NewsBusters readers are well aware of how American media gleefully reported Kevin Rudd's November 24 victory over Australian Prime Minister John Howard as a huge defeat for President Bush.
Stateside press representatives have also been enamored with Rudd's views concerning global warming, and his proposed deep cuts to Australia's carbon dioxide emissions.
In a truly stunning twist of fate, according to Friday's Herald Sun, Rudd, armed with new information from the electricity industry, has done a very serious greenhouse gas u-turn that will likely be met with silence from America's green press (emphasis added throughout, h/t Benny Peiser):
PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd last night did an about-face on deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, days after Australia's delegation backed the plan at the climate talks in Bali.
A government representative at the talks this week said Australia backed a 25-40 per cent cut on 1990 emission levels by 2020.
But after warnings it would lead to huge rises in electricity prices, Mr Rudd said the Government would not support the target.
Think our press will report this tonight when they cover the goings-on in Bali? Or this:
The repudiation of the delegate's position represents the first stumble by the new Government's in its approach to climate change.
Mr Rudd said he supported a longer-term greenhouse emissions cut of 60 per cent of 2000 levels by 2050.
But the Government would not set medium-term targets until a report by economist Ross Garnaut was completed next year.
"I think speculation on individual numbers prior to that is not productive and I would suggest it would be better for all concerned if we waited for the outcome of that properly-deliberated document," Mr Rudd said.
The electricity industry yesterday warned it may not be able to meet growing consumer demand and comply with the 2020 target.
Energy Supply Association of Australia chief executive Brad Page said a 17 per cent power price rise in Victoria would seem "pretty modest" compared with the cost of complying with the target.
An ESAA report released this year found cutting carbon emissions by 30 per cent of 2000 levels by 2030 wold [sic] push up power costs by 30 per cent.
Mr Page said the cost of meeting the higher target by 2020 would be much more as low-cost, green-generation technology would not be available for more than 10 years.
Readers are advised that this is a very serious turn of events as representatives from around the world are meeting in Bali to discuss so-called solutions to global warming. The expectation after Rudd unseated Howard last month was that Australia would suddenly be a strong advocate for carbon dioxide emissions caps that would pressure the United States to do the same.
However, with Rudd doing this surprising about face, it appears unlikely that anything definitive will come from this highly-anticipated conference. Furthermore, Rudd's change of course could be another sign that Kyoto is indeed going the way of the dodo
Any wagers on whether this momentous climate change flip-flop gets reported here?
Related articles:
Weather Channel Founder: Global Warming ‘Greatest Scam in History’
Global Warming and the Tax the Rich Scheme
Bush Wrongly Blamed for America’s Non-participation in Kyoto
Your Computer is Causing Global Warming
Skeptics Denied Press Credentials at UN Climate Meeting in Bali
How Gore and Media Fabricated a Global Warming Consensus
Intellectual Property Rights Stripped to Stop Global Warming?
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Comments Policy
Highly doubtful, Noel. Even if they do, it will be watered down
December 6, 2007 - 15:26 ET by RJI posted yesterday that Australia was having second thoughts....as well as Japan and Canada. (Of course, organizers were particularly upset at Japan, home of the original Kyoto)
China and India are also unlikely to agree to mandatory emissions requirements.
With this and all the other infighting, it will be interesting to see how this conference is spun by the media.
Guaranteed it won't get the high-profile crowing that occured when they thought Australia had capitulated.
AP Article
December 6, 2007 - 15:50 ET by tracyz20Just saw this AP article on the Yahoo homepage, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071206/ap_on_re_as/bali_us_under_siege
It is marked as 1 hour and 17 minutes ago and still makes Australia out to be the environment's hero. So, you are correct, the media (surprise, surprise) is ignoring the inconvenient facts. Further, I know we have seen this time and time again, but it always amazes me when articles such as this one state that the Bush administration rejected the Kyoto protocol as if the Clinton administration wasn't in charge in 1997.
What an amazing fraud this
December 6, 2007 - 16:11 ET by Col SmokeWhat an amazing fraud this article is! I'm not sure I've ever seen such out-and-out lying before in a "news" piece.
