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did you know?: earth hour
Did you know that Earth Hour, an annual event that has raised much awareness about climate change issues, began in Sydney in 2007?
Did you know that in March of this year (2011) countries on all seven continents participated?
Sure, Earth Hour makes almost zero difference to global emissions, and does not directly improve the state of the planet. But to argue that this demonstrates the failure of Earth Hour is to completely miss the point – nobody actually believes that turning off electrical items for one hour will make any difference!
The real purpose of Earth Hour is of course to raise awareness about the need to take action on climate change. It also functions to form a sense of solidarity amongst those of the Earth’s population who seek to care for our planet.
I suppose that in a way this goes to show that, despite how small we are on the world stage, Australia has huge potential to make a difference on the global scene, and can indeed influence other countries to make changes.
This article in today’s National Times speaks a little about Earth Hour within the context of our current debates about climate action.
MCA
creation needs more than a tax
I have written previously on the Federal Government’s carbon tax, and if you were to read those posts you would know that I am a supporter of the levy.
However I want to set the record straight and state that I don’t believe a carbon tax is enough to deal with the climatological problems we are experiencing in our world.
Is this a political rant? A scientific one? No; if anything it is theological.
While a carbon tax/ETS could potentially help the world inasmuch as citizens of different nations are encouraged to adapt their carbon habits, it seems to me somewhat misguided to think that a market band-aid can truly heal an open sore that has been created by humans abusing the same market; more on that in a second. Read the rest of this entry
ju-liar: an “extremist’s” female dog?
There is something wrong with this picture…
“Bob Brown’s Bitch”?
“Ditch the Witch”?
Such are utterly inappropriate ways of referring to any Prime Minister of Australia, though unfortunately these were not the most slanderous banners at today’s anti-carbon tax rally outside Parliament House…
Some will defend such a display, reasoning that Gillard broke an election promise by proposing a carbon tax.
Newsflash! Gillard is not the first politician to break a promise; I suppose we should level a series of profanities at every politician who lies (or perhaps changes their mind…)? Read the rest of this entry
carbon tax creates some warming of its own
The Gillard government’s carbon tax has, over the past few weeks, caused some warming of its own.
Mostly the heat generated by the carbon tax issue has been around the increased cost of living for families when it is implemented. The focus of the debate is of course on the government’s plan; the Coalition’s plan has flown mostly under the radar because it is at this point not being discussed as a reality in Parliament.
Annabel Crabb’s Tuesday article on The Drum website made an apt observation, namely that climate policy always seems to be fought on the enemy’s lawn; keep the focus on them and you will prosper. This is certainly the Coalition’s plan, and in a way it is successful. Read the rest of this entry
go and get fact!
I was in a discussion the other day about politics. My friend and part-time opponent utilised no actual policy criticisms, but rather simply referred to the leader of said party with a set of unflattering names.
Such name-calling was additionally supported by false accusations and misunderstandings about complex issues and historical trends.
Now, I’m quite aware that this story is ambiguous at best, and a straw man at worst. It would, of course, be quite rude and untrustworthy for me to divulge any more details.
Most of us have, I suspect, been in such a discussion though at some point. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be a personal conversation, politicians blatantly lie all the time, like the Liberal Party here in NSW, Australia, who are claiming that the government’s proposed carbon tax will cost households $500 dollars annually – this figure is completely made up! (The tax, after all, has not even been formulated yet.)
I don’t really have a point here (I just want to get this off my chest), though perhaps it is a lesson for all that people should really stop lying when they argue politics, religion, science, or anything else.
Please give me, to the best of your ability and understanding, real facts and not rumours you heard off your friend the other day.
Please give me well thought out opinions, and not some drivel with words you don’t actually know the meaning of.
And please do not give me plain lies just to try and win an argument; you just look silly!
Rant complete.
MCA
