December 2020
Why tax electric vehicles but not heavy trucks? Politics
The SA and VIC governments have announced a new electric vehicle tax – in other words, a great big new tax on clean air. In today’s episode we explain why this EV tax is terrible idea and unpack some of the arguments for and against it. Host: Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute
The US Election result and what it means for Australia
In this episode we unpack what a Biden Administration means for climate and foreign policy in Australia, with Richie Merzian and Allan Behm. The Australia Institute // @theAusinstituteHost: Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Guests: Richie Merzian, director Climate & Energy Program // @richiemerzian Allan Behm, director International & Security Affairs program
November 2020
Biden as president would pursue climate ‘cheaters’ – and Australia could be among them
by Richie Merzian[Originally published on the Guardian Australia, 04 November 2020] Whether Donald Trump loses or wins the presidential election, the US will officially withdraw from the Paris agreement on Wednesday. The US intention to withdraw was announced in mid-2017 and, exactly one year ago, formal notification was sent to the United Nations. It caps
September 2020
Weapons of gas destruction
Gas is promoted as a transitional fuel, but in this episode we explore just how polluting gas really is with Richie Merzian and Tom Swann from the Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy program.The Australia Institute // @theAUSInstituteHost: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuests: Richie Merzian, Climate & Energy Director at the
A Plan for Planet A
Fight for Planet A is the newest TV series from Craig Reucassel, a three-part documentary exploring the challenges of climate change, where our energy comes from, the health effects of transport and the carbon footprint of what we eat. It offers practical solutions for people to implement at home but as Craig points out, action
August 2020
Electrifying our Roads – Norway’s Way
There are so many reasons for Australia to transition to electric vehicles, but despite warnings that Australia could be left behind without stronger policy direction regarding EVs, little progress has been made. In contrast, Norway is a world leader in EV policy. Recorded live on 20 August as part of the Australia Institute’s Economics of
United in a Global Crisis with UN Chief Economist Elliott Harris
In this episode UN chief economist Elliott Harris talks about why it’s risky to withdraw fiscal stimulus too soon and why a clean green recovery makes sense for the long term, in conversation with Richie Merzian, director of the Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program. Part of the Australia Institute’s Economics of a Pandemic webinar
May 2020
The role of climate action in rebuilding after the pandemic with Zali Steggall
In this episode we talk to Zali Steggall, the independent member for Warringah, about the role of climate action in rebuilding after the pandemic, with Richie Merzian the director of the Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy program. From the Australia Institute’s ‘Economics of a Pandemic’ webinar series.Visit tai.org.au for all our latest research and analysisHost:
The other global crisis: climate change
Energy Minister Angus Taylor is talking about a ‘gas-led recovery’ which would not only make electricity prices higher, but would obviously make climate change worse, so in this episode we talk to director of the Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program, Richie Merzian, about the other global crisis we’re facing: climate change.Visit tai.org.au for all
February 2020
We Need A Climate Action Plan Come Hell Or High Water (Which Are Already Here)
by Richie Merzian[Originally published by 10 Daily, 11 Feb 2020] In a matter of days, many Australians have been thrust from one extreme to another — from bushfires that refuse to be put out, to flooding rain that seemingly won’t stop. It’s a cruel irony. The unprecedented bushfires that devastated Eastern Australia over the summer
October 2019
ScoMo Gambled On Climate Change — And Lost
by Richie Merzian[Originally published on 10 Daily, 01 October 2019] Last Wednesday Prime Minister Scott Morrison took to the world stage, using Australia’s annual address to the United Nations (UN) to talk about the environment. He was two days too late. And everyone at the UN, diplomats and commentators alike, knew it. Having been involved
August 2019
Australia can no longer dodge responsibility for its fossil fuel exports
by Richie Merzian[Originally published in The Canberra Times, 24 August 2019] If fuelling global carbon pollution with fossil fuel exports was an Olympic sport, Australia would get a podium place. New Australia Institute research shows Australia is the third largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world – behind only Russia and Saudi Arabia. This expansive
We’re wasting too much energy on nuclear talk
by Richie Merzian[Originally published in the Canberra Times, 10 August 2019] Late last Friday – a timeslot where ministers are known to announce policies they are most proud of – the Minister for Energy, Angus Taylor, ordered a parliamentary inquiry into nuclear energy. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus
July 2019
Our climate inaction will destroy our Pacific neighbours
by Richie Merzian[Oringinally published in The Canberra Times, 27 July 2019] The single greatest threat to Australia and the Pacific is climate change. But given Australia’s actions over the last 12 months, you wouldn’t know it. The Australian government is only willing to pay lip service to what addressing that threat requires: serious climate action.
November 2018
Will Australia Meet Its Paris Commitment?
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has repeatedly claimed Australia will meet its Paris commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2030 ‘in a canter’, but is this true? As we approach the next United Nations climate negotiations in the Polish town of Katowice, the Institute’s director of Climate & Energy Richie
July 2018
Green Finance Is Flowing, From Paris To The Pacific
By Richie Merzian, Director of The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program. [Read article in the New Matilda Here] Private and public investment in a safe climate future is growing, despite the best and worst efforts of some of the world’s leading polluters, writes Richie Merzian. On a reclaimed swamp fringing the outskirts of the industrial
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