NewZ NewZ with a Zeal
* "Australia's (net zero) pledge is a start. I've now urged @ScottMorrisonMP to show us a concrete plan to halve emissions by 2030. I've given him a copy of Fiji's Climate Change Act as a guide – it is our uniquely Fijian way of following the science to keep faith with future generations." – Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama after meeting with Mr Morrison in Glasgow. * "First the PM tried to pull the wool over Australia's eyes when he made a net zero by 2050 announcement without modelling, new funding or any new policy – and now he's trying to do the same with the rest of the world." – Chief Climate Councillor, Professor Tim Flannery in Glasgow. * "The additional climate finance allocation announced by the prime minister is underwhelming, like Australia's whole approach to COP26. Adding an extra $500 million to an already mediocre pledge is really lowering the bar and seeing Australia fail to contribute our fair share to this global crisis. – Save the Children Australia's principal climate change adviser Paul Mitchell. * "Renewable energy – wind, solar combined with storage – is already cost competitive with fossil fuel. So there's no need for new technology breakthroughs to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuel." – energy transition expert Dr Roger Dargaville, from the Monash Energy Institute. * "We know what we need to do. It's why Australia's international posture is so damning. Other nations who talk about 'future technology' as a solution like we do? None. Why? They're not defending a fossil fuel industry like we are." – Australian tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes. * "We've got to face up to the fact that we've got to stop burning coal and gas, we've got to stop burning fossil fuels. The proposition that seems to be fashionable in some quarters here – that we can keep on burning coal, and in indeed exporting coal, and that somehow is consistent with getting to net zero by 2050 – is nonsense." – Former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull in Glasgow. * "Has Morrison actually read the Paris Agreement? It's about commitments, not projections. Even Brazil announced a 50% target for 2030 today. Morrison is a national embarrassment, sacrificing Australia's reputation to paper over divisions in his governments." – Former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd. Adelaide AFLW premiership player – and registered nurse – Deni Varnhagen has spoken about her refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 is being spread in indoor settings like gyms and household gatherings in NSW and authorities say even the vaccinated need to remain vigilant. At least 10 cases have been linked to a hotel in Bondi Junction, which has been referred to the regulator to review its COVID-19 compliance. Christmas is coming early for those who are double vaccinated in NSW with new freedoms, however the unvaccinated will have to wait longer to join in the fun.
