What we have is the failure to communicate

Finally, any effective campaign for change must recognise that reason has as little hold on key decision makers as it does on the average punter.

In a study that revolutionised the field of international relations, political scientist Graham Allison demonstrated that government decisions are not the result of considered choices made by rational actors but the result of consensus building by leaders trying to satisfy a range of political, personal and ideological agendas.

This implies that whatever the facts or rectitude of the case for change, government action on the climate issue will be characterised by incrementalism and compromise.

The sooner this is recognised, and strategy and tactics are geared to account for it - something that does not appear to have been done by some environmental groups, nor by the Australian Greens senators, with respect to the emissions trading scheme - the more likely advocates will be able to capitalise on the opportunities for change that do exist.

A failure of communication and tactics, not of understanding may be the cause of inaction on climate change. Until these problems are acknowledged and tackled, climate advocates, however well-meaning, may be part of the problem, not the solution.

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