By Denis Hay
The Urgency of Clean Energy Transition in Australia
As an Australian voter, whether a steadfast party supporter or a swing voter, it’s crucial to understand the pivotal role of clean energy in shaping our nation’s future. The global climate emergency, endorsed by over 11,000 scientists, starkly contrasts with the scepticism of some of our politicians. This raises a critical question: should we trust the scientific consensus or politicians potentially influenced by vested interests?
The Cost of Sticking with Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels, once the backbone of our energy system, are rapidly becoming obsolete and detrimental to our planet. The Australian government’s $11.1 billion annual subsidy to the fossil fuel industry equates to $417 per person in Australia June 2023 – a substantial financial burden with diminishing returns. Privatization has failed to deliver its promised benefits, with energy costs soaring by more than 90% in the past decade.
Progress Despite Challenges
Despite the federal government’s tepid response to climate change, there’s progress. Clean Energy Australia Report 2023 highlights Tasmania, and South Australia as leaders in the clean energy race. Renewable energy, encompassing wind, solar, ocean wave, hydro-electric, hydrogen, bioenergy, and geothermal heat pumps, offers many benefits. It’s not only environmentally friendly but also boosts public health, reduces future energy costs, promotes energy independence, and generates employment.
The Economic Feasibility of Clean Energy
The Power of Sovereign Currency
Australia’s transition to carbon neutrality within a decade is a realistic goal, thanks to our sovereign control over the Australian dollar. As the issuer of our currency, the federal government can finance essential services, including the clean energy transition, if it aligns with our economy’s productive capacity.
Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) and Government Spending
The real challenge for the government isn’t the availability of funds but managing the economy’s ability to absorb spending without triggering inflation. This perspective, rooted in Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), redefines the approach to government spending and economic management.
The Role of Voters
In the upcoming federal election, it’s crucial to support candidates who advocate for MMT and a swift transition to a carbon-neutral nation.
Engaging the Australian Voter
Personal Anecdotes and Reflections
As an Australian voter, I recall the days when renewable energy seemed like a distant dream. However, seeing the tangible benefits in states like Tasmania and South Australia has been a revelation. The shift towards clean energy is not just a policy change; it’s a transformation of our lifestyle and economy, promising a sustainable and prosperous future for all Australians.
Questions for Consideration:
Is renewable energy financially viable for Australia? Yes, with sovereign control over currency, the government can fund renewable energy without financial constraints, if it aligns with the economy’s capacity.
Can clean energy create jobs? Absolutely, the transition to clean energy is a significant job creator, offering diverse opportunities in various sectors like manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.
Will my energy costs increase with renewable energy? In the long run, renewable energy is likely to reduce energy costs due to its sustainability and decreasing technology costs.
Australia stands at a crossroads, with the opportunity to lead a clean energy revolution. By understanding the power of sovereign currency and the economic principles of MMT, we can confidently invest in a sustainable future. As voters, our choices in the upcoming election can significantly influence this transition. Let’s choose a path that ensures a thriving, sustainable Australia for generations to come.
Question for Readers
How do you envision Australia’s future with clean energy, and what actions are you willing to take to support this transition?
Call to Action
Join the movement towards a sustainable and prosperous future for Australia. Share your thoughts and actions on social media Let us collectively raise awareness and advocate for policies that support a swift transition to clean energy. Your voice is crucial in shaping the future of our nation. Together, we can make a difference! 🌏💚
References
Fossil fuel subsidies in Australia 2023, The Australia Institute.
Australia’s cost of living over the last decade, APH.
Ultimately, real resource availability constrains prosperity, Bill Mitchell.
Fear of spending, The Australia Institute.
The big myth of government deficits, Stephanie Kelton:
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Denis Hay: At 82 years young, I stand as a testament to the enduring power of dedication and belief in social justice. My journey has been shaped by a deep conviction that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and that equal opportunities for thriving should be a universal right.
My beliefs are not just ideals; they are the driving force behind my active engagement in advocating for change. I am deeply concerned about the pressing issue of climate change, recognizing its urgency and the need for immediate, collective action. This is not just a matter of policy for me, but a moral imperative to safeguard our planet for the generations to come.
