Environment

Australia May Pay Camel Killers in an Effort to Combat…Climate Change?

Australia May Pay Camel Killers in an Effort to Combat...Climate Change?CANBERRA, Australia (The Blaze/AP) — Kill a camel, earn cash for cutting greenhouse gases: That offer may be coming soon in Australia, where vast numbers of the nonnative, methane-belching animals have been trampling the Outback for more than a century.

The government has proposed that killing camels be officially registered as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Australia has the world’s largest population of wild camels — an estimated 1.2 million — and considers them to be a growing environmental problem.

The proposal, released for public comment this week, would allow sharpshooters to earn so-called carbon credits for slaughtering camels. Industrial polluters around the world could buy the credits to offset their own carbon emissions.

Each camel belches an estimated 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of methane a year, which is equivalent to a metric ton (1.1 U.S. ton) of carbon dioxide in its impact on global warming. That’s roughly one-sixth the amount of CO2 that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says an average car produces annually.

A bill to create a carbon credit regime will go to a vote in the House of Representatives on Wednesday and is expected to become law within weeks.

A government registry will be set up to determine what actions will qualify for carbon credits, and bureaucrats are expected to decide by the end of the year whether killing camels will be among them.

Mark Dreyfus, the government’s parliamentary secretary for climate change, said he hopes the proposal wipes out camels from the Australian wild.

“Potentially it has tremendous merit, because feral camels are a dreadful menace across the whole of arid Australia,” Dreyfus told The Associated Press on Thursday.

First introduced in the 1840s to help explorers and pioneers travel through Australia’s arid interior, camels now cover vast tracts of the continent’s parched and sparsely populated center and west.

Camels compete with sheep and cattle for food, trample vegetation and invade remote settlements in search of water, scaring residents as they tear apart bathrooms and rip up water pipes.

The government estimates camel numbers double every nine years, despite recent government-funded culls and a small export meat trade with the Middle East.

“It‘s not well understood because they’re in remote areas of Australia what extraordinary damage this very, very large wild camel population is doing in an economic, environmental and social sense,” Dreyfus said.

Under the new environmental law, Dreyfus said, the camels could be slaughtered for their meat as well as carbon credits — adding to the financial return to those who currently herd and kill camels for human and pet food. Shooters in helicopters could also claim carbon credits if they proved that they had humanely killed a camel and abandoned its carcass.

Garry Dan, a central Australian cattle rancher who also catches camels for their meat, described the added carbon credit value for carcasses as “ideal.”

He said while camels were freely available in the wild, they are expensive to truck to abattoirs because they are too big for standard cattle trailers.

The carbon trading business Northwest Carbon first pitched carbon credits for camels to the government. Its managing director, Tim Moore, said it was too early to place a dollar value on each dead animal. Watch Moore explain this plan on Bloomberg:

“Obviously the higher the value, the faster we’re going to be able to eradicate the problem of the feral camel pest in Australia,” Moore said.

Killing camels is one of three proposals currently being considered by the government for carbon credits under the new law. The others would extract methane from landfills and change how Aborigines manage fire in savannah grasslands.

Australia plans to make its worst industrial polluters pay a tax on every ton of carbon gas they produce from July 1, 2012. The government aims to slash Australia’s greenhouse emissions to 5 percent below 2000 levels by 2020.

Comments (129)

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  • freedom4ever
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 8:22pm

    we have a show called save the whales – we need one called save the camels! they are a big problem in australia but to do this is unreal! where are all the animal rights groups? what or who will be next on their list? will we go by hair color for the next round of “animals” that produce too much gas or age groups??? enjoy life as you know it because it‘s changing so fast it’s hard to keep up with it.

    Report Post »  
  • kindling
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 8:22pm

    “Australia plans to make its worst industrial polluters pay a tax on every ton of carbon gas they produce from July 1, 2012. The government aims to slash Australia’s greenhouse emissions to 5 percent below 2000 levels by 2020″

    What the hell are they going to do when they learn it was a total waste of money and it does not make one bit of difference. I think they should leave the camels alone and remove the “global warming believers”

    Report Post » kindling  
    • Andrew from Down Under
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 10:50pm

      Believe you me, we’re fight ting this down here with every ounce of breath possible. This stupid carbon tax is damn unpopular, people see through the farce, and right now we have a minority Labor government holding onto power by just one seat, with a coalition on two rural independents, one lefty independent, and worst of all, one Green member. If the tax is two extreme, the rural independents are likely to walk away from it. If it isn’t large enough, the Green idiot won’t agree on it! This crap government is one vote away from falling, an election is possible this year, as this government is bleeding on all fronts! The latest disaster- the government has banned all live cattle trading, a big industry here, because of one News report about animal cruelty in Indonesia!

