Carolyn Tucker

20 10 2006 

THE brilliant minds who trans­formed Google from a garage operation into a global pheno­menon have joined the growing list of progressive thinkers proving actions speak louder than words.

While our politicians have made earnest pronouncements about cli­mate change since belatedly acknow­ledging the reality, some entrepre­neurs are leading by example.

Google is showing corporate Amer­ica how it’s done with plans to install solar power at its headquarters south of San Francisco.

It is believed to be the largest solar project ever tackled by a US company and if the bright sparks at Google are taking the gamble, you can bet it will pay off.

They’re banking on the sun cover­ing up to a third of the energy needs at Google’s one million square foot campus, with the installation of 9200 solar panels producing 1.6 megawatts of power — enough for 1000 homes.

Elsewhere, the solar power busi­ness is going gangbusters and there are clear signals from the share mar­ket that investors are embracing the possibilities. This week a Citigroup analyst produced a bullish report on the industry saying it was providing good returns and offered excellent opportunities for long-term growth.

“The $10 billion global solar equip­ment industry has exhibited 30% growth over the past five years,” analyst David B Smith wrote to clients, adding it represented just 10% of the world’s energy capacity and with incentives from European go­vernments and the US, there was plenty of room for expansion.

But back home, we remain focused on going nuclear.

Recent climate change convert Prime Minister John Howard says nuclear power is the best option to clean up our energy act, and has indicated that those who refuse to get on board are part of the problem.

“Those who say that they are in favour of doing something about global warm­ing but turn their faces against consi­dering nuclear power are unreal,” Mr Howard said.

As usual, you’re either with this government or against it, and the nation still appears to be wedded to digging up finite resources to cater for its energy needs. Australia, in general, and Queensland, in partic­ular, have derived enormous eco­nomic benefits from exporting coal to the world and there is no indication we are about to give that up.

Commenting on this state’s coal dependency, Independent Member for Nicklln, Peter Wellington said it was unacceptable to dig it up, send it overseas and then blame the recipients for global warming.

Is it possible that we are planning the same course with uranium, ex­porting our rich reserves and reaping the wealth, only to voice concerns at a later date about nuclear waste, nasty accidents or rogue nations determined to use this product for evil instead of good?

Peter Wellington deserves congrat­ulations for his efforts to force the Queens­land Parliament to face up to climate change. He has made it clear the time for talk is over and that we need specific plans to reach specific targets.

Liberal member for Kawana, Steve Dick­son, addressed the issue in his maiden speech. saving climate change is the most significant problem facing the world. “This is the big one and we need to know exactly what we’re doing and where we’re going because that future is bearing down on us,” he said.

But the State Government is still drag­ging the chain. While refusing to set emis­sion targets, it has vowed to pour $1 bil­lion into a Future Growth Fund using the proceeds of the sale of state-owned retail energy businesses, to “meet the challenges of climate change”.

We already know $300 million from the fund will be directed towards water infrastructure including the Traveston Dam, a folly that flies in the face of evidence about reduced rainfall in the years ahead.

Another $300 million is being handed over to mining giants who post multi-billion profits, to help them develop technology which would allow all parties to continue reaping the financial rewards of exporting coal.

The new technology aims to re­move carbon from the atmosphere and store it underground although it could be decades before we know whether it is feasible.

Coal remains the Govern­ment’s priority, while the Sun­shine State ignores the environmental advantages and significant opportunities presented by solar power.

Economics are generally at the heart of any reluctance to embrace alternatives but if it’s dollars and cents dictating these decisions then the State and Federal governments’ attitudes don’t add up. The Business Round Table Group’s report in April predicted the nation would suffer a serious economic shock if we don’t begin to address climate change imme­diately and other nations which are taking the issue seriously have created new industries, jobs and opportunities. China is among those aiming high with a target of 15% renewable energy by 2020, but in Australia we are looking at just 2%.

Our leaders believe we can afford to sit on our hands while others are facing the facts, rising to the challenge and reaping the rewards.