preview

Energy Pollution

Decent Essays
Open Document

The current level of greenhouse gases in atmosphere poses an alarming situation globally and for Australia in particular. Australia has the highest per capita carbon emissions in the world. Burning coal for the generation of electricity is the major single source of emissions for Australia (Diesendorf 2014). It has been ranked third among OECD countries and seventh in the world with respect to per capita greenhouse gas emissions due to energy (The Garnaut Climate Change Review 2011). Under the Paris agreement world has agreed to pursue a 1.5 degree centigrade limit to global warming and Australia has committed to reduce emissions by 26 to 28 per cent below 2005 level by 2030 (The Guardian 2016). In the light of increased greenhouse gas effect on global climate change, it is significantly important that Australia and all other countries phase out coal fired power stations and other exhaustive uses of fossil fuels. As suggested by Diesendorf (ABC 2014) Australia should implement energy systems that are based on efficient use of renewable energy sources to deliver environmental, social, and economic benefits. However, it is argued that renewable energy is inefficient and unreliable to supply base load electricity and cannot power an industrial society. Whereas, according to Tim Buckley, from the institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, the idea of “base load” as an essential part of energy mix is becoming redundant and is turning into misleading and false

Get Access