46c a Day to Make Australia Carbon Neutral, Says Murdoch University Sustainability Expert Peter Newman

Just 46 cents a day is all it would cost each Australian to make the nation carbon neutral.

(PRWEB) May 22, 2007 -- Just 46 cents a day is all it would cost each Australian to make the nation carbon neutral.

Murdoch University sustainability expert Peter Newman says it's a relatively small price to pay and could make Australia carbon neutral in just three years.

Professor Newman is calling on the Government and primary producers of greenhouse gas to agree to a carbon charge which, if passed onto consumers, would cost each Australian $169 a year.

"If the Government imposed a $13 a tonne tax on power, gas and oil producers this would generate a $3.5 billion annual Carbon Fund," Professor Newman said.

"This could be used to plant enough trees to offset the country's greenhouse gas emissions in just three years and generate research and development projects into sustainable living and renewable energies.

"The levy would also encourage greenhouse friendly schemes from the industry which could potentially lower the cost to consumers."

Supporting change

Professor Newman said it was vital Australians embraced the carbon tax concept which would enable changes in everyday behaviour.

"It would be interesting to see how many Australians would see this as an unnecessary tax or as an essential way to make a national contribution to a major global problem," Professor Newman said.

"It would be my bet they would prefer this to being seen as an international pariah on climate change.

"This concept will have immediate results and we will be able to show the world we are no longer polluting the atmosphere."

Find out more about Professor Newman's (http://tracking.marketunited.com/c.php?id=3DEE-E87A-239C-3129) practical urban solutions to some of Earth's biggest challenges.

Discovering ways to make the world a better place is what drives Murdoch University's world-class researchers. Find out more about some of the amazing projects we are working on today - visit our site at discover.murdoch.edu.au (http://tracking.marketunited.com/c.php?id=BDB2-EB97-3C37-704A)

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