The post-carbon economy: coming ready or not

The left also dislikes this pragmatic redefinition of the problem. They are happier with moral crusades, in which they are the pure ones.

Confronting the problems and opportunities generated by the ending of the carbon economy is a matter for national governments within global realities. It should be motivated by the same economic and social drives as all attempts at national survival and improvement. It is not about "saving the planet" so much as saving ourselves as change is imposed upon us. If we can not unite around such a program what hope is there for us?

A carbon tax of some kind is imperative. It would provide economic incentives to change to non-carbon fuels while we can still afford to pay for the carbon fuels used in building the new infrastructure.

There is a huge benefit to being the first mover and China has already taken that advantage. The last to make the shift will be paying huge amounts of money for carbon fuels to fund the old economy while trying desperately to find money to build the new.

This is the horrific prospect for Australia as our Government fiddles about and fails to even comprehend the problem let alone come up with a solution. The Opposition is completely Neanderthal when the topic is raised and the Greens just want to impose Puritanism and socialist solutions on us all.

Business is leading, but in cautious and self-interested ways. Car companies are building electric cars because they are aware that they are the market of the near future. Mining companies understand the problems, in part because they are massive users of fossil fuels and will have to find alternatives like everyone else.

But national leadership is required. The answers will not be derived from focus groups.