On The Project, Waleed Aly delivered a very passionate explanation of renewable energy and how it impacts us in Australia. Courtesy: The Project

WALEED Aly set Twitter alight when he delivered a surprising report on climate change that made people think twice.

The Project presenter outlined the Renewable Energy Target, which is meant to ensure that 20 per cent of electricity used in Australia comes from renewable energy sources by 2020.

“Initial forecast suggested that, to hit 20 per cent by 2020, we needed to generate 41,000 gigawatt hours from renewable sources. But here’s the thing, each year Australia is using less electricity, larger energy consuming industry-like manufacturing is decreasing, our homes use less power, thanks to better designed white goods and we’re using less power because it’s bloody expensive.”

Aly expressed disdain at the fact that Australia is one of few countries in the world to see a reduction in jobs and investments in the clean energy sector, while the Government and Labor have been fighting it out but “refuse to budge”.

“We’ve been getting our arse handed to us by the 143 other countries around the world with established renewable energy targets,” he informed viewers.

“It’s been reported the only other country in the world to experience a decline in renewable investments last year due to regulatory changes was Italy. This is a nation that has so blatantly accepted climate change, they’ve already built a city that’s permanently flooded.”

Aly was further frustrated by the reality that the Australian Government and the audience watching his segment “don’t even care” about the issue. “The truth is, no one cares.”

He summed up by taking Prime Minister Tony Abbott to town, saying, “I don’t think Tony cares,” and referring to Australia’s attitude towards climate change as “a wilful disregard for the future of this nation, by the people we’ve elected to lead us.”

Aly’s powerful report was met with praise from the live audience, viewers sitting at home and respect from his fellow co-hosts Gretel Killeen and Chrissie Swan.

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