The Australian Institute for International Affairs (Victoria) hosted a capacity audience for Dr. Anthony Cordesman in Melbourne. Addressing the challenges that face the international forces in the future, including troop levels, foreign aid and insurgency, Dr. Cordesman gave a pragmatic and highly informed overview of the war in Afghanistan.
Dr. Cordesman addresses AIIA
Dr. Anthony Cordesman addressed a capacity audience of University of Tasmania students and academics on current challenges facing Afghanistan and Pakistan. With his experience as a high-level advisor to General McChrystal in Iraq, Dr. Cordesman spoke of realistic goals of the United States Government in this region, and the ways in which the U.S are working with our allies to bring security to local people.
Daniel Price @ Grattan
Former White House official, Daniel Price addressed a capacity audience for Melbourne’s non-partisan think-tank, the Grattan Institute. In an interview-style exchange with CEO Professor John Daley, Price spoke about the pricing of carbon emissions, and international trade.
Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins addressed the Victorian branch of the Australian Institute of International Affairs. The topic of the presentation “Reducing the nuclear threat” Ambassador Jenkins spoke of her role as the State Department’s Coordinator for Threat Reduction Programs in the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation.
For more information on Ambassador Jenkins, click on http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/126045.htm
Ambassador Jenkins speaks to the AIIAV
The University of Tasmania and the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Center hosted the Embassy’s Economic Officer David Atkinson to discuss U.S. climate change policy. Drawing on talking points provided by S/SECC Todd Stern’s office, he laid out the broad strokes of U.S. climate goals and domestic action to the audience of ten academics and researchers headed by Marcus Haward, Program Leader for Policy at the ACECRC. The group asked questions about U.S climate legislation, renewable energy efforts, and the role of Antarctic science in developing climate policies.
The Consul General visited with Russell and Anita Jack at the Golden Dragon Museum during his visit to Bendigo. Chinese heritage is an integral part of the Bendigo community, from the gold rush to the present day, influencing the proud history of Bendigo – from its traditions of charitable works for local hospitals to its spectacular displays in the Bendigo Easter Fair. The Golden Dragon Museum boasts the word’s longest imperial dragon, and the Consul General came face to face with Sun Looon during his visit.
Consul General Michael Thurston was the guest speaker at the 2009 Peter Harcourt Centre Community report. Peter Harcourt Disability Services Ltd. is a non profit community organization which provides services to over 200 people with a disability in the areas of education, personal development and supported employment programs.
Consul General Thurston spoke to the audience of community members, families and staff of Peter Harcourt about the initiatives being undertaken by the Obama Administration in the areas of disability service, and community service.
The City of Greater Bendigo hosted a civic reception for the Consul General’s first visit to Bendigo. The Mayor Kevin Gibbons and guests representing Bendigo 25, Bendigo Business Council, Bendigo Combined Service Organizations and Bendigo Sustainability group spoke to the Consul General about the issues facing this regional city, and the progressive work each is undertaking within their community to address these issues.
Consul General Thurston was able to see firsthand the mining conditions experienced by early American gold miners at the Central Deborah Gold Mine in Bendigo. Bendigo is historically known as “Gold Mountain”, and the lure of riches attracted many young Americans to the goldfields. After touring the mine, the American made Birney tram took the Consul General on a tour of Bendigo. “Birneys” were developed by JG Brill & Co of Philadelphia. Over 6000 of these trams were built, and today the Bendigo trust has five in use – the largest collection worldwide.
Statement from Chargé d’Affaires Daniel Clune:
President Obama will speak to world leaders on climate change during a special U.N. summit in New York on the eve of the 64th U.N. General Assembly. Climate change is one of our greatest global challenges. Water supplies are increasingly at risk from both melting glaciers and extreme climate events, such as droughts and floods. Winter temperatures on the Antarctic Peninsula have risen five times faster than the global average and the duration of sea-ice coverage has decreased. Arctic sea ice is disappearing faster than expected, and sea levels threaten to rise higher than previously anticipated. These changes threaten not only the environment, but also security and stability.
Science sends a simple and stark message: all countries must work together to combat climate change and the time for action is now.
President Obama recognizes that the United States, as the world’s largest historic emitter of greenhouse gases, must be a leader in the global effort to combat climate change. Without U.S. emissions reductions no solution to climate change is possible, so the U.S. will take the lead in building a 21st century clean energy economy.
The President, taking the United States in a new direction, called on our Congress to develop comprehensive clean energy legislation to cut emissions 14 percent from 2005 levels by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050. A bill has passed the House of Representatives and is making its way through Congress. The President’s economic stimulus package includes over $80 billion for clean energy. Recently instituted vehicle standards will increase fuel economy and reduce emissions. These steps are comparable to those being undertaken in other countries and lead to emissions reductions that are consistent with the science.
To preserve a safe and livable planet, all major emitting nations have to join together to take strong action. There is no other way to contain climate change – the International Energy Agency estimates 97 percent of future emissions growth will come from the developing world.
The United States is working internationally to combat climate change through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiating process, the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate and bilateral relationships.
All countries must be fully engaged in a strong international agreement to meet the climate challenge. Developed countries need to reduce their emissions substantially by 2020 on an absolute basis. Major developing nations must take actions that will substantially reduce their emissions by 2020 on a relative basis, compared to their so-called “business as usual” path. Other developing countries should focus on preparing low-carbon growth plans – including financial and technical assistance – as part of their long-term growth.
It is important to ensure that a new agreement not only limit carbon emissions but also provide a pathway for sustainable development. Clean energy development is the only sustainable way forward. Countries with advanced capabilities must stand ready to develop and disseminate technologies to countries in need. Working together, the effort to build a clean energy global economy can provide significant opportunity, driving investment, economic growth and job creation around the world.
The United States appreciates Australia’s efforts to help address the challenge of climate change, including ramping up deployment of renewable energy technologies. Australia is at the forefront of cleaner coal technology and carbon sequestration efforts. It is also assisting its neighbors to reduce deforestation and is working with Pacific Island states to strengthen their ability to adapt to climate change.
The United States is clear in its intent to secure a strong international agreement, and I am confident that together we can meet the climate change challenge.