Climate Change is Central Issue in Australia’s Parliament Opening

0 shares Share 0 Tweet 0 Pin 0 Share 0 Australia’s parliament sat on June 19 in Canberra for the first time since Labor won in an election when the Greens also won record seats. The election results are …

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Australia’s parliament sat on June 19 in Canberra for the first time since Labor won in an election when the Greens also won record seats.

The election results are a reflection of many Australians' concern about climate change — which materialized in ravaging bushfires and floods.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that his government will introduce 18 laws including a climate change bill to meet a 43% emissions reduction target by 2030.

Reuters reports that to pass the legislation through the upper house, Labor needs the support of the Greens, who hold 12 seats in the Senate and at least one independent.

“Greens leader Adam Bandt is in negotiations with the government, and said on Tuesday the 43% target was "weak", and had been set by Labor based on keeping coal fired power stations in the system. The Greens nonetheless preferred to "improve and pass" the legislation, and had asked for wording to be changed so the 43% target is a floor and not a ceiling, he said in an ABC radio interview.”

Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the government would make minor changes in the bill writing but is in favor of the climate change policy.

He said that a few things in the bill need to be more specific, such as how the Paris Agreement mechanism works to require future targets to be higher than previous targets.

The Labor Party says it can’t support the Greens over an end to new coal and gas projects. Due to surges in price in May, coal became Australia’s most valuable export.

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Highlights • 10 years of writing and editing experience Obsessed with home decor trends, plant parenting, cleaning, and other lifestyle topics. • Expertise in content marketing and email strategy for brands and small businesses About Nikola Gemeš Nikola Gemeš, an electrical engineer turned sustainability consultant, bridges the gap between complex environmental concepts and GreenCitizen readers with his well-researched, accurate content. His commitment to sustainability extends from his professional life to personal practices of recycling and home-grown food. An adventurer at heart, Nikola enjoys hiking, white-water sports, and pocket knife collecting. At Green Citizen, he's instrumental in presenting the best sustainable brands, aiding well-informed decision-making. He firmly believes in the collective power of individuals, experts, businesses, and governments to foster a world where sustainability, life quality, economic prosperity, diversity, mental health, and gender equality are core values. Experience Nikola Gemeš has a rich and diverse background in electrical engineering, which he utilizes to break down complex sustainability topics for his readers. His unique blend of technical knowledge and communicative skills has made him a crucial part of GreenCitizen. Nikola's experience has honed his ability to navigate through intricate data and research, ensuring the content he delivers is both accurate and reliable. His passion for educating and informing is palpable in the impact he has made on Green Citizen's readership. Outside of his professional endeavors, Nikola is deeply committed to environmental conservation in his personal life. This commitment is reflected in his everyday activities, from recycling to cultivating his own food. His hands-on approach to sustainability gives him a first-hand understanding of practical conservation efforts, further enriching the content he produces. These personal experiences often seep into his work, making it relatable and engaging for readers. Nikola's key role extends to assessing and presenting sustainable brands to his audience. His comprehensive grasp of sustainability allows him to critically evaluate and offer the best environmentally-friendly options available on the market. He aids readers in making informed decisions that have a positive impact on both their lives and the environment. His belief in collective efforts towards a sustainable world is evident in his work, as he consistently promotes values of quality life, economic prosperity, diversity, mental health, and gender equality.