Col Smoke, you dont get
December 6, 2007 - 16:15 ET by bassndudeCol Smoke, you dont get out much, do you? :-)
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
It's just so easy to commit to something that's 40 years away.
December 6, 2007 - 15:54 ET by Dave in TexasMr Rudd said he supported a longer-term greenhouse emissions cut of 60 per cent of 2000 levels by 2050.
I'll bet he does, because he'll probably be dead by then. Definitely retired from politics.
So Rudd was for CO2
December 6, 2007 - 16:07 ET by dscottSo Rudd was for CO2 reduction before he was against it?? LOL So Rudd is for someone else to do what he knows he can't and when they can't he can say it's their fault for not doing what he wanted do. The next Ausie PM will get to take the blame for not cutting CO2 since Rudd already committed him/her to do it. It's too bad asserting something doesn't work in real life, hmmm, I guess that's where magical thinking comes in. So they figure if they can kick the ball far enough away, someone, somewhere along the line will through serendipity will come up with the solution.
A page out of Hillary Clinton's play book, she was for it, when the ultra left said no way, she was against it, but when no one was looking she votes for it again and when it comes time to own it, she's no where to be found.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. dscott's corollary: The line between malice and stupidity is called depraved indifference.
"I was for my country
December 6, 2007 - 16:14 ET by Roger the Shrubber"I was for my country getting raped by the UN before I was against it..."
right on
December 7, 2007 - 12:16 ET by wizardjrthat's generally what it's all about: promise the moon, but not until I'm long out of office or dead
(can you say "Social Security is not in trouble." ?)
Reality hits! Too bad the
December 6, 2007 - 16:45 ET by rbosqueReality hits!
Too bad the leftist media have their heads up their collective @$$es.
-
December 6, 2007 - 16:57 ET by dahliatraversBut after warnings it would lead to huge rises in electricity prices, Mr Rudd said the Government would not support the target.
The voice of reason! Please, Mr. Rudd, hold a forum with Democrats in the US Congress.
(We won't hold it against you if you jet over here ...)
Paging Prime Minister Gordon Brown
December 6, 2007 - 17:15 ET by Lame CherryI can not say always, but liberals seem to when not having contact with Bill Clinton as Tony Blair had.............always upon reaching office turn from crazy ideas to the reality of the real science and policy.
Look at Jew hater Carter..........he was Mr. Peace and Love with the Soviets, but when push came to shove he funded the Muslim terrorist muhajadeen which founded al Qaeda.
Pelosi was the same way.........now she and Dems are voting with Bush policy every time.
I cringed when Gordon Brown took over England, but he has been a pretty resolute bunky. It appears as facts weigh in they all grow up from ranting children to adults.
So paging Gordon Brown, I believe you have a Rudd who is awakening...........Oz thought they got rid of Howard, but elected a Howard in the making.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
The ol' wheels are starting
December 6, 2007 - 17:27 ET by Chris NormanThe ol' wheels are starting to come off...
Chris... Doesn't it just
December 6, 2007 - 17:31 ET by bigtimerChris...
Doesn't it just totally global warm your body all over...
I heard about this today on El Rushbo...I starting laughing out loud, even though I was surprised I have to admit.
LOL!
BT, Funny, ain't it, when it
December 6, 2007 - 17:50 ET by Chris NormanBT, Funny, ain't it, when it comes down to actually doing something, other than talking about doing something, the "consensus" to do something starts falling apart. My brother and his wife are huge believers in "global warming", however I can (smugly) report that they have made absolutely no changes in their global warming lifestyle to decrease their "carbon footprint", as I originally predicted.
Chris, That is true of
December 6, 2007 - 17:58 ET by LeonChris,
That is true of many Global Warming supporters. My feeling is that you simply don't have that many options for green living.
Look at Toyota. They're selling hybrids faster than anyone had ever predicted. They're making serious headway in the American market. While GM, Chrysler, and Ford have all seen sales drop this year, Toyota is killing it and there's no sign of slowing down.
