50 years ago, Australians ran a successful community campaign to create the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
That’s why Get Up is kicking this campaign off by blanketing cinemas across Queensland. If we raise enough we'll screen it in Tony Burke's electorate too. Are you able to help this thing go big?
https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/mining/gladstone/watch-this-video-now
Our Environment Minister Tony Burke and his government really don’t want destroying the Reef to become their legacy. Neither do we.
Thanks for standing up for the Reef,
the GetUp team.
Photo Damian Kelly
Posts
I've been saying it for years and I'll go on saying it : by the time Barnett has finished with his add ons and 3 or 4 gas plants and each time they pass another port expansion plan for JPP,we will be well past the 60 million cu mtrs of dredging at Gladstone.The eventual total for dredging at JPP will be a lot closer to 100 million than 34 million cu mtrs
ReplyDelete................
WOODSIDE AND SHELL APPLY TO DRILL AT ROWLEY SHOALS
Oil and gas company Woodside has formally lodged an application to carry out exploration drilling near the Rowley Shoals in the state's North West.
As part of a joint venture with Shell, the company wants to drill eight wells in the search for reserves of oil and gas.
Some of those wells would be 30 kilometres from the marine park.
Rowley Shoals lies 300 kilometres west of Broome and is made up of three coral atolls.
Tourism sites say some of the world's most spectacular diving and snorkelling can be experienced in the park which is also home to sharks, marlin and sailfish.
Environmental groups say the application poses a threat to the area.
WWF's Paul Gamblin says there is a real threat of spills from such activity.
"This is really part of a bigger picture really of the oi and gas sector advancing on these very fragile important places like the Rowley Shoals and like the Ningaloo coast, getting ever closer to the reefs themselves," he said.
Recently, BHP Billiton revealed plans to look for oil five kilometres from Ningaloo marine park.
The Federal Department of Environment is assessing the proposal to determine whether it will have a significant impact on the reef.
Woodside has previously said its exploration work will be subject to rigorous environmental assessment.
It has been contacted for comment.
The dreaded "Day of Reckoning" moves a step closer.
ReplyDelete(this is the day when fossil fuel companies admit they cannot burn all their reserves and their share price takes a major haircut as it is based on all reserves - not just what they can burn)
GLAND, SWITZERLAND--(Marketwire - Nov. 12, 2012) - Two thirds of all proven fossil fuel reserves must stay in the ground if the world is serious about avoiding dangerous climate change, according to the International Energy Agency in its World Energy Outlook 2012 report released today.
"The IEA's conclusion reflects sound science. CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels are destabilizing our climate. We cannot burn fuels like coal and oil indefinitely without paying the price in the form of climate instability, droughts, heat waves and super storms. The IEA has done the only responsible thing by prominently highlighting this in its report," says WWF's Global Climate and Energy lnitiative leader Samantha Smith.
"This scientific and blunt assessment should be clearly heard by all countries, investors and the fossil fuel industry itself. This is not only about stopping all new large-scale fossil fuel exploration, such as those in the Arctic; this is about retiring existing dirty energy infrastructure as well, and it is the price to pay to avoid global climate disaster. We quickly needed to transition our energy economies if we are to avoid a climate catastrophe," she says.
Three years ago, the world's governments committed to staying well below 2 degrees global warming (compared to pre-industrial temperatures) in order to limit dire climate change impacts on biodiversity, food security and poor and vulnerable communities. Already today, with global warming still below 1 degree Celsius, freak weather events such as super storm Sandy are creating havoc with coastal communities; record droughts this year have severely impacted yields of essential food crops and led to food crisis; and the Arctic Ocean has seen yet another record low in sea ice cover, from which it is unlikely to recover.
Smith says that governments, investors and industry must heed the warning by the IEA. "The IEA is clearly saying it is not too late for climate action, and its strong message to all of us is that we need to act right now," she says.
WWF is calling for massive new, global investments in clean renewables and a corresponding phase out of investment in fossil fuel projects. "We fully support the IEA's finding that investments in clean renewables and energy efficiency must expand substantially in nations that have already joined the renewable energy journey, and must start immediately in those nations that are lagging behind," says Smith. WWF notes that a few developed countries, such as Germany and Denmark, are already doing their part. Others need to both radically increase their domestic investments and invest in a fair transition to renewables in low income countries.
WWF's global director of energy policy, Dr Stephan Singer, says the call by the IEA to cut fossil fuel subsidies and redirect the cash into clean renewables, clean energy access and energy conservation is absolutely essential.
cont...
DeleteWWF shares the fundamental concern of the IEA that recent commitments to curb fossil fuel subsidies were just empty words by the G20, the club of the world's mighty nations. In 2011, fossil fuel subsidies grew by 30% compared to 2010 and now amount to more than half a trillion USD, or the equivalent of more than twice the GDP of Indonesia, he says.
