Backers breathe life into climate body
September 23, 2013 - 11:50PM
The axed Climate Commission is to be relaunched with private funds in a bid to keep information about global warming prominent in the public arena, former head Tim Flannery said.
The decision to create the Australian Climate Council, as the group will be known, was spurred by "a groundswell of support" from across the country, Dr Flannery said.
"We've developed a real reputation for independence and authority in this area, and we just want to continue with that job," he said, before a formal launch planned for Tuesday in Sydney.
"We haven't seen any plans from the government to provide an alternative" to the commission, he said.
The Abbott government made closing the Climate Commission one of its first acts last week. The Coalition also plans to repeal other climate change policies of the Rudd and Gillard governments, such as the carbon price, the Climate Change Authority and the $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
The Coalition instead plans a $2.55 billion Direct Action scheme to pay polluters to cut greenhouse gases to meet the bipartisan goal of reducing emissions by at least 5 per cent on 2000 levels by 2020.
Most, if not all, of the six commissioners, will sign up as directors of the new council, with climate scientist Will Steffen and ex-BP head for Australia Gerry Hueston among them. "We'll all be working pro bono at least initially," Dr Flannery said.
The commission's budget was about $5.4 million over four years, a figure that will be considerably smaller in the private revamp, he said. "We've already had some people step up and we've got every chance that this will work," Dr Flannery said, declining to say how much had been raised and from whom ahead of the launch of a drive for donations.
Among those supporting the reboot was retired admiral Chris Barrie. "Frankly, I think the work they have done is fantastic," he said.
"The commission's work was invaluable in taking very complex information and presenting it in ways easily digestible by the community."
bloody good, i'll throw in a few bob, m'self 
@siggie-reported-by-alarmists wrote:
@lakeland27 wrote:not a nerve, i don't have any. but i do have a bleep meter. the NewsLtd view you express regarding flannery is as reliable as the rest of their journalism. he's done something useful, they haven't. people with nothing to offer best not be too critical as someone will notice.
Your posts are evidence I have LL....lol.
Tims dud predictions, will now be worth what Tax Payers fork out for it....NOTHING....
He is however, an amusing source of entertainment, I will give him that......
what are you on about ? i get it that you dont understand this stuff, but more baseless taunts aren't helping. when (or if) you ever wise up is a matter for you. sensible informed people will carry on, so step aside please.
I am more than happy to allow ALL Alarmists, the opportunity to provide entertainment and laughs .........so, carry on.....
@purplecarrot-top wrote:
If we end up with a cleaner planet what exactly is the problem? We need to clean up and look after the earth for future generations.
