Fracking the Territory will be 'a climate carbon bomb'

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p2142-Jimmy-CockingLETTER TO THE EDITOR
 
Sir – In a week where we have heard that the Northern Territory has had the hottest July on record, the Northern Territory Scientific inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing has been told by a leading researcher that fracking the McArthur Basin could release four to five times as much greenhouse gas emissions as the proposed Adani Carmichael mine.
 
Chemical Engineer Tim Forcey has appeared before the Inquiry this week expressing concerns over the climate cost of opening up the Territory to fracking.
 
His research has found that 22 billion tonnes of CO2 would be released into the atmosphere if the estimated 240 trillion cubic feet of gas in the McArthur basin was extracted through fracking, which equals 22 years of Australia’s carbon emissions. Once the gas was burnt it would contribute 35 billion tonnes.
 
Mr Forcey’s comment comes as the Bureau of Meteorology attributes the three degrees above average temperatures in the NT to climate change.
 
 
Wednesday, August 2 also marked Earth Overshoot Day, where globally we have used a year’s worth of resources in just seven months. If every country in the world lived like Australia, Earth Overshoot Day would have been on March 12. Australians are the highest carbon emitters on the planet which highlights the irresponsible approach by our governments by continuing to invest in fossil fuels.
 
The Northern Territory Government must fast-track their Roadmap to Renewables and urgently develop a climate policy that details how the NT will reduce emissions.
 
Jimmy Cocking
Arid Lands Environment Centre
 
 
 

4 COMMENTS

  1. It is always interesting to read the arguments and view the stats put forward by both sides in the climate change debate. To the average punter, some seem reasonable while some seem dubious.
    I must admit I nearly dropped my McCafe seniors (free) long black in amazement at Mr Cocking’s claim that “Australians are the highest carbon emitters on the planet”.
    Strewth. Higher than industeial China? Higher than industrial India?
    Doing the comparative population sums for each country raises serious doubts about your claim, surely, Mr Cocking?
    At least down here in Daniel Andrews’ La La Land of Mexico my conscience is clear.
    Total ban on all onshore gas extraction or exploration ensures that my doona is close at hand in depth of winter as our heating and power costs go through the roof. Care to comment, mate?

  2. As Ms Roullett’s comment confirms, the climate change debate revolves around stats, damn stats … and depending on which side one is on … lies, damned lies.
    Then there is the wider debate of CO2 emission and its actual effect on the climate, and the debate on the relative effects of anthropogenic causes versus solar causes beyond human control.
    Perhaps the two sides could pull on footy jumpers. I choose the side that is red and black. Red for the Red Desert and black for Armageddon Approacheth.

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