Australia should be heavily criticised for its lack of environmental improvement

[REDHERO]

So why does Australia get away with being so bad.
Ranked worst of 57 countries. A rich country that could afford to do mire.
Come on Australia do your bit.
Aibu

@Ozgirl75

I think some areas in the outback are almost uninhabitable because of water shortages, but we do go through feast and famine there. We’re in a La Niña at the moment (tail end) so are fairly flush with water but we’ll then probably have 8-10 years of dry summers after this year and some areas will really struggle. I lived in Adelaide for a while and water restrictions were totally normal. In Sydney I’ve never had them for some reason, I assume it must just rain more here, or we have more reservoirs?

Sydney had water restrictions in the last drought with fines. Warragamba dam got to 38% in December 2019 (and had raging bushfires around it) and there was a genuine chance Sydney would of run out of water if we hadn’t had a change in Feb 2020 (the desalination plant was actually used to supplement)

Oh yes, we did didn’t we!? I’d forgotten about them. I think because we have a massive water tank in the garden which we use for things like car washing, watering the garden etc I forgot that we were restricted.

Morrison's lame speech at COP said we will be saved by science. Shame his government has completely gutted research centres and universities.

Not surprised that Australia didn't join with other countries in the pledge:

"Australia refuses to join global pledge led by US and EU to cut methane emissions"

Also not surprised they don't get criticised, yet again under the radar and for a wealthy country it sucks.

Posted early:

"Australia has snubbed one of the key global actions to come out of the UN climate change conference by bowing out of an international pledge to reduce methane emissions.

Key points:
More than 100 countries have joined the US and EU in committing to cutting methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030
Australia, China, Russia, India and Iran refused to join the global push to cut methane emissions
Former PM Malcolm Turnbull said Australia's climate position was "a joke"
Methane is considered to be one of the most potent greenhouse gases and second-biggest contributor to global warming behind only carbon dioxide.

Overnight, the US and the European Union announced more than 100 countries have joined their bid to cut methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.

"I think we could probably go beyond that," Mr Biden said during his address at the UN conference in Glasgow.

"We just announced this package at the [UN] General Assembly back in September, at the time [it] was mentioned just nine countries had signed on.

"Today, it's approaching a hundred countries that are signing on," he said.

Australia joins China, Russia, India and Iran – some of the biggest methane emitters — as those who refused to join the global push.

The US and EU believe reducing methane will be a powerful tool in the fight to tackle climate change, and the goal of ensuring the world does not heat more than 1.5 degrees Celsius."

A group that is gradually shrinking

"Australia joins China, Russia, India and Iran – some of the biggest methane emitters — as those who refused to join the global push."

At least other countries get it a bit. Australian's themselves will suffer the consequences of the shortsightedness

Mr Turnbull said even Australia's physical presence at COP 26 — a stall where countries highlight their work to fight climate change — was out of touch.

"The Australia stand has a gas company highlighted [Santos], apparently at the insistence of the energy minister … it's a joke," he said."

The Australian government definitely treat it as not important. Extremely odd for a country with an educated population.

@Bringonthepjs

They stand to suffer so much too with drought and bush fires, honestly baffled here

They already are! We were in NZ at the start of 2020. The air on South Island was thick with the smog of the fires raging in Victoria. It was scary.

@REDHERO

Mr Turnbull said even Australia's physical presence at COP 26 — a stall where countries highlight their work to fight climate change — was out of touch.

"The Australia stand has a gas company highlighted [Santos], apparently at the insistence of the energy minister … it's a joke," he said."

The Australian government definitely treat it as not important. Extremely odd for a country with an educated population.

To make it even more bizarre - the majority of the Australian population are worried about climate change and want action. Just not our leaders, apparently...

Federal Liberal and nationals party doesn’t care but the Australian public in general really do.
Large portion of houses have solar and water tanks have to be included in most new builds. Most people are water conscious and after most east coast’s major city’s were blanketed in bushfire smoke for the 2019/20 summer climate change isn’t far from most people’s minds.

