Why do analyses of environmental issues have to be negative?

And what of Flannery's suggestion that we pay particular attention to our energy and water use and that environmentally responsible people should be rewarded with "green slips" which would provide a rebate on their stamp duty? An admirable idea, but why stop there? Why not institute a system where health-conscious families who follow a strict regime of child inoculation and regular visits to the local community health centre, give up smoking and use environmentally friendly nappies are paid an additional premium on their child allowance?

But would a society committed to individual rights and freedoms, and one in which countless governments have viewed environmental and health matters as the concern and responsibility of the individual rather than the government, go along with it?

Like all "futures" research, the impact of climate change in Australia holds many uncertainties. Most scenarios put up are at the very least speculative, but they do raise public and political awareness and to this extent we owe Flannery a cheer.

To me there is little doubt that we have underestimated the complexity of our biophysical environment and the role it plays in our lives and anything which draws our attention to this fact is to be warmly embraced.