I don't like it but I have no idea how much of what they are saying is true.

Electricity production is a huge CO2 emitter, I have never seen anything saying that gas is worse ?

Do we still sell gas to China for about 2c per 1,000 litres ? Sounds expensive.

Maybe we should stop using residential users to subsidise China ?

Gas emits about 50% less CO2 than coal. Gas was once seen as good. But the Greenies want no fossil fuels.

lee wrote on Jul 30^th, 2023 at 1:20pm:



Great meme - thanks.   

Greens and environment groups welcome announcement   
In 2021, Infrastructure Victoria released a report recommending the state government reduce gas usage, remove barriers to all-electric developments and review all natural gas use in government operations.

The Climate Council said the announcement was "game changing".

"Gas is an invisible harm in our homes, schools and workplaces," climate councillor Kate Charlesworth said.

"The dangers it poses, especially to our children and vulnerable households, cannot be completely eliminated, even with better ventilation.

"We have a responsibility to sound the alarm on gas, just as we did with asbestos and tobacco."

Jono La Nauze, wearing a pink button-up shirt and grey jacket, sits in an Environment Victoria office.
Environment Victoria chief executive Jono La Nauze says it's a vital step to achieve climate targets.(ABC News:)
The not-for-profit group, Environment Victoria, has described the gas ban as a bold and necessary step.

"Victorian homes use more gas than homes anywhere else in the country," said CEO Jono La Nauze.

"We have a major problem with gas use and this will stop the problem getting worse."

Mr La Nauze said Victoria's electricity system was transitioning away from coal and adopting more renewable sources.

"Gas is a fossil fuel. Replacing gas fired homes with all electric homes means we're on a trajectory to zero emissions," he said.

He said modern domestic appliances were also becoming more efficient.

"Instead of a gas heater, a reverse-cycle air conditioner is around five times more efficient," he said.

"When it comes to cooking, modern induction stoves are actually safer, cleaner and quicker to use."

Health impacts from gas stoves under microscope
American researchers who revealed gas stoves can emit methane, even when they're not turned on, test pollutants in Australian kitchens.

A woman writes on a clipboard, standing in front of a Tesla car boot filled with machinery.
Read more
Mr La Nauze said changing over gas appliances and connections in existing homes was expensive and would be the next challenge for Victorian government.

The Victorian Greens had campaigned for a gas ban for new homes and said it would help accelerate Victoria's shift away from fossil fuel use.

"Victorians use more gas in their homes than in any other state, so banning new connections is an important reform the Greens have been calling for for years," said deputy leader Ellen Sandell.

"But it is strange that Labor acknowledges gas is an expensive, polluting fossil fuel on the one hand, while on the other hand is changing the law to make it easier to open new mines and is approving new gas drilling across the state, including near the 12 Apostles."

Lobby groups say ban is a win for health   
Healthy Futures, an organisation of 150 Victorian healthcare workers and 30 health organisations, said the ban was a major step forward in the fight against air pollution and climate change.

"It is well established that air pollution from gas appliances causes and exacerbates asthma and other illnesses," coordinator Harry Jennens said.

Harry Jennens

Dr Jennens said a child living in a house with a gas stove was more likely to develop asthma.   

"Which is similar to a child living in a house with cigarette smoke," he said.

"Gas appliances can even cause death through carbon monoxide poisoning."

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) also welcomed the government's announcement.

Dr Aziz wears a cream coat over a grey suit and white shirt and holds a microphone and a RACGP sign
The RACGP's Dr Aadhil Aziz says health workers have been lobbying for less gas usage.(Supplied: Healthy Futures)
"As the old saying goes, 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure', and that's true in both health and climate," RACGP co-deputy chair Aadhil Aziz said.

"This announcement shows the government is serious about addressing both climate change and health, and is listening to medical professionals," Dr Aziz said.   

whiteknight wrote on Jul 30^th, 2023 at 4:16pm:

What a load of cobblers.