Comments on: Australian climate policy paralysis

By: Jessica Xu

Jessica Xu — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:35:30 +0000

Thanks for clearing some things up. I’ve got to say I’m happy that they’re talking about it at least. Our voices are being heard; Malcolm Turnbull was on TV’s Sunrise on Tuesday and said ‘the Australian people want action on climate change’… That’s a start.

In this situation, I don’t know what’s better – a passed legislation with life-threateningly low targets or no legislation at all. From which situation would there be more success in pushing for targets of 40% or more?

If they decide & implement a scheme that benefits the big polluters & has ineffective targets, I’m afraid that they will never amend it. When we ask for more climate action, they, being the polluters, politicians and sceptics, may say they have already done enough.

On the other hand, if they keep delaying, a scheme may not ever be put in place. The habit of procrastinating may never break.

I’m 16. I know that the action leaders of today decide to take will determine my fate. They need to realise the enormity of this situation. They need to understand the risk of weak attempts. They need to know that it’s either nothing or everything. They need to be reminded that they are representing the people, not themselves.

I have hope. Either way, I will fight. I hope we, the people of humankind, will fight for our futures & the right to live.

By: Rachel Macy

Rachel Macy — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:33:42 +0000

I agree with you, Ronnie, that some Australians and Americans don’t want to have to make lifestyle changes–at least not our major pollutors. As an American living in Australia, I’ve met people from all walks of life who have are willing to shrink their footprint by changing their personal behavior and who have already made some changes to their lifestyles like riding a bike to work instead of buying a car and trying to make sure that their investments don’t fund carbon pollutors (and effectively human rights abusors).

We’ve all seen the laundry lists of ways to go ‘green’, but I think all of us agree that more than changing a lightbulb, the source of the electricity itself needs to be cleaned up. That is why I’m pretty disappointed and angry at both my governments – American and Australian – for misrepresenting myself and millions of others who recognize the need for swift and effective action.

Copenhagen might be a dud, but we have the voting power to put on the pressure and change things next year. I just hope they listen sooner rather than later.

By: Cara

Cara — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:53:17 +0000

Thanks for the update Phil. It’s been a mad week in Canberra!!
But you’re right Ronnie, what is the maddest thing about all of this, whether the CPRS, the ETS, the Liberal Party falling apart, or the air time that climate deniers still get, is that we are quite literally gambling with people’s lives. The latest report from the Global Humanitarian Forum showed that at least 300, 000 people are already dying each year due to climate change. (Check out the report here: http://www.ghfgeneva.org/Portals/0/pdfs/human_impact_report.pdf) What will it take for the world to wake up!?!??!
Come on Rudd, get serious about tackling climate change.

By: Ronnie Wright

Ronnie Wright — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:37:40 +0000

And perhaps it will snow in hell as well! Sorry for the sarcasm; I just couldn’t help myself.

The Australian government, like the government in the United States, are not going to take the action necessary to prevent catastrophic climate change. Why? It’s all about money (greed) of course. Australians and Americans alike are all for taking action so long as it doesn’t affect their lifestyle. They all want someone else to make the cuts.

When I read about this in Australian newspapers the argument is all “if we cut back this much it will cost this amount” or “if we cut back by that much it will cost us that amount”. I never see “if we cut back by this much we will save the lives of this many innocent men women and children that don’t even own a light bulb let alone a car”.

For Australians and Americans alike it’s all about their own greed. If you want to see the real problems just look in a mirror.

Nothing will happen on the climate change issue so long as we keep putting our greed over our need. Our whole way of life has got to change. Until that happens we will just go on killing poor people with our emissions. If you ask me it’s a crime against humanity.

It’s time we change.

Ronnie Wright