Beyond Zero Emissions Critical Analysis - Essay Example

Beyond Zero Emissions Professor (Tutor) The Name of the School (University) The City and State Date Beyond Zero Emissions Critical Analysis Climate change has become a topic of increased interest in the whole world. Businesses, industries, governments, policy makers, and environmental advocates are aware of the looming threat of climate change in terms of global warming (Teske & Vincent 2008, p. 66). This has been the agenda of businesses and even international conferences delegations. One of the main approaches aimed at reducing climate change is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions specifically that of carbon emission. Based on the increased interest in addressing climate change, non-profit organizations have developed with the idea of proposing, designing, and implementing climate change reduction strategies and projects (Dargaville 2013, p. 118). Even in Australia, climate change has received a great amount of focus as witnessed with the numerous organizations focused on addressing climate change. One of the main organizations in the quest for reducing climate change is Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) (Lucas 2012, p. 135). The following paper aims at critically assessing BZE in terms of the link between their values and interest. BZE is a non-profit education and research organization that centers on creating comprehensive plans for realizing solutions to climate change. The organization focuses on transforming the Australian society, by shifting from an economy that relies on natural resources and fossil fuels towards a sustainable economy that is exclusively powered by renewable energy (Lucas 2012, p. 135). BZE developed the Zero Carbon Australia 2020 research scheme focused on creating climate change policy solutions aligned to and with the modern climate science. Australia is one of the largest contributors of greenhouse gas emissions as well as a main explorer and exporter of crude oil and coil, which clearly indicates that the science behind its pollution requires strategic plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the extent of zero or simply eliminating emissions (Lucas 2012, p. 135). BZE is based on a team of dedicated and committed volunteers with the required professional capability in engineering, the social and physical sciences, journalism and media, and the humanities and arts. Moreover, the team at BZE has already gained increased experience in the corporate world or is still participating in the corporate sector. The small executive crew of BZE employees works dedicatedly on a flat salary structure where they coordinate the undertakings of the larger team of volunteers. BZE also partners with numerous institutional researchers from universities and colleges, most of who participate or work under the Energy Research Institute at the Melbourne University (Lucas 2012, p. 135). BZE is a non-partisan organization with no government backing depending on contributions from the sales of climate change project publications and donations from the public to fund its activities (Lucas 2012, p. 136). The organization can be accessed through the website (www.beyondzeroemissions.org) or through a weekly radio show hosted on 3CR (Lucas 2012, p. 136). Moreover, BZE also participates in the international and Australian media as well as training its participants to encourage its undertakings through public events. BZE was established in 2006 in Melbourne by Adrian Whitehead and Matthew Wright (Lucas 2012, p. 136). Whitehead was an expert in forestry activities while Wright as a previous information technology specialist at Reuters. Both established the organization as they shared the same sentiment that the conventional environmental drive was not promoting the level of climate change action needed by the climate science (Lucas 2012, p. 136). The organization began in the humble area of Kindness House in Fitzroy and has grown with offices in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne as well as volunteers in and around Newcastle, Canberra, Perth, Townsville, and Adelaide with about 600 participating volunteers (Lucas 2012, p. 136). BZE activities have also expanded to include research, transition planning, corporate education, education, network building, and solutions development. According to BZE website the main aim or mission of the organization is “to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases to a level that will enable humanity and our natural environment to thrive and flourish”. The organization has a major project dubbed the Zero Carbon Australia 2020 project focused on creating fully budgeted transition schemes for taking Australia to 0 emissions in the next ten year or by 2020 through commercially viable technology. Zero Carbon encompasses the six categories of energy, transport, coal exports, buildings, industrial processes, and industrial processes (Lucas 2012, p. 137). The first publication in this project was the Zero Carbon Australia Stationary Energy Plan completed in 2010 (Wright & Hearps, 2010). The focus on the energy sector is based on current climate science that places energy consumption or the energy industry as the main contributor of greenhouse gases that cause climate