Although this blog was started with the intention of covering a trip through various parts of Europe, and was ironically subtitled EUogising Europe, it may well be farewelling Europe in a travel sense. Anyone with any sense and compassion would have been moved deeply by Greta Thunberg’s speech at the climate gathering in New York in September. And Australians of common sense would have been appalled by Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s response, although not surprised. As major per capita polluters Australians must take their share of blame for this and their government must step up and act.

Unfortunately that means that international travel must be curtailed and internal air flights reduced. Aviation and shipping are two of the biggest sources of pollution, and coal and gas exports (and the subsequent burning of both products) are the other two.

Australia’s (and New Zealand’s) geographical isolation from the rest of the world means that flying is part of any major travel plans. Internally many flights are taken between captial cities and other centres, indeed the Melbourne-Sydney air route is considered to be the second busiest air route in the world.

The field is wide open for development of low emission aircraft fuels, for limiting emissions from shipping and for stopping the mining and exporting of coal and gas. Unfortunately the Australian government does not have a climate policy, and continues to champion coal as a power source whilst downplaying the usefulness of solar, wind etc.
There has even been talk of building a nuclear power station, not very climate friendly at all considering the amount of concrete (with consequent CO2 emissions) required.

The possibilities are there, and the longer we delay taking action the more extreme and expensive the remedies will be, and the greater the damage that will have already occurred. Many people see solutions and are taking action when and where they can.

As for the rest of them, we can but live in hope …