Twenty five years ago, on this day, June 27, 1998, the Australian state broadcaster, Radio National, broadcast a programme about the joys of then-almost-fashionable Emissions Trading…
1998 Radio National Earthbeat on Emissions Trading
Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Radio National (Organisation)
Michael Walsh (Guest)
Ian Causley (Guest)
Hugh Saddler (Guest)
Peter Graham (Guest)
Anna Reynolds (Guest)
Alexandra de Blas (Reporter)
Alexandra de Blas (Presenter)
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/earthbeat/greenhouse-emissions-trading/3647076
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 369ppm. As of 2023 it is 423ppm, but check here for daily measures.
The context was that the Liberal party was wanting to seem like it cared about climate change at some level. There was after all an election coming and so it had started making some noises about emissions trading and the New South Wales premier Bob Carr was making a lot of noises.
What I think we can learn from this
Emissions trading is popular with diverse social actors because it allows, effectively, the appearance of doing something when you are not. And some people can get seriously rich.
What happened next
An Emissions Trading Scheme was presented to Cabinet in the year 2000 and killed off by Nick Minchin. Emissions trading never really got off the ground, and has been beset by enormous and predictable difficulties. Has it actually reduced any emissions anywhere? That’s a good question.
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.