Ridiculous propaganda from John Howard

[freediver]

http://www.ozpolitic.com/green-tax-shift/ridiculous-propaganda-john-howard.html

The Federal government has been forced, through sheer weight of evidence, scientific opinion and public awareness, to finally acknowledge the reality of climate change. Problem solved? Well not quite. In their efforts to attack Labor they have been making absurd claims about our options for dealing with global warming.

For example, consider this quote from the Prime Minister’s press release:

The emissions trading plan released by the Labor states and territories would impose significant costs on the Australian economy and have zero impact on global emissions and climate change.

[freediver]

I don't think that's what he said. And a growing population does not necessarily preclude a reversal.

[John Abney-Hastings]

Why not develop clean industries- in order to attract investment from the greenie-rich American and European investors?

[freediver]

Sure, that's a great idea. But it's not the government's job. Most 'clean' industries are already highly developed - ie not in the 'government funded research' stage. It's the government's job to create the incentive by making polluters pay for the right to pollute our air.

The most effective way to reduce emissions is to reduce consumption and improve efficiency. It is simply not possible for the government to mandate any changes in this area. It can only happen by creating the right financial incentives. Compared to this, cleaning up our supply is still a rather expensive option. The government gets involved in this as a form of tokenism. It won't ruffle too many feathers if 1.5% of our energy comes from renewables. But if we reduced our consunmption of power from coal fired power plants by 10% a year then a lot of rich people would be slightly less rich, and would scare the public into thinking it was some kind of economic disaster to not be wasting all that power any more.

[freediver]

Looks like John Howard is preparing to do another backflip on this issue.

[John Abney-Hastings]

But if we reduced our consunmption of power from coal fired power plants by 10% a year then a lot of rich people would be slightly less rich, and would scare the public into thinking it was some kind of economic disaster to not be wasting all that power any more.

Interesting that you mention it. They have recently discovered commercial quantities of oil and gas on the edges of the coal fields in Gippsland.