THE horrendous fires and drought in Australia highlight the role of human-induced climate change - and links between the two are confirmed by a growing list of scientific organisations around the world.
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With tactics borrowed from the tobacco lobby of decades ago, the all-powerful fossil fuel industry has pushed a disinformation campaign to delay action on climate change.
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Their profits continue to rise - and their false information campaigns have been supported by many elements of the media, along with major political parties beholden to the big polluters.
The Climate Council is a reliable source of information, and it has busted the following myths about emissions in Australia:
Myth 1: Australia is on track to meet its Paris target
The government's own published data shows our greenhouse gas emissions have been rising consistently for five years - Australia is not on track to meet its Paris target, which is to reduce emissions by 26 to 28 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030.
Myth 2: Australia is doing its fair share on Climate Change
Our target of 26 to 28 per cent by 2030 is one of the least ambitious targets of all developed countries.
Myth 3: Our per capita emissions are the lowest in 29 years
We have the highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the developed world.
Myth 4: Australia's LNG exports are driving down global emissions
To effectively tackle climate change, existing coal and gas infrastructure must be phased out globally as rapidly as possible. Our liquified natural gas exports may be slightly cleaner than coal, but they are still very polluting.
Myth 5: Australia earned the right to use its Kyoto carryover credits by overachieving on emissions reductions in the past
This has only come about through setting deliberately weak Kyoto targets in the first place - a dodgy trick.
Myth 6: Emissions have fallen in the electricity sector
Electricity production accounts for only 33 per cent of our total emissions. While emissions from electricity are down - and this is good news - there has been an even bigger rise in emissions from other sectors, such as transport.
Our overall emissions have been increasing for five years in a row.
It is now time for all thinking Australians to take a stand, and fulfil our world obligations. We must call out the false information campaign, and our public leaders must act now.
