Contributed by Joe Montero

August’s record high temperatures ending in the ferocious winds that hit the south – east of Australia prove that we are entering into a new climate era. As we count the cost, everyone should be reminded of the fact that abnormal weather events are becoming the norm, especially as we enter springtime. They are becoming more frequent and increasingly severe.

This year recorded the hottest winter on record. Now, the early onset of spring promises a bad combination of hot and dry weather, together with fierce winds. Some parts of Australia have already been hit by drought. Together with excessive plant growth and fuel caused by the unusual winter, it sets the conditions for a nasty bushfire season.

Image from the ABC: Weather map showing the continent-wide combination extreme heat, powerful winds to the south, and cold snaps coming from further south

Australia isn’t alone. Fires and floods are hitting other parts of the world. An abundance of research has connected the rise in abnormal weather events to human caused climate change. There is absolutely no doubt about this.

We know that these weather events have an immediate human cost, from the loss of life to property damage. They also contribute to our food supply, creating shortages and pushing up prices. Worsening weather patterns threaten our food security. Our water supply is also under threat. Take it a step further, and we are heading towards the undermining of the economy and political stability.

Although not the only cause by any means, climate change is already making the cost-of-living crisis worse than it would otherwise be.

One would think that this scenario would push any government into action. You would think that they would ensure that enough resources are put into ensuring the capacity of government and communities the capacity to deal with the threat and to cope when adverse conditions hit. You would think that any government, whatever stripes it wears, would do everything it can to cut out carbon emissions as quickly as possible.

The reality is different. Unfortunately, successive governments have chosen to push in the opposite direction, while pretending to be do something about the threat. We have experienced the watering down of policies and an escalation of assistance and handouts to the fossil fuel industry.

Photo by Stephane De Sakutin/AAP/Getty: Anthony Albanese has watered down proposed new EPA to a toothless tiger

The Albanese government has followed in these footsteps. Its latest misguided move betrays its election promise to lift action on climate. Labor’s new policy for an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with teeth has been watered down. The Prime Minister has signalled the intention to deny the EPA power to approve or stop a project. This is an EPA without teeth. In Short, Labor’s policy now mirrors that presented by Scott Morrison’s government.

No wonder there is a feeling of betrayal, from pro-environment groups to the party’s own membership. Labor has signalled that this is to facilitate an agreement with the Coalition and avoid having to make an alternative deal with the Greens. The decisive factor here is the Albanese government’s wish to build close ties with the mining and energy corporations.

“If Labor does a dirty deal with the Liberals to further weaken our already-weak environment and climate laws, Labor will lose any shred of environmental credibility it still thinks it has,” Greens leader Adam Bandt said.

Greenpeace said it was “deeply alarmed” by reports Mr Albanese was “considering caving in to billionaire miners and greedy developers railing against environmental protection.”

“Capitulating to vested interests by weakening the EPA and pushing off further critical law reform until next term would betray the promise to fix Australia’s broken nature law,” Glenn Walker, a Greenpeace spokesman, said.

Climate Council policy head Jennifer Rayner said, “The Albanese government promised comprehensive reform of this law, but now it seems nature will be left vulnerable with a weak environment protection agency and no further improvements to the law on the cards…”

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said the changes were about achieving a situation that was good for business, as well as nature. How can the unsatiable appetite for more extraction be reconciled with the needs of nature? This is an obvious cover for doing as little as possible.

Photo by (Mick Tsikas/AAP: Environment minister Tanya Plibersek has the job of selling the governments about turn

This is problematic for Labor. It undermines its political credibility and builds on the perception of a growing list of betrayals of what its support base sees as principle. This is a party facing election in the early part of next year and looking increasingly less likely to secure a majority. The only bright spark is that the Coalition could be in even worse trouble. Unless there is a change between now and then, the money is on a hung parliament.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Labor could re-invent itself as a party to government offering a real alternative. This would include adopting policies to ensure decisive and sufficient action on climate. Offering a real change is the way to build and galvanise support. This would ensure a comfortable win at next year’s election.

Doing this means making a choice. Will it stand steadfastly on the side of those Labor claims to represent or will it be a tool of the corporations and put their sectional interests above everything else?