Climate Change In Australia

The article by Aly (2017) focuses on climate change in Australia and the lack of proper policies for combating climate change. The author notes that climate change is real and Australia is not putting in place mechanisms for reducing carbon emissions and hence it is paying a hefty price. According to Aly, Australia response to climate change should include a proper means of reducing carbon emissions since the current strategies have failed leading to high energy prices as well as curtailed investments. The country has paid various hefty costs due to delayed climate action. Over the last decade, at least three prime ministers including Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd and John Howard have lost their positions partly for attempting and failing to deliver

Since the countries are inclined towards competition and conflict, worldwide cooperation normally prove indefinable, even when the possible gains of such agreements are unanimously recognized. Some collaboration that might take place normally takes the form of transitory agreements that may allow balancing of power among opposing blocs of states. From Aly’s argument, the capacity of states to use their power to alter climate change is evident. The cooperation of prime minister is so important to a winning accord for dealing with the dilemma; however it has blocked strong international action in Australia. Political conflict has left the country without an effective climate-change strategy. Unworkable limitations on climate change policies have resulted from political realities. The leaders in Australia have not yielded to pressure from countries such as United States to take the issue of climate change seriously. In 2012, Tony Abbott pushed for a “conservative alliance” between Australia, Britain, India and Canada to cut “unwise” climate change action and to resist carbon pricing . Mr. Abbott underlined the significance of limited climate change action so that it would not harm the economy. He sought to counter the international efforts by the United States president Barrack Obama to cut carbon

The country does not have climate change policies and has even been criticized by United States, China and Brazil. It is doing less to cut its carbon population. While other countries such as China and United States are introducing carbon pricing, Australia is tearing up climate change legislations. Also, while other countries are increasing their renewable energy targets, Australian policies are reducing it. Australia has no taxes, carbon price or explicit focus on renewable energy . The National Energy Guarantee introduced by the Turnbull government is a blank political canvas according to Aly. Nonetheless, it holds the possibility of wider support, something that the country has never attained. However Aly noted that raises questions regarding the required energy quotas, how they will be set and at what speed. In addition, the relationship they will bear to the country commitments under the Paris climate accord. Likewise , a realist may support climate change actions or treaty with mandatory limits if the national interests will be served well with the limits than without. The Turnbull government is adopting a policy that addresses energy retailers instead of generators. This will ensure there is a home for energy investments in the consumer market. The policy obeys the present regulations of Australian politics since there are no taxes, carbon price or explicit focus