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In March 2008, Greenpeace used giant scales to show inequality of government energy subsidies. Australians want renewable energy to get at least the same handouts that fossil fuels get.
Enlarge imageAustralia’s electricity use causes 35 per
cent of greenhouse gases and 80 per cent of our electricity comes from
burning coal. If we stop burning coal, we will cut greenhouse pollution.
Coal is cheap and plentiful in Australia, so it is very tempting to keep using it. But our sun and wind are even more plentiful and can provide us with our energy needs.
At least $9 billion of Australian taxpayers' money goes to fossil fuel company handouts every year. The coal industry even gets a $300 million discount on diesel fuel. So our taxes are fuelling climate change. It's a legacy of the Howard government that Kevin Rudd can ditch in his next federal budget. If the government diverted that $300 diesel subsidy to renewables, it would give a major boost to the industry that will help stop damaging climate change.
Newcastle, in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, is the world's largest coal exporting port. Every day, dozens of ships appear off Newcastle harbour to load up with coal for Asia. Over 80 million tonnes of coal leave the port every year. Every tonne exported returns as climate change, making Australia a hotter, drier and poorer country. Imagine those same ships laden with solar cells and wind turbines from sustainable industries.
Greenpeace works with environment groups in Newcastle to help Hunter Valley communities move from coal dependence to a healthy, sustainable economy.
A 2008 Greenpeace-commissioned Newspoll survey shows that 90% of Australians want to see renewable energy given at least the same government subsidies that fossil fuels get.
The poll shows that 78% of Australians didn't know that fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) get 28 times more government handouts than renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.
Coal is cheap and plentiful in Australia, so it is very tempting to keep using it. But our sun and wind are even more plentiful and can provide us with our energy needs.
Climate-changing companies get our taxes
At least $9 billion of Australian taxpayers' money goes to fossil fuel company handouts every year. The coal industry even gets a $300 million discount on diesel fuel. So our taxes are fuelling climate change. It's a legacy of the Howard government that Kevin Rudd can ditch in his next federal budget. If the government diverted that $300 diesel subsidy to renewables, it would give a major boost to the industry that will help stop damaging climate change.
Find out more about government handouts to fossil fuel companies
Ground Zero: Newcastle
Newcastle, in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, is the world's largest coal exporting port. Every day, dozens of ships appear off Newcastle harbour to load up with coal for Asia. Over 80 million tonnes of coal leave the port every year. Every tonne exported returns as climate change, making Australia a hotter, drier and poorer country. Imagine those same ships laden with solar cells and wind turbines from sustainable industries.
Greenpeace works with environment groups in Newcastle to help Hunter Valley communities move from coal dependence to a healthy, sustainable economy.
Australians want money for renewables
A 2008 Greenpeace-commissioned Newspoll survey shows that 90% of Australians want to see renewable energy given at least the same government subsidies that fossil fuels get.
The poll shows that 78% of Australians didn't know that fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) get 28 times more government handouts than renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.
