Australia and Canada are alike in so many ways, especially in their political and cultural history. On July 10th, Julia Gillard, Australian PM, announced a new carbon tax to come into effect in 2012, and then be phased into a carbon trading scheme by 2015. Details are being determined and there is plenty of controversy, and a lot of political risk. But there is movement on the climate front. Meanwhile in Canada … not so much. PM Harper seems to think climate change is not a problem, and we eagerly await an Arctic we can mine.
The Economist – Australia’s Carbon Tax: Breaching the brick wall
Australian Government – Securing a Clean Energy Future: The Australian Government’s Climate Change Plan
World News Australia – Carbon Taxes Around the World