change. BZE has spent its recent years attempting to determine the appropriate combination of energy efficiency measures and commercially verified technologies in renewable energy that will enable the country reduce the energy sector emissions to zero by 2020. The Zero Carbon Australia Strategic Scheme is the result of this research that BZE has engaged in the recent years. By analyzing the plan, the paper can understand the interests and values of the organization to gain a better understanding enable further analysis to support their views to a certain extent. I do support the idea of the plan based on several reasons. The scheme is the first ever developed with a fully budgeted plan to taking a developed nation to a fully renewable energy economy within ten years while utilizing commercially viable technologies (Lucas 2012, p. 138). Moreover, the plan was developed through extensive consolations and cooperation from over forty volunteer scientists at a portion of the expenses that would be sustained by a government agency pursuing comparable research. Moreover, the plan is also significant since it has received reviews and endorsements from academics, scientists, business people, politicians, and policy makers across Australia (Smith, Voss & Grin 2010, p. 21). This plan evidently illustrates that the country can achieve massive gains in terms of its energy requirements through renewable energy tools that have already proven to be stable and valuable in the field and is available to the commercial sector for use. The plan evidently illustrates that with only $370 billion in a span of ten years, a combination of concentrated solar thermal energy (with salt storage or base load renewable power) and geographically distributed wind energy, mixed with rigorous but attainable energy efficiency processes, can accomplish the requirement of a developing population and comprehensively substitute exploitation of natural resources and the need for fossil fuels (Lucas 2012, p. 138). The budgeting of the plan was certified or validated by Jack Actuarial Consultants. Moreover, the technical specifications of the plan were verified and certified by Sinclair Knight Merz, which is an international energy consultancy (Lucas 2012, p. 139). Although the plan is a strategic plan with all the right requirements and endorsements, it has received criticism based on its huge magnitude and claims. This criticism can be used to understand the advocacy of the organization as well their interest and use of science. As illustrated, the organization used a great deal of scientific experience from a network of research volunteers with all the right mixes of expertise in climate change, engineering, and renewable energy (Buckman 2011, p. 44). Nonetheless, even with these strengths, the plan and organization has received increased criticism. Pro-nuclear supported such as the Brave New Climate Organization criticized BZE for underestimating the expenses required for developing the planned infrastructure as well as questioning numerous technical suppositions used in the plan (Nicholson & Lang, 2010). Moreover, Ted Trainer a zero development supporter claimed that the plan will prove to be expensive than planned based on the idea that solar and wind energy are in overwhelming challenges (Trainer, 2011, p. 67). Employees in the Federal Ministry of Climate Change also cited that the Australian government does not believe that the plan suggested by BZE to be cost effective or achievable. They believe the best solution for reducing emissions to zero is putting a cost for carbon pollution. Nonetheless, BZE responded to these critics by arguing that the claims were made without any evidence to justify such criticism (Lucas 2012, p. 140). This places the organization in a better position where I can offer to support their values. As a non-profit organization, the extent of developing a nation-wide and strategic master plan goes a long way to prove of their dedication and commitment to changing Australia from a fossil fuel economy to a renewable energy economy. Moreover, the lack of evidence to support such criticism only serves to create political comments aimed at discouraging efforts towards addressing the ever growing threat and problem of climate change. Nonetheless, the plan has also received a different critical perspective that views BZE’s plan as an example of ecological modernization. Salleh criticized BZE and its plan with the observation that the endorsement of its master plan was from a few individuals and global organizations with debatable environmental and social issues (Salleh 2011, p. 120). During the Sydney launch of the plan, the event presented the ‘ten men in suits’ (Salleh 2011, p. 120). Nonetheless, I believe that these are as well not grounded criticisms since BZE involved a wide array of scientist, politicians, policy makers, and environmentalists to ensure no side was unturned in ensuring the plan is successful. In this case, I find the interest and values of BZE aligned towards their goals by ensuring that all necessary measures were considered in making the plan as convincing as possible through increased credibility. However, the second criticism of the ten men in suits was true as the event featured numerous politicians. Nonetheless, BZE managed to attract