordinated electric vehicle charging network.
- Remove the luxury tax from electric vehicles.
- Provide high-speed rail from Melbourne to Brisbane.
- Facilitate financing for purchase of electric vehicles, based on savings accrued.
- Continue to invest in green hydrogen and other zero emissions liquid fuels as a potential future zero emissions heavy vehicle and flight fuel.