CARBON EMISSIONS TAX APPROVED

　　Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard makes good on her campaign promise to tax carbon emissions. On Tuesday, Australia's parliament passed landmark laws to charge businesses for the amount carbon they emit.

　　Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard: "Today, Australia has a price on carbon as the law of our land. This comes after a quarter of a century of scientific warnings, 37 parliamentary inquiries, and years of bitter debate and division.

　　Today, our nation has got this done. It has taken the most effective step it can to cut carbon pollution." The move sees Australia join the EU and New Zealand with national emissions trading schemes.

　　It is also slated to renew the impetus for December's global climate talks in South Africa. Australia produces only 1.5 percent of global emissions, but is the world's highest carbon emitter per capita due to its heavy reliance on coal. (Jessica Gray/Reuters)

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