The State Government is to develop a strategy to help Queenslanders lessen their reliance on liquid fossil fuels as the price of oil increases and supply diminishes. Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said the future availability of fossil fuel and alternative energy supplies is one of the main sustainability issues facing society today.
(Media-Newswire.com) - The State Government is to develop a strategy to help Queenslanders lessen their reliance on liquid fossil fuels as the price of oil increases and supply diminishes.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said the future availability of fossil fuel and alternative energy supplies is one of the main sustainability issues facing society today.
“The significance of this issue means that Queenslanders and people all around the world will need to address the increasing price and diminishing availability of oil in coming years,” Mr McNamara said.
“By developing a strategy sooner rather than later, the Queensland Government can work to protect the lifestyle of Queenslanders and their need to travel, without needlessly damaging the environment.
“During the past two weeks, the head of General Motors said world oil production had already peaked, and the head of Shell Oil said the supply of easily accessible oil will be exhausted within seven years.
“These are voices the world can’t afford to ignore.”
Mr McNamara, who is the Australian patron of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil, completed a report on peak oil before his appointment as a Minister in September.
‘Peak oil’ refers to the time when global oil production declines due to natural exhaustion of the resource, which will lead to shortages and significant price increases.
The Government’s decision to develop a Queensland Oil Vulnerability Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan was a key recommendation of Mr McNamara’s report.
Mr McNamara said that Queensland’s Oil Vulnerability Mitigation Strategy will look at a range of actions.
“The strategy will have three broad elements: reducing the consumption of liquid fossil fuels; encouraging the development and use of alternative fuels; and preparing for demographic and regional changes as Queenslanders alter travel, work and living habits in response to rising fuel prices.
“The Queensland Government is already doing related work across a range of departments, and the strategy will help to better coordinate these activities across government.
“The strategy will also look at the gaps to see what else needs to be done to ensure Queenslanders can still easily travel around the State and around their towns when required.”
Mr McNamara said the strategy could also canvass what options might need to be considered in a ‘worst case scenario’ of severe international oil shortages.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
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