Australia's PM goes green, opponents see red - Reuters

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Australia's PM goes green, opponents see red
Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:57am EDT

By Rob Taylor

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australia's prime minister,
facing a tough re-election fight and under pressure
over his climate credentials, has pledged new "clean
energy" targets in a move environment groups said
would not sway green-leaning voters.

By 2020, John Howard said, 15 percent of Australia's
energy would come from "clean" sources including solar,
wind, nuclear or clean coal, reversing his coalition
government's previous reluctance to lift its renewable
energy target from 2 percent.

The promise also dropped "renewable" from the
government's agenda, paving the way for a
controversial switch to nuclear energy, backed by
Howard as a greenhouse-friendly alternative.

-snip-

But environment group Greenpeace said the target only
streamlined existing state-based schemes, leaving sunny
Australia lagging behind renewable energy leaders such
as Germany and Spain, which are harnessing solar and
wind power.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSSYD13552920070924

[cboy4]

1. I can't wait for this asshole Howard to be kicked out of

office.

I'm not familiar with his opponent, but he sounds better (even though a monkey would be better)


"Howard, 68, is expected to call a national election within weeks and is polling well behind the opposition Labor Party, whose leader Kevin Rudd has pledged to sign the Kyoto Protocol capping greenhouse gas emissions in 35 developed nations.""

Go Kevin Rudd!! :bounce:

[rodeodance]

2. He will be at Bush's little 'summit' on Thrus. Aussies have seen thelight!