      Report Post » Andrew from Down Under  
  • ICANHANDLETHETRUTH
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 8:20pm

    Is this a joke ?? Is al gore involved in this scheme ?? And where is PETA on this bogust issue ??? LMAO

    Report Post »  
  • kindling
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 8:19pm

    I love the use of “REMOVAL”….also known as KILLING THEM! If they are destroying the landscaping then remove then to a better place, but don’t kill them in the name of saving the polar bears.

    Report Post » kindling  
  • BarbWire
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 8:09pm

    Instead of killing them, they should have an auction and let people buy them, if they promise to take them overseas.

    Report Post »  
  • GadsdenPatriot
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 8:06pm

    Socialism kills. Period. Beware youngsters, the ends justifying the means has been the making of every psychopathic killer.

    Report Post » GadsdenPatriot  
  • BarbWire
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 8:06pm

    This is so silly. You would think green people would like the cool camels. And I’m not sure I understand; but are they killing someone else’s camels, or their own?

    Report Post »  
    • BetterDays
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 11:52pm

      If they leave my hands, feet, knees, elbows, palms, fingers, forehead and forearms I hope GOD makes the Obamanation regret leaving them.

      Report Post »  
  • bellasbrat
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 8:02pm

    This global warming BS has gone entirely too far!! WTF?? Animals produce gas; it’s a natural thing. So now we’re going to kill them just for existing? The world’s gone mad!

    Report Post » bellasbrat  
  • rayblue
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 8:00pm

    The game is afoot.
    The Arabs are gonna be POed at anybody messing with their better halves.

    Report Post » Rayblue  
    • Jim
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 11:30pm

      Yeah, they have camel beauty contests!

      Report Post » Jim  
  • leftcoastslut
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:47pm

    maybe this will be an idea for the POTUS, job creation, kill something and we will pay you. the largest prize will be for the one who kills a moutain lion with a spit ball, because of course someone else will own your gun, sling shot, bows, steak knives, shoe laces, belts

    Report Post »  
  • Andrew from Down Under
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:45pm

    Another idiot decision from our idiot government! Like Obama, Gillard seems to be taking out every profitable industry in this country, and props up two of the worst- the green industry, and people smuggling!

    Report Post » Andrew from Down Under  
    • quizibo
      Posted on June 10, 2011 at 8:31am

      “Another idiot decision from our idiot government.”

      Australia….Obama? Are you serious?

      Report Post » quizibo  
  • hoopla
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:40pm

    Jesus! Now we’re gonna start killing animals to progress the fanatical “Church of Global Warming’s” agenda. Soon it’ll be, “Oh, people belch a lot, so we’re gonna mandate and reward the killing of certain groups and numbers of people….all to reduce global warming.”

    Report Post » hoopla  
  • welovetheUSA
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:37pm

    Where is PETA…………..whats next big mouth heaving breathing children?

    Report Post » welovetheUSA  
  • ryguy1985
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:37pm

    Wow so camels are going to be killed for belching in the name of global warming? Sounds kind of extreme if you ask me, why not just gather them and ship them off to africa, I KNOW it doesn’t exactly get rid of your co2 problem but at least it gives a harmless animal without a voice a chance at survival! They can‘t exactly stand up for themselves and say ’woha this isn‘t right’.

    Report Post » ryguy1985  
  • dcwu
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:35pm

    They might want to save some for riding
    .

    Report Post »  
  • last frontier
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:33pm

    Money is the root of all evil, the camels are a nuisance to the land owners , now they can hide behind the global warming kabal, kill the camels and take a tax credit all while fooling the tree hugger’s at the same time.

    Report Post » last frontier  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:30pm

    This is DISGUSTING……What right do we (humans) have to do this? Instead, how about ending the lives of these LEFTIST MISCREANTS for all the HOT AIR THEY SPEW over their “Do-Gooder” Global Warming stupidity. How about that?

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:30pm

    lets trade

    we will take the camels if you take all our greenies and never allow them to infuence or come back to the u.s. ever again

    Report Post » Psychosis  
  • UpstateNYConservative
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:29pm

    Liberal causes inevitably collide. Watch–when the camel herd is culled to about 200,000, PETA-types will be screaming the Australian wild camel is an ‘endangered species’ and needs to be protected.

