Warm winter results in emissions reduction

A warmer than average winter in the Eastern states has had the ironic effect of reducing emissions:

Greenhouse gas emissions reportedly fell about 4 per cent across Australia's eastern states over the winter.

The Climate Group's Greenhouse Indicator Report has found a drop of more than 3 million tonnes compared with the same period last year.

The figure is the equivalent of taking 3 million cars off the road for the season. [So driving around in Prius is really a pointless gesture - Ed]

However, they can't resist making the link with global warming:

Climate Group Australian director Rupert Posner said the drop in emissions was mostly due to winter temperatures matching climate change predictions, making people less inclined to turn on their heaters.

Strange, because global temperatures are still steady, or even falling. But hey, who cares about accuracy or truth when we're talking about "saving the planet"?

Read it here and here.