Teorías nativas sobre la violencia en las escuelas

Over the past few years in Australia, significant consideration has been given to local government’s role in dealing with climate change from the perspective of adaptation. This may be because of the direct economic implications of climate change on local government and thus the community as a whole, if we fail to adapt. In 2007, the then Australian Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Malcolm Turnbull commented that ‘The projected impacts of climate change cut across all elements of local government responsibility’ [SMEC, 2007]. As a result, much research has been done into climate change adaptation of local gov- ernment in Australia, evident with the publication of government documents such as Australian Greenhouse Office, in the Department of the Environment and Her- itage [2006] and SMEC [2007]. As well as Department of Climate Change [2007], established to provide funding for local government to conduct research into cli- mate change adaptation strategy. While this aspect to climate change response is recognised as being extremely important, it is evident that a research emphasis is also required from the point of view of climate change mitigation (defined earlier as the management and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions).

Whilst research in this field has been conducted in industry and in other parts of the world, it is evident from the present literature review that the nature of the subject requires a local as well as a government perspective to be truly effective.

In early 2008, the state government of Tasmania adopted a framework for reducing government’s greenhouse gas emissions [Crowley, 2007]. The framework is similar in principle to the framework of CCP in that it employs an ordered series of actions, namely, the establishment of a greenhouse gas inventory; defining of targets; monitoring and reporting; reducing emissions through action plans and evaluation and learning. Crowley’s report indicates that the framework should be

an impetus for cultural change towards greenhouse gas reductions within the com- munity as a whole and specifically within local government. In April of 2008, the Premier’s Local Government Council agreed to consider adopting the principles of the Crowley [2007] framework for local government. Furthermore, they agreed to share methodologies in assessing carbon footprints and share knowledge of any other successful climate change initiatives [Department of Premier & Cabinet, 2008].

In July of 2008, the state government of Tasmania then legislated to establish a greenhouse gas reduction target for Tasmania to at least 60% below 1990 levels by 2050 [Office of Parliamentary Council Tasmania, 2008]. This commitment brings Tasmania inline with common scientific opinion. That is, developed countries need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2050 against 2000 emission levels, if global greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are to be stabilised to between 450 and 550ppm by mid century [Garnaut, 2008]. It will be necessary for local government to play a significant role in achieving this goal as it is likely that many of the actions will be implemented on the local level.

A report produced by the local government association of Tasmania pre- sented findings of a needs analysis survey in which councils in Tasmania were asked specific questions regarding their position on climate change response. 76% of all Tasmanian councils responded to the climate change needs analysis sur- vey. As noted in the report, such a high response rate is indicative of a growing concern about climate change and its impacts on local communities [Local Govern- ment Association Tasmania, 2007]. It is evident from the report that further local research is required for the purpose of local capacity building and development of local resources.

Following the release of the Garnaut Climate Change Review, the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change released the Green Paper outlining a carbon pollution reduction scheme [Department of Climate Change, 2008b]. The Green Paper is fundamental to the federal government’s climate change strategy

and endorses much of the Garnaut Climate Change Review. It places a cap on the amount of greenhouse gasses industry can emit and introduces a model for emissions trading, as well as a timeline for implementation. The Green Paper has specified a number of industries that will be affected under the scheme including sewer and landfill waste streams. As such, local government will likely be directly affected. It is thus likely that greenhouse gas reduction strategy, on the local level, will become of much higher priority if and when the scheme is implemented, particularly within sewer and waste disposal processes.

It is evident from the present literature review that the issues surrounding climate change mitigation in this context, at the present time, are progressing at a particularly rapid rate both politically and in terms of our scientific understanding. As a result, it is unclear what developments will be made and thus what the political environment will consist of in the future. What is certain however is that there is a need for further research to be conducted so as to ensure that decision makers are appropriately informed and equipped to facilitate the most effective approach to climate change mitigation.