Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has announced cuts to the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Australia, the world’s largest exporter of coal and iron ore will cut emissions by 26-28 percent of 2005 levels by 2030. Australia is one of the largest carbon emitters on a per capita basis due to its reliance on coal-fired power plants. Australia is currently aiming to reduce emissions by 5 percent from 2000 levels by 2020.
The government’s independent expert body, the Climate Change Authority said Australia needed to reduce emissions by 40 to 60 percent from 2000 levels by 2030 to meet an international agreement to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels.
- Washington has pledged a 26-28 percent emissions reduction on 2005 levels by 2025, or about 41 percent by 2030.
- Brussels has promised to deliver 40 percent of 1990 levels by 2030, or about 34 percent based on 2005 levels.
- Australia is the 6th largest country in the world, occupying an entire continent of some 7.6 million square kilometres.
- There’s a river in Australia called the “Never Never River.”
- There is a mountain in Australia called Mt. Disappointment.
- Australia’s Highway 1 is the world’s longest national highway. With about 14,500 km, (9,000 mi), it circumnavigates the entire country.
- The largest cattle station in the world is Anna Creek Station which is in South Australia.
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