a large crowd during the launch of its plan despite relative low media and public coverage (Lucas 2012, p. 141). This went to reinforce BZE as a strong influencer in society where the public has grown interests in its master plans and activities. Nonetheless, the organization’s plan also received criticism that it sought to develop a public-private partnership in implementing the strategic plan. However, the plan does not cite of such a development and even offers the directions for implementation. Another major criticism of BZE’s plan is the inability to eradicate society-nature metabolism. This means that in the course of transforming Australia to a renewable energy economy, the development of infrastructure, materials, and land use would increase environmental and societal harms or issues. Nevertheless, this may not be the case as BZE clearly indicates that they are well aware that even renewable energy plans require a certain amount of natural products such as land and products to develop. However, the main of BZE remains reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions to zero, which is a task that requires perseverance and commitment. If this is to be realized, natural resources may sacrificed in the course of the implementation, but if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by fifty percent or more, it means the organization is halfway to its goals (Lucas 2012, p. 141). Moreover, the plan has also outlined the criteria of budgeting in relation to the production capacity of Australia, meaning that all measures were considered in ensuring effective implementation. Wright & Hearps, 2010, p. 72) also illustrate that environmental and societal impacts are reduced during production of aluminum and steel in the implementation of zero emission projects. The organization also supports the minimal reliance on natural resources through the use of close-loop production cycles as well as recycling of raw materials for optimal resource exploitation (Adams & Parmente 2013, p. 122). This clearly illustrates that BZE is looking out for society and the future of Australia in all its efforts and has ensured that all criticism is addressed and responded to ensure an effective implementation or communication of its values and interests, which are transforming Australia from the fossil fuel economy to that of renewable energy through the practical and justifiable methods. In conclusion, I do support the BZE based on its increased achievements in implementing its activities effectively beyond expectations. Established as a non-profit organization with no government backing, BZE has effectively placed its interest to society and the environment by focusing on renewable energy to achieve the zero goals of greenhouse gas emissions ion Australia. Australia is one of the largest contributors of greenhouse gas emissions as well as a main explorer and exporter of crude oil and coil, which clearly indicates that the science behind its pollution requires strategic plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the extent of zero or simply eliminating emissions. Moreover, the plan is also significant since it has received reviews and endorsements from academics, scientists, business people, politicians, and policy makers across Australia. Furthermore, BZE’s master plan evidently illustrates that the country can achieve massive gains in terms of its energy requirements through renewable energy tools that have already proven to be stable and valuable in the field and is available to the commercial sector for use. References Adams, P, & Parmente, B 2013, Computable General Equilibrium Modeling Of Environmental Issues In Australia: Economic Impacts Of An Emissions Trading Scheme, n.p.: Gale Virtual Reference Library. Buckman, G 2011, “Weaknesses and Reform of Australia’s Renewable Electricity Support”, Journal of Australian Political Economy: Special Issue – Challenging Climate Change, vol. 66 no. 5, pp. 71-97. Dargaville, R 2013, 'Zero emissions power is possible, and we know what it will cost', Chain Reaction, vol. 118, p. 30. Lucas, A 2012, 'The role of beyond zero emissions in the Australian climate debate', Journal Of Australian Political Economy, vol. 69, p. 134. Nicholson, M & Lang, P 2010, Zero Carbon Australia – Stationary Energy Plan – Critique viewed 11 October 2014, http://bravenewclimate.com/2010/08/12/zca2020-critique/ Salleh, A 2011, “Making the Choice Between Ecological Modernisation or Living Well”, Journal of Australian Political Economy: Special Issue – Challenging Climate Change, vol. 66 no.9, pp. 118-143. Smith, A, Voss, J-P & Grin, J 2010, “Innovation studies and sustainability transitions: The allure of the multi-level perspective and its challenges”, Research Policy vol. 39 no. 7, pp. 435-448. Teske, S & Vincent, J 2008, Energy [R]evolution Scenario, Australia, Sydney: Greenpeace Australia Pacific. Trainer, T 2011, Comments on Zero Carbon Australia, M. Wright and Hearps, Univ. of Melbourne, Energy Institute, viewed 11 October 2014, http://theenergycollective.com/barrybrook/43114/another-zero-carbon-australia-2020-critique-%E2%80%93-will-they-respond Wright, M & Hearps, P. 2010, Zero Carbon Australia Stationary Energy Plan. Melbourne: Beyond Zero Emissions, University of Melbourne Energy Research Centre. Read More