30. Can shale oil fuel Australia?

I recently read an article on The Conversation entitled "Can shale oil fuel Australia?" The article described the recent discovery by a company called Linc Energy of shale oil in South Australia. Independent reports estimate between 233 billion and 103 billion barrels of oil equivalent could be exploited. The estimates released by Linc Energy were classified by the consultants as unrisked prospective resources because of their “lack of commerciality or sufficient drilling”. Consequently, their potential value may not be as high as $20 trillion as suggested by some mainstream media outlets. However, the "find" has resulted in much enthusiasm in South Australia. The Mineral Resources Development Minister for South Australia, Tom Koutsantonis has stated that “shale gas and shale oil will be a key part to securing Australia’s energy security now and into the future.” In fact, it has been suggested that the discovery may be enough to turn Australia into a self sufficient fuel producer.

What is striking about this article is that the only mention of climate change comes with the statement "the potential for carbon-intensive oil shale production in South Australia is likely to draw ire from vocal environmental activists and the Greens." That's it! So essentially the greenhouse gas emissions associated with exploiting shale oil and the implications for climate change are dismissed, and the Greens and "environmental activitists" are simply an annoying obstacle. It is just so disturbing that such articles are common place. Let us also put this article into context. It comes at a time when there are bush fires raging and flooding causing havoc in Australia. It comes at a time when some of the hottest days ever have been recorded not just in parts of Australia but across the whole country. Yet, so few dots are joined together. The media continues to treat these events in isolation, and does not make the connection between climate change, weather events, and the implications of exploiting fosill fuels, such as shale oil. Indeed, Australia's future is tied to shale oil and if we ever join the dots!?

29. Hot = Costs

Just read an article this morning in the newspaper about how the hot weather in Melbourne is set to cost the city on average $46.5 million a year to the middle of the century. The study commissioned by Melbourne City Council found projected total costs for 2011-2051 for Melbourne due to hot weather - heatwaves, the urban heat island effect, and single hot days - will be $1.86 billion. The costs will be a result of transport delays, increased energy demand, health impacts and increased mortality, anti-social behaviour, and impacts on plants and animals. And this is just some of the costs linked to rising temperature due to climate change. The submission also refers to social research carried out across 2011 and 2012 that surveyed 400 residents, 250 business and 100 visitors about their preparedness for climate change and extreme weather events. The survey found almost all residents surveyed believed in climate change but most said they were unprepared for very hot days and flooding. This is just part of the growing evidence about the practical costs of a changing climate (and the lack of adaptation) ... and this just for the Melbourne City Council. There are some 30 councils in Melbourne. That's a lot of costs!?

28. The Overview Effect

Check out this fascinating short film! It cuts straight to a key challenge of our times ... that is bringing about a new worldview of the Earth that is indeed a worldview in the fullest sense.



"On the 40th anniversary of the famous ‘Blue Marble’ photograph taken of Earth from space, Planetary Collective presents a short film documenting life-changing stories of seeing the Earth from the outside by astronauts – a perspective-altering experience often described as the Overview Effect. The Overview Effect is an experience that transforms the perspective of astronauts of the planet and humans place upon it. Common features of the experience are a feeling of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment. Overview is a short film that explores this phenomenon through interviews with five astronauts who have experienced the Overview Effect. The film also features insights from commentators and thinkers on the wider implications and importance of this understanding for society, and our relationship to the environment."

27. Heat, fire, rain and floods ...

I have recently been on holidays in the Grampians (and it was hot, very hot ... 40 degrees). It is a beautiful part of Australia with forests, mountains and plenty of wildlife. While there I was able to learn a little more about recent 'climatic' or weather events from the locals. In 2006, they were hit by a substantial bush fire that spread through most of the forests. Then between 2006 and 2010, there was a drought that impacted the local communities and natural environment. Then it rained and rained in 2010, bringing so much water that many of the rivers over flowed. The changing weather patterns have clearly had a deep impact on people and the environment. At the same time as being in the Grampians, the news was filled with images and reports on the bush fires raging in different parts of Australia. Bush fires are common in Australia, but the changing climate is creating 'perfect' conditions for fires. On returning to Melbourne, I read that the Bureau of Meteorology’s interactive weather forecasting chart has added new colours – deep purple and pink – to extend its previous temperature range that had been capped at 50 degrees. The new forecasting map now has colours that go up to 54 degrees. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology doesn’t pull any punches on what is driving this astounding heat. "The current  heatwave – in terms of its duration, its intensity and its extent – is now unprecedented in our records," the Bureau of Meteorology’s manager of climate monitoring and prediction, David Jones, said. "Clearly, the climate system is responding to the background warming trend. Everything that happens in the climate system now is taking place on a planet which is a degree hotter than it used to be." And this all means, heat, fire, rain and floods …

26. Post carbon pathways

I have recently been following the developments of a fascinating project at Melbourne University called Post Carbon Pathways. It is a project that explores what visions and strategies are being formed around the world to combat climate change. The website reads ...

As the risks of runaway climate change continue to escalate, so too does the urgent need to build public support for a rapid transition to a just and sustainable post carbon society. The Post Carbon Pathways project is informed by the view that, while increased public acceptance of the necessity of urgent climate change action is crucial, the transformational changes required to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions also depend on broad recognition that alternative, more desirable futures and pathways are indeed possible.

This website  brings together information and analysis about some of the most promising large-scale post carbon economy transition plans and strategies from around the world. Interestingly, Sweden is not there! I think I better let them know what Sweden is doing on this front.

There are some great interviews on the website with some leading thinkers on how to bring about a low carbon future. There are also links to many of the major global and national strategies being developed by both government agencies and other actors.

25. Lucky, very lucky!

As 2012 drew to a close, I looked over Facebook to see many of my friends were putting up a few thoughts about the year that was and their hopes for 2013 as well as pictures of fun from celebrations around the world. But I noticed a particular post that read as so ...

As we approach the end of 2012 I beg your indulgence of a few words - sincerely meant for ALL family and friends. It's very easy to get swept along in the day to day challenges, trials and tribulations and forget just how genuinely lucky we are. We are only the third generation in the history of all human kind to have exactly whatever we genuinely need whenever we want it - we have local supermarkets filled with endless, gorgeous, delicious foods from around the world that would have seemed like a miracle only 50 years ago, we have heating/aircon, utilities, cars, flights to anywhere we can think of in the world, healthcare that is truly incredible compared to even 20 years ago, a clean bed every night, entertainment of every possible kind at our fingertips, and increasingly on demand exactly what we desire as soon as we want it. Not only are we the second or third generation ever to have this, of the 7 billion human beings on the planet, we are in the extremely lucky few hundred million who have all this. We do not have to fight for survival, we do not suffer needlessly, we are fed, clothed, pampered and genuinely the luckiest people in the history of the human race. We are truly, TRULY, blessed to live in these times, where we do. Let us all be truly thankful for what we have, be mindful that it is for future generations not just selfishly for our own lucky generation, and genuinely massively appreciate the world of plenty that we are blessed with.

It is indeed easy to forget just how lucky some of us are today. A true fundamental of sustainability and prosperity for all is that the lucky few keep these thoughts in mind all the time, and not just at particular moments.