As an administrator of several Facebook pages, I use my platform to challenge the prevailing neoliberal ideology, which I see as a destructive force against our society and environment. My goal is to foster a political system that truly serves the people, ensuring access to essential needs like decent housing, secure and well-paid jobs, education, and healthcare for all.
In this chapter of my life, my mission is clear: to leave behind a world that is better and more just for my grandchildren and future generations. It is a commitment that guides my every action, a legacy of compassion and advocacy that I hope will inspire others to join the cause.
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Indeed, Tasmania and South Australia.
In TAS we have always been renewable, green, clean – it seems so obvious.
I cannot understand why all government buildings do not have roofs covered in solar panels. What a waste. Supermarket roofs, school roofs (some do) any large roof space anywhere should be incentivised to have solar.
We don’t have the luxury of time – we have to do it all NOW
Keitha:
I don’t understand why solar panels and rainwater tanks are not mandatory on every new building, regardless of builder, owner or user: commercial, industrial, residential. This is something that should have been insisted upon starting twenty years ago if not more. And, yes, all large buildings and public buildings, again regardless of owner or use, should now have panels on all available rooftop areas. And provide iincentives for private residences, including rentals, to instal panels.
I’d do that here now if I owned this place, despite the cost. I don’t use a lot of power so it wouldn’t take much for me to be completely independant.
I agree that solar panels on northern & western roof surfaces should be mandatory everywhere in Australia. This would maximise the availability of solar energy before & during peak load periods.
In every election, VOTE ANYONE BUT COALition LIARBRAL$ & NOtional$ and give Australia an independent future having competent government.
Keitha and leefe, i think you need to take a step back.
Mandatory water tanks is low brain fart territory.
The whole reason for having mass water and power infructructure is to bring the benefit of scale to everyone. The scale involved means we should never run out of clean water or power. This should be a fundamental obsession of governments.
The reason we have so much solar power now is because governments all over the world have wandered off the beaten track. People are voting with their feet and wallets, not with their brains at voting time. We have gone off to Harvard and sold everything off. A mass failure to learn from history. So we have two paths running concurrently but ultimately, they will merge. Government funded mass infrustructure and personalised middle finger power generation.
In these times of mass atmospheric pollution, water tanks are heavy metal concentrators. There is no shortage of water anywhere on this globe. Its all to do with how we collect it. Nature does a fantastic job at recycling every drop. We decided long ago that dams was the way to go. Now far from me to say its the perfect solution, it isnt but it serves the purpose. Clean water for the masses. If everyone had water tanks, less water will end up in the dams and rivers ……clearly not sustainable long term for the obvious reasons of population growth,environmental sustainablility and climate change..
andy:
Rainwater tanks are not instead of, they’re as well as.
Agreed, there’s plenty of water. But potable fresh water is limited. It’s a natural supply, it makes sense to utilise existing surfaces to increase collection. Otherwise it just goes into sewers (and helps to overload the system during periods of heavy rain), because that’s where the stuff from rooves in cities and towns goes, not into dams or rivers. There’s nothing wrong with independence – whole or partial – where practical.
Also, the water that goes into those tanks isn’t necessarily for drinking if it’s collected in problematic areas. It can be used for washing clothes, for flushing toilets, for watering farms and gardens during drier periods, thus reducing the use of potable for water for purposes other than drinking and food preparation. And, surprise surprise, it can be purified every bit as much as communal reservoirs are.
Great economic piece, Dennis, perhaps the fact that not many more than 1.5 billion people have become rich and powerful on fossil fuels, that leaves about 6.5 billion needing the energy to get rich.
They, for the planet’s sake, cannot get rich on ‘our’ coal and oil, so renewables has a huge market and they are already relatively cheap and desperate for development. In my town we have up to 7m tides and indonesia is close????? ps “Despite the federal government’s tepid response to climate change, there’s progress” imagine the progress if the loonie leader hadn’t voted with the rabbott in Dec 2009 or the blackmailing bandit hadn’t caused ‘juliar’??