Australia Promotes Native Old-Growth Woodchipping as Renewable Energy
10/08/00
OVERVIEW & COMMENTARY
by Forests.org
There is an unbelievably stupid move afoot down under as the Australian government is debating a scheme that promotes electricity generation by chipping old growth forests, a supposed "renewable energy source", to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Aussie government must be a bit punch drunk still after the Olympics to think that liquidating ancient forest ecosystems is sustainable or renewable. Given the relatively small forested land base in Australia, and real concerns regarding continental ecosystem sustainability, the attempted action would be laughable, if it were not likely to prove so tragic for the long-term well being of Australians. It is time for Australia to practice what it preaches, and commit to real policy to sustain their ancient forests and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
g.b.
RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Aust Greens say government, Labor in pockets of woodchippers
Copyright 2000 AAP Information Services Pty Ltd
October 4, 2000
CANBERRA, Oct 4 AAP - Greens Senator Bob Brown today accused the government and opposition of being in the pockets of woodchip companies on the issue of classing native forest woodchips as a renewable energy source.
Senator Brown said woodchip companies needed new outlets as they were facing stiff competition from South American plantations for the Japanese paper market.
He said Labor, which refused to back amendments barring use of woodchips for renewable energy, had an unenviable record of protecting native forests but had now hit a new low.
"Let every voter at the next federal elections know that the Labor Party ... has voted to support the burning of woodchips from native forests and woodlands in Australia as so-called green power," he said.
"What the Labor Party is saying is that they are going to allow this legislation to pass, validating the burning of woodchips as a green form of energy and after they come into government they are going to review it.
"The Labor Party has no intention of doing anything of the sort ... because it's as much in the thrall of the big woodchip corporations as the government is."
The Senate was debating the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Bill which establishes a scheme to promote electricity generation from renewable energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Amendments proposed by Senator Brown and the Australians Democrats list acceptable sources of renewable energy such as solar, wind and biomass.
But they specifically bar use of native forest wastes which could be woodchipped and burned to produce electricity.
Labor sided with the government against the proposals.
Opposition environment spokesman Nick Bolkus said the legislation was worth giving a chance.
He said the only certainty was amendments barring use of forest wastes would be rejected in the House of Representatives.
"We want to see the legislation implemented," Senator Bolkus said.
"Senator Brown has cause for concern.
"From the evidence ... it is not overwhelming cause for concern. There are mechanisms in place for ongoing monitoring of what waste from native forests could be affected."
Debate is continuing.