The Week That Was - 7 June 2012

This week, two of the world’s richest women, the Queen and Gina R, both have things on their mind, one has diamonds the other has coal. It’s depressing to hear what Australians think, but the good news is – not all Australian’s think alike. And of course more to be said about the carbon price, were we are at in clean technology market - and did you see Venus this week?

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’We are overwhelmed by dozens and dozens of projects, but that reinforces the need for the CEFC’
- Jillian Broadbent, CEO, Clean Energy Finance Corporation

While the Queen’s Diamond jubilee put a nice shine on most things newsy this week - you can’t polish a lump of coal. The world’s richest woman Gina Rinehart met opposition to her plans to develop what has been described as ‘’coals newest frontier’’ – the $6.4 billion Galilee Basin in Queensland, after independent Tony Burke asked for more information. Bet that went down well.

And, let’s pull the band-aid off – this week recent Lowy Institute poll said two thirds of people were opposed to putting a price on carbon pollution, and worse still, Australians are far less concerned about climate change then they were five years ago. BUT hot on the heels of that news – La Trobe University vice chancellor Carol Adams welcomed the carbon price on behalf of the organisation which will pay the price – saying the universities bottom line will be significantly better off.

Meantime the Labor Party explained that they would never use its votes to dissolve the hard won carbon price if in fact Mr Abbott was every given the chance to do so. And should Mr Abbott have a chance – would he ever lead with the front foot on anything? How did that get in there?? In the meantime everyone else is getting ready for a scheme to price carbon. Have you ever felt more stranded on a big island before? 

WWF came out with a piece of research which outlined where Australia is ranked in terms of clean technology production and what is required in order to create a thriving clean tech market. Government and private sector investment is right at the top. Check.

With one hurdle left to clear - the largest wind farm in South Australia is soon to start producing. The Hornsdale windfarm with its 105 turbines looks (almost) good to go.

And for a once in a lifetime event, Venus traversed across the Sun and with a good telescope you'll be able to see it. Or you can watch the video feed here. Timed to co-incide with, and inspired by Venus’ transit, screenings of Coral Rekindling Venus, a film about climate change and coral – are rolling out around the world.

Climate leader David Reichardt met with Tim Flannery and many others to discuss everything important in the world of climate change action and fellow Climate Leader Lihn Do is pictured mid-flight of her most recent Ted talk. Nice work guys.

And the ever optimistic folk in beautiful Kerala, are looking forward to a better crop of coconuts, cocoa and sardines care of climate change. Perhaps they should not all be ingredients in one recipe. And to the all important question - what do burritos and climate change have in common?