I can smell faint bush smoke currently as they are doing Hazard reduction burning to get ready for summer (it’s been really wet this winter/spring and the undergrowth is a fire hazard)

@REDHERO

Mr Turnbull said even Australia's physical presence at COP 26 — a stall where countries highlight their work to fight climate change — was out of touch.

"The Australia stand has a gas company highlighted [Santos], apparently at the insistence of the energy minister … it's a joke," he said."

The Australian government definitely treat it as not important. Extremely odd for a country with an educated population.

They do have an educated population, but they do keep voting in right-wing governments.

@Weesiewoo

As an Australian, I agree. Trying to do my bit with solar, electric car, recycling and cutting way back on meat and dairy. The infuriating thing is our dickhead prime minister. He is a disgrace and if he is not voted out at the next election we are moving back to Europe.

Well don’t move here, I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but our prime minister just won Grand High Dickhead Master at the International ‘Dickhead Awards 2021. It was a lifetime achievement award that few get and even fewer manage at the age of not yet 60. I heard that they’re having a special crown made with little bejewelled cocks around the edge.

A lot of Queenslanders didn't want the huge, polluting Adani mine but politicians let it go ahead. They also don't want the fracking on farmable land, but get no option but to have their ground water polluted as government allows it to go ahead. Huge droughts but permitting overseas companies to bottle and sell our ground water, again locals can't stop it.

There's no way to stop the underhandedness of politicians. Once voted in they can act as they please and all parties do deals to benefit their mates.

They do have an educated population, but they do keep voting in right-wing governments.

It centres around voter logistics. The majority of voters are in the older category. Their wealth lies in real estate. Their prime concern is retention of wealth including their pension not being eroded and also Super concerns.

The right wing guarantee their safety in this regard. Climate change is down the list for this voter base under preservation of wealth and income for old age.

This majority voter base know they do not have the same security with the other political parties so they won’t vote for them. It’s a numbers game and the right wing win. The right wing know that all they have to do is appease the main wants of the majority voter base, anything else is pretty inconsequential so why would they focus and put effort into other areas, there is no benefit to them.

As I said earlier, the only way it will change is with a change in demographic where the majority of voter base isn’t focused on retention on wealth by real estate and guaranteed income streams in retirement. Can’t see this happening anytime soon. No point people saying this needs to change and why because it won’t, you are wasting your breath, it is what it is. Sure, not all of the older voter base is like this, there are exceptions, but the majority are which is why the right wing stays.

Totally agree with you OP. I'm Australian and I'm embarrassed, ashamed, disgusted and horrified at our governments stance on climate change. Two of our recent PM's are actually openly climate change denialists! (Current pm Sco Mo and recent ex pm Tony Abbott.)

The current government (Liberal party) wouldn't wipe their arse unless the fossil fuel industry paid them to do so.

I just don't know what to do, me and most people I know totally disagree and try to vote for alternatives and attend protests but it isn't working. Are people that ignorant?

They do have an educated population, but they do keep voting in right-wing governments

Nope, not at all. Australia has a habit of swinging from left to right. About half of the states are currently Labour, half Liberal. And over the last century the Federal vote has gone Left / Right routinely. 50% Liberal, 48% Labour, and 2% others. Aussies are educated but they also like a change of scene.

@HoppingPavlova excellent point. Some in the older generation (not all or most older people as there are many who actually care) have actually said to me that they don’t care about climate change because it won’t affect them as they believe the worst of it will happen after their lifetime.

Absolutely shockingly awful attitude to have and completely lacking in empathy towards anyone else who is in the younger demographic.

I have also, had some people younger than me parroting climate change denial arguments that they have been taught by their parents and church.

