Thirty years ago, on this day, June 21st, 1994, the Federal Government sets up an advisory body.
“Federal Environment Minister Senator John Faulkner announced the appointment of a panel to advise on greenhouse strategies amid growing friction between business and conservation groups. The panel was headed by Professor Paul Greenfield of Queensland University with representatives from consumer, conservationist, union, business and industry bodies.”
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 359ppm. As of 2024 it is 426ppm, but check here for daily measures.
The context was that the National Greenhouse Advisory Panel was set up because greenhouse policy was a mess. The National Greenhouse Response Strategy had been published in December 1992, an immensely-watered down version replacement for the Ecologically Sustainable Development process, and it was clear that NGRS was a dead duck and irrelevant duck. Labor set this up, there was also the issue of the more immediate challenge of a carbon tax battle that was impending; a panel might provide useful ammunition and at worst case scenario it could be a Macmillan manoeuvre
What we learn is that the birth of these sorts of panels usually has a backstory which is worth knowing – who set them up, why, what are the short term motivations?
What happened next The NGAP staggered on for a couple of years and then was basically dissolved without Howard even writing them a thank you letter because he is just a prick. Just a rude, stupid, destructive prick.
What do you think? Does this pass the ‘so what?’ threshold? Have I got facts wrong? Interpretation wrong? Please do comment on this post, unless you are a denialist, obvs.
Also on this day:
June 21, 1958 – Washington Post reports ‘world turning into a ‘greenhouse’
June 21, 2007 – ABC unleashes “Carbon Cops” on the world. ACAB – All Climate Activists Barf…