Why Governments Intimidate Activists: The Hidden Truth About Control and Compliance

Governments may try to make us feel powerless, but we hold the keys to change. Australia’s economy is struggling to decarbonise, and burning trees for electricity isn’t genuine environmentalism.

You Can Make a Difference

I recently joined The Australia Institute’s Climate Integrity Summit. This event focused not on climate science but on the politics surrounding climate action. It highlighted the disappointing honesty levels among some politicians and business leaders about climate issues and how we can advocate for urgent action.

Richard Denniss, the executive director of The Australia Institute, summarized key points from the summit:

“The key takeaway is that we have the tools for change. It’s not just feel-good talk; governments work hard to convince us otherwise. As Polly Hemming said, every attendee holds power; the difference is whether we choose to uphold the status quo or challenge it.”

“We’ve been trained to believe our voices are too small, that we can’t make a difference. But this mindset keeps the current system in place. If protests, independent journalism, and public scrutiny didn’t matter, why would governments try to suppress them?”

“Every speaker showed what even small players can achieve. No one is too small to matter. This holds true for individuals and our nation as a whole.”

“When tough headlines come our way or corporate influence seems overwhelming, remember that such moments often precede significant change. Integrity and accountability in policy are still possible in Australia.”

Recordings of the summit speakers can be found on The Australia Institute’s website.

Are Australia’s Emissions Really Declining?

The Australian government often boasts about a supposed 29% drop in CO2 emissions since 2005, claiming we are on track for a 43% reduction by 2030. But the reality is different. A lot of this so-called reduction comes from changes in land use. Our industrial emissions haven’t changed much, with emissions from electricity generation offset by increases in transport and industry.

The Australia Institute has a helpful histogram that illustrates the minimal progress in non-land sectors over the last 20 years while our land use has improved its ability to absorb CO2.

Australia’s political leaders have mostly kept up the narrative that our economy is decarbonising. Many past leaders, regardless of their party, have maintained this illusion. Only a few measures, like Gillard’s carbon pricing or Abbott’s repeal of it, have notably shifted the needle.

Increasing Biomass for Electricity

For centuries, people have burned biomass, like wood, for cooking and heating. Recently, burning wood pellets on a larger scale for electricity has become more common. However, this trend is misleading. It’s based on a faulty understanding of CO2 emissions from wood burning, strange international carbon accounting rules, and a failure to see that we need to lower CO2 levels now, not decades later.

Using wood from native forests results in a loss of biodiversity, while sourcing from plantations may lead to deforestation and impact local communities. Despite these issues, burning woody biomass for power has quintupled in recent years, with expectations to triple by the 2030s.

Current wood pellet imports and exports show a clear trend. The US, Canada, and Vietnam are the largest producers, while Europe, especially the UK, and certain parts of Asia are the biggest importers.

To prevent a drastic increase in burning wood for electricity, we need to:

1. Change flawed international accounting rules to count emissions where the wood is burned.
2. Shift towards real renewable energy sources instead of relying on woody biomass.
3. Stop labeling co-firing woody biomass with coal as “clean” energy.

Burning wood pellets is just another way for politicians and the fossil fuel industry to delay important climate action.

Responsible Forest Management in Scandinavia

In Sweden and Finland, vast forests cover much of the land, with many privately owned. These forests support families, jobs, and the economy. Owners often state they manage their land to be environmentally friendly by planting several trees for every one cut down.

While it’s true there are more forests now than a century ago, older trees absorb more CO2 than younger ones. Plus, Finland’s forests have released more carbon than they’ve absorbed since 2021.

The EU aims to boost land-based carbon sinks by 15% by 2030, pushing Sweden and Finland to balance local interests with EU responsibilities. The story of these forests highlights three key points:

1. The visuals of tree harvesting are both fascinating and essential for understanding the process.
2. Even if the EU meets its goals, the impact on global CO2 levels will be minimal.
3. We must confront the challenges of reducing environmental footprints without harming communities or the economy.

   Proper planning is crucial for a sustainable transition. Delaying action now will only create bigger issues down the road.

   A Century of Scandinavian Logging