I have been to church services in the evangelical/Pentecostal styles where the pastor preached against climate change and environmentalists. (I do not attend church anymore, I left years ago so this attitude may have changed. However, our pm attends evangelical/Pentecostal style church and he is a climate change denier. So, maybe it hasn’t).

I also remember working at a federal election many years ago where when it came to counting the votes I was surprised by how many were wasted. Dick picks, slogans, swear words, statements about how pointless voting is etc.

I have no idea what demographic wastes their vote the most. But, this really needs to change. The people who are unhappy about Australia’s political situation not believing that their vote could make a difference. I understand that it seems that way. But our vote can make a difference. I think that many of us don’t really understand how our political system works. I don’t understand fully. It is a bit complicated. So, maybe we need to educate ourselves about it. Then maybe we won’t be getting the worst party in charge. Maybe we can get more people with integrity and environmentally friendly attitudes into positions of influence in the upper house. We need to understand our voting process to know how to do that.

I have seen Australia in a very different light over the last 5-10 years, especially related to the climate. Helped by the fact I have family members who live there and three close friends from there. Between family and friends, several work directly in policy, public health and social justice. They have really opened my eyes to what is lacking in Australia and some of the barriers to significant change. They feel Australia is a good 10-15 years behind many other developed nations with respect to so many areas of policy, environment, social justice, women's rights, human rights & ethics.

An Australian satirical take on our PM and Cop26. twitter.com/thejuicemedia/status/1457209938799828997?t=0Vr-Rbitpqdkz9PJpGNEEA&s=19

@Knittinglibby They feel Australia is a good 10-15 years behind many other developed nations with respect to so many areas of policy, environment, social justice, women's rights, human rights & ethics.

That’s an interesting point. Australia seems to have always been 10-15 years later than the rest of the developed world and I have always wondered why? Is this a deliberate choice? Why do we even want to be behind on almost everything?

Maybe when it comes to climate change we will catch up in about 10 - 15 years. But I really hope that we catch up sooner.

That is an interesting comment - would you mind expanding on which areas were behind in? I do agree that our government seems out of step on climate (although private industry is doing a lot of the work for them), but I’m interested where we’re considered 10-15 years behind in areas of social justice, women’s rights and other human rights.
Like, I don’t feel as a woman here that I’m behind, so I’m interested if I actually am and just don’t realise it!

ozgirl75 personally, as a woman, I don’t feel as though I’ve been behind for the last 20/25 years. Before that, absolutely. The only exception would be that I believe I am behind financially in Super due to a few mat leaves but I don’t think this is a problem specific to Australia?

@Ozgirl75 and @HoppingPavlova One area that I think Australia really needs to improve on is protecting human rights. I’ve seen many instances where women and children escaping domestic violence are failed. There is a shortage of domestic violence shelters and support. Women have reported not being taken seriously by police and feel that they are in greater danger because of it.

At some point a couple of years back I searched for homeless accommodation for women in Queensland. I couldn’t find any that would house women. I found quite a number that specifically housed homeless men. Where do homeless women go? They can’t go to a domestic violence shelter if they are not experiencing domestic violence. So, why are there no homeless accommodation for women?

Following is a copy and paste on why we need a Bill of Rights. Many countries have a Bill of Rights or a Charter of Rights. We do not.

Five reasons why Australia should adopt a statutory national Bill of Rights

Further, it points out that the human rights outcomes for many ordinary Australians, such as ‘people with mental illness‚Ķ women with young children seeking to escape domestic violence‚Ķ[and] people in rural and remote locations without access to adequate health care or education’, are poor.

www.humanrights.unsw.edu.au/news/five-reasons-why-australia-should-adopt-statutory-national-bill-rights

Yes that makes sense - although I just googled (out of interest) “homeless accommodation for women in Townsville” (randomly picking a medium sized Qld town) and there were lots of options, so hopefully things have and will continue to improve.

So it turns out that on the leadership vacuum on climate change, some of our state leaders are kind of going rogue and are making their own climate goals.