Climate change and the consumer - news

[Drop_Bear]

A nuanced perspective from the coalface (so to speak).

“I think the true cost of coal, that includes the pollution costs and the cost to the environment, should be assessed when these projects are considered, and it isn’t at the moment,” Mr Tulloch said.

“At some point that free pollution has to be paid for. The wine industry began paying for it 10-15 years ago.”

… Mr Tulloch said a warming planet makes no distinction about borders. The impacts and costs of climate change on the wine industry sounds an alarm for the broader agricultural industry if Australian doesn’t rein in emissions, he said.
…
On January 9 the Bureau of Meteorology said human-induced climate change caused Australian annual temperatures to increased by more than one degree since 1910, with most of the warming since 1950, and particularly in the past two decades.

Since the 1980s Australia’s wineries have adapted to shorter winters, longer and hotter summers, shorter picking seasons and the ripening of grapes nearly a month earlier than four decades ago.
…
“I don’t try and convince people they have to feel sorry for winemakers. I feel concerned that what we’re seeing in viticulture is a precursor for the struggles we’ll see for broader agriculture in the 2030s and 2040s.”
…
“While there is no financial imperative to reduce emissions, emissions won’t be reduced. We need to see the true cost of coal emissions reflected when decisions are made about it.”

Fifth generation Hunter winemaker says it's time to get real about climate...