So people are doing something about it. One clear example is the astounding success of Hybrid's in the American market.
Leon, I think Chris is
December 6, 2007 - 18:06 ET by MrShyLeon, I think Chris is calling them out on not even trying. There ARE things people can certainly do, even if minor. Seems to me he's saying they're basically being all-talk and living exactly as they always have.
"I still love NewsBusters." - Mr. Shy
Leon, Toyota's sales have
December 6, 2007 - 19:58 ET by Gary P JacksonLeon, Toyota's sales have grown greatly because of their "gasp" great inroads into the Minivan, SUV and Truck markets. Many hybrid owners are finding the testing done that puts the federally mandated gas milage numbers on the window sticker are flawed, and that in the real world, hybrids do not get the milage claimed. In fact, the proceedures for testing have been changed. Besides, a hybrid's battery is only good for about 8 miles continuous driving in most cases. Then you are just burning gas.
On the other hand, the new 500 horsepower Z07 Corvette gets a reported 25 mpg highway, and Chrysler's Aspen along with the Dodge Durango will have a 2 stage hybrid coming out late '08 as an '09 that will feature the V8 Hemi, with MDS, multiple displacement system, and an electric motor. This will allow the user to pull a 9000 pound trailer, as well as get decent city and highway milage when not! MDS allows the Hemi to operate on 4 cylinders only when not under load, such as full throttle or pulling a trailer.
Good old fashion capitolism defeats liberal kneejerk each and every time it's tried!
WOW
December 6, 2007 - 20:31 ET by Chris Norman"My feeling is that you simply don't have that many options for green living."
Then for Pete's sake, what are all those prescriptions and proscriptions the Global Warming crowd have been feeding us for? Are you saying that drying clothes on a line, biking to work, etc. aren't going to do it? Do you mean "living green" is a fraud?
Hybrids are sold to fools who do not understand economics
December 6, 2007 - 23:34 ET by PopularTechBattery Replacement Can Be Very Expensive (Consumer Affairs)
Do Hybrids Make Financial Sense Yet? (Edmunds)
"It takes the Prius a shocking 13.6 years to catch up with the Corolla. The Lexus RX 400h takes a whopping 13.6 years to break even with the Lexus RX 350."
EPA Lowers Prius Mileage Estimate (Consumer Affairs)
"Will the little car that is now rated at 45 miles per gallon in the city be as popular as the same car that was believed to get 60 miles per gallon around town?"
Hybrid cars and the vanishing tax credit (Consumer Reports)
Hybrid hype, and miscellaneous ramblings (Brock Yates, Car and Driver)
Hybrid issues, and a rising star at Indy (Brock Yates, Car and Driver)
"battery replacement will cost $5300 for the Toyota and Lexus hybrids, and the Ford Escape replacements run a whopping $7200."
New versus old EPA mpg (Consumer Reports)
Prius Outdoes Hummer in Environmental Damage (The Recorder)
"When you pool together all the combined energy it takes to drive and build a Toyota Prius, the flagship car of energy fanatics, it takes almost 50 percent more energy than a Hummer"
Savings at Pump Don't Offset Higher Purchase Price (Consumer Affairs)
"none of the six hybrids tested recovered its price premium in the first five years and 75,000 miles of ownership. In fact, the extra ownership costs over five years for those vehicles ranged from $3,700 to $13,300. Even when the analysis was extended to a period of 10 years and 150,000 miles, it was not possible to recover the price premium for a hybrid vehicle."
The costly secrets of hybrid cars (MSN Money)
The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource
haha. That's whiny, excuse-making crap, leon
December 7, 2007 - 09:14 ET by RJ"My feeling is that you simply don't have that many options for green living."
If you're serious, there are ALWAYS "options."
Speaking of crap, did you know there's a brand of toilet paper made from recycled paper? Or that it's sold in supermarkets nationally? Do you use it, leon?
Or, maybe you're really green, prefering no paper at all....using instead a sponge on a stick, as they did in ancient Rome.