"If those subsidies were redirected into pro-poor programs or renewable energy access, world governments could still stay below 2 degrees warming and provide access to clean and sustainable energy for the three billion people worldwide who have no or only dirty energy," says Singer.
Immediate actions and policies are needed before 2017 to prevent dangerous lock-in of global fossil fuel infrastructure, otherwise all the allowable CO2 emissions will be locked-in by the existing energy infrastructure, making the 2 degree objective unachievable. "On this we agree with the IEA," he says. Fossil fuel infrastructure includes new fossil-based power stations and continued exploration of unconventional fossil resources such as shale gas and shale oil, tar sands and deep sea oil.
WWF also supports the IEA warning of the danger of using freshwater for fossil fuel production in a world where many countries are already experiencing droughts and water scarcity. The IEA notes that freshwater use for energy production is likely to double in the next 20 years unless fossil fuels - particularly shale gas development - and unsustainable biofuel uses are curbed substantially.
About WWF
WWF is creating solutions to the most serious conservation challenges facing our planet, helping people and nature thrive. www.wwf.ca
WWF's Energy Report is available at www.wwf.ca/energyreport .
ReplyDeleteThe Energy Report
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100% renewable energy is achievable by 2050
WWF's new study, The Energy Report, outlines how all the world's energy can be provided cleanly, renewably and economically by 2050. This will vastly reduce anxieties over energy security, pollution and catastrophic climate change.
The two-part report is presented by energy consultancy Ecofys, with an analysis by WWF. It outlines that the keys to achieving this goal are: energy efficiency in buildings, vehicles and industry and an increase in using electric power that is renewably generated and supplied through smart grids.
Achieving this goal in Canada requires investment in conservation and efficiency; transition to renewable, sustainable energy; and reform for transportation and urban design. Canada is well placed to adopt these changes with its abundant renewable energy potential and being one of the most urbanized countries in the world.
Facts
Energy efficiency and renewable energy can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by 70 per cent by 2040
By 2050, we will save nearly $5.5 trillion per year through energy efficiency and reduced fuel costs
If 0.3 per cent of the Sahara desert was a concentrated solar plant, it would power all of Europe
By 2050, more than a third of building heat could come from geothermal sources
"The Energy Report shows that 100 per cent sustainable, renewable energy is possible and economical by 2050 if we start the transition today. To protect the future of our planet, these are the steps we need to take."
Gerald Butts, President and CEO, WWF
WRITING ON THE WALL ?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.smh.com.au/business/dollar-pumps-up-gorgon-cost-by-20b-20121114-29b6l.html
Dollar pumps up Gorgon cost by $20b
The Gorgon liquefied natural gas project faces a cost blowout as big as $20 billion linked to the strong dollar, and high labour and manufacturing expenses, according to media reports.
US-based oil giant Chevron is expected to reveal the $20 billion increase in the Western Australia project, taking its final cost to near $60 billion in total, by the end of the year, according to the Australian Financial Review.
Chevron has said the cost overruns have been driven by a strengthening Australian dollar since 2009 when it began construction on the Barrow Island LNG plant in WA.
Other factors adding to the higher price include "weather, logistics and labour productivity". Chevron's general manager for Australian operations, Brian Smith, refused to speculate on the the final price increase.
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"The cost is still the same number at this point in time," Mr Smith told the AFR. "It may well be in the future or it might be some other number but right now that is the cost for Gorgon."
Spiralling costs of projects have become a feature of the Australian resources projects in the past year, even as the outlook for commodities prices becomes less certain. BHP Billiton yesterday revealed it was considering shipping a portion of its US-produced shale gas to Asia, which would undercut more expensive Australian gas.
Gas prices have plummeted amid the boom in shale gas production in the US.
In a more positive sign, BHP Billiton also said yesterday it had secured a four-year extension on the terms to expand its Olympic Dam mining project in South Australia. In August, the company said it would delay the venture because of wavering commodities prices and high costs.
The interesting thing here is : this would be for 3 trains,as the timing of the 4th train is causing a row between the JVP's.
DeleteNO WONDER!
So it would seem that this is for 3 trains!
$60 billion - and still counting - oh sh*t!!!
LOL - THIS IS GETTING SOOOOOOO CRAZY.
Chevron are in damage control.This was not meant to be released until the end of the year.They are fearful of the shock to the markets.
Deletehttp://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Chevron-finds-huge-cost-blowout-at-Gorgon-report-pd20121113-ZZKCY?opendocument&src=idp
Chevron finds huge cost blowout at Gorgon: reportPublished 3:56 AM, 14 Nov 2012 Last update 3:56 AM, 14 Nov 2012
The high Australian dollar, union demands, high-cost local manufacturing and productivity problems has raised the prospect of a $20 billion dollar cost blowout for Chevron's Gorgon liquefied natural gas project, according to The Australian Financial Review.
