Despite our best efforts to improve our environmental credentials, greenhouse gas emissions continued to increase across Australia last year.
We created 546 tonnes more carbon dioxide than the land was able to absorb in 2011 – a rise of 0.6 per cent compared to the year before.
So why are we falling behind? Coal and natural gas are among the main offenders, accounting for 36 per cent of all emissions in 2011.
This might explain why the government is so keen for us to use renewable energy sources such as solar power, as it does not emit any greenhouse gases.
The figures are not all bad – Australia is still on target to meet its Kyoto Protocol target.
For those of you who don't know, the Kyoto Protocol was signed by 37 major economies across the world, each of which has committed to reducing their emissions.
The target is to lower greenhouse gases by an average of five per cent against 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012.
Over the first three reporting years, Australia's net emissions totalled 104 per cent of the base year level – so we're just short of the 108 per cent target.
So keep doing your bit folks – it could make all the difference!
Posted by Bob Dawson