Lack of political will

This bankrupt position is at least marginally better than that advocated by his partners in crime, the National Party. The NP leadership is still at the stage of disputing the findings of science and the views of informed scientists. Their position appears to be that if CO2 emissions do cause global warming, which they do not believe proven, then measures taken to reduce those emissions will be opposed if they adversely impact primary industries, particularly in the agriculture sector.

The Opposition assert that since Australia is responsible for only 1.4 per cent of global emissions, no action it takes will, by itself, make the slightest difference to global warming. They are wrong on several counts. Cutting Australia’s CO2 emissions will make a difference, even though small. We are in no position to ask, let alone demand, that others reduce their emissions when our own record is so dreadful and worsening.

Australia is the largest exporter of coal in the world and coal is the largest source of CO2 pollution. Australia is responsible for the highest per capita level of CO2 emissions in the world. Australian state governments are actively involved in promoting and encouraging establishment of new mines to increase coal production.

The Australian government supports this expansion by offering producers and users of coal increased subsidies and other support. At the same time, it denies adequate financial support to the development or application of technology which might seriously threaten the dominance of fossil fuels as a source of energy.

How will Australia be perceived by other countries attending the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change? At the very least as insincere. More likely, as a country whose views should be derided and ignored. We should be going to Copenhagen with the intention, the capacity and the willingness to provide leadership. Rudd policies and Wong proposals for their implementation ensure that this will not occur and that Australia will be treated with the disdain befitting our on-going abysmal record on global warming.

We should be strident in our demand that government do vastly more to reduce the risks associated with global warming and be able to display credibility when attending the Copenhagen Conference.