Global Carbon emissions achieve record high in 2010

Global CO2 emissons have reached a new record high of 30.6 Gigatonnes during 2010 exceeding by 5% the previous record of 29.3 Gt set in 2008. Emissions dipped during the Global Financial Crisis as global industrial production decreased. The emissions estimate was prepared by the Internatonal Energy Agency (IEA) who warned that the prospect of limiting the global increase in temperature to 2ºC is getting bleaker.

Carbon price needed for climate mitigation says UN Climate Head Pachauri

Rajendra Pachauri, head of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has weighed into the Australian debate on a carbon price by telling the ABC PM radio program he agreed with Australia setting a carbon price.

"A price on carbon is by far the most effective means globally to bring about mitigation of emissions of greenhouse gases because you know then you are providing a price signal by which new technologies will be developed, consumer actions would be influenced and producers would move towards low carbon technologies and processes and products." he told ABC reporter Sarah Clarke, "So I think a carbon price is an important part of actions to mitigate emissions of greenhouse gases."

Solar panels mounted on Minister's office in budget protest

The electoral office of Climate Change Minister Greg Combet was targeted by climate activists this morning. A banner was hung from the roof of the building saying "Make Polluters Pay, Fund Renewable Energy!", and four photovoltaic solar panels were put in place on the building roof.

The protest in Cardiff NSW was to draw attention to the Federal Government winding back funding for solar programs in the budget just at a critical time for the renewables sector and as the Government negotiates implementation of a carbon tax from July 1, 2012. The banner and the panels were later voluntarily removed by the activists.

Climate scientists rap attack on climate sceptics

Those iconaclastic young journalists of the ABC's Hungry Beast program presented this humourus comedy rap - I am a Climate Scientist - during this weeks program (No 28) broadcast on May 11. Written and performed by Dan Illic and Duncun Elms with several Australian climate scientists, including lead IPCC author Professor Roger Jones. The story was titled 'CLIMATE SCIENCE RAP- there are climate change believers and deniers, but what do the climate change scientists say?'

The song is an attack on climate sceptics who continue to deny that climate change is occurring and is being contributed to by human caused emissions. Journalist Andrew Bolt and Radio talkback compare Alan Jones get special mentions in the song.

You can read about Climate scientist rappers reveal why they did it at Graham Readfearn's Blog. You can read the lyrics, play or download from Dan Ilic's page on Soundcloud - I'm A Climate Scientist - Extended NSFW

Retreating on climate policy - Victorian Government stops discussions on Hazelwood closure

The ABC program Hungry Beast has produced a fact file on Hazelwood.

While all eyes focused on Canberra and the Federal Budget this week, the Victorian Government quietly announced that all discussions have been discontinued on retiring all or part of the Hazelwood brown coal fired power station. Environment groups strongly criticised the decision.

"Sadly, what this announcement seems to confirm is that the Coalition government has absolutely no plan to reduce greenhouse emissions in the state. Although environmental groups were unanimous in demanding the full closure and replacement of the ageing and dirty Hazelwood power station, the promised partial closure would have been a good step in the right direction" said Friends of the Earth campaigns co-ordinator, Cam Walker.