Article - http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11793340
Summary
This article that I chose from the Economist website briefly explains the steps the Labor government in Australia is taking to reduce carbon emissions. Mr. Kevin Rudd, leader of the party and supporter of the Kyoto Protocol, aimed to cut 60% of emissions of year 2000’s levels by 2050. To achieve this, companies that emit the most pollution will have to buy these permits from a market auction each year starting from 2010. Even by implementing this, the Australian government will provide initial benefits to ease these companies to integrating the plan. These benefits include free permits for companies that will suffer in export; coal-fired power stations will receive cash compensation; and for three years, excise taxes will be cut if petrol prices rise from carbon costs.
Connections
The connection between chapter 3 and this article would be about third party effects. This would be a negative third party effect. Being a country capable of supporting New Zealand, Indonesia, and Singapore’s electricity with their supply of coal, the amount of pollution these industries emit has a significant impact on Australia and the world. Coal processing contributes a large amount of pollution to the air, which can cause many harmful effects to both humans and the environment. The carbon emissions build up the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, thus increasing global temperatures. This increase in temperature disrupts the balance in nature, causing many disasters to occur throughout the world.
Reflection
Global warming is an issue that many are concerned about now more so than before. What the Labor government is doing to lower carbon emissions is not only helping its own country, but is also helping to shape the future for people around the world such as myself. Countries that have not done anything to lower their carbon emissions should follow Australia as an example. But with the effects of global warming already being felt by many, hopefully this may be sufficient enough in helping the world slowly recover from the damage done by years of pollution.