    Report Post » UpstateNYConservative  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:27pm

    Man made global warming is a myth created partly by Al gore to transform Al from a multi millionaire into
    a multi billionaire.It’s redistribution of wealth plain and simple,the communists couldn‘t defeat us on the battlefield so they’re using the environmental movement to bring us down.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • Rob
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:22pm

    Nuke those nations and kill all the camels…four legs and two.

    Report Post »  
  • Atomicstorm
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:21pm

    Hypocrites.. in one breath they, who apparently never took a biology class, want to kill a species based on carbon output and in the same breath, tell us we shouldn’t drill for oil because of a stupid lizard.

    Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 8:58pm

      Endangered? Bull crap. These are the same type lizard I used to dangle from my ears like earrings
      when I was a little kid in Texas. I think they are prolific and not in any danger. The only danger we can find here folks, are the environmental lefties who want to stop all drilling in America so Obama can bring we gullible people to our knees. Look and listen, we are being hood-winked and some are falling for it.
      The ones who live off the government are afraid they might lose their living if we change anything.

      Report Post »  
  • cloudsofwar
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:17pm

    i can’t take this global warming camel crap any more.

    Report Post »  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:15pm

    the same greenie communists who dreamed up global warming are looking at camels? well, if they have turned vermin, sounds like they are. rather like the American Whitetail Deer. but cut out the whoel communist agenda carbon credits BS. all that is is to CONTROL the PEOPLE.

    these same morons here in AMERICA are looking to kill off our BEEF cattle for the ”methane” excuse.. talk about a massive arm of nanny communists… they used up a huge amount of American corn for ethanol, making feed corn more expensive for American FOOD manufacturers as well as LIVESTOCK FEED, thus ruining everyday AMERICANS lives —and farms.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
    • KenInIL
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:35pm

      They need to take a page from America’s wild west and have cattle, that is, camel drives to market.

      I always find it amazing the libs will sacrifice food (bio-diesel), animals for obscure principles (carbon, endangers species) If an endangered species caused carbon pollution – would not that be the end of them – no question??

      Report Post »  
    • Robert-CA
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:59pm

      Yeah camels are destroying the planet .
      who’s next on the list ?

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • jedi.kep
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 9:30pm

      Just when I think I have heard everything and every wierd story man can create, we now have camel killing to save the planet. Good grief, the world has absolutely and completely gone mad.

      Report Post » jedi.kep  
  • Caballosinnombre
    Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:14pm

    They make great cigarrettes.

    Report Post »  
    • avenger
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:17pm

      hmmm…interesting concept that should be considered for illegals…

       
    • lcam67
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:24pm

      Here is your cup of crap for the day. One camel hump or two ?

      Report Post » lcam67  
    • John 1776
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:27pm

      So, how soon will it be before we have “Adult Abortions” to help curb “Climate Change?” Think I’m kidding? I don’t trust these nuts!

      Report Post » John 1776  
    • Aaron in Polk County
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:36pm

      Didn’t Al Gore say the same thing about Cows a few years ago…. or am I just getting old?

      Report Post » Aaron in Polk County  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:37pm

      Some die-hards continue to cling to “climate change” as if humans actually have some chance of controlling the world’s climate.

      There are idiots everywhere.

      Report Post »  
    • fastfacts
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:37pm

      Killing the Environment to Save the Environment… SOUNDS LIKE OBAMACARE – DEATH PANELS

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 7:48pm

      @John 1776

      I read the online newsjournals of Australia daily; interesting is not quite the right wording. The land downunder to a certain degree has become a progressives dream come true; and the killing of the camels for the sake of ‘Global Warming?”

      Here they probably will soon call for the decimation of cow farms and herds, just so the methane will not add to that garbage of climate change; the fact is they want any and all means to control the peopns of society, the unwashed and uneducated (in their eyes) masses who need the elitists of utter stupidity and insanity to lead them into the nightmares of tommorow.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • No1YaKnow
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 8:26pm

      Great. And I thought Australia might be a good place to go should we go down in flames. That’s out.

      Report Post » Marci  
    • gategrl
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 8:34pm

      @Caballos…
      After reading the news of the day I really needed a chuckle. Thanks

      Report Post »  
    • ManThong
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 8:35pm

      Cheesey excuse for ginning up interest for killing camels, Just kill‘em and let the buzzards have’em.

