#2: Energy
Challenge Time: 3-5 mins~
Effectiveness: HIGH IMPACT (2.2 tonne CO₂e footprint reduction)
Question: Did you know that Australia could be a 700% Renewable Energy Superpower?
Result: Win/Win
Here it is, Challenge #2 of the ‘I Do What I Can’ Carbon Challenge - time to recheck your energy provider!
It’s time to switch to Australia’s Greenest Energy - Diamond Energy!
It only takes a couple of minutes to take another massive chunk out of your carbon footprint.
You might have thought you had the greenest energy you could get, though energy businesses are always being bought and sold. We’re being told Diamond is now the greenest!
Hang on, what!?!?
Did you ever think your energy provider was one of the green ones, only to find out they’ve been bought out by a toxic fossil fuel company, who now might be lobbying against your best interests??? Maybe Eeeep!
Who is the cleanest energy provider?
Energy providers are always being bought and sold - the ‘greenest’ provider for 2024 is a lot different to 10 years ago! So it’s time for the annual check to see who is the best for mother nature. For this, we need to check in with the experts and The Green Electricity Guide,
The Green Electricity Guide recommends…
Diamond Energy!
Yep. They’ve crunched the numbers and Diamond scores a 10/10 on a bunch of factors.
PS, Did you know that Australia could be a 700% renewable energy SUPERPOWER!?
That’s 100% for ourselves… and 600% to sell overseas!
’Rapid and deep cuts to greenhouse emissions are much easier than most people think’ - Professor Andrew Blakers
A renewables hub is being built in the NT to power Singapore via an undersea cable, which could eventually stretch from India to NZ! With more hubs in the works, renewables could be the future of Australian jobs and exports. Key is being first to the market… kinda like how silicon valley is the home of tech - they went hard early!
We have most of the technology needed - THIS SHOULD BE EASY!
Per Capita CO2 emissions
It doesn’t look for proud viewing… Australia’s emissions even went up when the Abbott government repealed the Clean Energy Futures package in 2014!
Australia’s Emissions
The electricity sector is regularly the largest emitter by sector.
Note, Australia kinda cheated to have LULUCF (Land Use, Land Use Clearing, Forestry) included in emissions data while negotiating the Kyoto Protocol.
Australia is repeatedly the worst
Despite the once in a lifetime opportunity that awaits Australia, we’re currently one of the worst fossil fuel polluting nations per capita in the world, and the electricity sector is the largest emitter,
What can you do? Switch your energy provider to 100% renewables - this should only take a few mins and is also more effective than eating a plant based diet according to Lund University research - so challenge your mates and workplace to do the same!
Go on, take your money away from fossil fuel companies and give it to renewables - you’ll be taking money away from companies that lobby government and probably be supporting your new superannuation investments by doing so! - Another Win/Win
When and where can you find 3-5 mins in your week to change your electricity to renewables?
Put it in your diary!
It’s EASIER than you think - you will feel *renewed*
These are the best energy providers according to the The Green Electricity Guide - signup to the newsletter for the latest updates!
Enova Energy
Diamond Energy
Momentum Energy
Energy Locals
Aurora Energy
Indigo Power
CoPower
Nectr Energy
Amber Energy (3 mins)
Powershop (5 mins) (more on their ownership change here)
Already using renewable energy at home!?
What about at work? Your apartment block? Your sports cub? Forward this link!!!
Sidenote: Coal Jobs & Great Opportunities
Most of Australia’s coal jobs are for exporting coal. That means Australia is heavily reliant on what our international customers are willing to pay for.
Kinda like the TV show Neighbours - once the UK broadcaster pulled out, the Australian production was unable to continue…
Maybe China will start getting more of their coal from Russia?
Our customers want Renewables
One of our most solid and trusted trading partners is Japan. They buy a LOT of Australia’s coal. With the effects of climate change starting to be felt, they now want renewables. Lots of coal jobs will be lost in Australia, and Australia won’t have much say in it.
In 2019, the Reserve Bank of Australia said the outlook for coal prices and demand is increasingly uncertain.
The whole world wants Renewables
And this graph is from before the COP 26 Glasgow Climate Pact where countries agreed to Net Zero by 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5º!
The sustainable development policies are getting updated all the time.
One thing is clear, coal is very much on the way out. We need to create new jobs for the coal industry.
Luckily, there are…
Great Opportunities: Renewables, Green Steel, Minerals
Luckily about 2/3rds of coal regions overlap with renewable energy zones.
Steel accounts for about 7% of global emissions, and Australia is in the enviable position of having both mineral deposits and the renewables potential to create ‘green steel’. If Australia could capture just 10% of global steel production, it would EASILY offset fossil fuel job losses.
Australia also has significant reserves of vanadium, lithium, cobalt, copper, silicon and sand which will all be in high demand during the global energy transition.
Help our energy and mining sectors make the switch…
Before others get there first!
Yeah this might sting a little bit, but while our governments have been propping up fossil fuel industries, other countries are setting themselves up for long-term financial security and jobs. These jobs should have been in Australia.
You’ll have to decide at the next election if you want these jobs in Australia or somewhere else…
Don’t let Australia fall further behind!
Remember - first in, best dressed!
Feeling Nerdy
My Efficient Electric Home
Renewable rebates (inc for rentals) (Victoria)
Renewable power incentives (federal)
Our top tips on renovating or retrofitting for energy-efficiency - CSIRO
Checklist: Start saving with 5 ways to reduce your energy bill now that won't cost a thing - Energy.gov.au
Save on electricity bills and help meet emissions reduction targets with these energy efficient tips - Amanda Hoh (ABC Radio Syd)
Ecological Footprint Calculator - WWF
Especially big thanks to Henry Laas and Carrie Lee for their hot tips on this challenge, and big shout out to UTAS!
References / Bibliography / Further Reading
What some much smarter people have said…
Australia could aim for 700 per cent renewables, ARENA boss - Giles Parkinson (RenewEconomy)
Electrify Everything: Powering Economies on Clean Energy | Saul Griffith & Danny Kennedy Webinar - The Australia Institute
'Immense' potential of renewable energy could propel Australia to net zero 2050 target - Graham Readfearn (The Guardian)
We can close coal-fired plants without job losses - Germany did - Corinne Schoch (The Age/Sydney Morning Herald)
45,000 renewables jobs are Australia’s for the taking – but how many will go to coal workers? - Dan Himbrechts (The Conversation)
Australian fossil fuel subsidies hit $10.3 billion in 2020-21 - The Australia Institute
Gas stoves and asthma in children - National Asthma Council
Gas stoves are a threat to health and have larger climate impact than previously known, study shows - Rachel Ramirez (CNN)
Solar is now ‘cheapest electricity in history’, confirms IEA - Simon Evans (Carbon Brief)
COP26 Glasgow Climate Pact: Presidency Outcomes
Climate change solution could come from 'electrifying everything', Australian inventor Saul Griffith says - James Purtill (ABC Science)
Contact / Feedback / Ideas
We’re always keen to hear your thoughts and constructive feedback, please get in touch!
Email us at gonefishin2030 {at} gmail {dot} com
Let’s hang…
