[LINK] Submission to Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Inquiry

[Tom Worthington]

The Australian Senate invited submissions on a Carbon Pollution 
Reduction Scheme, by 25 March 2009: 
<http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/economics_ctte/cprs_09/info.htm>. 
I plan to say the aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to between 
5% and 15% below 2000 levels by 2020 is inadequate. The legislation's 
aim should be changed to 25% to 50% per cent, as advised by IPCC 
scientists 
<http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/12/16/2447163.htm?section=australia>. 
A reduction of 15% can be delivered just by the use of more effective 
ICT 
<http://www.theclimategroup.org/news_and_events/smart2020pressrelease/>. 
Better use of computers and telecommunications can reduced use of 
energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and at the same time 
lowering costs. An example the Australian Government is planning to 
replace interstate travel for some meetings with high-definition 
video teleconferencing 
<http://www.financeminister.gov.au/media/2009/mr_082009.html>. As 
well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions from air travel, the use of 
teleconference will reduce the cost of airfares. This process of 
"dematerialisation" is one technique I teach to Green ICT students 
<http://tomw.net.au/moodle/course/view.php?id=11>.



Tom Worthington FACS HLM tom.worthington at tomw.net.au Ph: 0419 496150
Director, Tomw Communications Pty Ltd            ABN: 17 088 714 309
PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617                      http://www.tomw.net.au/
Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Australian National University