Chapter 20 - Australia and Global Climate Change

Question 1

Risks of Climate Change for Australia

Answer 1

They are low, dry, flat, and surrounded by water
They could lose their islands (Boigu)
They could lose biodiversity

Question 2

Ethical Dilemmas

Answer 2

Are states equally responsible?
Is the west/those who started industrialization responsible? Those who are the worst emitters now?
Overall emission v emission per capita?

Question 3

UNFCCC (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change)

Answer 3

Signed by 154 member states in Rio in 1992.

Question 4

Australia’s dilemma

Answer 4

Financial interest in using and exporting coal with existential interest in addressing climate change.

Question 5

4 Drivers of Australian Climate Change Policy

Answer 5

Ideology
FP Perspective
Public Opinion and Domestic Politics
International Climate Politics

Question 6

Ideology and Australian Climate Change Policy

Answer 6

Differences between Conservative Coalition and Labour Party
Ideologies of international cooperation (or lack thereof)
Ideologies of what economic interests are.

Question 7

FP Perspective on their Climate Change Policy

Answer 7

Focus:

How did different governments handle their roles when dealing with climate change?

Question 8

Public Opinion/Domestic Politics and Australian Climate Change Policy

Answer 8

Focus:
How the public views climate change and how government’s frame this
More likely to support action when there is government inaction, and vice versa

Question 9

International Climate Politics and Australian Climate Change Policy

Answer 9

Focus:
Expectations of international cooperation
Size of state, and the influence (or lack thereof) of Australia.

Question 10

5 Australian Climate Change Policies

Answer 10

Carbon Tax (cost-effective means)
National Clean Air Agreement (focuses on reducing air pollution through industry-government cooperation)
National Energy Productivity Plan (hopes to increase productivity by 40% by 2030)
Reef 2050 Plan (great barrier reef)
Solar Cities (promote solar power, smart meters, and energy conservatism in cities)

Question 11

Local Governments and International Agreement

Answer 11

Traditionally stronger international engagement

Question 12

Challenges for Local Initiatives

Answer 12

Similar drivers as national (except ideological not so much)
Limited financial resources
Products of provincial government - constrained

Question 13

Local Governments Responsible for:

Answer 13

Transport
Waste Management
Building Codes
Local Development

Question 14

Local Initiatives Have Focused on:

Answer 14

Self-imposed emission reduction

Question 15

Actors that are influential in Australian FP on Climate Change

Answer 15

Other States
IOs
Sub-national governments
Businesses
National parties and their leaders