So, bigmouth, tell me some of the things you do to "live green." ;^)
RJ, Did you know that
December 7, 2007 - 09:30 ET by LeonRJ,
Did you know that this day in age, all paper is made from recycled paper (especially toilet paper )?
From cereal boxes to toilet paper. All recycled.
So yes I do use recycled paper and so do you, whether you know it or not. What do I do to live green?
1) I use all recycled paper products
2) I don't drive a car and if I need to get around I take subway/bus/train. If I need a car to go see a client, I get a hybrid from Philly Car Share (most of their cars are hybrids anyways - also one of the greatest inventions ever - the car share has revolutionized my travel options)
3) I support all environmental research and donate to various groups through my college alumni association.
4) I have LED lighting throughout my entire house
5) I get all my meat and vegetables delivered weekly from a local organic Co-Op.
6) I have double paned Anersen Windows throughout my entire house
7) Each and every appliance in my house is made by Sub-Zero. My Sub-Zero 48 Refirgeration system uses less than energy per month than a 100 watt light bulb.
It was costly upfront but well worth it in the long run. I'm running pretty efficient these days. I've invested heavily in energy saving devices. And I think it was well-worth it.
That's a start, leon (if true)
December 7, 2007 - 09:37 ET by RJ...so what was that whining about there not being many options?
...and I still think if you're really serious you should be using a sponge on a stick.
"all paper is made from recycled paper(especially toilet paper)"
December 7, 2007 - 09:46 ET by RJI don't believe that to be true, leon, but I'm willing to be educated on the subject.
Links, please.
....or is it just more of your "keyboard creativity", leon?
December 7, 2007 - 10:00 ET by RJ...euphemistically speaking, of course... ;^)
RJ, You're kidding
December 7, 2007 - 10:03 ET by LeonRJ,
You're kidding right?
A link?
How about this. Go to where you store your toilet paper. Pick up a roll. Read the wrapping. See what it says.
Guarantee it says 'recycled'
How do you not know this?
Kimberly-Clark is all about sustainability. Recycling is key to their sustainability goals for 2010.
It's hilarious that you told me I should be using a 'special' toilet paper b/c it's made from recycled components. All toilet paper is made from recycled components. haha.
Sorry, leon, your "keyboard creativity" encourages disbelief
December 7, 2007 - 14:43 ET by RJHere's your chance to educate me and prove how smart you are.
Links please.
Leon
December 7, 2007 - 09:41 ET by Noel SheppardLeon,
Pretty cool. We're not as "green" as you are, but we've been recycling for approaching 30 years. I've got mostly energy efficient appliances in the house, but not all yet. Getting there. We've got solar panels to heat the pool and hot tub. No SUVs or minivans.
So, though I don't believe man is responsible for global warming, I have felt for years that we should all be using less energy. Of course, I also do it because I'm a cheap SOB! :-) ns
NOEL
December 7, 2007 - 09:53 ET by LeonThat's amazing Noel!
I agree with your final sentence. While I enjoy knowing that I'm lessening my impact on the environment, the long-term savings were also a major motivator.
It was expensive up front, but it's going to be cheap cheap cheap in the long run.
I recently bought a new house, so I figured might as well just spend a few more bucks and outfit it properly.
My friend's father has owned a solar panel company for years and people always told him he was crazy. As they panels have gotten more efficient, however, he's getting the last laugh...all the way to the bank.
Leon
December 7, 2007 - 10:23 ET by Noel SheppardLeon,
Don't be so amazed. Conservatives aren't anti-environment. We're anti-regulation. None of us wants to breath dirty air or drink poisoned water. And, many of us are disgusted with 34 years of failed energy policies in this country that have done virtually nothing to solve a problem which first appeared in 1973.
I'm disgusted that we still drive virtually the same kinds of cars I learned to drive as a teenager, ditto how we heat and power our homes and businesses. In fact, here's an article I wrote on the subject in March 2005 I think you'll find rather shocking: http://www.americant...
ns
Noel, don't accept leon's claims so readily
December 7, 2007 - 13:32 ET by RJleon is the master of "keyboard creativity", and he says whatever he feels like saying at the moment.
