A senior Australian climate scientist has described as ‘encouraging’ the response of governments and authorities to climate change by lifting their focus beyond economics to plan a future for communities which face change.

Research manager of the Indian Ocean Climate Initiative from 1998-2005, Dr Bryson Bates, said today some climate change over the next few decades was inevitable.

Dr Bates said concentrated wet and dry periods would occur in future climate as part of natural variations in the cycle.

“Change has occurred in the past and is evident now in Australia but it is better not to select one future and hope it comes to pass, or find the most probable future and adapt to that.

“Australians need to be mindful that variability in climate will be superimposed on continued warming and changes in rainfall intensity.

“We cannot afford to wait for full scientific certainty about climate change because that may never come, or simply come too late and we must take a balance of evidence approach,” Dr Bates said.

Dr Bates, the Director of CSIRO’s Climate Program and a Lead Author for a Chapter of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s next report due in 2007, was speaking at a summary workshop for the Indian Ocean Climate Initiative in Perth.

He said the Western Australian Government was to be commended on its approach and strategic investment in understanding the climatic changes occurring in South West Western Australia.

Dr Bates said the nation’s infrastructure was designed on the assumption that meteorological records captured all the climate information over the course of its economic life.

“We are now acutely aware that this is not the case and that we will need to adapt to change as well as moving towards mitigation of its impacts. Developing policies and plans that are robust across a range of plausible futures will improve environment, food and water security.

“We need to find fair and cost-effective measures to minimise adverse impacts and maximise benefits, understanding that the impacts of climate change extend far beyond just economic theory and into the web of Australian community life,” Dr Bates said.

Original press release: Climate change focus goes beyond economics (CSIRO)

Officials with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and BP West Coast Products LLC jointly announced today that they have agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by the AQMD against BP and its predecessor, Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO), regarding past air quality rule violations at the company’s Carson, Calif., refinery. Under the terms of the settlement, BP will pay the agency $25 million in cash penalties and $6 million in past emissions fees.

“This historic settlement resolves the significant and numerous violations found at the Carson refinery. The substantial penalty and other terms are consistent with the AQMD’s intent to vigorously pursue compliance with all of its regulations and procedures,” said Dr. William Burke, AQMD’s Governing Board Chairman.

“We are pleased to have resolved this dispute and look forward to forging a strong partnership with the AQMD for the future,” said Ross Pillari, President of BP America, Inc. “This settlement allows the parties to put past disputes behind them and work towards a common goal of making BP’s Carson refinery a model citizen in the community.”

AQMD filed its initial complaint in March 2003. A second complaint was filed in January 2005. The settlement resolves all issues in the two complaints, including claims of inadequate inspection and maintenance of large above-ground storage tanks, failure to adequately perform flare data collection, inconsistencies in refinery record-keeping, and numerous air emission releases into the surrounding community from the refinery during recent years.

The $25 million in cash penalties is the largest such settlement with AQMD to date. Previous settlements included AES Alamitos, LLC for $17 million in December 2000 for excess power plant emissions.

“The AQMD and BP have a common goal of improving performance at the Carson refinery and benefiting the communities in which we operate,” added Pillari. “To underscore this commitment, BP is providing $30 million over ten years in community programs directed at asthma diagnosis and treatment, and $20 million in new refinery improvements aimed at reducing emissions.”

Lastly, as part of a commitment BP gave to the AQMD last year, BP is undertaking a program to upgrade the refinery’s existing sour water system. This equipment was the source of odor allegations in the March 2003 complaint. These improvements, expected to be completed in 2006, are designed to prevent future releases.

“All these projects will advance the District’s mission of protecting the health and welfare of residents in the community around the Carson refinery and improving air quality in the South Coast Basin,” added Dr. William Burke.

AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties.

BP West Coast Products LLC operates the Carson refinery located at 1801 East Sepulveda Boulevard in Carson, California.

Original press release: AQMD and BP Settle Refinery Emission Violations for $25 Million in Civil Penalties, $6 Million in Past Fees, and $50 Million for Community and Clean Air Projects (AQMD)