Climate & Energy Program

Climate of the Nation 2018

HeatWatch

Gas & Coal Watch

DivestInvest

No New Coal Mines

Rising extreme heat threat to Gold Coast

Dramatic increases in extreme heat days, combined with high humidity and the urban heat island effect present an increasing threat to the health and wellbeing of Gold Coast residents.

The Australia Institute’s new HeatWatch initiative, which uses CSIRO–BoM modelling, shows that the number of extreme heat days (over 35C) experienced on the Gold Coast could increase up to thirty times current levels and that up to almost half summer nights could remain above 25 degrees by 2090.

Posted on:

3 November 2018

Options for the implementation of Recommendation 9.8 of NT Fracking Inquiry

Extracting gas from the Northern Territory through hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) is one of the largest potential sources of carbon pollution in the world.

The Fracking Inquiry that reported earlier this year recommended that unconventional gas extraction should only be permitted if the all 135 recommendations are accepted and implemented. All recommendations were accepted by the NT Government when it lifted the gas moratorium.

Posted on:

31 October 2018

Massive NT fracking emissions will cost billions to offset

Offsetting fracking emissions identified by the Northern Territory Fracking Inquiry would reach $4.3 billion in costs per year if fracking in the NT is at full production by 2030 and $53 billion over the decade from 2030-40, finds new research from the Australia Institute.

The new analysis released today uses Australian Government modelling of the international price of greenhouse gas emissions, consistent with Australia’s Paris commitment to keeping global warming below 2 degrees.

Posted on:

31 October 2018

HeatWatch: Extreme heat on the Sunshine Coast

Increasing extreme heat will have profound effects on people, industries and ecosystems in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast region.

CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology projections estimate that the average number of days over 35 in the region could increase up to tenfold without strong climate policies from a current average of three to 32 days by 2090. More than half of summer nights are projected to remain above 25 degrees by 2090, a level considered dangerous to human health.

Posted on:

29 October 2018

Dramatic increases on extreme heat forecast for Sunshine Coast

Households, businesses, power generators, and public infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast are under increased threat caused by a continuing increase in extreme heat temperatures, finds new research from The Australia Institute.

The Australia Institute’s new HeatWatch initiative, which uses CSIRO–BoM modelling, shows that the number of extreme heat days (over 35C) experienced on the Sunshine Coast could increase up to ten times current levels, and extreme heat nights (over 25C) could be the norm for more than half of summer by 2090.

Posted on:

29 October 2018

HeatWatch: Extreme heat in Roma

The average number of days over 35 and 40 degrees in Roma has increased annually since the early 1990s. CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology projections estimate that, without climate action, days over 40 degrees could rise from five days per year to 58 days in 2070 and as many as 84 days by 2090. Half of the nights in summer are projected to remain above 25 degrees by 2070, a level considered dangerous to human health. Increasing extreme heat will have profound effects on people, industries and ecosystems.

Posted on:

23 October 2018

Dramatic increases on extreme heat forecast for Roma region

The number of days over 40 degrees could increase almost tenfold in the Roma region by 2050 in the absence of strong policy response to climate change, according to new research from The Australia Institute. The analysis is based on Bureau of Meteorology data and CSIRO climate projections.

The Australia Institute’s HeatWatch initiative shows that days over 40 degrees in Roma could increase from historic levels of 4 days per year to up to 20 days by 2030 and continue to rise to as many as 80 days per year by 2090.

Posted on:

23 October 2018

Wentworth exit poll: climate inaction and coal key to Liberal vote collapse

The Australia Institute’s exit poll results show the Liberal primary vote collapsed primarily as a result of community concern about inaction on climate change and government support for coal.

Key results:

Posted on:

21 October 2018

Pressure on Business Council and members increases

A television commercial will begin airing on commercial television tomorrow, putting further pressure on the Business Council of Australia (BCA) and its members regarding the BCA’s false emissions reduction claims.

The commercial features research from The Australia Institute exposing the BCA’s false claim that a 45% emissions reduction target would be ‘economy wrecking’ and highlights Australia’s electricity sector can reduce emissions by far more than 45% with minimal impact on the economy.

Posted on:

14 October 2018

Gas and the Wide Bay Burnett Economy

Gas exploration is being undertaken in the Wide Bay Burnett region. Development of gasfields would present a risk to the region’s diverse services, tourism, agricultural, and manufacturing economy.

Summary points include:

Posted on:

4 October 2018

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