Some of my colleagues were amazed to see The Australian newspaper run Environment Minister Campbell on its front page yesterday with some anxious comments about the threat of global warming.
On the same day former NSW Premier Bob Carr launched a new $10 million institute dedicated to educating us about global warming.
What does it all mean? Here are a few comments, initially from letters to the editor of The Australian and then from the Prime Minister:
Since this is all about greenhouse scaremongering, he [Minister Campbell] should also ask his advisers what the safe level of greenhouse gas really is. That should stump the lot of them. …it is really [also] all about frightening people into supporting the use of nuclear energy for domestic and industrial power generation.
James Stuart, Griffith, ACT, 28th October
At last, the Howard Government acknowledges the very real threat of climate change. But time will tell if it is willing to take some real action on this issue. As the nation with the industrialised world’s highest per capita greenhouse-gas emissions, Australia has an obligation to provide some real solutions. Solar – yes, wind – yes, energy efficiency and renewable technologies – yes, but don’t be mistaken, Senator Campbell, nuclear power will not be in the mix.
Michaela Stubbs, Northcote, Vic, 28th October
I’m pleased that the Environment Minister has come to the realisation that global warming is man-made and a threat to the planet – better late than never. But his solutions to the problem are a bit simplistic – that of exploring all possible technologies as if they will provide the answers. We could make a start by signing up to the Kyoto Protocol…
Harry Cohen, Nedlands, WA, 28th October
If Australia were to sign the Kyoto Protocol in its present form, that would sell out in the interests of Australian industry and Australian jobs. The Kyoto Protocol is anti-Australian jobs particularly in the resource sector because it imposes burdens on Australian industry that it doesn’t impose on like industries in countries like Indonesia and China…
John Howard, Prime Minister, 27th October
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD has worked in industry and government. She is currently researching a novel technique for long-range weather forecasting funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation.