Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Coal seam gas: undermining Australia’s clean energy future

By Ethan Bowering - posted Friday, 17 August 2012


The real concern is that the proliferation of coal seam gas extraction will slow the growth and viability of the Australian renewable energy industry in the long-term.

Renewable energy will only become the power source of the future if it is cheap and competitive. Although Australia appears to be on track to meet its 2020 renewable energy target of 20 per cent of energy supply, investment is renewable energy is certainly falling short compared to countries like Germany, which extensively supports its renewable industry with the aim of achieving a 100 per cent renewable energy supply.

The World Resources Institute argues that the proliferation of shale gas will make it difficult for renewable energy technologies to become cost competitive. Similarly, a 2011 British Parliamentary Report by the Energy and Climate Change Committee concluded that investment in the shale gas industry will divert investment away from renewable energy technologies.

Advertisement

This is because cheap gas will drive energy prices down and divert investment away from research and development into renewables. This will shape the future of Australia’s energy industry, and will ultimately prevent the profound societal change that is required in order to shift society towards a future independent of fossil carbon.

It is important that Australia’s decision makers are not distracted by the possibility of increased export revenue from coal seam gas. We cannot lock ourselves into a fossil fuel future when we should be instead investing in renewable energies. It is important to remember that coal seam gas extraction still releases fugitive or leaked methane emissions.

In preparing for a future emissions constrained economy, investment in coal seam gas at the expense of renewable energy is senseless. Although it is impossible to skip a transitionary fuel phase to a 100 per cent renewable energy supply, we must ensure our investment in coal seam gas extraction is matched by our investment in renewable energy research and development.

If Australia is going to secure a truly clean energy future, it is important that we must not blindly transition to coal seam gas at the expense of our future renewable energy sector.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

22 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Ethan Bowering is a Prime Ministers Australia Asia Endeavour Award Scholar, and is currently studying environmental policy at Griffith University.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Ethan Bowering

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Ethan Bowering
Article Tools
Comment 22 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy