5. Tony Abbott
Since taking office, Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott has worked to dismantle every policy designed to confront climate change in his country. Alarmed by the government’s actions to kill a carbon tax, water down renewable energy targets and boost subsidies to coal, fellow conservatives have called Abbott’s actions “baffling” and labeled him a “flat-earther.”
“The future for coal is bright, and it is the responsibility [of] government to try to ensure that we are there making it easier for everyone wanting to have a go,” said Abbott recently, explaining his desire to subsidize coal export projects and boost the industry.
According to the International Energy Agency, two-thirds of fossil fuel reserves need to stay in the ground in order to avoid catastrophic climate change.
Abbott has blamed renewable energy targets and the country’s former carbon tax on high power prices in the country. However, the government has admitted that renewables only make up 5 percent of consumers’ bills and the repealed carbon tax only made up 9 percent — while 51 percent goes to network charges due to an overbuild of electricity infrastructure.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/2014/tony-abbott-named-one-5-biggest-clean-energy-tur...