Three months ago in Australia, we had Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets (MRETs) that amounted to mandating less than 1% of new energy to renewables. Now we've got a government that, in the last campaign, took a considerably bold step in light of Australian politics. 20% cuts by 2020. 60% by 2050. These marks alone set amazing new benchmarks, and indeed raised the bar for all of us as individuals and communities.

This new interim report by Garnaut provides a new impetus for government energy policy. The numbers needed are higher than current Labor commitments. But before we go bagging the government for not going far enough, let the government get on with the job of 20% by 2020. As new studies, INCLUDING THE GARNAUT REPORT, come to light, it will become clear to them that more cuts are needed, and more quickly. Governments need time to digest things. 60% by 2050 is a lot to swallow; in time 90% will be a reality.

So...how does this apply to relocalization? We are going to have to cope with less energy as a nation, and as communities. So we need to learn to use energy more efficiently. Yes, we need renewable energy, but more on that in a minute. Over the short term, we can, if we are willing, reorganise our lives and communities so that as a community, we use less energy. This helps targets.

As far as energy production goes, it is important that we focus on a grid-decentralisation focus. This increases jobs for every local area, and provides a degree of energy security for local areas. I would like to discuss the specifics in a later post.

Finally...

Now, we can't just rely on government policy. So...have you audited your carbon-emissions vs. energy consumption yet? A 20% cut is achievable by most of us by the END OF THE YEAR (or next week) if we are willing to make conscious decisions about our energy use (mostly non-renewable, carbon-emitting in Australia). You wouldn't have to spend a cent on rooftop PVs.

Peace.