The CSIRO released another report that details the problem of climate change, and like its thousands of predecessors both here and overseas, its makes one point very clear: it’s a problem we face now.

So where do all the major players stand on the issue, now? Amid all the promises of funding, have there been any promises of substantive action?

Here’s what the CSIRO is saying, followed by the views of those people whose job it has become to guide the globe, or at least Australia, toward a solution.

Climate change in Australia: technical report 2007

  • By 2030, temperatures will rise by about 1 ºC over Australia – a little less in coastal areas, and a little more inland – later in the century.
  • Warming depends on the extent of greenhouse gas emissions. If emissions are low, warming of between 1 ºC and 2.5 ºC is likely by around 2070, with a best estimate of 1.8 ºC. Under a high emission scenario, the best estimate warming is 3.4 ºC, with a range of 2.2 ºC to 5 ºC.
  • There will be changes in temperature extremes, with fewer frosts and substantially more days over 35 ºC.
  • Decreases in annual average rainfall are likely in southern Australia – rainfall is likely to decrease in southern areas during winter, in southern and eastern areas during spring, and along the west coast during autumn. For 2030, there will be little annual rainfall change in the far north.
  • Under a low emission scenario in 2070, the best estimate of rainfall decrease is 7.5 per cent. Under a high emission scenario the best estimate is a decrease of 10 per cent.
  • there will be more dry days, when it does rain, rainfall is likely to be more intense.
  • droughts are likely to become more frequent, particularly in the south-west
  • evaporation rates are likely to increase, particularly in the north and east.
  • high-fire-danger weather is likely to increase in the south-east
  • tropical cyclones are likely to become more intense
  • sea levels will continue to rise.

Where the Howard government stands:

Malcolm Turnbull Turnbull yesterday as reported by The Age: Federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the report’s predictions showed the need to reduce greenhouse emissions and would provide vital information for decision-makers.

Malcolm Turnbull, Network Ten, April 2007: “We are about substance, we’re about real achievement, practical achievement, things that work.” He added: “”Kyoto is a failed mechanism.”

February 20, 2007. The Howard Government announced it will phase out 87 million standard light bulbs, reducing 4 million tonnes of greenhouse gas a year.

Some of the funding promises:

  • $12.5 million over five years for research into future nuclear power technologies
  • $26.1 million to establish a national emissions reporting scheme as part of a plan to design an emissions trading scheme, giving consideration to abatement schemes and pre-existing greenhouse programs.
  • $252.2 million over five years for up to 225,000 solar hot water rebates of $1,000 for households which install eligible solar and heat pump water heaters in their homes.
  • $336 million program where all Australian primary and secondary schools will receive funding of up to $50,000 to help install rainwater tanks and solar hot water systems.
  • $15 million investment in the Blacktown Solar Cities project, designed to gather information to help develop future climate change policies.

And of course the government has climate change information website and a booklet outlining more climate policies the Coalition will be taking to the election.

Where Rudd alternative government stands:

Peter Garrett on the CSIRO report: “(The report) has said absolutely clearly that it is going to be a hell of a lot hotter.”

Garrett on The 7.30 Report in Febraury: We believe and support the idea of ratifying Kyoto and getting in with the other countries that are doing that good work as well. We would establish a national emissions trading system.

And some of the promises:

  • $500 million National Clean Coal Fund to invest in advanced coal technologies.
  • $500 million Green Car Innovation Fund designed to promote the use of cleaner, more efficient cars.
  • $10,000 low interest loans available to households to implement water and energy savings.
  • $100 million for a global solar energy hub and development of geothermal energy.
  • $150 million from Australia’s international aid budget to assist international neighbours to prepare for the effects of climate change.
  • $60 million over three years to help farmers respond to climate change.
  • $15 million towards a Clean Energy Export Strategy and up to $20 million for a Clean Energy Enterprise Connect Centre. These initiatives are designed to help “harness clean energy research and enterprise so that Australia can build a low carbon economy and export climate change solutions to the world”.