I have recently returned from Japan. (I covered the contradiction between climate activism and fossil fuel intensive travel in Issue 22 "Don't feel guilty, be angry"). Japan's cutting-edge technology might make it appear to be far ahead of Australia in terms of climate action. But no: reducing carbon emissions is a huge challenge for the country.
In 2015, after nuclear power had been drastically reduced after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, 93% of Japan's energy supply was from fossil fuel (oil, gas, coal). As of 2021, 87% of Japan's energy was from fossil fuels, with 9% from renewables. That’s worse than Australia!
That’s not the only problem. Japan's landmass is 20 times smaller and its population is 5 times larger than Australia's. Given that 73% of Japan is mountainous, it has limited land for solar panels and wind turbines. The challenge it faces in decarbonising its electricity really matters though: even the toilets consume electricity!
Despite these challenges, on our travels we saw some promising signs about Japan’s ability to reduce emissions. For one, at least the country does not have Australia's addiction to large vehicles. Delivery vans, tradie’s utes and passenger vehicles are tiny!
At the very least then we might hope that Japan has higher climate action goals than Australia? But the answer is a no on this count as well. Japan’s 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction target is 46% of 2013 levels. Compare this with Australia's 2030 target (only since the election of Labor last year), a 43% reduction from 2005 levels.
Meanwhile, Japan's "Roadmap to 'Beyond Zero' Carbon" includes hydrogen (initially produced from fossil fuel) and carbon capture and storage. (Good luck with that! See Issue 23 “Something is Captured”).
Although both countries rated equally poor by climate action tracker, Australia has vastly more opportunity to do better. For one, Japan's focus on hydrogen is an enormous opportunity for a new Australian export industry, which fortunately, Australia seems to recognise:
Facilities for producing green hydrogen (hydrogen produced via renewable energy) are planned, financed or already started at Townsville, Whyalla, Gladstone, Gibson Island (Brisbane), Port Hedland, and Koorang Island (Newcastle). Hydrogen produced from brown coal (yuk!) for export to Japan is underway in Latrobe Valley (Victoria).
Factories for manufacturing the electrolysers required to make hydrogen are underway in Gladstone and Altona (Melbourne). Hydrogen export facilities are also planned at Port Bonython (Eyre Peninsula) and Hastings (Victoria).
The Federal Government has established a $2 billion fund to support green hydrogen; Qld’s fund is $110 million; South Australia is investing $100 million in the Port Bonython project; Western Australia is offering a series of $10 million grants.
It sounds good; it is good. But the emissions from the recently approved Beetaloo Basin and Middle Arm Gas Export Terminal projects will be more than three times Australia’s entire 2021 emissions. These fossil fuel projects need to stop, right now.
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With less than one in three voters believing Australia can meet our target of net zero emissions by 2050, every small action taken will keep the momentum increasing.
What can you do today?
🐝 If you have 5 minutes:
A new report from Qld Conservation Council and Lock the Gate found that gas leaking from coal and gas extraction sites will be the largest source of emissions in Qld by 2030. Preventable gas leaks will produce more emissions than our electricity, agriculture and transport systems combined!
Action: Email Annastacia Palaszczuk to stop approving new fossil fuel projects and implement adequate emissions monitoring. Send the prefilled form (1 minute) or write your own words (5 minutes).
The Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council (a forum for Federal, State and New Zealand ministers) is meeting soon. Solar Citizens is calling for stronger policies for a distributed electricity network and more rooftop solar and storage.
Action: Send a letter to ECMC Chair Chris Bowen calling for smarter energy policies now. Send the prefilled form (1 minute) or write your own words (5 minutes).
Remember Adani? Following the Hindenburg Report released this year which accused Adani of stock manipulation, fraud and lying to investors, Adani lost billions. Influential index firm MSCI is now considering dropping Adani.
Action: Send an email asking MSCI to remove all Adani Group Companies from its indexes - or message MSCI on LinkedIn
Geni.Energy is a not-for-profit company based in Narrabri, servicing northwest NSW (Gamillaroi/Gomeroi country). It helps homes, farms and businesses implement renewable technologies. Geni.Energy recently copped criticism for nominating for Narrabri's Santos Small Business Awards but the reality is that in many regional communities, events and teams will be sponsored by fossil fuel companies. (North Qld Cowboys are sponsored by Adani).
Action: Rather than criticising the local sporting club or small business, systemic change is required. Join the national campaign run by CommsDeclare to stop Fossil Fuel Ads and Sponsorships.
🐇 If you have 15 minutes:
Take the Solar Citizens' Annual Survey to help shape their campaigns and direct research that deliver a cleaner, fairer energy system to benefit all Australians. Survey results will be reported with MPs and key decision-makers.
Action: Spend 10-15 minutes completing the survey to help Solar Citizens in building a better energy system in Australi.
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more:
It's almost here. Join the people's blockade of the Newcastle coal export facility. November 24-27 will be a fun, inspiring and safe protest in and around the water with great speakers, live music, kids activities and yummy food available for purchase or donation.
Action: Register or find out more about the People’s Blockade in Newcastle.
One for the Gold Coast. It’s only spring, yet already the country is burning and communities are sweltering. Join this group of concerned citizens at Kurrawa Beach park, north of the surf club, to let our community know why we want the Albanese Government to end approvals to new coal and gas.
Action: RSVP, or just turn up. Saturday 18 November from 11:00am to 12pm. Bring your banners, your water, your hat, your friends
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My mate Tom and his friend are kayaking from Wollongong to Newcastle for the Rising Tide blockade. This is epic! Tom and I had some fun in his kayak on the Brisbane River during an Extinction Rebellion action in August 2019.
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action to help save the places we love.
See you in two weeks!
Ron
plus Malcolm, Robyn and Jan - The Climate Club Qld team
To help us keep these newsletters helpful, you can always reach us by email climateclubqld@gmail.com or check out the simple info on our About page.
We live, work and play on the lands of the Yuggara and Turrbal people in and around Meanjin - Brisbane. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded - always was, always will be Aboriginal land.