A correction for News from the Secretary. August -September 2006

Rising atmospheric CO2 levels represents an excess of planetary respiration and combustion over photosynthesis, which has been increasing at an alarming rate over the past few decades.

Mitigation of climate change will require us to address both of these aspects of CO2 metabolism. Increase in CO2 entrapment through cessation of land clearing and massive re-vegetation has been shown also to improve soil fertility and rainfall. There are many options to reduce CO2 emissions, particularly by increasing energy efficiency such as improved building design and better public transport, and by moving towards a lower -carbon economy through a suite of renewable non-polluting energy generators such as wind power, solar hot water systems, sliver-cell electricity generation, geothermal energy, hybrid cars and solar-generated hydrogen for fuel cells.

Australia has the potential to be a world leader in these fields, despite lack of government support. Calculations by Pricewaterhouse Coopers indicate that these measures could reduce CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050, without recourse to nuclear power, and without a major burden on global economy, provided the changes are instituted NOW.

Present levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide have risen from a baseline of 280 ppm to 385 ppm, and rising steadily. The aim should be to stabilise atmospheric CO2 to 450 ppm by mid-century, to limit temperature rise to another 1-2 deg. Since CO2 persists in the atmosphere for a century or more, unless IMMEDIATE action is taken to increase uptake and reduce production of CO2, we run the risk of runaway global warming, with a potentially devastating effect on civilisation.

Bryan Furnass