      The Aussies should be ashamed of themselves for buying into the carbon credit scam.

      Report Post » ManThong  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 8:49pm

      If one theory doesn’t work, throw another one and see if it sticks. I’m so sick of these so called (Ha) experts who think they have the answers. Just like foods. Eggs are bad, eggs are good, coffee is bad, coffee is good, can’t even remember all the so called stupid theories from the past. They were ready to kill all the cows in America because their belch caused global warming. Folks, God controls the Planet Earth and he made the animals to live here as he made man to live here. I think I’ll rely on God, not some idiot theorist who is trying to make a name for him/herself.

      Report Post »  
    • Ookspay
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 8:50pm

      The hypocrisy of liberalism will soon be on display as PETA and the global warming wackos fight it out.

      Report Post » Ookspay  
    • CottonMPG
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 11:00pm

      Doesn’t rotting flesh give off methane gas?

      Report Post » CottonMPG  
    • coladude
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 11:08pm

      That is about it.

      http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos

      Report Post »  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 11:22pm

      Liberal democratis shoot 500 pounds of methane into their chairs every year. All we can do, however, is vote them out. Let’s do it.

      Report Post »  
    • booger71
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 11:34pm

      I guess the Aussies would not rather walk a mile for a Camel.

      Report Post » booger71  
    • jb.kibs
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 11:55pm

      100 pounds of methane a year.. why don’t they caputre the belches somehow and use it for fuel?

      Report Post »  
    • jeffyfreezone
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 11:56pm

      I remember Steve Irwin saying they weren‘t a problem because they didn’t have hooves. This is strictly murdering innocent camels for a bogus global warming agenda. The blood of these camels will be on Al Gore and his leftist puke Gorebots’ hands!

      Report Post »  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on June 10, 2011 at 12:05am

      What will the muslims do without their camels???

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • grandma7
      Posted on June 10, 2011 at 12:47am

      PETA ……Where Are You, Now!!!

      Report Post »  
    • drattastic
      Posted on June 10, 2011 at 1:25am

      obama expels 100tons of methane a year .Has he been to Australia lately ? I think he needs to visit.

      Report Post » drattastic  
    • BrownWaterVet
      Posted on June 10, 2011 at 3:00am

      Where are these “Sharpshooters” going to get their guns? Austrailia outlawed guns. I guess that is just for regular people. Carbon Credits? Who “owns” them to begin with & what do you do with them. Somebody is making money of of them.

      Hey, since volcanos are so active & ruining the environment with all they are spewing, maybe we can tax them & take away their Carbon Credits.

      Semper Fortis

      Report Post »  
    • sedition
      Posted on June 10, 2011 at 7:11am

      The Movie Rampage sums it up!

      Report Post » sedition  
    • mikem1969
      Posted on June 10, 2011 at 8:51am

      Hey greenies and climate liars, now you are causing innocent camel deaths, but I guess you don’t care because for libs and progressives, all they care about is reaching their goal. You freaking moron libs and progressives need to look at CLIMATE HISTORY. Science has proven that the earth goes through NATURAL, for libs and progressives (not man made), WARMING AND COOLING CLIMATE CYCLES. Also, in one day, the volcanoes of the earth both above and below the ocean’s surface spew out more toxins and pollutants than all of man kind combined. If all of you climategaters believe in this so much, well go turn yourselves into soilent green, several billion tons of wasted air will be saved that way.

      Report Post »  
    • freeweever
      Posted on June 10, 2011 at 2:39pm

      LOLOLOL Good one

      Report Post » freeweever  
    • Dale
      Posted on June 10, 2011 at 4:38pm

      Aaron in Polk County
      Didn’t Al Gore say the same thing about Cows a few years ago…. or am I just getting old?
      ————————-
      Al who?

      Report Post » Dale  
    • Dale
      Posted on June 10, 2011 at 4:42pm

      drattastic
      obama expels 100tons of methane a year .Has he been to Australia lately ? I think he needs to visit.
      ——————–
      Only if he stays!

      Report Post » Dale  
    • 408 CheyTac
      Posted on June 10, 2011 at 10:23pm

      Australia is rapidly replacing san fran sicko as the home of really, really stupid ideas.

      I guess that is what you get when you have a country founded on a stock the dregs of 18th century Great Britain. I guess only the stupid crooks got transportation… and the gene pool hasn’t gotten any better as time went on.

      Report Post »  
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