Gorgon represents Australia's largest ever resources development, and the blowout would bring the cost of the project to more than $60 billion.
The newspaper reported that Chevron plans to reveal the massive cost blowout before the end of the year, which would shock the market.
The blowout was reportedly discovered by a cost review, launched by Chevron in July, of the initial three-train venture on Barrow Island. The review not only uncovered the cost blowout, but will also potentially lead to a delay of the schedule of first gas in late 2014.
Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson told reports at the Australian Resources Conference in Perth that miners are adjusting to a new cost culture.
“I think there are cost pressures on a range of projects at the moment and companies are going to have to attend to working out now how to make sure they meet their timelines and do the best they can to deliver on budget as close as they can,” Mr Ferguson said, according to the AFR.
“Obviously projects from time to time go through cost assessments. And we already saw the announcement from the BG Group [in Queensland] earlier this year on that.”
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Argentina Court Freezes Chevron’s Assets: Penalty for Polluting the Amazon in Ecuador
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Chevron Corp posted a drop in quarterly profit on Friday as maintenance exacerbated a steady decline in production from its oil and natural gas wells over the past year and as a massive fire at one of its California refineries hit the refining business.
The second-largest U.S. oil company said its third-quarter net income fell to $5.25 billion, or $2.69 per share, from $7.83 billion, or $3.92 per share, in the year-ago quarter.
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The situation has also been divisive among the traditional owners of the land, some of whom support the development of James Price Point while others vehemently oppose it.
Chevron announced on Monday it had reached an agreement with Shell Development to exchange its holdings in the Browse development for interests in the Clio and Acme fields in the Carnarvon Basin.
Chevron said in a statement it would exchange its 16.7 per cent interest in its East Browse titles and a 20 per cent interest in its West Browse titles for two blocks in the Clio and Acme fields.
Shell also paid $450 million cash for the Browse titles.
WE PAID HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS FOR THIS?BUT BLACK KIDS CANT HAVE HEALTH EDUCATION AND HOUSING - WE CANT AFFORD IT?
ReplyDeleteChinese secure northern foodbowl as row over Ord River lease continues
by: Sue Neales, Rural reporter
From:The Australian
November 14, 201212:00AM
CHINESE property development conglomerate Shanghai Zhongfu has won the sole right to develop 15,200ha of high-value irrigated agricultural land in northern Australia after the state and federal governments spent $510 million of taxpayer funds building road, irrigation, port and local community infrastructure to support the deal.
The little-known Chinese private company has been handed all available land in the second stage expansion of the Ord irrigation scheme in Western Australia's Kimberley region for a peppercorn rent, on the condition it is cleared, developed, farmed and a state-of-the-art export sugar mill built.
FOOD BOWL - SUGAR?
BARNETT OUT NOW !
DeleteShell in talks with Eni, Anadarko over Mozambique
ReplyDeleteJohn Christiansen, an Anadarko spokesman, declined to comment. Eni and Anadarko are the operators of fields off Mozambique that may hold more than 100 trillion cubic feet (2.8 trillion cubic meters) of natural gas. Shell was outbid this year for Cove Energy Plc, owner of an 8.5 percent stake in Rovuma Area 1, by Thailand's PTT Exploration & Production Pcl. Everybody?s trying to establish what the price range is, Wetselaar said. A lot of people will leave because it's not their business. It's too big, too complex, too technologically risky. Shell may also join in exploration projects off Mozambique, he said. We'll look at exploration in east Africa, and we've got a few blocks in Tanzania, and were looking at Mozambique. Mozambique expects to start operating a liquefied natural gas terminal in 2018. The plant will have two production units, known as trains, requiring investment of as much as $20 billion, Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources Abdul Razak Noormahomed said last month. The facility may need as many as 10 TRAINS AND ANOTHER PLANT may be required, Frank Patterson, senior vice president of international exploration at Anadarko, said on Nov. 1. Shell is the biggest LNG supplier in the world.
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Russia and Japan to create brotherhood of Asian Super Ring
13.11.2012
Russia's Energy Ministry has returned to the development of the project to integrate power systems of Russia, China, Mongolia, South Korea and Japan. In 1998, the project was given a catchy name "The Asian Super Ring." The Siberian hydropower plant was supposed to become the main donor to the ring, and Russia could become a key crossroads for daily energy flow between the above-mentioned countries.
The Japanese government has revisited the project. It was Japan that offered Moscow to recollect the "brotherhood of the energy ring" and support the Japanese system with the export of electricity from Russia. After Fukushima, Japan suffers from the shortage of energy
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