In Australia, today, is a government totally uninterested in any new ideas to combat climate change. They do however keep repeating how they will stick to their promises at the Paris agreement, by being the only country to use an outdated form of credits. Meanwhile our carbon footprint keeps growing, all in the name of GDP. This sounds like being buried with your riches.
At the very, very least, they could announce a fund to assess all the “radical” ideas out there that can truly attack climate change, and report back in 6 months. $10 million would do it, to put 100 academics and environmentalists in a residential think tank, on leave from their usual positions. It would, even if it had do actionable conclusions (unlikely), be an extraordinary act that would capture the attention of the world. We could easily invite the world to join in.
I’m not an environmentalist but after a few beers I have some ideas, any of which could work.
Stop exporting coal. The only reason fossil fuels are used instead of renewables is because they are cheaper. If one country ceases exporting, even temporarily, then basic economics say that reduced supply will equal increased costs. Australia is the 2nd biggest exporter, so we should at least explore the numbers. Maybe giving all of our coal workers a 1 year vacation could tip the balance?
Unfortunately things are more complicated than that. It could affect our trade agreements, other nations could subsidise their coal exports, or countries they use coal internally could start exporting it. Which is why we need experts to look at the idea.
On the other hand, once one country makes such a sacrifice, it could encourage other nations to take similar actions.
Stop subsidising fossil fuels. Usually via tax breaks, countries like Australia subsidise fossil fuel extraction in exchange for jobs. We could ask every country in the world that does this, to stop. Not stop the extraction, but simply stop giving it an artificial price advantage.
Boycott Saudi Arabia. Simply drop all diplomatic ties, and stop buying their oil. Not officially because of climate change, but in protest of 9/11, Khashoggi, escaping criminals from the USA on private jets, hacking Bezos, and being a cruel and oppressive regime. And drop all military support – yes you USA, because you have enough other allies in the Middle East anyway, you don’t belong there, and you certainly don’t need to be there in a post-oil world.
Tax polyester. Clothing has never been cheaper. Fast fashion is faster than ever. Waste is increasing. And polyester is made from oil. Clothing and shoes contribute to 5% of carbon emissions.
Start with $5 per garment that has more than 50% un-recycled polyester. I doubt any consumers will complain much.
Grow trees. Australia does have tree growing programs, but more is obviously possible, given the 5% unemployment rate. Get school kids doing it one day a month, it will be good for them.
Get 100 experts together and, if I can bang out 5, they can come up with a 100+ costed and analysed radical ideas, any of which could be the what stops our climate reaching tipping point.