For example, in the same post where he lists all his supposed "green behavior", he claims he doesn't have to look for recycled paper because today "all paper is made from recycled paper (especially toilet paper)."
If he can so easily invent that and even taunt me because I don't know it, then why would anyone believe anything else he says on the subject?
leon has been repeatedly proven to be a liar, Noel. This is just the latest example.
RJ
December 7, 2007 - 13:48 ET by MrShyLeon (not noeL, reversed :p) is also a weenie who throws parties in his small bathroom with Prof T and Secret Agent Man/Woman... with his laptop, of course, and a bathtub loaded with Cheetos.
"Are ZZ TOP part of the Taliban?? Think on it, son."
-- Professor TP&C (Talking Points & Cheetos)
How the hell do they recycle toilet paper?
December 7, 2007 - 13:55 ET by MightyMouthLeon must have seen that on a "Dirtiest Job's" episode. What a dope that kid is!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
I'm fairly certain they
December 7, 2007 - 14:01 ET by JasonCI'm fairly certain they mean that toilet paper is made from other recycled paper products. I don't think it's meant to imply that anyone's digging through your septic tank for recyclables. Once it's been used as TP, I think even the Greens have to write it off.
"He was, and is yet, most likely, the wearisomest, self-righteous
pharisee that ever ransacked a Bible to rake the promises to himself
and fling the curses on his neighbors." -Emily Bronte
Wow, Jason, you're smart
December 7, 2007 - 14:02 ET by RJYou were being "deeply" sarcastic, I hope... ;^)
My brother recycles as many beer cans as possible...
December 7, 2007 - 09:49 ET by MightyMouth...and as much as I've tried, I can't keep up with his enviromental efforts... so I just gave up :-o
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Chris N
December 6, 2007 - 18:00 ET by MrShyWow, liberals preaching but not practicing? Can't be :p
And, on top of that, they're preaching nonsense that they're swallowing whole... all so they can feel better and less guilty about the ills of the world that might just be out of their control.
"I still love NewsBusters." - Mr. Shy
It must of been all the
December 6, 2007 - 17:54 ET by charlietexasIt must of been all the earwax he ingested that changed his mind. The liberals will eat anything. gag
mom
ct... OMG! Uck...but
December 6, 2007 - 18:05 ET by bigtimerct...
OMG!
Uck...but you have a great point....
LOL!
Was he elected based upon his "greeness"?
December 6, 2007 - 18:05 ET by ThisnThatI didn't follow any election discussion, but did he get elected, in part, because of his standings on climate? If he did, I wonder what the Aussies think now?
And let that be a lesson during our upcoming election. Promises made will not always be promises kept. Especially if they involve things outside of human control.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
...
December 6, 2007 - 22:56 ET by dervish"Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality the costs become prohibitive." - Wm. F. Buckley
"Promises made will not
December 8, 2007 - 22:16 ET by MikeB"Promises made will not always be promises kept." TnT, I am surprised at you. You sound so cynical on occasion. Why, I have read that Bill Clinton "kept all the promises he intended to keep."
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
Common Sense
December 6, 2007 - 22:50 ET by pbthinkerApparently the liberal Australian Prime Minister has more sense than the American Senate. All I hope is that we will hold these Democrats reponsible, in upcoming elections, for the folley they're voting for.
Democrats: Specializing in "high tech lynching" since 1987.
I say solar is the
December 7, 2007 - 01:53 ET by ckc1227I say solar is the solution. Not.
"According to a study by Cornell’s David Pimentel,
a full 20 percent of U.S. land areas (the equivalent to all cropland in
America today) would have to be paved over with solar cells to meet
just 50 percent of U.S. energy demand. That is the equivalent to 11
states."
}}---> CO2 Sticker shock
December 7, 2007 - 12:25 ET by Cool ArrowNice to see the old "bait and switch" is alive and well down under.
As much as Hillary hates Al Gore, I think we could expect the same attitude from HRC if she gets elected. After all, her CoPresident didn't buy into it.